Blood Falls (5/26/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: “Blood Falls” Episode Summary

Released May 26, 2025 | Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz | Produced by Tinkercast | Wondery

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Introduction: Grandma G Force’s Birthday Wish

The episode kicks off with a whimsical celebration as Grandma G Force celebrates her birthday. Her heartfelt and adventurous wish sets the stage for the episode’s exploration of Antarctica's enigmatic Blood Falls.

• Grandma G Force: “I want to go to Antarctica. I want to go where the people are.” (05:08)

Embarking on the Antarctic Adventure

Mindy, Guy, and their friends humorously prepare for an imaginary flight to Antarctica to honor Grandma G Force's birthday wish. This playful setup transitions seamlessly into a deep dive into the scientific marvel of Blood Falls.

• Mindy Thomas: “Look at those knuckles.” (07:23)
• Guy Raz: “We're gonna need more than mittens.” (06:39)

Unveiling Blood Falls: The Scientific Phenomenon

The hosts delve into the mystery of Blood Falls, an unusual waterfall in Antarctica known for its striking red hue. Initially, it was believed that red algae caused the coloration, but further research revealed a more complex explanation.

• Guy Raz: “It is estimated that over 4 million people have been abducted by alien lifeforms. But only one of them asked for.” (02:52) (Note: This quote is part of a humorous interlude and not directly related to Blood Falls.)

Historical Perspective

Blood Falls was first discovered in 1911 by Australian geologist Griffith Taylor, who initially attributed the red color to red algae.

• Guy Raz: “Antarctica's Blood Falls was first discovered by the Australian geologist Griffith Taylor while on an expedition all the way back in the year 1911.” (12:57)

Debunking the Red Algae Theory

Advancements in scientific research overturned the red algae hypothesis. A 2023 study by Ohio State University researchers revealed that the red color stems from iron oxidation, not biological organisms.

• Guy Raz: “One of the first things the team did was analyze and measure the amount of iron in the water. And while they expected to find quite a bit, in the end they were able to determine that the waterfall only contained a teeny tiny amount of iron.” (15:05)
• Mindy Thomas: “When the teeny tiny nanoscopic iron rich nanospheres oxidize, they give the water flowing into Blood Falls its bloody rich color.” (17:55)

The Mystery Deepens: Subglacial Lakes and Extraterrestrial Life

The conversation expands to the subglacial lakes of Antarctica, which are hidden beneath thick ice sheets. These lakes harbor microscopic life forms thriving in extreme conditions, drawing parallels to potential life on Mars.

• Guy Raz: “This subglacial lake and Mars actually have a lot in common.” (19:30)
• Reggie: “Could there be life on Mars?” (20:11)

Scientific Implications

The existence of life in such harsh environments on Earth fuels speculation about life in similar extraterrestrial settings. Researchers are intrigued by the resilience of life forms in subglacial lakes, raising questions about the possibilities on other planets.

• Guy Raz: “These similarities have researchers wondering if microscopic life can live for millions of years in the harsh conditions of a subglacial lake. Well, could it also live on Mars?” (19:51)
• Mindy Thomas: “Because this subglacial lake and Mars actually have a lot in common.” (19:30)

Humorous Interludes and Character Dynamics

Throughout the episode, humor and lively interactions among characters like Grandma G Force, Reggie, and Thomas Fingerling keep the discussion engaging and accessible, especially for younger listeners.

• Grandma G Force: “I wanna go to Antarctica. Cause I wanna see a bloody waterfall.” (09:03)
• Reggie: “A bloody waterfall. Gee, Forrest, why you always gotta be so gross?” (09:09)

Conclusion: The Ongoing Mystery and Future Discoveries

The episode concludes with an acknowledgment of the vast unknowns surrounding Blood Falls and subglacial lakes. The hosts emphasize that ongoing research and future technological advancements are essential for unraveling these natural mysteries.

• Guy Raz: “We might be one step closer to a major scientific discovery.” (20:48)
• Mindy Thomas: “It is pretty gross looking.” (21:22)

Key Takeaways

• Blood Falls is a natural wonder in Antarctica characterized by its blood-red coloration, initially thought to be caused by red algae but later attributed to iron oxidation.
• Subglacial Lakes beneath Antarctica’s ice sheets harbor unique ecosystems, offering parallels to potential life on Mars.
• Scientific Research continues to evolve our understanding of extreme environments and their implications for life beyond Earth.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mindy Thomas: “Look at those knuckles.” (07:23)
• Grandma G Force: “I want to go to Antarctica. I want to go where the people are.” (05:08)
• Guy Raz: “Blood Falls was first discovered by the Australian geologist Griffith Taylor while on an expedition all the way back in the year 1911.” (12:57)
• Guy Raz: “When the iron in the nanospheres oxidizes, does anyone remember what happens when something oxidizes?” (17:40)
• Reggie: “Could there be life on Mars?” (20:11)

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This episode of “Wow in the World” masterfully blends storytelling with scientific exploration, making complex topics like geochemistry and astrobiology engaging and understandable for listeners of all ages. Through playful interactions and insightful explanations, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz illuminate the fascinating phenomena of Blood Falls and the broader quest to understand life in extreme environments.

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey Wowzer fams Mindy and Guy Raz here. And before we start the show, it's almost summertime and you know what that means.

[Guy Raz]

It's almost time for my annual summer rewatch of the 26 hour long docuseries on the history of whales.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, sure, Guy Raz, but I was actually thinking about summer road trips.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, that's right, Wowzers. If your family has some summer road trips coming up, take a pit stop to find some wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

We've teamed up with our friends at Geocaching hq, the Aspen Institute and the Nature Conservancy to create Planet wow, an epic geocaching eco adventure that shares the wows of places on our Earth and encourages curious kids like you to become the next generation of climate crusaders.

[Guy Raz]

We've sent out Planet Wow trading cards to members of our World Organization of Wowzers to plant in a geocache near.

[Mindy Thomas]

Them and you can check see if one of those cards are in a geocache near [e-mail] planetwow there you can also find the location of our official Planet Wow geocaches.

[Guy Raz]

And if there aren't any trading cards nearby your route, print yours at home and plant them in a geocache along the ride. We have printable cards available on our website Tinkercast.com Planetwow we can't wait to.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hear what you find on your eco adventures this summer. Leave us a video or audio message about places in your world that wow you for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode of wow in the World. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[Unknown]

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[Guy Raz]

It is estimated that over 4 million people have been abducted by alien lifeforms. But only one of them asked for.

[Unknown]

This is Elio of Earth.

[Mindy Thomas]

If any aliens are listening, come and get me.

[Guy Raz]

From Disney and Pixar.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes, it's really happening.

[Guy Raz]

He'll go where no one has gone before.

[Grandma G Force]

Welcome to the community.

[Unknown]

This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

[Guy Raz]

This is the bathroom. Disney and Pixar's Elio. Rated PG. Parental guidance suggested only in theaters June 20.

[Mindy Thomas]

Proceeded.

[Thomas Fingerling]

3, 2, 1.

[Reggie]

Get ready for an adventure of magnific proportion.

[Guy Raz]

I don't know what you've been told we're in a golden age so many discoveries that are jumping off the page Happy birthday to you Hoopy Floopy birthday to you Happy floopy birthday, Grandma G Force.

[Mindy Thomas]

No.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Grandma G Force]

I do not like that song.

[Mindy Thomas]

But it's your birthday, and that's the birthday song. We always sing it.

[Grandma G Force]

Yeah, well, I still don't like it.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Well, maybe you'll like this.

[Mindy Thomas]

Look at those knuckles.

[Reggie]

Or how about this? Sha la la la la la Happy birthday It's your happy birthday It's.

[Grandma G Force]

I do not like that.

[Guy Raz]

Well, that's okay, Grandma GeForce. You still get one birthday wish.

[Grandma G Force]

One wish, huh?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah. What would make you happy on your birthday?

[Grandma G Force]

I don't know.

[Guy Raz]

We could cut the cake or cut.

[Reggie]

A rug or cut the cheese.

[Grandma G Force]

I don't want to cut nothing.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, so no cutting. What do you want for your birthday, Grandma GeForce?

[Grandma G Force]

Well, I want.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yes?

[Grandma G Force]

I want.

[Guy Raz]

Yes?

[Grandma G Force]

I want to go to Antarctica. Oh, right. Now.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Grandma G Force]

You heard me. I said I want to go to Antarctica. I want to go where the people are.

[Reggie]

I think you mean I want to go where the people.

[Mindy Thomas]

No. Well, it is your birthday, Grandma G.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Force, and you do get one wish.

[Reggie]

Unless you use that wish to wish for more wishes.

[Guy Raz]

You get one wish.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, I already said I want a wish to go to Antarctica. I want to go to the bottom of the world.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, Antarctica is the southernmost continent with the least number of people on the entire planet.

[Guy Raz]

But, Mindy, it's also covered almost entirely by a giant sheet of ice. Do you. Do you have any idea how cold it is there?

[Mindy Thomas]

Shh.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, first of all, I can hear you whispering to Mindy. And second of all, during its winter season between June and August, it can get as cold as negative 112 degrees Fahrenheit or negative 80 degrees Celsius.

[Guy Raz]

See? Mindy, wait. Grandma G Force. How did you.

[Grandma G Force]

I know about things, boy.

[Mindy Thomas]

And don't worry about the cold guy. Raz will wear coats and mittens. Here Coats and mittens. Here you go. Here you go, Mindy.

[Guy Raz]

We're gonna need more than mittens.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Good thinking, Mandy.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, boy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, that settles it, then. To Antarctica we go. Happy birthday, Grandma G Force.

[Reggie]

Hooray.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, who's the belle of the birthday ball?

[Mindy Thomas]

Is it Reggie?

[Grandma G Force]

No, it's me. I'm sorry.

[Mindy Thomas]

Think you could give us a ride, Reg?

[Reggie]

Great.

[Mindy Thomas]

Let's all shuffle outside then. And once we're in the air, Guy, Raz and I can fill you in on some fun facts about Antarctica. No.

[Guy Raz]

Yes.

[Grandma G Force]

Okay, but they better be fun.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, I'll climb up first, and then I'll pull the rest of you up. Okay?

[Guy Raz]

Okay. Okay.

[Grandma G Force]

Now, hold still, Regret on the pigeon's head.

[Reggie]

What?

[Thomas Fingerling]

You're a girl.

[Mindy Thomas]

And the birthday girl gets what the birthday girl wants.

[Grandma G Force]

Booyah. Here, pigeon, put on this birthday hat.

[Mindy Thomas]

Come on, everyone. Climb aboard. Okay. Okay. Everyone ready?

[Guy Raz]

All settled in?

[Reggie]

Aye, aye, Captain.

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. Cause here we. Welcome aboard ABN Airlines. Please make sure that your seatbelts are securely fastened, your tray tables are in the upright and locked position, and that your guidephones are in pigeon plane mode. We expect a bumpy ride today, so if you feel like you're gonna barf, try not to get it on your fellow passengers. Thank you, and enjoy your flight.

[Guy Raz]

So, Grandma G Force, why the sudden interest in Antarctica? Is it the penguins or the glaciers or the Southern Lights?

[Thomas Fingerling]

The cold, desolate wind?

[Reggie]

The iceberg dead ahead.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah.

[Guy Raz]

Reggie, go.

[Grandma G Force]

I wanna go to Antarctica. Cause I wanna see a bloody waterfall.

[Reggie]

Ew.

[Thomas Fingerling]

A bloody waterfall. Gee, Forrest, why you always gotta be so gross?

[Grandma G Force]

It ain't gross. It's just a little revolting is all.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, I think I've heard of this. You're talking about Blood Falls?

[Reggie]

Ew, Guy Raz, not you, too.

[Guy Raz]

No, no, hear me out. I recently read about this in the Scientific Journal.

[Grandma G Force]

No spoilers, boy. I don't want to read about it. I want to see about it. I want to see the bloody waterfalls dripping and spraying and spewing and spurting and oozing blood all over Antarctica. Antarctica.

[Mindy Thomas]

Attention, passengers. This is your captain speaking.

[Reggie]

Oh, sorry.

[Mindy Thomas]

As we begin our final descent on Antarctica, you'll notice several research stations scattered across the continent. This is where scientists live and study all of the extreme weather conditions that Antarctica has to offer. Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

Yes?

[Reggie]

If I survive Antarctica, will you get me a T shirt from the gift shop?

[Guy Raz]

Well, I don't see any gift shops here. But I do see. Could it be.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Help me.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Reggie]

I want to see. Scooch over.

[Grandma G Force]

Let me see well, happy birthday to me.

[Mindy Thomas]

And now, passengers, if you look below, you'll see something unusual. Something intense. Something red.

[Grandma G Force]

Bloody waterfall. Bloody waterfall.

[Mindy Thomas]

Flight crew, prepare for landing.

[Reggie]

Ah, midday. No, don't land on the bloody waterfall.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, no.

[Mindy Thomas]

Landing. Landing. Landing.

[Grandma G Force]

Landing.

[Mindy Thomas]

Landing. Landing. And that concludes our flight. Thank you for flying Avian Airlines. Please be sure to comment, subscribe and rate us five stars.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, I'll go down first and then I'll help the rest of you down.

[Reggie]

No way. I'm not getting off this pigeon plane. Reggie, hold me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Dennis, come on. It's Grandma G Force's birthday and this.

[Grandma G Force]

Is her one wish, boy.

[Reggie]

Okay, fine.

[Mindy Thomas]

Whew. It sure is. Sure is cold down here.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Hey, looky over there. It's a little bird. And a tuxedo.

[Grandma G Force]

There ain't no bird, Fingerling. That's a penguin.

[Reggie]

Wow, what a fashionable bird.

[Guy Raz]

Actually, penguins are aquatic flightless birds that use their wings more like flippers.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Neat.

[Grandma G Force]

I already know that.

[Mindy Thomas]

Everyone, you're missing the main attraction. Look down there.

[Reggie]

What? Where?

[Grandma G Force]

What am I looking at?

[Mindy Thomas]

Right over there, blowing from the tip of that glacier over there.

[Grandma G Force]

Look at that. Let there be blood.

[Reggie]

I don't like it.

[Mindy Thomas]

You think it's real blood, Guy Raz?

[Grandma G Force]

Yes, it's real blood. And don't nobody tell me another way.

[Guy Raz]

Well, why don't we walk over there and take a closer look? And then I can tell you everything I read about Blood Falls in this scientific journal, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences.

[Grandma G Force]

No, no, I don't want to do that.

[Mindy Thomas]

Come on, everyone. This could be interesting.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, it is interesting.

[Reggie]

Okay, bye.

[Mindy Thomas]

Go ahead, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, well, from what we know, Antarctica's Blood Falls was first discovered by the Australian geologist Griffith Taylor while on an expedition all the way back in the year 1911.

[Reggie]

Oh, wow, that's over 100 years ago.

[Thomas Fingerling]

That was also the year G Force was first discovered.

[Grandma G Force]

Hush your mouth, Fingerling. I'm only a teenager.

[Guy Raz]

Now, as Griffith Taylor observed this five story waterfall of angry blood red waters, he believed it to be the result of red algae in the water.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Boy, by golly, all of this blood water must be the result of too much red algae in the water.

[Reggie]

Why are you talking like that, Thomas Fingerling?

[Thomas Fingerling]

I ain't Thomas Fingerling, mate. I'm Australian geologist Griffith Taylor. I am.

[Grandma G Force]

You sound terrible.

[Reggie]

Yeah, quit interrupting.

[Thomas Fingerling]

I'm theorizing about too much red algae in the water.

[Guy Raz]

But as time went on, the theory of red algae in the water was proven to be false.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Ah, dingoes.

[Grandma G Force]

Sorry, Mr. Geologist boy, but you're wrong. Like Donkey Kong.

[Guy Raz]

Over time, new theories from new researchers began to emerge.

[Reggie]

Hello. Yes, I'm a new researcher and I believe this red water is probably just a bunch of red iron in the subglacial lake that feeds this waterfall.

[Grandma G Force]

Wait, wait, wait. I don't get it. Why would someone put an iron in a lake? I thought I was the only one who did that.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, no, no. See, iron is a kind of metal. And when it comes in contact with water and air, a chemical reaction occurs.

[Guy Raz]

And that chemical reaction called oxidation, causes the iron to slowly break down and form a reddish brown substance called rust.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, rusty. Just like fingerlings knees rust.

[Thomas Fingerling]

I don't have rusty knees.

[Guy Raz]

Oh.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Huh. I guess they are a little rusty. Never mind.

[Reggie]

Okay, so Guy Raz, are you saying that this bloody waterfall is nothing but a bunch of iron rust mixed with water?

[Guy Raz]

Well, if you'll allow me to get back to my story.

[Reggie]

Oh right, the story. Sorry.

[Grandma G Force]

Please continue.

[Guy Raz]

For many, many years, it was widely believed that oxidized or rusty iron was the cause of the blood red waterfall. But Fast forward to 2023 when a team of researchers from the Ohio State University decided to dive in a little deeper.

[Reggie]

Deeper into the bloody waters.

[Guy Raz]

One of the first things the team did was analyze and measure the amount of iron in the water. And while they expected to find quite a bit, in the end they were able to determine that the waterfall only contained a teeny tiny amount of iron.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Huh? Who? Don't say.

[Mindy Thomas]

Proving that the theory that it's just a bunch of rusty iron water is false.

[Reggie]

And proving that it's real blood. Wait, is it real blood for real?

[Grandma G Force]

I know that was real blood. I wanna burn. Come here, old waterfall.

[Guy Raz]

No, no, Grandma. G force, please. I'm not finished with the story.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, hurry up. I'm tired of this story.

[Reggie]

I'm not tired of this story, Guy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, me neither. Guy Raz.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yeah, me neither.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, good. So as I was saying, while this team of researchers did not discover massive amounts of iron in the water, what they did discover with the help of a super powered microscope, were iron rich nanospheres in the water.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow.

[Reggie]

Super nanny whirlospheres.

[Mindy Thomas]

No, Dennis. Nanospheres. Nanospheres are teeny tiny particles. So tiny that they can be 100 times smaller than the red blood cells in our body. So we're talking small tiny. Can't even see them.

[Guy Raz]

And when the iron in the nanospheres oxidizes, does anyone remember what happens when something oxidizes?

[Grandma G Force]

Nope, I do not.

[Reggie]

I remember. Guy. Oxidation is A chemical reaction that can happen when a metal like iron is mixed with water and air.

[Guy Raz]

Wow, Dennis, that's great. You're really paying attention. Hooray.

[Reggie]

Yay, compliments.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, as I was saying, when the teeny tiny nanoscopic iron rich nanospheres oxidize, they give the water flowing into blood balls its bloody rich color.

[Reggie]

Oh, wow.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, that is a very disappointing conclusion. I wanted it to be blood, but.

[Guy Raz]

There'S more to this mystery.

[Mindy Thomas]

There is?

[Guy Raz]

There is. See, the lake that feeds into Blood Falls is unlike most other lakes in that it's subglacial.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Gasp.

[Reggie]

Why are we gasping?

[Mindy Thomas]

You're gasping because subglacial means that this lake is hidden under the ice.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Well, help me. A hidden lake?

[Guy Raz]

Ice.

[Reggie]

Secret lake.

[Grandma G Force]

A lake where the people lay.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's right. This subglacial lake can't even be seen from the surface.

[Reggie]

You're right, Mindy. I can't see a lake anywhere.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's because it's hidden under snow and ice. And what makes this lake even more of a mystery is that it's home to teeny tiny microscopic life. Even though it's super salty, super dark, and there's no oxygen.

[Grandma G Force]

No oxygen? What is this, Mars?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, it's funny that you should mention Mars, grandma. G force.

[Reggie]

Mars.

[Mindy Thomas]

Because this subglacial lake and Mars actually have a lot in common.

[Grandma G Force]

They're both rusty.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, yes. They're both red and rich in iron particles.

[Thomas Fingerling]

And they're both cold and salty like G Force here.

[Grandma G Force]

Uh, excuse me.

[Guy Raz]

Can't argue with that.

[Reggie]

And you're not gonna find very much oxygen in either place.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, there is a tiny bit of oxygen on Mars, but not enough to catch a breath.

[Guy Raz]

And these similarities have researchers wondering if microscopic life can live for millions of years in the harsh conditions of a subglacial lake. Well, could it also live on Mars?

[Reggie]

Could there be life on Mars?

[Guy Raz]

Well, there's only one way to find out.

[Grandma G Force]

Yeah, we gotta go to Mars for my birthday to see for ourselves.

[Guy Raz]

No, no, no.

[Reggie]

Huzzah.

[Mindy Thomas]

Life on Mars.

[Reggie]

Life on Mars. Life on Mars.

[Guy Raz]

No, no, no, no, no. We are not going to Mars. What I mean is, this clue tells us that there's so much more to discover, and it's gonna take a lot of brain power and a lot of experiments and a lot of technology that hasn't been invented yet to discover it.

[Grandma G Force]

Wow.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, but what's amazing about this is that we might be one step closer to a major scientific discovery.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hooray.

[Reggie]

One step closer.

[Grandma G Force]

Okay, thank you very much. Garage Now I'm gonna go find that secret lake.

[Guy Raz]

Well, it's a subglacial lake and you're never gonna find it.

[Grandma G Force]

There's you.

[Reggie]

Right behind you, Granny G. Well, I.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Guess I'll go too. Olay.

[Mindy Thomas]

Let them have their fun, Guy Raz. For now. I just want to enjoy the beauty of these bloody red waterfalls. It is pretty gross looking.

[Guy Raz]

Yep. Let's go home.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Wow in the World.

[Mindy Thomas]

We'll be right back Grown ups.

[Unknown]

This message is for you.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey grown ups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz from Wow in the World. And guess what?

[Guy Raz]

What's the good news, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Once Upon a Beat is back with brand new episodes.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, I love that podcast.

[Mindy Thomas]

We here at Tinkercast have partnered with our friends at Wondery to bring your family new episodes of Once Upon a Beat.

[Guy Raz]

Once Upon a Beat remixes fairy tales and fables as old as time, giving them a fresh spin with some rhythm and rhyme.

[Mindy Thomas]

This podcast is hosted by the amazing DJ Fuch and features original hip hop songs from Grammy Award winning artist Secret Agent 23's Cadoo.

[Guy Raz]

Once upon a Beat is where hip hop and fairy tales meet and you can listen to new episodes right now.

[Mindy Thomas]

Follow Once Upon a Beat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to Once Upon a Beat early and at free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app in Apple podcasts.

[Grandma G Force]

That's it.

[Unknown]

Back to the show.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow in the World. Hi, thanks for calling wow in the World. After the beep, get ready to record.

[Unknown]

Hi, I'm Ryland. I live in Seaside, California and I'm 8 years old. My wow in the world is that dry ice. Instead of melting into a water, a liquid, it sublimates into a gas. They hide a Gramma. G Force.

[Grandma G Force]

Big whoop.

[Guy Raz]

Annoying.

[Unknown]

Annoying. Dennis. And the bird that needs to get among some benches.

[Mindy Thomas]

Adios.

[Unknown]

I'm Elena from Edmonton, Alberta. My wow is that right now there are billions of invisible ghost particles called neutrinos zooming through your body. There's a lab 2km under Suddlebury, Ontario devoted to studying neutrinos. Say hello to Thomas Fingerling, Grandma G Force. An extra hello to Dennis. Hi, my name is Zoe. I live in Calgary, Alberta and my wow in the world is vanilla flavoring is produced by a goo from a beaver's rear end. Hi, I'm Gavin. I live in Calgary, Alberta. My wow in the world is that thousands of years ago a black bear sized beaver roamed Canada.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Mindy.

[Unknown]

And Guy Raz this is Edward calling in from New Jersey. Did you know that lanternflies are an invasive species and kill trees?

[Grandma G Force]

Bye.

[Unknown]

Hi, I'm Henley from Canada and I want to say that a group of dogs is called a Shiver. Bye. Hi, my name is Darwin. I'm 8 years old and live in Crested Butte, Colorado. My wow in the world is that the Marabou stork can swallow 2.2 pounds of meat in one gulp to head to Regene Dennis for me. Hi Maisie and Guidewags. My name is Izzy and I'm seven years old. I live in California. My wow in the world is Ring tailed lemurs have stink in their tails and use it for stink fights. Say hi to Reggie, Bucky the Annoying Dennis, Huzzah and the Sleigh cats for me.

[Grandma G Force]

Bye.

[Unknown]

Love your show.

[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] survey.

[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 supervising producer, Jed Anderson and Tyler Thull. You can also hear Jed Anderson in the voices of Dennis Thomas, Fingerling, Reggie and many of the other silly characters you hear on our show.

[Guy Raz]

Jessica Bode 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]

Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Ruth Morrison, Rebecca Caban, Kit Ballinger, Sana Ali Muhammad, Anna Sigorski and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.

[Mindy Thomas]

To keep the wows rolling, visit [e-mail] There you can learn more about becoming an official member of the World Organization of wowzers, learn about upcoming events, shop our wow Shop, find our best selling books and learn about all of our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown ups.

[Guy Raz]

You can follow wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is hellotinkercast.com 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 two. What's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow.

[Unknown]

In the World was made by Tinkercast.

[Grandma G Force]

And sent to you by Wondery.