WeWow on the Weekend

Summary

Podcast Summary: WeWow on the Weekend

Podcast: Wow in the World
Date: April 25, 2026
Hosts: Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz, Dennis, Reggie the Giant Pigeon
Notable Guests/Characters: Grandma G Force, Thomas Fingerling

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Overview

This episode of WeWow on the Weekend, a spin-off of the hugely popular Wow in the World science podcast, blends irreverent humor with amazing science storytelling. Host Dennis, joined by his giant pigeon pal, Reggie, takes listeners on a "behind-the-scenes" relisten to Wow in the World Season 3, Episode 6: "Duck Duck Poop: A Tale of Symbiosis." Along with the relisten, Dennis shares diary entries, chats with fans, and draws parallels between the funny fowl tale and everyday kid life. The highlight is the entertaining and science-packed story of how ducks help spread duckweed—featuring a deeper exploration of symbiosis and plenty of giggles for young listeners.

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Episode Structure and Key Segments

1. Dennis & Reggie's Weekend Kickoff

[03:25 - 06:56]

• Dennis introduces the show and chats with Reggie about their latest adventures (biking, sky biking).
• Shares a humorous diary entry involving Mindy, Guy Raz, sneaky shed snooping, garden mishaps, and an eventful return home in a wheelbarrow.
  • Memorable Moment: Dennis’s slapstick tale of getting stuck in Mindy’s shed and encountering a “squirrely squirrel” who bites him on the nose.
  • Quote (Dennis, 06:22): “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.”

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2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: "Duck Duck Poop" Relisten

[06:56 – 29:55]

a. Library Story Slam: Setting the Scene

[09:18 - 10:44]

• Mindy is reintroduced at a library event, with humorous asides from other characters.
• Grandma G Force and Thomas Fingerling add comic interruptions.

b. The Duck and the Duckweed: The Symbiosis Science Story

[10:54 - 23:47]

• The Scientific Mystery:
  • Mindy begins with the story of a duck eating duckweed (Wolffia columbiana) from one pond, then traveling to another pond and "leaving a magical gift"—aka, pooping out the duckweed, spreading it to new places.
• The Science Unfolds:
  • Guy Raz and Mindy discuss how birds can carry seeds in their digestive systems, spreading plant life to new locations.
  • Unlike seeds, in this case the full duckweed plant survives digestion and can multiply in new ponds.
  • The Brazilian scientist Giliandro Silva investigates by collecting and freezing duck poop, then closely inspecting it and discovering perfectly intact, living duckweed bulbs.
    • Quote (Mindy, 19:19): “Even after being swallowed, digested, and pooped out of the duck, the plants were not only still intact, but they were also alive.”
  • Further experiments with duck poop from three ducks confirm that the duckweed survives and multiplies after digestion.
• Science Cliffhanger:
  • The scientists are amazed; possible explanations include the round shape and tiny size of the duckweed bulbs speeding up digestion and reducing acid exposure.
    • Quote (Guy Raz, 21:25): “And what did they discover?”
    • Quote (Mindy, 22:16): “In the words of Jeff Goldblum… ‘Life finds a way.’”
  • The true reason for the duckweed’s resilience remains an open scientific question.

c. Symbiosis and Its Types

[24:17 - 28:26]

• Guy Raz and Mindy discuss symbiosis—the close relationship between two living organisms.
  • Mutualism: Both organisms benefit—like ducks spreading duckweed, pollinators and flowers.
    • Memorable Exchange:
      • (Mindy, 25:05): “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, 25:16): “Wow, those are some interesting earrings, Mindy. They look like real teeth.”
  • Commensalism: One benefits, the other is not affected—like Mindy eating pizza crust from Guy Raz’s compost bin.
  • Parasitism: One benefits, the other is harmed—examples include fleas on dogs, or Mindy’s mischievous inventions using Guy Raz’s car parts or eyebrows.
    • Quote (Guy Raz, 28:12): “Or that time you shaved off my eyebrows while I was sleeping and gave them to Reggie for his birthday.”

d. Science Takeaway

[29:11 - 29:55]

• Mindy and Guy Raz reflect on scientific curiosity and the joy of new mysteries.
  • Quote (Guy Raz, 29:18): “The more we know, the more scientific mysteries reveal themselves.”

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3. Dennis & Reggie’s Wrap-Up on Symbiosis

[30:03 - 30:33]

• Dennis compares his own relationship with Reggie to the mutualism between ducks and duckweed: “We help each other. I help Reggie and he helps me. We're just like ducks and duckweed, except we don't eat each other or poop each other out.”

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4. Listener Participation & Goodbye Song

[30:34 - 31:24]

• Dennis encourages listener questions and submissions for the talent show.
• Closes with a silly “goodbye song” and a plan to get bubble tea with Reggie.

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5. Special Listener Shoutouts

[31:24 - end]

• Mindy and Guy Raz thank supporting listeners, reading a long list of kids and families from across the world.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Dennis on Symbiosis:
  [30:03] “We’re just like ducks and duckweed, except we don’t eat each other or poop each other out.”

• Mindy’s Science Wonder:
  [19:19] “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’s Jurassic Park Reference:
  [22:16] “In the words of Jeff Goldblum, playing Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park: ‘Life finds a way.’”

• Mischievous Mutualism:
  [25:05] Mindy: “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?” [28:12] Guy Raz: “Or that time you shaved off my eyebrows while I was sleeping and gave them to Reggie for his birthday.”

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Educational Themes

• Symbiosis in Nature: Explored through funny stories and real science, focusing on how relationships between living things benefit one or both partners, with easy-to-understand definitions and kid-friendly examples.
• Curiosity and the Scientific Process: Showcased in the duckweed research, inspiring kids to think like scientists and enjoy the thrill of following unanswered questions.
• Science in Everyday Life: The relationship between Dennis and Reggie as a playful analogy to symbiosis cements the idea that science is all around us—even in friendships.

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Final Thoughts

This episode is a joyful mix of science, storytelling, and silliness. The tale of pooping ducks and resilient duckweed becomes a springboard for teaching kids about scientific investigation, ecological relationships, and the wonders of curiosity-driven discovery. With zany comedy and real science, it delivers the Wow in "Wow in the World."

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For fans old and new, this relisten is sure to bring laughter, learning, and a little more appreciation for the hidden connections in our world.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, Wowzer, fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, guess what? The brand new season of two what's in a People who Wow Edition begins this Friday.

[B]

Cue the confetti, Reg.

[A]

In this Getting to Know youw game show, I'll be visited by some of the world's most fascinating people to get the wows and the what's of their lives. From cartoonist and graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier of the Smile series, to everyday extraordinary kids just like you. And that's not all. With this new season of two what's in a wow? There are now two ways to wow. What am I talking about? Well, first, you can listen to episodes right here in our wow. In the World podcast feed.

[B]

Or.

[A]

And this is a big or. Yeah, you're right, Reg. That doesn't have the same ring to it. Okay, now where was I? Oh, yeah. As always, you can listen to new episodes in your favorite podcast player, or you can watch these episodes with your eyeballs on YouTube.

[B]

I know.

[A]

I should comb my hair or something. We are so excited for you to listen and watch our new season of two once in a while, People who Wow Edition starting this Friday. So make sure you're subscribed to our podcast feed and our WowTube channel on YouTube so you don't miss out. That's two what's in a People who Wow Edition coming this Friday. But in the meantime, let's get back to the show. Hey, Grown Ups. Mindy here. And do I have a wow for you. What if I told you that the best kids math program is actually inspired by comic books and it's about monsters? It's called Beast Academy. And the little monsters, like Grog, do the kind of math that gives kids curious enough to stop and think and figure things out for themselves. For example, Krog asked his Beast Academy math club, if our school has more than 366 kids in it, is it guaranteed that two of them will have exactly the same birthday? He proved that the answer is yes. Through problem solving. Wow. That's Beast Academy. Where kids build problem solving skills through interesting problems and puzzles. It's from the folks at Art of Problem Solving, the same people who train math champions. Grown ups. Head to beastacademy.com and use code BEASTWOW for 10% off the online program. Oh, and tell Grog Mindy says hi.

[C]

Who's that walking through the woods?

[B]

Wyatt Yoshi.

[C]

Here to explore a world of curious creatures with you. Discovered a creature you haven't seen before. Why don't you get Yoshi to see what it tastes like. Hmm.

[A]

Soapy.

[C]

No wonder this creature blows giant bubbles so big they can carry you. You can even jump from one bubble to another and reach new areas. There are plenty more surprises to discover, too. Bowser Jr. What are you doing out here? You can jump into adventure with Yoshi and The Mysterious Book. May 21, only on Nintendo Switch 2. Game Rated E for everyone.

[D]

Ah.

[B]

Ah.

[D]

Ahem. We wow on the weekend? We wow on the weekend? We wow on the weekend? Cause this is what 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 Reggie the giant pigeon. Right, right, right. He's my co host and my best friend and 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 what's new with me? Well, let me just crack the old diary 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.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

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

[E]

Oh, hey, Mindy.

[A]

Hey, Karaz.

[D]

But I couldn't hear them so good. So I decided to go for an afternoon snoop in Mindy's gingerbread garden shed. Tee hee hee. 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. It's locked. So I decided to climb out of a window, but I got stuck. Uh, 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.

[F]

Ah.

[D]

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.

[E]

Oh, I can't see.

[B]

I can't see.

[D]

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 wok, someone had pushed me all the way home in Mindy's wheelbarrow. What the. Wha.

[B]

How'd I get here?

[D]

Oh, it was you. Thanks, Reggie. The end by Dennis. What'd you think, Reggie?

[B]

No.

[D]

Only I can read my diary. It's secret. Okay, next up is a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Ahem. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we revisit an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast shows. And today we're listening to wow in the World, Season 3, Episode 6 called Duck Duck Poop. A Tale of Symbiosis. What? 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, gajoop. It's like they think poop is funny or something. Oh, ha ha. Real mature, Regg. Okay, here we go. And play

[B]

wee.

[A]

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

[G]

Yellow grown ups. Jett Anderson here from Tinkercast. I got a question for you. How does your household manage to keep track of everything? I mean, really, I want to know because after a day of producing another episode of wow in the World and keeping track of all the crazy characters, the voices, I then have to keep track of all the crazy characters at home. That is why I came Wait to get a Skylight calendar. It's an all in one digital smart calendar that syncs with Google Calendar, Outlook, and more. And it gives you and your kids the perfect customized view of everyone's events, chores, and to dos so that nothing slips through the cracks. Families are better when they're working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch calendars by going to myskylight.com wowintheworld go to myskylight.com wowIntheworld for $30. 15 inch calendar. That's my S K Y L I G-H-T.com wowintheworld that's it.

[A]

Now back to the show.

[B]

Wow in the World. And then I said, oh, your baby can talk. Mmm. Well, big Dipper, I can need a fork. And I did. Right there in the middle of that buffet. That was two Weeks ago and I still haven't passed it.

[A]

Okay, okay.

[F]

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 or

[H]

the Knuckle hut off Highway 72. Why, I hear kids under three get in free.

[E]

Mindy. Is that Thomas Fingerling from the Knuckle Hut?

[B]

Oh, wow.

[H]

Coupons on the website Knucklehut Biz.

[F]

Our 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.

[E]

I get it.

[F]

Round of applause for.

[D]

Woo.

[B]

Yay.

[F]

Mindy.

[B]

Hi.

[A]

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. 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.

[B]

That's my granddaughter.

[A]

That's my Grandma G. Force. Hi, Grandma G Force.

[B]

Did somebody call my name?

[E]

That's my best friend. Thumbs up.

[F]

Mindy.

[B]

You got this.

[A]

Okay, Raz. Okay, well, today I would like to share with you a non fiction story about a duck.

[G]

Yeah, nonfiction.

[D]

Oh, no, don't.

[H]

What?

[G]

Factual assertions are sweet.

[A]

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

[H]

What was the duck's name?

[A]

Uh, I. I don't know if it had a name. It was. It was just a duck.

[B]

I once wrestled a duck named Waddles.

[D]

What?

[B]

He was a real firecracker. I tell you what.

[H]

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

[B]

Well, duck and cover Fingerling.

[A]

Okay, can we just get back to the story, please?

[H]

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

[A]

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 columbiana. Known for being one of the teeniest, tiniest flowering plants ever found in nature.

[E]

Oh, yes, Duckweed. You know, guys, there is something 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.

[B]

They're raw.

[E]

Sorry, sorry.

[A]

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.

[H]

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

[B]

Did that duck wrap the present?

[H]

First question, we want details. Now, what kind of wrapping paper was it?

[A]

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

[H]

We're listening.

[A]

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, emerald green carpet of duckweed.

[E]

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.

[B]

She said it was a magical mystery.

[G]

Oh, I believe I've got it. Just like a chicken can lay an

[E]

egg, the duck laid poop eggs filled

[G]

with self multiplying plants called duckweeds.

[H]

Ooh, good thinking, Miss Missy. See, ducks ain't the only ones. What? Poop eggs?

[A]

Who is supposed to be telling the story here?

[E]

Oh, sorry. S. Sorry.

[A]

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?

[B]

Cold science.

[H]

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

[A]

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.

[E]

I know, I know, I know.

[A]

Pick me. Pick me. Yes. Hi, Sky Raz.

[E]

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

[A]

Yeah, well, actually, I didn't.

[E]

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.

[A]

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.

[F]

Yes.

[E]

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.

[A]

That is true, Guy Raz.

[B]

I was born a plant baby.

[A]

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.

[E]

Amazing.

[A]

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

[H]

Now, quick question.

[G]

Are ducks technically birds or fish?

[B]

You ever heard of a chicken? Of.

[H]

Who you calling a chicken?

[B]

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

[A]

Oh, sorry, Sorry.

[H]

Sorry, sir.

[A]

Thank you. Now, where was I?

[B]

You're at the library.

[A]

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,

[E]

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.

[A]

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.

[H]

So what did he do?

[A]

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.

[E]

Anything for science.

[A]

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

[E]

Anything for science.

[A]

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.

[B]

A million dollars duckweed.

[A]

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 catch.

[E]

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

[A]

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.

[E]

Wait a minute. I know I'm saying that a lot, 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.

[B]

I got eaten by a duck once, and I ate it fast.

[A]

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 duckweed out of the poop one by one and placed them in small glass petri dishes.

[E]

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

[A]

Yes, that is a petri dish.

[E]

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

[H]

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

[D]

How old are you?

[A]

Thank you for that. Sidebar. Guy Raz.

[E]

You're welcome.

[A]

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.

[E]

And what did they discover?

[A]

Wait for it.

[E]

I'm waiting.

[A]

Wait for it, Mindy. Wait for it.

[B]

Sounds like somebody brought a duck to storage.

[A]

Guy Raz, everyone. Not only did 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.

[D]

So?

[E]

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

[A]

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.

[G]

And then what?

[A]

I'm sorry, what you said the duckweed

[G]

survived the digestion process.

[D]

How did it do that?

[A]

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

[H]

Oh, no, not a cliffhanger.

[A]

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 mix, mixed with the fact that it's really, really small, which

[E]

I presume would help with the speed of digestion, giving it less time for

[A]

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

[H]

Well, I'm gonna go find out myself.

[B]

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

[E]

Did they just.

[A]

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

[F]

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. Oh, no.

[E]

That was a really fascinating story, Mindy.

[A]

Thanks, Guy. Razzie.

[E]

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

[A]

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

[E]

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

[A]

Yeah, and what are they?

[E]

The. 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.

[A]

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?

[E]

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

[A]

Well, do you remember complimenting?

[E]

Wow, those are some interesting earrings, Mindy.

[D]

They look like real teeth.

[A]

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

[E]

Really?

[A]

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

[E]

Uh, yeah.

[A]

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

[E]

That's right. Very generous of those flowers.

[A]

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.

[E]

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

[A]

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

[B]

Ha.

[E]

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

[A]

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

[E]

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

[A]

And the duckweed would multiply and spread for more ducks to eat. A symbiotic relationship built in. Mutualism. Whoa.

[E]

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

[A]

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

[E]

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

[A]

Like when I eat scraps from your compost bin. Ugh. 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.

[E]

You ate the pizza crust out of my compost bin.

[A]

Let's not focus on where it came from. Okay?

[E]

I'm. I'm just. Do you know where.

[A]

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

[E]

That would be parasitism.

[A]

Parasitism.

[B]

Hmm.

[A]

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

[E]

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

[A]

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

[E]

Yes.

[A]

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

[E]

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

[A]

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

[E]

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

[B]

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

[H]

And risk injuring these Prize winning knuckles. No way, mister.

[A]

Looks like our favorite new symbiotic relationship is back. Hey, grandma. G force, did you and Thomas Fingerling find out how the duckweed was able to survive the duck's digestive system?

[B]

My fingerling over here couldn't find the car.

[H]

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.

[B]

I'll look you up in the card catalog.

[A]

Well, looks like we might have to wait a little longer before we're able to solve this particular scientific mystery.

[E]

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

[A]

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

[F]

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

[B]

Here we go.

[E]

Wow.

[D]

That was so cool. Yeah, the ducks and the duckweed have a symbiotic relationship. It's just like us, Reggie. Symbiosis means we help each other. I help Reggie and he helps me. We're just like ducks and duckweed, except we don't eat each other or poop each other out. Yeah. Hey, Reggie, guess what? I'm thirsty. Yeah, let's wrap up the show and go get bubble tea.

[A]

Ahem.

[D]

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 be. But I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show. Bye.

[E]

Before we get into the credits for today's episode, we want to give some special shout outs and say a huge thank you to some of the wowzers whose families are powering the WOW this year.

[A]

We broke the names up into two batches and here is our first batch of names. We are so grateful for your support.

[E]

Owen and Aubrey from California. Saman and Ryan from California. Oralene and Esther from New York. Ella from Singapore. Lacey elementary from North Carolina.

[A]

Teddy, Silas and Emmett. From Arizona Jason from Texas Eli and Nolan from Texas Luke and Noel from

[E]

North Carolina Elan from California Emmett and Adler from Kansas John, Katie, Ethan and Amelia from Pennsylvania Nejla and Yakub from Kuwait Evelyn, Ramona and Tabitha from Nevada

[A]

John R From Wisconsin Emory and Isla from California Caroline from Massachusetts Ian and Declan from Washington Elena and Lucia from

[E]

Maryland Parker from Texas Albert and Lulu from Brighton, England Hayden, Hazel and Allie from Pennsylvania Magnus from the District of Columbia William and Allie from Virginia Brendan,

[A]

Jessica, David and and Michael from Ohio Bailey, Macy and Hank from South Carolina James from Washington Peter, Teddy and Leo from Minnesota Paul from Rhode Island Nuri

[E]

from Washington Violet and Will from California Audrey and Ethan from Virginia Alex H From Tennessee James and Madison from Utah

[A]

and happy birthday to to Otis from Minnesota from the bottom of our hearts and the tops of our brains thank

[B]

you.