WeWow on the Weekend (11/15/25)

Summary

Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend (11/15/25)

Date: November 15, 2025
Hosts: Dennis (and Reggie the giant pigeon), with Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Podcast: Tinkercast | Wondery

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Episode Overview

This episode of “WeWow on the Weekend” is a jam-packed, family-friendly celebration of creativity and science. Hosted with Dennis’s signature exuberance, it kicks off with the long-awaited WeWow Talent Show, featuring Wowzer listeners from around the country sharing their quirky and impressive talents. The show then segues into a relisten of the Wow in the World episode “So Cute, I Can’t Even,” where Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz explore the science behind why we react so strongly to cuteness—delving into "cute aggression," brain science, and the checklist of features that make something irresistibly adorable.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. WeWow Talent Show Extravaganza

Time: 02:05–12:00

• Dennis and Reggie open the show in high spirits, ready for Talent Show Day—an event listeners have eagerly been preparing for by calling in their acts.
• Talents include musical performances (piano, singing), original songs about mangoes and armadillos, jokes, animation skills, and even the ability to say “Wee Wow on the Weekend” in dinosaur.
• The hosts respond enthusiastically to each performance, emphasizing encouragement, support, and the diversity of Wowzer talents.
• The segment ends with more talents on deck for the following day—teasing a “Double Talent Show Weekend.”

Memorable Listener Talents:

• Natalie plays the piano piece "Lily" [04:30]
• Melian performs a classic dance on piano [05:12]
• Vera shares her animation and drawing skills [06:00]
• An anonymous comedian delivers kid-friendly jokes [06:27]
• Ellie & Lila sing original songs about mangoes and armadillos [07:18]
• Abby performs a song called "Free" [09:02]
• Brantley demonstrates speaking “Wee Wow on the Weekend” in dinosaur [10:24]
• Rowan and Lee debut their “Sister Time” song [10:44]

“They’re dancing and singing and juggling chainsaws… The chainsaws are on fire. And the fire’s full of chainsaws! Oh, that… these kids have so many chainsaws. I don’t know!” – Dennis [03:13]

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2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: “So Cute, I Can’t Even”

Time: 12:45–36:40

a. Introduction to Cute Aggression

Mindset: Scientific Wonder Meets Comedy

• Mindy and Guy revisit an episode focused on why people sometimes feel overwhelmed by cuteness—it’s called "cute aggression."
• The story uses a humorous, talk-show framing (“The Bruni Soto Show”), interviewing guests (human and animal) who are “victims” of their cuteness.
• Comic scenarios: A child chased by grandmas, a hedgehog making people want to “poke their own eyes out,” and a teddy bear so cute it disrupts yoga classes.

b. What is Cute Aggression?

Key Science:

• Mindy explains the phenomenon as described by UC Riverside behavioral scientist Professor Katherine Stavropoulos: when we see something so cute, we sometimes feel a weird, almost angry urge—to squeeze, pinch, or “eat up” the cute thing, even though we don’t actually want to harm it.

“Cute aggression is… the desire to squeeze, crush, or bite cute things, but without ever meaning to hurt or harm.” – Mindy Thomas [18:40]

c. The Cute Aggression Experiment

How Scientists Studied It

• Professor Stavropoulos invited 54 adult participants, hooked them up with “electrocaps” that measured neuron firing, and showed them images of baby animals, baby humans, and “extra cute” versions of both.
• Participants answered questions about their reactions—measuring levels of cute aggression.

“Her hypothesis was that maybe it could have something to do with the part of our brain that’s in charge of rewards.” – Mindy [21:12]

d. The Results and What They Mean

Key Findings:

• When participants felt overwhelmed by cuteness, the reward centers of their brains “lit up like a disco ball.”
• The emotion-processing centers activated too, suggesting that “cute aggression” balances overwhelming positive feelings with a little negativity to keep us functioning normally.

“The negative emotions, like wanting to smush something that’s really cute, kind of helps to balance out the positive feelings before they get out of control…” – Guy Raz [29:57]

e. What Makes Something Cute? The Kinderschema Checklist

• Guy Raz details the scientist Konrad Lorenz’s “kinderschema”— a list of baby-like features that trigger “aww!” reactions in humans:

  • Large round head (relative to body)
  • Large forehead
  • Big, low-set eyes
  • Puffy cheeks
  • Round, soft body
  • Soft, elastic body parts

• The hosts playfully test if Mindy meets the cuteness criteria, blurring science and silliness.

“Now turn around and take a look in that full length mirror.” – Mindy “Mindy, this is ridiculous. I hardly recognize myself. I’m sorry. So cute.” – Guy Raz [34:16]

f. Live Experiment: Turning Guy Raz into the Cutest Creature Ever

• Mindy creates her own “cute aggression” experiment—suiting up Guy Raz as a tiny panda-puppy-bunny-kitty (with a baby diaper), even using a “shrink wand.”
• Dennis and Reggie react according to plan: with wild adoration verging on over-the-top (“It’s so adorable I might die!”).
• The show wraps up with the observation that not everyone experiences cute aggression (and that’s perfectly normal).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dennis’s Showmanship (Talent Show opening):
  “The glitz of the glamour. The razzle of the dazzle. The hocus of the hocus. The talenty talent ness of talent. Woo hoo. Let’s do it!” [03:48]

• Anonymous Comedian’s Joke:
  “A man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation towards the local swimming pool. I gave him a glass of water.” [06:36]

• Bruni Soto Show (Audience Reaction):
  “You look like a porcelain doll!” [16:12] (Grandma chasing a child for being too cute)

• Science Explained:
  “When she looked at the results… whenever the people showed signs of being overwhelmed with cute aggression, the parts of their brains that had to do with the reward system lit up like a disco ball.” – Mindy [28:53]

• The Balance Theory:
  “So it’s almost like the negative emotions, like wanting to smush something that’s really cute, kind of helps to balance out the positive feelings before they get out of control and you can’t move.” – Guy Raz [29:57]

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Timestamps of Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Special episode announcements (Mindy) | 00:12–02:05| | Talent Show musical intro and opening (Dennis) | 02:05–04:30| | Listener talent submissions | 04:30–12:00| | Inside Tinkercast Studios & Re-listen intro | 12:00–13:21| | Opening to “So Cute, I Can’t Even” | 13:21–17:14| | Explanation of cute aggression | 18:18–21:12| | Scientific experiment breakdown | 21:12–26:41| | What happens in the brain (science results) | 28:34–31:12| | Kinderschema checklist (what makes “cute”) | 31:12–33:33| | Mindy’s live cuteness experiment on Guy Raz | 33:36–36:40| | Episode outro, listener call-in instructions | 37:17–38:06|

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Episode Tone and Takeaways

• Tone: Hilarious, fast-paced, and packed with playful banter; the hosts encourage curiosity while never taking themselves too seriously.
• Educational Value: Explains actual brain science about cute aggression in a way that’s fun and memorable for kids and families.
• Memorable Message: It’s normal to be overwhelmed by cuteness—and there’s a scientific reason for it! Plus, anyone can have a talent worth sharing.

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For New Listeners

This episode is a perfect introduction to the spirit of “Wow in the World”: creativity, inclusion, wacky irreverence, and “wow-worthy” science. If you love hearing real kids on-air, learning about the brain in a non-boring way, and laughing with a side of facts, this is an episode for you.

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Want to share your own talent or question? Call 1-888-7-WOW-WOW and you might be featured on the next WeWow on the Weekend!

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 here. And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November is about to get a lot more wow. Join us each week for the rest of the month for special episodes of wow in the World. Starting this week with a brand new episode on Mars with special guest Emily the space gal Calendrali. Next week, grab a plate and join us for a slice of Turducken with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for kids. And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame street stops by wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th. Oh, but that's not all, Reg. On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of wow in the World with all of you. We think this week is going to be music to your ears. Literally. Did I mention it's a musical? And if you're a member of the world organization of wowzers. Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you. You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00pm Eastern. That's right, we are throwing another listening party. Join us as we dance along to our new songs. React to the episode with other members in chat and more grown ups. If you want your Wowzer to join this members only listening party, you can sign up to become a member [e-mail] wow. Already a member. Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign [e-mail] wow. That's it. It's gonna be a November to remember, but for now let's get on with the show.

[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. Whatever. We wow on the weekend. Yeah we wow on the weekend. Clap clap. We 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 this is my co host Reggie the giant pigeon. This is the show where we chit chat and listen to Tinkercast podcasts and sometimes have very special events. That's right Reggie. I said special events because Today's the day. Talent show day. Yay. The talent show. Reggie. The talent show. Our devoted listeners have been calling in with their amazing talents for like months and months. And now we're gonna put them all together in one big show. That's right. The glitz of the glamour. The razzle of the dazzle. The hocus of the hocus. The talenty talent ness of talent. Woo hoo. Let's do it. Here they are. They're superstars. Talent galore. We've got so much in store. They're dancing and singing and juggling chainsaws. And the chainsaws are on fire. And the fire's full of chainsaws. Oh, that These kids have so many chainsaws. I don't know. Welcome to the Wee Wow Talent Show. Welcome everyone to the Wee Wow Talent show. Up first is a special performance from someone very close to my heart. Me. D, E, N, N I S. That is how you spell Dennis. D, E, N, N. Reggie. What? I'm in the middle of my song. Okay, fine. Let's do the wowzers. Talents first. Okay, here we go. And talents.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hi, Dennis. This is Natalie.

[Dennis]

Hi, Natalie.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

And I have a special talent I can do. I can play the piece. Lily. Ta da.

[Dennis]

Yay. That was so good, Natalie. Next up we have Melian. Take it away.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hi, I'm Melian and I live in Massachusetts. I can play piano. I'm going to play a classic dance. Sam.

[Dennis]

Yay.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Bye. I love your show.

[Dennis]

Next up is Vera. Take it away, Vera.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hi, Dennis. So I heard you were doing a talent show.

[Dennis]

Yeah.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

So here's my intro for the talent show. I can animate and. Yeah, I can animate and I can draw pretty well.

[Dennis]

No way. That's awesome. Thank you, Vera. Next talent. Next up we have an anonymous comedian. Let's hear it. Anonymous.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hi, Dennis.

[Dennis]

Hi.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

I have a talent. I. I have three jokes and I'm gonna try to make you laugh.

[Dennis]

Oh, wait.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Not yet.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation towards the local swimming pool. I gave him a glass of water. Second joke. When I get to work, I first hide because a good worker is hard to find. The last one is. Working in a bank is a very ungrateful job. A lady asked me to check her balance so I pushed her over. They fired me.

[Dennis]

That was good. Okay, next talent.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hi, Dennis. It's Ellie and Lila.

[Dennis]

Hi, Ellie and Lila.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

I'm nine years old. I'm seven years old. And we're from Racine, Wisconsin. And we have a song for the Talent show. First up is me with my mango song. Mango, mango, they're juicy and they're sweet. Mango, mango, I love to eat mango, mango, they grow on trees. Mango, mango, they're good for me. See ya. Mango, mango, mango, mango, mango, mango, mango. Lila is next with her armadillo song. We like to sing, we like to dance, we like to jump, like to prank. We roll, roll, roll to the end of the pool. That's why water armadillos are super cool. Oh, yeah. Hi.

[Dennis]

Wow. Thank you, Ellie and Lila. Next talent, please.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hi, my name is Kai and I live in homeland park, Chicago, and I'm five. And so buddy would say the world's not grown to. I took away funny. She was too funny at me. One thousand years later, he was her finger and he threw his lightsaber at me. And now it's just up there now, in the end.

[Dennis]

Okay, I totally understood that rendition of the macaroni song. Next talent, please.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hi, Dennis. My name is Abby, and this is my entrance for the talent show. I'm going to be singing free.

[Dennis]

Take it away, abby.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

I try to hide but something broke I try to sink and if the notes was catch catching in my throat I try to smile I'm suffocating though but here with you I can finally breathe you say you're no good but you're good for me I've been hoping to change now I know it can change but I won't if you're not by my friend so why does it feel like every time I let you in? What does it feel like? I can't tell you anything? All the secrets that keep me in chainsin all the damage that might make me dangerous? You got a dark side guess you're not the only one what if we both try finding where we run it from? We can't fix it if we never face what if we find a way to escape it? We can be p e e fe.

[Dennis]

Wow. That was so good. Next talent.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hi, Mr. Dennis. My name's Brantley, and I have a talent for the talent show. I can say wee. Wow. On the weekend in dinosaur.

[Dennis]

Ooh. Let's hear it, Brantley. Thank you, Brantley. Next talent. Hi there.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

And this is Rowan. I'm eight years old. And this is Lee. I'm four years old. And this is our song sister. Time out. And we're sisters. Drums I love you, you love me like work and happ we're going up in the morning we love each other we love each other we love each other we love each other oh, sister time, Sister time. I love you. We're going up, up, up until the morning. We love each other. We love each other. Oh.

[Dennis]

That'S so cute. Okay, next talent. Next talent, please. What happened? Next talent. Reggie. Ah, we ran out of time. Well, can we do the rest tomorrow? Yay. Double talent show weekend. Okay, well, thank you to those Wowzers for sharing their talents, and we'll do more talents tomorrow. And if you've got a question for me, call and leave me a message. The number is 1-888-7-WOW WOW. That's 1-888-7- wow WOW. I just might answer your question on We Wow on the weekend. Okay, that takes care of that. Let's move on to a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Ahem. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we revisit an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast shows. And today we're listening to wow in the World, Season 3, Episode 9 called so Cute, I can't even. I love cute stuff. Yeah, like miniature versions of regular sized desserts or babies dressed like grown ups. Or me, when I look in the mirror and think, ooh, who's that cutie patoot? Reggie, it's me. I'm the cutie patoot. Now let's listen to this cute episode. Okay, here we go. And play Wee.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow will be right back. Grown Ups, this message is for you. Hey, Grown Ups. Mindy here from wow in the World, the number one podcast for curious kids and their grownups. That's you. And we are so excited to bring the wows of the world to your home with our brand new wow in the World stem toys from Wondery Kids and Themes and Cosmos. Channel your inner astronomer with our wow in the World telescope kit. Or zoom in on the tiny wows of nature with our wow in the World microscope and biology kit. You can even tinker like real scientists with our 100 experiments that wow kit. And with every wow in the World stem toy, you unlock access to exclusive audio content from me and my buddy, Guy Raz. There are so many ways to wow. So whether you're shopping for a kid who loves science or one who doesn't just yet, our wow in the World stem toys are the perfect, perfect gift for your curious kids. Grown ups. Visit tinkercast.comtoys to shop the wow. Now. That's it. Now back to the show, wow in the World. Oh, it's four o'. Clock. Time for me to sit back, relax, throw up my feet, and watch the Bruni. Soto Show.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

This is how the whole thing.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

And we are back. Today on the Broody's on the Soto show, we're talking with victims of cuteness, people and animals who are too cute for their own safety. First up, we'd like to welcome seven year old Graham, who says he's so cute he can hardly walk down the street without a grandma threatening to eat him. Please give it up for Graham. Now, Graham, can you tell us what it's like to go through life in fear of your own cuteness?

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Well, it started out when I was a baby. My mom would invite friends over and then they'd say, oh, he's so cute, I just want to pinch his cheeks. And they actually did. When I was seven months old, I had to learn how to run so I could get away from them.

[Dennis]

Stop it.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

All right, all right. Okay, settle down, audience.

[Dennis]

Shh.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Now, Graham, is it true that just last week you were so cute that a grandma tried to eat you?

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Yes, it's true. Maybe it's my rosy cheeks, maybe it's my freckles, maybe it's my teeny nose. I don't know what it is, but whenever grandpas and grandpas come over, they just say, I just want to eat you up.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Graham, did that really happen?

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Yeah, this one grandma started chasing me screaming, you look like a porcelain doll.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Oh, no. Gram, have you ever actually been eaten by a grandma?

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

No. I keep my teddy bear with me for protection.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

And the cute ometer just broke. Ladies and gentlemen, Grim, I'm sorry to tell you that you are cute enough to eat. Coming up next, we'll hear from a baby hedgehog who is so cute that it makes people wanna poke their own eyes out. But first, these messages.

[Guy Raz]

Oh. Oh, hey, Mindy. What are you watching in here?

[Mindy Thomas]

Just my favorite daytime talk show, the Bruni Soto Show.

[Guy Raz]

The what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Today she's featuring people and animals who are too cute for their own safety.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, I'm not sure that's a thing.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, sure it is. Haven't you ever seen something so cute you just wanted to barf all over it?

[Guy Raz]

Uh, no, I can't say that I have.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, what about that one time that Reggie got ahold of the shrink wand and accidentally shrunk himself down to a tiny thumb sized pigeon?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, yeah, that was pretty cute.

[Mindy Thomas]

Pretty cute? You got so overwhelmed by his cuteness that you threatened to turn him into a keychain guy. Raz.

[Dennis]

Well, I.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Jed, can you cue the flashback?

[Guy Raz]

Sure.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie.

[Dennis]

No.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's my shrimped wand.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Reggie, stop. Oh, my.

[Dennis]

Wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

He's so adorable.

[Guy Raz]

Reggie, you're so cute, I could just squeeze the guts out of you and then turn you into a keychain. Keychain.

[Dennis]

Keychain.

[Guy Raz]

Well, I guess I did get a little overwhelmed by the pocket sized Reggie, but it's not like I was actually gonna squeeze his guts out and turn him into a keychain. Mindy, I would never do anything to hurt him.

[Mindy Thomas]

Of course you wouldn't, Guy Raz, I know that you know that, Reggie knows that. But what you may not know is that in that moment, you were experiencing what scientists refer to as cute aggression.

[Guy Raz]

Cute aggression? Mindy, I'm not an aggressive person.

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, cute aggression is what this behavioral scientist named Kathryn Stravopoulos from the University of California, Riverside describes as the desire to speak, squeeze, crush, or bite cute things, but without ever meaning to hurt or harm.

[Dennis]

Huh.

[Guy Raz]

So you're saying that there's actually a scientific explanation for this?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it. Oh, they're back from commercial breaks.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, you were just about to give a scientific explanation.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

And we are back. Joining us on the Bruni Soto show, we invite a baby hedgehog to share his story and his struggles with extreme cuteness. Helping to translate is his animal language interpreter.

[Animal Language Interpreter]

One day I was on display at an elementary school. It was a Meet the Animals exhibit. A child came up to my habitat and shrieked and I quote, this hedgehog is so cute, I'm going to poke my own eyes out.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

And did this child, in fact, poke his own eyes out?

[Animal Language Interpreter]

No, but it was a super duper weird thing to say. And it's always happening, like, look at its little paws. I just want to eat them right up. Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. Or omg, it just yawned. I think I'm going to die. Frankly, it's disturbing and a burden, but a burden I must bear.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Speaking of bears, coming up next, a teddy bear. So cute you'll want to kick down a door and run away screaming.

[Mindy Thomas]

I do that every day.

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, you were just saying that there's actually a scientific explanation for cute aggression?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah. So like I said, this was all part of a research study done by this behavioral scientist from the University of California, Riverside, named Katherine Stravopoulos. And Professor Stravopoulos wanted to figure out what in the world is happening inside our brains when we experience something so cute, we can't even.

[Guy Raz]

Can't even what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah, that's it. You just can't even. Oh, you got it. It's like, oh, it's so cute, I can't even.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. So does she have an idea of what might be happening inside the brain? When we think something is so cute, we want to pinch it or squeeze it or even eat it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, she did have a little hunch, or hypothesis rather.

[Guy Raz]

And just to be clear, a hypothesis is an educated idea or explanation that can be tested through study and experimentation.

[Mindy Thomas]

Right. So her hypothesis was that maybe it could have something to do with the part of our brain that's in charge of rewards.

[Guy Raz]

Meaning like the part that gets activated when we experience pleasure or the feeling of wanting something.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exact Oritos.

[Guy Raz]

So what did Professor Stravopoulos do to find out if this hypothesis was correct?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, she decided to conduct an experiment.

[Guy Raz]

An experiment? Like an investigation?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep. And so the first thing she did was gather 54 willing human participants and shove them all into one tiny laboratory.

[Guy Raz]

I'm sorry, shoved them into a tiny laboratory.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, that part I made up. They probably just invited them to like a medium sized lab or something.

[Guy Raz]

Huh. And as far as these human participants go, are we talking older humans, younger humans, males, females?

[Mindy Thomas]

We're talking a trail mix of grownups between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. 20 of them were men and 34 of them were women. So total mixed bag.

[Guy Raz]

Human trail mix, huh?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, Remind me to patent that idea.

[Guy Raz]

And so what did she do with all these people?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, she had them all put on these strange little swim cap looking things called electro caps. And then she hooked these caps up to her computer to measure the electrical system signals or zaps between their neurons.

[Guy Raz]

And by neurons, you mean the teeny tiny cells in our brains that send and receive and hold information.

[Mindy Thomas]

You can say that again.

[Guy Raz]

And by neurons, you mean the teeny tiny cells in our.

[Dennis]

Ahem.

[Guy Raz]

Sorry.

[Mindy Thomas]

Neurons are super important when it comes to helping the brain do its job, which is basically to control everything we say and do to stay alive. Got it. And then she did something pretty unusual.

[Guy Raz]

What did she do?

[Mindy Thomas]

So after getting them all hooked up to their special brain signal measuring equipment, she started to. Oh, back on. I'll tell you during the next commercial.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Break what our next guest is. A yoga instructor who came across a stuffed teddy bear. So cute that after. After one look, he kicked down the door of his yoga studio and ran away screaming. Please welcome Brad. Now, Bradley, tell us what happened when you first laid eyes on this stuff. A bear teddy.

[Dennis]

Well, it was Valentine's Day and someone had sent a valentine to one of our other instructors. A bouquet of red roses and a Teddy.

[Animal Language Interpreter]

A teddy so small that it fit inside of a novelty coffee cup.

[Dennis]

It had an itsy bitsy nose the size of a lentil and watery anime eyes that looked right into my soul. I'm sorry.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

It's okay, Bradley.

[Mindy Thomas]

It had a tiny T shirt.

[Dennis]

It said, I hurt you very much.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

You're safe. Now. Tell us what happened next.

[Animal Language Interpreter]

I just couldn't handle it.

[Dennis]

I fell out of my inverted eagle pose, busted through the door of the studio and ran. I ran and I screamed. I didn't come back for three months.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Well, Bradley, we have a surprise for you.

[Guy Raz]

For me?

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Come on out, Teddy.

[Dennis]

I can't even. I can't even. Oh, look at it.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Coming up next, a voice so cute that we have to disguise it. But first, a quick break.

[Mindy Thomas]

Personally, I did not find that teddy bear all that cute.

[Dennis]

Huh?

[Mindy Thomas]

What? It's not that cute. Now, a duckling and a baby fox who are best friends. Now that is cute. Wait, what are we talking about? Where am I?

[Guy Raz]

You were just starting to tell me what Professor Stravopoulos did after hooking everyone up to those electro caps to measure the electric signals in their brains.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes, yes, yes. Okay, so after getting them all hooked up to their special brain signal measuring equipment, she started to show them photos.

[Guy Raz]

Photos of what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Photos of cute things. You know, like baby animals and less cute adult versions of these animals. She also showed them photos of cute babies and then photos of cute babies that had been changed to make the babies look even cuter than cute.

[Guy Raz]

And then what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, she asked the people a bunch of questions like, are you overwhelmed by how cute this baby animal is? Are you dying to take care of this cute little baby? Does this picture make you want to barf from all the cuteness?

[Guy Raz]

She asked that.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, maybe not in those words exactly, but she wanted to get an idea of the level of cute aggression that the person felt when they looked at the pictures.

[Guy Raz]

And what did she discover?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hang on a sec. The show's back from a commercial break.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Welcome back to the Bruni Soto Show. Our final guest has a voice so cute that we've had to to disguise it to protect them from the danger of being so cute. Please give it up for Peanut.

[Guy Raz]

That is a pretty cute name.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

I know, right?

[Mindy Thomas]

Kinda makes me wanna pie you in the face, guy. Raz.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Now, Peanut, tell us what it's like to live with the world's cutest voice coming out of your cute little mouth.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Well, one time I was performing the Star Spangled Banner at a football game, and someone from the Crowd shouted. I just want to squeeze the guts out of that cute little verse and toss it over the 50 yard line. People think it's easy having the words cutest verse, but really, some days I wish I sounded like a gargoyle.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Oh, sweet and petite, baby peanut, we sympathize. We do. But I think I speak for everyone in this studio audience when I say we just want to hear your real voice. Right, audience?

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Are you sure? It's pretty cute.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

Producers, go ahead and remove the voice changer. Gina, we'd like you to sing the Star Spangled Banner for us.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Okay, Here goes. I say, can you sing?

[Dennis]

That's so cute. Ah, let's throw chairs.

[Bruni Soto Show Host]

And that's all the time we have for Denise program. Tomorrow on the Bruni Soto show, we'll meet a dog who is a professional human catcher.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow. I did not see that coming.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, back to what Professor Stravopoulos discovered after showing the people these pictures of cute babies and animals.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, right. So turns out that when she looked at the results of the electro swim cap situation, she discovered that her original hunch or hypothesis was right on.

[Guy Raz]

Wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

When she looked at the results of this experiment, she noticed that whenever the people showed signs of being overwhelmed with cute aggression, the parts of their brains that had to do with the reward system lit up like a disco ball.

[Guy Raz]

That's incredible.

[Mindy Thomas]

But that's not all. There's more, Guy Raz. Not only did the reward part of their brains light up, but so did the part that deals with the amount emotion system in the brain.

[Guy Raz]

So the part of our brain that deals with our emotions.

[Mindy Thomas]

You got it.

[Guy Raz]

But why?

[Mindy Thomas]

Why?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, why is it that when we see something cute, we have the sudden urge to pinch it or squeeze it or pet it or scream or bust through a door?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, Guy Raz, Professor Stravopolo still doesn't quite know for sure, but she suspects that maybe over time, cuteness aggression in humans is something that's evolved in us as a way to help keep us from completely falling apart whenever we're overcome with something that's too cute to handle.

[Dennis]

Huh?

[Guy Raz]

So it's almost like the negative emotions, like wanting to smush something that's really cute, kind of helps to balance out the positive feelings before they get out of control and you can't move. It's almost like trying to balance a scale in your head.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exactly. So here's basically how it works.

[Guy Raz]

Okay.

[Mindy Thomas]

First, you see an overwhelmingly cute baby.

[Guy Raz]

And then the reward system in our brain goes berserk and you feel like you can't handle its cuteness.

[Mindy Thomas]

And at that point, your aggressive emotions kick in and balance you out before you completely go off the rails and that scale in your head topples over to one side.

[Guy Raz]

And I suppose that by balancing the reward part of your brain with the emotion part of your brain, you find your brain in better condition to care for that baby.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exact oritos, Guy Raz. Pretty wow, huh?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. You know, Mindy, this reminds me of something. There have been lots of studies over the past 75 or so years where scientists set out to find out what, once and for all, what makes something or someone cute.

[Mindy Thomas]

Like a checklist to see if something is cute or not?

[Guy Raz]

Well, yeah, sort of. In fact, one Austrian biologist named Konrad Lorenz, he came up with something called kinderschema, which is just a fancy word to describe the features or the details that we humans find adorable and cute.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah? So what were they?

[Guy Raz]

Well, for starters, a large, round head. Especially compared to the size of the body.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, my head's about the same size as a basketball.

[Guy Raz]

Number two would be a large forehead.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah, check. Sometimes, Guy Raz, when I'm pinched for cash, I use my forehead as a billboard and sell ad space.

[Guy Raz]

Do what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Next on the list?

[Guy Raz]

Uh, well, the next thing would be really big eyes and kind of set low on the face.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, my eyes are big? And they always look like they're sliding down my face.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, well, the next one would be these rounded big cheeks.

[Mindy Thomas]

Butt or face?

[Guy Raz]

Face, Mindy, Check. And then a round body shape.

[Mindy Thomas]

I do tend to roll whenever I fall down the stairs.

[Guy Raz]

And finally, a really soft and kind of elastic body.

[Mindy Thomas]

I don't know what that means, but I can do this.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, Mindy, stop.

[Mindy Thomas]

Are you feeling it, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

Feeling what?

[Mindy Thomas]

The cuteness, Aggression. Takeover. Guy Raz, I checked off every box on the old cute list. Oh, are you feeling like you just can't handle it? Do I make you want to growl and barf from all the cuteness?

[Guy Raz]

No.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, that's cool. Kathryn Stavopoulos also discovered that not everyone experiences cute aggression. It's perfectly normal to not want to freak out and punch something when you're overcome by its cuteness.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I think this list applies more to human babies and young animals than it does to grown humans like you or me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, what? I just hatched an idea.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, no.

[Mindy Thomas]

We're going to try a cute little scientific experiment of our own. Guy Raz, I'm listening. Now close your eyes and don't go anywhere. I gotta go grab Something. Be right back. Run, run, run, run, run.

[Dennis]

Found it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Run, run, run, run.

[Dennis]

I'm back.

[Guy Raz]

What in the.

[Mindy Thomas]

Put this on.

[Guy Raz]

A panda suit?

[Mindy Thomas]

No, not the whole suit. Just the body.

[Guy Raz]

Anything for science.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now stay still so I can attach this fuzzy bunny tail.

[Dennis]

Ouc.

[Mindy Thomas]

And these puppy paws.

[Guy Raz]

Why are they so sweaty inside? Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

And this kitten head.

[Guy Raz]

Well, don't forget the whiskers.

[Mindy Thomas]

And last but not least, the baby diaper.

[Guy Raz]

The what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Now turn around and take a look in that full length mirror.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, this is ridiculous. I hardly recognize myself. I'm sorry. So cute.

[Various Kids (Natalie, Melian, Vera, etc.)]

Hmm.

[Mindy Thomas]

But we're gonna have to do something about your voice and your size.

[Dennis]

Uh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, I know. Hey, Reg, can you hand me that shrink wand? Thanks, buddy. Alakabuki suki no snoz. Use this shrink wand to shrink Guy Raz. Shrink wand, activate. Mindy. Mindy, go. I know, Reg. He's so cute. I can just toss him into a bowl of cereal and eat him with a spatula.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Mindy, what have you done to me?

[Mindy Thomas]

It's an experiment to see if I can turn you into the most aggressively cute human animal that ever existed. Guy Raz. Anything for science.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Anything for science.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, let's take you outside and see how the world reacts to your cuteness. Come on, hop into this little basket.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Mindy, you're not going to parade me around the neighborhood looking like this, are you?

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, let me just open the front door to the world.

[Dennis]

Hey. Hi, Mindy. How's it go? Oh, is that the elusive miniature panda puppy? Buddy button, kitty face.

[Mindy Thomas]

Pretty cute, huh?

[Dennis]

Dennis, it's so adorable I might die. I'm just kidding. I won't die.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Dennis, it's me, Guy Raz.

[Dennis]

Nice try. That's exactly what a panda puppy bunny butt, kitty face would want me to think. Ah, it's so cute, it makes me want to rub sand in my eyes.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Mandy, look what you've done.

[Mindy Thomas]

I can't believe it. My experiment worked. Cute fitness, aggression in action.

[Dennis]

Mindy, let's take pictures of it. We can sell cute little calendars and make millions. I'll come over. Just hold still while I climb this fence. I'm not very athletic, so this might take a minute.

[Guests on Bruni Soto Show (Graham, Peanut, Bradley, etc.)]

Run, run, run.

[Dennis]

Where are you going? Stay there. Wait.

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Razzie, you can't run away. You're too tiny. Someone will step on you. I'll save you, little buddy.

[Dennis]

Oh, that was so cute. Babies and hedgehogs and teddy bears. Oh, my. And, hey, whatever happened to that elusive miniature panda puppy bunny butt, kitty face, anyway? What? That was not Guy Raz in an elusive miniature panda puppy bunny butt kitty face costume. I think I'd know if it was Guy Raz in an elusive miniature panda puppy bunny butt kitty face costume. Reggie. Okay, well, let's go look for other cute stuff and resist the urge to go mad with cute aggression. Alright, let's wrap up the show first.

[Guy Raz]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

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, should we do the Goodbye song? Here we go.

[Guy Raz]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

That's the end of the show. I need to go and look at cute stuff and not squeeze it even though I really really want to. But I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show by.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[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.