Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend (10/11/25)

Date: October 11, 2025
Hosts: Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz, Dennis, and Reggie
Podcast: Tinkercast | Wondery

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend brings kid-friendly science fun, Q&A hijinks, and an encore exploration into quirky animal secrets! Dennis and Reggie field audience questions, then cue up a throwback segment: the now-legendary “Hot Buttered Popcorn Pee” episode, where Mindy and Guy Raz investigate the science behind why the Asian binturong’s (bearcat) urine smells just like fresh movie popcorn. The energy is high, humor offbeat, and the science accessible for young listeners—absolutely packed with “WOWs” for weekend learning!

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weekend Q&A with Dennis and Reggie (04:57–12:10)

• Dennis’s New Hair & Weekend Vibes:
  Dennis debuts his blue hair (thanks to washable hairspray), wonders what color Reggie would choose, and sets a playful tone (04:57–05:56).

• Q&A Segment – Listener Questions:

  • Snooping Schedule?
    Dennis details his “eavesdropping” schedule on Mindy and Guy Raz:

    “I eavesdrop on Mindy on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and then I snoop on Guy Raz on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays…They’re usually together on Mondays, so I check on them before I go to water aerobics.” (06:57–07:24)

  • Why Do Leaves Change Color?
    Dennis consults Guy Raz’s past science explanation:

    “The leaves on the trees are always red and yellow all year long, but you just can’t see those colors...because the leaves have a whole bunch of something called chlorophyll, which is green. So when there’s less sunlight, there’s less chlorophyll. So the green color disappears, and we start to see the orange and yellow colors.” (08:11–08:50)

  • Favorite Food?
    Dennis’s indecision leads to a new invention:

    “My favorite food is burritos. No, wait. Pizza. No, wait. Nectarines. Nectarines, Reggie…What about a peach pizza burrito?...Don’t yuck my yum. My favorite food is peach pizza burritos, and I don’t care who knows it.” (09:32–10:15)

  • Secret Inventions?
    Dennis humorously denies ever sneaking in to witness a fateful experiment—despite obvious evidence to the contrary:

    “Nope, that’s never ever happened. Sorry to disappoint you, Nathaniel.” (10:45–11:00)

  • How to Write In: Listeners are encouraged to send more questions for future Q&A segments.

2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: “Hot Buttered Popcorn Pee” (12:10–24:59)

A replay of Season 1, Episode 16 brings science, humor, and popcorn cravings!

• The Science of Popcorn Smell (13:43–15:46):

  • The Maillard Reaction:

    “When you heat up kernels of uncooked popcorn...the acids and the natural sugars in these foods get heated up, they form a chemical compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. Or for short, 2AP.” – Guy Raz (14:02–15:13)

  • Molecules and Atoms:

    “Molecules are invisible. And they happen when two or more atoms form a bond. Or like a friendship.” – Guy Raz (15:23–15:31)
    “So kind of like you and me, Guy Raz. Best friends forever, right?” – Mindy Thomas (15:31–15:35)

• A Rainforest Mystery: Why Does This Place Smell Like Popcorn? (17:19–17:50)

  • The journey continues from the kitchen to Indonesia’s rainforest to track the mysterious popcorn smell.

• Bearcat (Binturong) Revealed (19:01–19:53):

  • The Bearcat’s Secret:

    “The source of that hot buttered popcorn smell is an animal that lives in this forest… the Asian binturong. It's also called the bearcat because it kind of looks like a cross between a baby bear and a cat.” – Guy Raz (19:11–19:33)

• The Surprising Source: Bearcat Urine! (20:12–20:35):

  • Memorable Moment:

    “Urine.” – Guy Raz (20:11)
    “Urine. What?” – Mindy Thomas (20:12)
    “Urine. From their urine?” – Guy Raz (20:13)
    “So you’re telling me that when bearcats pee, their urine smells like hot buttered popcorn?” – Mindy Thomas (20:35–20:44)

• Why Do They Do It? (21:19–22:06):

  • Marking Territory:

    “The bearcat pees on its tail, so as it walks away, it drags its tail on the ground and leaves a trail of pee that smells like hot buttered popcorn...It’s a way for this bearcat to send a message to another bearcat...Keep out, stay away. This is my turf.” – Guy Raz (21:19–22:06)

• The Science Behind the Smell (22:10–22:56):

  • Dr. Lydia Green and her team discover the bearcat urine contains the same 2AP compound as popcorn!

    “After looking closely at the bearcat pee, these scientists found the very same chemical compound found in hot buttered popcorn.” – Guy Raz (22:38–22:49) “The 2AP compound.” – Mindy Thomas (22:49)

• Open Questions & Real-World Uses (23:00–23:58):

  • No one knows why the bearcat makes 2AP, but the discovery could have practical uses, like attracting endangered animals for conservation.

    “The researchers simply don’t know why… but imagine a future where we could produce certain smells to attract endangered animals to a safer place. Yes, or even attract an injured animal to a place where an animal doctor or veterinarian could treat it.” – Guy Raz (23:00–23:58)

• Wrap-up:

  • Mindy and Guy Raz are hungry for snacks and a movie as the adventure closes.

    “All this hot buttered popcorn and pee business has really got me hungry. I just want to fly back home, fire up the old Netflix, and watch my favorite movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip again.” – Mindy Thomas (24:04–24:15)

3. Ending Thoughts & Next Time (24:59–26:04)

• Dennis reacts:

  “Gross, Reggie. It was about pee. Ew. No, I do not want hot buttered popcorn right now. Well, that and I’m more of a kettle corn person.” (24:59–25:15)

• Thank-you and Goodbye Song:
  Dennis wraps up, invites listeners to contribute questions, and plans for more fun next episode.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dennis’s patented food innovation:

  “Peach pizza burritos…Don’t yuck my yum.” (09:53)

• Unforgettable Science Fact:

  “The smell you’re smelling... is actually... urine.” – Guy Raz (20:11)

• Musical Comedy Intro:

  “Wee wow on the weekend. Wee wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend.” – Dennis (04:32)

• Science as Friendship:

  “Molecules are invisible. And they happen when two or more atoms form a bond. Or like a friendship.” – Guy Raz (15:23–15:31)

• On the Value of Research:

  “This discovery could even help lead us to new ways of doing things, like, I don’t know, rescuing endangered animals or something.” – Mindy Thomas (23:31–23:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dennis & Reggie’s Weekend Kickoff: 04:32–06:08
• Q&A Segment: 06:57–11:00
• Introduction to "Hot Buttered Popcorn Pee": 12:10–12:43
• Science of Popcorn Smell (Maillard Reaction): 13:43–15:46
• Journey to the Rainforest: 17:19–17:50
• Revelation: Popcorn-Scented Bearcat Pee: 20:09–22:06
• Scientific Study and Possible Applications: 22:10–23:58
• Dennis Wraps Up: 24:59–26:04

Tone and Takeaways

The episode keeps things upbeat, silly, and accessible while sneaking in real science. With vivid personalities, catchy songs, outrageous facts, and listener mail, it encourages curiosity, experimentation, and “WOW” moments for families. The story of popcorn-smelling bearcat pee is a perfect reminder that science can be surprising, gross, and delightfully weird—all at once!

Summary Author’s Note:
All dialogue and discoveries reflect the original voices and tone of Mindy, Guy Raz, and Dennis, capturing their fun-filled approach to making kids’ science “WOWable.”