Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend (10/18/25)

Episode Overview

This "WeWow on the Weekend" edition of the Wow in the World podcast delivers a blend of the show's signature silly banter, a fun unboxing, and a fascinating re-air of a classic science segment from Season 1: “The Fish with the Killer Kiss.” Host Dennis, assisted by his giant pigeon friend Reggie, explores the weird and wild world of the tubelip wrasse—a fish with lips that let it eat poisonous coral—mixing science facts with laughs and engaging storytelling for curious kids and their grown-ups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Shenanigans & Mail Delivery

[02:40–05:28]

• Dennis introduces himself and Reggie, teasing Reggie’s identity as a giant pigeon.
• Mail arrives in the middle of the banter, with a humorous exchange about the importance of the mail carrier in the neighborhood.
• Dennis receives a package and, prompted by Reggie, starts a round of “What’s in this box?”
  • Unboxing outcome: It’s a special ice cube tray—one that makes ice spheres instead of cubes, leading to a quick demo (and a reminder that the ice isn’t instant).
    • ”Round ice is fancier than square ice. Everyone knows that.” – Dennis ([05:00])

2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Listening to a Classic Science Segment

[06:20–13:44]

• Dennis and Reggie introduce a "flashback" segment, featuring the Wow in the World Season 1 episode, “The Fish with the Killer Kiss.”
• Mindy and Guy unpack the biology and odd habits of the tubelip wrasse—a small, colorful coral reef fish with thick, slimy lips used to eat poisonous coral.

Science Spotlight: The Tubelip Wrasse’s Gross and Amazing Adaptations

• What’s grosser than gross?
  ”What's grosser than gross, Guy Raz is a killer kiss from a fish with big, thick suction cuppy fish lips. Lips that look like an upside down mushroom top. Fish lips that are covered in slime…” – Mindy ([08:30])

• The tubelip wrasse, native to Indian Ocean coral reefs and featured in many aquariums, has evolved to feed on poisonous coral, a rarity among fish species.

• Coral can be sharp and coated in poisonous slime, making it dangerous for most sea creatures.

  • “Some types of coral are covered in a slimy coating that is poisonous to small sea creatures.” – Guy Raz ([10:05])

• Special Feeding Technique:

  • The fish puckers up, using a long, tube-like mouth with mucus-covered lips to “kiss” the coral, forming a suction seal.
    • ”The tubelet wrasse puckers up and puts its slimy, mucusy lips on the coral like it's going in for a kiss.” – Mindy ([11:28])
  • The fish’s lips have special detectors to scout the tastiest spot ([12:00]).
  • Upon “kissing,” the wrasse sucks off the coral’s flesh and mucus, leaving a characteristic mark.

• How does it avoid being poisoned?

  • Scientists speculate the fish’s mucus acts as a barrier against the coral’s stinging cells.
    • “They think that maybe the tubelip wrasse’s slimy magic mucus-producing lips might actually form sort of a barrier or protective shield.” – Mindy ([12:54])

• Gross-out humor and friendly teasing abound:

  • “Well, I'm just glad that I'll never have to come face to face with a smooching tubelip wrasse.” – Guy Raz ([13:30])
  • Mindy jokes about pulling one out of Guy’s bathtub.

3. Closing Antics and Audience Participation

[13:58–15:15]

• Dennis and Reggie react with playful disgust to the fish segment (“Ew, ew, ew, ew!”) and plan not to discuss gross fish lips with the mail carrier.
• Reminder for listeners to call in with questions—Dennis’s voicemail ([14:40]).
• Episode wraps up with Dennis’s sing-song goodbye.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Reggie, you'll never guess who's coming on the show tomorrow... the mail carrier. She’s very powerful.” – Dennis ([04:30])
• “Round ice is fancier than square ice. Everyone knows that.” – Dennis ([05:00])
• “What's grosser than gross, Guy Raz is a killer kiss from a fish with big, thick suction cuppy fish lips... covered in slime.” – Mindy ([08:30])
• “The tubelet wrasse is so tough that it eats the poisonous coral for breakfast.” – Mindy ([10:42])
• “Once the lips seal against the coral, they start acting like a vacuum cleaner, sucking up the good parts but separating the poisonous parts from being eaten.” – Mindy ([13:19])
• “Don't tell me you're gonna pull one out of your pocket.” – Guy Raz ([13:36])
• “No, I'm gonna pull one out of your bathtub.” – Mindy ([13:38])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mail delivery & unboxing: 02:40–05:28
• Inside Tinkercast Studios (Tubelip Wrasse segment begins): 06:20
• Gross and amazing fish science: 08:30–13:44
• Dennis & Reggie’s reactions and call for questions: 13:58–15:15

Tone & Style

• The episode is light-hearted, silly, and engaging, filled with playful banter, relatable kid humor, and a knack for making even the grossest science facts fun.

In Summary

This WeWow episode is a delightful blend of humor, curiosity, and science, perfect for weekend listening. Whether you’re here for silly songs, zany unboxings, or want to learn why some fish “kiss” coral with mushroomy lips, there’s plenty for listeners of all ages to say, “WOW!”