WeWow on the Weekend (6/7/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend (June 7, 2025)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Publisher: Tinkercast | Wondery
Description: The #1 science podcast for kids and their grown-ups. Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz share stories about the latest news in science, technology, and innovation. Stories that give kids hope, agency and make us all say "WOW"!

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1. Introduction and Q&A Segment (03:06 – 09:05)

The episode kicks off with Reggie and Jim introducing themselves as the host and co-host of "WeWow on the Weekend." They dive into their first segment: a Q&A session where they address listeners' questions.

Notable Discussions:

• Butterflies and Caterpillars:

  • Helen's Question: "Why don't butterflies just be butterflies? Why do they have to be caterpillars first?"
    • Reggie's Response (04:15): "Because, Reggie, caterpillars turning into butterflies is what we call a glow up."
    • Mindy elaborates (04:30): Describes the transformation process from caterpillar to butterfly, highlighting the magical "glow up" that fascinates everyone.

• Colors of the Rainbow:

  • Landon R.'s Question: "How do they choose the colors in the rainbow and why those colors?"
    • Reggie's Answer (05:45): Explains the scientific basis of rainbow colors stemming from light refraction and dispersion. He humorously adds, "I think they choose those colors because they're pretty. Although they probably chose indigo just to confuse people."

• Playing the Guitar:

  • Joe's Question: "Can you play the guitar? And if so, can you give us a sample?"
    • Reggie's Attempt (07:20): Sings a rendition of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," which Mindy critiques humorously, leading to Reggie's playful rebuttal, "What? It sounds horrible. Fine, then you do better."
    • Mindy's Response (07:35): Encourages Reggie, affirming both of their guitar skills humorously.

This segment not only answers curiosity-driven questions but also showcases the hosts' playful chemistry, making scientific concepts accessible and entertaining.

2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Highlight on "Once Upon a Beat" (09:05 – 12:35)

Reggie introduces the "Inside Tinkercast Studios" segment, where they revisit another Tinkercast show.

• Feature Highlight: "Once Upon a Beat":
  • Mindy's Introduction (11:32): Announces the return of "Once Upon a Beat," a podcast that remixes classic fairy tales with hip-hop elements.
  • Guests and Collaborators (11:43 – 12:09): Mentions DJ Fuch as the host and Secret Agent 23's Cadoo contributing original hip-hop songs.
  • Availability (12:16 – 12:35): Provides listeners with information on how to access the podcast early and ad-free through Wondery+ and other platforms.

This segment promotes cross-content engagement within the Tinkercast network, encouraging listeners to explore related educational and entertaining content.

3. Gene Editing Technology Discussion (13:00 – 26:43)

The core of the episode revolves around an engaging and educational discussion on gene editing technology, particularly focusing on CRISPR and its potential applications.

Key Topics Covered:

• Introduction to Genes and DNA:

  • Reggie (15:00): "Genes decide what color our eyes are."
    • Mindy's Analogy (16:17): Compares human DNA letters (A, G, C, T) to bricks in a building, simplifying the complex nature of genetic code.

• CRISPR Technology:

  • Mindy's Explanation (20:15): "CRISPR makes it easy to move genes around in any living thing."
    • Reggie's Addition (20:30): Discusses the potential of CRISPR to edit out disease-causing genes, providing hope for curing genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy.

• Potential to Cure Diseases:

  • Reggie's Insight (21:07): Highlights how CRISPR could fix genetic disorders before a baby is born, emphasizing the groundbreaking nature of this technology.

• Ethical and Practical Considerations:

  • Mindy and Reggie engage in light-hearted banter about gene editing applications, blending humor with scientific facts to maintain engagement.

Notable Quotes:

• Reggie (19:05): "CRISPR technology that could revolutionize medical science."
• Mindy (22:03): "Scientists could fix these genetic disorders even before the baby was born."

This segment effectively demystifies advanced genetic concepts, presenting them in a kid-friendly manner while still conveying the significance and potential impact of CRISPR technology.

4. Time Machine Skit: Bringing Back Woolly Mammoths (23:06 – 26:43)

Transitioning from the educational discussion, the hosts perform a creative skit involving a time machine to illustrate the practical applications of gene editing.

Skit Highlights:

• Introduction of the Time Machine (23:12 – 24:00): Mindy and Reggie humorously attempt to operate a time machine, leading to an accidental journey to the Pleistocene era.

• Encounter with Woolly Mammoths (23:45 – 24:20):

  • Reggie (24:00): "Woolly mammoths."
  • Mindy's Observation (24:07): "Oh, they're so cute."
  • Reggie's Explanation (24:15): "Elephants are distant relatives of the woolly mammoth."

• Potential Revival of Mammoths (25:02 – 26:43):

  • Reggie's Discussion (25:30): Explains how scientists aim to combine woolly mammoth DNA with modern elephants to potentially bring these extinct creatures back.
  • Environmental Impact (27:22): Reggie discusses how woolly mammoths could help combat climate change by preserving permafrost, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Notable Quotes:

• Reggie (25:49): "Two years? Woolly mammoths in two years?"
• Mindy (26:01): "So how will they do this?"
• Reggie (27:05): "Researchers at Imperial College in London have experimented with gene editing technology that could make mosquitoes that don't carry malaria."

The skit seamlessly integrates humor and imagination with scientific facts, reinforcing the earlier discussion on gene editing by showcasing its potential to address real-world environmental and health issues.

5. Conclusion and Call to Action (26:43 – End)

As the episode wraps up, Reggie and Jim engage in a final exchange that reiterates the excitement around gene editing while maintaining the episode's playful tone.

• Final Thoughts:

  • Reggie (29:00): Emphasizes the transformative potential of gene editing technologies like CRISPR in combating diseases and even addressing climate change.

• Listener Engagement:

  • Reggie (30:58): Encourages listeners to submit their questions via phone to be featured in future episodes.

• Closing Remarks:

  • Mindy (31:05): Reminds listeners about the benefits of subscribing to Wondery for early and ad-free access.

Notable Quotes:

• Mindy (29:23): "So how could these mammoths help us?"
• Reggie (29:32): "We might be on the path to truly discovering how we could do this."

The episode concludes by reinforcing the educational content while fostering a sense of community and ongoing curiosity among listeners.

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Key Takeaways:

• Engaging Education: The hosts effectively simplify complex scientific topics like gene editing and genetics, making them accessible to a younger audience without diluting their importance.

• Interactive Segments: Through Q&A and creative skits, the episode maintains listener engagement, encouraging curiosity and further exploration of scientific topics.

• Humor and Chemistry: Mindy and Reggie's playful interactions add a relatable and entertaining layer to the educational content, enhancing the overall listening experience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Reggie (04:15): "Because, Reggie, caterpillars turning into butterflies is what we call a glow up."
• Reggie (05:45): "I think they choose those colors because they're pretty. Although they probably chose indigo just to confuse people."
• Reggie (15:00): "Genes decide what color our eyes are."
• Mindy (20:15): "CRISPR makes it easy to move genes around in any living thing."
• Reggie (27:05): "Researchers at Imperial College in London have experimented with gene editing technology that could make mosquitoes that don't carry malaria."

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For more "Wow in the World" episodes and to explore the fascinating intersection of science and fun, subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or visit wonderykids.amazon.com.

Transcript

[Mindy]

Hey, grown ups. Happy Dino Day. It's me, Mindy. And before we start the show, did you know that scientists actually don't know what color dinosaurs were? Yeah, scientists make educated guesses based on fossilized feathers or skin impressions. But no one is 100% certain what colors dinosaurs actually were when they roamed the Earth 66 million years ago. So when we made our own wow in the World, Dinosaur toys, Guy Raz and I added a little pop of color to make those dinos really roar. Yep, that's why the wow in the World jumbo T. Rex dinosaur is neon blue and purple. And the baby brontosaurus in our baby dino bucket is bright orange and pink. To discover even more wows about dinosaurs for the dino fans in your world, grown ups, visit Amazon.com wonderykids to shop all of our colorful dinosaur toys. And more coming soon. Plus, don't forget to pre order our newest book, Dinosaurs Are Wow. A roaring thunder of prehistoric wonder coming to a bookshelf near you this October. Pre order today. Wherever you get your books, just search Dinosaurs Are Wow. At your favorite retailer. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Hey, grown ups. 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 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 n e xplayground.com to bring the fun home. Do you want to spend another summer stuck at home?

[Mindy]

Hey, Jim, how's your back?

[Reggie]

Oh, you know.

[Mindy]

I hear ya.

[Guy Raz]

Leave the small talk behind because Disney.

[Jim]

And Pixar invite you on an out.

[Guy Raz]

Of this world adventure.

[Mindy]

Engaging Hyperspeed.

[Jim]

This is awesome.

[Guy Raz]

Awesome on June 20th.

[Mindy]

Welcome to the communiverse.

[Jim]

Prepare to be conquered.

[Mindy]

But I just got here. Follow me. What is this, Lace? These are the lava tunnels. I am not fireproof.

[Guy Raz]

Disney Pixar's elio in theaters June 20th. Tickets available now. Rated PG. Parental guidance suggested.

[Jim]

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.

[Reggie]

Me.

[Jim]

And 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. Veggie, what are you doing? You're so starting the podcast, Reggie. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Don't start without me. Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop. I'm here. I'm here. Reggie. I told you I was going to the bathroom and I'd be right back. What? I haven't been upstairs for two hours. What time is it? Oh, whatever. An hour and 45 minutes is not two hours. Besides, I'm ready now. We can start. Ahem. Hello and welcome to Wee Wow on the wee. Well, did you tell the listeners that I'm the host and you're the co host, and you told everyone that? We chit chat and answer questions from devoted listeners and listen to our favorite episodes of Tinkercast podcasts. Okay, great. I'll take it from there. And we listen to our favorite episodes of Tinkercast podcasts. And today we're gonna. Today we're gonna. What are we gonna do on the show today? Questions. Great. Yes, we are going to answer questions today. Okay, time for the first segment that I totally planned on having. The Q and A segment. Ahem. The Q and A segment. This is the part where we print out a bunch of questions that people left us on Apple podcasts and Spotify or whatever and read them aloud. Right. These are aren't ravousies. These are questions. Our first question comes from Helen. Helen asks, why don't butterflies just be butterflies? Why do they have to be caterpillars first? Wow, this is a great question, Helen. Because, Reggie, caterpillars turning into butterflies is what we call a glow up. Right? So when caterpillars are born. Hatched. Whatever. When caterpillars are hatched and they're just the little wormy things, they're not too special. Right, right. But then after they take a nap in their little sleeping bags. Chrysalises, whatever. After they take a nap, they transform into beautiful butterflies. Exactly. Everybody loves a transformation. It's like magic. And then everyone's like, wow, did you see that butterfly who used to look like a green bean with legs? What a glow. Hope that helps. Next question. This next question is from Landon R. Landon asks, how do they choose the colors in the rainbow and why those colors? Good question, Landon. Okay, so just to review, the colors of the rainbow are red, orange, Yellow, green, blue, um, indigo. Right, I always forget about that one. And purple, violet, whatever. And I think they choose those colors because they're pretty. Although they probably chose indigo just to confuse people, because I don't know anyone who ever says the word indigo. And. Wait, Reggie, what do you mean nobody chose the colors? The colors in a real rainbow come from refracted light and reflection and dispersion and physics and science. Well, I don't know what any of that means, but, Landon, if you're drawing a rainbow, you can choose whatever colors you want. Kay, next question. This last question comes from Joe, who asks, can you play the guitar? And if so, can you give us a sample? Well, of course I can, Jo. Just let me pull the old kid fiddle out. Gotta tune this baby up real quick. That sounds good. And here we go. Row, row, row. You're about gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. Reggie. What? It sounds horrible. Fine, then you do better. Oh, wow. Keep going, keep going. Ah. Wow, Reggie, you really are good. Well, there you have it, Joe. Me and Reggie can both play guitar pretty well. Okay, fine. Reggie's really good. And I need to practice more. Whatever. Okay, I think that's enough for today. Thanks for your questions, everyone. Keep em coming. If you write me a question on Apple podcasts or Spotify, I just might read it on WEWOW on the weekend. Okay, next up is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Ahem. 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 two, episode nine called Homegrown Genome. Wait, what's a genome? Is it like jeans? Like pants for gnomes? Okay, okay, let's just listen to the episode. Here we go. And play.

[Mindy]

Wee.

[Reggie]

Wow.

[Mindy]

Will be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you.

[Guy Raz]

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. 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 and 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 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. 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. Supervised Google account required. Kids can still access limited features like calling and texting emergency contacts.

[Mindy]

Hey grown ups, It's Mindy and Guy Raz from wow in the World. And guess what?

[Reggie]

What's the good news?

[Mindy]

Mindy Once Upon a Beat is back with brand new episodes.

[Reggie]

Oh I love that podcast.

[Mindy]

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

[Reggie]

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 Fuch and features original hip hop songs from Grammy Award winning artist Secret Agent 23's Cadoo.

[Reggie]

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.

[Jim]

What in the world?

[Mindy]

Okay, Reggie, wrench me.

[Reggie]

Right.

[Mindy]

Twist that up there. Gonna need the hammer, staple gun, and some hot glue. Ouch. Ooh. Good morning, Guy Raz.

[Reggie]

Mindy, I came over as soon as I heard about your new invention. I am so excited to see it.

[Mindy]

Thanks for your enthusiasm, Guy Raz. Put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this baby, but it's gonna be worth it.

[Reggie]

I know I talk about it a lot, but I really think gene editing technology is one of the most exciting and fascinating things happening in right now.

[Mindy]

Well, I hope you brought your brain pump, Guy Raz, because this invention is going to blow your mind. Now sit back and relax as I present to you the latest and greatest in gene editing technology. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Party pants. That's Pocket Pizzazzer. Huh.

[Reggie]

Wait, what is that, Mindy? It looks like a cross between a stapler and a sewing machine.

[Mindy]

Let me ask you a question, Guy Raz. How many times have you looked at yourself in the mirror and thought, hmm, if only there was a way for me to spice up these old wool trousers. Like, maybe you wanted to attach some little belts to the bottoms but couldn't find the time.

[Reggie]

Well, I don't.

[Mindy]

Well, those problems are a thing of the past with the Party Pants Pocket Pizzazzer. Just gonna rev this baby up.

[Reggie]

Mindy, when you invited me over to share your latest invention in gene editing technology, I thought you were talking about genes, not jeans. Oh, clearly we're not on the same page here.

[Mindy]

Ah, yeah, you're talking about genes in our bodies, and I'm talking about the genes that you wear on your body. Ugh. Well, this is embarrassing.

[Reggie]

Yes. Genes, as in genomes, as in the DNA, as in the code of life, as in the stuff that makes you you. And me me.

[Mindy]

I know what genes, as in genomes, are, Guy Raz. They're like the instruction manuals for our bodies.

[Reggie]

Genes decide what color our eyes are.

[Mindy]

How tall we are, or whether or not we have to wear glasses like you?

[Reggie]

Exactly. Your genes decide whether you have allergies or red hair, or, in some cases, if you're born with a certain type of condition called a genetic disorder.

[Mindy]

So, like when a person has something like celiac disease, for example, and their bodies don't like gluten, and then they get really sick if they eat it. That kind of thing?

[Reggie]

Yep.

[Mindy]

And every time I hear people talk about the genes in your body, they always seem to talk about DNA as well.

[Reggie]

Exactly. So if genes are kind of like the instruction manual for the body, then DNA are the letters and words on the page of that instruction manual.

[Mindy]

And if I remember correctly, Guy Raz, the letters that make up the DNA code are A, G, C and T, right?

[Reggie]

Well, that's right. Every single species on Earth is made up of these four letters. A, G, C and T. And each letter represents a different chemical that is a little like a building block that makes us. Well, us.

[Mindy]

So kind of like if we humans were buildings, then each letter would be a different brick.

[Reggie]

And, Mindy, if you printed out every single letter that makes up one human being's genetic code, it would be 3.2 bricks, billion letters of DNA.

[Mindy]

Wait a minute. 3.2 billion letters? Guy Raz, that's like 800 dictionaries worth of letters.

[Reggie]

Yes, and those 800 dictionaries, well, together, it's like the recipe book for one human being. Whoa. And, Mindy, the cool thing is that depending on the order you put those four letters in, well, that determines so much about our physical characteristics.

[Mindy]

Okay, I think I got it. So let's say, for example, I was born with a unicorn horn. That might mean that my DNA letters were all scrambled up, right?

[Reggie]

Well, yeah, even though that would be very, very rare and possibly unlikely.

[Mindy]

So then why were you so excited when you heard that I was inventing a gene editing machine?

[Reggie]

Well, because it would mean that we could reorder or change or. Or edit those DNA letters and possibly help to heal people who are sick.

[Mindy]

So it's kind of like editing a book or a newspaper or even an email to your grandma. On the computer, you could just swap out an A and a C and replace it with a T. Or if.

[Reggie]

There was DNA code that actually makes you sick. Well, in theory, with a gene editing machine, we could just edit those out or cut out those pesky DNA letters that are causing trouble in our bodies.

[Mindy]

Well, guess that means it's adios to the party Pants Pocket Pizzazzar.

[Reggie]

No, don't. Don't throw it away, Mindy. I mean, you could still use it on, you know, on the jeans you're wearing.

[Mindy]

Yeah, that's a good point. I guess I could just edit my Levi's into Mevi's.

[Reggie]

Mevi's? Yeah, Me Vi. Oh, now I get it. Levi's into me Levi's. Mindy, where'd you go?

[Mindy]

Hang on a second, Guy Raz. I just had to grab a book from my library.

[Reggie]

Wait.

[Mindy]

Okay, I'm back. All right, let's see here. I Got my trusty genetic dictionary. Now, let's see. Chromosomes, no CO dominance, no copy number variation. Nope, that's. Oh, here it is.

[Reggie]

Look, Mindy, we've had fried chicken for lunch every day, and I'm getting sick.

[Mindy]

I'm not talking about crispy fried chicken guy Raz. I'm talking about gene editing.

[Reggie]

Oh, of course. Right. Crispr. You're talking about the groundbreaking path making gene editing technology that could revolutionize medical science.

[Mindy]

When you were talking about gene editing, I remembered that I read something about this new way to heal humans who are sick. And it's with this technology called crispr.

[Reggie]

Also known as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, or crispr.

[Mindy]

And this amazing scientific technology was developed by biologists working for professor Jennifer Doudna at UC Berkeley in California.

[Reggie]

And biologists are scientists who study light life, like humans and animals and plants, and even microscopic or teeny tiny organisms like the bacteria on your hand.

[Mindy]

I have bacteria on my hands. I just washed them, like, two weeks ago. Why do I have hand bacteria?

[Reggie]

Well, we all do. Lots and lots of it.

[Mindy]

I gotta go wash them again. Be right back. Okay, I'm back. Where were we?

[Reggie]

We were talking about CRISPR technology.

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah. The easiest way to explain it is that CRISPR makes it easy to move genes around in any living thing. So living things like bacteria, and, of course, humans.

[Reggie]

And with CRISPR technology, you could go into the human body, find the chain of letters that causes a disease or a genetic disorder, and then just cut out those letters or replace them with the right letters.

[Mindy]

Well, it hasn't been done in an actual living, breathing human just yet. But scientists have successfully used this technology in human embryos in a laboratory, so they know that it could eventually work in us.

[Reggie]

Wow. A human embryo. That's the stage when we grow inside our mom's bellies before we are born.

[Mindy]

Yep. And there's a lot of excitement around the possibility of being able to change some genes inside the human embryo. Genes that, if they weren't changed, could cause the embryo to become a human with a disease.

[Reggie]

Wow. What kinds of diseases or genetic disorders?

[Mindy]

Well, for starters, things like cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy or Huntington's disease.

[Reggie]

That's amazing, Mindy. I know that. That kids and grownups with cystic fibrosis have a really hard time breathing, and they can get sick a lot.

[Mindy]

Yep. And muscular dystrophy is also a condition that some people are born with. And over time, their muscles break down, which means they have a Difficult time walking.

[Reggie]

So, in theory, if CRISPR technology works, scientists could fix these genetic disorders even before the baby was born, while it was still growing inside her mommy's belly.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, scientists have already shown that it can be done in the lab working on human cells.

[Reggie]

So it's just a matter of time before this technology is going to be used on real, live human beings.

[Mindy]

Yeah, and in fact, there are already some clinical trials happening right now.

[Reggie]

And clinical trials are when doctors ask people who are sick to volunteer to take certain medicine or try out a new medical operation.

[Mindy]

You got it.

[Reggie]

Well, that all sounds really cool, but you know what I'm super excited about?

[Mindy]

Oh, no, Guy Raz, please don't tell me you're genetically engineering Slurpees to taste like kale salad.

[Reggie]

What? No, no, Mindy, I'm talking about bringing the past right here to the present.

[Mindy]

Wait a minute. Say that again.

[Reggie]

Bringing the past right here to the present.

[Mindy]

You mean. You mean yesterday to today?

[Reggie]

Well, sort of, yeah.

[Mindy]

What does that have to do with gene editing?

[Reggie]

Well, actually, Mindy, I'll show you. Here.

[Mindy]

Did that just fall through my gingerbread ceiling?

[Reggie]

Hop into the time machine.

[Mindy]

Well, okay, but I'm driving this time.

[Reggie]

Wait, what?

[Mindy]

Saddle up and hold on to your hot tamales. Guy Raz, wait.

[Reggie]

No, no, Mindy, you drive. Mindy.

[Mindy]

Well, I'm glad I glued all my old stuffed animals to the walls of this thing. Really made for a softer landing.

[Reggie]

Oh, yeah. I thought they were for insulation. Oh, well, hey, let's open this hatch up.

[Mindy]

Let's do it.

[Reggie]

Whoa.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, are we back in the Pleistocene era because. Because it's freezing.

[Reggie]

I know. We're just here for a brief moment because I want you to see those over there.

[Jim]

Woolly mammoths. Oh, they're so cute.

[Reggie]

Mindy, what do those mammoths remind you of?

[Mindy]

A Snuffleupagus?

[Reggie]

No, no, no. I mean a real animal.

[Mindy]

Oh. Oh, yeah. Well, I guess an elephant.

[Reggie]

Exactly right. Elephants are distant relatives of the woolly mammoth.

[Mindy]

Kind of like how we humans are distant cousins of chimpanzees.

[Reggie]

Yes, exactly.

[Mindy]

Okay, so why are we looking at woolly mammoths again?

[Reggie]

Because, believe it or not, Mindy, there are scientists who believe that we could take some of the DNA from these woolly mammoths and combine it with DNA from modern elephants and possibly bring these gentle giants back to life.

[Mindy]

Gentle? Guy Raz, isn't that a stampede of woolly mammoths heading our way right now?

[Reggie]

We better get out of here.

[Mindy]

Mindy, Run, run, run, run, run, run. Run, run, run. Okay, hop inside, Guy Raz. All right, let me punch in the coordinates.

[Reggie]

Hurry up, Mindy.

[Jim]

They're.

[Reggie]

They're getting closer.

[Jim]

I'm going as fast as I can.

[Reggie]

Quick. I don't think our time machine is gonna survive this mammoth stampede.

[Mindy]

Almost.

[Reggie]

I must admit, Mindy, those stuffed animals really do make the landing a lot more comfortable.

[Mindy]

See, I told you we needed them all.

[Reggie]

Fair point.

[Mindy]

So you started to tell me about these scientists who want to bring back the woolly mammoth using gene editing technology.

[Reggie]

Yes. It's amazing. There are scientists at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who say that. That we might be able to crack this nut within two years.

[Mindy]

Two years? Wooly mammoths in two years?

[Reggie]

Well, maybe not real live woolly mammoths, but we might be on the path to truly discovering how we could do this.

[Mindy]

So how will they do this?

[Reggie]

Well, the cool thing about DNA is that it stays around even after humans and animals die. In fact, it can stay around for thousands of years in lives. Our.

[Mindy]

So we can actually get woolly mammoth DNA even though they're extinct?

[Reggie]

Yup.

[Mindy]

That's bunker balls.

[Reggie]

And even more amazing, Mindy, is that scientists believe that by using gene editing technology, they could, in theory, cut out the letters of an elephant's DNA code and then replace those letters with DNA from a big, hairy woolly mammoth.

[Mindy]

That's amazing. But let me just get one thing straight. So if that happened, it wouldn't become a real woolly mammoth because it would be part elephant. So it might be more like a woolly elephant, actually.

[Reggie]

That's right. It's sort of like when you cross two different types of dogs, the baby dog that's born looks a little like both.

[Mindy]

So how could these mammofins help us?

[Reggie]

Well, the researchers at Harvard have suggested that these woolly heroes could help us fight climate change. You know, the temperature of the Earth getting hotter, by reducing the amount of permafrost melting in frozen areas of Earth.

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah, permafrost. So permafrost is that land up around the Arctic Circle, closer to the North Pole, that's permanently frozen. And when it melts, it releases huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, right?

[Reggie]

That's right. And these. These big woolly mammoths could, in theory, help slow down the permafrost melting by using their huge legs to push down on the snow and compact it and keep it frozen.

[Mindy]

That's so cool.

[Reggie]

And even cooler than that, Mindy is researchers at Imperial College in London because they've experimented with gene editing technology that could make mosquitoes through that don't have a virus called malaria.

[Mindy]

Wait a minute. Isn't malaria like a super dangerous virus that can make us really sick?

[Reggie]

Yes, yes. And while it can be cured, it can still make you really sick. And it's usually only found in mosquitoes in very, very warm places, so countries that are around the equator or the center of our planet.

[Mindy]

And just to be clear, you can protect yourself by being really, really careful to use a lot of medications. Mosquito repellent, right?

[Reggie]

That's right. But the best part of this new mosquito gene editing is that the mosquitoes that were born with the ability to fight off or resist the malaria virus also passed along that genetic trait or characteristic to their babies.

[Mindy]

So you're saying that the mosquitoes babies were also malaria resist even though they never had their genomes edited?

[Reggie]

Yes, exactly.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, do you know what this means?

[Reggie]

What?

[Mindy]

We could see the end of malaria, one of the deadliest diseases on our planet. And it could happen within our lifetime.

[Reggie]

Indeed we could.

[Mindy]

Well, I know my original jean editing machine was a little bit different, but I could still edit your wooly trousers together with these skinny hipster jeans I just picked up at the store.

[Reggie]

No thanks, Mindy. I think I'll stick with my wool trousers.

[Mindy]

But I could edit on some bells and some sequins.

[Reggie]

I'm not sure.

[Mindy]

Rhinestones, some glitter, a few patches. Ooh, beads, pearls, ribbon, some flowers.

[Jim]

Wow, gene editing sounds so cool. Sure, sure, sure. All that stuff about woolly mammoths and making mosquitoes resistant to malaria and helping cure genetic disorders and diseases. That stuff's cool too. But I'm talking about pants. Yes, Reggie, I want my blue jeans edited. I need more pockets. Yes. I want so many pockets that my pockets have pockets. Or maybe one big pocket. Okay, let's wrap up the show and then go to Mindy's house so she can make his pocket pants. 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-WOW. I just might answer your question on Wee W. Okay, should we do the goodbye song? Good. Ahem. That's the end of the show. I need to go and pick some pockets. But I don't mean stealing. I mean selecting a bunch of new pockets for my pants. But I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show.

[Mindy]

Eee.

[Reggie]

Eee.

[Jim]

Bye.

[Mindy]

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

[Reggie]

Join Wondery in 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.