WeWow on the Weekend: Exploring the Science of Animal Poop

Episode: WeWow on the Weekend
Release Date: July 13, 2025
Hosts: Dennis & Reggie
Podcast: Wow in the World by Tinkercast | Wondery

Introduction to WeWow on the Weekend

The episode kicks off with Dennis and his sidekick Reggie welcoming listeners to "WeWow on the Weekend," setting a playful and engaging tone for the show. Their light-hearted banter lays the foundation for an episode filled with curiosity, humor, and scientific exploration.

Q&A Segment: Listener Questions and Riddles

Dennis opens the floor to questions from young listeners, fostering an interactive and community-driven atmosphere.

• Lucy from Venice, California [05:37]:
  Riddle: "One night, a king and a queen walked into a castle. No one was in there. It was completely empty. Who else was in the castle with the king and the queen?"
  Dennis's Initial Guess: "A mouse or something."
  Answer Revealed by Lucy: "The night."
  Dennis's Reflection: "One night, like a knight in shining armor. Wow, that was a good one. And I almost had it."

• Claire from Georgia [07:18]:
  Question: "How did you and Reggie meet?"
  Dennis's Answer: Recalling a previous episode, "An Elevator to the Stars," where Guy Raz and Reggie attend the Elevates concert, highlighting the hosts' interconnected stories.

• June's Joke Inquiry [08:07]:
  Question: "What is the funniest joke you've learned in your whole entire life? And why?"
  Dennis's Response:
  Dennis shares a complex joke involving an elephant, a giraffe, and a chameleon at an airport, demonstrating his spontaneous and humorous storytelling style.

Notable Quote:
"I almost had it. Next question or riddle?" — Dennis [07:08]

Inside Tinkercast Studios: Revisiting "Velocity of Poop"

In this segment, Dennis and Reggie revisit a story from the first season titled "The Velocity of Poop." The hosts express their amusement and slight apprehension about discussing such a "gross but fascinating" topic, setting the stage for an in-depth scientific conversation.

Notable Quote:
"Ew. Is this a gross one? Well, did Guy Raz think it was gross?" — Reggie [09:00]

Main Discussion: The Science of Animal Poop

Dennis and Reggie delve into a detailed discussion about a scientific study conducted by researchers David Hu and Patricia Yang from the Georgia Institute of Technology. The conversation revolves around the peculiarities of animal excretion and its broader scientific implications.

• Recreating the Experiment [12:45 - 16:28]:
  Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas engage in a humorous reenactment of the researchers timing how fast different mammals poop. They discuss the methodology, including videotaping 34 different mammals at the Atlanta Zoo, and explore fascinating findings such as larger animals pooping faster than smaller ones.

  Notable Quote:
  "They found out that bigger animals poop faster than smaller animals. Okay, so an elephant, for example, takes about five seconds to poop, but a dog can take up to 20 seconds to poop." — Guy Raz [17:39]

• Historical Context and Modern Relevance [15:17 - 19:26]:
  The hosts touch upon ancient practices like scatomancy, where doctors examined poop to diagnose illnesses. They bridge this historical context to modern science, explaining how understanding the mechanics of excretion can lead to medical advancements, such as new treatments for digestive issues.

  Notable Quote:
  "This research might lead to new medicines that could make life a little more comfortable for lots of people who have pain when they go to the bathroom. And that could be an incredibly important invention." — Guy Raz [19:13]

• The IG Nobel Prize [19:30 - 20:21]:
  Guy Raz shares that David Hu won the IG Nobel Prize in 2015 for studying how fast mammals go pee, highlighting the intersection of humor and scientific discovery.

  Notable Quote:
  "I thought science had to be serious. There's laughing allowed in science." — Mindy Thomas [19:50]

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Dennis humorously recounts the chaos of the animal poop experiment, blending humor with scientific insight. The hosts encourage listeners to engage further by submitting questions and participating in creative challenges, maintaining an interactive and educational community spirit.

Notable Quote:
"Thanks everyone for listening to this episode of Wee Wow on the weekend. Be sure to give our phone lines a call to ask me Dennis, a question." — Dennis [21:00]

Key Takeaways

• Scientific Curiosity: The episode emphasizes the importance of curiosity in science, demonstrating how even the most unconventional topics can yield valuable insights.
• Humor in Learning: By blending humor with scientific discussion, the hosts make complex topics accessible and entertaining for young listeners.
• Historical and Modern Connections: Linking ancient practices with modern research showcases the evolution of scientific inquiry and its relevance today.
• Interactive Engagement: Encouraging listener participation through questions and challenges fosters a sense of community and continuous learning.

Conclusion

"WeWow on the Weekend" successfully combines humor, scientific exploration, and interactive elements to engage and educate its audience. By tackling a seemingly "gross" topic with enthusiasm and insight, Dennis and Reggie exemplify the podcast's mission to inspire curiosity and a sense of wonder in both kids and their grown-up listeners.

Notable Contributors:
Written by Ruth Morrison and Jed Anderson. Original sound design and production by Henry Moskal and Marion, with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thol. Original music composed and performed by Tyler Thol.

Connect with Wow in the World:
Visit tinkercast.com to learn more about becoming an official member of the World Organization of Wowzers, upcoming events, and to shop for exclusive Wow in the World merchandise.