WeWow on the Weekend (7/19/25)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Wow in the World – "WeWow on the Weekend" (07/19/25)

Episode Overview "WeWow on the Weekend," a special episode of the popular science podcast Wow in the World, hosted by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, takes listeners on an engaging journey exploring fears and phobias within the animal kingdom. Through a blend of humor, storytelling, and imaginative segments, the hosts dive into the complexities of fear, shedding light on unexpected vulnerabilities of some of nature's most formidable creatures.

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1. Introduction and Setting the Stage

The episode begins with an energetic introduction by Dennis and Reggie, co-hosts of a segment titled "Wee Wow on the Weekend." They set a lighthearted tone, sharing personal anecdotes and interacting with each other to establish a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

• Notable Quote:
  • Dennis: "We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend." [00:03:27]

2. Talent Show Announcement

Dennis and Reggie introduce a creative twist by announcing a talent show segment, encouraging listeners to showcase their unique skills. This interactive approach aims to engage the audience and foster a sense of community.

• Notable Quote:
  • Reggie: "We're gonna do a talent show. Hooray." [08:10]

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Revisiting "Scaredy Sharks and the Science of Fear"

Mindy and Guy Raz transition into a meta-segment titled "Inside Tinkercast Studios," where they revisit an episode from Wow in the World titled "Scaredy Sharks and the Science of Fear." They humorously express their own fears related to sharks and science, setting the stage for deeper exploration.

• Notable Quote:
  • Guy Raz: "Well, I'm nervous. I'm nervous. I'm nervous. I'm nervous." [09:13]

4. The Bruni Soto Show: Exploring Animal Fears

The core of the episode revolves around a fictional talk show segment featuring characters representing different animals grappling with their fears. This imaginative portrayal serves as a vehicle to discuss real scientific insights into animal behavior and fear responses.

a. Hilton the Anglerfish and Fear of Darkness

Hilton the Anglerfish discusses his fear of the dark, a peculiar trait for a deep-sea creature. Through Hilton's narrative, scientists explain how bioluminescence serves both as a survival mechanism and a way to mitigate fear in the abyssal depths.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Hilton: "I have this neat little flashlight with me at all times." [20:38]
  • Mindy: "That's right. If it wasn't for the darkness, you wouldn't be able to see this little light of mine at all." [21:12]

b. Patricia the Flea and Fear of Heights

Patricia the Flea, a circus performer, reveals her debilitating fear of heights, which ironically affects her high-flying act. This segment highlights the challenges animals face when their natural behaviors intersect with anthropogenic environments like circuses.

• Notable Quote:
  • Patricia: "If I were the same height as a human, that would be the equivalent of jumping over the Empire State Building." [26:08]

c. Bruce the Great White Shark and Fear of Orcas

Bruce the Great White Shark shares his intense fear of orcas (killer whales), despite being an apex predator himself. This revelation is backed by scientific studies conducted at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, revealing interspecies dynamics and territorial behaviors.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Guy Raz: "The scientists found that the great white sharks... would get out of town as fast as they could anytime orcas showed up." [19:25]
  • Mindy: "I always thought that sharks were the biggest, baddest predators in the ocean." [27:12]

5. Scientific Insights and Discussions

Throughout the episode, Mindy and Guy intertwine entertaining narratives with factual information, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of animal psychology and behavior.

• Great White Sharks and Orcas:

  • The episode delves into the research conducted in the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, where observations and acoustic tagging revealed that great white sharks actively avoid orca-infested areas, indicating a survival-driven fear response.

• Phobias and Evolutionary Psychology:

  • Discussion on how certain fears, like acrophobia (fear of heights) and anatidiphobia (fear of being watched by a duck), may have evolutionary roots, aiding ancestors in survival.

• Notable Quote:

  • Guy Raz: "Phobias are like those extreme fears, right? Like the kinds that are sometimes passed down from our ancestors." [15:06]

6. Interactive and Humorous Elements

The hosts incorporate humor and interactive elements, such as Lorenzo's jokes and dance interruptions, to maintain an engaging and entertaining flow. These segments not only add levity but also illustrate the universal nature of fear and how it can be expressed creatively.

• Notable Quote:
  • Lorenzo: "Why do jellyfishes not have brains, but they always know where to go? Because they go with the flow." [07:13]

7. Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode wraps up with reflections on the importance of understanding fear in both humans and animals. Mindy and Guy emphasize that recognizing vulnerabilities even in apex predators like sharks can lead to better conservation strategies and a more nuanced view of marine ecosystems.

• Notable Quote:
  • Guy Raz: "It proved that food chains aren't always as straightforward as we thought. And that sometimes a single environment can have more than one apex predator." [32:19]

8. Call to Action

Listeners are encouraged to participate in future segments by submitting their talents and engaging with the podcast's community through the provided contact information.

• Notable Quote:
  • Dennis: "Leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend." [34:19]

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Key Insights and Themes

1. Vulnerability of Apex Predators: The episode challenges the perception of apex predators as invincible by showcasing their fears, highlighting that fear is a fundamental aspect of survival across species.

2. Evolutionary Basis of Phobias: By exploring phobias in animals, the hosts draw parallels to human fears, suggesting that many such fears have deep evolutionary roots aimed at enhancing survival.

3. Interplay Between Science and Storytelling: The use of fictional talk show segments to present scientific information makes complex topics accessible and engaging for a younger audience and their families.

4. Community Engagement: Encouraging listener participation through talent submissions fosters a sense of community and makes science a shared, interactive experience.

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Conclusion "WeWow on the Weekend" successfully blends humor, creativity, and scientific accuracy to explore the fascinating topic of fear in animals. By humanizing animal behaviors and presenting them through relatable narratives, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz make complex scientific concepts approachable and entertaining. This episode not only educates listeners about animal psychology but also underscores the universal nature of fear, bridging the gap between human and animal experiences.

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, are you looking for another podcast that will wow the animal fans in your world? Wait, you are a fan of animals? Well then I've got just the podcast for you. Introducing Flip and Mosi Hosted by two space space alien travel guides, Flip and Mosey, this intergalactic musical podcast brings animal conservation into your family's conversations. So get this after their spaceship got stranded here on Earth, Flip and Mosi found that they had to wait like 3,000 light years just for a tow ship to come. So they decided to spend that time exploring our big blue beautiful planet and all of the amazing creatures who call the Earth home. And with every animal they meet flying, Flip and Mosi get one step closer to learning how to be an Earthling. Listen to Flip and Mosey Wherever you get your podcasts, just search Flippin Mosey in your favorite podcast player and don't forget to subscribe. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[Unknown]

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[Dennis]

Ahem. We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend.

[Reggie]

Talking, laughing.

[Dennis]

Me and Reggie singing, laughing. And then we. Oh, wait, no, I said laughing twice. Whatever. We wow on the weekend. Yeah, we wow on the weekend. Laugh, clap me wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to Wee Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis and that's Reggie, my co host. This is the show where we hang out in my mother's basement, chit chat and answer questions from our fans and listen to tinkercast podcasts. Hey Reggie, did you have any dreams last night? You did? Ooh. Tell me what you dreamed. You were flying. Reggie, you can already fly. You don't have to dream it. You were flying on Mindy instead of her flying on you. That's so funny. Oh, what did I dream about? I dreamed that I was in a store, or maybe it was a house, or maybe it was a parking garage and someone was selling something.

[Reggie]

Oh.

[Dennis]

And then something else happened. I can't remember it. The more I think about it, the more I'm forgetting my dream. My dream is gone, Reggie. It's gone. Oh, you're right. I could just have another dream tonight and tomorrow I'm going to remember what it was. Reggie, no. I don't want to do a dream journal. I'm sure I'll remember what my dream is next time. Okay, let's move on to the Q and A segment. The Q and A segment. Alright, let's just get the old answering machine pulled up here. Okay, here we go. Hi, you've reached Dennis from WEW on the Weeknd. That's me. Do you have a question? Well, I do too. Lots of them. And who's gonna answer all my questions?

[Thomas]

You?

[Dennis]

Probably not, but I guess I can answer yours. Leave me a message. Hi, Dennis, my name is Thomas and I have a question for you. Hi, Thomas. What you got? If there's a country called New Zealand.

[Guy Raz]

What happened to the old one?

[Dennis]

Wow, great question, Thomas. What happened to the Old Zealand? Reggie, you're right. And the old York and the old Jersey and Old Hampshire and Old Brunswick and Old Orleans. This is a mystery, Reggie. Someone or something out there is stealing old cities and states and countries. We have to do something. We should investigate and search the globe for these stolen locations. Exactly. Dennis and Reggie, world detectives. Let's go. Right after we finish the show and take a nap. Next question.

[Lorenzo]

I'm nine years old. My name is Lorenzo.

[Dennis]

Hi, Lorenzo.

[Lorenzo]

I don't have a question, but I do have a. A joke.

[Dennis]

Oh, wait. I laughed too early. What's the joke?

[Lorenzo]

Why do jellyfishes not have brains, but they always know where to go?

[Dennis]

Why do jellyfishes not have brains but they always know where to go? I don't know, Lorenzo. Why?

[Lorenzo]

Because they go with the flow.

[Dennis]

I get it. Yeah, of course I get it. It's like when I go to the water park and float around in the lazy river. I just get in my tube, lay back and pretend like I have a nerve net instead of a brain, just like a jellyfish. And then I fall asleep and get sunburned and fall out of my tube and then chase my tube, but it looks like all the other tubes. And then I'm all like, hey, which tube is my tube? And no one will help me. So I just float with my life jacket for a while. And then I try to swim against the current, but I can't because I'm not a strong enough swimmer. Just like a jellyfish. Good joke, Lorenzo. Next question.

[Lorenzo]

I interrupt this song for everybody to sing along.

[Dennis]

What is this?

[Lorenzo]

Dick? Wanna dance? The iguana dance? Everyone loves the iguana dance.

[Dennis]

What is happening?

[Lorenzo]

Iguana dance. Dick, I interrupt the song again for.

[Mindy]

Stop interrupting the song.

[Lorenzo]

Big wanna dance?

[Dennis]

That was incredible, Reggie. Someone sent in a brand new song. Who called that in? Jake. Bravo, Jake. Bravo. Do you want to dance?

[Reggie]

Think.

[Dennis]

Wanna dance? Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me. Reggie, do you think more of our devoted listeners have written songs or do other cool, creative things? Reggie, I just had an amazing idea. What if we get everyone to leave us a voicemail of their special talent?

[Mindy]

Yeah.

[Dennis]

And then we put their talent on the show. Like performance recital. Oh, yeah, that. A talent show. That's even better. Okay, you heard us, listeners. We're gonna do a talent show. Hooray. So leave us a message of you singing a song. Or maybe reading a poem or maybe. What else, Reggie? Oh, yeah. Playing an instrument. That'd be cool. Or anything else, really. We'll take all talents. Right, Right, Right, right, right. Okay. Wowzers. The number is 1-888-7-WOW. Wow. That's 1-8887. Wow. Wow. Call us and leave a recording of your talent. Okay, that takes care of that. 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 3, Episode 22 called Scaredy Sharks and the Science of Fear. Sharks. Reggie, I'm scared of sharks. Yeah, every word in that title is scary except for science. And actually, I'm a little scared of science, too. If it gets too loud or fast or sticky. Oh, I'm nervous. I'm nervous. I'm nervous. I'm nervous. I'm nervous. Okay, I'll be brave for my listeners. Here we go. And play wee. Wow.

[Mindy]

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

[Unknown]

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[Mindy]

That'S it. Now back to the show.

[Reggie]

Welcome to One Take Studios, home of the Bruni Soto Show, a daytime talk show where we explore the issues. Important issues like what's up with peeing in pools? Where do birds go in the nighttime. And of course, our Flemmy award winning episode, cute Aggression. What is it?

[Guy Raz]

And why?

[Reggie]

To attend a taping of the Bruni Soto show, visit the box office. Welcome to One Take Studios. Oh, mother.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, baby, come on right through.

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, where are we? How long do I have to keep this blindfold on for?

[Guy Raz]

It's not a blindfold, Mindy. It's a silk eye mask.

[Mindy]

Can you just tell me where we're going?

[Guy Raz]

Well, I'm sorry for all the secrecy, but we're almost here.

[Mindy]

Almost where?

[Guy Raz]

Wait, stand right there.

[Mindy]

Okay, ready?

[Guy Raz]

Three, two, one. Removing your eye mask and.

[Dennis]

Ta da.

[Mindy]

One Take Studios. The Bruni Soto Show. Guy Raz, did you get us tickets to the season premiere of the Bruni Soto Show?

[Guy Raz]

Happy unbirthday, Mindy.

[Mindy]

Aw, you remembered.

[Guy Raz]

How could I unforget?

[Mindy]

Okay, Raz, this is the best unbirthday present I've ever gotten. It's also the only unbirthday present I've ever gotten. Thanks, buddy.

[Guy Raz]

You're welcome, Mindy. And on top of it being your favorite TV show, I also heard that this season premiere is based on one of my favorite areas of psychology.

[Mindy]

Psychology. The science of our minds and why we do the weird things we do. Behaviors.

[Guy Raz]

Right.

[Mindy]

And so what is the first episode all about?

[Guy Raz]

Our fears.

[Mindy]

Our fears.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, that's right. Like having a fear of heights or a fear of the dark, both of which are sometimes referred to as phobias.

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah. Phobias are like those extreme fears, right? Like the kinds that are sometimes passed down from our ancestors.

[Guy Raz]

Exactly. Like, you know, there's not much reason to be afraid of the dark today, but 10,000 years ago, our ancestors would have had a lot of reasons to be afraid of the dark. For starters, there might be predators in the dark.

[Mindy]

Yikes. And did you know that the word phobia comes from the Greek word phobos, which translates into English as fear?

[Guy Raz]

Interesting.

[Mindy]

So someone with a fear of heights might have acrophobia, and someone with anatidiphobia might have.

[Guy Raz]

Might have a fear of. Actually, I don't think I've heard of had one before.

[Mindy]

Fear of being watched by a duck.

[Guy Raz]

Guy Raz, a fear of being watched by a duck. Is that even a real phobia?

[Mindy]

You know it is. Maybe they'll have that one on the show today.

[Thomas]

Attention. Today's live taping of the Bruni Soto show begins in five minutes. If you've already purchased your tickets, please make your way to security.

[Guy Raz]

Come on, Mindy.

[Mindy]

That's us, right behind you, buddy.

[Unknown]

Please empty your pockets and place all belongings on the conveyor belt for screening. All right, you're clear. Keep it moving. You there, with the elbow patches, step forward, please. Okay, and you with the toolbox. Whatever. Everything on the conveyor belt, please.

[Mindy]

Not a problem, Mr. Security Man.

[Unknown]

Thank you.

[Mindy]

There we go.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, how heavy is your adventure tool?

[Mindy]

Yeah, I had no idea where you were taking me for the surprise today, so I had to prepare myself for every possible situation.

[Guy Raz]

Aw, man, Mindy, what did you do?

[Unknown]

Hold on. The milk detectors are going off.

[Guy Raz]

Milk?

[Unknown]

Milk is prohibited on the premises. Bruni is lactose intolerant.

[Mindy]

Hmm.

[Unknown]

Looks to be a lot of milk. Nearly four gallons.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, what are you doing with four gallons of milk in your bag?

[Mindy]

Guy Raz, that could be anybody's milk. Who set off the scanner?

[Unknown]

Jerry, the scanner says the milk is. In that case, the one that says Mindy's Adventure Toolkit and has the sticker on it that says warning contains milk. That's the one. Open it up and get rid of the milk.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, are those cats jumping out of your tool? Kitten, we talked about this.

[Mindy]

Now you know who the milk was for. Come on, cats.

[Unknown]

Okay, okay. Stanner says you're clear. Now. You can go through.

[Mindy]

Thank you very much.

[Guy Raz]

Come on, Mindy. Let's go find our seats.

[Mindy]

Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk.

[Thomas]

We're live in two minutes. Two minutes to air.

[Dennis]

Hi. Welcome to the Bruni Soto Show.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, yeah, hi. We're just trying to find our seats.

[Dennis]

Oh, sure. Let me just take a look at your tickets. Ooh.

[Reggie]

Front row.

[Dennis]

You two are seated right down here. And here are your ponchos.

[Guy Raz]

Ponchos.

[Mindy]

Ponchos.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, why do we need ponchos?

[Dennis]

First three rows require ponchos.

[Guy Raz]

That doesn't really answer my question.

[Dennis]

Yeah, but it does kind of rhyme. Sorry, sir. We're in a bit of a rush. Just please take your seats.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, but I'm Guy Raz.

[Mindy]

Put your poncho on. We're gonna miss the beginning of the show.

[Dennis]

It's like a glove.

[Mindy]

Ah, luxury.

[Dennis]

It's starting.

[Thomas]

Going live in 3, 2, 1.

[Mindy]

This is how the whole show starts.

[Reggie]

Hello, friends, and welcome to the Bruni Soto Show. Today we are exploring fear and the feelings that keep us awake at night. We meet an anglerfish who is afraid of the dark, a flea who is afraid of heights, and a shark who is absolutely terrified of orcas.

[Guy Raz]

A shark who's afraid of orcas.

[Mindy]

I know, right? What do sharks have to be afraid of? They're like the lions of the sea.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, no, Mindy, I think I've heard about this before.

[Mindy]

Really?

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Guy Raz]

There was a study done at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

[Mindy]

Oh, I've been there. The one in Northern California?

[Reggie]

Yeah.

[Mindy]

What did they find?

[Guy Raz]

The scientists found that the great white sharks that swim off the coast of California would get out of town as fast as they could anytime orcas showed up.

[Mindy]

Orcas, AKA killer whales.

[Guy Raz]

That's right. And the part that really got the researchers curious was that these great white sharks would evolve these areas where the orcas swam for almost a year after they first saw the orcas.

[Mindy]

Sharks scared of whales.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. It seems like there's a pretty good reason they're on this episode. All About Fears.

[Mindy]

I'll say.

[Reggie]

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to bring out our first guest. Shh. Please welcome to the stage our first fearful friend from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, Hilton the Angler fish.

[Lorenzo]

This is how the whole thing starts.

[Reggie]

As always, we have our expert animal translator, Terry with us today. Say hello, Terry.

[Thomas]

Hi, Bruni.

[Reggie]

But I want to talk to you. Angler fish. Tell me, Hilton, a fear of the dark must be pretty tough for a fish that lives 5,000ft under the sea.

[Thomas]

That's right. When you get that deep, you can't see anything. Light rarely reaches any deeper than 700ft past the surface.

[Reggie]

So how exactly do you keep yourself from being overcome with fear down there?

[Thomas]

Well, I have this neat little flashlight with me at all times. It's actually attached to my head. I sometimes use it to catch linner.

[Reggie]

I'm sorry, did you say linner?

[Thomas]

Oops, sorry, Bruni. Bad translation. Dinner. I sometimes use it to catch dinner.

[Reggie]

Well, Hilton, that sounds like something our audience would love to see. Audience, would you like to see Hilton's little flashlight? Steve, cut the light.

[Thomas]

Oh, no, not the dark.

[Reggie]

Unbelievable. Well, Hilton the anglerfish, I can see your light, and you are shining bright.

[Thomas]

You know what? You're right. If it wasn't for the darkness, you wouldn't be able to see this little light of mine at all. I also wouldn't be able to catch Linner. I mean, dinner. Thanks, Bruni. Thanks for helping me face my fears.

[Reggie]

Thank you, Hilton. Thank you for your braiding.

[Lorenzo]

This is how the whole thing starts.

[Reggie]

After the break, a flea that just can't stand heights. And later, a shark whose crippling fear of orcas pushed him out of his hunting grounds for almost a year.

[Thomas]

And we're clear.

[Mindy]

Oh, I love this show. The drama, the rolling blackouts.

[Guy Raz]

It really is fascinating. Live tv. Mindy, I can't wait, wait to hear what that shark has to say about his fear of orcas.

[Mindy]

Oh yeah. Weren't you just saying that there was a scientific study about that?

[Guy Raz]

That's right. The study was conducted in the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of San Francisco in California.

[Mindy]

So how do you even measure how scared a great white shark is?

[Guy Raz]

Well, you get them to fill out a questionnaire.

[Mindy]

No way.

[Guy Raz]

Of course not, Mindy. I was just joking.

[Mindy]

You were just joking.

[Guy Raz]

What the researchers did was to observe or watch very closely how the great white sharks and the orcas interacted when both of them were hunting for food in this national marine sanctuary.

[Mindy]

Aha.

[Guy Raz]

And the researchers were able to observe these interactions in two different ways. So the first way was when great white sharks would actually bump into an orca out in the wild.

[Mindy]

Like when I bump into Dennis in the grocery store.

[Guy Raz]

Exactly.

[Mindy]

And what was the other way?

[Guy Raz]

Well, the other way was using a bit of math.

[Mindy]

I love math.

[Guy Raz]

So the researchers looked at the data or the information from 165 great white sharks that were tagged.

[Mindy]

Tagged, like stuck in the mud?

[Guy Raz]

Well, not exactly. The researchers put these little devices called acoustic tags on the sharks to learn more about them and their behavior.

[Mindy]

Oh, so like what they eat and their migration patterns or where they swim?

[Guy Raz]

Exactly.

[Mindy]

So what did they learn from these 165 tagged sharks?

[Guy Raz]

Well, they compared the migratory patterns of these sharks.

[Mindy]

Migratory patterns as in where they had been?

[Guy Raz]

That's right. And they compared where the sharks had been with orca sightings.

[Mindy]

Huh. And then what?

[Guy Raz]

When the researchers compared how the sharks migrated to where they saw the orcas, they found that every time the orcas showed up, the sharks would just hightail it out and go further up the coast to do their hunting somewhere else.

[Mindy]

With their tail between their legs, I bet. Er, fins. Fins between their legs. Anywho, it sounds like they were scared.

[Guy Raz]

Well, that's basically it. Mindy going live in 3, 2, 1.

[Lorenzo]

This is how the whole thing starts.

[Reggie]

And welcome back to the Bruni Soto Show. Today we're delving into the deep blue sea of fear and insecurity. Our next guest is a flea with the local circus whose entire act depends on her soaring to great heights. And yet this little parasite can't stand being more than 30 centimeters off the ground. Please welcome to the stage Patricia the fleek.

[Dennis]

I can't see anything.

[Reggie]

You know what? Me neither. Camera three, can we push in a little closer? That's it, closer. Ah, there she is. So, Patricia you have a fear of heights. That must be difficult for a species of insect that can jump the way you can. I'm sorry, Terry, the translator. Is Patricia speaking?

[Thomas]

I think so, Bruni. It's a strange dialect, but I believe I can translate. Okay, I think I've got it. Patricia says that's right. If I try my hardest, I can leap nearly 30 centimeters into the air. If I were the same height as a human, that would be the equivalent of jumping over the Empire State Building.

[Reggie]

Wow, that is impressive.

[Thomas]

It would be if not not for my fear of heights. See, whenever I jump over 1012 centimeters, I freak out. It's cost me everything. Just last month I lost my job at the circus.

[Dennis]

That is awful.

[Reggie]

And all because of a phobia you never asked for.

[Thomas]

I'd do anything to get ride of it. Excuse me, sorry. I'd do anything to get rid of it.

[Reggie]

Ah well. Patricia, do we have a surprise for you. We contacted your old circus and excited explain your phobia faux pas. And they have agreed to take you back on not as a high flying trapezist, but as a contortionist.

[Thomas]

Huzzah. Oh, happy day.

[Reggie]

Better get stretching that thorax. Coming up after the break, our final guest. A shark with a crippling fear of orcas. Don't go anywhere. We'll be right back.

[Thomas]

And we are clear.

[Mindy]

Man, I always thought that sharks were the biggest, baddest predators in the ocean. But I guess there was a bigger badder predator out there all along.

[Guy Raz]

Well, Mindy, both great white sharks and orcas are what's known as apex predators.

[Mindy]

Meaning that they are at the top of their food chains.

[Guy Raz]

That's right. Meaning that they aren't usually eaten by any other animal in that environment.

[Mindy]

Ah, so the orcas are not going into the great white sharks territory to hunt them, they're just looking for the same food as them.

[Guy Raz]

Exactly. Elephant seals are actually on the menu and both species want to take a bite.

[Mindy]

But when they come face to face.

[Guy Raz]

The great white sharks turn and run. Because they would rather hunt in a different area where the other orcas don't go.

[Mindy]

Wow, I guess everyone really is scared of something. Even a big scary great white shark.

[Thomas]

And we're live in 3, 2, 1.

[Reggie]

If you're just joining us on the Bruni Soto show, we're talking today about fears and phobias. Our last guest today is known as the lion of this seat.

[Mindy]

I told ya.

[Reggie]

Measuring in at more than 15ft with more than 15 rows of razor sharp teeth, what could this terrifying Apex predator, possibly be afraid of one word. Please welcome our next guest, Bruce. The great white sharing.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa. Look at the size of him.

[Mindy]

And look at the size of that tank. Whoa, mama.

[Guy Raz]

Why did they bring out two tanks?

[Mindy]

Well, there's only one way to find out. Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

What's that?

[Mindy]

Button up your poncho. Sit back and enjoy the show.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, right.

[Reggie]

Now, Bruce, tell me a little bit about where you're from.

[Thomas]

My family is found all over the world, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic to the Pacific. But my immediate family, we tend to live and hunt just off of the coast of Northern California. Go, warriors.

[Dennis]

Yeah.

[Reggie]

Sports from Northern California. But that is not the case anymore, is it? Do you want to tell me what happened?

[Thomas]

Well, every September through December, me and my family migrate to the Farallon Islands off the coast of Northern California to hunt elephant seals for a couple of months. It's an old family tradition. We've been doing it for Sears.

[Reggie]

Sears, Sorry.

[Unknown]

Years.

[Thomas]

We've been doing it for years.

[Reggie]

But last year was different.

[Thomas]

That's right. There we were, minding our own business, when suddenly, out of nowhere, this pod of orcas show up.

[Reggie]

And you ran away?

[Thomas]

Well, yeah. Have you ever seen an orca before? They're terrifying. Me and my family. We hightailed it out of there to go eat somewhere else.

[Reggie]

And how long ago was this one?

[Thomas]

Sears Ago. I mean, one year ago.

[Reggie]

It's been one year and you still haven't returned to your hunting ground?

[Thomas]

That's right. And I don't know if I'll ever go back.

[Reggie]

That's no way to live. Bruce, it sounds like somebody has to face their fears. What do we say, studio audience? Is it time for Bruce to face his fears? Bruce, it's time for you to face your fears right in front of all these good people. Studio audience, are you wearing your poncho?

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah.

[Thomas]

Yes.

[Reggie]

Release New Yorka.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, my.

[Dennis]

Wow.

[Reggie]

Did you just see that?

[Mindy]

Mindy?

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, did they just drop that orca into that big, empty tank?

[Mindy]

Guess we finally found out what that tank was for.

[Guy Raz]

We also found out what these ponchos were for. I'm soaked.

[Reggie]

Bruce, I need you to look that orca in the eye and realize that it is a marine apex predator just like you, with a family just like you. And that there is enough food to go around. Do you see? Looks like we have a breakthrough. And that's all the time we have, folks. Tomorrow on the Bruni Soto Show, a hippo and a deer trade diets for a week. Thanks for watching and we'll see you next time.

[Thomas]

And we're clear. That's a wrap.

[Mindy]

What a show.

[Dennis]

What a finish.

[Guy Raz]

The way she was able to make those two predators make up whatever did.

[Mindy]

Happen with that research.

[Guy Raz]

Well, it proved that food chains aren't always as straightforward as we thought. And that sometimes a single environment can have more than one apex predator.

[Mindy]

And knowing that can help us to monitor and to research marine ecosystems in the future.

[Guy Raz]

Correctamundo.

[Dennis]

Hey, guys, we're gonna have to ask you to move out of here. We got the national pie eating competition starting in about 20 minutes, so unless you want to hang around and watch that.

[Mindy]

Can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we, can we?

[Guy Raz]

Well, well, it is your unbirthday. Yes.

[Dennis]

All right, have fun, guys. Hold on to those ponchos. You're gonna need them.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, wait. What?

[Dennis]

Wow. That was so cool. That wasn't scary at all. Yeah, and you know what I realized? No, not that I need a shower, Reggie. Although, yeah, maybe I do. No, what I realized is that Dennises are apex predators too. Yeah, I'm at the top of my food chain. I eat oranges and bagels and shrimp fried rice and nothing eats me. What? Nuh. Giant pigeons do not eat Dennises. Oh, you were just kidding. No, I knew that. But I'm gonna wrap up the show just in case. Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to Wee Wow on the Weeknd. If you have a question for me or want to share your talent for the talent 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? Right. Here we go. Ahem. That's the end of the show. I need to go before Reggie makes me into a dentist pot pie and then eats me while he sits on the couch watching the Bruni Soto show.

[Guy Raz]

And then he.

[Reggie]

Wait.

[Dennis]

That was my dream, Reggie. Yeah, pretty sure. Oh, I'm so glad I remembered. Ahem. But I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show.

[Guy Raz]

Ee eee.

[Dennis]

Bye.

[Mindy]

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

[Guy Raz]

Join Wondery plus 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.