WeWow on the Weekend (6/28/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: Episode Summary – "WeWow on the Weekend" (June 28, 2025)

Released on June 28, 2025, "WeWow on the Weekend" is a special episode of the beloved science podcast for kids and their grown-ups, "Wow in the World," hosted by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz. This episode features a blend of engaging segments, including listener interactions, behind-the-scenes insights, and a deep dive into sustainable innovations in footwear. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing all the key discussions, insights, and memorable moments from the episode.

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1. WeWow on the Weekend Segment (03:25 – 12:42)

Hosts: Dennis and Reggie

The episode kicks off with Dennis and Reggie introducing their segment, "WeWow on the Weekend," a lighthearted and humorous take on weekend activities. Filmed "live" from Dennis's mother's basement, the hosts engage in playful banter and entertaining antics that set a fun and relaxed tone for the episode.

Notable Highlights:

• Casual Conversations and Humor:

  • Dennis opens with enthusiasm: "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." (03:25)
  • The duo navigates amusing technical glitches and pre-recorded show mishaps, enhancing the comedic element.

• Q&A Segment:

  • Listeners' questions, such as "Do you know how to speak French?" from Abby (05:01), and "What is it like being a bird?" from Gabby (05:30), are addressed with witty responses.
  • Dennis showcases his limited French skills humorously: "As far as my French speaking skills go, does this answer your question? Papier mache, allowance, Silhouette, Omelette gazette, Deja vu." (05:13)
  • Reggie, humorously clarifies his avian nature: "Right. Well, technically Reggie's not a bird. He's a giant pigeon." (05:40)

• Interactive Games:

  • A spontaneous clapping game emerges, highlighting the hosts’ playful chemistry: "Dennis, baby, I'll put you in the toaster. What's up, Thomas Fingerling? What's up, Guy Raz? What's up, Grandma? G4's eating applesauce." (05:57)

• Behind-the-Scenes Insight:

  • The segment transitions to "Inside Tinkercast Studios," where hosts reflect on past episodes, specifically revisiting episode two titled "Corn Your Toes," setting the stage for the main discussion.

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2. Main Segment: Sustainable Sneakers Discussion (12:43 – 20:26)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz

Transitioning from the weekend fun, Mindy and Guy embark on a thought-provoking conversation about sustainability in everyday products, using sneakers as a focal point. This segment combines storytelling with scientific insights to educate and inspire listeners about environmental responsibility.

Key Discussions:

• Picnic Gone Awry:

  • Guy Raz narrates a picnic scenario gone wrong at a landfill: "What is this? I thought you invited me to a picnic." (13:10), setting up a metaphor for waste and sustainability.

• Introduction to Sustainable Sneakers:

  • Mindy Thomas introduces the concept of corn-based sneakers: "I am here to introduce you to a new kind of sneaker. A sneaker so special that it will never see the likes of a place like this." (14:02)
  • The discussion delves into how traditional sneakers contribute to pollution, citing a statistic: "To make one pair of sneakers, it makes so much pollution. Actually, 30 pounds of an invisible gas called carbon dioxide." (15:08)

• Environmental Impact of Traditional Sneakers:

  • Guy Raz recalls scientific insights: "Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology figured out that just to make one pair of sneakers, it makes so much pollution." (15:43), highlighting the carbon footprint associated with sneaker production.

• Innovative Sustainable Materials:

  • Mindy explains the innovation behind corn-based shoes: "These shoes are kind of made in the same way [as corn-based paper plates]. They come from a special kind of corn used to feed animals. And the top part of the sneakers are made entirely from cotton." (17:01)
  • The biodegradability of these sneakers is emphasized: "They'll be broken down by tiny microorganisms in the Earth and ultimately turned to dust, only to become part of the earth again." (17:25)

• Circular Economy and Composting:

  • Guy Raz connects the concept to everyday composting: "Just like when we compost things like banana peels and food scraps in our backyard, and then they turn into soil that we can use in our gardens." (17:43)
  • Mindy envisions a closed-loop system: "One day the people who make these shoes are hoping to turn them into compost or dirt that can be used to grow the corn and the cotton to make a new pair of shoes." (17:53)

• Consumer Availability:

  • Guy Raz expresses eagerness to adopt sustainable sneakers: "That's so cool. So when can I get a pair of these shoes?" (18:06)
  • Mindy informs listeners of upcoming availability: "You're going to have to wait until back to school time later in the fall to get your feet into them." (18:09)

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3. Concluding Remarks and Future Plans (20:26 – End)

Hosts: Dennis and Reggie

Returning from the main segment, Dennis and Reggie wrap up their "WeWow on the Weekend" segment with additional humor and playful plans.

Highlights:

• Sneaker Influencer Jokes:

  • Dennis humorously claims influencer status: "I'm an influencer. Okay, well, let's wrap this up." (19:41)

• Future Segment Ideas:

  • The hosts brainstorm future show ideas, such as a cooking segment: "We should do a cooking segment sometime. That'd be so cool. We'd be like chefs like Chef Dennis and Reggie the sous chef." (19:54)

• Final Sign-Off:

  • Dennis concludes with a cheerful goodbye: "Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to this episode of We Wow on the Weekend Live. Oh, right. Not life. Wee wow on the weekend."[...] (20:09)

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4. Advertisements and Promotions

Throughout the episode, various advertisements promote products and services relevant to the podcast's audience. Notable mentions include:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids:

  • Detailed features are highlighted, emphasizing safety and interactive capabilities: "It gives your child the right tools to safely learn, play, and explore the wows in their world." (08:26)

• Next Playground Motion-Powered Game System:

  • Promoted as an engaging family activity: "Explore wild adventures with how to Train your Dragon, Dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's dollhouse or kick it with Kung Fu Panda." (12:00)

• IXL Online Learning Platform:

  • Supports ongoing education during summer breaks: "Offers interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies and adapts to your child's learning level to provide them with just the right Challenge." (12:15)

Note: Advertisements and promotional content are included herein for comprehensiveness but are generally skipped by listeners seeking the main content.

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5. Reflective and Educational Insights

The episode masterfully integrates educational content within an entertaining format, making complex topics accessible to younger audiences and their families.

Environmental Education:

• By discussing the lifecycle of traditional versus sustainable sneakers, the hosts educate listeners on the importance of sustainable materials and the impact of consumer choices on the environment.
• Guy Raz succinctly captures the essence of individual impact: "We humans can actually help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that's released into the atmosphere." (16:07)

Innovation and Sustainability:

• Mindy Thomas showcases how innovation in materials science can lead to environmentally friendly products, inspiring young listeners to think creatively about solving global challenges.

Engagement and Empowerment:

• The episode empowers listeners by illustrating that everyday choices, such as the type of sneakers one wears, can contribute to broader environmental efforts.

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Conclusion

"WeWow on the Weekend" successfully blends humor, listener interaction, and educational content to deliver a multifaceted listening experience. Through the engaging dialogue between Dennis, Reggie, Mindy, and Guy, listeners are entertained while gaining valuable insights into sustainability and innovation. Memorable quotes and relatable scenarios make complex topics approachable, embodying the podcast's mission to inspire hope, agency, and a collective sense of "WOW" in both children and their grown-ups.

Transcript

[Guy Raz]

Grown Ups Wondery subscribers can listen to wow in the World early and ad free right now. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Mindy]

Hey Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, did you know that you could receive pigeon mail from Reggie? That's right. Reggie has been very hard at work in his new position as ambassador to the World Organization of wowzers, the not so secret organization for WOW seekers and super fans everywhere. Grown Ups. When you sign up for a membership, your wowzer receives a package in the mail with wow in the World gear and top secret missions to complete all year long. That's right Reg. But. And this is a big but. There's more. You'll receive quarterly messages that we sometimes call pigeon droppings and a birthday card delivered directly to your mailbox by Reggie. So what are you waiting for? Unlock the WOW [e-mail] membership that's tinkercast.com membership.

[Reggie]

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[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.

[Mindy]

Yeah.

[Dennis]

We wow on the weekend. Laugh, laugh. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to We Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis, and Reggie's here too. We're coming to you live from mother's basement on Saturdays and Sundays. What do you mean we're not live? Pre recorded. Whatever. I don't know the difference. On today's show we're gonna answer questions and chit chat in our Jim jams. Alright. And we're eating brunch. Okay, let's get to the Q and A segment. 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 wewow 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]

Hi, Dennis, my name's Abby and I'm from Champaign, Illinois. I have a question for you. Do you know how to speak French? Bye. Say hi to Denmark for me.

[Dennis]

Hi, Denmark. Denmark says hi. And as far as my French speaking skills go, does this answer your question? Papier mache, allowance, Silhouette, Omelette gazette, Deja vu. Next question.

[Mindy]

Hi, Dennis, my name is Gabby. I live in Massachusetts. I have a question for Reggie. What is it like being a bird?

[Reggie]

Bye.

[Dennis]

Right. Well, technically Reggie's not a bird. He's a giant pigeon. Reggie, what's it like being a giant pigeon? Oh, wow. Wow, that's amazing. Now I want to be a giant pigeon. Next question.

[Mindy]

Hi, Dennis, My name is Gabe and I live in Michigan. My question is, what's Your favorite game? 5.

[Dennis]

Oh, I have lots of favorite games. Foursquare, that's my favorite. Spud, that's another favorite. Oh, that game with the parachute. Yeah, the parachute game. Total favorite. Reggie. Yes. The clapping game. I love that one. You want to play real quick? Okay, cool. Ready? Down, down, baby. Down by the roller coaster. Baby. Dennis, baby, I'll put you in the toaster. What's up, Thomas Fingerling? What's up, Guy Raz? What's up, Grandma? G4's eating applesauce. Reggie. Reggie sick and be called up Mindy. And Mindy said, pull yourself together. Pull yourself apart, get into the wow machine, and let's go learn something about the universe. Ah, that was great. Well, thanks for your calls, everyone. If you've got a question for me, call and leave me a message. The number is 1-888-7-WOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend. All right, next up is a little se and I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we revisit an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast shows. And this weekend, we're revisiting episodes from the very first season of wow. In the world. Today we're doing a story from episode two. I know, I know. Episode two is the first time you appeared in the show. But, you know, you're only in the intro of the episod, not in the stories. Yeah. Huh? Remember in the intro, you and Mindy flew in to tell Guy Raz what was gonna happen in the episode? And then Guy Raz called you a strange bird. Oh, yeah. Maybe you are a bird after all, huh? Well, the story we're about to listen to is called Corn your toes. I'm not sure why it's called that. Yeah, we should probably just listen to find out why. Okay, here we go. And play wow in the world.

[Mindy]

We'll be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you.

[Reggie]

Today's episode is presented by Samsung. Hey, grown ups. If you've been looking for the right smartwatch to get your kids connected, look no further at Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids. It gives your child the right tools to safely learn, play, and explore the wows in their world. And gives you the tools to set boundaries and monitor their activity. It's the perfect balance of independence for kids and peace of mind for parents. Parents, your kid can call and text right from their wrist, but you choose who they can connect with. It can also share your child's location with you and even establish safe zones with alerts if they venture outside of them. We are so excited about the Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids here at Tinkercast that we teamed up with them to make one of our first apps ever. That's right. Wow in the world. Fans can now play a new round of two. What's in a wow every day on their wrist with the two what's in a wow game for WatchOS? Guess the real wow from the made up what's to earn prizes, unlock badges and enjoy special seasonal games. And they can take Guy, Mindy and Reggie on all of their adventures with the wow in the World Watch Face See the Wow crew come to life with motion activated animation that mirrors the watch's motion. Choose from an outer space theme or seasonal scenes, tap to uncover hidden surprises and pick a background color to really personalize it. Kids can find these awesome wow in the world features and tons more age appropriate content on Google Play. And when playtime is over, you can always put the watch in do Not Disturb mode. Let your kids keep the Wows rolling wherever they go with the Samsung Galaxy Watch for kids get Galaxy Watch 7 on T mobile now. Kid ready with a new paired line? Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. Parent and child must have a Samsung account and Google account with Family Link requires initial pairing with a compatible Samsung smartphone and qualifying wireless plan with LTE service activated. Please check with your carrier for more information. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps, not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active. Supervised Google account required. Kids can still access limited features like calling and texting emergency contacts hey grownups. Ever feel like everyone's glued to their own screen? Want to actually feel good about your family's screen time? Next Playground flips the script with games that get the whole family moving, laughing and playing together. It's a motion powered game system. No controllers or wearables, just your body and a little wiggle. Explore wild adventures with how to Train youn Dragon, Dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's dollhouse or kick it with Kung Fu Panda. It's 100% fun, 0% ads or in app nonsense. Safe, silly screen time that you'll actually feel good about. Ready to play? Visit nexplayground.com that's to bring the fun home. Hey grown ups. It may be summer, but learning doesn't have to stop. Whether you're keeping up a light homeschool curriculum through the break or just want to help your child catch up, stay sharp or get a head start on school. IXL can help. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits perfectly into your homeschool routine even during summer. It offers interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies and adapts to your child's learning level to provide them with just the right Challenge. At Tinkercast, we love learning all year long, so we appreciate the flexibility of IXL to give homeschool families the ability to learn whenever is best for them. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and WOW in the world. Listeners can get an excellent exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com wow Visit ixl.com wow to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

[Dennis]

That's it.

[Mindy]

Back to the show wow in the world.

[Guy Raz]

Hmm, let's see here. Make a left at the bathtub. Kay. Walk five more steps, then hang a Roger at the Rusty Camaro. Then do a 180 degree spin and kick. And what. What kind of directions are these? She's led me to a landfill full of trash.

[Mindy]

Hey, Guy Raz.

[Dennis]

Over here.

[Mindy]

Minnie.

[Guy Raz]

What? What is this? I thought you invited me to a picnic.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, this is a picnic. I cleared out a space for the picnic blanket, and I found some crusty old sandwiches in that rusty washing machine over there.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, great. I'm starving. What are you doing?

[Mindy]

Ah. Never eat a sandwich out of a trash dump. There was a cat living in that thing.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, I noticed that.

[Mindy]

He'll be fine.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy.

[Dennis]

What?

[Guy Raz]

What's going on? I mean, why did you invite me to literally the worst place on earth for a picnic?

[Mindy]

Well, it's funny you should ask.

[Guy Raz]

There is nothing funny about this situation.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, what do you think has happened to every single pair of sneakers that you've ever outgrown or worn out?

[Guy Raz]

Well, I'd have to think. Let's see. My Hush Puppies. Thrown away. My Reebok pumps. Yep, we threw those out, too. My old K Swiss. Wait a minute. Could it be that some of my old shoes are somewhere in this landfill full of trash?

[Mindy]

Okay, now, I'm not here to reunite you with your old vans from fifth grade, but I am here to introduce you to a new kind of sneaker. A sneaker so special that it will never see the likes of a place like this.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, thank goodness. This is a sad and disgusting place. So what is this new kind of shoe?

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, open this picnic basket and see for yourself.

[Guy Raz]

Ah, cats everywhere.

[Mindy]

Oh, it's okay. They're friendly. Did you find the shoe, Mindy?

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, this is just another ordinary sneaker.

[Mindy]

Not just any Guy Raz. This is a sneaker made out of. Wait for it. Wait for it. Wait for it.

[Guy Raz]

That's it. I'm going home.

[Mindy]

Corn.

[Guy Raz]

Corn.

[Mindy]

Corn.

[Guy Raz]

Corn.

[Mindy]

Corn. Well, Corn and cotton. See, here's the thing. Reebok, the company that's been making sneakers for decades, recently discovered a way to make shoes that are sustainable, meaning that they won't hurt the earth when we outgrow and get rid of them.

[Guy Raz]

And they're doing this with corn?

[Mindy]

Yeah. So as you probably know, the soles or bottoms of most shoes are made out of plastics. And to make plastics, you have to burn oil and. And coal and use all these crazy chemicals that can be really bad for planet Earth.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, I seem to remember reading something about this, Mindy. Something about scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who figured out that just to make one pair of sneakers, it makes so much pollution. Actually, 30 pounds of an invisible gas called carbon dioxide. That's like a medium sized dog amount of carbon dioxide.

[Mindy]

Yeah. Crazy, right? And carbon dioxide is going to be around no matter what. Which would be fine, except for the fact that we humans have been going bonker balls with this stuff, and now the Earth is starting to freak out.

[Guy Raz]

Well, Mindy, the good news is that we humans can actually help to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that's released into the atmosphere. And we can do that by, you know, walking more rather than driving, or fixing and reusing old things rather than buying new ones, and even turning off the lights or the electronics when we're not using them.

[Mindy]

Which brings me back to corn shoes.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I love the Earth, but I am not eating your corn shoes.

[Mindy]

Ew, no. Guy Raz. These new corn kicks.

[Guy Raz]

Is that what they're calling them?

[Mindy]

No, that's what I'm calling them.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, okay.

[Mindy]

Anywho, have you ever seen those paper plates and cups and forks made out of corn?

[Guy Raz]

I have. They're amazing because they disintegrate or turn into dust after just a few weeks, so they're much, much better for the environment.

[Mindy]

Well, these shoes are kind of made in the same way. They come from a special kind of corn used to feed animals. And the top part of the sneakers are made entirely from cotton.

[Guy Raz]

Wow. And will these shoes just disintegrate after a few weeks?

[Mindy]

Well, they'll last a lot longer than that. But these shoes won't live in a landfill like this for hundreds of years like ordinary sho. Because they'll be broken down by tiny microorganisms in the Earth and ultimately turned to dust, only to become part of the earth again.

[Guy Raz]

So just like when we compost things like banana peels and food scraps in our backyard, and then they turn into soil that we can use in Our gardens.

[Mindy]

Yep. And the coolest part is that one day the people who make these shoes are hoping to turn turn them into compost or dirt that can be used to grow the corn and the cotton to make a new pair of shoes.

[Guy Raz]

That's so cool. So when can I get a pair of these shoes?

[Mindy]

Well, you're going to have to wait until back to school time later in the fall to get your feet into them.

[Guy Raz]

Well, until then, we better get up on our feet and get out of here, Mindy. It's getting kind of late and pretty stinky.

[Mindy]

Oh yeah. Any idea how to get out of here? I. I'm starving.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, are you telling me we're lost in a landfill and there is no picnic after all?

[Mindy]

No, I didn't say that. But you just did.

[Dennis]

Whoa. Did we have a shoe deal back in season one? Are we sneaker influencers, Reggie? What? We're not. Well, we should be. I'm like a total sneaker head. Yes, I am. Check out this sweet pair of Mikey's I'm wearing right now. No, Reggie, I said Mikeys. My cousin Mikey. You remember him, right? Yeah. Mikey made these and sold them to me. They're so cool. I did not get scammed. I'm an influencer. Okay, well, let's wrap this up. Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to this episode of We Wow on the Weeknd Live. Oh, right. Not life. Wee wow on the weekend. Pre recorded like a normal show. 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, Reggie? Great. That's the end of the show. I need to finish my brunch, but I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show. Bye. This is so good, Reggie. We should do a cooking segment sometime. That'd be so cool. We'd be like chefs like Chef Dennis and Reggie the sous chef. Oh, right, the COO chef.

[Reggie]

Today's episode is presented by Samsung. Hey, grown ups looking for a kid friendly smartwatch that's parent approved. Samsung Galaxy Watch for kids lets you manage their contacts and see their locations and lets them call, text and play games like the two. What's in a wow. Daily game show app. Get Galaxy Watch 7 on T mobile now. Kid ready with a new paired line. Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps. It does not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active.