Wow in the World — WeWow on the Weekend (9/13/25)

Release Date: September 13, 2025
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz (with Dennis, Baby Dennis & Reggie)
Podcast: Tinkercast | Wondery

Episode Overview

This episode of WeWow on the Weekend, a segment of the popular Wow in the World podcast, blends playful interludes with listener involvement and a deep-dive into science! Hosted by Dennis (with Baby Dennis and Reggie), the show opens with games and review reading before spotlighting a favorite Wow in the World episode about the surprising science of flamingos. Listeners are treated to fun banter, memorable experiments, and clear explanations that showcase the wonders of animal biology and innovation.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Opening Banter & "What's in the Box" Game

(01:27–03:45)

• The "WeWow on the Weekend" vibe is set, with Dennis welcoming listeners from his mother's basement.
• A recurring bit, "What's in the Box," is revived, much to Baby Dennis’s excitement ("I think it's still funky fresh." – Dennis, 02:13).
• Reggie’s silent humor and Dennis’s ventriloquist dummy, Baby Dennis, join the fray, adding layers of playful mischief.

Memorable Moment:

• “The giant pigeon put Baby Dennis in here.” – Baby Dennis, 03:19

2. "Review-viewsies!" — Listener Reviews Segment

(03:51–07:32)

• Dennis and Baby Dennis read and react to playful user-submitted reviews.
• Reviews vary from mysterious usernames and questions about recurring Wow in the World characters ("Who do you think is Static Man?") to silly one-word responses ("chicken, chicken, chicken") and enthusiastic fan feedback.
• Hosts carefully explain the importance and fun of listener feedback, with plenty of giggles and imaginative responses.

Notable Quotes:

• "Reviewsies are the comments people write... and we print them out and read them out loud." – Baby Dennis, 04:06
• "We're rich. Thanks, Ella Rose." – Baby Dennis, 07:13

Highlights:

• [05:17] Discussion about secret identity “Static Man”
• [06:51] 15/10 review celebration

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios — Wow in the World Classic: "Let's Flamingo!"

(07:43–21:22) Dennis and Baby Dennis introduce and comment on this favorite episode, joining Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz as they explore why flamingos stand on one leg.

a. At the Zoo with Mindy and Guy Raz

(09:10–13:01)

• Guy Raz is convinced to don a comical flamingo costume ("Hot pink leggings... squeeze them on!"), as Mindy preps for a science experiment at the zoo.
• Mindy reveals she’s investigating strange bird behavior, to Guy Raz’s (humorous) trepidation.

Quote:

• “Remember how you once said that you would do anything for science?” – Mindy, 10:45
• “But I am absolutely drawing a line at the beak.” – Guy Raz, 11:14

b. The Science of Flamingo Balance

(13:01–20:59)

• Mindy shares the story of a study by Dr. Lena Ting (Emory University) and Dr. Yang Gui Chang (Georgia Institute of Technology) examining how flamingos maintain balance.
• Explanation of biomedical engineering, neurmachinists, and their importance in studying both humans and animals.
• Flamingos can sleep standing on one leg using almost no muscle energy—a "superpower" compared to humans or other birds.
• The scientists use force plates with baby flamingos, then flamingo cadavers, to measure muscle force and discover a specialized hip structure.

Notable Scientific Insights:

• Flamingos’ unique leg and hip design allows effortless balance.
• Flamingo cadavers can stand on one leg without muscles (thanks to the mechanical hinge in their hips).
• The findings open paths for developing better prosthetics and robotics.

Quotes:

• “So they took the cadavers and they set them up on one leg with nothing else to hold them up, and guess what happened?” – Mindy, 19:03
• “They stood there steady, completely upright. Never flopped.” – Mindy, 19:08
• “Maybe this discovery will lead to improvements in robotics or robot-powered prosthetics for humans.” – Mindy, 20:21

c. Wrap-Up & Takeaways

(21:02–21:22)

• The episode ends with the usual Mindy and Guy Raz flare—silliness ("Look at my beautiful feathers. They're ruined." – Guy Raz, 21:05) and take-home messages for curious kids and their grown-ups.

4. Closing Fun & Song

(21:33–22:41)

• Dennis tries to imitate flamingos with comic mishaps, leading to a cooperative (and goofy) goodbye song with Baby Dennis.
• Listeners are reminded standing on one leg is harder than it seems—unless you’re a flamingo!

Notable Quote:

• “Standing on one leg is surprisingly hard.” – Dennis, 22:28

Top Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• 03:19 – “The giant pigeon put Baby Dennis in here.” – Baby Dennis
• 04:06 – “Reviewsies are the comments people write... and we print them out and read them out loud.” – Baby Dennis
• 07:13 – “We’re rich. Thanks, Ella Rose.” – Baby Dennis
• 10:45 – “Remember how you once said you’d do anything for science?” – Mindy
• 13:41 – “Now, with your beak held high, I want you to march right on into the middle of that block and start to flamingle.” – Mindy
• 19:08 – “They stood there steady, completely upright. Never flopped.” – Mindy
• 20:21 – “Maybe this discovery will lead to improvements in robotics or robot-powered prosthetics for humans.” – Mindy
• 22:28 – “Standing on one leg is surprisingly hard.” – Dennis

Key Takeaways

• The episode is a seamless blend of child-friendly humor, whimsical interaction, and real science, showing how the wonders of nature can lead to meaningful innovation.
• The flamingo segment is both hilarious and educational, revealing how animal adaptations can inspire breakthroughs in medical technology and robotics.
• Listener engagement is celebrated, working reviews and questions into the show’s fabric and reminding young fans that their voices matter.

Recommended for:
Listeners who love science explorations, silly comedy, animal facts, and playful engagement between hosts (and ventriloquist dummies).

Replay Value:
Very high—fun for both kids and the adults in their lives, packed with quotable moments and fascinating tidbits that will make everyone say “WOW!”