Podcast Summary: "Why Do You Have a Belly Button?"
Episode: Who Smarted?
Release Date: March 5, 2025

Introduction: An Unexpected Inquiry

In the episode titled "Why Do You Have a Belly Button?" from the popular educational podcast Who Smarted?, host Trusty engages in a whimsical and informative conversation with his Grandma. The episode delves into the anatomy, purpose, and cultural significance of belly buttons, blending humor with educational insights that captivate both young listeners and their families.

Understanding the Belly Button: Anatomy and Purpose

The episode kicks off with Trusty expressing a peculiar issue: "I keep getting little fuzzies from the sweater stuck in my belly button" ([00:50]). This playful complaint leads to a deeper inquiry about the nature and function of belly buttons.

Grandma, leveraging her background as a retired nurse, explains the origins of the belly button:
"Well, when a mother is pregnant with her baby, the umbilical cord is like a long string attached from the baby's abdomen or tummy to a nutrient-rich organ called the placenta. The point of the umbilical cord is to carry important nutrients and oxygen from the mommy to the baby while the baby is still inside the mommy's tummy" ([05:31]).

Trusty likens the umbilical cord to a straw:
"Wow. So in other words, the cord acts almost like a straw, bringing food and oxygen from mommy to baby" ([05:57]).

He further inquires about the sensation of cutting the cord, prompting Grandma to reassure listeners:
*"Not at all. The umbilical cord doesn't contain any nerves... So neither mother nor baby feels a thing" ([06:19]).

Innies vs. Outies: What Determines Your Belly Button Type

A significant portion of the discussion explores why some people have innies and others have outies. Trusty poses the question:
"Does the word umbilicus remind you of another word you may have heard? In fact, I'll give you a hint. The word I'm thinking of is usually followed by the word cord. Did you say the umbilical cord?" ([04:22]).

Grandma clarifies that the type of belly button is not determined by how the umbilical cord is cut:
"If you said true, you're wrong... The answer is false. A lot of people think that's what causes an innie or outie belly button, but that's not the case" ([07:50]).

Instead, she explains that the appearance of the belly button results from how the skin heals post cord removal:
"Once your umbilical cord is cut and the remaining stump falls off on its own a few weeks later, your belly button is really just a result of how your skin healed. So technically, your belly button is actually a scar" ([08:02]).

Trusty, with his characteristic humor, highlights the uniqueness of belly buttons:
*"In other words, the cord acts almost like a straw... My belly button is a scar? Yep, just like mine and all the meat cake loving smarty pants listening" ([08:29]).

Belly Buttons in the Animal Kingdom

Expanding the discussion beyond humans, Trusty questions whether dogs and cats possess belly buttons:
*"Do dogs and cats have belly buttons?" ([10:55]).

Grandma responds affirmatively, explaining that while animals do have belly buttons, they are less noticeable:
"Belly buttons on dogs and cats don't look like human belly buttons. First of all, they're a bit higher up on their abdomens, closer to the bottom of their rib cage, and they're much smaller than human belly buttons. Not only that, many people don't notice their pet's belly button because they're covered in fur" ([15:22]).

Trusty muses about the similarities in physiology between humans and animals:
*"So, smarty pants, next time your dog or cat is in a good or playful mood and shows you their belly, take a little peek and see if you can spot their belly button" ([15:46]).

Cultural Significance and Societal Views

The conversation shifts to the cultural and societal perceptions of belly buttons. Trusty introduces a vocabulary quiz to engage listeners:
*"Smarty pants, do you know what taboo means? Is it A, something that is banned or looked down upon in society, B something that is celebrated by society, or C, a three-sided boomerang? If you said A, you're right" ([17:26]).

Grandma elaborates on the historical context:
"In many parts of the world, including the United States, showing your belly button was considered taboo for a long time... it wasn't until 1964 that an actress named Yvette Mimou became the first woman to show her belly button on American television on a show called Dr. Kildare" ([18:07]).

Trusty reflects on the significance of this break in societal norms:
*"I just can't believe they made such a big deal out of a belly button" ([18:37]).

Contrastingly, Grandma introduces a positive cultural celebration:
"Like in Japan where they celebrate belly buttons in an annual event called the Hokkai Hasu Matsui Festival" ([18:37]).
She describes the festival's origins and activities:
*"People figured since Furano is in the middle of the region of Hokkaido and the belly button is in the middle of the body, let's celebrate our town by celebrating the belly button... dancers paint their bellies with elaborate designs featuring the belly button" ([18:50]).

Conclusion: Embracing the Unique Feature

As the episode nears its end, Trusty humorously contemplates his own identity in light of the newfound knowledge:
"But after learning so much about belly buttons, I feel like I'm part of the innie crowd. Get it? Any crowd" ([19:18]).

Grandma playfully rebukes his attempt at humor:
"Haha. Yeah, I got it. Not your best. But you're still my funniest grandson, right?" ([19:28]).

The episode wraps up with Trusty expressing gratitude for the informative and entertaining discussion:
*"Anyway, thanks for the informative chat, Grandma. But now I'm outie and leave without" ([19:34]).

Key Takeaways:

1. Purpose of Belly Buttons: Belly buttons, or navels, are scars resulting from the detachment of the umbilical cord post-birth. They serve no functional purpose beyond being a marker of our connection to our mothers during gestation.

2. Types of Belly Buttons: Whether one has an innie or an outie is determined by how the skin heals after the umbilical cord is cut, not by the method of cord removal.

3. Belly Buttons in Animals: Most mammals, including dogs and cats, have belly buttons, though they are less pronounced and often obscured by fur.

4. Cultural Significance: Belly buttons have held various cultural significances, from being a taboo topic in historical contexts to being celebrated in festivals like Japan's Hokkai Hasu Matsui.

5. Anatomical Insights: The umbilical cord functions similarly to a nutrient straw, providing essential nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the developing baby.

Notable Quotes:

• Trusty: "But I keep getting little fuzzies from the sweater stuck in my belly button" ([00:50]).

• Grandma: "So technically, your belly button is actually a scar" ([08:29]).

• Trusty: "My belly button is a scar? Yep, just like mine and all the meat cake loving smarty pants listening" ([08:29]).

• Grandma: "In many parts of the world, including the United States, showing your belly button was considered taboo for a long time" ([17:26]).

• Grandma: "Like in Japan where they celebrate belly buttons in an annual event called the Hokkai Hasu Matsui Festival" ([18:50]).

Final Thoughts

This episode of Who Smarted? masterfully combines humor, factual information, and engaging dialogue to explore the seemingly simple question: "Why do you have a belly button?" Trusty and Grandma's dynamic interaction not only answers the question but also invites listeners to appreciate the unique facets of human anatomy and its place within broader cultural contexts. Whether you're a parent seeking educational content or a child with a curious mind, this episode promises both laughter and learning, embodying the essence of what makes Who Smarted? a beloved podcast for families and classrooms alike.