Podcast Summary: Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend (11/23/25)

Episode Overview

This episode of "WeWow on the Weekend," the playful weekend offshoot of the acclaimed science podcast "Wow in the World," takes listeners on a fun-filled, science-packed journey. Hosted by Dennis (with regular interruptions from his pigeon co-host Reggie), the show blends listener Q&As, music, and a relisten of a classic "Wow in the World" episode: “Pull a Face! The Science of Four-Legged Facial Mimicry." Key scientific themes include animal communication, facial mimicry, and the surprising social skills of sun bears. Along the way, the show is spiced with quirky humor, interactive segments, and memorable banter between the hosts.

Main Episode Sections & Timestamps

1. Special Announcements and Upcoming Events (00:12–02:01)
2. Dennis and Reggie’s Weekend Intro & Listener Q&A (02:01–07:37)
3. Inside Tinkercast Studios: “Pull a Face!” Relisten (07:37–32:07)
4. Wrap Up and VIP Aspirations (32:07–33:37)

1. Special Announcements and Upcoming Events (00:12–02:01)

• Mindy Thomas previews a “November to remember,” with special episodes, guest appearances (including Elmo from Sesame Street), and news about the upcoming 250th Wow in the World musical episode and a members-only listening party.
  “We think this one is going to be music to your ears. Literally. Did I mention it’s a musical?” – Mindy Thomas (00:42)

2. Dennis and Reggie’s Weekend Intro & Listener Q&A (02:01–07:37)

• Dennis kicks off the show with his “WeWow on the Weekend” theme song, only to be interrupted by Reggie’s loud smoothie blending.

• Listener phone calls spark silly and imaginative conversations:

  Q1: "What’s your dream job?" (04:09)

  • Dennis shares a wild dream of being a “beach donut sales associate undersea detective with a manatee.”
  • “So I guess that would make my dream job a beach donut sales associate, undersea detective with a manatee!” – Dennis (04:32)

  Q2: “Is Baby Dennis a ballerina?” (04:53)

  • Baby Dennis makes an appearance, revealing he’s taken 12 years of ballet, 8 years of jazz, and 4 years of tap.
  • “Well, Baby Dennis has done 12 years of ballet class, 8 years of modern jazz, and 4 years of tap.” – Baby Dennis (05:05)

  Q3: “Put Baby Dennis in a swing?” (06:23)

  • Dennis gently sings Baby Dennis to sleep in a baby swing, putting him “back in his box.”

• Dennis invites kids to call in: “If you’ve got a question for me, call and leave me a message. The number is 1-888-7-WOW WOW.” (06:59)

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios: “Pull a Face!” Relisten (07:37–32:07)

(Segment relistens “Wow in the World, Season 3, Episode 19: The Science of Four-Legged Facial Mimicry”)

Comedic Entry and Set Up (09:38–14:01)

• Mindy and Guy Raz are on their way to the “Interspecies Face Pulling World Championships.”
• Classic banter about Mindy literally bringing a kitchen sink.
  • “I didn’t literally mean bring the kitchen sink, Mindy.” – Guy Raz (12:18)
• Failed attempt to enter with counterfeit tickets purchased from a “trustworthy” weasel.

Getting In and Finding Seats (16:15–19:15)

• Reggie saves the day by selling legit tickets “for charity” in exchange for “five paper clips and a pinch of belly button lint.”
• Mindy and Guy sneak into the VIP section by pretending Mindy’s breath mints and a button necklace are “pearls.”
  • “Oh, excuse me, I didn’t see your pearls. My apologies. Come right in.” – Arena Attendant (18:31)
• They settle in for the big show, Mindy relishing her “vibration mode” seat.

The Face Pulling Championships (19:19–32:07)

• The competition begins! Setup explained: two competitors try to out-face-make each other; first to break loses.

• Notable Contestants:

  • Apes, monkeys, humans (last year’s winner: Brad the human; reigning favorite: Chad the Chimp)
  • This year’s underdog: Susan the Sun Bear – first solitary animal to compete.

Key Science Moments:

• Sun Bear Discovery:
  • Sun bears, which are solitary (not social like primates), were found to mimic each other’s facial expressions, challenging old assumptions about animal communication.
  • “Many animals, including us humans, use our faces to convey or to show how we’re feeling with the people around us.” – Mindy Thomas (25:35)
  • “But it’s like Susan the sun bear came along and proved them all wrong.” – Guy Raz (26:12)
  • Based on research by primatologist Marina de Villaras, filmed at a Malaysian animal rehab center.
• Scientific Process:
  • “She filmed 22 different sun bears for a bunch of days. And when she got back to the lab and looked over the footage, she saw that most of these bears, when interacting with each other, pulled faces at each other.” – Mindy Thomas (27:11)
  • Example of creative facial communication: “They would bare their teeth and open their mouths really wide, and then a split second later, the other bear would do the same thing back…” – Mindy Thomas (28:04)

Final Competition and Result:

• Susan the Sun Bear triumphs over Chad the Chimp with her unbeatable “bare teeth” move.

• “Ladies and gentlemen, what an upset here at the Sour Patch Arena. Chad the chimp defeated in the final, and we have a new champion.” – Announcer (29:49)

• Takeaway: “This is a really important victory for solitary animals everywhere.” – Guy Raz (30:35)

• The science community plans to investigate similar mimicry in other solitary animals, like leopards.

Memorable, Kid-Friendly Humor:

• Mispronounced event tickets: “The Face Dulling World Dampening Ships.”
• Mindy wants to mix caviar and tacos.

4. Wrap Up and VIP Aspirations (32:07–33:37)

• Dennis, inspired by the “VIP” section, dreams of being “a very important person” and “playing golf on the moon” with Reggie.
• Listener participation is encouraged: “If you have a question for me, call and leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW.”
• Reggie suggests “chocolate truffles made with truffle mushrooms—so fancy!” as their first VIP activity.

Notable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

• “So I guess that would make my dream job a beach donut sales associate. Undersea detective with a manatee.” – Dennis (04:32)
• “Well, Baby Dennis has done 12 years of ballet class, 8 years of modern jazz, and 4 years of tap.” – Baby Dennis (05:05)
• “Many animals, including us humans, use our faces to convey…how we’re feeling with the people around us.” – Mindy Thomas (25:35)
• “But it’s like Susan the sun bear came along and proved them all wrong.” – Guy Raz (26:12)
• “She filmed 22 different sun bears for a bunch of days…[and] saw that most of these bears…pulled faces at each other.” – Mindy Thomas (27:11)
• “Ladies and gentlemen, what an upset! Chad the chimp…defeated…and we have a new champion: Susan the Sun Bear!” – Announcer (29:49)
• “This is a really important victory for solitary animals everywhere.” – Guy Raz (30:35)

Key Themes, Science, and Humor

• Animal communication: Even solitary animals like sun bears can express and mimic facial expressions, challenging old notions that facial mimicry is unique to social species.
• Scientific Discovery & Research: Features real-world research and step-by-step methodology accessible to kids.
• Whimsy and Wordplay: The episode is packed with kid-friendly jokes, silly characters, and creative listener engagement.

Why Listen?

This episode captures everything that makes “Wow in the World” beloved: educational science presented through wild imagination, interactive segments, humor for all ages, and accessible storytelling. Listeners will leave with a new appreciation for the complexity of animal communication—and maybe start practicing their own best funny faces.

For more episodes, listener games, and science adventures, visit Tinkercast.com.