Who Smarted? – "What causes you to Blink?"

Released: September 24, 2025
Host: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media

Episode Overview

This episode of "Who Smarted?" turns the spotlight on involuntary reflexes — the automatic actions our bodies perform, like blinking, hiccupping, sneezing, and more. In a fun, interactive style, the hosts and the recurring character Aunt Stemmie guide “smarty pants” listeners through what these reflexes are, how and why they happen, the body systems in charge, and quirky facts to keep everyone giggling and learning.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Are Involuntary Reflexes? (00:00 – 02:27)

• Many body processes aren’t under your conscious control.
  • Examples: hiccups, sneezing, coughing, yawning, shivering.
• Definition: Involuntary reflexes are automatic responses to certain triggers (stimuli) and are essential for survival.
• Notable moment: The episode’s host challenges listeners to identify five involuntary reflexes based on sound and description.

Quote:
"Bodily functions like hiccuping, sneezing, coughing, and shivering are called involuntary reflexes because they happen when…"
— Host (A), 01:44

2. Meet Aunt Stemmie! (01:15 – 03:41)

• Aunt Stemmie is a friendly, know-it-all "aunt" who loves finishing others’ sentences and is a playful expert in STEM.
• Her bantering dynamic with the host adds plenty of humor and quick explanations throughout the episode.

Quote:
"I know a lot about STEM – Science, technology, engineering, and math."
— Aunt Stemmie (B), 01:31

3. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): The “Boss” of Reflexes (03:41 – 05:31)

• The ANS regulates involuntary functions (heartbeat, breathing, digestion, blinking, etc).
• Two main parts:
  • Sympathetic Nervous System: Kicks in during stress (“fight or flight”), increases heart rate, dilates pupils.
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System: Calms the body, slows heart rate, aids digestion.
• Demonstrates with the startle reflex (Aunt Stemmie surprises the host!).

Quote:
"Your ANS is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, some of which are super important in keeping you alive."
— Aunt Stemmie, 03:49

4. Why Do We Have Involuntary Reflexes? (05:31 – 09:05)

• Reflexes are crucial for safety, survival, and maintaining health.
  • Example: Withdrawal reflex (pulling away from something hot).
• Coughing/sneezing clear airways; shivering keeps body warm.
• Blushing is discussed as an emotional involuntary reaction.

Quote:
"Involuntary reflexes like coughing and sneezing happen to help clear the airways in your throat and mouth so you can breathe easier."
— Host, 07:39

5. Yawning: Why Is It So Contagious? (08:07 – 09:05)

• Yawning is an involuntary reflex and can be “contagious.”
• Theories: Yawning cools brain blood flow, increases oxygen, or communicates drowsiness/social cues to others.

Quote:
"Scientists don’t know for sure why we yawn when someone else yawns. But there are lots of theories."
— Aunt Stemmie, 08:31

6. How Involuntary Reflexes Work (09:05 – 10:05)

• Reflexes travel along a "relay arc"—stimulus > spinal cord > muscles.
• Fast communication helps prevent harm without the brain getting involved each time.
• Helps maintain homeostasis (body balance).

Quote:
"Involuntary reflexes work through a relay arc, which is similar to a game of telephone."
— Aunt Stemmie, 09:05

7. The Eye Experiment: Pupillary Reflex (10:12 – 11:15)

• DIY activity: Compare pupil size in dark vs. bright lighting.
  • Pupils dilate in dark, constrict in light—another involuntary reflex.

Quote:
"When you’re in a dark environment, your pupils automatically get bigger to let in more light."
— Aunt Stemmie, 10:52

8. Hiccups: What Are They Really? (11:15 – 12:47)

• Hiccups = quick contractions of the diaphragm (breathing muscle).
• Can sometimes be stopped by startling, breathing tricks, or water, but no guaranteed cure.
• The exact purpose of hiccups is a mystery, but they’re harmless.

Quote:
"Hiccupping, also known as singultus, happens because of sudden and involuntary contractions of your diaphragm muscle."
— Aunt Stemmie, 12:09

9. Reflex Trivia Game: Voluntary or Involuntary? (12:47 – 13:58)

• Listeners guess which functions are involuntary: blinking, burping, swallowing, farting, sniffing.
  • Some can be both (ex: burping, blinking).
  • Fun fact: Most people blink about 15 times per minute.

Quote:
"You can blink your eyes on your own, but most of the time, blinking is involuntary."
— Aunt Stemmie, 13:39

10. Weird Words: Deglutition and More (13:58 – 14:52)

• Deglutition = swallowing (can be both voluntary and involuntary).
• Other science-y terms for body functions: salivation (spit-making), micturition (urinating), defecation (pooping).
• No need to be embarrassed—these are vital bodily functions!

11. Blushing: Emotions as Reflections (15:05 – 15:41)

• Blushing: involuntary reflex caused by emotional stimuli, like embarrassment.
• Sympathetic nervous system widens facial blood vessels, turning your face pink or red.

Quote:
"Blushing is an involuntary response that happens when you feel an emotional stimuli like embarrassment or shyness."
— Aunt Stemmie, 15:21

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Aunt Stemmie (B): "Trust Aunt Stemmie. She’ll tell you." (02:10)
• Host (A): "You could have just said that." (after being made to grab a hot mug) (07:33)
• Aunt Stemmie (B): "I say, do you have any of your grandma’s leftover meat cake?" (15:47)

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 00:00 – 02:27: Defining involuntary reflexes with funny bodily sound effects.
• 03:41 – 05:31: How the autonomic nervous system works and startle reflex demo.
• 07:05 – 07:33: Demonstrating withdrawal reflex (grabbing a hot mug).
• 10:12 – 11:15: Home experiment on pupils and pupillary response.
• 11:15 – 12:47: Hiccups explained.
• 12:47 – 13:58: Voluntary vs involuntary reflex trivia.
• 15:05 – 15:41: The science behind blushing.

Conclusion

The episode presents science in an engaging and humorous way—combining skits, direct explanations, trivia, and simple experiments. It covers how and why involuntary reflexes exist, the body systems involved, and why these automatic responses are essential for health and survival. Through catchy banter and memorable facts, "Who Smarted?" ensures kids (and adults) have fun and walk away smarter about their own amazing, reflexive bodies.