Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend (10/26/25)

Podcast by Tinkercast | Wondery
Air date: October 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This weekend's "WeWow on the Weekend" takes a lively, interactive approach, bringing together co-hosts Dennis and Reggie (with appearances from Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz, and Baby Dennis) for a kid-friendly Q&A, riddles, and a throwback to the Wow in the World episode on the Museum of Happiness. The show centers around what happiness means, the science behind it, how it is cultivated, and shares playful moments meant to inspire both kids and grown-ups to find and spread joy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcome & Weekend Kick-Off (02:21–03:31)

• Dennis and Reggie set a fun tone with their unique “We wow on the weekend” song, engaging in playful banter and jokes.
• The duo teases the start of their Q&A segment, inviting kids to participate via voicemail.

2. Q&A with Dennis, Reggie, and Baby Dennis (03:31–08:03)

Notable moments:

• Fan Questions: The Q&A features real kid questions with whimsical responses from Dennis, Reggie, and the ever-silly Baby Dennis.

  • Fishing Question (04:03–05:19):
    • Caller asks: Has Baby Dennis ever gone fishing?
    • Dennis: “Wow, what a great question. And the answer is? I have no idea.” (04:09)
    • Reggie reveals: “Baby Dennis has never been fishing because Big Dennis has never taken him. But I don't like fishing.” (05:05)
    • Lighthearted agreement on fishing being “boring.”
  • Riddle Time (05:22–06:18):
    • Sophie asks, “What has four wheels and flies?”
    • Dennis guesses: “a prototype flying car of the future,” to which Reggie retorts, “Big Dennis is too high concept.”
    • The answer: “A garbage truck!” (06:04)
    • Laughter ensues as they realize “flies” refers to insects.
  • Piano Skills (06:25–07:32):
    • Question: Can Baby Dennis play piano?
    • Scene escalates into Baby Dennis playing and boasting through song:
      • "Baby Dennis is the best at piano. The best at piano? Better than Big Dennis." (07:08)
    • Dennis cuts it off: “You can't sing songs that aren't true, Baby Dennis. It's a rule.” (07:27)

• Dennis wraps the Q&A with an open invitation for more kid calls:

  • “If you've got a question for me, call and leave me a message. The number is 1-888-7-WWOW.” (07:32)

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Flashback to “Museum of Happiness” (08:03–20:40)

Dennis introduces a replay of a Wow in the World segment about the Museum of Happiness, switching over to Mindy and Guy Raz’s science-filled adventure.

a) Mindy’s Joy Purge (10:19–11:54)

• Mindy is found tossing household items out the window, including her electric bill and even teeth, in a quest to rid her home of things that don’t “bring her joy.”
  • Guy Raz asks, “Why the sudden urge to purge all of these things?”
  • Mindy: “I was inspired by the news of the world's first Museum of Happiness that's set to open in London this fall.” (12:04)

b) The Museum of Happiness (12:20–14:13)

• Concept:
  • Mindy: “The Museum of Happiness in the United Kingdom will celebrate the one thing that most all of us want more than anything else in the world.” (12:33)
  • Guy Raz guesses, “the power of time travel?” Mindy rebuffs: “No. The answer is happiness.” (12:44)
  • Activities at the museum: “workshops on mindfulness, origami, ukulele lessons, dancing, art, and even laughing yoga.” (12:58)
• Science of Laughter:
  • Laughter boosts the immune system, relieves stress, and releases dopamine and serotonin—“those feel good chemicals in our bod” (13:55).

c) The Science & Data Behind Happiness (14:13–17:58)

• Scientific Studies:
  • Mindy refers to research showing “pro-social behavior ... can actually add to our happiness” (15:14).
  • Guy Raz references Professor Waldinger’s Harvard study: “the happiest people are people who spend more time with friends and loved ones.” (15:56)
• World Happiness Report:
  • Mindy quizzes: “Can you guess which country was crowned 2017's happiest country on Earth?” (16:26)
    • Answer: “Norway!” (16:44)
    • Runners up: Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland.
  • Key contributors to happiness in these countries: high income, healthy lives, close relationships, generosity, freedom, and trust in institutions (17:01–17:58).

d) Unique Location & Spreading the Idea (18:03–19:38)

• The Museum of Happiness is hosted in Arlington House, “the UK's largest homeless shelter” (18:03).
  • Guy Raz: “I never thought of shelters as particularly happy places.” (18:19)
  • Mindy explains: “The founders want to bring joy to the places that need it the most ... inspire people to turn shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, or schools into places for happiness.” (18:29)
  • Message: “Imagine if little mini museums of happiness started popping up in schools or youth centers...” (18:53)

e) Closing: Simple Living & Laughter Yoga (19:10–20:40)

• Mindy shares, “there are also studies that show that a simpler life is a happier life.” (19:15)
• She and Guy Raz participate in “lion laughter yoga,” encouraging listeners to “keep on laughing until you feel as good as Norway.” (19:57–20:40)

4. Closing Skit & Takeaways (20:40–21:38)

• Dennis and Reggie, inspired by Mindy’s joy purge, attempt to declutter their own space, humorously grappling with what brings them joy (Dennis: “No Reggie, we're keeping these [comics]. They bring me joy.”).
• The show wraps up with reminders for kids to participate by sending in questions and share their own crafternoon projects.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On happiness:
  • Mindy Thomas, on the Museum of Happiness: “The answer is happiness. Happiness is the one thing that we all want the most.” (12:44)
• On laughter’s effect:
  • Mindy: “Laughter helps to boost our immune system … relieves stress … and even releases all of these feel good chemicals in our bod.” (13:43)
• On scientific findings:
  • Mindy: “Doing nice things for other people makes us a lot happier than just doing nice things for ourselves.” (15:37)
  • Guy Raz: “the happiest people are people who spend more time with friends and loved ones.” (15:56)
• On where happiness can be:
  • Mindy: “The founders of the Museum of Happiness want to bring joy to the places that need it the most.” (18:29)
• On decluttering for happiness:
  • Mindy: “There are also studies that show that a simpler life is a happier life.” (19:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:21 – “We wow on the weekend” song/kickoff
• 03:31 – Q&A with Dennis, Reggie, Baby Dennis
• 08:03 – Introduction to Inside Tinkercast Studios (Museum of Happiness episode)
• 12:20 – Museum of Happiness discussion begins
• 13:43 – Laughter’s scientific benefits
• 15:56 – Harvard happiness study
• 16:44 – Norway crowned happiest country
• 18:03 – Museum of Happiness opens in a homeless shelter
• 19:15 – Simpler life means happier life
• 19:47 – Lion laughter yoga activity
• 20:40 – Dennis and Reggie attempt their own “joy purge”

Tone & Style

The episode is energetic, silly, and inclusive. Hosts break down big ideas into playful, easily digestible moments—using humor, quirky skits, and friendly banter. The tone is always optimistic, continually urging listeners (kids and grown-ups) to take part, keep questioning, and find the “wow” in the world—especially when it comes to happiness and kindness.

For Further Exploration

• Call in questions: 1-888-7-WWOW
• Submit crafternoon projects: tinkercast.com/share
• Learn more and access resources: tinkercast.com
• Book tie-in: “Dinosaurs Are Wow” (Mentioned at the start)

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a rich, engaging review of this WeWow on the Weekend episode.