You’re probably here because you saw a teacher on TikTok or Instagram holding a pointer and going through a rapid-fire list of countries, or maybe you’re a student wondering why your favorite YouTuber just gave a "world from a to z shout out" in the middle of a vlog. It’s a thing. A big thing.
Honestly, it’s one of those internet trends that actually has some substance. It isn't just a mindless dance or a prank. At its core, the world from a to z shout out is a global roll call. It’s about recognition. It’s the digital equivalent of that "Where are you calling from?" segment on old-school late-night radio, but amplified by the reach of modern social media.
What is the World From A to Z Shout Out Anyway?
Let’s get the basics down. When someone does a world from a to z shout out, they are literally listing locations—usually countries, but sometimes cities—in alphabetical order.
It’s a format.
Some people do it to show off their geography skills. Others do it to engage a global audience. If you’re a creator with followers in 50 different countries, saying "Shout out to Albania, shout out to Brazil, shout out to Canada" makes people feel seen. It’s weirdly personal for something so scripted.
You’ve likely seen the version popularized by educational creators like Carl Azuz (formerly of CNN 10) or the current team at World from A to Z. They turned the alphabetical shout-out into a daily ritual. It wasn't just fluff; it was a way to ground a global news broadcast in the reality of the people watching it.
Why the Alphabetical Format Sticks
Human brains love order. We crave it. Listing things from A to Z feels "complete." When a creator starts at A, you find yourself waiting. You stay for the "M" because that’s where you live. You stay for the "U" because you want to see if they say United States or United Kingdom.
It’s a retention hack, sure. But it’s also a community builder.
The Carl Azuz Factor and the "New" World from A to Z
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: the transition from CNN 10 to the independent "World from A to Z" show. For years, Carl Azuz was the face of classroom news. He had this pun-heavy, high-energy delivery that made 10 minutes of current events bearable for middle schoolers.
When he left CNN 10, there was a genuine panic in the educator community. People were literally mourning the puns.
But then, World from A to Z launched.
It was a pivot. It was independent. And the "shout out" became a central pillar of the brand. In this context, the world from a to z shout out isn't just a list; it’s a specific segment where schools from around the globe get mentioned.
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Teachers submit their school names.
Students wait with bated breath.
Then, the shout-out happens.
It turns a passive viewing experience into an active one. Suddenly, a kid in a rural town in Nebraska feels connected to a global news program because their school was mentioned right after a school in Seoul, South Korea. That connection is powerful. It’s what keeps the "shout out" relevant in an era of 5-second attention spans.
How to Get Your Own World From A to Z Shout Out
Getting a mention isn't just about luck. It’s a process. If you’re trying to get a shout-out on the official program or even just trying to get a major influencer to notice you, you need a strategy.
Use the Official Channels. For the actual "World from A to Z" show hosted by Carl Azuz, they have a specific submission process on their website. You can't just comment on a random post and hope for the best. They look for school name, location, and sometimes a little "why we watch" blurb.
Timing is Everything. These shows are scripted and filmed in advance. If you want a shout-out for a specific event—like a school anniversary or a graduation—you need to submit months early.
Engage Locally. If you’re doing your own version of this for your classroom or your YouTube channel, start small. Mention neighboring towns. Mention local heroes. The "world" part can wait until you've mastered the "A to Z" part.
The Geography of the Shout Out
Think about the sheer diversity of the list. You’ve got:
- A: Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia.
- B: Belgium, Brazil, Botswana.
- C: Canada, Chile, China.
And it goes on. By the time you hit Z (Zimbabwe or Zambia), you’ve mentally traveled the entire globe. It’s a subtle way of teaching geography without the boring maps and rote memorization. You start to associate names with faces, or at least with the excitement of the shout-out.
The Psychology of Being Mentioned
Why do we care? Honestly, why does a student in Ohio care if a guy on a screen says the name of their middle school?
It’s about validation.
In a digital world that feels increasingly cold and algorithmic, a world from a to z shout out is a human touch. It’s someone saying, "I see you. I know you’re there. You matter to this conversation."
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Social psychologists often talk about the "parasocial relationship"—that one-sided bond we form with media personalities. When that personality acknowledges us, even as part of a group, it strengthens that bond. It turns a "viewer" into a "fan."
Common Misconceptions About the A to Z Format
People think it’s easy. "Just read a list," they say.
It’s not.
Pronunciation is a minefield. If you’re doing a world from a to z shout out and you butcher the name of a country or a specific school district, the comments section will let you know. Fast.
There’s also the issue of inclusivity. If you always skip the "Q" or "X" because you can't find a school there, your list feels incomplete. It feels lazy. The best creators—the ones who really nail the "world from a to z shout out" vibe—are the ones who do the research. They find the obscure spots. They learn how to say "Qatar" or "Xalapa" correctly.
The Impact on Education
Middle school teachers are the secret engine behind this trend. They use these shout-outs as "bell ringers."
A bell ringer is a short activity that happens the moment students walk into the room to get them focused. Watching a 10-minute news segment that ends with a world from a to z shout out is the perfect transition from the chaos of the hallway to the focus of the classroom.
It builds a "global classroom" mentality.
When a kid in Texas hears a shout-out to a school in South Africa, they realize—maybe for the first time—that there are kids exactly like them, sitting in a classroom exactly like theirs, watching the exact same thing halfway across the world.
Beyond the Screen: Doing It Yourself
You don't need a professional studio to do this. You can start a world from a to z shout out tradition in your own life.
- Social Media: Use it as a comment-to-enter giveaway format. "Comment your country from A to Z!"
- Gaming: Streamers do this all the time. "Shout out to my viewers in Austria, shout out to my viewers in Belgium..."
- Workplaces: If you manage a remote team, a weekly "shout out" to the different cities your employees live in can boost morale.
It’s a simple tool with a massive ROI.
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The Future of Global Shout-Outs
As AI becomes more integrated into video, we might see personalized shout-outs. Imagine a version of a news show where the host appears to say your name specifically because the video is being rendered in real-time for your IP address.
Kinda cool. Kinda creepy.
But for now, the human element is what matters. The reason the world from a to z shout out works is that we know a real person—like Carl Azuz or your favorite creator—actually sat down and picked those names. They put in the effort.
Actionable Steps for Using the Trend
If you want to leverage this for your own brand or classroom, don't just copy what's already out there. Make it yours.
- Pick a Theme. Don't just do countries. Do "Animals from A to Z" or "Historical Figures from A to Z."
- Focus on Phonetics. If you’re doing shout-outs, use a site like Forvo to check pronunciations. Nothing kills a shout-out like a mispronounced name.
- Keep it Snappy. The "A to Z" part can get long. Keep each mention under two seconds. Keep the energy high.
- Visual Aids Matter. If you’re making a video, flash the name of the place on the screen. It helps with accessibility and makes the shout-out feel more "official."
The world is a huge, messy, complicated place. Sometimes, reducing it down to an alphabetical list of friends and neighbors makes it feel just a little bit smaller and a lot more connected.
Whether you’re a teacher looking for a way to hook your students, or a creator trying to build a global brand, the world from a to z shout out is a proven way to bridge the gap between "us" and "them."
It turns the globe into a community.
And honestly, we could all use a little more of that right now.
To make this really work for you, start by identifying your "A." Who is the first person or place you want to acknowledge? Once you start the list, you’ll find that the momentum carries you all the way to Z.
Don't overthink the "perfect" list. The authenticity of the shout-out matters way more than the polish of the production. People want to be heard. They want to be part of the "world" you’re talking about. Give them that chance.
Check the official World from A to Z website for the latest submission guidelines if you're aiming for the big leagues. Otherwise, grab your phone, start at A, and see where the alphabet takes you. It’s a bigger journey than you think.
Immediate Next Steps:
- Identify Your Audience: Determine if you are targeting a local, niche, or global group before starting your alphabetical list.
- Submit Your Request: If you want a shout-out on a specific program, visit their "Contact" or "Shout Out" page immediately, as lead times are often 4–8 weeks.
- Verify Pronunciation: Use tools like Google Translate's audio feature or specialized pronunciation dictionaries for any locations outside your primary language.
- Draft Your List: Write out your A–Z list in a simple text editor first to ensure you don't skip letters like Q, X, or Z, which are often the hardest to fill.