Birds of a Feather Learn Together: How Birds Learn Like You & Me!

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Wow in the World – "Birds of a Feather Learn Together" (09/01/25)

Main Theme:
This fun and educational episode takes listeners to the imaginative "University for Clever Birds," where hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz drop off Reggie the pigeon for "bird college" and explore groundbreaking scientific research on how certain birds learn clever skills—specifically, how sulfur-crested cockatoos in Australia have learned to open trash cans and, notably, how these behaviors spread from bird to bird much like human cultural learning. The episode highlights the significance of animal social learning and the role of citizen science in big discoveries.

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1. Arriving at the University for Clever Birds (UCB)

[05:02–07:48]

• Mindy and Guy arrive with Reggie the pigeon at the fictional UCB, bustling with proud birds and their humans.
• They meet UCB staff and get into the back-to-school spirit, collecting stickers and swag.
• The staff mentions special orientation events for both birds and their families, including fun-sounding classes and performances.
• Mindy spots a curious class: "Trash Can Opening 101," taught by Professor Birdman, based on real scientific research.

“I still can't believe my little Reggie is all grown up and going off to college. Pass me a tissue, Reg.” – Mindy Thomas [05:02]

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2. Exploring Bird Social Learning: The Trash Can Opening Class

[07:48–19:18]

The Science Setup

• "Trash Can Opening 101" is based on research from the Australian Museum Research Institute.
• The study focused on how sulfur-crested cockatoos have learned to open trash cans for food, a complex task requiring innovation and communication.

Immersive Class Experience

• Mindy and Guy navigate the lecture hall, humorously contending with "bird poop-covered seats" and a cockatoo TA named Lulu.
• Professor Birdman demonstrates (with Lulu) how a cockatoo opens a trash can, impressing the audience.

The Science Unpacked

• Professor Birdman explains this skill was learned, not instinctive:

  “However, this specific behavior was learnt. And it's something that I believe each and every one of you can learn to know.” – Professor Birdman [14:17]

• Most animal skills are genetic (instinctive), but this is an example of a behavior taught and passed to others—rare in the animal kingdom outside humans, apes, and similar species.
• The evolutionary why:

  “To enjoy an all you can eat garbage buffet!” – Mindy Thomas (joking, answering why birds want to open trash cans) [15:50]
  “Well, we in academia call it foraging, but yes, you are essentially correct.” – Professor Birdman [16:02]

How Did Scientists Make This Discovery?

• Researchers relied on "citizen science"—ordinary people observed and reported cockatoos' trash-opening behavior across Sydney.

• Mapping the sightings showed the behavior spreading like a trend, not randomly.

  “These dots are not spread out all over the city. No, instead they are strung together one neighbourhood to another.” – Professor Birdman [18:02]

• Guy and Mindy clarify:

  “Meaning that this unique foraging behavior of opening trash cans is being spread by word of mouth.” – Guy Raz [18:24]
  “Well, technically it's being spread by word of a beak, but yeah...” – Mindy Thomas [18:34]

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3. Scientific Insights and Human Parallels

[19:24–20:14]

• Leaving the lecture, Mindy and Guy discuss why this is such a big deal.
• It illustrates how animals can adapt to city life and that some social animals can spread new skills culturally, much like humans.
• Mindy jokes about enrolling in bird college herself.

“You know, Mindy, that class was actually a lot more enlightening than I thought it would be.” – Guy Raz [19:36]

“That new research can really help us to understand how animals learn, how animals are able to adapt to urban environments like big cities.” – Mindy Thomas [19:41]

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4. Reggie’s New College Life and Bird Friendships

[20:14–21:29]

• They find Reggie already making friends and fully kitted out in school spirit gear.
• Reggie and his new cockatoo friend invite Mindy and Guy to lunch—at a dumpster, in true cockatoo style. Guy, humorously, tries to decline.

“You want to guess where we'll be getting this lunch, Guy Raz? … Let me just pull up the directions to the nearest dumpster.” – Mindy Thomas [21:06]

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5. Scientific “Wow”s from Listeners

[22:32–25:19]

• The episode wraps up with young listeners calling in their favorite animal and science facts, like the wingspan of the condor, fire coral, ancient sharks, Venus flytraps, cuckoo egg-laying, and screaming armadillos.
• This listener participation encourages curiosity and engagement.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Learned Social Behavior:

  “Up until now, scientists believed that the only animals capable of learning skills from one another were humans and maybe a few other species like meerkats and apes.” – Mindy Thomas [14:45]

  “They were able to figure it out with a little help from citizen scientists.” – Mindy Thomas [16:38]

• On Citizen Science:

  “Just because I'm not a scientist doesn't mean I can't help with scientific research.” – Guy Raz [17:26]

• Bird Humor & Heart:

  “Actually, Guy Raz, Reggie's new dorm room is a giant nest, so.” – Mindy Thomas [09:37]

  “You go enjoy it. Wow in the world.” – Mindy Thomas [21:29]

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Timestamps for Main Segments

• Introduction at UCB / College Move-In: 05:02–07:48
• Trash Can Opening 101 Class: 07:48–19:18
• Behavioral Science Discussion & City Adaptation: 19:24–20:14
• Reggie’s College Life & Dumpster Lunch: 20:14–21:29
• Listener Wow Call-Ins: 22:32–25:19

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Episode Takeaways

• Cockatoos in Australia have learned to open trash cans, and this skill spreads culturally, not biologically.
• Scientists used citizen science to map and understand this phenomenon.
• The episode encourages curiosity, teamwork, and engagement in science for kids.
• Humor, heart, and zany fun make learning memorable and "wow"-worthy.

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Transcript

[Guy Raz]

Grown Ups Wondery subscribers can listen to wow in the World early and ad free right now. Join Wondery in the Wondery App or Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts.

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[Mindy Thomas]

Wow.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

At checkout with missions to Mars, rocket launches and deep space exploration. Exploration. No trip to Orlando is complete without landing at Kennedy Space center visitor Complex. Discover something real.

[Mindy Thomas]

Proceeded. 3, 2, 1, mission.

[Guy Raz]

The ready for.

[Mindy Thomas]

An adventure of magnificent proportion. I don't know what you've been told. We're in a golden age. So many discoveries that are jumping off the page. While in the.

[Professor Birdman]

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 26th.

[Mindy Thomas]

Annual Paint Drying World Championships. This year, representing the United States of.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

America, is Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, thank you. Thank you.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Competitors, prepare yourselves.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, ready.

[Professor Birdman]

Freshly painted walls.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

At the ready. On your marks, get set.

[Mindy Thomas]

Stare. Guy. Guy. Run. Wake up. We're almost.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, Mindy, I was just having the most wonderful dream.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, well, it's time to let go of your dreams, Guy Raz, because look, we're almost there.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, I see the sign. University for Clever Birds. Next exit.

[Mindy Thomas]

I still can't believe my little Reggie is all grown up and going off to college. Pass me a tissue, Reg.

[Guy Raz]

And ucb, no less. Such a prestigious university. I'm sure you're gonna do great there, Reggie.

[Mindy Thomas]

Slamming on the brakes.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, no.

[Mindy Thomas]

Mindy. And here we are. Ucb, the University for Clever Birds. Looks like we got here just in time. Mindy, we're right in the middle of.

[Guy Raz]

A flower four way intersection. You can't stop here.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, I can. I just did. And Reggie's dorm room is just around the corner over there, so we can just stop and walk the rest of the way. See? We're all set. Opening the door. Come on, everyone. Mindy, wait up. Wow, Mindy.

[Guy Raz]

Look at this place.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know, Guy Raz. Look at all these different birds with all their humans. They must be so proud.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Hey, y'.

[Mindy Thomas]

All.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Welcome to the University for Clever Birds, known by everyone here as ucb. Can I interest you in a sticker or a sweatshirt?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or a hat? Ooh, are they free? In that case, I'll take all three. Thank you. Wait a minute.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

No, not the hat I'm wearing. Look, I've got one right here for you.

[Mindy Thomas]

Sheesh. Sorry. I'm just so excited.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

I suppose I can understand that. What with dropping off your little bundle of feathers here. Oh, I'm just teasing. I know you're a big bird.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yes. This here is my pigeon, Reggie. Reggie, say hi.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

They grow up so fast, don't they?

[Mindy Thomas]

They really do.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Don'T worry. Today isn't just about your little Reggie here. We have plenty of events going on for all y' all humans too.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, really?

[Mindy Thomas]

You bet.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

It's all right here in our fly.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, Flyers? I love flyers.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy. Mindy, stop.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Oh, for land's sake.

[Mindy Thomas]

Mindy. Sorry.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Okay, now, as you can see, we've got plenty of activities. The a cappella songbirds are performing at 2. There's an aerial display by our resident peregrine falcon at 4. And of course, y' all are welcome to sample any one of our in bird classes.

[Mindy Thomas]

Free classes?

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

That's right. They're all listed on that flyer right there. You see?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, look at this.

[Guy Raz]

What is it, Mindy? This class right here, trash can opening 101 with Professor B. Birdman. Mindy, what is this?

[Mindy Thomas]

I've heard about this course, Guy Raz. It's based on a new study from the Australian Museum Research Institute.

[Guy Raz]

The Australian Museum Research Institute?

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh huh. It's all about how one of Australia's most popular birds, the sulfur crested cockatoo, how it's learned how to open and get inside trash cans using only its beak.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

You picked it. That's one of our most popular courses.

[Mindy Thomas]

Can we check it out? Guy Raz, please just sit in on the class.

[Guy Raz]

I mean, I don't see what's so impressive about opening a trash can, but I'm excited to see what the teaching facilities are like here.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Oh, y' all are gonna love it. The lecture hall is just over that way. Head past the bird housing and the bird baths and then hang a left before you get to the birdseed stadium.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thank you.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Enjoy yourselves. Hey, y'.

[Mindy Thomas]

All.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

Welcome to ucb.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, you're gonna go set up your dorm room, Reg? Well, do you need some help decorating? Okay. Okay.

[Guy Raz]

What is it, mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, apparently Mr. Independent over here doesn't need any help from his humans anymore.

[Guy Raz]

Well, Reggie, he is a full grown pigeon now. It's time for him to do things for himself. He's finally leaving the nest.

[Mindy Thomas]

Actually, Guy Raz, Reggie's new dorm room is a giant nest, so.

[Guy Raz]

Of course it is.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, Reg. Guy Raz, he says he'll catch up with us later once he's settled in.

[Guy Raz]

Well, see you later, Reggie.

[Mindy Thomas]

See you soon, buddy.

[Guy Raz]

Well, I guess we're on our own now. Mindy, should we try and find that class?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, let me see if I can find the lecture hall on the map here.

[Guy Raz]

I think he said it was this way.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, good news. The map says it's this way. Too. Come on. Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack.

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, what exactly is this class about again?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, trash cans.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, right. And how some birds in Australia were able to open them. Right.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh huh. Specifically, sulfur crested cockatoos. They look like big white parrots with yellow mohawks. And apparently they love getting in the trash.

[Guy Raz]

Well, why is there a class about that?

[Mindy Thomas]

I mean, have you ever tried being a bird and opening a trash can?

[Guy Raz]

No, actually I haven't tried doing anything as a bird. Come to think of it, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, let me tell you from personal experience, it's really hard to do. You can't really use your wings, so all you've got to work with is your little bird feet and your little bird beak.

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh.

[Mindy Thomas]

And secondly, it's how these birds were able to learn this new skill that's the most interesting part.

[Guy Raz]

Well, what do you mean?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, come to class and you'll find out. Speaking of which, I think we're here.

[Guy Raz]

Let's see. On this brochure, past the bird baths and left at the seed bell. Yeah, I think this is it. The Larry Bird Bird Lecture hall.

[Mindy Thomas]

Come on, Guy Raz, let's get inside before all the perches are taken. Oh man, are we too late.

[Guy Raz]

I think I see a couple of seats over there, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, covered in bird poop. But you know what? He's never stopped me before. Come on. Excuse me, excuse me. Bye. Here. I love the wings. Sorry, sir, you can just move your. Yes, just move your beak. Thank you.

[Guy Raz]

A squeeze. Sorry.

[Mindy Thomas]

And seated. By seated, I mean perched. This is uncomfortable. Mindy Yagarazis.

[Guy Raz]

Is that supposed to be the professor?

[Mindy Thomas]

I don't know. I mean, it is a class about how sulfur crested cockatoos open trash cans, and that is a sulfur crested cockatoo. India. This is horrible.

[Guy Raz]

I have no idea what's going on. I don't speak cockatoo.

[Mindy Thomas]

Do you? Unfortunately, I don't, Guy Raz. I'm only fluent in pigeon and falcon. Well then, what are we going to do?

[Professor Birdman]

Ah, hello. Sorry for being late, everybody. I can see you've already met my teaching assistant, Lulu.

[Guy Raz]

Lulu the cockatoo.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes.

[Professor Birdman]

Very good, very good.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now.

[Professor Birdman]

Greetings one and all, and welcome to how to Open a Trash Can 101. I am Professor Birdman. I can see a lot of eager feathered faces out there.

[University for Clever Birds Staff]

There.

[Professor Birdman]

So let's dive in.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, I don't have a feathered face.

[Professor Birdman]

This is a gradual learning process. It doesn't just happen overnight. But by the end of this course, if you put in the hard yards and commit yourself, I guarantee that each and every one of you will be able to do this.

[Guy Raz]

There's the trash can.

[Professor Birdman]

Lulu, do you mind giving the class a demonstration?

[Mindy Thomas]

She's so small compared to that thing. Is she really going to be able to get the lid off of that giant trash can? Shh. Be quiet. Get that trash. Move. Get it. Get that trash.

[Professor Birdman]

Yes, yes. Very good, very good. Now I know what you all must be thinking. Blimey. That's an awfully talented bird you've got there, Mr. Birdman.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[Guy Raz]

Quiet, Mindy.

[Professor Birdman]

And yes, that is true. Lulu is a very talented bird. However, this specific behavior was learnt. And it's something that I believe each and every one of you can learn to know.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, Billy. Think that even I will someday be able to open a trash can with my mouth, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Well, I'm gonna be honest, Mindy. I still don't see what the big deal is.

[Mindy Thomas]

The big deal, Guy Raz, is that up until now, scientists believe that the only animals capable of learning skills from one another were humans and maybe a few other species like meerkats and apes.

[Guy Raz]

You mean skills like opening a trash can?

[Mindy Thomas]

Exactly. You see, a lot of learning in the animal kingdom is genetic. Meaning that it's something that animals just know how to do deep down in their guts. Like they're just born knowing it.

[Guy Raz]

Kind of like a buffalo knowing where to migrate to and at what time of the year to do it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh huh. And it's pretty rare that one animal will teach another animal how to do something.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, well, I think I'm starting to get why this class is so special.

[Mindy Thomas]

Sure.

[Professor Birdman]

Now you might be asking yourself, why would you, a bird, want to open up a garbage bin lid?

[Mindy Thomas]

Pick me. Pick me. I know why.

[Professor Birdman]

What possible reason could you have for wanting to open a trash can?

[Mindy Thomas]

Over here.

[Professor Birdman]

Yes, you there. Over there. The one with the antonette pants.

[Mindy Thomas]

Actually, my ants are in my other pants, sir. However, I do know the answer to your question. And what is it to enjoy an all you can eat garbage buffet?

[Professor Birdman]

Well, we in academia call it foraging, but yes, you are essentially correct. Now, foraging is the activity in which animals.

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, these birds have been learning how to open these trash cans to forage for food.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, those researchers from Australia called it.

[Professor Birdman]

Up a unique foraging behavior.

[Mindy Thomas]

What he said. Huh?

[Guy Raz]

And how did these scientists know that this unique foraging behavior was in fact a learned skill and not something that these Birds just knew deep down in their bones.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, they were able to figure it out with a little help from citizen scientists.

[Guy Raz]

Citizen scientists?

[Audible Sponsor]

Yes.

[Mindy Thomas]

You see, a citizen scientist is a person who.

[Guy Raz]

I know what citizen science is, Mindy. I'm actually part of a citizen scientist project at the moment with my local Lepidopterarium. Lepidopterarium is a zoo for butterflies.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know what a lepidopterarium is, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Well, anyway, every time I see a butterfly in my backyard, I make a note about what kind of butterfly it is in my notebook. And then at the end of the week, I send my observations to the scientists at the Lepidopterarium so they can get a better idea of what kind of butterflies live in the area.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ooh, that's pretty. Wow.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, I mean, just because I'm not a scientist doesn't mean I can't help with scientific research.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, you're right. And that's exactly what these researchers from Australia did.

[Guy Raz]

They called for help from citizen scientists.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh huh.

[Guy Raz]

Wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

These researchers, with the help of everyday citizen scientists just like you and me, they observed this behavior in more than 40 different neighborhoods around the Australian city of. Huh.

[Professor Birdman]

Now I have a few visual aids here.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, and look, Professor Birdman has a map of it up on the big screen.

[Professor Birdman]

On this map of Sydney. These dots here mark where cockatoos were observed opening trash cans. As you can see, these dots are not spread out all over the city. No, instead they are strung together one neighbourhood to another.

[Guy Raz]

He's right, Mindy. Look at that map. All of those observations seem to be attached to one another.

[Mindy Thomas]

Meaning?

[Guy Raz]

Meaning that this unique foraging behavior of opening trash cans is being spread by word of mouth.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, technically it's being spread by word of a beak, but yeah, as you can see on the map, it looks as though this behavior is traveling from one neighborhood to the next.

[Guy Raz]

Fascinating.

[Professor Birdman]

And as we can see, this behavior is traveling from one neighborhood to the next.

[Mindy Thomas]

Told ya.

[Professor Birdman]

And this used to be the only way that one could learn this sort of behavior by word of beak. But now, thanks to this new course at ucb, we'll be able to pass on these crucial life skills to all you little birdies. Thank you. Thank you so much. And I look forward to seeing all your feathery faces at the start of semester. Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Guy Raz. Come on, let's get out of here. This lecture hall's getting a little stuffy and I'm starting to smell the bird poop.

[Guy Raz]

And we should probably go check in on Reggie.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. Opening the door. Ah. Good to get back out in the fresh air.

[Guy Raz]

Whew. You know, Mindy, that class was actually a lot more enlightening than I thought it would be.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know, and that new research can really help us to understand how animals.

[Guy Raz]

Learn how animals are able to adapt to urban environments like big cities.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah, you mean like how animals and humans can live together in big cities?

[Guy Raz]

Exactly.

[Mindy Thomas]

You know, Guy Raz, there's a lot we can learn from bird college. Uh, what do you say we get ourselves some feathery toucan suits and enroll in some classes?

[Guy Raz]

What do you say we don't?

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie. Wow. Look at you, Reg.

[Guy Raz]

You're dressed head to toe in UCB spir. You've got the hat, the jacket, the cape.

[Mindy Thomas]

Shh. Uh. Oh.

[Guy Raz]

What is it, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, you're not gonna believe this, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Believe what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie has made a new friend. That's great news.

[Guy Raz]

I knew he'd fit in here.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait. With a cockatoo. Oh, and the cockatoo has invited us all to lunch Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, what a nice offer.

[Mindy Thomas]

You want to guess where we'll be getting this lunch, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, right.

[Mindy Thomas]

Let me just pull up the directions to the nearest dumpster.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, no, not the. You know, I had a really big breakfast earlier, and I'm doing this intermittent fasting thing, and I've got all these bird seeds in my pocket here for snacking. And, you know, I think maybe I'll pass on this one just a little bit. But you guys have a great time.

[Mindy Thomas]

You go enjoy it. Wow. In the world. We'll be right back, grown ups. This message is for you.

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[Mindy Thomas]

That'S it. Back to the show. Hi, thanks for calling. Wow. In the world. After the beep, get ready to record.

[Listener Callers]

Hi, my name is Wren. Hi, my name is Clover and we're from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our wow is that the Indian condor can have a wingspan up to 10ft and can weigh up to 33 pounds. That's the average weight of a three year old child. Say hi to Reggie, Dennis. Hi there Grandma G Force and Thomas Fingerling.

[Mindy Thomas]

Would you say bye.

[Listener Callers]

Hi. My name is Patty and I live in Austin, Texas. And my wow is that there's a type of fire coral that when you touch it it gives you a rash. And say hi to Grandma G Force and tone the fingerling for me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah, hush puppies.

[Listener Callers]

Bye. Hi Minnie and Guy Raz. My name is Tucker and I live in Suffern, New York. My law in the world to share with you is that sharks lived 200 million years before dinosaurs did. Isn't that cool? Say hi to Reggie and Dennis for me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hi. Bye.

[Listener Callers]

Hello my dear garbage. My name is Ezra and I live in California. And my wow is the Venus flytrap can snap shut faster than the human eye can blink. Hi wow in the world. My name is Ari and I live in New Orleans, Louisiana and I am 10 years old. My wow in the world is that cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. To the sleigh cats and Steve for me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Bye.

[Listener Callers]

Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Jackson and I'm from Lutherville, Maryland. My allow in the world is that humpback whales use bubbles to hunt. Bye. My name is Henry, I live in Topanga Canyon and my wow in the world is that screaming armadillos. A screaming armadillo screams at its enemies until they go away. Isn't that wow? Say hi to Grandma G Force, Reggie A static man and and Baby B.

[Mindy Thomas]

End of messages grown ups. If you like wow in the World you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Guy Raz]

Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Mindy Thomas]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail].

[Guy Raz]

Wow in the world is written by Mindy Thomas and Tom Van Kalken with help from me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

Original sound design and music editing is done by our senior producer, Jed Anderson and Tyler Thol. You can also hear Jed Anderson in the voices of Dennis Thomas, Fingerling, Reggie and many of the other silly characters you here on our show, Jessica Bode.

[Guy Raz]

Keeps our facts straight as our fact checker and Meredith Halpern Ranzer powers the wow at Tinkercast.

[Mindy Thomas]

Our theme song was composed and performed by three time Grammy nominees the Pop Ups. Find them at thepopups.com Special thanks to.

[Guy Raz]

The rest of our team of tinkerers including Anna Zagorski, Rebecca Caban, Kit Ballinger and Henry Moskal.

[Mindy Thomas]

To keep the wows rolling, visit us at tinkercat. There you can learn more about becoming an official member of the World Organization of wowzers, learn more about upcoming events, shop our shop and pick up a copy of our new number one New York Times best selling book the how and wow of the Human Body Grown Ups.

[Guy Raz]

You can follow wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is [e-mail] and if.

[Mindy Thomas]

You'Re a kid with a big wow to share with us, call us at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW for a chance to be featured at the end of our show or an upcoming episode of 2 what's in a wow?

[Guy Raz]

Thanks again for listening and until next time, keep on wowing.

[Mindy Thomas]

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