WeWow on the Weekend (8/17/25)

Summary

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Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend (8/17/25)

Hosts: Dennis, Reggie, Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz
Release date: August 17, 2025

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Episode Theme & Purpose

This WeWow on the Weekend episode brings listeners a science-filled, silly Saturday as Dennis and Reggie host from the “basement studio” and revisit an early “Wow in the World” classic: Episode 9, "Tooting Cows and Crickets for Breakfast." The show explores the surprising impact cows have on the planet through their methane emissions, and considers whether bugs could be the protein-packed food of the future. Laughter, jokes, and wacky cooking experiments abound, making science accessible—and hilarious—for kids and their grown-ups.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Weekend Kickoff & Cooking Chaos

[02:57–07:50]

• Dennis and Reggie open with singing, banter, and plans for a new “cooking segment.”
  • Dennis decides to invent "Dishing it up with Dennis"—a spontaneous cooking show.
  • Lacking eggs for a frittata, Dennis improvises with strawberry yogurt, Halloween candy, and a cheese doodle found in the couch.
  • The resulting snack is declared inedible with dramatic flair:

    “Oh, no, it's terrible. Where did I go wrong? Reggie, quick, get me my emotional support juice box.” – Dennis (06:58)

2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Revisiting the Classic “Tooting Cows and Crickets for Breakfast”

[07:59–14:22]

• Dennis introduces a throwback episode exploring cows and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Mindy and Guy Raz take center stage with playful banter and cow facts:
  • Fun Cow Facts:
    “Did you know that a cow drinks a bathtub's worth of water every single day?” – Mindy (08:15) “A cow can walk up the stairs, but it can't walk back down the stairs.” – Mindy (08:25)
  • Main Science Focus:
    Mindy introduces the idea that cows produce methane—a major greenhouse gas—every time they burp or toot, contributing significantly to atmospheric warming.
  • Memorable Exchange:
    “Every time a cow toots, the earth freaks out a little bit.” – Mindy (08:59) “You mean the amount of methane they produce...has a negative impact on the Earth due to the level of greenhouse gas emissions, right?” – Guy Raz (09:05)
• Visualizing Methane Output:
  • Mindy claims to have collected cow toots in milk jugs—all from her “cow pal Yarl.”

    “What you're looking at here is 50 gallons of grade A cow toots, all produced exclusively by my cow pal Yarl over here. Oh man, he's a prize winning tutor.” – Mindy (10:05)

• Bigger Environmental Picture:
  • Mindy and Guy discuss other sources of greenhouse gases, including burning coal, driving cars, and trash disposal.
  • Practical Solutions Suggested:
    • Turning off electronics, using energy-saving bulbs, reusing stuff, reducing heating/cooling, planting gardens.

    “There are lots of little ways that we can help. And some of those start in our very own homes.” – Mindy (11:44)

• Bugs for Breakfast?!
  • Mindy unveils a fresh idea from scientific research—eating insects and imitation meat could help reduce reliance on cows, and thus cut methane emissions.

    “All we have to do is eat bugs.” – Mindy (12:12) “So one of the reasons there are so many cows tooting up the atmosphere is because we humans depend on them so much for food and for milk.” – Mindy (12:25)

  • University of Edinburgh research suggests replacing half of beef consumption with insects or lab-grown/plant-based meat would help the planet.

    “Researchers discovered that insects and imitation meat are actually the best kinds of meat when it comes to how it affects our planet.” – Mindy (13:12)

  • Guy Raz voices comic reluctance:

    “There’s a lot I would do for science, but eat bugs?” – Guy Raz (12:21)

  • Mindy clarifies:

    “If we all pitched in to make little changes in the way we eat… we could help the Earth and save it from the hordes of greenhouse gas emitting cows.” – Mindy (14:03)

  • Segment ends with a playful call:

    “Now pork over that bag of cheesy cockroach doodles, Guy Raz, it's time to rescue this planet.” – Mindy (14:09)

3. Post-Episode Reflection and Insect Eating

[14:22–15:40]

• Dennis recaps that eating insects isn’t so odd—especially as Mindy later opens a cricket burger food truck in a future season.
  • “Oh yeah, I want to try a chocolate covered cricket. But if I don’t like it, I’m going right back to my diet of cheese doodles and iceberg lettuce. The two food groups.” – Dennis (14:52)
  • Brief discussion on various edible insects (crickets, ants, mealworms, even scorpions – minus the stinger).

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Dennis invents cooking on the fly:
  “The couch is basically a pantry.” – Dennis (06:22)
• Methane cow math:
  “When you’re dealing with something like almost 50 gallons of methane gas per cow per day, that’s a lot of toots and burps.” – Mindy (09:32)
• On bugs as food:
  “It's not the craziest idea to start thinking of insects as a regular part of our breakfast, lunch and dinner.” – Mindy (13:32)
• Science takeaway for listeners:
  “If we all pitched in to make little changes in the way we eat… we could help the Earth and save it from the hordes of greenhouse gas emitting cows.” – Mindy (14:03)
• Listener engagement: “Remember, if you want to ask me a question or tell me a joke or a riddle or a haiku, leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW!” – Dennis (15:17)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------| | 02:57 | Dennis & Reggie’s weekend kickoff | | 03:42 | “Dishing it up with Dennis” disastrous frittata | | 07:59 | Inside Tinkercast Studios segment starts | | 08:03 | "Tooting Cows and Crickets for Breakfast" intro | | 09:05 | Cow methane and greenhouse gases explained | | 12:12 | Mindy: Eating insects to help the planet | | 14:09 | "Cheesy cockroach doodles" & solutions summary | | 14:22 | Dennis’ post-episode wrap-up | | 15:17 | Listener call-in instructions |

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode is bursting with playful energy, puns, and the signature banter of the Wow in the World crew. Educational science facts are woven seamlessly into jokes and skits—making climate science, methane, and alternative protein sources both accessible and laugh-out-loud funny for kids and their grown-ups alike. The show encourages curiosity, a willingness to experiment (even in the kitchen!), and small changes to help the planet.

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Transcript

[A]

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.

[B]

Hey wowzer Fams. Mindy and Guy Raz here. And before we start the show, did you hear that we are on YouTube.

[A]

That's right Mindy Wowzer Fams. You can find full episodes of wow in the World and more of your favorite Tinkercast podcasts on our YouTube channel WowTube.

[B]

Plus on WowTube you can also watch me explode some watermelons and test out Bonkerball's experiments in the laboratory of bad ideas.

[A]

Or you can dance along with Dennis for music videos featuring music from WEW on the weekend.

[B]

There is so much in store made just for you on WowTube. Visit Tinkercast.com YouTube to watch. Now that's Tinkercast.com YouTube.

[C]

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[D]

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. 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. We're down in my mother's basement singing songs, playing games, and listening to episodes of our favorite Tinkercast podcasts. Yeah. And doing whatever else we feel like doing. What do you feel like doing, Reggie? Reggie, I said what do you feel like doing? What do you mean? You don't know? You're hungry? Yeah, I suppose I could eat. Ooh, Reggie, we should do a cooking segment. I know. I've been talking about it and talking about it and we haven't done it yet. Yeah, it needs a name. Let's call this segment Dishing it up with Dennis. Ahem. Dish it up on a dish. Anything that you wish. Take a bite. That's delish. Dishing it up with Dennis and Reggie. Welcome to Dishing it up with Dennis. On today's show, we're gonna make. Let's make a frittata. I don't know what a frittata is, but it sounds fancy and I've heard a bunch of people order it at brunch before. Alright, some people might not know what brunch is. Brunch is when you eat breakfast a whole bunch. Yes, it is. Brunch is a whole bunch of breakfast. Okay, let's get cooking. I'm pretty sure that frittatas are made with eggs, so get crackin'. Reggie. What? We don't have any eggs. How do we not have any eggs for the cooking segment I just made up? Okay, I guess we can substitute eggs with, umm, let's see here. This strawberry yogurt I was eating earlier. And then we need some seasoning. And how about. Oh, my leftover Halloween candy. No, it's still good. Okay. Gummy worms into the yogurt, a couple pieces of chocolate. All right, what else? We got a garnish. Great idea. Let me go check the couch cushions. Because, Reggie, the couch is basically a pantry. Alright? We got some loose batteries, a set of keys, a ukulele. Aha. I found a cheese doodle. This will add savory to our sweet. And also a little crunch. There we go. Put that right on top. And voila. A yogurt candy. Cheese doodle. Frittata. Okay, here you go. Reggie, taste it. I made it for you. Reggie, eat the frittata. Fine, mister. I'm not hungry anymore. I'll eat it. Oh, no, it's terrible. Where did I go wrong? Reggie, quick, get me my emotional support juice box. Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry. Okay, okay. Oh, thank goodness. That frittata was horrible. I can't believe you let me eat that. Yeah, good idea. Let's move on. Okay, I think it's time for 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 this weekend, we're revisiting episodes from the very first season of wow in the World. Today we're doing a little story from episode nine called Tooting Cows and Crickets for Breakfast. Oh, no. Not another gross episode with toots in it and crickets for breakfast. I already ate a yogurt candy cheese doodle frittata. I'm stuffed. Ooh, is it maybe about the sport of cricket? Cause I like that. Oh, good idea. I'll check my notes. Now, let's see here. Mindy and Guy. Nah. Nope, it's bugs. Okay, let's just do it. Here we go. And play Wee.

[B]

Wow. Will be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show.

[D]

Well, in the world.

[B]

Guy Raz, you know how people always say every time a cow toots, an angel gets some bangs?

[A]

Uh, I didn't know people say that.

[B]

Sure you do. Don't you remember I told you that last week when we were lost in that cow pasture? It's getting hot out here. Guy Raz, did you know that a cow drinks a bathtub's worth of water every single day?

[A]

My GPS said this is the place.

[B]

Make a U turn. Guy Raz, did you know that a cow can walk up the stairs, but it can't walk back down the stairs? Man, I'm getting tired. Turn left at the cow's butt.

[A]

This is not working.

[B]

Hey, Guy Raz, did you know that you can milk a cow on an airplane?

[D]

Whoa.

[B]

You have arrived.

[D]

Huh?

[B]

And, Guy Raz, did you know that every time a cow toots, an angel gets some bangs?

[A]

Wait, now I recall. You did say that, Mindy, but I'm.

[B]

Not saying it anymore. Turns out it's not even true.

[A]

Well, where's all this going?

[B]

Guy Raz, the thing about cows is that every time they toot, the earth freaks out a little bit.

[A]

And by that, I'M assuming you mean the amount of methane they produce from those toots and burps has a negative impact on the Earth due to the level of greenhouse gas emissions, right?

[B]

Yeah, that's exactly what I just said. So get this. There are one and a half billion cows roaming around our planet, taking up a lot of land, and every time one of them burps or toots, methane gas flies out of their butts. And when you're dealing with something like almost 50 gallons of methane gas per cow per day, that's a lot of toots and burps.

[A]

I'll say. Especially because from what I understand, the average cow only produces 5 to 7 gallons of milk every day.

[B]

Yep. And to prove it, I've been collecting cow toots in milk jugs for the last 12 months.

[A]

You've been hoarding methane gas from livestock in gallon milk jugs.

[B]

Boys, bring in the toots.

[D]

Easy does it. Whoa.

[A]

Oh, man.

[B]

What you're looking at here is 50 gallons of grade A cow toots, all produced exclusively by my cow pal Yarl over here. Oh, man, he's a prize winning tutor. Aren't you, Jarl?

[A]

So, Mindy, maybe we should explain how.

[B]

A cow say toots.

[A]

What?

[B]

Say toots Guy. Raz. Come on. You can do it. Nice. Saved by the cowbell. So what were you trying to ask me again?

[A]

Well, I was attempting to ask you to explain how this methane gas harms planet Earth.

[B]

Oh, yeah. So here's the deal. Cow toots and burps release what are known as greenhouse gases, and greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere.

[A]

And by atmosphere, you're talking about the invisible layers of gases that surround our planet.

[B]

Exactly. And when that heat is trapped in the atmosphere, it makes the planet warmer, which, as you know, is not good.

[A]

Yeah, because when the planet gets warmer, it causes changes to the weather and the seasons. It heats up the oceans. It can cause ice and snow at the top and bottom of the planet to melt, and it could change the way we humans and other animals live our lives in the future.

[B]

Yeah, and there are lots of other ways that greenhouse gases are being put into our atmosphere. Like every time we burn coal to power our electricity, or when we drive our cars and trucks on the roads. And even how we get rid of our trash by burning it. These are just a few of the ways that we're junking up the atmosphere besides cows tooting up the Earth.

[A]

So what are some of the things that we humans can do to help out?

[B]

Well, there are lots of little ways that we can Help. And some of those start in our very own homes.

[A]

Oh, you mean like turning off electronic devices when we're not using them? Yeah, or using things like energy saving.

[B]

Light bulbs, or reusing stuff, or chilling out on the heat and air conditioning, or even planting a garden of native plants.

[A]

But no, we're back to butts.

[B]

Guy Raz. Scientists may have just discovered a new way to help save the planet.

[D]

Really?

[B]

And all we have to do is eat bugs.

[A]

Eat what?

[B]

Oh, come on, like you've never eaten a maggot before? Mindy.

[A]

No, I mean, there's a lot I would do for science, but eat bugs?

[B]

Guy Raz, just hear me out on this. So one of the reasons there are so many cows tooting up the atmosphere is because we humans depend on them so much for food and for milk.

[A]

Yeah, hamburgers and steak and even milk have a lot of the protein we need in our diets, which I guess is why we eat and drink so much of it.

[B]

Yeah, well, so these researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Scotland's rural college wanted to see what would happen if we were to replace half of the beef that we eat with insects.

[A]

So, like crickets?

[B]

Yeah, crickets, mealworms, or even Frankenstein meat. Really?

[A]

You mean meat that's produced in the laboratory?

[B]

Yeah, fake meat.

[A]

So imitation meat made with soybeans or tofu. Like tofu hot dogs or soy chorizo.

[B]

Sure, whatever you want to call it. The point is, researchers discovered that insects and imitation meat are actually the best kinds of meat when it comes to how it affects our planet.

[A]

So are you saying that if we truly care about the Earth, we. We should just give up our bacon wrapped cheeseburgers for a steady diet of grasshoppers and grub worms?

[B]

That's exactly what I'm saying. Ugh, that's not what I'm saying. What I am saying is that it's not the craziest idea to start thinking of insects as a regular part of our breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[A]

Are you making this up, Mindy?

[B]

Not this time, Guy Raz. These researchers realized that if we all pitched in to make little changes in the way we eat, doing things like eating insects for protein, or choosing chicken or fish or plant based foods over beef, or even just easing up on the amount of food we waste, we.

[A]

Could help the Earth and save it from the hordes of greenhouse gas emitting cows.

[B]

Now pork over that bag of cheesy cockroach doodles. Guy Raz, it's time to rescue this planet.

[A]

Now that is something you said it.

[D]

Wow. So interesting that Mindy was talking about eating crickets in season one. Yeah, because later in season three, episode eight, Mindy opens up a food truck where she serves cricket burgers. Oh really? There are lots of cultures around the world where people eat bugs. Maybe I should give it a try. Are there any candy coated varieties? Oh yeah, I want to try a chocolate covered cricket. But if I don't like it, I'm going right back to my diet of cheese doodles and iceberg lettuce. The two food groups. Well devoted listeners, that's all for this weekend. Remember, if you want to ask me a question or tell me a joke or a riddle or a haiku, 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 Reggie, let's go get some chocolate covered crickets. So what other kind of insects can humans eat? Mealworms. Nuh. And ants. Right. I forgot about those Reggie. Scorpions. That can't be right. Oh, you don't eat the scorpion stinger. Well what happens when you.

[B]

Grown ups? If you like WOW in the world you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[A]

Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[B]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey. Thanks for joining us for this edition of We Wow on the Weeknd. Our show is written by Ruth Morrison and Jed Anderson. Original sound design and production is done by Henry Moskal and Marion Lozano with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thole. Original music for We Wow on the Weeknd is composed and performed by Tyler Thole.

[A]

Special thanks to Steph Sosa, Rebecca Caban and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[B]

There's still time to share your Wee Wow crafternoon challenges with us grown ups. You can upload pictures and videos of your projects to [e-mail] share or call us at 1-888-7-WWOW.

[A]

Our website is tinkercast.com there you can learn more about becoming an official member of the the World Organization of Wowzers, learn about upcoming events, shop our shop and pick up a copy of the latest edition of our number one New York Times bestselling book series wow. In the Wild.

[B]

Thanks again for thinking tinkering, experimenting and exploring with us this week. Meet us back here on Monday for wow in the world and remember who.

[D]

Wows we wow wow in the wow wow in the world wow in the wow wow in the world wow in.

[B]

The world was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.