WeWow on the Weekend (7/26/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: "WeWow on the Weekend" Episode Summary (July 26, 2025)

In the "WeWow on the Weekend" episode of Wow in the World, hosts Dennis and Reggie engage listeners with a blend of storytelling, scientific exploration, and humorous interactions. This episode delves into the fascinating world of symbiosis through an entertaining narrative about ducks and duckweed, enriched by insightful commentary from guest host Guy Raz.

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1. Introduction to "WeWow on the Weekend"

Dennis kicks off the show with his signature enthusiasm, introducing Reggie the Giant Pigeon as his co-host and pickleball partner. The segment sets a relaxed, conversational tone, inviting listeners to join in the weekend fun.

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2. Storytime: "Duck Duck – A Tale of Symbiosis"

A. Dennis' "Dear Diary" Segment

Dennis introduces a whimsical segment titled "Dear Diary," where he shares a humorous and imaginative story:

Dennis [05:22]: "Dear Diary, I am fine. Today I saw Mindy talking to Guy in her backyard."

The story unfolds with Dennis attempting to snoop in Mindy's garden shed, leading to a comical mishap involving a squirrely squirrel and various gardening tools.

B. Mindy's Duckweed Narrative

Mindy takes over the storytelling, weaving a narrative about a duck whose diet of duckweed (specifically Wolfea colombiana) leads to an unexpected ecological impact:

Mindy [13:37]: "Once upon a time, there was a duck... this duck would fly off to another pond containing no duckweed, and there he would drop off a magical gift."

As the story progresses, Mindy describes how the duck's "magical gift"—his poop—helps spread duckweed to new ponds, creating lush green environments.

C. Guy Raz's Scientific Insights

Guest host Guy Raz interjects with scientific explanations, bridging the gap between the fictional tale and real-world biology:

Guy Raz [14:53]: "There is some buzz in the health food community that duckweed, when grown in clean water, could be the next superfood... This is so exciting."

Raz elaborates on seed dispersal mechanisms, explaining how birds can transport seeds through their digestive systems without harming them.

D. The Scientists' Discovery

The story takes a turn as scientists investigate the mysterious survival of duckweed through a duck's digestive tract. Mindy narrates the researchers' baffling findings:

Mindy [20:36]: "As he noticed something very unusual... he found... a million duckweed bulbs... all still completely intact."

Guy Raz expresses skepticism and provides further scientific context:

Guy Raz [21:34]: "You mean to tell us that inside this duck poop... the plants were still perfectly intact?"

The scientists' subsequent experiments confirm that the duckweed not only survives digestion but also thrives, multiplying within petri dishes.

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3. Exploring Symbiosis

The episode transitions into an educational segment where Guy Raz and Mindy delve into the three types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

A. Mutualism

Using the duck and duckweed story as a foundation, Mutualism is explained as a relationship where both organisms benefit:

Mindy [28:35]: "So parasitism is like when fleas or ticks stick themselves to dogs or cats and then live on their blood?"

Guy Raz [28:47]: "The duckweed provided itself as mutual food for the duck... In return, the duck would allow the duckweed to hitch a ride."

B. Commensalism

Mindy illustrates Commensalism with a personal anecdote:

Mindy [29:30]: "Like when I eat scraps from your compost bin, I get to enjoy all of your leftover pizza crusts and you don't even notice they're missing."

Here, Mindy benefits from the relationship without affecting the other party.

C. Parasitism

The hosts humorously discuss Parasitism, highlighting scenarios where one organism benefits at the expense of another:

Guy Raz [30:00]: "Parasitism is the type of symbiotic relationship where one organism or parasite benefits while the other organism suffers."

Mindy adds a playful twist:

Mindy [30:44]: "Or every time you take the wheels off my car for a night... Parasitism. Symbiotic parasitism."

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4. Concluding Reflections on Symbiosis and Scientific Curiosity

As the episode nears its end, Mindy and Guy Raz reflect on the interconnectedness of living organisms and the endless scientific mysteries that await discovery.

Guy Raz [31:56]: "The more we know, the more scientific mysteries reveal themselves."

Mindy humorously notes the ongoing mystery of how duckweed survives digestion, leaving room for future exploration.

Mindy [31:50]: "Welp, looks like we might have to wait a little longer before we're able to solve this particular scientific mystery."

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5. Final Interactions and Wrap-Up

The show concludes with lighthearted banter between the hosts, reinforcing the educational yet entertaining nature of the episode.

Guy Raz [32:38]: "The ducks and the duckweed have a symbiotic relationship. It's just like us, Reggie."

Dennis [32:58]: "Symbiosis means we help each other. I help Reggie, and Bee helps me."

The hosts sign off by encouraging listeners to continue exploring the wonders of science and nature.

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Notable Quotes

• Dennis [05:22]: "Dear Diary, I am fine. Today I saw Mindy talking to Guy in her backyard."
• Guy Raz [14:53]: "There is some buzz in the health food community that duckweed, when grown in clean water, could be the next superfood."
• Mindy [20:36]: "He found... a million duckweed bulbs... all still completely intact."
• Guy Raz [28:47]: "The duckweed provided itself as mutual food for the duck."
• Mindy [30:44]: "Or every time you take the wheels off my car for a night... Parasitism. Symbiotic parasitism."
• Guy Raz [31:56]: "The more we know, the more scientific mysteries reveal themselves."

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This episode of Wow in the World masterfully combines storytelling with scientific insight, making complex topics like symbiosis accessible and engaging for listeners of all ages. Through humor and creativity, Dennis, Reggie, Mindy, and Guy Raz inspire curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationships that sustain our natural world.

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. Oh, hey, Reg. What's that? A new pigeon dropping? Isn't that the postcard you send out to members of the World Organization of Wowzers every quarter? Can I see it?

[Dennis]

What?

[Mindy]

You need to see if I'm a member of the WOW first. But Red, come on. It's me, Mindy. Huh? You're not seeing a Mindy on the list. Okay, Try Mandy. I think Thomas Fingerling signed me up. Yes. Can I get my pigeon dropping now?

[Dennis]

What?

[Mindy]

I gotta wait for it in the mail, but it's right there. Okay, fine. Guess I'll go wait out by the mailbox. In the meantime, to get the next quarterly mailing from Reggie Grownups, you can sign your Wowzer up to be a member of the World Organization of wowzers by Sunday, July 27. It's so top secret, I haven't even seen it yet. Now where'd I put my mailbox? Grownups, when you sign your Wowzer up to be a member of the World Organization of Wowzers, you also get birthday cards in the mail from me and Guy Raz, access to over a thousand online activities inspired by our podcast, and a welcome kit from me and Guy Raz, including our autographs and a special T shirt. Plus, you get to help support all the work that goes into powering the wow at Tinkercast Grown Ups. Visit Tinkercast.com membership to sign up today. That's Tinkercast.com membership. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[Reggie]

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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. Talking, laughing, me and Red singing, laughing. And then we. Oh, wait, no, I said laughing twice. Ah, whatever. We wow on the weekend. Yeah, 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 Wee Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis, and that's Reggie the giant pigeon. Right, right, right. He's my co host and my pickleball partner. This is the show where we hang out and chit chat and answer questions from our fans and listen to Tinkercast podcasts. So, Reggie, what's new? Ooh, you took a bike ride. That's fun. Oh, a sky bike ride. What's that? Ew. Sounds like a lot of flapping and pedaling, but in a fun way. What's new with me? Well, let me just crack the old diary slash memoir open and I'll tell you in a new segment I like to call Dear Diary. Dear Diary, it's me again, writing to you and sharing with my friends. Dear Diary, let's take a look and read all the cool stuff that I wrote down.

[Mindy]

Yeah.

[Dennis]

Dear Diary, how are you? I am fine. Today I saw Mindy talking to Guy in her backyard.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, hey, Mindy.

[Mindy]

Hey, Guy Ross.

[Dennis]

But I couldn't hear them so good. So I decided to go for an afternoon snoop in Mindy's gingerbread garden shed.

[Mindy]

Tee hee hee.

[Dennis]

I'm gonna go snoop. But once I got to the shed, I still couldn't hear them so good. So I tried to get out, but the door was locked. So I decided to climb out of a window, but I got some stuck. Then while I was stuck, a squirrely squirrel climbed up the side of the shed to say Hi. Hi, Squirrel. I mean, shh. I'm snooping and I'm stuck. And then it bit me on the nose.

[Mindy]

Ah.

[Dennis]

Why, so cute, but so bitey. Finally, I managed to push myself back inside the shed, and I fell into a pile of watering cans. I got up, dusted myself off, and tripped over a rake. Then a flower pot fell on my head.

[Mindy]

Oh, I can't see. I can't see.

[Dennis]

And then I fell into a pile of mulch. The mulch was actually nice and soft, and the flower pot made everything all dark. So I settled down for a nice nap. When I finally woke up, someone had pushed me all the way home in Mindy's wheelbarrow. What the what? How'd I get here? Oh, it was you. Thanks, Reggie. The End by Dennis what'd you think, Reggie?

[Mindy]

No.

[Dennis]

Only I can read my diary. It's secret. Okay, next up is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Ahem. 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 6 called Duck Duck A Tale of Symbiosis.

[Mindy]

What?

[Dennis]

Another poop one? What is it with wow in the world and poop? It's always poop this or poop that or the poop troop. Or poop, poop, kajoop. It's like they think poop is funny or something. Oh, ha ha. Real mature, Reggie. Okay, here we go. And Play.

[Mindy]

Wee. Wow will be right back. Grown Ups, this message is for you.

[Reggie]

Hey, Grown Ups, summer is here, and the possibilities for summer adventures are endless. But unfortunately, so is your shopping list. The good news is that summer of DashPass on DoorDash is back. To keep more cash in your wallet, this summ starting June 26 and running through July 30, Summer of DashPass, has deals on all of the summer essentials. You're already ordering meals from local restaurants, groceries, picnic supplies, sunscreen, water, wings, you name it. Plus $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders. Don't let errands get in the way of your fun summer plans. Do your shopping on DoorDash and save big during the summer of DashPass. Check daily for massive summer savings on restaurants, groceries and brand. From June 26 through July 30, order on DoorDash and save big during summer of DashPass. Sign up today. DashPass benefits apply only to eligible orders. Terms apply. Hey, grownups. School isn't always A one size fits all experience. And because of that, K12 powered schools want to provide parents and students with the flexibility of online learning combined with the value of a public school education. K12 powered schools are tuition free online accredited public schools for kindergarten through 12th grade, designed to help your child learn at their own pace, in their own place, with an engaging curriculum that supports individual learning styles. K12 teachers are state certified and trained specifically in online education. And with 25 years of experience and over 3 million families served, you can trust that K12 will provide your kids with a quality education. There's even a strong online school community where you'll find academic support and extracurricular activities to help students connect, stay motivated and succeed with online learning. Go to k12.comworldtoday to find a tuition free K12 powered school near you and enroll. Now that's k12.comworld. Hey, grown ups. There's still plenty of time for some summer fun. Even if you're just headed to the store or the backyard, you can squeeze squeeze in a few more adventures by listening to them on Audible. Audible has an incredible selection of over 1 million audiobooks, podcasts and Audible originals all in one convenient app. You can explore best sellers and new releases or discover something totally new to you. Audible has titles from every genre under the sun, so you're sure to find something that speaks to you. At Tinkercast, we're all about finding out what wows us in the world. And while we're out exploring geocaching and learning, we're also listening to exciting titles from Audible. We love that Audible's portable library can accompany us wherever we go, even if it's just our own backyard. There's more to imagine when you listen. Sign up for a free 30 day Audible trial and your first audiobook is free. Visit audible.com wow.

[Mindy]

That'S it. Now back to the show.

[Dennis]

What in the world?

[Mindy]

And then I said, oh, your baby can talk. Mmm. Well, Big Dipper, I can eat a fork. And I did. Right there in the middle of that buffet. That was two weeks ago and I still haven't. Okay, okay.

[Grandma G Force]

Thank you, Grandma G Force. That was a story. And everyone else, thank you for joining us for our first annual regional library story, Slam, Potluck and pajama party, sponsored in part by the Knuckle Hut.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, the Knuckle hut off Highway 72. Why? I hear kids under three getting free Mindy.

[Guy Raz]

Is that Thomas Fingerling from the Knuckle Hut?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, wow. Coupons on the website Knucklehut Biz Our.

[Grandma G Force]

Next storyteller of the evening is a person who owes an outstanding amount of debt to libraries across the region and who has proven that even an indoor voice can become an outdoor voice. If you really believe in yourself, please give a long overdue.

[Guy Raz]

I get it.

[Grandma G Force]

Round of applause for.

[Mindy]

Woo. Yay.

[Grandma G Force]

Mindy.

[Mindy]

Hi. Well, thank you for that introduction and for really just allowing me back into the library after that incident where I cooked one of your cookbooks. I know that my future here was kind of dicey for a little while after that, and it's just really, really good to be back. No, no, please, please. Hold your knuckle cracking and applause. It's not that big of a deal. I'm just. That's my granddaughter. That's my grandma. G Force. Hey, Grandma G Force. Did somebody call my name?

[Guy Raz]

That's my best friend. Thumbs up, Mindy.

[Mindy]

You got this guy, Raz. Okay, well, today I would like to share with you a nonfiction story about a duck.

[Reggie]

Yeah, nonfiction.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Shh. Oh, no.

[Dennis]

What? Factual assertions are sweet.

[Mindy]

And it goes a little something like this. Sorry, it's taken me a second to unscroll this story. Okay, here we go. Once upon a time, there was a duck.

[Thomas Fingerling]

What was the duck's name?

[Mindy]

I don't know if it had a name. It was just a duck. I once wrestled a duck named Waddles. What? It was a real fire quacker. I tell you what.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Shut your bill, G Force. I want to hear about the duck.

[Mindy]

Well, duck and cover Fingerling. Okay, can we just get back to the story, please?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, I love stories. What's it about?

[Mindy]

So every morning, this duck would visit his favorite pond in search of his favorite food, Duckweed. And this particular duckweed had a name. And its name was Wolfea colombiana, known for being one of the teeniest, tiniest flowering plants ever found in nature.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, yes, duckweed. You know, guys, there is some buzz in the health food community that duckweed, when grown in clean water, could be the next superfood. Which means that other superfoods, like kale and quinoa, could be getting some healthy competition. In fact, some places in Southeast Asia, they're already on it. This is so exciting.

[Dennis]

Garud.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, sorry, sorry.

[Mindy]

And once this duck ate all the duckweed he could fit into his little ducky belly, he would fly off to another pond containing no duckweed, and there he would drop off a magical gift.

[Thomas Fingerling]

What in the World Wide Web are you talking about? Magical gift. Like a Christmas present from Santa.

[Mindy]

Did that duck wrap the present first?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Good question. We want details. Now, what kind of wrapping paper was it?

[Mindy]

Well, actually, in a way, this duck did wrap this magical gift. He wrapped it in his own poop.

[Thomas Fingerling]

We're listening.

[Mindy]

You see, this duck would waddle all around, pooping it up like nobody's beeswax. And then, with almost every poop, a new duckweed plant would appear and then multiply. And before he knew it, the entire pond was covered in a thick, thick, emerald green carpet of duckweed.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute here, Mindy. If there's one thing I know about duckweed, it's that it has the ability to copy itself or multiply. And even if the duck in your story ate the duckweed plant earlier, it's not like its poop would have anything to do with why it would suddenly appear in this new pond.

[Mindy]

She said it was a magical mystery.

[Dennis]

Oh, I believe I've got it.

[Mindy]

Just like a chicken can lay an.

[Guy Raz]

Egg, the duck laid poop eggs filled.

[Dennis]

With self multiplying plants called duckweeds.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Ooh, good thinking, Miss Missy. See, ducks ain't the only ones what poop eggs.

[Mindy]

Who is supposed to be telling the story here?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, sorry. S. Sorry.

[Mindy]

Thank you. So the question you should be asking is how. How did this mysterious layer of duckweed suddenly appear in the very place where there was none? And was it just a mere coincidence that the duckweed began to multiply from the exact spots where the duck was doing its bathroom business? Was there something magical about this poop? Or was it just a curious case of cold, hard science? Cold science.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yeah, I suppose magic poop ain't exactly non fictional.

[Mindy]

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

[Guy Raz]

I know, I know, I know.

[Mindy]

Pick me. Pick me. Yes, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you for calling on me, Mindy. Now, if you'll all allow me to interject here.

[Mindy]

Yeah, well, actually, I didn't.

[Guy Raz]

You see, scientists have known for quite a long time that some birds carry certain seeds from place to place, and they do this through their digestive systems. And so when they reach their destination, they, you know, they poop out viable seeds.

[Mindy]

Mm. And viable meaning that even after the seeds pass through the bird's digestive system, they still have the ability to germinate or to begin to grow.

[Guy Raz]

Yes. And many seeds, including seeds of tomatoes, have incredibly strong protective layers. Layers that protect the seed from anything that might threaten the teeny, tiny growing plant baby inside of it.

[Mindy]

That is true, Guy Raz. I was born a plant baby. Okay, well, thank you for that interjection. Now, you see, everyone, the protective layers of certain seeds are so strong that when swallowed by a bird or a duck, not even the stomach acids could break through the shell.

[Guy Raz]

Amazing.

[Mindy]

Now, would anyone mind if I got back to my story?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Now, quick question.

[Dennis]

Are ducks technically birds or fish?

[Mindy]

You ever heard of a chicken of the seas?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Who you calling a chicken?

[Mindy]

Everyone, I am trying to to tell you a story here.

[Dennis]

Oh, sorry.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Sorry, sir.

[Mindy]

Thank you. Now, where was I? You're at the library. Oh, right, yes. So, to solve this mystery of the scientific magic poop, a group of scientists from southern Brazil entered the scene. One of them, a graduate student named Giliandro Silva from Unicinos University in Brazil, was dressed head to toe in curiosity.

[Guy Raz]

And I suppose he wanted to find out whether or not the duckweed was catching a ride in the feces or the poop of the duck as it traveled from one pond to the other.

[Mindy]

Well, not only that, Guy Raz, but he also wanted to find out how a duck like this was able to spread seeds or pieces of duckweed plant from pond to pond. So what did he? Well, he did what any good scientist would do, and he set out on a mission to collect as much duck poop as he could possibly find.

[Guy Raz]

Anything for science.

[Mindy]

And then he took the duck poop back to his lab and stuck it into the freezer next to his mini bagel pizzas.

[Guy Raz]

Anything for science.

[Mindy]

And that's when this story takes a turn for the. Wow. Just as this scientist was digging into the duck poop, he noticed something very unusual. At first, he couldn't believe his eyes. So he pulled out his trusty magnifying glass and inched closer and closer and closer to the duck poop. And you'll never guess what he found. A million dollars duckweed. Whole bulbs of it. And get this. They were all still completely intact. It looked almost exactly like all of the other duckweed that had not been pooped out of a duck.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Gadzooks.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute here, Mindy. You mean to tell us that inside this duck poop that he'd collected, froze, saved, and dissected, that he found teeny, tiny duckweed plants and they were all still perfectly intact?

[Mindy]

Guy Raz. Even after being swallowed, digested, and pooped out of the duck, the plants were not only still intact, but they were also alive?

[Guy Raz]

Wait a minute. I know I'm saying that a lot, but. But Mindy, are you sure this wasn't just a one time fluke of nature? I mean, like we said, certain seeds can pass through a bird's digestive system intact because they have that strong, protective casing. But you're talking about the plant itself. I can't see how it could possibly pass through all those stomach acids and survive.

[Mindy]

I got eaten by a duck once, and I ate it by itself. Guy Raz, you're right to be skeptical of this discovery. In fact, even these researchers were shocked and surprised by what they found. So to make sure that it wasn't just a one time fluke of nature, they went back out into the field, collected even more duck poop, this time from three different ducks, took it all back to the lab, and then picked the teeny tiny bulbs of ducks out of the poop one by one and place them in small glass petri dishes.

[Guy Raz]

And petri dishes are these small, shallow, round dishes that biologists use to do things like multiply bacteria.

[Mindy]

Yes, that is a petri dish.

[Guy Raz]

In fact, the petri dish is actually named after the famous German bacteriologist, Julius Ricard Petrie, who passed away in the year 1921.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Old Julius Petrie. He was my roommate back in college.

[Dennis]

How old are you?

[Mindy]

Thank you for that. Sidebar, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

You're welcome.

[Mindy]

As I was saying, in an effort to see whether or not these duckweed plants found in the different duck poops were still alive, these scientists put them into different petri dishes and waited and waited. And.

[Guy Raz]

And what did they discover?

[Mindy]

Wait for it.

[Guy Raz]

I'm waiting.

[Mindy]

Wait for it, Mindy. Wait for it. Sounds like somebody brought a duck to story hour. Guy Raz, everyone. Not only did duck these scientists discover that many of the duckweed plants were still alive, but that they were multiplying. Before they knew it, seven duckweed bulbs were suddenly filling up. A petri dish that previously only had one.

[Guy Raz]

So that means not even the stomach acids or the digestion of process were able to stop this amazing plant from thriving.

[Mindy]

In the words of Jeff Goldblum, playing the role of Dr. Ian Malcolm in the 1993 Sci Fi Adventure hit Jurassic park, life finds a way. And then what? I'm sorry, what?

[Dennis]

You said the duckweed survived the digestion process. How did it do that?

[Mindy]

Oh, right, yes. So actually the answer to that question is best left for the future of scientific exploration.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, no, not a cliffhanger.

[Mindy]

Well, see, these scientists still don't know. I mean, they do have a few theories. Like maybe it has something to do with the round globe like shape of this particular duckweed mixed with the fact that it's really, really small, which I.

[Guy Raz]

Presume would help with the speed of digestion, giving it less time for Those.

[Mindy]

Killer stomach acids to soak in exact oritos. But for now, we still don't know for sure.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Well, I'm gonna go find out myself.

[Mindy]

Hold up. Fingerling. Not without me. Or not. I'm going, too.

[Guy Raz]

Did they just.

[Mindy]

So, in conclusion, this duck continued to stick. Spread the riches of duckweed to ponds and wetlands all over the world, one scientifically magical poop at a time. The end.

[Grandma G Force]

Mindy, everyone, thank you for that inspiring story of pooping propagation. Next up in our Night at the Library story, slam, potluck and pajama party. We're gonna change into our pajamas and then continue with more stories before moving on to the potluck portion of the evening. No, please, ma'. Am. Changing is in the bathroom.

[Mindy]

Oh, no.

[Guy Raz]

That was a really fascinating story, Mindy.

[Mindy]

Thanks, Guy. Razzie.

[Guy Raz]

You know, the relationship between the duck and the duckweed was a great example of symbiosis, or the close relationship between duck two different organisms or living things.

[Mindy]

Symbiosis, huh? Oh, yes. Like a. Like a symbiotic relationship.

[Guy Raz]

Exactly. I was just reading about this, and I learned that there are three different kinds of symbiotic relationships.

[Mindy]

Yeah, and what are they?

[Guy Raz]

The first is called mutualism, and that's the type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit or get something good out of the relationship.

[Mindy]

Yeah, like in our friendship. Remember that time I removed two of your wisdom teeth for you while you were sleeping, and then you gave them to me to make myself a pair of earrings?

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I do not remember giving you my wisdom teeth to make earrings.

[Mindy]

Well, do you remember complimenting me on them?

[Guy Raz]

Wow, those are some interesting earrings. Mindy. They look like real teeth.

[Mindy]

That's because they are real teeth, Guy. Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Really?

[Mindy]

You know, maybe a better example of mutualism would be the symbiotic relationship between plants and pollinators.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, yeah.

[Mindy]

So a lot of flowering plants provide food, like nectar or pollen for birds and bees and other pollinators, right?

[Guy Raz]

That's right. Very generous of those flowers.

[Mindy]

But they get something out of it, too. In return, the pollinators carry the pollen of the plant to other plants and fertilize them to help them reproduce.

[Guy Raz]

The birds and the bees get to eat, and the plants get to survive and multiply.

[Mindy]

Exact oritos. And my duck story from earlier is also a really good example of mutualism.

[Guy Raz]

That's right. The duckweed provided itself as mutual food for the duck.

[Mindy]

Yes, and in return, the duck would allow the duckweed to hitch a ride.

[Guy Raz]

In its poop and then the duck would drop it off in a place that maybe needed duckweed, and the duckweed.

[Mindy]

Would multiply and spread for more ducks to eat. A symbiotic relationship built in. Mutualism.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa. Pretty. Wow. Okay, so the next type of symbiotic relationship is commensalism.

[Mindy]

Commensalism. Oh, wait, this is where only one species is helped while the other is, like, no big deal either way.

[Guy Raz]

Yes. In commensalism, only one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

[Mindy]

Like when I eat scraps from your compost bin, I get to enjoy all of your leftover pizza crusts and you don't even notice they're missing since you were just going to compost it all anyway.

[Guy Raz]

You ate the pizza crust out of my compost bin?

[Mindy]

Let's not focus on where it came from, okay?

[Guy Raz]

I'm just. Do you know where.

[Mindy]

Okay, time for the third and final type of symbiotic relationship.

[Guy Raz]

That would be parasitism.

[Mindy]

Parasitism. Hmm. I think I know where you're going with this one.

[Guy Raz]

Parasitism is the type of symbiotic relationship where one organism or parasite benefits while the other organism suffers.

[Mindy]

So parasitism is like when. Like when fleas or ticks stick themselves to dogs or cats and then live on their blood?

[Guy Raz]

Yes.

[Mindy]

Or that one time that you had that fungus attack the plants in your garden, thriving on the life it sucked out of them.

[Guy Raz]

Yes. Or every time you take the wheels off my car for a night. New invention. Or that time you shaved off my eyebrows while I was sleeping and gave them to Reggie for his birthday.

[Mindy]

Okay, technically, Reggie benefited from your eyebrows more than I did, and it was only one eyebrow because you woke up halfway through.

[Guy Raz]

Or that time I refrosted your entire gingerbread house and then I found you on the roof eating all of the hard work that I had just put in. Parasitism. Symbiotic parasitism.

[Mindy]

Oh, Fingerling, you could have just written on my handlebars.

[Thomas Fingerling]

And risk injuring these prize winning knuckles? No way, mister.

[Mindy]

Looks like our favorite new symbiotic relationship is back. Hey, Grandma GeForce, did you and Thomas Fingerling find out how the duckweed was able to survive the the duck's digestive system? Nah. Fingerling over here couldn't find the car.

[Thomas Fingerling]

I told you, I don't own a car. I use ride sharing mobile apps. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go look for a book on how to use ridesharing mobile apps in the card catalog.

[Mindy]

I'll look you up in the card catalog. Welp, looks like we might have to wait a little longer before we're able to to solve this particular scientific mystery.

[Guy Raz]

I kinda like that. The more we know, the more scientific mysteries reveal themselves.

[Mindy]

Ooh. Speaking of scientific mysteries, looks like Reggie is about to take the podium.

[Grandma G Force]

Reggie, our next storyteller of the evening just flew into town. And boy, are his arms tired. I'm sorry. That should be wings. Please give a warm round of applause for our resident library pigeon, Reggie.

[Mindy]

Here we go. Wow.

[Dennis]

That was so cool.

[Mindy]

Yeah.

[Dennis]

The ducks and the duckweed have a symbiotic relationship. It's just like us, Reggie.

[Mindy]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

Symbiosis means we help each other. I help Reggie, and Bee helps me. We're just like ducks and duckweed, except we don't eat each other or poop each other out.

[Mindy]

Yeah.

[Dennis]

Hey, Reggie, guess what? I'm thirsty.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah.

[Dennis]

Let's wrap up the show and go get bubble tea.

[Mindy]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

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- wow Wow. And don't forget to call in with your super cool talents for the talent show. Okay. Should we do the goodbye song? Here we go. Ahem. That's the end of the show. I need to go and get a taro milk tea with boba and red bean jelly, but I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show. Bye.

[Narrator]

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