WeWow on the Weekend

Summary

Podcast Summary: Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend

Date: March 29, 2026
Hosts: Dennis (with Reggie the Giant Pigeon), Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz
Episode Highlight: Revisiting Season 3, Episode 8: "Here, Foodie Foodie Foodie: Edible Insects on the Menu"

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Episode Overview

This playful and energetic episode of WeWow on the Weekend is a hybrid of creative weekend crafting, listener engagement, and a relisten to a classic Wow in the World episode about edible insects and science! Dennis and his co-host Reggie begin with some light-hearted banter and a crafternoon knitting session. The show then transitions into a relisten of Mindy and Guy’s wildly entertaining—and surprisingly educational—deep-dive into the world of bug-based foods, food trucks, and the science behind eating insects for gut health and sustainability.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Opening Banter & April Fools’ Gags (00:00–01:52)

• April Fools Prank: Mindy and Guy open with a fake ad for a “Jar of Farts,” playing up the silly, gross-out humor that’s a hallmark of the show.
  • Quote:
    • Mindy: “Introducing the state of the art, never before seen, heard or wanted jar of farts.” (00:12)
    • Guy Raz: “Mindy, this is gross. No one's gonna wanna buy this.” (00:43)
  • Punchline: It’s an April Fool’s joke! (00:58–01:00)
• Actual Merchandise: Stem toys that ‘toot’ and encourage scientific play.

2. Dennis & Reggie’s Weekend Crafternoon (01:52–05:06)

• Knitting Fun: Dennis and Reggie bond over crafting. Reggie knits "giant pigeon socks" out of orange yarn to match his feet.
• Dennis’s Sock Mishap:
  • Quote:
    • Dennis: “The good news—it looks like a sock. The bad news is I accidentally knitted it to the sweater I’m wearing… guess it’s more of a pocket now.” (05:02)
  • This transitions into their coined term, "Sock pockets!”

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios – Revisiting Season 3, Episode 8 (05:06–29:11)

3a. Foodie Puns & Food Truck Festival Setup (09:16–13:08)

• Food Trucks Galore: Mindy has a food truck: "Grandma GeForce's Good Old Fashioned Southern Style BBBBQ" (where the extra ‘B’ stands for ‘barbecue’... or so Guy thinks...).
• Guy’s Foodie Tour: Guy tries pun-filled food trucks like "Please Don't Kale My Vibe" and "Bean There Ate That" before stopping by Mindy’s truck.
• Food Truck Success List: The essentials for a hip food truck: cool name, outrageous prices (Mindy: “$400 a burger!”), long wait times, and a novel health ingredient.

3b. The Cricket Powder Reveal (13:08–16:30)

• Novel Ingredient:
  • Quote:
    • Mindy: “Well, what is it, Mindy? …Crickets.” (14:01)
    • Guy Raz: “Crickets?” (14:02)
• Cricket Powder Explained:
  • Mindy details, “Cricket powder is basically just dried out crickets… crushed into a fine powder and sprinkled all over your food.” (14:58)
  • Guy tastes it: “It’s got a slightly nutty, earthy quality… a hint of raw cocoa.” (15:49)
• Environmental Benefits:
  • Mindy and Guy discuss how insect protein is more sustainable than beef.
    • Mindy: “It takes about 450 gallons of water to make one quarter pound hamburger. That's like 4.5 bathtubs!” (16:48)

3c. The Science Behind Edible Insects (17:51–24:44)

• Why Eat Bugs? Sustainability, Nutrition, Gut Health:
  • Mindy: “This cricket powder is rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium—even B12.” (17:35)
• Scientific Study:
  • Mindy references a Colorado State University study where eating bug-based foods (cricket powder muffins and milkshakes) improved gut health, increasing beneficial gut bacteria, especially bifidobacteria.
• Gut Health App Joke:
  • Quote:
    • Guy Raz: “Oh, yeah, it's called 'bctr.' Like bacteria, but with none of the vowels. $40 a month!” (23:46–23:59)
    • Mindy: “I have, like, 67 different kinds of bacteria in my belly button. Care to identify those?” (24:06–24:13)

3d. Food Truck Shenanigans & Rebranding (25:06–28:44)

• Trying the Food:
  • Mindy: “Fire away. Regrets. There you go, Guy Raz. Your very own cricket powder infused Sloppy G.” (25:37–25:51)
  • The Sloppy G burger ends up all over Guy's sweatshirt—prompting laughter and chaos.
• Takeaway: Despite the scientific and nutritional merits, Mindy realizes her lack of sales may be due to her food’s... unique “airborne” delivery system (her pigeon Reggie literally launches the food).
• Rebranding Solution:
  • Mindy and Reggie rebrand the food truck with cool new graphics—thanks to Reggie’s artistic talents and a special four-color spray paint can.
  • Mindy: “We’re gonna rebrand this truck. I want you to think health nut.” (27:49)

3e. Satisfying the Modern Foodie (28:25–end relisten)

• The rebrand touts “ethically sourced, carbon-neutral cricket burgers.” The crowd suddenly becomes interested and a rush ensues!
  • Quote:
    • Mindy: “That’ll be $400.”
    • Dennis & crowd: “That’s a bargain! Bargain!” (28:40–29:06)
• Guy plans to stay and help Mindy with cricket burger sales for the rest of the day.

4. Closing Thoughts, Listener Engagement & Credits (29:11–31:56)

• Sock Pocket Call-back: Dennis readies his “sock pocket” for a legendary mural pigeon showdown—playful, surreal humor to the end.
• Shout-outs for credits, music, and a call to check out other Tinkercast shows and become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mindy (on food truck essentials): "Cool name, outrageous prices, long wait times, and a novelty health ingredient." (13:08)
• Guy Raz (on eating cricket powder): “If I had to put it into words, I'd say it's got a slightly nutty, earthy quality to it… a hint of raw cocoa.” (15:49)
• Mindy (on sustainability): “It takes about 450 gallons of water to make one quarter pound hamburger. That's like four and a half bathtubs of water just to make one burger.” (16:48)
• Guy Raz (bacteria app joke): “Oh, yeah, it's called bctr… Just $40 a month!” (23:46–24:06)
• Mindy (on rebranding): “We’re gonna rebrand this truck. I want you to think health nut.” (27:49)
• Final punchline:
  • Dennis: “I got a pocket sock full of lasers and battleaxes. No, I don't actually have those things. Reggie, shush, the mural doesn't know that.” (30:45)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:00: April Fools Prank/Jar of Farts
• 01:52–05:06: Dennis & Reggie’s crafternoon and sock knitting mishap
• 05:06–05:56: Transition to Tinkercast relisten
• 09:16–13:08: Mindy's food truck, food truck checklist
• 14:01–16:11: Cricket powder as a trendy, sustainable, and nutritious ingredient
• 17:51–24:44: Discussion of Colorado State gut health study, gut bacteria "bctr" app, health/environmental benefits
• 25:06–28:44: Guy’s first taste of an airborne Sloppy G; rebranding the food truck
• 29:11–30:45: Dennis' mural pigeon showdown finale

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Tone & Language

• Playful, imaginative, and full of science fun.
• Kids and grown-ups alike are addressed with humor and scientific curiosity.
• Hosts keep the language accessible, peppering informative discussion with puns, slapstick antics, and zany imagination.
• Frequent asides and banter keep the energy high and the scientific concepts memorable and approachable.

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Takeaway

This episode of WeWow on the Weekend is a vibrant tapestry of zany creativity, interactive crafts, and a surprisingly in-depth, research-backed look at one of the hottest (and most eco-friendly) food trends: edible insects! With their signature warmth, humor, and sense of wonder, Mindy, Guy Raz, Dennis, and Reggie make even the idea of "cricket powder milkshakes" sound fascinating, fun, and maybe... worth a taste!

Perfect for families who love to laugh, learn, and say WOW about their world—especially on the weekend.

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams Mindy and Guy Razzie here. And before we start the show, we have a little announcement for you.

[Guy Raz]

We just got a brand new item in stock at our shop.

[Mindy Thomas]

Introducing the state of the art, never before seen, heard or wanted jar of farts.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

Do you or a loved one enjoy the smell of a fresh toot?

[Dennis]

No.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, then you're not gonna like this. Each wow in the World J. Zara farts features the latest vacuum sealing technology to preserve the tooth's original odor so your nose will be so full of sulfur the second your sniffer gets a whiff of it.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, this is gross. No one's gonna wanna buy this.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's exactly what market research said. But I think.

[Guy Raz]

Wait a minute. What's Today's date? It's April 1, isn't it?

[Mindy Thomas]

April Fools. Guy Razzie.

[Guy Raz]

So we're not selling jars? Of course.

[Mindy Thomas]

Of course not. But we do have some stem toys that toot.

[Guy Raz]

Toot, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Like our wow in the World High flying air rocket. It's got a toot nozzle for when you wanna let her rip. And our wow in the World Amazing Human body kit comes with a toot whistle too. And not to toot our own horn here, but we've got lots of stem toys that will wow the kids in your life who love science and the ones who don't yet grownups.

[Guy Raz]

Visit Tinkercast.com to shop the wow. Now that's Tinkercast.com shop. Now back to the show.

[Dennis]

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 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. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to We Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis, and that's my co host, Reggie the Giant pigeon. This is the show where we hang out, chit chat, answer questions from our fans, and listen to Tinkercast podcasts. And today we're gonna. We're gonna. Reggie, what are you doing over there? You're knitting. Cool. What kind of thing are you knitting? Ooh, socks. Oh, yeah, you're right. I guess I haven't ever seen giant pigeon socks. Have to put a sock in at Sock Emporium. Well, good for you for taking initiative and making your own. I like the orange yarn you're using. Oh, I get it. It's orange so it'll just look like your normal pigeon feet, only fuzzy. Now I want to knit something too. As a matter of fact, Reggie, I do have knitting needles. Well, mother does. Let me see if I can find them. I think they're in this basket up here on the shelf. Almost got it. Ow. Yep, that's where they were. Okay, got my knitting needles and yarn. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Let me sing this song first. Pancakes are for eating and rivers are for rafting and Broadway is for my one man show but afternoons are for crafting Crafternoon Today for Crafternoon we're knitting socks to keep our toesies nice and warm. As a matter of fact, Reggie, I do know how to knit. Mother taught me once. Okay, fine. I was only half paying attention because we were watching an episode of the Great Brutish Breaking Show. No, Reggie, the Great Brutish Breaking Show. You know, that show where the big hulky guys smash things with mallets to see who can break things the best? Yeah, but everyone's also really nice each other, so it's cute. I love that show. Ooh, your socks are really coming along, Reggie. I like the stripes. Oh, my first sock is. Huh. Well, the good news, it looks like a sock. But the bad news is I accidentally knitted it to the sweater I'm wearing.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah.

[Dennis]

Whoops. I guess it's more of a pocket now.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yay.

[Dennis]

Sock pockets. Crafterness. Okay, next up is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. 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 8 called Here. Foodie, Foodie, Foodie. Edible insects on the menu. Reggie, what's a foodie? Oh, it's like someone who really likes food, but in kind of a snobby way, like a gourmand. So fancy. Let's listen. Okay, here we go. And play.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wee. Wow. Will be right back. Grown ups. This message is for you.

[Dennis]

Whoa. You're listening to Bongo in the Big

[Bog Dog]

two in the morning on kwow. Hey, Bongo, guess what time it is.

[Dennis]

Looks to be about 7:40am

[Bog Dog]

no, it's time for Big Toot's big favorite.

[Mindy Thomas]

Big favorite?

[Dennis]

Oh, yeah, the part of the show

[Bog Dog]

when you, Big Toot, hit us with your favorite new song.

[Dennis]

What you got for us today?

[Bog Dog]

All right, today's big favorite is a song from a new artist called wow in the World.

[Dennis]

Well, what's the song?

[Bog Dog]

It's called the scientifically most danceable song in the whole wide world. Wow, that's a big title. Yeah. Let me spin you up a clip.

[Dennis]

The scientifically loves dance danceable song in the world, A white world.

[Mindy Thomas]

The scientifically most danceable danceable song.

[Dennis]

Whoa. Dude, that was totally rockin'. Where can we listen to the rest of the song?

[Bog Dog]

Anywhere you get your tunes, Bongo. They're out on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you like to spin your tracks.

[Dennis]

Well, thanks for tuning in to Big

[Bog Dog]

Two's big favorite here on Bongo in the Big two in the morning on kwow.

[Dennis]

Bye bye now.

[Bog Dog]

Later.

[Mindy Thomas]

Psst. Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show. Oh, sorry about that. I forgot to put it on silent. Hey, wait a second. It's an email from us. Check it out, Reg. Let's see here. It says. Says we've got episode recommendations, free STEM activities to try out at home. The latest news about what's happening at Tinkercast. Pretty bonker balls, huh? Here, I'll help you sign up. So you and the grownups will just go to tinkercast.comemail and put in your first and last names and email address. Wait, Reggie, I just realized I don't know your last name. Really? Is that with a silent G or a silent Q?

[Dennis]

Huh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Who knew? Let's see here. Oh, and you're not a robot, right? Sorry. Just had to double check. Ok, you are all signed up grown ups. You can sign up for our Tinkercast newsletter too. It's full of ideas on how to get some extra wow to your family's life. Visit tinkercast.comemail to sign up today. That's tinkercast.comemail. that's it. And now let's get on with the show. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Dennis]

What in the world?

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Reg. Hold on. Food truck sure is tight. Are those sloppy GS coming along?

[Dennis]

Hmm.

[Mindy Thomas]

Not sloppy enough, huh? Okay, well, why don't we just add a cup of bad posture, two scoops of horrendous table manners. That should do it. And a little pinch of clumsy. Ooh. Okay, let's have a taste now. Oo. Eee. Yeah, just how Grandma GeForce used to make it. Okay, let's see if the old PA system on this truck still works. Whoops. Whoops. Sorry, sorry. Ah, here we go. Hey foodie pooty pooty foodies. Hey foodie pooty foodie foodies. Are you hungry? Well then, why don't you come on down to Grandma G Force's Good Old Fashioned Southern Style bbbq. Remember, the extra B is for barbecue. There, that should do it. Now we'll just sit back, put our talons up and wait for the customers to roll. See what I say, Reg. Howdy there, partner. What can I.

[Guy Raz]

Hey, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Razzie. Hey, look at you all dressed up. Top hat on, elbow patches, buffed, locally sourced avocado dripping down your face.

[Guy Raz]

Well, it's not every day that you get to visit the NPR Food Truck Festival. You've gotta make the most of it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow, you are really pumped up about. So what food trucks have you tried so far? Small bites, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, where to begin, Mindy? I've been going for hours. I just got some kale chips from Please don't kale my vibe. I got some organic legumes from being there. Ate that. I feel like my stomach's about to burst. Oh, by the way, what are you guys doing out here?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, I'm so glad you asked, Guy Raz. Cue the dinner bell. Reg. Welcome to Grandma G Force's Old Fashioned Southern Style bbbq. See? Says so right there on the truck.

[Guy Raz]

The extra B is for barbecue.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes, sir. Been cooking these sloppy GS for over 15 minutes.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy. Mindy, I had no idea you had a food truck.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah, I've had this bad boy since before it was even cool to have your own food truck. Isn't that right, Reg? Ooh, excuse me. It'll just be a second. Okay? All right, everything's fine.

[Guy Raz]

Wait a minute, Mindy, isn't this just your ice cream truck with a new paint job?

[Mindy Thomas]

No. Yes.

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh. So how's it been going?

[Mindy Thomas]

Ugh, not great.

[Guy Raz]

How many burgers have you sold today?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, let's see here. Including this morning, um, zero, Zero, zilch, nada, nothing. I don't know what the problem is. Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Well, have you been following the food truck checklist?

[Mindy Thomas]

The food truck checklist?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, let me see here. I think they sent it out in last week's newsletter. Let me just check.

[Mindy Thomas]

Newsletter?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, the D. Hip. It's all about what's hip and happening at the moment. Last week's email was all about food trucks. And if I'm not mistaken. Ah, yes, here we are. The four things you need to start your own food truck company. Number one. Cool name.

[Mindy Thomas]

Check.

[Guy Raz]

Outrageous prices.

[Mindy Thomas]

$400 a burger.

[Guy Raz]

Check. Long wait times.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, I've been waiting all day for my first customer, so check.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. Mindy, it looks like you have everything Checked off. Oh, except for one.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah. Which is?

[Guy Raz]

Well, it says you've gotta have some sort of novelty health ingredient.

[Mindy Thomas]

Like a gimmicky health ingredient.

[Guy Raz]

You know, kale, goji berries, quinoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, wait, I have that.

[Guy Raz]

You do?

[Mindy Thomas]

Sure do.

[Guy Raz]

Well, what is it, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Crickets.

[Guy Raz]

Crickets?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, crickets. You see, Guy, Ras, the cricket is an insect closely related to the grasshopper. Male crickets produce a characteristic rhythmic chirping sound.

[Guy Raz]

I know what a cricket is, Mindy. I just thought you were making burgers as in sloppy GS, not sloppy crickets.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, what do you think the BBBQ stands for?

[Guy Raz]

I thought you said the extra B was for barbecue.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, barbecue bug burgers. Quickly. B, B, B, Q. Good, right.

[Guy Raz]

So you're making your burgers out of crickets?

[Mindy Thomas]

No, I'm not making my sloppy G burgers out of crickets, Guy Raz. I'm making them out of cricket powder.

[Guy Raz]

Cricket powder? Mindy, what in the wow is cricket powder?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, Cricket powder is basically just dried out crickets with all of the juice sucked out of them that have been crushed into a fine powder and then sprinkled all over your food.

[Guy Raz]

Ugh, I think I just lost my appetite forever.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, I think we got a spare bag lying around here somewhere. Okay, let's see. It says here on the bag, a carbon friendly alternative to flour or protein powder. Ooh la la.

[Guy Raz]

A carbon friendly alternative, huh? Do you mind if I have a look at that package, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, of course. Here, catch.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I'm covered in cricket powder.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah.

[Guy Raz]

And it's in my mouth.

[Mindy Thomas]

What does it taste like?

[Guy Raz]

Well, if I had to put it into words, I'd say it's got a slightly nutty, earthy quality to it. Hmm. Yeah, just a hint of raw cocoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

Interesting. And you know what, Guy Raz? You're not freaking out nearly as much as I thought you'd be.

[Guy Raz]

Well, Mindy, now that I think about it, eating bugs isn't nearly as weird as it sounds. I mean, many people around the world have been eating insects for thousands of years for fun. Well, maybe in some cases for fun, but also for nutritional and cultural and even environmental reasons.

[Mindy Thomas]

Environmental reasons, huh? Well, I guess that would make sense.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. Yeah. And look, it says right here on this packaging that cricket powder is more sustainable or better for the planet than most other forms of protein. Like beef, for example.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know. Did you know that it takes something like 450 gallons of water just to make one quarter pound hamburger?

[Guy Raz]

Huh?

[Mindy Thomas]

That's like Four and a half bathtubs of water just to make one burger.

[Guy Raz]

That's crazy. I didn't realize cows were so thirsty.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, what? Uh, no, it's not because the cows are thirsty, Guy Raz. It's because of the water it takes to grow the food that we feed them.

[Guy Raz]

Huh. And that food that we feed them takes more water to grow than, say, a bag of cricket powder.

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz, did you know that one third of all the food grown on Earth isn't even actually for us?

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

It's for all of the cows and the chickens and the pigs that we eat.

[Guy Raz]

Wow. And it says here, Mindy, that this cricket powder is rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, even vitamin B12 exact Oritos. Well, Mindy, it looks like you've got all these boxes ticked.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep.

[Guy Raz]

Name, check. Price, wait times, check. And a healthy food novelty.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, that's not all, Guy Raz. According to a study by Tiffany Weir from Colorado State university, these sloppy GS could also improve your gut health.

[Guy Raz]

Improve my gut health?

[Mindy Thomas]

Mm. You know, the millions of little bacteria that live in your gut and help to keep you healthy.

[Guy Raz]

How?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, Guy Raz, I could tell you. Yes, but I'd rather show you.

[Guy Raz]

Why do I always get a bad feeling when you say that?

[Mindy Thomas]

I don't know. Maybe something you ate. Uh huh. Anywho, I think there's another bug food truck down the road that used the same scientific study as I did for their bug recipes. Maybe we should go check him out. Okay, let me just hang up my apron here. Hey, Reg, can you guard the truck for a few minutes while we're gone? Thanks, buddy. One second, Guy Raz. I'll be right down.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, you've gotta stop kicking these doors down.

[Mindy Thomas]

What's the matter, Guy Raz? Can't you handle it?

[Guy Raz]

No, Mindy, you're the one that can't handle it. I don't think I've seen you use a door handle the whole time I've known you.

[Mindy Thomas]

Huh. I guess using a door handle would help me to cut down on these steel toed sneakers.

[Dennis]

Excuse me, Is this organic?

[Bog Dog]

How many GMUs are in this?

[Dennis]

So you've heard of pink Himalayan rock salt, right? Well, this is pink Himalayan zucchini.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow, this food truck festival has really taken off since the last time I was here. Yeah, I remember when it was just Ira Glass selling those curries out of the back of his pickup truck.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome to this American Rice. Thanks again for joining us. Dish 1.

[Dennis]

The Penang is mightier.

[Guy Raz]

You know, When I first came across this curry in 1999. It sure has. Mindy. Look, all the heavy hitters are here. There's Terry Grows.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ooh, I wonder what she's growing this week.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, and look over there. It's Sarah Koenig's cereal bar. Ooh, it's so good.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, everyone keeps telling me about it. It's on my list.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, is this it, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

It's a bug. Yep, this looks like the one. Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, let's see what they've got on the menu here. Hmm.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ooh.

[Guy Raz]

Pumpkin spice muffins and malt milkshakes.

[Mindy Thomas]

My fourth favorite kind of milkshake.

[Guy Raz]

Should we each get one or two

[Mindy Thomas]

or three or four or all of them?

[Guy Raz]

Excuse me, sir.

[Bog Dog]

Yeah? What'll it be?

[Guy Raz]

I was just hoping to get a.

[Bog Dog]

You got bog juice, bog bread, bug chocolate.

[Guy Raz]

No, that's fine. Thanks. Sorry. What's your name?

[Bog Dog]

Name's Dog. People call me Bog Dog. Bog dog digs his own bugs. I've been cooking bug grub for close to 30 years. When I started, bugs was just slugs and snails.

[Guy Raz]

Wow, that's actually kind of gross.

[Bog Dog]

Oh, no, Terragross is just over there behind you.

[Guy Raz]

No, I was just. Oh, never mind. Could I just get one of those pumpkin spice muffins and a malt milkshake, please?

[Bog Dog]

Yup. Dog will get your grub. Well, technically it's crickets, but this product was produced in a facility that also has grubs.

[Guy Raz]

I'm so excited. They're coming right up.

[Mindy Thomas]

So was the sloppy G I ate for breakfast this morning.

[Guy Raz]

So, Mindy, you were saying that this guy used the same scientific study to craft his food truck menu?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, and in fact, I'm pretty sure we just ordered the exact same food items that were used in the scientific study.

[Guy Raz]

The muffin and the milkshake.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exactoritos.

[Guy Raz]

So what was this study about anyway, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, so this study was conducted by Colorado State University with the goal to find out whether insect protein, and in particular, cricket powder, made a difference in the eater's gut health.

[Guy Raz]

Okay.

[Mindy Thomas]

The researchers took a group of people and put them on a diet that

[Bog Dog]

included pumpkin spice muffin and a malt milkshake for Guy Raz. Order up.

[Mindy Thomas]

Pumpkin spice muffins and malt milkshakes made using cricket powder.

[Bog Dog]

There you go. Enjoy.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, thanks very much. Did you want to take these to go, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, let's walk and talk, Guy Raz. Reggie's probably going to need me back at the truck soon.

[Guy Raz]

Did you want the Milkshake or the muffin?

[Mindy Thomas]

Um, the milkshake. Do we even know who I am? Guy Raz. Here, just stick it in my drinking cap. That way I can drink it while I talk to you. I just need to attach one end to my milkshake and the other to my mouth hole. Oh, yeah, that seems to be working. Now let me just stick it on my head here. Sorry, I got a big nog.

[Guy Raz]

You got it.

[Mindy Thomas]

There we go. Now we can talk. And slurp on the go.

[Dennis]

Great.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, so by the way, what happened to the people who ate a bug balanced diet, Right?

[Mindy Thomas]

So the researchers had them stay on this food plan where they picked out specifically what they would eat for six weeks.

[Guy Raz]

That's good.

[Mindy Thomas]

And at the end of the six weeks, they gave them a full medical checkup, doctor style.

[Guy Raz]

And what did they find, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

They found that the people who were chowing down and slurping up those bugs, they had more bifidobacteria than they had before. Huh.

[Guy Raz]

Bifidobacteria. Bifidobacteria, Bifidobacteria. Where have I heard that before? Oh, I know. I'll check my bacteria app.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, you have a bacteria app?

[Guy Raz]

Oh, yeah, it's called bctr. You get it? Like bacteria, but with none of the vowels. Isn't that cool? It's so cool, mindy. For just $40 a month.

[Mindy Thomas]

$40 a month?

[Guy Raz]

For just $40 a month, I have access to an entire encyclopedic knowledge of gut bacteria.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, well, I have, like, 67 different kinds of bacteria in my belly button. Care to identify those?

[Guy Raz]

I think I'll pass. Okay, let's see here. Ah, here it is. Bifidobacteria, A type of bacteria that lives in our guts and helps break down our food and suck out the nutrients from them.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's right. But not only that, Guy Raz, the researchers also found that this bug food plan had also helped to reduce the inflammation in their body.

[Guy Raz]

Right, right. And inflammation is when part of your body gets swollen.

[Dennis]

Huh.

[Guy Raz]

So it turns out that the bug protein is an all around winner when it comes to a healthy meal.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, which makes it even more confusing as to why I haven't sold a single sloppy G. Oh, wait.

[Guy Raz]

I have an idea for you, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

What?

[Guy Raz]

Why don't you get Reggie to fry one up for me when we get back to the truck and I can give you some feedback?

[Mindy Thomas]

Aw, you'd do that for me?

[Guy Raz]

Anything for science, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Anything for best friendship, Guy Razzy. Oh, look, we're back at the food truck. Hey, Reg, can I get a Sloppy G for this Guy Raz? Okay, here it comes. Guy Raz, you ready?

[Guy Raz]

As I'll ever be.

[Mindy Thomas]

Alright, here's your bun. Now just make sure to keep it wide open and facing Reggie at all times.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, why is.

[Mindy Thomas]

And remember to track the Sloppy G with your eyes.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, what are you.

[Mindy Thomas]

Fire away. Regrets. There you go, Guy Raz. Your very own cricket powder infused Sloppy

[Guy Raz]

G. Mindy, half of that Sloppy G went all over my Please Don't Kill my Vibe sweatshirt. Oh, it's everywhere.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, good. So you can have it as a snack for later.

[Guy Raz]

I'm a mess. Okay, I think I see what the problem is here.

[Mindy Thomas]

What?

[Guy Raz]

Well, Mindy, do you notice anything different about your food truck and all the other food trucks here?

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, well, as far as I can tell, mine's the only one where a pigeon cooks the food.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, your food is the only one that's airborne.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know.

[Guy Raz]

Look at all these food foodies here.

[Bog Dog]

Mindy, are you serious? These eggs are sourced from the foothills of the Andes.

[Guy Raz]

Yes, the chickens are actually massaged for like, three weeks before being asked to lay their eggs. They want kale chips and organically grown Brussels sprouts.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, I'm picking up what you're putting down, Guy Raz. What you're saying is that I need a rebrand.

[Guy Raz]

Exactly. Mindy, you want to tinker with the way that you're presenting your food to the public.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, I get it.

[Dennis]

Perfect.

[Guy Raz]

I mean, this is how you build it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah. Okay, so what you're really saying is that I should serve my sloppy GS in waffle cones?

[Dennis]

What?

[Guy Raz]

No, no, Mindy, I'm saying that you need to.

[Mindy Thomas]

You're not Guy Raz. I have just the thing we need in my adventure tool kit. Let me see here. No, not there. Bad cuts. No, that's not it. Oh, here it is.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, Mindy, is that a spray paint can?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep, it's a four color spray paint can. Kind of like those four color pens. I invented it myself.

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Reg, I need a wing. Reggie is an amazing graffiti artist. You know that mural of the pigeon and cargo shorts that appeared on the side of my gingerbread mansion last week?

[Guy Raz]

You mean the one that made Dennis afraid to come out of his house?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, all Reggie's handiwork.

[Dennis]

Whoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

All right, Reg, let's put that liberal arts degree to work. We're gonna rebrand this truck. I want you to think health nut. Yeah, kind of like Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Hey, I'M not a health nut, but I am nuts about health.

[Mindy Thomas]

You got this? Regular and done. Wow. Nice work, Reg.

[Guy Raz]

Wow. Says ethically sourced, carbon neutral cricket burgers. Yep.

[Mindy Thomas]

Just like Grandma GeForce used to make them.

[Guy Raz]

Hmm. Oh, Mindy, are you sure this is gonna.

[Dennis]

Excuse me.

[Guy Raz]

How much for one?

[Mindy Thomas]

That'll be $400.

[Dennis]

What?

[Guy Raz]

That's a bargain.

[Dennis]

Everyone, there's a bargain over here. Bargain. Uh, hello.

[Bog Dog]

I have a question about the calorie

[Dennis]

content of these crickets.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, boy. Looks like we got a little bit of a rush out here, Reg. Hey, guy. Raz, what are you doing for the rest of the day?

[Guy Raz]

Uh, helping you cook cricket powder. Sloppy GS.

[Mindy Thomas]

I was hoping you'd say that.

[Dennis]

Bargain.

[Mindy Thomas]

Who's hungry?

[Dennis]

Reggie, you were the one who spray painted that scary mural. No, I didn't like it. It was too realistic. For months, I thought there was an actual pigeon in cargo shorts guarding Mindy's gingerbread mansion for some reason. What do you mean? That graffiti pigeon could have had anything in his cargo shorts. Nunchucks, a trebuchet, anything. But now I'm the one with an extra pocket. Yeah, sock pocket, remember? And I'm gonna go outside and show that Merle Pigeon what's what. All right, we gotta wrap up the show. 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. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend. Okay, let's go. You better watch out, mural pigeon. I got a pocket sock full of lasers and battle axes. No, I don't actually have those things. Reggie, shush. The mural doesn't know that. Just have my back. Okay, Reggie, I'm facing my deer. Thanks for joining us for this edition of We Wow. Our show is written by Ruth Morrison and Jad Anderson. The role of Baby Dennis is played by Jed Anderson. Well, then, who plays the role of Big Dennis? Never you mind. Tee hee. Original sound design and production is done by Henry Moskal, with contributions from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thole. Original music for wewow is composed and performed by Tyler Thol. Special thanks to Jessica Bode, Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kenny Curtis, Kristin Yang, Meredith Helpern, Ranzer Twee Mac, Jody Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Guy Raz, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Mindy Thomas, Anna Zagorski, and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ. Be sure to visit Tinkercast.com where you can become an official member of the World Organization of wowzers. Learn about upcoming events, shop our wow Shop, find our best selling books and learn about all the other amazing amazing podcast from Tinkercast. Thanks again for thinking, tinkering, experimenting and exploring with me this week. Be sure to check out episodes of wow in The World on Mondays 2 what's in a wow on Fridays and We wow on the weekend with Dennis on the weekends. And remember who Wows. I wow. Oh baby. Dennis. We wow all right. Wee.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow. Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.