Wow in the World - Episode Summary: "WeWow on the Weekend" (June 14, 2025)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz
Produced by: Tinkercast | Wondery
Episode Duration: Approximately 25 minutes

1. Introduction to "WeWow on the Weekend"

The episode kicks off with Dennis, the host of "WeWow on the Weekend," alongside his co-host Reggie. They set the stage for a fun-filled weekend show dedicated to family-friendly discussions, answering listener questions, and exploring various Tinkercast podcasts.

2. Q&A Segment [06:41 - 10:51]

The hosts engage with their audience through a lively Q&A session, addressing intriguing questions from their young listeners.

• Riddle Challenge [06:46 - 07:49]:

  • Listener: Samuel from Mountain View, California.
  • Riddle: "I have a mouth, but I don't eat. I run, but don't walk. I have a bed, but I don't sleep. What am I?"
  • Dennis's Guess: Initially guesses a "vroomba" (a playful take on a robot vacuum).
  • Correct Answer: A river.
    • Quote: Mindy [07:47]: "Answer. A river."

• Library Inquiry [07:56 - 09:14]:

  • Listener: Cooper, Jordan's brother.
  • Question: "Do you go to the library sometimes?"
  • Dennis's Response: Confesses frequent library visits and humorously suggests publishing his "diary."
    • Quote: Dennis [08:14]: "I love the library and the library loves me."

• Shark Teeth Count [09:14 - 10:51]:

  • Listener: Sophia from Eastville, California.
  • Question: "How many teeth does a shark have?"
  • Dennis's Attempt: Provides a whimsical estimate between 12 and a million.
    • Quote: Dennis [09:28]: "I think sharks have somewhere between 12 and a million teeth."

Key Insights:

• Encourages children to think critically and engage with science and nature.
• Showcases the hosts' playful and humorous dynamic.

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios [10:51 - 15:39]

Dennis introduces a spotlight on Tinkercast's collaboration with other podcasts, particularly "Once Upon a Beat."

• Feature on "Once Upon a Beat" [10:52 - 15:39]:
  • Description: A unique podcast where DJ Fuchs remixes traditional fairy tales with hip-hop elements.
  • Collaboration Announcement:
    • Mindy [14:36]: "We here at Tinkercast have partnered with our friends at Wondery to bring your family new episodes of Once Upon a Beat."
    • Dennis [14:46]: "Once Upon a Beat remixes fairy tales and fables as old as time, giving them a fresh spin with some rhythm and rhyme."

Key Insights:

• Highlights Tinkercast's commitment to innovative and entertaining educational content.
• Introduces listeners to cross-platform collaborations enhancing the storytelling experience.

4. Storytelling Segment: "Abby Yoyo" [15:39 - 22:28]

The heart of the episode features a creative retelling of a South African folktale, brought to life by DJ Fuchs (voiced by Grandma GeForce).

• Introduction to the Tale [15:39 - 17:54]:

  • DJ Fuchs: Introduces the characters Asani (a spirited ukulele player) and Nafasi (his magician father), alongside the antagonist Abby Yoyo, a giant causing havoc in their village.
    • Quote: DJ Fuchs [16:00]: "Today I'm hitting up a South African folktale about a high spirited ukulele playing little boy and his practical joke loving magician dad."

• Character Dynamics and Conflicts [17:55 - 21:35]:

  • Asani's Music: Described as a disruptive force in the village, with his loud ukulele playing affecting the community.
    • Quote: DJ Fuchs [18:12]: "He danced through town, strumming and walking. Music was his language, and his ukulele did the talking."
  • Nafasi's Magic: Limited to repetitive tricks, which eventually irritate the neighbors.
    • Quote: DJ Fuchs [19:10]: "He had a very big laugh and a smile that would shine."

• Community Response and Resolution [21:13 - 22:28]:

  • After persistent disturbances, the villagers devise a plan to encourage Asani and Nafasi to leave town.
  • Invitation to Talent Contest: A note invites them to a faraway city's talent contest, offering support to attend.
    • Quote: DJ Fuchs [23:10]: "We've been invited to a talent contest in a faraway city. They heard all about your ukulele and my tricks."

• Interruption and Cliffhanger [22:28]:

  • The storytelling is humorously interrupted by Reggie recording karaoke over the tale's audio, leaving the story incomplete.
    • Mindy [23:04]: "Do Asani and Nafasi leave town? Do the townspeople realize that they're actually super cool and not annoying? And who is Abby Yoyo? I have to know, Reggie."

Key Insights:

• Combines traditional storytelling with modern elements like hip-hop, making it engaging for young audiences.
• Illustrates themes of community impact, creativity, and resilience.

5. Conclusion and Listener Engagement [22:28 - 25:38]

Dennis and Reggie reflect on the interrupted story and discuss potential future interactions with DJ Fuchs to continue the narrative.

• Listener Interaction:

  • Dennis: Expresses eagerness to hear the rest of "Abby Yoyo."
    • Quote: Dennis [23:02]: "I have to know, Reggie. I have to know."

• Future Plans:

  • Plans to invite DJ Fuchs for an interview to uncover more about the storytelling process.
    • Quote: Dennis [25:32]: "I need to go and call DJ Fuchs and ask him to come down to the basement so I can interview him and find out all his secrets from my devoted listener."

• Closing Remarks:

  • Encourages listeners to tune in for future episodes and participate by submitting questions.
    • Mindy [25:32]: "Bye."

Key Insights:

• Maintains listener interest with open-ended storytelling, encouraging continued engagement.
• Reinforces the show's interactive nature, fostering a community of curious and engaged young minds.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• River Riddle Answer:
  Mindy [07:47]: "Answer. A river."

• Library Love:
  Dennis [08:14]: "I love the library and the library loves me."

• Shark Teeth Humor:
  Dennis [09:28]: "I think sharks have somewhere between 12 and a million teeth."

• Story Introduction:
  DJ Fuchs [16:00]: "Today I'm hitting up a South African folktale about a high spirited ukulele playing little boy and his practical joke loving magician dad."

• Talent Contest Invitation:
  DJ Fuchs [23:10]: "We've been invited to a talent contest in a faraway city. They heard all about your ukulele and my tricks."

• Future Interaction Plan:
  Dennis [25:32]: "I need to go and call DJ Fuchs and ask him to come down to the basement so I can interview him and find out all his secrets from my devoted listener."

Conclusion

"WeWow on the Weekend" successfully blends educational content with entertainment, fostering a sense of curiosity and engagement among its young audience and their families. Through interactive segments like Q&A and innovative storytelling collaborations, the show exemplifies its mission to inspire wonder and learning in a fun, accessible manner.

For those interested in catching up on the full episode or revisiting specific segments like "Once Upon a Beat," episodes are available on Wondery+, Wondery Kids, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Listen to more episodes and explore the latest in science, technology, and innovation at Wow in the World.