Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend (9/21/25)

Date: September 21, 2025
Hosts: Dennis (with Reggie), Mindy Thomas, and Guy Raz
Episode Theme:
A weekend edition focused on fun Q&A from kids, science riddles, and a classic segment about the science of laughter. The show encourages curiosity, learning through humor, and exploring how emotions like laughter can be contagious and beneficial for our health.

Episode Overview

This “WeWow on the Weekend” episode combines lively kid questions, playful riddles, and a revisit of a favorite "Wow in the World" episode. Host Dennis, with his feathered sidekick Reggie, answers calls from young listeners—fielding science mysteries and riddles—before turning things over to Mindy and Guy for an entertaining exploration of why laughter spreads so easily and does us good.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weekend Vibes & Q&A with Dennis and Reggie

(02:25–09:14)

• Dennis opens the show from his mom’s basement, setting a relaxed, silly tone. There’s singing and an exaggerated attempt to be "cool."
• The "Q and A segment" features recorded kid questions:
  • Are there fires on other planets?
    • Dennis admits he has no idea, and Reggie clarifies: "There aren't fires on any other planets that we know of."
    • Dennis counters by mentioning the Sun, which, while "on fire", is made of plasma and not a planet.
      (04:10–04:25)
  • How do pianos work?
    • Instead of a detailed answer, Dennis improvises a funny song filled with puns about keyboards.
      (04:52–05:40)
  • Math Riddle on Seven
    • Riddle: "How do we make seven an even number without subtracting, adding, multiplying, or dividing?"
    • Answer: "Take the S away" (leaving "even").
      (05:52–06:29)
  • What’s your 38th favorite country?
    • Dennis: "Tajikistan, because it's fun to say."
      (06:54)
  • Classic Riddle – Corn on the Cob
    • Riddle: "Throw away the outside, cook the inside, eat the outside, throw away the inside. What is it?"
    • Answer: Corn on the cob.
    • Dennis’s reaction: "I didn't guess it because I don't throw away the cob. I eat them. Lots of fiber in corn cobs."
      (07:22–07:57)

2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: "A Case for the Giggles"

(09:14–20:43)

• Mindy and Guy Raz star in a re-broadcast from "Wow in the World" exploring the science of laughter.

• Story Kickoff:

  • Mindy finds Guy Raz doing "laugh exercises" and thinks he’s gone “bonker balls”.
  • Guy challenges Mindy: Watch a video of "the Laughing Yogi," Ramesh Padni, and try not to laugh.
    Bet: If Mindy laughs, she has to clean Guy’s cat’s litter box; if not, Guy fills her (not-a-swimming-pool) tunnel with gummy bears.
    (11:09–12:13)

• The Science of Laughter and Contagion:

  • Watching the Laughing Yogi, Mindy cannot help but laugh—laughter "contagion" kicks in.
    Guy Raz (13:07): "Mindy, we just experienced a phenomenon known as contagion."
  • Mindy (pretending panic) grabs a mask, thinking all contagion is about illness, but Guy explains:
    Guy Raz (13:52): "The contagion I'm talking about is also about the spread of an emotion or a behavior or an action."
  • Laughter, yawning, smiling—even shivering—can be "contagious behaviors," explained as "mirroring behavior."
  • Mindy realizes why laughter spreads so much in movie theaters or crowds. Guy Raz (14:10): "Laughter is one of those things humans do that spreads to other humans. It's contagious."

• Expert Insights:

  • Introduces neuroscientist Sophie Scott, who studies how laughter spreads and its effects (University of London).
  • Laughing releases “happy chemicals” (dopamine, serotonin), boosting mood and focus.
    Guy Raz (17:08): "When we laugh, our bodies release natural chemicals, happy chemicals called neurotransmitters with silly names like dopamine and serotonin."

• Physical & Cognitive Benefits:

  • Study at Georgia State University: Older adults who did laughter exercises got stronger and had better memory.
    Guy Raz (18:43): "The researchers found that the laughter helped this group remember things longer and stay happier. And the most interesting thing... it didn't matter if it was real laughter or fake laughter."
  • “All laughter is good”—even fake laughter produces positive effects.

• Laughter Is Unstoppable:

  • Mindy tries not to laugh but gives in—laughter is impossible to suppress.
  • Segment ends with everyone struggling to stop laughing—Reggie even tries to break the "contagion" by saying something sad.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dennis, on science questions:
  "Oh, good question, that. I have no idea what the answer might be." (04:10)
• Dennis’s answer to the math riddle:
  "Wait, isn't taking an S away technically subtraction? I said technically, Reggie." (06:29)
• Dennis, about corn cobs:
  "I don't throw away the cob. I eat them. Lots of fiber." (07:57)
• Guy Raz, about laughter contagion:
  "Mindy, we just experienced a phenomenon known as contagion." (13:07)
• Mindy reacting to the bet:
  "Good luck with that, Guy Raz." (11:53)
• Guy Raz explaining why laughter spreads:
  "When you hear other people laughing around you like you do at the movies, it triggers something in your brain that makes you want to laugh too." (14:27)
• Mindy connecting with the science:
  "Yeah, your smile kind of makes me want to smile too." (15:10)
• Guy Raz, after the laughter exercise:
  "Not only stronger, but the researchers found that the laughter helped this group remember things longer and stay happier." (18:43)
• Mindy, on contagious emotions:
  "Oh boy. Here we go again. Guy Raz, I am not gonna fall for it." (19:13)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Quote | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:25 | Dennis introduces weekend Q&A | | 04:10 | Are there fires on other planets? | | 04:52 | How do pianos work (leads to a funny song) | | 05:52 | "Seven" math riddle | | 06:54 | 38th favorite country: Tajikistan | | 07:22 | "Corn on the cob" riddle | | 09:14 | "Inside Tinkercast Studios" segment begins | | 11:09 | Mindy and Guy’s bet about laughing | | 13:07 | "We just experienced a phenomenon known as contagion." | | 14:10 | "Laughter is contagious." | | 15:37 | Mirroring behaviors: yawning, shivering, smiling | | 17:08 | Laughter releases happy chemicals | | 18:43 | Laughter makes people stronger, improves memory & mood | | 19:13 | "Oh boy. Here we go again. Guy Raz, I am not gonna fall for it." |

Tone & Style

• Playful, silly, and warm – The hosts use jokes, puns, and songs, inviting listeners to participate in riddles and science questions, making the science fun and approachable.
• Encouraging curiosity – Emphasis on not always knowing the answer, but seeking it out and enjoying the process of learning.
• Family-friendly integration of science and comedy – Complex ideas like "behavioral contagion" are broken down in a kid-friendly, engaging way.

Summary

This playful episode of “WeWow on the Weekend” mixes lighthearted Q&A fun with an insightful science rewind about why laughter is good for us and how emotions—like laughter—can be as contagious as any cold. With Dennis and Reggie’s banter and the scientific silliness of Mindy and Guy Raz, the show delivers an engaging message: curiosity—and laughter—are two of the best things you can share with others!

For more episodes and resources, visit: tinkercast.com