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Dennis
Hello, Wowzers. It's me, Dennis. And before we start the show, I wanted to invite you to a special spectacular, super secret event. Okay, fine, Reggie. Maybe it isn't a super secret anymore, but can I get a drum roll anyway?
Guy Raz
Thank you.
Mindy
Ahem.
Dennis
Introducing the Make It Wow. Listening Party. That's right. On Saturday, February15 at 7pm Eastern, I will be hosting the second ever members only live listening party. And this time we'll be listening to the never heard before recorded performance of the Make It Wow. Live show in New York City from last November. Isn't that cool? Yes, Reggie. All of our members will be there and we can all chat together as we listen to it. It'll be like reviewsies, but in real. If you want to join the party grown ups, you can sign up to become a member of the world organization of Wowzers. Today. Just visit Tinkercast.com membership. That's Tinkercast.com membership. Every membership helps support our podcasts and Tinkercast mission to spread WOW to families and teachers around the world. That's right, Reggie. Our members also get birthday cards from Mindy and Guy, quarterly mailings from you, Reggie, and so much more members. We'll see you there on Saturday, February 15th. Just go to tinkercast.comevents to get the secret password to join my live stream at 7pm Eastern. That's it. Now let's get back to my show. I mean, our show. I mean, the show.
Reggie
Proceeded. 3, 2, 1. Mission. The bubbles are an adventure of magnificent.
Dennis
Proportion I don't know what you've been.
Guy Raz
Told we're in a golden age so.
Mindy
Many discoveries that are jumping off the.
Dennis
Page While in the world wow.
Mindy
In the world wow. In the world wow. In the world wow. In the world W In the world wow. In the world W in the world.
Reggie
Houston.
Mindy
Must tell Guy Ross.
Dennis
Come have a ticket party with me. You sit here and I'll sit my Chong.
Mindy
Sorry, Dennis, can't chat right now. Run, run, run, run, run, run, run. And doorbell. Come on, come on, come on. Guy Razzle.
Guy Raz
Mandy.
Mindy
Guy Razzie here. Have you seen this?
Guy Raz
Seen what?
Mindy
This. Look. Someone posted these flyers all over town.
Guy Raz
Help wanted. This just looks like a job listing.
Mindy
Yeah, and it's perfect for you. Here, look. Must love the great outdoors. Check. Have an active lifestyle. Check. And be willing to work long hours for the good of the scientific community. That's got you written all over it. Guy Raz. What's that little catchphrase you're always saying?
Guy Raz
Anything for science.
Mindy
Exactly. See, you're perfect for this job.
Guy Raz
Well, I have to admit, Mindy, it does sound pretty good. And I have been meaning to get out of the house more.
Mindy
Great, then let's get going. The auditions are in like 10 minutes.
Guy Raz
Wait, auditions?
Mindy
Yeah, come on, I already packed your swimsuit and goggles and everything.
Guy Raz
Swimsuit? Goggles. Well, what kind of job interview involves an audition and a swimsuit?
Mindy
The kind that's taking place in just 10 minutes. Guy Raz. Come on, we gotta get going.
Guy Raz
Okay, I'm coming. Let me just turn off all the lights. Hey, Zoodle, turn off the lights. Okay.
Mindy
Ordering some rice. Oh, no.
Guy Raz
Zoodle, turn off the lights. Okay.
Mindy
Burning off the ice.
Guy Raz
No.
Mindy
Zoodle. Yes, Guy Raz.
Guy Raz
I am always bright.
Mindy
I got it. Guy Raz. Flipping the switch.
Guy Raz
Oh, right.
Mindy
All right, let's go.
Guy Raz
Okay, locking the door.
Mindy
Here we go.
Guy Raz
So what else does that flyer say about this job, Mindy?
Mindy
Oh, I don't know. There's so many words on this thing. I only read part of it.
Guy Raz
Let me see that. Huh? It just says you have to be a proficient swimmer and that your work will help us better understand the world beneath the waves. What do you think that means?
Mindy
Well, I was reading the other day that we only know what about a quarter of the ocean floor even looks like.
Guy Raz
Really? You mean we only have a map of about a quarter of the ocean floor?
Mindy
Yeah. Isn't that bonkerballs? So much mystery left to discover about the ocean.
Guy Raz
Yeah, it's incredible. I mean, we've been able to map almost the entire surface of Mars, but we still don't know what most of the bottom of the ocean looks like. That is pretty bonkerballs.
Mindy
Yeah. So I'm thinking that maybe this job is getting people go down to the bottom of the ocean and make a map of it.
Guy Raz
I don't know, Mindy. I mean, the ocean is really, really, really deep. Most divers in the ocean can only go down to about 100ft underwater. And the ocean floor is on average about 12,000ft deep.
Mindy
Yeah, I guess that math isn't really mathing, is it?
Guy Raz
Neat idea though.
Mindy
Hey look, we made it to the pool.
Guy Raz
Seaside Adventure Park Community Swimming Pool Yeah.
Mindy
Don'T worry, they got rid of all the whale. Quit shoving me, pool boy.
Reggie
Yeah, get your hands off this.
Guy Raz
Is that leaving?
Reggie
You two watch em.
Dennis
Now kindly leave, please.
Reggie
I ain't even done nothing. You two are banned from the Seaside.
Dennis
Adventure Park Community Swimming pool.
Reggie
What?
Dennis
And don't you come back in five minutes with another fake mustache. I'll know it's you.
Reggie
Well.
Mindy
Huh. Grandma G Force. Thomas Fingerling.
Reggie
Sup?
Guy Raz
What was that all about?
Reggie
Well, they kicked us out of the water aerobics class.
Guy Raz
Wait, what?
Mindy
Why? No food rule. Uh, no food rule?
Reggie
Yeah, I just wanted to finish my soup and they wouldn't let me.
Guy Raz
You brought a bowl of soup into the community pool?
Reggie
What? No. Of course I didn't bring a bowl of soup into the pool. That's disgusting.
Mindy
Whew.
Guy Raz
Well, that's good.
Reggie
Let me, G Force, hold the soup in her hands.
Mindy
Uh. What? And they really did not like that.
Reggie
Which makes no sense. Soup's just water. What? Can't bring water into a pool no more. What's the world, right?
Mindy
Aha. Well, we'd love to stay and chat, but we have an audition to get to, so we better get going.
Reggie
Okay. Just remember to keep your soup a secret. Don't tell nobody about it.
Guy Raz
What? We don't have any soup?
Reggie
That's right, Mr. Razzie. You don't. Wink, wink.
Mindy
Don't engage Guy Raz. Okay, bye, Grandma. G Force and Thomas Fingerling. See you later.
Guy Raz
Whoop whop.
Mindy
Whoop.
Guy Raz
Whoop whop. Whoops.
Mindy
Bel ding.
Dennis
Hello there.
Mindy
Hi. We're here for the auditions.
Reggie
Uh, what?
Guy Raz
Yeah, we saw the ad in this flyer.
Mindy
I've got it right here. Look.
Reggie
Yeah, no, there are auditions going on today.
Dennis
But are you sure you two are.
Reggie
Right for the job?
Guy Raz
Excuse me? What do you mean?
Mindy
Well, I mean, I think we're perfect for the job. Where do we go?
Reggie
I guess it's just down the hall.
Dennis
Pool two.
Mindy
Thank you.
Reggie
No problem.
Guy Raz
Well, I guess we should probably get changed before these auditions start. Let's head to the changing rooms.
Mindy
Oh, no need, Guy Raz. For you see, I'm already wearing my swimsuit.
Guy Raz
What? Hyak.
Mindy
Ta da.
Guy Raz
Whoa. You were wearing tear away clothes this whole time?
Mindy
What? No, these are just my normal clothes that I tear away. Like normal.
Guy Raz
Huh.
Mindy
Anywho, you can get changed in that changing room over there. I've got your swimsuit in my adventure toolkit here. There you go.
Guy Raz
How did.
Mindy
I'll see you when you get out.
Guy Raz
Okay, I'll be quick.
Mindy
All right. Pool two. Pool two, where are you? What in the. Wow. Is. Was that a. Okay, yeah, that was dolphinitely a seal.
Reggie
All right, you pack of sea lions, look alive now.
Mindy
Uh, excuse me, big muscly man.
Reggie
Yeah, what's up?
Mindy
What exactly is going on here?
Reggie
What do you mean?
Mindy
Like, I mean, what's with all the seals?
Reggie
Oh, these are not seals.
Mindy
Well, they sure look like seals.
Reggie
No, they don't. They look like sea lions. Because they're sea lions.
Mindy
Okay, then what are all these sea lions doing here?
Reggie
Well, they're here for the auditions.
Mindy
What?
Reggie
Yeah, job market's been hard for the aquatic mammal community. What are you doing here? Water aerobics is in pool A. They just finished scooping out all the soup.
Mindy
I'm not here for the water aerobics. I'm here to audition, too. Well, actually, my buddy Guy Raz is here for the job, but I'm just here for moral support.
Reggie
But you're not a sea lion.
Mindy
Aw, thanks for noticing.
Reggie
Did you read the ad?
Mindy
I read some of it.
Reggie
Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it's sea lions. Only for this gig. Nothing I can do about it. South Australian Research and Development Institute guidelines clearly state.
Mindy
South Australia Australian research and what?
Reggie
Yeah, the South Australian Research and Development Institute. They are the ones hiring.
Mindy
Aw, bonkerballs.
Reggie
You really should have read the entire ad.
Mindy
Can we just please, please, please, please, please still audition? Look, I'm basically a sea lion. Check out my bark. Ar. Ar. Ar. I'm a sea lion.
Reggie
That is a very good bark. But the audition wouldn't be easy for you biped. Gotta hold your breath for a real long time.
Mindy
Oh, I can do that. I can hold my breath real good. Uh, please, please let us audition.
Reggie
All right, fine. Just stop making that sound. Please be in the pool in five minutes.
Guy Raz
Yes.
Reggie
Oh, almost forgot to ask. Can you shed your skin?
Mindy
Uh, yeah.
Reggie
Okay, good. See you in five.
Guy Raz
Okay, Mindy. Bathing suit. Check. Prescription goggles. Check. Swimming cap. Why does it smell like fish out here?
Mindy
So I've got some good news and some bad news for you, Guy Raz. Okay, the good news is that I was able to secure us an audition spot for the job.
Guy Raz
Great. But what's the bad news?
Mindy
So the bad news is that all of the other applicants are sea lions.
Guy Raz
What?
Mindy
Yeah.
Guy Raz
Mindy, why are all the other applicants for this job sea lions?
Mindy
I don't know. I mean, lots of animals have jobs. Guy Raz. Guide dogs for helping the blind. Sniffer dogs at the airport. Guard dogs. Wow. You know, when I think about it, dogs are really pulling a lot of the weight in the animal kingdom.
Guy Raz
So wait, you think these sea lions are here to do a job that humans can't do?
Mindy
I mean, that's what I think, Guy Raz. But there's only one way to find out.
Guy Raz
And what's that?
Mindy
By getting on with this audition. Come on, they're about to start.
Guy Raz
All right, what in the all right.
Reggie
You sea lions, gather up. We're about to start the auditions.
Guy Raz
Watch it.
Reggie
Easy, easy. Okay, so as you all know, this is a very specialized position. If you are successful, you will go to Australia and help researchers map the ocean floor around Kangaroo and Olive Island.
Guy Raz
Excuse me.
Reggie
Yeah, you with the two legs and no flippers.
Guy Raz
Yes. Hi. I'm not a sea lion. Is that gonna be a problem?
Reggie
Well, yeah, probably.
Mindy
Don't listen to him, Guy Raz. You can do anything if you just believe in yourself.
Reggie
Yeah, you can just set your mind to diving down to a sea lion habitat around 300ft underwater for extended periods of time in order to map the ocean floor.
Guy Raz
And how exactly are we gonna be mapping the ocean floor?
Reggie
Good question. You'll be doing it with one of these.
Mindy
Huh?
Guy Raz
What is that?
Mindy
Looks like some kind of camera.
Reggie
It is a camera. And today we'll be attaching these action cameras to your backs and running you through a simulation of the kind of research work you'll be doing in Australia. Now, everyone line up and come get a camera. Easy, easy now.
Mindy
Oh, excuse me, sea lion. I was actually here first.
Reggie
One for you. One for you.
Guy Raz
Mindy. Did he just say he's going to attach the cameras to our backs?
Mindy
I don't know, Guy Raz. I was too distracted by that sea lion over there in the. He's been giving me this stink eye ever since we came in here. What are you looking at?
Reggie
Here's one for you. Next. Next in line, please.
Guy Raz
Hi. So just what are we supposed to be doing with these cameras?
Reggie
Oh, we are doing this.
Guy Raz
What was that?
Reggie
It was the super glue.
Guy Raz
The super glue?
Reggie
Yeah. Just super glued a bit of wetsuit material to your back. That's how we're gonna attach the camera.
Guy Raz
What?
Reggie
I wouldn't worry about it. It'll come right off the next time you shed your.
Mindy
Oh, great.
Guy Raz
Wait, what? I don't shed my skin.
Reggie
Oh, well, she said you did.
Guy Raz
Mindy.
Dennis
Oops.
Guy Raz
I can't believe this is the second Super Glue mix up you've gotten me into this season.
Mindy
Oh, yeah, it is. Sorry about that.
Reggie
All right, everyone got their cameras attached? Great. Let's begin the swim test. Everyone press the record button on your cameras.
Mindy
Don't worry, I got you, Guy Razzie.
Reggie
All right, everyone in the PO.
Guy Raz
Come on, Mindy. Jump in. The water's great.
Mindy
Okay. Cannonball.
Reggie
Okay, anyone here gonna have a problem diving to 300ft?
Guy Raz
Uh, me.
Reggie
Huh? You are not a very good sea lion.
Dennis
I'm a human.
Reggie
All right, well, for everyone else here this first test should be simple. Dive underwater and see how long you can stay there. We're looking for sea lions that can dive to 300ft for around 2 minutes. Should be pretty easy.
Guy Raz
Mandy, I can't hold my breath for two minutes.
Mindy
Well, not with that attitude you can't, Andy. You just gotta believe in yourself, Guy Raz.
Reggie
Okay, cameras are rolling. And three, two, one. Die. Dive. Dive. Uh, what's up with you? Aren't you auditioning with your friend?
Mindy
Oh, no, I'm just his emotional support. Mindy.
Reggie
Right, Got it.
Mindy
So whatcha gonna do with all that sea lion action cam footage? You making a movie?
Reggie
Not really. It's for the researchers in Australia.
Mindy
Ah. Well, what are they gonna do with it?
Reggie
Well, they're gonna put it into a computer program along with GPS data and other information they have about the area to map the ocean floor.
Mindy
But what about with the footage you're capturing today?
Reggie
Oh, that. Well, I guess you could use it to scan this pool here. 26 seconds.
Mindy
Hey, you held your breath for a whole 26 seconds, Guy Raz. That's pretty good.
Guy Raz
Thanks, Mindy.
Reggie
26 is not good enough. You two are out.
Mindy
Thank goodness. Out.
Reggie
Out of the running freight cell. We need you to be diving to 300ft for two to three minutes, not sticking your head underwater for 26 seconds.
Mindy
Bonkerballs. Sorry, Guy Raz. You tried your best.
Guy Raz
It's all right, Mindy. I still don't fully understand what these sea lions would be doing in Australia anyway.
Reggie
They will be scanning the ocean floor with those cameras on their backs.
Guy Raz
Huh?
Reggie
Yeah. Scientists want to map the ocean floor and try and sea lion habitats. Wow. The researchers already have eight full time scanners. It's up to me to find the rest. All right, great job, everyone. You all passed the first test. Who's ready for a reward? Here we go.
Guy Raz
What's that smell?
Reggie
It's the reward. All right, who wants a fish?
Mindy
Me. Me, Me. I want a fish.
Reggie
No, not you.
Mindy
Aw, why not?
Reggie
Because sea l. Here you go.
Guy Raz
Come on, Mindy, let's get out of here.
Mindy
But I really want some fish.
Guy Raz
I got something even better in mind.
Mindy
Oh, yeah?
Guy Raz
Yeah. I heard there's a great soup place pretty close to here.
Mindy
Oh yeah, that one where you just eat it right out of your hands.
Guy Raz
That's the one.
Mindy
Ooh, and maybe on the way we can stop somewhere to get that super glued camera off your back.
Guy Raz
Oh, that's right. I still have this camera glued to my back.
Mindy
Soup first, camera later. Come on, let's go. Wow. In the world.
Kara
We'll be right back.
Guy Raz
Grown ups.
Kara
This message is for you.
Mindy
That's it.
Kara
Back to the show.
Mindy
Wow in the World. Hi, thanks for calling wow in the World. After the beep, get ready to record.
Kara
Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Kara and I'm from Charlotte, North Carolina. My wow in the world is that jellyfish can sting you even after they're dead. Isn't that bonker of oath? Mindy, say hi to Dennis. Ahoy there, Reggie, Grandma G Force.
Mindy
Moo yay.
Kara
And Thomas Fingerling for me.
Reggie
Sup?
Mindy
Bye.
Kara
Love your show. Hi, my name is Grace and I live in Iowa. My wow in the world is at no. 2 Snowflake Sunny Things. Hello, I'm Will from Connecticut. And my wow in the world is oxygen is the most common element on earth. Hi, my name is Belle and I live in Iowa. In Mila and the world, if each dog has a unique nose point. Hi, my name is Greyson and I live in Eola, Kentucky. I'm seven years old in my wild waterfowls have three eyelids and the third eyelid is clear and that helps them see underwater. Bye. And say hi to Reggie and Grandma D4. Hi, my name is Emeline. I'm from Johnston, Iowa. I am 9 years old and my wow in the world is that viruses which have been frozen in permafrost for thousands of years can be sought and awakened for scientists to study. Say hi to slay cats. Hi, Mindy and guidewas. My name is Caleb and I live in Dallas, Texas. My wow in the world is that a cat was once the mayor of an Alaskan town for over 20 years. Isn't that punker boss? Say hi, I'm Thomas Fingerling.
Reggie
Ooh, cool dude.
Kara
Wedgie. And grandma G voice for me.
Mindy
Oh, snap.
Reggie
Love your show.
Kara
Bye. Hi, my name is Adina and I live in Hampton, Connecticut. My wow in the world is that bees can fly higher than Mount Everest. Say hi to Reggie, Dennis, Grandma G Force, Bucky, the sleigh cats, and finally, Thomas Fingerling.
Dennis
Cool.
Kara
Bye. Hello, I'm Harvey from Sydney, Australia. And my wow in the world is that kangaroos can't hop backwards.
Mindy
End of messages, grown ups. If you like wow in the world, you can listen early and ad free right now on wondry.
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
And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey@wondery.com survey. Thanks for listening to this episode of wow in the World. If you're a kid with a big WOW to share with us, call our WOW hotline at 1-888-7-WOW WOW for a chance to be featured at the end of the show or an upcoming episode of 2 what's in a wow?
Guy Raz
And while you're at it, why don't you head over to Apple Podcasts and tell us what wows you about our show by leaving a review. You just might hear your reviewsy read by Dennis on wewow on the weekend.
Mindy
Oh and don't forget to Visit us@tinkercast.com and become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers. With that you'll get year round mailings, weekly activities, birthday cards and more on.
Guy Raz
Tinkercast.com, you can also shop our WOW shop, get tickets for upcoming live events, find our books and learn about all the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.
Mindy
Once again, that's Tinkercast.com wow in the.
Guy Raz
World is written by Mindy Thomas and Tom Van Kelken with contributions from Me Guy Raz.
Mindy
Original sound design and music editing is done by Tyler Thole with help from our senior Production Director Jed Anderson. 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
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
Our team including Kit Ballenger, Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kenny Curtis, Kristen Y Twee Mac, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paxsima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Anna Zagorski, and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast hq Grown Ups.
Mindy
You can follow wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is helloinkercast.com thanks for listening.
Guy Raz
Find episodes of wow in the World every Monday, two what's in a wow? Every Friday and we wow on the weekends with Dennis every Saturday and Sunday right here in the wow in the World podcast feed. Until then, keep on wowing.
Kara
Wow in the World was made by.
Mindy
Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
Podcast Summary: "Diving In With Sea Lions: Mapping the Ocean Floor"
Wow in the World Episode Released on February 10, 2025
In this exciting episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz embark on a whimsical yet educational journey to explore the mysteries of the ocean floor. The episode combines humor with insightful scientific facts, making complex topics accessible and entertaining for both kids and their grown-ups.
Setting the Stage
Mindy and Guy find themselves intrigued by a job listing from the South Australian Research and Development Institute seeking individuals passionate about the great outdoors and scientific discovery. Despite initial confusion, they deduce that the role involves deep-sea exploration to map the ocean floor—a task that highlights a startling fact: “We only know what about a quarter of the ocean floor even looks like” (05:06).
Educational Insight: Ocean Floor Mapping
Guy Raz emphasizes the irony in our advanced space exploration capabilities compared to our limited knowledge of Earth's own oceans. He remarks, “We've been able to map almost the entire surface of Mars, but we still don't know what most of the bottom of the ocean looks like” (05:10). This comparison underscores the vast unexplored areas beneath the waves and the importance of mapping them.
Preparing for the Audition
Determined to contribute to this scientific mission, Mindy encourages Guy to apply, leading to a humorous sequence where they attempt to prepare for the audition. Their interactions are filled with playful banter and comedic mishaps, such as Mindy's attempt to convince Guy he's the perfect candidate: “You can do anything if you just believe in yourself” (12:02).
Meeting Reggie and the Sea Lions
Upon arriving at the audition venue, Mindy and Guy are greeted by Reggie, who introduces them to a group of sea lions—a twist that adds both humor and intrigue to the storyline. The audition involves attaching action cameras to their backs to simulate the tasks of real sea lions mapping the ocean floor.
Reggie explains the process: “Scientists want to map the ocean floor and try and [find] sea lion habitats” (17:05), highlighting the innovative use of animals in scientific research.
Challenges Faced
The hosts encounter unexpected challenges during the audition:
Outcome of the Audition
Despite their enthusiasm, Mindy and Guy ultimately do not meet the stringent requirements of the audition. Reggie informs them, “26 is not good enough. You two are out” (16:33), emphasizing the high standards needed for such specialized scientific roles. This moment serves as a humorous reminder of the dedication required in scientific pursuits.
Throughout the episode, several key educational points are seamlessly integrated into the narrative:
Following the adventurous story, the episode transitions to listener messages where children share fascinating "wows" about the natural world:
These segments not only engage young listeners but also highlight intriguing scientific facts that inspire curiosity and wonder.
"Diving In With Sea Lions: Mapping the Ocean Floor" masterfully combines storytelling with educational content, making complex scientific endeavors relatable and entertaining. Mindy and Guy's humorous attempts to join a sea lion-based research team serve as a fun vehicle to discuss the importance of ocean exploration and the innovative methods used in scientific research.
Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation for the unexplored depths of our oceans and the creative ways scientists are working to uncover their secrets. The episode ends on a light-hearted note, reinforcing the show's mission to spread "WOW" through engaging and informative storytelling.
This episode exemplifies Wow in the World's ability to blend humor, storytelling, and education, making it a delightful listen for families eager to explore the wonders of science together.