Wow in the World: "WeWow on the Weekend" Episode Summary (April 6, 2025)
Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Episode: WeWow on the Weekend
Release Date: April 6, 2025
1. Introduction to Planet Wow
The episode kicks off with Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz unveiling an exciting new initiative titled Planet Wow, a global geocaching adventure aimed at inspiring listeners to explore and appreciate the wonders of our planet.
- Mindy Thomas [00:12]: "As you know, there are so many places on our planet that make us all say wow."
- Guy Raz [00:06]: "Introducing Planet Wow, our new epic geocaching adventure."
Planet Wow encourages participants to find hidden treasures, or geocaches, located in captivating locations across the United States. Collaborating with the Aspen Institute's Planet Media and Geocaching.com, the hosts have developed four trackable trading cards featuring fascinating facts about environmental stewardship.
- Mindy Thomas [00:26]: "We've partnered with our friends at the Aspen Institute's planet media and geocaching.com to create four different trackable trading cards with some wow facts about caring for our planet."
- Guy Raz [00:38]: "We'll be sending out one of four trading cards to every member of the World Organization of Wowzers."
Listeners are invited to join by signing up for a membership by April 11th to receive their trading card and embark on the Planet Wow adventure.
2. Invasive Species: The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
A significant portion of the episode delves into the pressing issue of invasive species, spotlighting the brown marmorated stink bug as a prime example.
Understanding Invasive Species
- Guy Raz [13:51]: "I'm talking about invasive species."
- Mindy Thomas [14:02]: "Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in one specific habitat or ecosystem."
An invasive species is defined as a non-native organism that causes environmental harm upon introduction to a new habitat.
- Guy Raz [14:04]: "An invasive species is a species whose introduction to a new habitat causes environmental damage."
Impact of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Mindy discusses how the brown marmorated stink bug, first detected in Pennsylvania in 1998, has spread to nearly every U.S. state except Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska.
- Mindy Thomas [19:16]: "Stink bugs... have devastated crops across the United States and shows no signs of slowing down."
- Guy Raz [19:29]: "Man, those stink bugs really get around."
The bug's voracious appetite threatens a wide array of crops, including apples, peaches, sweet corn, soybeans, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
- Mindy Thomas [20:05]: "Apples, peaches, sweet corn, soybeans, tomatoes, bell peppers. It just keeps going."
- Guy Raz [20:35]: "So these stink bugs are just roaming across the country trying out the local delicacies?"
Challenges in Controlling the Stink Bug Population
Traditional chemical controls, such as pesticides, have proven ineffective against these bugs due to their unique feeding mechanisms.
- Guy Raz [21:13]: "Chemical control? You mean like pesticides?"
- Mindy Thomas [22:09]: "They have a very thin and sharp mouth which makes it almost like a straw."
This adaptation allows them to bypass pesticide-treated surfaces, rendering chemical methods less effective.
3. Biological Control: The Samurai Wasp
In an effort to combat the brown marmorated stink bug, researchers are exploring biological control using the samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus).
- Mindy Thomas [24:15]: "A biological control. This is when you bring a natural predator to the invasive species inside the environment."
- Guy Raz [24:44]: "What is it, Mindy?"
The samurai wasp targets stink bug eggs, laying its own eggs inside them. Upon hatching, the wasp larvae consume the stink bug eggs, effectively reducing their population.
- Mindy Thomas [25:24]: "These wasps lay their eggs inside the stink bug eggs."
- Guy Raz [25:38]: "So these samurai wasps must really be something."
Researchers have already released samurai wasps in Oregon and plan to introduce them to New York State, though concerns remain based on past biological control attempts.
- Mindy Thomas [25:43]: "They've already been released in Oregon, and later this year, the researchers are hoping to release them in New York State as well."
- Guy Raz [26:04]: "Well, I hope it works, because a similar thing has been tried before and, well, it doesn't always turn out well."
4. Historical Example: Australia's Invasive Species Battle
Drawing parallels, the hosts recount Australia's experience with invasive species, highlighting both successes and failures in biological control.
Prickly Pear and the Cactoblastis Moth
In the early 1800s, Australia faced an infestation of prickly pear cacti. The introduction of the cactoblastis moth from South America successfully eradicated the invasive cactus within seven years.
- Guy Raz [28:10]: "Cactoblastis moth... lay their eggs in the cactus... keep them from spreading."
- Mindy Thomas [29:21]: "So it worked."
The Cane Toad Catastrophe
Conversely, the introduction of cane toads to combat sugar cane beetles backfired disastrously. Without natural predators, the toads proliferated uncontrollably, now numbering over 200 million and posing threats to native wildlife.
- Guy Raz [30:10]: "That, Mindy, is a cane toad."
- Mindy Thomas [31:09]: "That's awful."
This historical lesson underscores the complexities and potential unintended consequences of biological control measures.
- Guy Raz [31:09]: "There's nothing to eat the cane toads. So now there's over 200 million of them all across Australia."
- Mindy Thomas [31:24]: "It's because of their ridonkulous appetite."
5. Engaging Interactions and Humor
Interspersed with informative discussions, the episode features humorous exchanges among hosts and characters Dennis and Reggie, adding a lighthearted tone to the educational content.
- Dennis [03:58]: "I don't hear any of Baby Dennis. If you put on more Baby Dennis, I will rate you 100 billion."
- Mindy Thomas [10:02]: "Back her up, boy."
- Guy Raz [22:33]: "What? So Steve, do you like neckties? Run."
These interactions provide comic relief while maintaining listener engagement, exemplifying the podcast's appeal to both children and adults.
6. Conclusion and Call to Action
The episode concludes with a reminder for listeners to engage with Planet Wow and participate in conservation efforts.
- Mindy Thomas [17:43]: "Oh, hang on a second. What was that, Steve?"
- Guy Raz [33:37]: "Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids on Apple Podcasts."
Listeners are encouraged to sign up for memberships, share their own "wow" moments, and contribute to the ongoing mission of celebrating and protecting the planet's wonders.
Notable Quotes:
- Mindy Thomas [00:12]: "There are so many places on our planet that make us all say wow."
- Guy Raz [14:04]: "An invasive species is a species whose introduction to a new habitat causes environmental damage."
- Mindy Thomas [22:09]: "They have a very thin and sharp mouth which makes it almost like a straw."
- Guy Raz [24:44]: "What is it, Mindy?"
- Guy Raz [30:10]: "That, Mindy, is a cane toad."
- Guy Raz [31:09]: "There's nothing to eat the cane toads. So now there's over 200 million of them all across Australia."
Final Thoughts:
"WeWow on the Weekend" masterfully blends education with entertainment, providing listeners with valuable insights into environmental issues like invasive species while maintaining an engaging and humorous narrative. The episode not only informs but also inspires action, encouraging listeners to explore and protect the natural wonders that make our world truly say "wow."