WeWow on the Weekend (10/5/25)

Summary

Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend (10/5/25)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz, Dennis, Reggie the pigeon
Episode Theme: Exploring the science and wonder of long-lived animals, featuring the story of Lonesome George, the Galapagos tortoise, with kid-friendly humor, tangents, and hands-on fun.

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1. Episode Overview

This WeWow on the Weekend episode blends signature Tinkercast silliness with a fascinating story about animal longevity. Hosts Mindy and Guy Raz answer questions from fans, visit an animal retirement village, and revisit the touching tale of Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island Galapagos tortoise. Through playful banter and clever scientific explanations, listeners learn about genetics, aging, and the science behind long lifespans—all with plenty of laughs and “wow” moments along the way.

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2. Key Segments & Discussion Points

A. Book Announcement with a T. Rex! (00:12–01:34)

• Mindy and Guy share “gigantic epic news” about their new book, Dinosaurs Are Wow, playfully involving a T. Rex named Steve who apparently approves of the book.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Well, it looks like Steve is giving it two very sharp claws up.” – Guy Raz (01:03)
• Listeners are invited to a “prehistoric party” if they pre-order.

B. Crafternoon: The Chewing Gum Mug (02:42–06:31)

• Dennis, the eccentric host, starts the show with hijinks—after breaking his favorite mug, he hosts an impromptu “Crafternoon,” making a new mug from chewed gum.
• Comedic banter about flavors of gum and the challenges (and later, mishaps) of using gum as mug material.
  • Notable Moment: Mug getting stuck to Dennis’s hair and plans to use peanut butter to fix it.
  • Quote:
    “Yeah, it’s like a fascinator. Very fashionable.” – Dennis (06:31)

C. Inside Tinkercast Studios: “Long Live Lonesome George” Replay (07:30–29:19)

i. Airport and Arrival (07:40–15:06)

• Mindy, Guy Raz, Dennis, and Reggie travel to Florida to visit Reggie’s parents at an animal retirement village.
• Silly packing moments: salsa in Mindy’s tote bag; Guy Raz’s high-tech luggage; playful requirements for flying pigeons.
  • Notable Quotes:
    “Why do you have a tote bag full of salsa?” – Guy Raz (09:42)
    “That’s older than the United States, Mindy. That’s older than Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.” – Guy Raz on Ming the clam, age 507 (15:44)

ii. Animal Retirement Village and Tortoise Facts (15:07–21:50)

• Description of the village with a variety of elderly animals (sharks, clams, marsupials, etc.).
• Introduction to Lonesome George, a Galapagos tortoise, famous for his advanced age and unique status as the last of his kind.
• Mindy brings George’s favorite food—a prickly pear cactus—for his birthday.

iii. Lonesome George’s Legacy (21:51–28:57)

• The hosts (and listeners) attend George’s “Celebration of Life” (he would have been 110!).
• Key science facts revealed through a touching eulogy and playful explanations:
  • Scientists sequenced Lonesome George’s genome to understand his exceptional longevity.
  • Genetic Highlights:
    • Mutation in the IGF1R gene, linked to aging and lifespan.
    • Extra DNA repair genes and a highly robust immune system (12x as many immune-related genes as humans).
  • Notable Quotes:
    “The genome is like the instruction manual of life.” – Mindy Thomas (23:49)
    "If George was better at repairing that DNA in his own body, then... it would make sense as to why he was able to live so long." – Guy Raz (26:34)

iv. Reflection and Closure (28:58–29:19)

• Mindy, Guy, and Reggie receive matching sweaters knitted by Reggie’s parents.
  • Notable Moment:
    “Matching sweaters that say Mindy and Guy Raz. Yep, that’s what I thought. Thanks, Reggie.” – Guy Raz (28:45)
• Lighthearted suggestions for other retirement village activities (bridge with lemurs, water aerobics with otters, eco-mashing).

D. Dennis Wraps Up & Audience Interaction (29:19–30:18)

• Dennis marvels at George’s story and talks about listener participation.
  • Quote:
    “I can’t believe Lonesome George had a mutation in his DNA and that’s why he lived so long!” – Dennis (29:19)

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3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Well, it looks like Steve is giving it two very sharp claws up.” – Guy Raz (01:03)
• “Yeah, it’s like a fascinator. Very fashionable.” – Dennis (06:31)
• “That’s older than the United States, Mindy. That’s older than Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.” – Guy Raz (15:44)
• "The genome is like the instruction manual of life." – Mindy Thomas (23:49)
• “If George was better at repairing that DNA in his own body, then... it would make sense as to why he was able to live so long.” – Guy Raz (26:34)
• "Matching sweaters that say Mindy and Guy Raz. Yep, that’s what I thought. Thanks, Reggie." – Guy Raz (28:45)

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4. Science Highlights & Educational Takeaways

• Sequencing Genomes: The “instruction manual” for life is in every organism’s DNA. Scientists can read (sequence) this to unlock health and aging secrets. (23:49)
• Longevity Genes: Lonesome George had a mutation in the IGF1R gene (linked to long life), extra genes to repair DNA, and a supercharged immune system (26:05–27:10).
• Why Study George? Understanding his genes may help scientists learn how some creatures live for centuries, and even inform how humans age.

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5. Episode Summary Table (Timestamps for Key Segments)

| Time | Segment | Highlight/Topic | |----------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | 00:12 | Book announcement/Birthday party | “Dinosaurs Are Wow” preorder & virtual party | | 02:42 | Crafternoon: Gum mug | DIY craft fun, comedic workshop | | 07:30 | Inside Tinkercast Studios: Travel begins | Reggie’s retirement village journey | | 15:07 | Animal retirement home stories | Elderly animals, introduction to Lonesome George| | 21:51 | Lonesome George’s Celebration of Life | Science talk: genetics, longevity, legacy | | 28:57 | Sweaters & Wrap-up | Reflection, lighthearted closure | | 29:19 | Dennis audience wrap-up | Call-in encouragement, favorite moments |

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6. Tone and Delivery

The episode maintains a playful, energetic, and comedic tone throughout—with a blend of imaginative scenarios (gum mugs, talking T. Rex, animal retirement home adventures) and clear, kid-friendly science explanations. Mindy, Guy Raz, and Dennis all lean into zany asides while still making complex genetics concepts accessible and memorable for young listeners.

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Overall:
This week’s WeWow on the Weekend uniquely weaves big “wow” science about animal longevity with the heartwarming story of Lonesome George, punctuated by wild humor, silly antics, and science facts that kids (and grown-ups) will remember long after the episode ends.

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.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey Wowzer fams. Mindy and Guy Raz here. And before we start the show, we've got some gigantic epic news to share with you.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Mindy. Uh, what was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, I'm so glad you asked. Guy Raz, you come on in, Steve.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, is that a T. Rex in your gingerbread mansion?

[Mindy Thomas]

Sure is, Guy Raz. But look what's in his little hand.

[Guy Raz]

Your door?

[Mindy Thomas]

No, in his other hand.

[Guy Raz]

Oh wait, is that our new book? Dinosaurs Are Wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Aw, he loves it.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, how did you find a T. Rex?

[Mindy Thomas]

Don't worry about it. I just wanted to get a real dinosaur dinosaurs opinion on our new book since, you know, they're kind of the main character in this one.

[Guy Raz]

Well, it looks like Steve is giving it two very sharp claws up Grown Ups. If you want to bring the wows of dinosaurs to life with our new book, Dinosaurs Are Wow. Pre order your copy [e-mail] dinosaur there you can shop at your favorite book retailer or support a local indie bookseller near you. Or once again, that's Tinkercast.com dinosaur and.

[Mindy Thomas]

If you pre order before October 28th, you will be invited to a special prehistoric party happening on our book birthday October 28th. Learn [e-mail] dinosaur that's tinkercast.com dinosaur to join us in our virtual prehistoric pre order party on October 28th. I gotta go drop Steve back off in the Jurassic period and you've got an episode to listen to. So without further ado, hit it, Reg.

[Dennis]

We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Talking, laughing, me and Reggie singing, laughing. And then we. Oh wait, no, I said laughing twice. Ah, whatever. Wee wow on the weekend. Ah, Wee wow on the weekend.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wah wah.

[Dennis]

Wee wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to Wee Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis, and that's Reggie the giant pigeon. This is the show where we chit chat and answer questions from our fans and listen to Tinkercast podcasts. I love the weekend, don't you Reggie? Yeah. Cause I can really take my time and enjoy my breakfast. Oh, today's breakfast is buttery toast with extra butter and a cup of tea and. Oh no, I spilled my tea and broke my mug. It Slipped right out of my buttery toast fingers. Yeah, I know. That was my favorite mug. It said number One Dennis on it, and now it's all broken. My poor mug. I'll never find another one like it. Reggie, that's a great idea. We can make another mug, and you know what that means. That's right. It's time for a Crafternoon. Pancakes are for eating and rivers are for rafting. And Broadway is for my one man show. But afternoons are for crafting Crafternoon. Today on Crafternoons, I will be making a new number one Dennis mug. Okay, so what are mugs made out of, Reggie? Clay? Well, I don't have any clay. Do you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hmm.

[Dennis]

What do we have that's like clay? Um. Oh, how about this big pack of chewing gum? Perfect. What flavor do you want? We have peppermint, spearmint, cool mint, ice mint, fresh mint, extreme mint, or pineapple. Okay, here you go. Now, we're gonna need a lot of chewing gum, so just give each piece a few chews just like this, and then spread it out on the T. What? It's not gross, Reggie. It's ceramics. Yeah, our breath is going to smell so good after this. All right, and my new mug will probably smell good too. Yeah, Maybe we should sell these gum chunks and flavored mugs on gtsy Gutsy Reggie Getse. It's a website where you can get stuff, you know, stuff that people make and then sell. Like crocheted jigsaw puzzles. Right. Or hand carved T shirts that say things like, I'm in my dumpster diving era. Okay, I think we have enough gum now. Now we just have to sculpt this gum into a mug shape, and then I'll roll this part into a handle and just stick it on there like that. Ta da. A brand new mug. That was so easy. And now whenever I need a hot cup of Joe in the morning, I'll grab my new mug and. And. Oh, no, it stuck to the table. Come on, mug, get unstuck. Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on. Ow. Oh, no. Oh, no. It stuck to my head and my. Ha.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ew.

[Dennis]

What do we do, Reggie? Peanut butter? Really? That gets gum mugs out of hair? Okay, after the show, we're gonna go find some peanut butter. Well, I'm just gonna leave the mug in my hair for now. Yeah, it's like a fascinator. Very fashionable. Okay, next up is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Ahem. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we revisit an episod one of my favorite Tinker cast shows. And today we're listening to wow in the World, Season 3, Episode 7 called Long Live Lonesome George. This is the one where you and Mindy and Guy go to visit your parents, isn't it? I love your parents. Yeah, that one time I met them, they made me cookies and taught me how to play mahjong. Okay, here we go. And play.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wee. Wow will be right back.

[Dennis]

Grown ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

This message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Dennis]

Wow in the world.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Flight QR430 to Philadelphia has been delayed by eight hours. Passengers wishing to board this flight may continue to wait at gate 20. Gate 20.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Reg. I'm just picking up some snacks for the flight. You want some cool refreshing mints already? Cool enough, huh? Yeah, you've made that joke before you got the tickets. Okay, well, come in here so you can see what snack options they have. Look, they've got a share the air section now. Perfect for small enclosed spaces, huh? Let's see what we got here. We've got egg and mayo sandwiches, tuna fish salad, kimchi.

[Dennis]

Oh, yes, kimchi.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hey, guy. Raz, you made it.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, sorry I'm late, guys. I got held up at the airport security line. I had to get my shoes scanned and then my jacket scanned and then my elbow patches scanned.

[Mindy Thomas]

What?

[Guy Raz]

But I made it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep. And what is that you're dragging behind you?

[Dennis]

Oh.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, this whole thing. This is actually really cool, Mindy. Check it out. It's my new carry on luggage, okay? It's made out of a kevlar fabric with reinforced zippers. And check this out. The flight's about to take self deploying handles with custom latex grips. Isn't it amazing?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, I mean, amazing's kind of a strong word for a suitcase, but where's your luggage, Mindy? Oh, it's right here. I've been holding it the whole time.

[Dennis]

Oh.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, See, Mindy, is that a neenah totem bag?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, you know it is. Never go on a trip without.

[Guy Raz]

It's soaking wet.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know. It's all the salsa.

[Guy Raz]

Why do you have a tote bag full of salsa?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, because I'm only going away for the weekend, Guy. Raz, it's not like I'm gonna need a whole suitcase full of salsa.

[Dennis]

This is all the salsa I'll need.

[Guy Raz]

No, no, no, Mindy, why do you need.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Flight W0W1 to Florida is now boarding. Will all passengers boarding this flight please make their way to gate 23.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, that's us. Guy Raz. Come on, Red, let's go. Whoa, wait up to me, Mandy. Who made it?

[Guy Raz]

You know, Mindy, I. I never asked. Why are we taking a plane down to Florida? I mean, wouldn't it make a lot more sense for us to just hop on Reggie and then away we go?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, yes and no.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, did he have another Taekwondo accident? No, because if I've told him once, I've told him a thousand times, when performing the downward roundhouse kick, you've got to keep your back straight. Otherwise he's going to keep on hyperextending his tail feathers.

[Mindy Thomas]

No, no, no, Reggie's tail feathers are just fine. Uh, it's his parents.

[Guy Raz]

His parents?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah. Um, so you know how we're going down to Florida to visit Reggie's parents in their newfangled retirement village?

[Guy Raz]

Uh, yeah.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, just before we left, they sent him this message. Hey, Reg, can I borrow your phone for a sec? Oh. Ooh, nice throw. Okay, now where is that message? Here it is.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, check it out, Mindy. These are just a bunch of claw prints.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, right, I keep forgetting you can't read. Pigeon scratch. No worries, I'll translate. It says, ahem, our dearest Reginald.

[Guy Raz]

Reginald.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know, right? Our dearest Reginald. We can't wait to see you when you come down and visit us in the Sunshine State next week. However, we'd feel more comfortable if you were to take a plane down. We know you're a responsible flyer, but we worry about all of the other less responsible birds that fly in the jet stream. It would make us all feel much more comfortable knowing that you are safe, lots of love, blah, blah, blah, your one and only, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And just pretty much goes on like that for a while.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, so we're taking a plane down to Florida. I guess we are. Right. Okay, got it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, so now that we've got that out of the way, here we are. Gate 23. Oh, hello.

[Dennis]

Hello.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Boarding passes and IDs, please.

[Dennis]

Ooh, an organ donor.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Why, bless your beak, sir. Go right ahead.

[Guy Raz]

Here you go.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

And thank you, Mr. Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hang on. Sorry, I wasn't prepared. I know it's in here somewhere. No, that's our receipt. Oh, here it is.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Thank you. Oh, ma', am, this is a library card covered in salsa.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes, but it has my photo on it right there.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Oh, yes, sorry. Just couldn't recognize you with you pulling your nose up like that in the picture.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know, I get that all the time.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Alright, straight on Through. Enjoy the flight.

[Mindy Thomas]

Florida, here we come.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hello, folks, from up on the flight deck. The seatbelt sign has now been turned off. You are free to move about the cabin.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Mindy. Yeah.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, everyone on this plane is looking at you. What on earth is so funny?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, man, you gotta check this out, Guy Raz. It's this hilarious movie where this guy has to reach under his seat. Get this, he has to put on this bright yellow vest and an oxygen mask, and then.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, are you sure you weren't just watching the safety video?

[Mindy Thomas]

What? No, I was. I was totally watching the safety video.

[Guy Raz]

Where did Reggie go?

[Mindy Thomas]

I don't know. The last time I saw him, he was in the cockpit.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, how cool. Is he getting a little tour of the plane?

[Mindy Thomas]

Nah, he was teaching a couple of new pilots how to fly. Aha.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

We will now begin service of our lunch menu. We are offering two options.

[Guy Raz]

A Pop Tart with a slice of.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Aged American cheese or a hearty homestyle lasagna made entirely of pizza.

[Dennis]

La la.

[Guy Raz]

What kind of airline is this?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, you have no idea how pumped I am that we get to go down to Florida to visit Reggie's parents in their retirement village. The last time I was there, oh, man, that place was full of so many interesting characters, I didn't think I was ever gonna leave.

[Guy Raz]

You know, Mindy, now that I think about it, I've never been to an animal retirement home before.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, you are going to love it, Guy Raz. There are lizards and birds and marsupials all living together in beautiful harmony, playing bridge and sucking on butterscotch.

[Guy Raz]

Wow, that sounds great.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah, and there are some residents that I can't wait to catch up with. There's this one Greenland shark, Gary, who's celebrating his 400th birthday this year.

[Dennis]

400?

[Guy Raz]

Wow, that's a lot of candles to stick on a crab cake.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, that's nothing, Guy Raz. The village's oldest resident is this Koh G clam named Ming. Last time I saw him in 2007, he was about to turn 507 years old.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa, you mean Ming was born in carry the 12 1499?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it. Pretty bonker balls, huh?

[Guy Raz]

That's older than the United States, Mindy. That's older than Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's older than shrimp in my pocket. Uh, but there's one creature down there that I'm really pumped to visit again.

[Guy Raz]

Who's that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, so his name is George.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

George.

[Mindy Thomas]

George. The Galapagos Tortoise Ah.

[Guy Raz]

I've heard about Galapagos tortoises before. They're huge. The biggest ones can grow up to six feet long and can weigh up to 900 pounds.

[Mindy Thomas]

And most importantly, they are the longest living species of tortoise on the planet.

[Guy Raz]

Which would explain why George is in the retirement village.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exact oritos. Guy Raz, for the last 40 years, George has just been chilling out in the Florida sun, training for triathlons, playing shuffleboard, you know, things that tortoises do.

[Guy Raz]

40 years, Mindy? I thought most tortoises don't live past 30 years. And you're telling me that George has been retired for 40 years?

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh huh.

[Guy Raz]

Well, how old is he then?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, let me. So the last time I saw him, seven years ago, and he was, he would be 110 years old. And I'm pretty sure he's gonna be celebrating his birthday while we're down there. So excited. I got him the perfect present.

[Guy Raz]

Wow. Where did you get him?

[Mindy Thomas]

I think it's in my overhead luggage. Hang on a second. Oh, sorry, sorry. Excuse me. I'm just gonna squeeze by you. Okay. Open the hatch. Up the. Sorry. Oh. Ow, ow, ow, ow.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, Mindy, what is that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, it's a prickly pear. Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Why in the world do you have a prickly pear cactus in your overhead baggage?

[Mindy Thomas]

Just told you, it's George's birthday. Turns out prickly pear is his favorite tortoise food.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Greetings again from the flight deck. The fasten seat belt sign has been turned on. Please return to your seats as we are about to begin our descent into Florida.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Excuse me, ma', am, I'm gonna have to have you take your seat.

[Mindy Thomas]

This is not a problem. Just need to put this back in the overhead.

[Dennis]

Can I help you with that cactus?

[Mindy Thomas]

Suit yourself. Catch.

[Dennis]

Ow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks.

[Dennis]

Madam, please don't throw cactuses at people. We shouldn't have to say that.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We are beginning our final approach. Flight attendants, please cross check and prepare for arrival.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thank you very much. I can't forget your tip. Let me see here. Oh, how about this? In a pinch when making a sandwich and you're out of cheese, just use a yellow post it instead.

[Guy Raz]

I already knew that one.

[Mindy Thomas]

Have a nice day. Well, Reggie, Guy Raz, here we are. Final Sunset Retirement Farm.

[Guy Raz]

Man, oh man. This place is really nice, Mindy. Nicely paved roads, golf buggies to get around. They even have a koi pond.

[Mindy Thomas]

Actually, that's just a swimming pool for Mr. And Mrs. Yakimoto. Hello, Mr. And Mrs. Yakamoto. It's me. Mindy. I'm back. Anywho, we should probably sign in at the front office so that Reggie can see his parents. How you doing with those bags, Reg?

[Guy Raz]

Hey, I think that's where we go check in over there, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

What makes you think that?

[Guy Raz]

Well, the giant flashing neon sign above the door that says check in here.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah. Race ya. Run, run, run, run, run, run, run.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Hello there. Welcome to Final Sunset Retirement Farm. Are you visiting family pets?

[Mindy Thomas]

Family? Well, not my family exactly, more like, well, my pigeon's family. Though we are kind of close. I think they would consider me family. Do you think they would consider me family?

[Guy Raz]

Well, we're here to see two elderly pigeons, Mr. And Mrs. Mr. And Mrs. You know what, Mindy, I don't think I know Reggie's last name.

[Mindy Thomas]

Huh? You know, me neither. Hey, Reggie, what's your parents last name?

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Oh, of course. Mr. And Mrs. You must be Reginald.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reginald.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

They will be very happy to see you again. Please follow me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Reg, we're just gonna, you know, take a little look around. We'll catch up with you later, okay? Oh, and Say hi to Mr. And Mrs. Co for us, okay? Okay, Guy Raz. Got some free time on our hands. What do you want to do first? We can play some bingo. Maybe try one of those sit and be fit exercise classes, polish off some dentures, eh?

[Guy Raz]

Well, actually, I was thinking maybe we should try and track down that Galapagos tortoise you were talking about on the plane. I mean, you could give him his birthday present and maybe he could tell us some stories. You know, being 110 years old and all, I. I bet he has some great ones.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's a great idea, Guy Raz. Wait till he tells you about the time he met Meryl Sheep. Hi. Excuse me, nurse. Nurse. Would you be able to tell me where I can find Lonesome George? Oh, they call him Lonesome George Guy Raz because he was the last Galapagos tortoise on the Pinta island in the Caribbean. But he's actually a real party animal.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Oh, I'm sorry. Did you not hear? Lonesome George passed away in 2012.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, no.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, no. He was so young.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

She does know he was over 100 years old, right?

[Mindy Thomas]

He had so much left to give.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, she'll be okay.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

But you two did come on the perfect day.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, why is that?

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

There is a Celebration of Life ceremony for him today in the cafeteria. We do it each year on his birthday. Today he would have been 110 years old.

[Mindy Thomas]

Only the good diang.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, nurse. We'll be sure to be there.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Enjoy it. And if you see a loose tail lying somewhere around here, let me know. I have an iguana who could have sworn she left it in.

[Guy Raz]

Well, definitely keep an eye out. Hey, hey, did you hear that, Mindy? They're having a Celebration of Life party for George in the mess hall today. Should we go check it out?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, yeah. Maybe someone over there will want this prickly pearly.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I just want to thank everyone for coming to the annual Celebration of Life ceremony for our beloved friend, Lonesome George. Today, he would have been 110 years old. We don't know this for certain as he was very lonesome and very private about his age. But I do have something very special I would like to share with you. Today we received a letter from a group of scientists who said they have sequenced Lonesome juvenile to try and understand how our friend came to live such a long, long life.

[Dennis]

Whoa.

[Guy Raz]

That's incredible, mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know. 32 animals in this room and nobody thought to put out any food?

[Guy Raz]

No, not that, Mindy. The fact that these scientists sequenced Lonesome George's genome in order to try and understand how he lived such a long life.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah, that is pretty incredible because the genome is like the instruction manual of life.

[Guy Raz]

That's right. The instruction manual that each living organism has inside of them that tells them how to grow and develop.

[Mindy Thomas]

Right. And so when they say that they were able to sequence Lonesome George's genome, that means that they were able to basically translate that biological and instruction manual into something that we can understand.

[Narrator/Announcer]

These scientists compared George's genome to the lifespans of other mammals, fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles. To try and determine what differences there might be. And to read the result of that study, we have one of Georgia's oldest and closest friends. Friends Michael.

[Guy Raz]

George Michael.

[Mindy Thomas]

No, no, no, no, no, no. George and Michael.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Thank you. It is such an honor to speak here today. You know, it's. It's not surprising that George lived to such a ripe old age. You see, according to this letter, the researchers found that George had a mutation in one of his. His genes called IGF1R, a gene that is typically related to aging and long life.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, one GF one? Are you kidding me? That's the license plate number on my motor pickle.

[Guy Raz]

A mutation? Mindy, do you know what this means?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, I know that a mutation is when a gene in the body doesn't behave the way that it does in everyone else.

[Guy Raz]

That's right. And so if there was a mutation in a gene that controls aging and.

[Mindy Thomas]

Long life, then that would explain how he was able to live for such a long time, even though still think he died too young.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

And in addition to possessing this long life gene, these researchers have also discovered that George and Galapagos tortoises like him have extra copies of genes that help repair DNA. Yes, yes, I know, it's incredible. I'm flipping out. I'm so excited.

[Mindy Thomas]

And DNA are the small microscopic molecules that form the itsy bitsy strands that make up our genome.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, and a lot of the challenges that comes with old age, like getting hurt or getting sick more easily, well, that happens in part because the older we get, the more the DNA inside of our body becomes more damaged.

[Mindy Thomas]

So if George was better at repairing that DNA in his own body, then.

[Guy Raz]

It would make sense as to why he was able to live so long.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Ah. Also, also, these researchers found that George had 12 times as many genes related to the immune system system than most mammals. And that is, including us humans.

[Guy Raz]

The immune system, Mindy, I think he's talking about the part of the body that fights off infections and keeps our bodies safe.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, and he just said that lonesome George had 12 times as many genes to do with the immune system that we do.

[Flight Attendant/Nurse]

Yeah.

[Mindy Thomas]

So this means that not only was his DNA just crazy good at fixing itself, but his immune system was also kicking some serious batoot, keeping out all those nasty infections and diseases.

[Guy Raz]

It does seem that way, Mindy.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Thank you, Michael, for that beautiful reading. I understand these researchers will continue to study George's genome. And apparently next they will be trying to unlock the mystery of why George was so big. It seems that even in death, George is still teaching us so much about life. Thank you all for coming today. I must ask that we now make our way out of the cafeteria as Babs and the rest of the canaries. Yes, hello there. They have this room reserved for tidy this afternoon.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you. Wow, Mindy, what a beautiful service.

[Mindy Thomas]

I had no idea Lonesome George had all of those secrets just tucked away in his genome.

[Guy Raz]

Right.

[Mindy Thomas]

Anywho, we should probably go find Reginald. He's probably just about ready to. What in the.

[Guy Raz]

Reggie, look at you. What a great sweater.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, and it even has your name embroidered across the.

[Guy Raz]

Did your mom knit that for you?

[Mindy Thomas]

He said that his dad knitted this sweater. These were knitted by his mom.

[Guy Raz]

Matching sweaters that say Mindy and Guy Raz. Yep, that's what I thought. Thanks, Reggie.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, here come the canaries.

[Guy Raz]

I guess we should probably get out of here, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, so what do you two want to do next? We could play a game of bridge with the lemurs, maybe. Maybe do some water aerobics with the otters. That would be nice. Oh, wait, wait. How about eco mashing?

[Dennis]

Wow, that was so cool. I can't believe Lonesome George had a mutation in his DNA and that's why he lives so long. Also, your parents retirement village sounds cute. Okay, should we go get this gum mug out of my hair? Alright, let's wrap up the show first. Ahem. Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to Wee Wow on the Weekend. If you have a question for me, call and leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW. That's 1-888-7-WWOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend. Okay, let's go. So your sharp peanut butter will get the gum out of my hair. Can I add jelly too? And some bread because I want to make a peanut butter and jelly and Dennis sandwich. Ooh, and maybe we should add bananas or potato chips or bacon or honey or.

[Mindy Thomas]

Grown ups. If you like wow in the World, you can listen early and ad free right now on Wonder.

[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.

[Dennis]

Thanks for joining us for this edition of WEW. Our show is written by Ruth Morrison and Jad Anderson. The role of Baby Dennis is played by Jed Anderson. Well then, who plays the role of Big Dennis? Never you mind.

[Mindy Thomas]

Tee hee.

[Dennis]

Original sound design and production is done by Tyler Thole with contributions from Jett Anderson and Henry Moskal. Original music for WEW is composed and performed by Tyler Thole. Special thanks to Jessica Bode, Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kenny Curtis, Kristin Yang, Meredith Helpern, Ranzer, Thuy Mack, Jody Nussbaum, Ali Paksima, Guy Raz, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Mindy Thomas, Anna Zagorski, and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ. Be sure to visit Tinkercast.com where you can become an official member of the World Organization of wowzers. Learn about upcoming events, shop our wow Shop, find our best selling books and learn about all the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast. Thanks again for thinking, tinkering, experimenting and exploring with me this week. Be sure to check out episodes of wow in the World on Mondays. 2 what's in a wow on Fridays. And we wow on the weekend with Dennis on the weekends. And remember who wows? I wow. Wow, baby. Dennis. Wee wow. All right. Wee wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

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