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Mindy Thomas
Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, I've got a question for you. Are you ready to make It Wow? Okay, here's the deal. My buddy Carlie Q and I are hitting the road to make it wow with you in the DC area. That's right, we'll be making it wow in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, March 29th. Make it wow is a live Bonkerballs competition game show where real little kids are the star of the show. Two teams of Wowzers will turn their wildest and weirdest ideas into jaw dropping inventions live on stage. Tickets are on sale now. Grown ups visit Tinkercast.com events to get your ticket today. That's Tinkercast.com events. We can't wait to make it wow with you this spring. But until then, let's get on with the show.
Dennis
Ah ah ah ah ah. 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. We wow on the weekend. Yeah, we wow on the weekend. Laugh. We. 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 my co host, Reggie the giant pigeon. This is the show where we hang out and chit chat and listen to episodes of Tinkercast podcasts. Oh yeah, why do we only listen to Tinkercast podcasts? Well, does Tinkercast have anything other than podcasts? I don't know, like Tinkercast clarinet music or Tinkercast Dinosaur? How about Tinkercast sound effects of old car horns. Yay. Okay, let's move on to a segment I like to call Reading Reviewsies. Ahem, ahem. I'm reading reviewsies for me and for you Z's. We've got us some doozies, so let's read reviews. Z's. This is the part where people write us comments on Apple podcasts or Spotify or whatever and I print a bunch out and I read them aloud. Okay, this first reviewsy is from username Ingrid and Anton. The title says it's raining pigeons and the message says, dear Dennis, your pigeon is weird. Weird what? Slander. Slander and lies. Oh, you don't mind being called weird? Okay, I'll keep reading. P.S. i love to sing along with you, Reggie. You're weird, but we love you. Oh, I get it. Weird is good. Yeah, because if you're weird, it means you're interesting and not like everybody else. Else Am I weird.
Reggie
Yay.
Dennis
Weird is good. Weird is good. It's fine to be normal and emotionally stable, but weird is good. Next. Rabuzzi. Okay, this reviewzzi comes from username giraffelover457. The title says to Mr. Dennis. Oh, hooray. I love being called Mr. Dennis. And the message says, dennis, I love your sh so much. It's amazing. Heart eye emoji. I am giving your show infinity stars. Wow, infinity. Yeah, it's so abstract. Let's read on. Dennis, what is your favorite food, animal and color? Well, I have a lot of favorites, but today I'm feeling like the answer to all three of those questions would be chicken. Uh huh. Chicken is so a color. Of course it is. It's a pinkish brown and very tasty. Okay, there's still more to this reviewzi. Ahem. Reggie, I think you should host the show. What? Well, of course you think it's a good idea. You've been angling for my job ever since I brought you on as my unpaid intern. What? No, wait, Reggie, don't leave. No, I'll pay you. I'll pay you. I'll pay you. Yes, whatever. I agree to pay you a six figure bird seed salary. Welcome aboard. Next reviewsy. This one comes to us from username vphil. The title says dennis is amazing Star emojis. I sure am V fil. And the message says, dennis, your podcast is amazing. And also, can you do any yo yo tricks? And also, how high can you jump? Oh, yes, a stunts question. Reggie, I can so do yo yo tricks. I do yo yo tricks all the time. Okay, technically no, I've never done any, but I bet I could do a whole bunch if I had a Yo yo. Oh, you have one? Uh, sure, yeah, let me give it a try. Okay, here we go. And yo yo look out. All right, that's enough Yo Yo. Let's see how high I can jump. Okay, ready? One, two, three, jump. How high was that, Reggie? Well, good thing no one saw, because this is a podcast. Let's just say I can jump really, really high. Ow. Okay, I think that's enough reviewsies for now. Thanks for all your reviewsies, everyone. Keep em coming. And if you write me a question on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, I just might answer it on wewow on the weekend. Unless I don't know the answer or I get distracted or I forget. Okay, up next is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Ahem. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we listen to an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast podcasts. And today we're listening to season two, episode two of wow in the World called that's Nuts. Wait, what's nuts? No, Reggie, I'm not asking you to list types of nuts. I'm asking what's nuts. I know what nuts are. I just. Oh, never mind. Let's just play the episode. Okay, here we go. And play.
Reggie
Wee. Wow will be right back.
Dennis
Grown ups.
Mindy Thomas
This message is for you. That's it.
Reggie
Now back to the show. Wow in the world.
Guy Raz
Almond, coconut, Hemp, Chocolate, Chocolate, cow, rice, soy.
Mindy Thomas
Hey, Guy Raz. What are you doing in your refrigerator over here?
Guy Raz
Oh, oh, hey, Mindy. I'm just organizing my milk collection.
Mindy Thomas
Uh, of course you are.
Guy Raz
Hey, it looks like you're holding a glass of something white and creamy. I bet I can guess what kind of milk that is. Here, here, let me take a sip.
Mindy Thomas
Wait, I. Ugh.
Guy Raz
Mindy, have you been drinking straight up butter?
Mindy Thomas
Well, I mean, technically, it started off as a butter popsicle on a stick, but then it melted, so that's just gross.
Guy Raz
A whole glass of melted butter.
Mindy Thomas
Butter is back, Guy Raz. Besides, what do you want me to do? Wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning to squeeze the milk out of a bunch of almonds?
Guy Raz
That's what I do. Wait, actually, that's not what I do. Almond milk is made by just. Oh, never mind.
Mindy Thomas
Look, coconut milk makes me hyper, soy milk causes me to have headaches, and cow's milk gives me the toots. Here, I'll prove it to you.
Guy Raz
No, I'll take your word for it, Mindy.
Mindy Thomas
Too late. So what did you say you were doing with all these milks in here anyway?
Guy Raz
Well, I just thought I'd organize my supply in alphabetical order. Actually, I'm reorganizing my entire kitchen.
Mindy Thomas
That's nuts.
Dennis
Oh.
Guy Raz
Oh, well, speaking of nuts, check out my nut pantry.
Mindy Thomas
Wait, What? Oh, my.
Guy Raz
53 different varieties of nuts, all labeled and organized by species, shape, color, and personal preference. Check this out, Mindy. I've got almonds, beechnuts, butternuts, Brazil nuts, candle nuts, cashews, walnuts, and white nuts. Wow.
Mindy Thomas
Wow, that's a lot of nuts.
Guy Raz
Yeah. Yeah, it is quite the collection, if I do say so myself.
Mindy Thomas
But too bad you forgot the biggest nut of them all.
Guy Raz
Ah, the coconut. Well, loosely speaking, a coconut can be a fruit, a seed, and a nut.
Mindy Thomas
So not talking about a coconut then.
Guy Raz
What are you talking about?
Reggie
Me?
Mindy Thomas
I'm the biggest nut around.
Guy Raz
Oh, go ahead.
Mindy Thomas
Knock on my head, please, Mindy. Now that's what you call a hard nutshell. So I'm just gonna perch myself right up here on this shelf, right between the macadamias and the peanuts. We're going by abc.
Guy Raz
Shelf is not meant to hold nuts heavier than.
Mindy Thomas
Welp. On the bright side, it looks like I just made you a lifetime supply of trail mix, Guy.
Guy Raz
Raz, My beautiful collection of organic, prize winning nuts.
Mindy Thomas
Now they're mix nuts.
Guy Raz
Ha. How will I ever get these organized again?
Mindy Thomas
Oh, wait, I know.
Guy Raz
Oh, no. Oh, no, no. I think you've done enough, Mindy.
Mindy Thomas
No, really, I know who can help.
Guy Raz
You know someone who can help organize my organic nut collection?
Mindy Thomas
Sure do. In fact, they're living, breathing, professional nut organizers. Like, that's basically all they've got going on.
Guy Raz
Well, I guess if they're professional nut organizers. Well, yeah, they must have a lot of practice. So when can I meet them?
Mindy Thomas
How about now?
Guy Raz
Now?
Mindy Thomas
Sure. But first I need to grab a couple of supplies from my house.
Guy Raz
Uh, which supplies?
Mindy Thomas
And whatever you do, don't let Reggie near your pantry. I have a peanut allergy.
Guy Raz
What? I'll be right back. Okay, so you're allergic to nuts, huh? But I guess you're okay around Mindy.
Mindy Thomas
Okay, okay, I'm back.
Guy Raz
What were you getting over there, Mindy?
Mindy Thomas
Just the bare necessities guy, Raz. Now, here, put this on.
Guy Raz
A squirrel suit?
Mindy Thomas
No, I'm wearing the squirrel suit. You're wearing the chipmunk suit.
Guy Raz
Mindy, there is no. No way I.
Mindy Thomas
Look, do you want your nut pantry reorganized or not?
Guy Raz
Hand over the fur.
Mindy Thomas
Okay, now it's gonna be a little snug, but that's just because it's a chipmunk costume made for a dog.
Dennis
What?
Mindy Thomas
It'll be fine. I just squeeze into it while I slip into mine.
Guy Raz
Mindy, this does not feel comfortable.
Mindy Thomas
Well, that's because you got it on upside down, silly. Here, let me help you out. Just gonna adjust your spine. Just move your elbow back a little.
Reggie
Bit and crank it up. Just gonna squeeze you in there.
Mindy Thomas
There. Look at you. Now go check yourself out in the mirror. You could totally pass for a legit chipmunk. Ready to go meet my nut organizing friend?
Guy Raz
Are you sure this is a good idea, Mindy?
Mindy Thomas
Of course I'm not sure this is a good idea, Guy, but the state of your nut pantry calls for emergency action.
Guy Raz
Right?
Mindy Thomas
So hand me my shrink wand from the adventure toolbox over there.
Guy Raz
Oh, shrink wand. Shrink Wand. Oh, got it.
Dennis
Here you go.
Guy Raz
Wait, wait. What?
Mindy Thomas
Shrink wand, activate.
Reggie
Mindy, you put me back to normal right this minute.
Mindy Thomas
Oh, you are the cutest little chipmunk I've ever seen. I'm just gonna pinch those little chipmunk cheeks of yours.
Reggie
No, Mindy, if you don't unshrink me right now.
Mindy Thomas
Hang on just one second, tiny chipmunk. Guy Raz, I'm shrinking. Down with ya. Shrink wand, activate again.
Guy Raz
Phew.
Reggie
Look at us, Guy Raz. We're tiny talking woodland creatures. Mindy, come on. Let's scamper away our outside and meet my friends like this. I'm not even wearing my elbow patches. Sure you are, Guy Raz. But now your elbow patches are made of fur. Oh, yeah. Ooh, look over there. Over where, Chipmunk? Guy Raz, where are your glasses? They're bigger than my body, Mindy. They won't stay on.
Dennis
Wait. Watch.
Reggie
We must be quiet. Squirrel. Squirrel. Squirrel. Squirrel. Stop screaming. Guy ran. You'll scare him away. Scare him away? Sounds great.
Dennis
What?
Reggie
Boo. Boo. Boo, calm down. Do you think your pineapple pistachios are just going to organize themselves, Chiron? No. You said you had a professional nut organizer who would do that for me. Well, this is him.
Dennis
Who?
Reggie
Beady little eyes, fuzzy tail. But that's a squirrel. Right. So we need to be very polite and not scare him away. Okay, I'm not sure this is gonna work, Mindy. Now just watch what he does. Well, it looks like he's walking over to what appears to be a huge pile of nuts. Yeah, now pay very close attention to what he does with them. Interesting. It looks like he's separating the nuts into categories and then running back and forth and burying them in different locations, depending on the category of nuts. Yep. So he's what we call a scatter hoarder. Stockpiling food and hiding it in different places. Exactly those, Guy Raz. And the reason he does this is so that he'll know that at least some of his food stash is protected. Even if there is a bad storm that wipes out his supplies. Or I suppose, another critter who finds out where he's been hiding it. Hey, that reminds me of the time I accidentally ate all of the Halloween candy you bought for the trick or treaters. Oh, I remember. Only I anticipated that you would do that, so I hid piles of it all over my house so you'd never find all of it. Yeah, and then you forgot all of your hiding places and wound up having to give out beans to the trick or treaters. Hey, those were high quality organic beans. Nature's candy, Mindy. Well, our squirrel friend here will never forget where he's hidden his stash, because researchers at the University of Berkeley in California have just uncovered his secret stashing strategy. So there's a method to his organizational madness. Yep, and we're about to see it up close and personal. Oh, no, Mindy, you're not thinking of. How does my tail look? Like it just got a bad idea. Now straighten your chipmunk stripe and follow my lead. Okay, I don't like the sound of this. Um, hello, Mr. Squirrel. Hi. I was just piddling through the trees with my buddy Chip Raz over here, and I couldn't help but notice that you look like an eastern fox squirrel. Squirrel. Squirrel. Oh, what's that? You are an eastern fox squirrel. Ooh, squirrel. Well, of course you are, Mindy.
Dennis
Mindy.
Reggie
So as an eastern fox squirrel, you must be really good at organizing your nuts. Aww. I'll bet you all do this. Squirrel. Well, I happen to know a nearby land where you can find more species of nutrition than you could ever imagine. Squirrel. Mindy, this costume is itching. Let's get out of here and I can take you to this land of nuts. Huh? Squirrel. But first, if we want to reach the keys to the kingdom, we've got some growing to do.
Guy Raz
Squirrel.
Reggie
Wait, we? Who's we? Shrink ray reverse activate.
Mindy Thomas
That's better. Gotta stretch it out. All right, you ready to go nuts, Mr. Squirrelly Pants? Hey, Guy Raz, come on, open your eyes.
Guy Raz
Wah.
Reggie
Squirrel. Squirrel. Squirrel.
Guy Raz
That's a human sized squirrel.
Mindy Thomas
Yeah, so about that. I just figured that if he was the size of a full grown human, it would help to make his job easier and faster, you know?
Guy Raz
Squirrel.
Mindy Thomas
Come on, you two. Let's get inside before someone sees us. Ren.
Reggie
Ren.
Mindy Thomas
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run. Okay, Guy Raz, hand me your keys. I'm just gonna unlock this door. And here we are, Mr. Giant Squirrely Pants in Guy Raz's humble abode. Make yourself right at home. Okay, okay, okay. Now if you'll just scurry on right this way towards the kitchen, you'll find Guy Raz's enormous pantry of mixed nuts.
Guy Raz
They weren't mixed an hour ago.
Mindy Thomas
So, Mr. Squirrel, what we need you to do is to organize these nuts just the way you were doing with your nuts back out there in the yard. Okay?
Guy Raz
Squirrel. Wait, do you speak squirrel? Mindy?
Mindy Thomas
Yes, of course I don't speak squirrel. Guy Raz.
Guy Raz
What?
Mindy Thomas
Come on into the kitchen.
Guy Raz
Come on.
Mindy Thomas
Now, just sit down, relax. Put your feet up on the table. Be quiet. Explain what's going on here.
Guy Raz
Oh, now you're planning to explain what's going on here? But, Mindy, get your feet off my table.
Mindy Thomas
Okay, so as I was saying earlier, this group of researchers from the University of Berkeley have been spending a lot of time with the common Eastern fox squirrel. Just like this guy. Trying to understand his organizational strategy.
Guy Raz
Yeah, I mean, look at him getting to work in my nut pantry. It looks like he's grouping all the different nut species into categories.
Mindy Thomas
That's exactly what he's doing, Guy Raz. It's a method known as chunking.
Guy Raz
Chunking?
Mindy Thomas
Yeah. So chunking is how squirrels organize their nut booty.
Guy Raz
You know, there are other words for booty, like treasure chest or hoard or supply. You don't necessarily need to use that word.
Mindy Thomas
Yeah, but booty's the best word.
Guy Raz
Okay, so what is it? What is chunking?
Mindy Thomas
Okay, so chunking is taking long strings of information and breaking them up into chunks. So we humans do this when we put our clothes away in our dresser drawers.
Guy Raz
Ah, right. Just like how I put all my socks in the top drawer and all my wool pants in the bottom drawer.
Mindy Thomas
Yeah, and then you take it a step further and put all of your striped socks on the right side of the drawer and all of your solid socks on. On the left side of the drawer.
Guy Raz
That's right. And I do this. So whenever I need a striped pair of socks, I know exactly where to find them. Wait a minute. Have you been going through my dresser drawers, Mindy?
Mindy Thomas
Uh, have you been going through your dresser drawers, Guy Raz.
Guy Raz
Wait, what?
Mindy Thomas
And by putting everything in a specific place, you're making a map in your brain.
Guy Raz
So if I were to close my eyes, I'd be able to picture my dresser drawer and be able to tell you exactly where my striped socks were without even having to look in the actual drawer.
Mindy Thomas
Yes. Unlike my house, where I just throw all of my clothes and dishes and important papers inside the same dishwasher and have no idea where to find anything.
Guy Raz
So what this means is that I'm like a.
Mindy Thomas
From an organizational perspective guy Raz, you're basically a big squirrel chunker.
Guy Raz
And I guess from another organizational perspective, you're basically. Basically what, a tornado?
Mindy Thomas
Well, I don't know if I'd go that far.
Guy Raz
So how did these researchers discover that squirrels were using their brains for chunking, too?
Mindy Thomas
Well, they conducted a few experiments. Okay, so the scientists Started with a hypothesis.
Guy Raz
So a pretty educated scientific guess based on data or information collected.
Reggie
Yep.
Mindy Thomas
And based on what they knew about squirrels, they had a serious hunch that the squirrels might use chunking. As in they would put the almond in one hole in the ground and the pecans in another, et cetera, et cetera.
Guy Raz
And was their hypothesis correct?
Mindy Thomas
Well, the results of the experiment said that the squirrels did in fact do this, but only if they got the nuts all from the same place. If they got the nuts from different places, they didn't use chunking. Instead, they just hid all of their nuts in random spots.
Guy Raz
Well, how do they know? I mean, how are they able to track the nuts of 45 different squirrels?
Mindy Thomas
Oh, so they used handheld GPS tracking devices to find them and create a map of their collecting and hiding patterns.
Guy Raz
Say, speaking of nuts, whatever happened to that human sized squirrel that was supposed to be organizing my nut collection?
Mindy Thomas
Umm. Ooh, he's organizing your nuts alright.
Guy Raz
What?
Dennis
Where?
Mindy Thomas
Take a look outside in your yard, Mindy.
Guy Raz
My nuts are all gone and he's digging hundreds of holes in my beautiful garden.
Mindy Thomas
You never said that you wanted him to organize them in the pantry.
Guy Raz
What?
Mindy Thomas
Well, on the bright side, he and his friends will never go hungry. Guy Raz just considerate payment for a job well done.
Dennis
That was so funny. The part where Mindy and Guy Raz were the size of a squirrel. And then the other part where the squirrel was the size of Mindy and Guy Raz. Reggie, I just had a great idea. We should be giant. Yeah, like giant. Dennis and Reggie, the very giant pigeon. Okay, let's wrap up the show and go ask Mindy to make us giant. Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to Wee Wow on the weekend. If you have any questions for me, call and leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW. That's 1-8887-WOW-WOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend. Okay, let's go. Okay, Reggie, when Mindy makes us giants, we should stomp around like Dennis and Regizillas. Or we should grow a giant beanstalk and live in the clouds. Or I'll change my name to Dennis Bunyan and go dig a river and eat a bunch of pancakes and donate one of my shoes to an old lady so she can live in it.
Mindy Thomas
Grown ups. If you like wow in the world, you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.
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 survey@wondery.com survey.
Dennis
Thanks for joining us for this edition of We Wow. Our show is written by Ruth Morrison and Jed Anderson. The role of Baby Dennis is played by Jed Anderson. Well then, who plays the role of Big Dennis? Never your mind.
Reggie
Tee hee.
Dennis
Original sound design and production is done by Henry Moskal with contributions from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thole. Original music for Wewow 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 Mac, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, 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 Monday, two once in a while on Fridays, and We wow on the Weekend with Dennis on the weekends. And remember who Wows We Wow. Oh Baby Dennis. We wow all right. We wow.
Reggie
Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
Episode Summary: WeWow on the Weekend (March 9, 2025)
Hosts: Dennis and Reggie the Giant Pigeon
Dennis and his co-host, Reggie the Giant Pigeon, kick off the episode with their signature humor and camaraderie. Dennis humorously repeats, “We wow on the weekend” multiple times, setting a lighthearted tone for the show. They introduce the concept of their podcast as a space where they “hang out and chit chat and listen to episodes of Tinkercast podcasts,” poking fun at their exclusive focus on Tinkercast content.
Notable Quote:
In this segment, Dennis shares and reacts to listener reviews and comments, affectionately dubbed “reviewsies.” The hosts engage with their audience by reading feedback from various listeners, highlighted with playful banter and witty remarks.
Notable Quotes:
Dennis also humorously addresses a listener’s suggestion for Reggie to host the show, leading to an amusing negotiation about Reggie’s role and a fictitious “six figure bird seed salary.”
Dennis transitions into the “Inside Tinkercast Studios” segment, where they play an episode of their sister podcast, “Wow in the World,” titled “That’s Nuts.” However, the segment quickly takes a comedic turn as Dennis and Reggie disrupt the episode with unexpected antics.
Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz delve into a humorous skit about organizing nuts, featuring exaggerated character interactions and slapstick comedy. The skit explores the concept of "chunking," an organizational strategy used by squirrels, drawing parallels to human behavior.
Key Highlights:
Nut Collection Chaos: Mindy and Guy engage in a playful argument over organizing nuts, leading to them dressing up in animal costumes—a squirrel and a chipmunk—to tackle Guy’s overwhelming nut pantry.
Notable Quote:
Concept of Chunking: They introduce "chunking" as a method to organize information by breaking it down into manageable parts. Mindy explains how chunking helps both squirrels and humans organize efficiently.
Notable Quote:
Squirrel Behavior Analysis: The hosts humorously depict a squirrel’s nut-stashing behavior, referencing a University of Berkeley study that uncovers the squirrel’s organizational strategies using GPS tracking.
Notable Quote:
Humorous Conclusion: The skit concludes with Mindy and Guy realizing the unintended consequences of their actions, such as emptying the nut pantry and the garden being dug up, while Dennis and Reggie contemplate becoming giants to handle their own chaos.
Notable Quote:
Dennis and Reggie wrap up the episode with more humorous discussions inspired by the nut-organizing antics. They joke about becoming giants, envisioning grand and silly scenarios like stomping around or building a giant beanstalk.
Notable Quotes:
They also promote the availability of the “Wow in the World” podcast on various platforms, encouraging listeners to subscribe and engage further.
As per instructions, the episode’s credits, acknowledgments, and outro segments have been omitted from this summary to focus solely on the content-rich portions of the show.
In this episode of “WeWow on the Weekend,” Dennis and Reggie blend humor with educational content, particularly through their playful exploration of organizational strategies inspired by squirrel behavior. The hosts successfully engage with their audience through interactive segments and entertaining skits, making complex concepts like chunking both accessible and enjoyable for listeners of all ages. Their lighthearted approach ensures that even without prior knowledge of the show, new listeners can appreciate the blend of science, humor, and creativity that defines their podcast.
Timestamp References: