Wow in the World: Episode Summary – "WeWow on the Weekend" (July 12, 2025)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Podcast: Wow in the World by Tinkercast | Wondery
Release Date: July 12, 2025

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage

The episode "WeWow on the Weekend" begins with Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz diving into the weekend fun, setting a lighthearted and engaging tone for listeners. While initial moments include promotional content, the true essence of the episode unfolds as the hosts transition into their unique segments.

2. Wee Wow on the Weekend Segment

Hosts: Dennis and Reggie
Duration: [02:29] – [16:33]

Dennis and Reggie take center stage in this humorous and playful segment filmed from "mother's basement." They entertain listeners with light-hearted banter, singing, and laughter, creating an inviting atmosphere for family audiences.

Key Highlights:

• Listener Q&A: Dennis attempts to engage with listener questions, showcasing humorous interactions.

  • Mindy's Question: "Hi, my name is Amos Dennis. How do boats float?" ([04:23])

    • Dennis: "How do boats float? Great question, Amos. The answer is they float on water. What do you mean? That's where boats float and not how boats float." ([04:29])

  • Leo's Question: "Hey, Dennis, what's your favorite tiger?" ([05:13])

    • Dennis: "There's more than one tiger? Well, I just know the one on the cereal box. What's his name? No, not that. I'm just gonna call him Terrance." ([05:21])

  • Kira's Question: "What should I do when I'm bored?" ([05:55])

    • Dennis: "Well, Kira, I think you should just be bored. Yeah, being bored is how all the good stuff happens, baby." ([06:03])

• Humorous Anecdotes: Dennis shares funny stories about exploring his own mind and creating imaginary games to cope with boredom, adding a whimsical touch to the segment.

• Closing the Segment: Dennis encourages listeners to leave questions for future episodes, maintaining interactive engagement.

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Revisiting "Bag O Worms"

Segment Introduction:
Mindy introduces the "Inside Tinkercast Studios" segment, where she revisits favorite moments from previous "Wow in the World" episodes. This week's focus is on Season 1, Episode 7, titled "Bag O Worms."

Key Highlights:

• Welda the Wax Worm:
  Mindy reintroduces Welda, her pet wax worm, sparking nostalgic memories and setting the stage for an educational discussion about wax worms.

  • Dennis's Curiosity:
    • Dennis: "What happened to Welda the wax worm? Did she show up again in another episode?" ([15:02])

• Educational Dialogue with Guy Raz:
  The conversation between Mindy and Guy Raz delves deep into the biology and environmental significance of wax worms.

  • Mindy: "Welda is my new pet wax worm." ([08:37])

  • Guy Raz: "Mindy, I've seen you do a lot of weird things during the course of our friendship. Mixing up a bowl of grocery bags has got to be the." ([08:31])

  • Mindy: "She wears clothes and eats grocery bags." ([10:49])

• Discovery of Wax Worms Eating Plastic Bags:
  The segment explores a groundbreaking discovery where wax worms can digest plastic bags, presenting a potential solution to plastic pollution.

  • Mindy: "Frederica decided to take this clue and explore it further." ([09:44])

  • Guy Raz: "Plastic bags are not good for the earth." ([12:19])

  • Mindy: "The plastic in grocery bags isn't one of [the recyclable plastics]." ([13:04])

  • Mindy: "If wax worms eat the bags, their bellies will break down the stubborn polyethylene and turn it into another useful type of liquid used to make things like polyester fabric or even antifreeze for your car." ([13:38])

  • Guy Raz: "I can't hardly wait until this thing becomes a reality, Mindy." ([15:02])

4. Environmental Insights and Scientific Breakthroughs

The heart of the episode lies in the detailed discussion about wax worms' ability to consume and break down plastic bags, offering a beacon of hope for environmental conservation.

Scientific Exploration:

• Frederica Bertochini's Discovery:
  A scientist from the Spanish National Research Council observes that wax worms can chew through plastic grocery bags.

  • Mindy: "Frederica Bertochini... noticed a bunch of wax worms living in her beehives." ([09:36])

  • Mindy: "Wax worms had eaten their way out." ([11:35])

• Collaboration with University of Cambridge Scientists:
  Frederica teams up with Paolo Bombelli and Christopher Howe to investigate the phenomenon.

  • Mindy: "They discovered a special protein in the wax worm's belly that attacks the chemicals that make up the plastic in the bag." ([11:56])

• Potential Environmental Impact:
  The enzyme found in wax worms could revolutionize plastic waste management by transforming polyethylene into ethylene glycol, a valuable industrial chemical.

  • Mindy: "If wax worms eat the bags, their bellies will break down the stubborn polyethylene and turn it into another useful type of liquid... ethylene glycol." ([13:38])

  • Guy Raz: "Plastic bags are not good for the earth... there are a trillion of these bags every year." ([12:19])

Notable Quotes:

• Mindy on Wax Worms' Potential:
  "It's still pretty exciting to think how just a little curiosity as basic as paying extra attention to wormholes in a grocery bag could possibly lead to fixing a huge problem right here on our planet." ([14:19])

• Guy Raz's Enthusiasm:
  "I can't hardly wait until this thing becomes a reality, Mindy." ([15:02])

5. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with Dennis and Reggie humorously concluding their "Wee Wow on the Weekend" segment, leaving listeners with a blend of laughter and food for thought about the innovative uses of wax worms in combating plastic pollution.

Final Interactions:

• Dennis's Farewell:
  "Hooray. That was great... If you've got a question for me, call and leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW." ([16:33])

• Mindy and Guy's Outro:
  Reminding listeners about Wondery's offerings and encouraging engagement through surveys and subscriptions.

6. Key Takeaways and Insights

• Innovative Solutions to Plastic Pollution:
  The discovery that wax worms can digest polyethylene opens new avenues for reducing plastic waste, showcasing the intersection of biology and environmental science.

• Engaging Educational Content:
  The episode effectively blends humor, storytelling, and scientific discussion, making complex topics accessible and entertaining for both kids and their grown-up listeners.

• Importance of Scientific Curiosity:
  Highlighting Frederica Bertochini's keen observation underscores the value of curiosity and meticulous research in driving scientific breakthroughs.

7. Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "How do boats float? Great question, Amos. The answer is they float on water." — Dennis ([04:29])

• "Being bored is how all the good stuff happens, baby." — Dennis ([06:03])

• "Plastic bags are not good for the earth." — Guy Raz ([12:19])

• "If wax worms eat the bags, their bellies will break down the stubborn polyethylene and turn it into another useful type of liquid." — Mindy ([13:38])

• "It's still pretty exciting to think how just a little curiosity could possibly lead to fixing a huge problem right here on our planet." — Mindy ([14:19])

• "I can't hardly wait until this thing becomes a reality, Mindy." — Guy Raz ([15:02])

8. Conclusion

"WeWow on the Weekend" masterfully combines humor, interactive segments, and impactful scientific discussions to educate and entertain its audience. By exploring the remarkable capabilities of wax worms, the episode not only informs listeners about innovative environmental solutions but also inspires curiosity and hope for the future. Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz continue to uphold "Wow in the World" as a leading science podcast for families, fostering a sense of wonder and agency in young minds and their grown-up companions alike.