It's All Bonobo to Me: How to Talk Like an Ape! (9/15/25)

Summary

Wow in the World – "It's All Bonobo to Me: How to Talk Like an Ape!"

Podcast: Wow in the World
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Air Date: September 15, 2025

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Main Theme & Purpose

This playful episode of "Wow in the World" dives into how scientists have discovered that some great apes—including bonobos and chimpanzees—may use sophisticated communication systems with genuine elements of language. Mindy and Guy set off on a whimsical and scientific adventure to the Congo, blending humor, music, and imaginative scenarios as they explore the difference between simple animal communication and the building blocks of language, focusing on the fascinating concept of "compositionality" in primate calls.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to Ape "Language"

• Mindy is seen practicing Bonobo language via a quirky language-learning app with a persistent penguin mascot named Uno (02:52–04:44).
• Reveals her friend from Congo is not human, but a bonobo ape. She’s determined to learn to communicate ("It's a beautiful language." – Mindy, 05:09).

2. Traveling to Congo & What Makes Language Special

• Mindy and Guy get an imaginative lift to the Congo rainforest from Reggie the pigeon (07:28–12:24).
• They debate the difference between typical animal communication and actual language:
  • "Animal makes a sound, it typically means just one thing." – Mindy (10:25)
  • "Humans...string words together...combine their individual meanings into a whole new meaning." (10:54–11:10)
• Compositionality is introduced as the scientific term for combining distinct sounds/calls to create new, complex meanings—something seen in true language, not just animal sounds.

3. Discoveries in Ape Communication

• Reference to research from the University of Zurich, which suggests bonobos might use compositionality (06:26–06:52, 11:29).
• Dive into earlier chimpanzee research led by Dr. Simon Townsend in Uganda:
  • Chimpanzees observed stringing together different warning or request calls.
  • "Sort of like how we would join 'bad' and 'dancer' together in our language to make 'bad dancer'." – Guy Raz (16:17)
  • Scientists identified 15 different chimp call pairings (16:40).
  • Bonobos, as per recent Zurich research, have at least four important call pairings (19:34–19:41).

4. App-based Language Learning and Humor

• Uno, the language-learning penguin, repeatedly pressures Mindy to keep up her practice (recurring, e.g., 06:26, 14:13, 17:30).
• Mindy attempts to use her limited bonobo vocabulary to make contact:
  • Only manages a few phrases, mirroring the science, since only a handful of bonobo call combinations have been deciphered by researchers (19:25–19:44).

5. Scientific Implications

• The idea that language-like compositionality may exist in apes lights up the potential for deeper understanding of the origins of human language.
• Both Guy and Mindy marvel at how recent research is challenging the notion that language is exclusive to humans (17:57).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On animal versus human communication:
  • “There’s a difference between plain old animal communication and language.” – Mindy (08:17)
  • “The difference between simple animal communication and language is the ability to string different words together to create new meaning.” – Mindy (10:07)
• On compositionality:
  • “Scientists actually have a word for this. It’s called compositionality. And it’s what separates normal animal communication from language.” – Mindy (11:10)
  • “These scientists...think that they’ve discovered them [bonobos] using compositionality. Like combining two different words to make something new.” – Guy Raz (11:29)
• On bonobo language learning challenges:
  • "That’s all the bonobo I know." – Mindy (19:26)
  • "So you only know how to say four things in bonobo?" – Guy Raz (19:41)
• On humor and character:
  • "Mindy, do your lesson or Uno will poo poo in your sock drawer." – Uno the Penguin (17:30)
  • "Have you seen his wingspan?" – Mindy (08:45, on why Reggie the pigeon crashed through her wall)

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Key Segments (Timestamps)

• 04:48–05:13: Mindy demonstrates her bonobo 'language skills'.
• 06:26–06:52: Introduction of the University of Zurich study on bonobo calls as a bona fide language.
• 10:07–11:10: Explanation of compositionality and what makes true language.
• 14:53–16:49: Dramatization of Dr. Simon Townsend’s chimpanzee research, showing call pairings in action.
• 17:17–17:57: Discussion on how this research shifted notions of ape cognition and language.
• 19:25–19:44: Mindy maxes out her bonobo vocabulary; only four major call pairings known so far.

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Tone & Style

• Zany, energetic, and kid-friendly, with scientific content woven into humor, character voices, and playful plot.
• Frequent use of imaginative scenarios and comic relief—learning is made accessible and fun.

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Conclusion

This episode blends scientific discovery with whimsical antics to introduce listeners to the concept of compositionality in communication, both in humans and our primate relatives. With relatable explanations, funny fictional devices (like a naggy penguin language app), and memorable sound effects, kids and adults alike are left saying “Wow!” at the idea that apes may use rudimentary forms of language, offering new insights into how language could have evolved.

Takeaway:
Some apes, like bonobos and chimpanzees, may combine calls to create new meanings—bringing us a step closer to understanding not just how animals communicate, but how language itself might have started!

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Find more Wow in the World episodes every Monday.

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.

[Dennis]

Hello, wowzers. It's me, Dennis. And before we start the show this month for our new members, you can have Reggie in your pocket. No, Rezi, not for real. You're too huge. You can't fit in pockets. I'm talking about our exclusive VIP new member T shirt. Grown Ups. For a limited time only, new members to the World Organization of wowzers can get this T shirt featuring Reggie. Yeah, Reggie. See, it's a red shirt with a shirt pocket and your little head is poking out so it looks like you're in the pocket. Every membership helps support our podcasts and Tinkercast mission to spread WOW to families and tourists, 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. Grown Ups. For access to this t shirt, visit Tinkercast.com membership and sign up your Wowzer today. That's Tinkercast.com membership. That's it. Now let's get back to my show. I mean our show. I mean the show.

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[Guy Raz]

Adventure of magnificent proportion.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

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

[Guy Raz]

Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Houston. Um, I think. Oh, yeah, this one.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Congratulations, Mindy. You're on a five day language learning streak. Yes. How about another lesson with Uno?

[Mindy Thomas]

Why not? Ooh, that lesson's gonna have to wait for today. Someone's at the door.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Ma. No. Do your lessons or Uno will get sad. What? Coming. Walk, Walk, Walk.

[Mindy Thomas]

Walk.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Walk, Walk, Walk.

[Mindy Thomas]

Opening the door, Guy.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Razzie.

[Guy Raz]

Hey, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, what's going.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, not much. I was just wondering if you had any sugar I could borrow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, sorry, Guy Raz. I used up all my sugar last week when I was rebaking my gingerbread laundry room.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Uno. It's working.

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Ah, Mindy, come line with Uno.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, do you want to get that? Mindy, it sounds like you're getting a bunch of messages on your phone.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Why aren't you doing your lessons, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

No, these aren't messages. This is a new language learning app I downloaded.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, you're learning another language?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah. I got this buddy who lives out in Congo in Africa, and I'm trying to learn his language so I can chat with him more easily.

[Guy Raz]

Wow, I love that idea, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, I know. Ah, but the only problem is this app is, like, super pushy.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Does Mindy not like Uno?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, wait, who's Uno?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, Uno's the language learning penguin.

[Guy Raz]

The what?

[Mindy Thomas]

He's like the mascot. Sort of harasses you into learning the language.

[Guy Raz]

That sounds horrible.

[Mindy Thomas]

Horribly effective. I can already say, like, five different phrases.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, and which language? Lingala.

[Mindy Thomas]

No.

[Guy Raz]

French?

[Mindy Thomas]

Nope.

[Guy Raz]

Swahili? Uh, wait, so your friend is from Congo, but he doesn't speak Lingala? French or Swahili?

[Mindy Thomas]

Nope.

[Guy Raz]

Well, then which language are you actually learning, Mindy?

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Bonobo.

[Guy Raz]

Bonobo? I don't think I've heard of that one before.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, it's a beautiful language.

[Guy Raz]

Really? Can I hear some of it?

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, well, you're putting me on the spot a little, but let's try this. This is how you say hello to someone who is far away from you in Bonobo. Beautiful, isn't it?

[Guy Raz]

It's something.

[Mindy Thomas]

And this is how you say, danger, Incoming snake in bonobo.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Danger.

[Mindy Thomas]

And this is how you say, can I have some of those figs?

[Guy Raz]

Wait a minute. Mindy, is your friend who lives in Congo human?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes, of course he is not human. Guy Raz. What kind of human talks like that?

[Guy Raz]

Well, then, what in the.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

He's an ape.

[Guy Raz]

An ape?

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Yeah, an ape.

[Mindy Thomas]

Specifically, a bonobo ape.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I thought you were learning an actual language, not just some ape shrieking sounds.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's not just a collection of shrieks, Guy Raz. It's a true blue bonafide classified verified certified language.

[Guy Raz]

It is?

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Yeah.

[Mindy Thomas]

According to researchers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, it is. It's time for a lesson and my language learning app. You know, I'm just gonna turn off the notifications, I think.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, you're saying real life scientists have discovered a new ape language you know it, Guy Raz. Okay, I'm confused.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, here, I think it's best if I show you. So what do you say we just head on over to Congo and. And see how far my bonobo language skills can get me?

[Guy Raz]

You want to travel to Sub Saharan Africa now? I don't know, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

I mean, Guy Raz, don't you always say the best way to learn a new language is to dive in and just start speaking with the locals?

[Guy Raz]

Well, I guess that's true.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

So come along.

[Mindy Thomas]

Maybe you'll pick up a little bonobo too, while you're at it. Well, anything for science.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, Anything for science, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Booyah. All right, let me just give Reggie a call here. Hey, Reg, what are you up to right now? Okay, well, that bird bath's gonna have to wait. Yeah, Guy Raz and I need a lift to Congo. Yeah, as in Africa?

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Uh huh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, great.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

See you soon.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie will be here to pick us up in a minute.

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, I don't understand. Don't almost all animals use some sort of sound to communicate with one another?

[Mindy Thomas]

I mean, yeah, birds use calls to attract maids. Whales use songs to navigate and find their way around. Even frogs use their ribbons to warn other frogs not to mess with them.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, so how come that language app of yours doesn't offer language learning courses in bird or whale or frog?

[Mindy Thomas]

Because there's a difference between plain old animal communication and language.

[Guy Raz]

You mean there's a difference between a bird song and the kind of shrieks that the bonobo makes?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Ooh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie, that was quick.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, did Reggie just smash through your living room wall?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, yeah. How else was he gonna get inside? Have you seen his wingspan? Well, anywho, you ready to go, Reg? Great. All right. Come on, Guy Raz, let's hop on, Reggie. We got some bonobos to meet. Here, I'll pull you up.

[Guy Raz]

All right.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, welcome to Reggie Airlines. The temperature outside is a balmy 76 degrees Fahrenheit. And this will be one non stop flight to the Congo basin taking anywhere from two minutes to 15 hours. And in case of emergency, remember to put your head between your legs and kiss your bottom goodbye, Mindy. Okay, Reg, I think we're read.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, Mindy, shouldn't we take off from outside rather than from inside your living room?

[Mindy Thomas]

I mean, I don't see the point. We've already got a hole in the wall.

[Guy Raz]

I guess.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now hold on tight, cause here we go.

[Guy Raz]

Ow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oops, sorry.

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, explain to me, what is the difference between animal communication and language.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, that's a good question, Guy Raz. So why don't I answer your question with another question?

[Dennis]

Oh, okay.

[Mindy Thomas]

Do you want chicken or fish for your in flight meal today, Mindy? Okay, fine. The difference between simple animal communication and language is the ability to string different words together to create new meaning.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

What do you mean?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, when an animal makes a sound, it typically means just one thing.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, right. Like an animal might have a warning call that means incoming leopard and then a completely different one that means incoming human.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exact oritos. But us humans, with our language, we're able to string words together in ways that combine their individual meanings into a whole new meaning.

[Guy Raz]

Like if I said something like, I am a bad dancer. Well, that doesn't mean I'm saying I'm a bad person who also happens to dance instead. What I'm saying is I don't dance that well.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Exactly.

[Mindy Thomas]

Bad and dancer by themselves mean something individually, but when we put those words together, they mean something new. And scientists actually have a word for this. It's called compositionality. And it's what separates normal animal communication from language.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, so these scientists from the University of Zurich who have been studying these bonobos, they think that they've discovered them using compositionality. Like combining two different words to make something new.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, and it's not the first time scientists have discovered this in apes.

[Guy Raz]

Really?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, but I can't tell you about that right now.

[Guy Raz]

Why not?

[Mindy Thomas]

Because we're here.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Reggie, you can land now.

[Mindy Thomas]

Bird, please prepare the cabin for landing. And you might want to hold on tight to something. Guy Raz, Looks like we're going to be landing somewhere in the dense rainforest.

[Guy Raz]

What does that mean?

[Mindy Thomas]

Just keep your mouth shut. Guy Raz keeps the leaves out.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

And thank you for flying with us here at Reggie Airlines, the friendliest pigeon based airline in the world.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, my mouth is full of leaves.

[Mindy Thomas]

I told you you had to keep your mouth closed.

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks for the ride, Reg. I'll call you when we're ready to get picked up.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, is this rainforest we're standing in in the Congo Basin?

[Mindy Thomas]

Sure is. Guy Raz right in the center of the whole African continent.

[Guy Raz]

Right, but where exactly in the Congo basin are we, huh?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know what, I'm not exactly sure.

[Guy Raz]

Well, if you don't know where we are, then how are we gonna find your bonobo friend, huh?

[Mindy Thomas]

Good question. Uh oh, I know what. I have his address.

[Guy Raz]

You have his address?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, he texted it to me a few months ago after talking on the phone. Let me just check our ch. Okay, That's a photo of a fig. Nope, that's a photo of another bonobo. That's a photo of a stick. He loves sticks. Oh, here we go. His address is the big green tree next to the large rock.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, they're all big green trees.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, and there are a lot of large rocks around here, too, huh?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, Guy Raz, Guess we're gonna have to trust our guts on this one. And my gut is telling me it's this way.

[Guy Raz]

Are you sure, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes, of course. I'm not sure. Guy Raz.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Come on, follow me.

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, you said that this wasn't the first time that scientists have discovered an ape language.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah. Here, let me show you on my guy phone here. Um, opening the app.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Mindy, where have you been?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yikes.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Woo.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uno is really upset with me for not finishing that bonobo lesson earlier. Maybe just a quick lesson, Mindy. Right, right, right, right. Okay, Other ape languages. Okay, so if you go out into the main menu here, you can see that the language courses are divided into human languages and ape languages. So if we go into the ape languages section here, we see that they offer courses in bonobo and chimpanzee. Ooh, exact oritos, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

They offer a language learning course in chimpanzee.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, and it's based off of a scientific study by another scientist named Simon Townsend. And it's a really great story.

[Guy Raz]

Tell me more.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Okay.

[Mindy Thomas]

Once upon a time, Dr. Townsend and his team spent years in the forests of Uganda studying the chimpanzee in its natural habitat.

[Dennis]

Dr. Townsend.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Dr. Townsend.

[Mindy Thomas]

What is it, team?

[Dennis]

Over there, sir. It's a chimpanzee.

[Mindy Thomas]

What? What are you waiting for?

[Guy Raz]

Get the tape recorder and microphone out immediately.

[Mindy Thomas]

Eh?

[Dennis]

Why?

[Mindy Thomas]

Why? To capture and catalog all the sounds the chimpanzees make.

[Guy Raz]

What do you think we're doing out here?

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

I thought we were camping and making.

[Mindy Thomas]

We're doing both.

[Dennis]

Okay, let me get the microphone.

[Guy Raz]

Here we go.

[Dennis]

And record.

[Mindy Thomas]

Over the course of the study, Dr. Townsend and his team recorded more than 330 hours of chimpanzee sounds as they went about their daily lives.

[Guy Raz]

Ooh, that was a new sound. Write that one down.

[Dennis]

Yes, sir, Dr. Townsend, sir.

[Mindy Thomas]

After a while, Townsend noticed that some of these calls were joined together into pairs. Oh, very interesting.

[Guy Raz]

Sort of like how we would join bad and dancer together in our language to make Bad dancer.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exactly. Except these chimpanzees were combining calls for. Hey, get over here. And watch out, snake to make something more along the lines of, hey, can you get over here and help me deal with this snake?

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Huh?

[Mindy Thomas]

And in the end, Dr. Townsend and his team of scientists were able to identify 15 individual call pairings.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa. So chimpanzees have their own language, too?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, well, when Dr. Townsend's findings first came out in 2023, people thought he was bonkerballs. But now that these researchers from Zurich have found bonobos doing the same thing with their calls, seems a whole lot more likely that some ape species are actually developing languages.

[Guy Raz]

Because both the chimpanzees and the bonobos were using compositionality, where they used two different words to make a new word with a whole new meaning.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exact oritos.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Mindy, do your lesson or una will poo poo in your sock drawer.

[Guy Raz]

Ugh. Gross.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Whoops.

[Mindy Thomas]

Sorry, Guy Raz. I really need to do this lesson for today.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Hey, hey, Mindy. Uno mischie. Aw. Can you say hey? I'm over here. Oh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, I know this one.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I really don't think we have time for this right now.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, wait, wait. I know. It's on the table of my tongue. It's Mindy.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Ah, that's it. It's. That is correct. Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

Did you hear that?

[Guy Raz]

I heard it, Mindy. It sounded like another bonobo responding to your call.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, okay, let me try it again. Uh.

[Guy Raz]

That'S probably your bonobo friend calling back. Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, this is so exciting. All right, follow me, Guy Raz, we've got a bonobo to meet. Run, run, run, run, run, run, run.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Come on, this way.

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

I'm right behind you.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Look, Guy Raz. It's a big green tree.

[Guy Raz]

And there's a large rock.

[Mindy Thomas]

This must be my bonobo buddy's house. Guy Raz.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Mindy, look, Bonobo. Hey, buddy, it's me, your friend, Mindy. Hi.

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, you really think you're able to talk with this bonobo?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, I think so, Guy Raz. I mean, I have been putting in a whole lot of practice on that language learning app.

[Guy Raz]

Well, why don't you give it a try?

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay. Okay, I'm done.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, that's all the bonobo I know.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, that's all the bonobo. You know, we came all this way for that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, yeah, I mean, the researchers from Zurich were only able to identify about four call pairings that seemed significant.

[Guy Raz]

So you only know how to say four things in bonobo?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, but the researchers are hoping to add many more in the future.

[Guy Raz]

But for now.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, for now, I've exhausted all my bonobo.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Uh, Mindy, time for another lesson with Uno.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ooh, another lesson. Kairoz, you should try it.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, fine.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Hookah Ross. Uno lips.

[Guy Raz]

Oh boy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, now in this game, you have to match the bonobo's shriek with the picture that their shrieking is about. Uh huh. So what's tricky about this one is.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Wow in the World. We'll be right back. Grown ups. This message is for you. That's it. Back to the show. Wow in the World.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Listener Kids]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is ren and I'm 8 years old. I live in Chicago, Illinois, and my wow in the world is that to successfully cook an egg on the sidewalk, the sidewalk needs to be 158 degrees Fahrenheit or 70 degrees Celsius. See it isn't that Funko Ball. Say hi to Grandma G Force.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Yeah, Hot dog the sleigh cast.

[Listener Kids]

And tell Guy Raz that me and my mom listened to his show on npr. Bye. Hi, my name is Annalise and I live in Los Angeles, California, and I am 8 years old. And my wow in the world is that a tree could grow more than one type of fruit. Say hi to Thomas Ringer. Grandma Divorce.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, goody.

[Listener Kids]

Dennis. Status man. Hi, I'm Cody and hi, I'm Tommy and we are from Charlotte, North Carolina, usa. In America, a chocolate barn named Chicken.

[Mindy Thomas]

Dairy used to be sold.

[Listener Kids]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name IS Ava, I'm 13 years old and I'm from Bowie, Maryland. My wow in the world is that dolphins can hold their breath underwater for eight to 10 minutes. Isn't that crazy? Say hi to Grandma G Force and Reggie for me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, fine.

[Listener Kids]

Bye. Hi, my name is William and I'm from Peru and warm. Well, in my world is that when I was at Peru for the summer, I went to the Amazon rainforest and learned that capybaras are really good at surviving in the island rainforest. And they're nocturnal. Bye. Hi, Mindy and Guy Boss. My name is Amutila and I live in Naperville, Illinois. My wow is that when a dolphin sleeps, half of his brain stays awake. Isn't that bonkerballs? Say hello to Grandma D Force. That's nasty, Dennis.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

Yay.

[Listener Kids]

And Thomas Fingerling for me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, what are you looking at all that?

[Listener Kids]

Thank you. Bye. Hi, my name is Benny and I am from Schoharie, New York. My wow in my world is that cats can hear ultrasonic noises. Isn't that crazy? Goodbye.

[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 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 Thomas]

Oh and don't forget to Visit [e-mail] 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 Thomas]

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 Thomas]

Original sound design and music editing is done by 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 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]

Our team including Kit Ballinger, Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kenny Curtis, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mack, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jody Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Tyler Thole, Anna Zagorski and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast hq Grown Ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

Find episodes of wow in the World every Monday 2 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.

[Uno (Language Learning Penguin)]

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