WeWow on the Weekend (5/17/25)

Summary

Wow in the World Podcast Summary: "WeWow on the Weekend" (May 17, 2025)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Episode Release Date: May 17, 2025

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1. Introduction

In the "WeWow on the Weekend" episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz invite listeners into a whimsical and adventurous narrative set within the fictional Museum of Wow. This episode blends educational content about amphibians with humorous and engaging storytelling, making science accessible and entertaining for both kids and their grown-ups.

2. Promotional Segments

Before diving into the main content, the episode features promotional segments highlighting Wow in the World's collaboration with Atlas Obscura. This partnership offers family tours designed to explore fascinating global destinations, complete with adventure toolkits, T-shirts, journals, and curated experiences.

• Mindy Thomas (00:07):
  "We've teamed up with our friends at Atlas Obscura to create trips designed for families to explore the wows of our world."

• Guy Raz (01:05):
  "Our friends at Atlas Obscura have planned experiences that will wow your family each day of your trip."

Additionally, the episode promotes the new podcast Once Upon a Beat, a creative blend of hip-hop and classic fairy tales, offering fresh storytelling avenues for families.

3. WeWow on the Weekend Show

The episode transitions to WeWow on the Weekend, hosted by Dennis and his co-host, Reggie the giant pigeon. This segment sets a playful tone with lighthearted interactions and comedic exchanges.

a. Host Antics and Q&A Segment

Dennis and Reggie engage in amusing dialogue, showcasing their unique dynamic. The Q&A segment includes creative and humorous questions from young listeners, answered with a mix of factual information and comedic flair.

• Dennis (03:20):
  "Look, it's just a glowy little ball, and it's moving on its own."

• Mindy Thomas (04:50):
  "How do you say happy birthday and pigeon?"

Dennis humorously navigates questions about how fishes drink water and the existence of a "baby Reggie," providing entertaining yet informative responses.

b. Inside Tinkercast Studios

Dennis introduces a nostalgic segment, revisiting a previous Wow in the World episode titled "An Unfroggettable Day at the Museum." This interlude features playful commentary and frog-themed puns, maintaining the show's lighthearted atmosphere.

• Dennis (07:50):
  "Why frogs would go to the museum, Reggie. Maybe frogs like art."

4. Senior Citizen Day at the Museum of Wow

The core of the episode centers around a fictional event: Senior Citizen Day at the Museum of Wow, focusing on the new amphibian exhibit.

a. Exhibit Introduction

Mindy and Guy introduce listeners to the amphibian exhibit, explaining the fascinating life cycle of amphibians and the scientific significance of metamorphosis.

• Mindy Thomas (10:08):
  "Amphibian is the scientific name for a group of animals that begin their lives with gills and tails in the water, but later grow legs and lungs for a new life on land."

• Guy Raz (10:27):
  "The word amphibian means double life."

b. Mini Frogs Discovery

The tour highlights the discovery of three new species of mini frogs in Madagascar by a team led by scientist Mark Scherz.

• Guy Raz (16:36):
  "A team of evolutionary biologists were the ones to find them."

Mindy and Guy delve into the challenges faced by scientists in discovering these tiny frogs, emphasizing their diminutive sizes.

• Guy Raz (18:17):
  "The biggest one of the species, Mini Atcher, he's small enough to fit on a human thumbnail."

c. Interaction with Exhibits and Mishaps

As the tour progresses, humorous chaos ensues due to Grandma G Force's interactions with the exhibits, leading to the accidental release of mini frogs. This segment blends humor with an educational narrative about the frogs' unique characteristics.

• Mindy Thomas (17:14):
  "There's a big old aquarium with some plants inside, but I'm not seeing any frogs."

• Grandma G Force (21:00):
  "Stop freeing the frogs. You're coming with us."

d. The Pumpkin Toadlet Exploration

The hosts explore the pumpkin toadlet, a tiny toxic frog with glowing bones discovered by scientist Sandra Gutt. The segment discusses the frog's unique biology and the mystery surrounding its glowing bones.

• Reggie the Pigeon (26:00):
  "According to a recent study led by scientist Sandra Gutt from NYU Abu Dhabi, the answer to that question is just under the frog's skin."

• Mindy Thomas (27:29):
  "If the pumpkin toadlet can't hear its own call, much less the calls of other pumpkin toadlets, then do scientists think that maybe it uses its glowing bones to find mates instead?"

The discussion addresses theories about the frog's glowing bones serving as a visual signal in the absence of auditory communication.

e. Security Incident and Conclusion of the Tour

The episode culminates in a security intervention following the unintended release of the frogs, blending humor with a resolution to the chaos.

• Mindy Thomas (29:25):
  "Spit it out. Spit it out."

• Reggie the Pigeon (31:07):
  "No, you're sweet for tuna. Dead."

Mindy summarizes the key features of the pumpkin toadlet, reinforcing the educational content amidst the comedic fallout.

• Mindy Thomas (29:45):
  "The pumpkin Toadlet is a tiny toxic frog that cannot hear, has newly discovered glowing bones, and though scientists have a few theories, they are still on a quest to figure out why."

5. Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with Dennis and Reggie humorously addressing listeners, encouraging interaction through messages and promoting future shows. Additionally, Mindy and Guy reiterate the availability of Once Upon a Beat and invite listeners to engage via surveys.

• Dennis (31:37):
  "Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to Wee Wow on the Weekend."

• Mindy Thomas (32:37):
  "Tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey."

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Key Takeaways and Insights

• Educational Entertainment: The episode effectively combines humor with scientific facts about amphibians, making learning enjoyable for a young audience.

• Interactive Storytelling: Through characters like Grandma G Force and Reggie the Pigeon, the show engages listeners with interactive and dynamic storytelling elements.

• Engagement with Audience: The inclusion of a Q&A segment and interactive promotions fosters a sense of community and encourages listener participation.

Notable Quotes

• Mindy Thomas (16:57):
  "Isn't an evolutionary biologist a scientist who studies how all different types of life on Earth evolved from one common ancestor?"

• Guy Raz (19:20):
  "Mini Mum, the smallest of the new species, is as small as a staple or a grain of rice."

• Grandma G Force (21:04):
  "Froggy, froggy, froggy, froggy. Huh. That usually works."

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Conclusion

"WeWow on the Weekend" delivers a delightful blend of education and entertainment, anchored by engaging storytelling and charismatic characters. By navigating through humorous mishaps and fascinating scientific discoveries, Mindy and Guy Raz successfully captivate their audience, fostering a love for science and exploration in both children and their grown-ups.

Transcript

[Mindy]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy and Guy Raz here. And before we start the show, summer break is almost here.

[Guy Raz]

And if you're looking for an adventure that the whole family will love, we've teamed up with our friends at Atlas Obscura to create trips designed for families to explore the wows of our world.

[Mindy]

That's right. The first wow in the World family tour starts at the end of June. And there's still a few more spots left. So why not join your fellow Wowzer fams on an exploration exploration of the ancient Mayan temples and the pyramids of Tulum in Mexico.

[Guy Raz]

Or if you're looking for some wows this winter, your family can discover the pyramids of Giza and ride camels in Egypt in December.

[Mindy]

All of our wow in the World family tours come with an adventure toolkit, T shirts, a journal and postcards. And the best part, grownups. The planning is already taken care of.

[Guy Raz]

Aw, but I love planning, Mindy. Spending hours online searching for the best location, the best deals, the best.

[Mindy]

I know you do, Guy Raz, but a lot of busy grown ups don't really have that kind of time these days. So our friends at Atlas Obscura have planned experiences that will wow your family each day of your trip. And we've put together some audio surprises and daily missions for you too, grown ups.

[Guy Raz]

If you want to learn more about the wow in the World family tours, visit Tinkercast.com trips that's Tinkercast.com trips that's it. Now back to the show. It is estimated that over 4 million people have been abducted by alien life forms. But only one of them asked for it.

[Mindy]

This is Elio of Earth. If any aliens are listening, come and.

[Guy Raz]

Get me from Disney and Pixar.

[Mindy]

Yes, it's really happening.

[Guy Raz]

He'll go where no one has gone before.

[Mindy]

Welcome to the communiverse. This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

[Guy Raz]

This is the bathroom. Disney and Pixar's Elio rated PG. Parental guidance suggested only in theaters June 20th.

[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 that's my co host, Reggie the giant pigeon. Hey, Reggie, look what I Got at one of those gumball machine thingies at the grocery store. Yeah, it's a bouncy ball. But not just any bouncy ball. It's a super bouncy ball. And it glows in the dark. Yeah, check it out. Turn off the lights real quick.

[Mindy]

I know.

[Dennis]

Isn't it cool? Look, it's just a glowy little ball, and it's moving on its own.

[Mindy]

Ooh.

[Dennis]

No, not really. I'm moving it around with my hands. Okay, let's bounce it for real. Ready? One, two, three, bounce.

[Mindy]

Reggie.

[Dennis]

Catch it, Reggie. Well, I can't see where I'm going with the lights off. I don't want to trip over something. Got it. Hit me in the nose, but I got it. Could you please turn the lights back on, Reggie? Thank you. And that's my new bouncy ball. Okay, let's get into the Q and A segment.

[Reggie]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

The Q and A segment. All right, let's just get the old answering machine pulled up here. Okay, here we go. Hi, you've reached Dennis from WEW on the weekend. That's me. Do you have a question? Well, I do, too. Lots of them. And who's gonna answer all my questions? You? Probably not, But I guess I can answer yours. Leave me a message.

[Mindy]

I am Emberly from Yellow Springs, Ohio.

[Dennis]

Hi, Emberlee.

[Mindy]

How do you say happy birthday and pigeon? Ooh.

[Dennis]

Is it someone's birthday? And is that special someone a pigeon named Reggie? Oh, it's not your birthday. Well, whatever, then. How do you say happy birthday in pigeon? Reggie?

[Mindy]

Yay.

[Dennis]

And here's how to say happy birthday in Dennis. Happy birthday. It's your birthday. You were born and now you're here. Or maybe you were hatched from an egg. Or maybe you're a fungus that grew out of us poor. But no matter how you got here, I think you're cool. So happy birthday.

[Mindy]

Ye.

[Dennis]

Happy birthday to everyone whose birthday it is. Next question.

[Mindy]

Hi, my name is Finn.

[Dennis]

Hi, Finn.

[Mindy]

How do fishes drink water?

[Dennis]

How do fishes drink water? Good question, Finn. I mean, they probably just open their mouths and drink it in, right? Oh, that's how they breathe. Huh. Okay, I forgot. Fishes breathe the water. Well, how do they drink then? Do they get a glass and drink out of a glass? Do fishes have dishes? A straw maybe? Would that work? Yeah, probably not. Oh, let's ask Goldiebob, my goldfish. Hey, Goldiebab. How do fishes drink water? Ah, well, that makes sense. There you have it, Finn. Next question.

[Mindy]

Hi, I'm Atticus from Florida.

[Dennis]

Hi, Atticus.

[Mindy]

Is there a baby Reggie, like baby Dennis?

[Dennis]

That is a very good question. Do you have a baby Reggie? You do? Well, let's see it. Reggie, is that an egg? Was it your egg? Oh, no, it's just an egg you took from the fridge and you drew a little beak on it. Well, I thought it was gonna be some cute little pigeon puppet, not some silly egg you took from refrigerator. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt baby Reggie's feelings. Apologize to the egg. Fine. Sorry, egg. Sorry, Baby Reggie. Egg. Okay, Atticus, to answer your question, yes, there is a baby Reggie. And it's an egg. Thanks for all your calls, everyone. If you've got a question for me, call and leave me a message. 888-7-WOW. Wow. That's 1-888-7-WOW Wow. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend. Okay, that takes care of that. Next up is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios.

[Reggie]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

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 Epis 20 called an unfroggettable Day at the Museum. Right. I think this is the one where a bunch of frogs go to a museum or something. Well, I don't know why frogs would go to the museum, Reggie. Maybe frogs like art. Ever think about that? Yeah, they like to look at paintings by frog Monet or Vincent Van Croak or Edward Hopper. Okay, that was the last frog artist joke. Let's play the episode. Here we go. And play.

[Mindy]

Wee wow will be right back. Grown Ups, this message is for you. Hey, grown ups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz from WOW in the World. And guess what?

[Guy Raz]

What's the good news, Mindy?

[Mindy]

Once Upon a Beat is back with brand new episodes.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, I love that podcast.

[Mindy]

We here at Tinkercast have partnered with our friends at Wondry to bring your family new episodes of Once Upon a Beat.

[Guy Raz]

Once Upon A Beat remixes fairy tales and fables as old as time, giving them a fresh spin with some rhythm and rhyme.

[Mindy]

This podcast is hosted by the amazing DJ Fuchs and features original hip hop songs from Grammy Award winning artist Secret Agent 23's Cadoo.

[Guy Raz]

Once upon a Beat is where hip hop and fairy tales meet and you can listen to new episodes right now.

[Mindy]

Follow Once Upon a Beat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to Once Upon a Beat early and ad free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app in Apple podcasts. That's it. Now back to the show. What in the world?

[Guy Raz]

Good morning, friends. I'm so glad you could all join us for for Senior Citizen day at the Museum of Wow. Hey, Mindy.

[Mindy]

Oh, right. We invite you here today because humans over 100 years old get in free.

[Guy Raz]

And this is the first day of the museum's exciting new amphibian exhibit.

[Mindy]

Amphibian is the scientific name for a group of animals that begin their lives with gills and tails in the water, but later grow legs and lungs for a new life on land.

[Guy Raz]

In fact, the word amphibian means double life.

[Mindy]

Like the double life of turning from a tadpole into a frog.

[Guy Raz]

Yes, a process known as metamorphosis. Um, are you.

[Dennis]

Are you sleeping?

[Grandma G Force]

What? No, I wasn't sleeping. I have allergies.

[Mindy]

Anywho, this is sure to be an unfrog gettable day. The museum promises some of the most wow worthy and riveting new scientific discoveries on all sorts of cold blooded vertebrates like toads and newts and salamanders. But today we're going to focus on and my personal favorite, frogs. Wait, I never said that frogs are my favorite. Newts are my favorite.

[Guy Raz]

Now, before we begin our day, I just want to take a quick roll call to make sure we're all here. So please wake up and just say present when I call your name, okay? Mindy who? Reggie. Thomas Fingerling presents Grandma G Force.

[Mindy]

Did somebody call my name?

[Grandma G Force]

G Force. Can't you hear nothing?

[Guy Raz]

Okay, okay, before we go in, I should probably lay down some ground rules.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh boy. Ground pools.

[Mindy]

Woo. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

[Grandma G Force]

Best museum ever. High five.

[Mindy]

What's he saying?

[Guy Raz]

Rule number one. We are operating on a buddy system today. Everybody must stick with their partner at all times.

[Mindy]

Oh, I called that guy Mindy.

[Guy Raz]

That is a concrete statue of a bald eagle. I'll be your buddy. Okay, Thomas Fingerling. Grandma G Force. I'm gonna pair the two of you up as well.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, I see Lump all the good looking athletes together. Hey, so what are we playing? Badminton.

[Mindy]

Oh, but Guy Raz, what about Reggie?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, Reggie's gonna be our chaperone for today. He's the most mature member of our group and the only one with a childcare degree. So if anyone gets lost or hurt or needs to take a bathroom break, you be sure to let Reggie know, okay?

[Mindy]

Oh, I gotta go to the bathroom. I gotta go.

[Guy Raz]

We haven't even Gotten into the museum yet?

[Mindy]

Sorry. Sorry.

[Grandma G Force]

I guess I'll just hold it.

[Mindy]

I'll just pee my pants.

[Grandma G Force]

I'm gonna pee mine even more.

[Mindy]

I'm wearing a diaper anyway, so no.

[Guy Raz]

One is going to pee their pants. Just go to the restroom and meet me at the ticket booth in five minutes, okay?

[Mindy]

Okay.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, boy.

[Dennis]

Welcome to Senior Citizen Day at the Museum of Wow. Anyone over the age of 100 gets free admission. So, looks like today is your lucky day, sir.

[Mindy]

Who? Who, me?

[Dennis]

You can't hear? Yes, you, my friend. Old croaks get in free today. Will you be needing any special assistance as you move throughout the museum floor?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, well, I think you must be mistaken. I am not an old croak. I'm practically a pollywog.

[Dennis]

Oh, I'm sorry. My bad. I guess it's just the suit and the elbow patches just kind of threw me off. My granddad wears the same outfit.

[Guy Raz]

I got this suit from the junior's department. And look, this tie is a clip on. Don't tell anyone.

[Mindy]

We're back. Somebody left free toilet paper in the bathroom. One for you. One for you.

[Guy Raz]

This is a senior citizen. And we have another one as well. He's right, Mindy. Where is Thomas Fingerling?

[Mindy]

Ah, look over there.

[Grandma G Force]

Fingerling. Pop it like it's hot. Pop it like it's hot. Pop it like it's hot.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, Thomas Fingerling gonna run.

[Dennis]

Okay, so that'll be two old croaks and two pollywogs.

[Mindy]

Oh, and a pigeon and a p. Um, he doesn't like to talk about his age.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, Mindy, I just remembered. Reggie's family is one of the museum's major donors. They have an entire wing named after them.

[Mindy]

I wonder why there was a wing sticking out of the side of the building like that. How you gonna fly this place with only one wing?

[Dennis]

Oh, cool. Major donors. Major donors.

[Guy Raz]

Get in, Fray.

[Dennis]

And so do all of you.

[Mindy]

Thank you, Mrs. And Mr. Reggie's parents.

[Dennis]

Have fun, you guys.

[Mindy]

Next. Okay, so where should we start first?

[Guy Raz]

Hmm. Well, looking at the map here, I think we should make our first stop at the hall of Mini Frogs.

[Mindy]

Mindy frogs. I knew that Mindy was a frog since the day she was born. I never seen a baby with such strong back legs.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, I was just reading about these Mindy frogs. I mean, mini frogs. In fact, three new species were just discovered on the island of Madagascar. A team of evolutionary biologists were the ones to find them.

[Mindy]

Isn't an evolutionary biologist scientist who studies how all different types of life on Earth Evolved from one common ancestor.

[Guy Raz]

Exactly right.

[Mindy]

And isn't a species basically just a group of living things that have so much in common that they can get together and reproduce or make more of themselves?

[Guy Raz]

Yes. For example, we humans belong to the Homo sapiens species.

[Mindy]

Right. And so who were these evolutionary biologists who found these new frog species?

[Guy Raz]

Well, there was a whole team of them led by a scientist named Mark Scherz, and he's from Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.

[Mindy]

So what did Mark Schurz and his team of biologists want with finding a bunch of mini frogs? I mean, sounds like it would be a lot easier to find big frogs. Toads, even. Well, and just how many are we talking here? Because I haven't even seen them yet, and already I can feel my cute aggression kicking in.

[Guy Raz]

Well, looks like we're at the hall of Mini Frogs now. Let's see for ourselves.

[Mindy]

They're gonna be so cute and tiny, I'm gonna barf. Here, you can barf in my pocketbook. Thank you very much. Um, Guy Raz, I think we've been duped.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

There's a big old aquarium with some plants inside, but I'm not seeing any frogs.

[Grandma G Force]

Froggy, froggy, froggy, froggy. Huh. That usually works.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, if we can't find these mini frogs in a museum aquarium, just imagine how difficult it must have been for this team of biologists to find them in the wild forests of Madagascar.

[Mindy]

Well, if they were too tiny to find easily, then how did these scientists even know that they were there?

[Guy Raz]

Well, that's a good question. You see, the scientists could hear the different sounds of the mini frogs, so they would try to follow in the direction of their calls.

[Mindy]

But I bet as soon as the frogs detected the scientists coming up on them, they'd just leap up and hop away.

[Guy Raz]

Well, yeah, it was like an interspecies game of Marco Polo.

[Mindy]

Wow.

[Guy Raz]

And that was just the first obstacle. You see, once they were finally able to kill capture some of these frogs, the biologists found that they were too tiny to even tell apart.

[Mindy]

Yeah, so exactly how tiny are we talking here?

[Guy Raz]

Well, Mindy, you might want to take out your magnifying goggles for this one, because the biggest one of the species, who the scientists named Mini Atcher, he's small enough to fit on a human thumbnail.

[Grandma G Force]

Mini frog can sit on a human thumbnail. Now, I wish I still had human thumbnails.

[Guy Raz]

And if you think that's small, you need to meet Mini Skule and Mini Mum.

[Mindy]

Hold the phone, Guy Raz. Are you telling me that these scientists named these new species Miniature, Miniscule and Mini Mum?

[Guy Raz]

Well, you. You know, scientists are known for being kind of punny Mindy.

[Mindy]

So if Minnie Ature is small enough to fit on a thumbnail, then how small are Miniscule and Mini Mum?

[Guy Raz]

Well, miniscule is actually a little smaller than miniature.

[Mindy]

So. Smaller than a thumbnail?

[Guy Raz]

Yup. Yup. And Mini Mum, the smallest of the new species is as small small as a staple or a grain of rice.

[Mindy]

Rice? Mini frog Smaller than a staple. Uh oh, let me put on these magnifying goggles. I gotta see these tiny cuties for myself. If they're even half as cute as a little baby crane of rice, I'm gonna burst through this wall. Hey, Mandy, look up here. I found her little froggy. What in the.

[Guy Raz]

Oh no.

[Grandma G Force]

Is she GeForce? Get out of the frog tank, you weirdo.

[Guy Raz]

She's in the frog tank.

[Mindy]

Mindy.

[Guy Raz]

What is she doing in the frog tank?

[Mindy]

Oh my.

[Dennis]

Wow.

[Mindy]

Hi, little froggy. There you go. Wow, they're smaller than flies. Guy Raz and Minnie's Skewl even has teeth in its upper jaw. Can you even imagine how tiny its little braces would have to be? Mindy, I've just never seen frogs so teeny weeny. I bet you could fit one of their little frogs brains on top of a tiny pin.

[Grandma G Force]

Mom, get out of the aquarium.

[Dennis]

What do you think you're doing?

[Mindy]

I'm freeing the promise. What does it look like I'm doing?

[Guy Raz]

Mindy. Mindy, hadn't you even get in there. This is a disaster.

[Mindy]

Now.

[Reggie]

Security to the mini frog exhibit.

[Grandma G Force]

GeForce. That song was so bad. They call security. Ma' Am. Ma' am, Stop freeing the frogs. You're coming with us.

[Mindy]

Security. What? No. Oh, that's my grandma. G Force. You can't take her away. She climbed into the aquarium and let all the frogs loose by accident.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, now we need to squeegee the frog water off of her at the security office. She'll be staying there so she can't damage any more exhibits. You can pick her up on your way out.

[Mindy]

Who let the frogs out?

[Grandma G Force]

And stop singing that song. It's atrocious.

[Mindy]

Don't worry, Grandma G Force. You'll be just fine. We'll pick you up at security on our way out.

[Grandma G Force]

Excuse me, everyone.

[Reggie]

We're going to need you to move on to the next exhibit.

[Grandma G Force]

This one is closed.

[Guy Raz]

So where do we go next, Mindy?

[Mindy]

Well, let me just check the map here.

[Grandma G Force]

Whoo, a map. How Many paces to the buried treasure.

[Dennis]

The what?

[Grandma G Force]

Shiver me timbers. I'll be Captain Jack Russell Terrier. And Mindy can be Orlando Blue.

[Guy Raz]

Where exactly do you think we are right now?

[Mindy]

Ooh, this next ex ribbit is going to be so. Wow. The whole thing takes place in the pitch black darkness for added effect.

[Grandma G Force]

What kind of effect? A napping effect.

[Guy Raz]

We did not come here to nap.

[Mindy]

The reason it takes place in the pitch black darkness is because it's supposed to help us to see some unusual things. Feature of the frogs featured in it.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, I'm intrigued. Let's go check it out. Mindy, do you have a flashlight in your adventure toolkit by any chance?

[Mindy]

Oh, no, Guy Raz, A flashlight would ruin the whole experience. What we'll need is my ultraviolet UV light. Check this baby out. Whoa.

[Guy Raz]

It's like a black light that makes things glow if they're white or fluorescent.

[Mindy]

Follow me, everyone, to the Atlantic Forest of Eastern Brazil.

[Guy Raz]

Eastern Brazil? Mindy, we just got to the museum, and we promised your grandma G Force that we'd be back to get her out of security soon.

[Grandma G Force]

She'll be fine. G Force went to Brazil last week.

[Mindy]

No, no, you guys, we're not leaving the museum. We're just going to the next Exhirbit. It's modeled after the Atlantic Forest of Eastern Brazil.

[Grandma G Force]

Easter in Brazil, my friend. Favorite time of year. Oh, goodness.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, now that my eyes are adjusting to the dark, what kind of amphibian are we actually looking for?

[Mindy]

Well, I'll describe it for you. It's smaller than a nickel, bright orange like a pumpkin, and looks like a frog. Because it's frog.

[Grandma G Force]

I didn't follow any of that. You need to work on your instructional clarity, mister.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, I'm looking smaller than a nickel, bright orange like a pumpkin, and looks like a frog.

[Mindy]

That's right. And according to the map, it can be found hiding anywhere in this exhibit.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I have a strange feeling we're not in the museum anymore. This is looking and feeling pretty lifelike.

[Mindy]

That's all part of the experience, Kyraz. Now let's lock arms and wander through in search of this elusive frog.

[Grandma G Force]

Link arms. What are we playing? Red Rover. Oh, well, let me put on my red rovering shoes.

[Mindy]

What?

[Guy Raz]

Put those away.

[Mindy]

All right, give me your arms. And here we go.

[Guy Raz]

Nickels and pen.

[Grandma G Force]

Pumpkins and frogs.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, my.

[Grandma G Force]

Nickels and pumpkins and frogs.

[Mindy]

Oh, my.

[Guy Raz]

Nickels and pumpkins and frogs.

[Mindy]

Oh, my.

[Dennis]

Hello there.

[Mindy]

Where did you come from?

[Reggie]

Welcome to Senior Day at the Museum of Wow. How many old Croaks do we have here today?

[Guy Raz]

Well, I'm a pollywog.

[Grandma G Force]

Ooh.

[Mindy]

We're trying to find the nickel sized pumpkin frogs.

[Reggie]

Ah, yes, yes. You're looking for the pumpkin Toadlet. Well, look no further. I happen to have one right here.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, goodness.

[Guy Raz]

So tiny.

[Mindy]

So orange.

[Grandma G Force]

So, can I eat it?

[Reggie]

No, rats. But I can tell you all about it.

[Mindy]

We're all ears.

[Reggie]

Well, the pumpkin toadlet is not all ears. In fact, because of its underdeveloped ears, it is completely deaf. Which means it can't even hear the mating calls of its own species.

[Guy Raz]

Well, if it can't hear the mating calls of its own species, then how is the pumpkin toadlet supposed to find a mate and reproduce to make more pumpkin toadlets?

[Mindy]

Yeah, how are the male toadlets supposed to show off for the ladies like other frogs do, if the ladies can't even hear their sweet croaks?

[Grandma G Force]

Yeah, explain that one, smarty pants.

[Reggie]

Well, according to a recent study led by scientist Sandra Gutt from NYU Abu Dhabi, the answer to that question is just under the frog's skin.

[Guy Raz]

Under the skin? What do you mean?

[Reggie]

Uh, well. Oh, can I borrow that ultraviolet flashlight you have there?

[Mindy]

What? Oh, yeah, sure. Here.

[Reggie]

Thank you. Okay, now watch what happens when I shine this ultraviolet light on the pumpkin toadlet's skin.

[Grandma G Force]

Whoa.

[Mindy]

Cool. I can see its bones. They're glowing.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, they seem to be glowing or fluorescing about bright blue color.

[Mindy]

Those bones are fluorescing right through its bright orange skin. Hey, shine that UV light on me. I want to see if I can get my bones to glow.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, yeah. It almost looks like a blue light is coming from the tiny bony plate in its head. And the bones in the back of its legs. It's like a fluorescent skeleton.

[Mindy]

So if the pumpkin toadlet can't hear its own call, much less the calls of other pumpkin toadlets, then do scientists think that maybe it uses its glowing bones to find mates instead? You know, like as a way of keeping its love light on?

[Reggie]

Well, that's one theory as to why these frogs might have glowing bones. But we still don't know for sure if the pumpkin toadlets can see the glow.

[Mindy]

Well, then what's the point of having glowing bones if you can't even show them off to your froggy friends?

[Grandma G Force]

Okay, come here, Mr. Punk Pumpkin Frog.

[Reggie]

I'm sorry. Hold that thought.

[Grandma G Force]

Sir.

[Reggie]

Sir, do you have a frog?

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, I can't believe you're supposed to taste like pumpkin, little feller.

[Guy Raz]

Mr. Fingerling, what are you doing?

[Mindy]

I mean, I know that Some birds have the ability to see fluorescents with their own eyes. And they dolphinitely don't have UV lights.

[Reggie]

Sir, the frogs are not for eating.

[Grandma G Force]

You gotta try everything once. That's what I.

[Mindy]

And I also know that birds are natural predators to frogs. So maybe. Here we go.

[Dennis]

Ah.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy. Mindy.

[Mindy]

He ate it. What?

[Guy Raz]

He ate the pumpkin toadlet. It's in his mouth. I can see it glowing through his cheeks.

[Grandma G Force]

Don't worry, I'm gonna pay for it. Here, let me get my wallet.

[Reggie]

Sir, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, one of the reasons the pumpkin toadlet might glow is to signal to would be predators that they are in fact toxic.

[Mindy]

Toxic? Fingerling that pumpkin toadlet is poisonous. Spit it out.

[Guy Raz]

This is a disaster. Spit it out. Spit it out.

[Grandma G Force]

What's this trying to sell me? Poison pumpkin spice? Hot frogs. I want my money back.

[Reggie]

Uh.

[Guy Raz]

You know what? We were actually just getting ready to head out.

[Mindy]

But before we go, I just want to make sure I got this straight. Okay, so the pumpkin Toadlet is a tiny toxic frog that cannot hear, has newly discovered glowing bones, and though scientists have a few theories, they are still on a quest to figure out why.

[Reggie]

Uh, yes.

[Guy Raz]

Great. Well, thank you very much for your tour through this amazing eggsribit.

[Mindy]

Yeah, we're really sorry our friend here tried to eat it.

[Grandma G Force]

Allegedly.

[Mindy]

Now, do you think you could point us to the security slammer? I need to pick up my Grandma G Force. She's in for setting all the mini frogs free.

[Reggie]

That was you people?

[Mindy]

Did somebody call my name? Grandma G Force.

[Reggie]

I should call security.

[Guy Raz]

Oh boy.

[Grandma G Force]

G Force. You busted out.

[Mindy]

You bet. You're sweet for tuna. Dead.

[Reggie]

Yeah. Security, they're here in the pumpkin spi. I mean, the Pumpkin Toadlet exhibit. Hold on one second. Yes, how can I help you there, Mr. Pigeon? Oh, you're the chaperone for these people. Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to. Oh, you're Reginald.

[Mindy]

Huh?

[Reggie]

You know, your family's contributions to the museum have single handedly funded this new amphibian exhibit. You know what, why don't we just continue on our way? It would be an honor to tour around such a major donor.

[Grandma G Force]

Reggie's a major domo.

[Dennis]

Wow, that was so cool. All those teensy tiny little froggies. So cute. Reggie, will you take me to see the itty bitty Froggerinis?

[Mindy]

Yay.

[Dennis]

Let's go. Right now. Right. Let's wrap up the show first. 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. That's the end of the show. I need to go and look at tiny little frogs in a frog museum, but I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show. Bye.

[Mindy]

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

[Guy Raz]

The Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Mindy]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey.