WeWow on the Weekend: Dishin' It Up, Cow Toots, and Crickets for Breakfast!

Summary

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Podcast Summary: WeWow on the Weekend — Dishin' It Up, Cow Toots, and Crickets for Breakfast!

Podcast: Wow in the World
Hosts: Dennis, Reggie (guest hosts), Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz
Episode Release: July 26, 2026
Original Segment Reference: “Tooting Cows and Crickets for Breakfast” (Season 1, Episode 9)
Audience: Kids & Families

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Episode Overview

This “WeWow on the Weekend” episode is a lively science variety show hosted by Dennis (with Reggie) from his mother’s basement. The episode features a playful, failed cooking segment, a nostalgic revisit to a classic “Wow in the World” story about cows, methane, and eating insects to help the planet, and some light banter about bug cuisine. The tone is silly, engaging, and accessible, making big environmental science ideas fun for the whole family.

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Key Segments and Insights

1. Dishing it Up with Dennis: The Cooking Segment

Timestamps: 02:37–05:08

• Premise: Dennis attempts his first impromptu cooking show.
• Creation: He attempts to make a “frittata” but ends up substituting eggs (which they don’t have) with strawberry yogurt, leftover Halloween candy, and garnishes found in the couch cushions (a cheese doodle for “savory and crunch”).
• Result: The culinary experiment is a disaster, leading to dramatic reactions.

Notable Moment:

• Dennis, after tasting it, exclaims:

  “That frittata was horrible. I can't believe you let me eat that. Rajay, quick, get me my emotional support juice box. Hurry, hurry, hurry...” (05:06, Dennis)

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2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Revisiting Tooting Cows and Crickets for Breakfast

Timestamps: 05:08–15:28

Dennis introduces a flashback segment from Season 1, re-broadcasting a favorite story about the environmental impact of cow “toots” (methane gas) and the potential of eating insects to help the planet.

Key Science Takeaways:

• Methane from Cows:
  Cow burps and toots release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

  • “There are one and a half billion cows roaming around our planet ... almost 50 gallons of methane gas per cow per day...” (10:21, Mindy Thomas)
  • “And greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere ... makes the planet warmer, which, as you know, is not good.” (11:55, Mindy Thomas)

• Greenhouse Effect Explained:

  • Guy Raz and Mindy explain how a warmer Earth leads to big changes in weather, sea levels, and animal habitats.
  • “Yeah, because when the planet gets warmer, it causes changes to the weather and the seasons. It heats up the oceans, it can cause ice and snow... to melt...” (12:08, Guy Raz)

• Ways Humans Can Help:

  • Suggestions include using less electricity, turning off devices, reusing things, saving energy, and planting native gardens.
    • “Or chilling out on the heat and air conditioning, or even planting a garden...” (13:01, Mindy Thomas)

• Eating Insects as a Solution:

  • Mindy shares research from the University of Edinburgh and Scotland’s Rural College about replacing half of beef consumption with protein from insects (like crickets and mealworms) or imitation meats, which produce fewer greenhouse gases.
  • “Researchers discovered that insects and imitation meat are actually the best kinds of meat when it comes to how it affects our planet.” (14:17, Mindy Thomas)
  • “If we all pitched in ... doing things like eating insects for protein, or choosing chicken or fish or plant-based foods over beef ... we could help the earth and save it from the hordes of greenhouse gas emitting cows.” (15:08, Guy Raz)

Funny Exchanges:

• Mindy:

  “Every time a cow toots, an angel gets some bangs!”
  Guy Raz:
  “Uh, I didn’t know people say that.” (09:08–09:14)

• Mindy (on her methane collection):

  “I’ve been collecting cow toots in milk jugs for the last 12 months.” (10:52)

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3. Reflections and Food for Thought

Timestamps: 15:28–16:46

• Dennis and Reggie reflect on bug-eating, noting that many cultures eat insects and wondering if candy-coated crickets are available (Dennis would try a chocolate-covered cricket, but only as an adventure).
• They mention other edible bugs: mealworms, ants, and even scorpions (but “don’t eat the stinger!”).

Memorable Quote:
Dennis:

“If I don't like it, I'm going right back to my diet of cheese doodles and iceberg lettuce. The two food groups.” (15:49)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dennis (on his failed cooking):

  “That frittata was horrible. ... Rajay, quick, get me my emotional support juice box.” (05:06)

• Mindy Thomas (explaining methane):

  “There are one and a half billion cows ... almost 50 gallons of methane gas per cow per day.” (10:21)

• Guy Raz (on consequences of warming):

  “... it can cause ice and snow at the top and bottom of the planet to melt, and it could change the way we humans and other animals live our lives...” (12:08)

• Mindy Thomas (on dietary change):

  “Researchers discovered that insects and imitation meat are actually the best kinds of meat when it comes to how it affects our planet.” (14:17)

• Dennis (bug cuisine):

  “I want to try a chocolate covered cricket. But if I don't like it, I'm going right back to my diet of cheese doodles and iceberg lettuce. The two food groups.” (15:49)

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Important Timestamps:

• 02:37 — Dennis launches “Dishing it Up with Dennis”
• 05:08 — Cooking segment ends, pivot to science flashback
• 09:08 — Start of “Tooting Cows and Crickets for Breakfast” flashback
• 10:21 — Cows and methane explained
• 12:08 — Greenhouse effect discussed
• 13:41 — Research on insect protein and imitation meat
• 15:28 — Dennis and Reggie discuss edible insects
• 16:46 and on — End credits and segment wrap-up

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Episode Tone and Style

The episode’s tone is energetic, goofy, and full of punny humor, inviting curiosity and laughter. Complex science ideas—like methane emissions and dietary changes to help the planet—are made accessible through jokes, practical suggestions, and memorable fictional scenarios.

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Summary Takeaways

• Even silly experiments (like couch-cushion frittatas) can lead to learning and laughter.
• Cow burps and toots (methane) are a major source of greenhouse gases.
• Simple changes—including eating more plant-based foods or even bugs—could help slow climate change.
• Kids and grownups alike are encouraged to be curious, try new things, and think about how everyday actions impact the world.

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For more science-filled fun, tune in next time, or visit tinkercast.com for crafts, calls, and more wow-worthy stories!

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, do you want to help us spread the word about WOW in the world?

[Reggie]

Yay.

[Mindy Thomas]

Then just leave us a review in your podcast player. Your reviews help us to bring our podcast to new ears. That's right, Reg. Dennis even reads some of these reviewsies on wewow on the weekend. So who knows? You might just hear your review on the show. And if you're looking for even more ways to support wow in the world, tell your friends if you know someone who you think would enjoy. If you enjoy this podcast, send them your favorite episode or tell them about something you learned or made you laugh while listening. Thanks for listening and for helping us spread the wow. And now a quick ad break, and then back to the show.

[Reggie]

Decaf.

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[Reggie]

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[Dennis]

wee wow on the weekend. Wee wow on the weekend. Wee wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Talking, laughing. Me and Reggie singing, laughing. And then we. Oh, wait, no, I said laughing twice. Whatever. We wow on the weekend. Yeah, we wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to Wii Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis, and that's Reggie. We're down in my mother's basement singing songs, playing games, and listening to episodes of our favorite Tinkercast podcasts. Yeah. And doing whatever else we feel like doing. What do you feel like doing, Reggie? Reggie, I said what do you feel like doing?

[Reggie]

What do you mean?

[Dennis]

You don't know? You're hungry? Yeah, I suppose I could eat. Ooh, Reggie, we should do a cooking segment. I know. I've been talking about it and talking about it, and we haven't done it yet. Yeah, it needs a name. Let's call this segment Dishing it Up with Dennis. Ahem. Dish it up on a dish. Anything that you wish. Take a bite that's delish. Dishon it up with Dennis and Reggie. Welcome to Dishing it up with Dennis. On today's show, we're gonna make. Let's make a Frittata. I don't know what a frittata is, but it sounds fancy. And I've heard a bunch of people order it at brunch before. Oh, right. Some people might not know what brunch is. Brunch is when you eat breakfast. A whole bunch. Yes, it is. Brunch is a whole bunch of breakfasts. Okay, let's get cooking. I'm pretty sure that frittatas are made with eggs, so get cracking. Reggie. What? We don't have any eggs. How do we not have any eggs for the cooking segment I just made up? Okay, I guess we can substitute eggs with. Let's see here. This strawberry yogurt I was eating earlier. And then we need some seasoning. And how about. Oh, my. Leftover Halloween candy. No, it's still good. Okay. Gummy worms into the yogurt, a couple pieces of chocolate. All right, what else we got? A garnish. Great idea. Let me go check the couch cushions. Because, Reggie, the couch is basically a pantry. Alright? We got some loose batteries, a set of keys, a ukulele.

[Reggie]

Aha.

[Dennis]

I found a cheese doodle. This will add savory to our sweet. And also a little crunch. There we go. Put that right on top. And voila. A yogurt, candy, cheese doodle. Frittata. Okay, here you go, Reggie. Taste it. I made it for you. Reggie, eat the frittata. Fine, mister. I'm not hungry anymore. I'll eat it.

[Reggie]

Oh, no.

[Dennis]

It's terrible.

[Reggie]

Ugh.

[Dennis]

Where did I go wrong? Rajay, quick, get me my emotional support juice box. Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry. Okay, okay. Oh, thank goodness. That frittata was horrible. I can't believe you let me eat that. Yeah, good idea. Let's move on. Okay, I think it's time for a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we revisit an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast shows. And this weekend, we're revisiting episodes from the very first season of wow in the World. Today we're doing a little story from episode nine called Tooting Cows and Crickets for Breakfast. Oh, no. Not another gross episode with toots in it and crickets for breakfast. I already ate a yogurt, candy, cheese noodle frittata. I'm stuffed. Oh, is it maybe about the sport of cricket? Cause I like that. Oh, good idea. I'll check my notes. Let's see here. Mandy and Guy. Nah. Nope, it's bugs. Okay, let's Just do it. Here we go. And play Wee.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow will be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you. Hey Wowzer fams. Mindy, here is your family looking for some new podcasts to check out on your next family road trip? Well, I have got some that I think might just wow your entire family. So let's say you got some animal lovers. You've gotta meet. Flip and Mosi. Flip and Mosi are travel vlogging aliens who are discovering Earth and its amazing creatures for the first time. And along the way, they learn what it takes to be an earthling. Or maybe you're someone who loves to solve mysteries. With who when wow. Mystery Edition you can join Carlie Q on her time traveling adventures and discover the truth behind history's biggest mysteries. Like the Loch Ness Monster, what happened to Amelia Earhart? And if you've got someone who prefers bouncing down the road to a beat, we are turning the tables on your favorite fables with Once Upon a Beat. In this hip hop twist on classic stories, Grammy winner DJ Fuchs adds some rhythm and rhyme to tales as old as time. Once Upon a Beat will have your whole family tapping their feet. You can find Flip and Mosey who and wow. Mystery Edition and Once Upon a Beat. Wherever you find your podcasts, just search them in your favorite podcast app and hit the follow button so you don't miss out. Happy travels. And now a quick ad break and then we'll get on with the show. Hey, grownups. Mindy here. And it should come as no surprise that I love talking to people. I do it every Friday on two. What's in a People who Wow Edition? And I've got to tell you about something else designed to bring the joy of conversation back to kids. It's called Pinwheel Home and it's a modern take on the landline phone. The Pinwheel Home is just like the phones you remember, except it connects using your wi fi and plugs into a regular wall outlet. Plus, adults approve all contacts so you don't get strangers or spam calls. And calls to other Pinwheel Homes are free, so you can talk to all your friends. Pinwheel Home lets kids safely connect with their friends and family. Plus it builds conversation skills and promotes independence. Visit pinwheel.com wow to learn more. That's P-I N W H E-E-L.com wow to learn more. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Reggie]

What in the world?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, you know how people always say every time a cow toots, an angel gets some bangs?

[Guy Raz]

Uh, I didn't know people say that.

[Mindy Thomas]

Sure you do. Don't you remember I told you that last week when we were lost in that cow pasture? Man, it's getting hot out here. Guy Raz, did you know that a cow drinks a bathtub's worth of water every single day?

[Guy Raz]

My GPS said this is the place.

[Mindy Thomas]

Make a U turn. Guy Raz, did you know that a cow can walk up the stairs, but it can't walk back down the stairs? Man, I'm getting tired. Turn left at the Cowspot.

[Guy Raz]

This is not working.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Guy Raz, did you know that you can milk a cow on an airplane?

[Reggie]

Whoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

You have arrived.

[Reggie]

Huh?

[Mindy Thomas]

And Guy Raz, did you know that every time a cow toots, an angel gets some bangs?

[Guy Raz]

Wait, now I recall. You did say that, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

But I'm not saying it anymore. Turns out it's not even true.

[Guy Raz]

Well, where's all this going?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, the thing about cows is that every time they toot, the Earth freaks out a little.

[Guy Raz]

And by that, I'm assuming you mean the amount of methane they produce from those toots and burps has a negative impact on the Earth due to the level of greenhouse gas emissions, right?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, that's exactly what I just said. So get this. There are one and a half billion cows roaming around our planet, taking up a lot of land, and every time one of them burps or toots, methane gas flies out of their butts. And when you're dealing with something like almost 50 gallons of methane gas per cow per day, that's a lot of toots and burps.

[Guy Raz]

I'll say. Especially because from what I understand, the average cow only produces 5 to 7 gallons of milk every day.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep. And to prove it, I've been collecting cow toots in milk jugs for the last 12 months.

[Guy Raz]

You've been hoarding methane gas from livestock in gallon milk jugs.

[Mindy Thomas]

Boys, Bring in the tooth.

[Dennis]

Whoa.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, man.

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, what you're looking at here is 50 gallons of grade A cow toots, all produced exclusively by my cow pal Yarl over here. Oh, man, he's a prize winning tutor. Aren't you, Jarl?

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, maybe we should explain how

[Mindy Thomas]

a cow say toots.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

Say toots, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Toot, toot.

[Mindy Thomas]

Come on, you can do it. Nice. Saved by the cowbell. So what were you trying to ask me again?

[Guy Raz]

Well, I was attempting to ask you to explain how this methane gas harms planet Earth.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah. So here's the deal. Cow toots and Burps release what are known as greenhouse gases. And greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere.

[Guy Raz]

And by atmosphere, you're talking about the invisible layers of gases that surround our planet.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exactly. And when that heat is trapped in the atmosphere, it makes the planet warmer, which, as you know, is not good.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, because when the planet gets warmer, it causes changes to the weather and the seasons. It heats up the oceans, it can cause ice and snow at the top and bottom of the planet to melt, and it could change the way we humans and other animals live our lives in the future.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, and there are lots of other ways that greenhouse gases are being put into our atmosphere. Like every time we burn coal to power our electricity, or when we drive our cars and trucks on the roads, and even how we get rid of our trash by burning it. These are just a few of the ways that we're junking up the atmosphere. Besides cows tooting up the Earth.

[Guy Raz]

So what are some of the things that we humans can do to help out?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, there are lots of little ways that we can help, and some of those start in our very own homes.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, you mean like turning off electronic devices when we're not using them? Yeah, or using things like energy saving light bulbs.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, or reusing stuff. Or chilling out on the heat and air conditioning, or even planting a garden of native plants.

[Guy Raz]

But, oh, we're back to butts.

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz. Scientists may have just discovered a new way to help save the planet. Really? And all we have to do is eat bugs.

[Guy Raz]

Eat what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, come on, like you've never eaten a maggot before, Mindy?

[Guy Raz]

No, I mean, there's a lot I would do for science, but you eat bugs.

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, just hear me out on this. So one of the reasons there are so many cows tooting up the atmosphere is because we humans depend on them so much for food and for milk.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. Hamburgers and steak and even milk have a lot of the protein we need in our diets, which I guess is why we eat and drink so much of it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, well, so these researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Scotland's rural college wanted to see what would happen if we were to replace half of the beef that we eat with insects.

[Guy Raz]

So, like crickets?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, crickets, mealworms, or even Frankenstein meat. Really?

[Guy Raz]

You mean meat that's produced in the laboratory?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, fake meat.

[Guy Raz]

So imitation meat made with soybeans or tofu. Like tofu hot dogs or soy chorizo.

[Mindy Thomas]

Sure, whatever you want to call it. The point is, researchers discovered that insects and imitation meat are actually the best kinds of meat when it comes to how it affects our planet.

[Guy Raz]

So are you saying that if we truly care about the Earth, we we should just give up our bacon wrapped cheeseburgers for a steady diet of grasshoppers and grub worms?

[Mindy Thomas]

That's exactly what I'm saying. Ugh, that's not what I'm saying. What I am saying is that it's not the craziest idea to start thinking of insects as a regular part of our breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Are you making this up, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Not this time, Guy Raz. These researchers realized that if we all pitched in to make little changes in the way we eat, doing things like eating insects for protein, or choosing chicken or fish or plant based foods over beef, or even just easing up on the amount of food we waste, we

[Guy Raz]

could help the earth and save it from the hordes of greenhouse gas emitting cows.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now pork over that bag of cheesy cockroach doodles. Guy Raz, it's time to rescue this planet.

[Guy Raz]

Now that is something.

[Reggie]

You said it. Wow.

[Dennis]

So interesting that Mindy was talking about eating crickets in season one. Yeah, because later in season three, episode eight, Mindy opens up a food truck where she serves cricket burgers. Oh really? There are lots of cultures around the world where people eat bugs. Maybe I should give it a try. Are there any candy coated varieties?

[Reggie]

Oh yeah.

[Dennis]

I want to try a chocolate covered cricket. But if I don't like it, I'm going right back to my diet of cheese doodles and iceberg lettuce. The two food groups. Well, devoted listeners, that's all for this weekend. Remember, if you want to ask me a question or tell me a joke or a riddle or a haiku, leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW. That's 1-888-7-WWOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the Weekend. Okay, Reggie, let's go get some chocolate covered crickets. So what other kind of insects can humans eat? Mealworms.

[Reggie]

Nuh.

[Dennis]

And ants. Right. I forgot about those. Reggie. Scorpions. That can't be right. Oh, you don't eat the scorpion stinger. Well, what happens when you.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks for joining us for this edition of We Wow on the Weekend. Our show is written by Ruth Morrison and Jed Anderson. Original sound design and production is done by Henry Moskal and Marion Lozano with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thol. Original music for We Wow on the Weekend is composed and performed by Tyler Thol.

[Guy Raz]

Special thanks to Steph Sosa. Rebecca Caban and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[Mindy Thomas]

There's still time to share your wee wow crafternoon challenges with us grown ups. You can upload pictures and videos of your projects to [e-mail] share or call us at 1-888-7-WOW.

[Reggie]

Wow.

[Guy Raz]

Our website is tinkercast.com there you can learn more about becoming an official member of the Learning the World Organization of wowzers, learn about upcoming events, shop our shop and pick up a copy of the latest edition of our number one New York Times best selling book series wow in the Wild.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks again for thinking, tinkering, experimenting and exploring with us this week. Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in the World and remember who wows we wow wow in the World.

[Reggie]

Wow in the World. Wow in the World. Wow in the World.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.