Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend (August 10, 2025) Hosts: Dennis and Reggie Produced by Tinkercast | Wondery

Introduction and Back-to-School Excitement

The episode kicks off with a vibrant and festive welcome from hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, celebrating the new school year with their audience, the "Wowzers." Mindy exuberantly wishes everyone a happy new school year, accompanied by playful antics involving a confetti cannon (00:12-01:07).

Notable Quote:

Mindy Thomas [00:32]: "The new school year with some extra wow."

Listener Messages and Reviewsies

Dennis and Reggie take center stage in this segment titled "Reading Reviewsies," where they engage with listener feedback. They read and respond to reviews submitted by fans, showcasing the interactive and community-driven aspect of the show.

• First Review:
  Username: kolykat777
  Title: "Wee wow on the weekend is awesome."
  Message: Dennis contemplates the scientific curiosity about why "cookies bake and bacon cooks," sparking a playful hypothesis-testing scenario (05:55-08:18).

  Notable Quote:

  Dennis [06:02]: "Cookies bake and bacon cooks. Well, I think it's because you bake cookies in an oven and you cook bacon on the stove. Right?"

• Second Review:
  Username: kmsgarrett
  Title: "Dennis and Reggie are the best."
  Message: Dennis narrates a humorous attempt to jump on an alligator, emphasizing safety and the differences between crocodiles and alligators (08:19-07:15).

• Third Review:
  Username: leahhat1983
  Title: "Please read."
  Message: A passionate love for rubber ducks leads to a lively discussion and a spontaneous rubber duck impression by Reggie (07:15-08:18).

Notable Quote:

Reggie [07:15]: "I love rubber ducks. I have 112 rubber ducks."

Interactive Science Experiments and Fun

The hosts delve into playful science experiments, blending humor with educational content. Dennis and Reggie explore the concept of sonochemistry—the study of how sound waves affect chemical reactions—through an unconventional experiment involving playing music to cheese to influence its ripening process.

Key Highlights:

• Setup of the Cheese Experiment:
  Mindy explains the scientific premise behind playing different genres of music to cheese, referencing a study by the Bern University of the Arts in Switzerland (15:00-17:30).

  Notable Quote:

  Mindy Thomas [17:06]: "According to a recent study by the Bern University of the Arts in Switzerland, playing certain types of music to cheese can help to improve the taste."

• Implementation in the Show:
  A humorous portrayal unfolds as Mindy transforms Guy Raz's kitchen into a makeshift recording studio to conduct the cheese experiment, complete with multiple wheels of Emmental cheese exposed to various music genres, including hip hop, classical, techno, and silence as a control (18:00-26:00).

  Notable Quote:

  Guy Raz [16:01]: "So does that mean that the sound waves from the music actually affected the chemical reactions and then the taste of the cheese?"

• Taste Test and Results:
  The experiment culminates in a taste test where Guy Raz evaluates the cheeses exposed to different music genres. The hip hop-infused cheese emerges as the fruitiest and most flavorful, aligning with the initial study's findings (30:00-32:18).

  Notable Quote:

  Mindy Thomas [31:19]: "The experts concluded that most of the cheese that had been exposed to music had a milder flavor compared to the control cheese... the hip hop cheese was the fruitiest and the tastiest cheese of the bunch."

Behind-the-Scenes Antics and Host Interactions

Throughout the episode, the dynamic between Dennis, Reggie, Mindy, and Guy adds a layer of humor and spontaneity. Mindy's unconventional methods and Guy's bewildered reactions create engaging and entertaining moments, such as transforming the kitchen into a recording studio and the impromptu cheese tasting party (13:09-27:08).

Notable Quote:

Guy Raz [14:02]: "Mindy, did you turn my kitchen into a recording studio?"

Closing and Community Engagement

As the episode wraps up, Dennis and Reggie invite listeners to participate by leaving reviews and sharing their talents for future talent shows. They emphasize community involvement and encourage ongoing interaction through various platforms (35:12-37:52).

Notable Quote:

Dennis [35:12]: "Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to Wee Wow on the weekend."

Additionally, Mindy and Guy remind listeners about early and ad-free listening options available through Wondery+, Wondery Kids on Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music for Prime members, reinforcing listener engagement and platform accessibility (36:01-38:02).

Conclusion and Takeaways

"WeWow on the Weekend" masterfully blends education with entertainment, showcasing how scientific concepts like sonochemistry can be explored through playful and imaginative experiments. The engaging interactions between hosts and the incorporation of listener feedback create a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, making complex topics accessible and enjoyable for both kids and their grown-ups.

Overall Insights:

• Innovative Science Communication:
  The episode exemplifies creative ways to present scientific ideas, making learning fun and interactive.

• Community Building:
  Through segments like "Reading Reviewsies" and interactive experiments, the show fosters a strong sense of community and participation.

• Humor and Education:
  The balanced use of humor alongside educational content ensures that listeners are both entertained and informed.

Final Thought: This episode of "Wow in the World" underscores the podcast's mission to inspire curiosity and wonder in young minds and their families, encouraging exploration and learning through innovative storytelling and engaging activities.