Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend (10/12/25)

Podcast by Tinkercast | Wondery
Episode Date: October 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "WeWow on the Weekend" blends science, fun, and community engagement, offering listeners a mix of kid-friendly humor, interactive segments, and a deep dive into the positive effects of natural sounds on well-being. Hosted by Dennis (with trusty co-host Reggie), the episode features listener reviews, a quirky Q&A, and a revisit to an earlier "Wow in the World" segment about how nature sounds can help us relax and focus.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Listener Engagement: Reading "Reviewsies"

(04:31 – 08:51)

• Dennis opens the core segment by reading listener-submitted reviews from Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Highlights include enthusiastic comments, creative wordplay, and Dennis's humorous attempts to dissect cryptic messages:
  • "I wow the wow that wows. Wows that can wow a wowzers that gives wow to wowzers that wows. Wows. Wow." (Julie, 05:40)
• A memorable Q&A arises from a listener asking, “Why do we fart?” leading to the surprising fact from Reggie: "Birds don't fart."
  • Dennis quips: "Of course you do. Really? Birds don't fart. Oh, wow. Well, you heard it here first, folks." (07:49)

2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Science Spotlight

(08:51 – 16:27)

• Dennis introduces a “Tinkercast Classic” by revisiting "Wow in the World" Season 1, Episode 10: "Chill Outside."
• Mindy and Guy Raz explore why the sounds of nature are calming for humans.

Main Points in the Science Segment:

• City vs. Nature Sounds

  • Guy Raz: "Eight out of every 10 people in America live in or near a city, and that means that our lives have become louder and louder without us even realizing it." (11:24)
  • Mindy humorously references causing traffic jams with kazoo concerts—“What's that? You want me to play it louder?” (11:56)

• Scientific Study on Nature Sounds

  • Scientists at Brighton and Sussex Medical School studied how nature sounds affect humans:
    • Participants lay in an MRI machine listening to calming nature sounds, then loud human-made sounds.
    • Results: Nature sounds activated the part of the brain that helps us calm down, lowering heart rate; loud noises had the opposite effect.
  • Guy Raz: "Scientists found that when people heard these loud sounds, the MRI scanner showed that the part of the brain that helps us calm down was not calm at all." (13:34)
  • Mindy: "Wait a minute. My heart rate always speeds up whenever I get worried or I feel like something bad's gonna happen. Yeah, like that one time that I got stuck in a soft serve ice cream machine, and then you had to squeeze me out of it into a cone." (14:02)

• Practical Applications

  • The research can inform architects, city planners, and even car makers to design quieter, more calming environments.
  • Guy Raz: "This information can be used by people in many different types of jobs... to help plan and build neighborhoods with quiet areas." (14:54)
  • Emphasis on the importance of downtime and silence for mental well-being.

• Memorable Funny Moments

  • Mindy gets shushed for interrupting the peace: "You can't shush me. Only I can shush me." (16:13)

3. Closing Thoughts and Return to the Hosts

(16:27 – 17:45)

• Dennis reflects on the calming power of nature, humorously planning to try it with Reggie.
  • "Do you think it really works? Can we just go out into nature and slow down our heart rates and feel calm? Oh, wow. We should totally go try it." (16:27)
• Dennis looks for the quietest snack so he can relax outside with Reggie—a comical showcase of prioritizing snacks over serenity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dennis (listener review wordplay):

  • "I wow. Therefore I am." (06:25)

• Bird Facts:

  • "You said you wanted to answer the question. Reggie, tell the listeners why we fart. Everyone wants to know. What do you mean you don't fart? Of course you do. Really? Birds don't fart. Oh, wow. Well, you heard it here first, folks." (07:49)

• Scientific Comparison:

  • Guy Raz: "When the scientists played the nature sounds, that same part of the brain became much, much calmer. And the scientists also noticed that the people hearing those sounds, their heart rates also slowed down." (13:48)

• Mindy's Classic Interjection:

  • "You can't shush me. Only I can shush me." (16:13)

Helpful Timestamps

• 04:31 – Listener reviews & Q&A
• 08:51 – Introduction to “Chill Outside” science segment
• 10:00 – Nature sounds vs city sounds explanation
• 12:25 – MRI study explained
• 14:54 – Real-world applications of the research
• 16:13 – Mindy getting shushed (“Only I can shush me!”)
• 16:27 – Dennis reflects and gets ready to try relaxing with Reggie

Takeaways

• Quiet and nature sounds really do help humans relax—science proves it!
• Urban noise can stress our bodies and brains, highlighting the importance of calm spaces.
• Laughter, curiosity, and snacks are always vital—just ask Dennis and Reggie.
• Kids and their families can have fun learning about science, one “wow” at a time.

Perfect for: Parents, educators, and kids seeking an upbeat, informative, and entertaining weekend listen with science you can use every day.