Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend (9/6/25)
Podcast: Wow in the World
Hosts: Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz, and Dennis (with Reggie the pigeon)
Date: September 6, 2025
Episode Theme:
This special "WeWow on the Weekend" episode blends a fun Q&A segment with a science-themed story, exploring why mosquitoes are attracted to some people more than others. Dennis hosts lively interactions with listeners before revisiting a classic "Wow in the World" segment about mosquitoes, genetics, and some very stinky socks.
Main Themes and Purpose
- Listener Engagement: Dennis takes center stage answering quirky, real questions from kid listeners.
- Mosquito Mysteries: Mindy and Guy revisit a science segment asking, “Why do mosquitoes pick on some people and not others?”
- Genetics & Smelly Socks: The role of DNA (and personal odor) in attracting mosquitoes, and how scientists are investigating this with creative experiments.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Q&A with Dennis and Reggie
[02:18 – 08:53]
- Dennis, with his co-host Reggie the pigeon, answers a variety of listener questions.
- Topics range from animal biology to sibling rivalry, oversized coffee cups, and gingerbread houses.
Notable Questions & Answers:
- How does Dennis understand Reggie the Pigeon?
- Dennis jokes that Reggie has a "very strong pigeon accent" (04:23), but he usually understands except for some words.
- Why does my little brother copy me?
- Dennis sympathizes in a humorous way and claims he doesn’t copy people (05:18).
- Have you ever eaten Mindy's Gingerbread Mansion?
- Dennis describes the mansion as "mass produced construction gingerbread which replaces the sugar with adhesive and sawdust" (05:48).
- Why do you like yourself so much?
- Dennis cheekily answers: “Because I’m the best” (06:31).
- How many cups of coffee do you drink a day?
- Dennis insists it’s only one, but comically reveals it's a comically enormous mug (06:46).
2. Inside Tinkercast Studios: Mosquitoes & Stinky Socks
[08:53 – 19:42]
- Dennis introduces a favorite segment from the archives: “Mosquitoes and Stinky Socks.”
- Mindy and Guy Raz perform a skit and discussion on why mosquitoes prefer some people.
Science Story Breakdown:
Why Do Some People Attract Mosquitoes?
- Personal Smell & Taste:
- Mindy experiments with covering herself in cheese to be more “attractive” to mosquitoes (10:06), which doesn’t work.
- Guy Raz is attacked just for using Mindy’s “sunscreen” (which turns out to be ranch dressing, 09:45).
- Mosquito Senses:
- Female mosquitoes use "CPA neurons" to smell carbon dioxide from human breath (13:07).
- Mosquitoes are drawn to people who exhale more CO₂—pregnant women, larger people, and those with higher body temperatures.
- The Genetics Angle:
- Professor James Logan suspects genetics also play a role (13:43).
- Identical twins tend to attract the same mosquitoes, while non-identical twins do not (15:49).
- Suggests a heritable genetic component to “mosquito deliciousness.”
- The Stinky Sock Experiment:
- Scientists collect socks from 100 sets of twins, throw them in a wind tunnel full of mosquitoes, and see which socks attract more bugs (16:46–17:13).
- They’ll analyze both the chemical makeup (smell) and the DNA of the sock wearers.
- Why It Matters:
- If the key to mosquito attraction is cracked, scientists hope to develop medicines or repellants to help people—especially in areas where mosquitoes spread disease (18:11).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Dennis, on understanding Reggie:
- “Reggie has a very strong pigeon accent, so it can be difficult to understand sometimes…now do your impression of that actor from that movie we like. Stop, stop, stop.” (04:23)
- On Mindy’s Gingerbread Mansion:
- “It’s mass produced construction gingerbread which replaces the sugar with adhesive and sawdust.” (05:48)
- On Self-Love:
- “Oh, well, that’s easy. Because I’m the best.” (06:31)
- Dennis, about coffee:
- “My cup is big…well, who cares how big my coffee cup is?” (06:46)
- Guy Raz, on ranch as sunscreen:
- “No, I just put on the sunscreen that you had in your bag.”
- Mindy: “Oh yeah, so that was ranch, but…” (09:50)
- Mindy, on cheese experiment:
- “Don’t try to change who you are just to attract a bunch of mosquitoes.” (11:07)
- On Identical Twins:
- “They found out that if mosquitoes were attracted to one identical twin, they were more likely to also be attracted to the other identical twin.” (15:49)
- Mindy, on the sock experiment:
- “These scientists will gather pairs of stinky socks from 100 sets of identical and non identical twins…The scientists will then throw these stinky socks into a wind tunnel with a bunch of mosquitoes…to blow around the stink.” (16:46–17:13)
- Guy Raz, on mosquito victim status:
- “Well, whatever that group is, I’m pretty sure I’m in it, Mindy.” (18:40)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Q&A Segment Begins: 02:18
- Listener asks about Dennis/Reggie communication: 04:16
- Sibling copying dilemma: 05:07
- Gingerbread mansion taste test: 05:40
- Why does Dennis like himself?: 06:23
- Coffee cup question: 06:37
- Dennis transitions to 'Mosquitoes and Stinky Socks': 08:53
- Classic segment intro (Mindy & Guy): 09:06
- Ranch dressing sunscreen confusion: 09:45
- Personal experiments with cheese and mosquitoes: 10:41
- How mosquitoes pick their targets: 11:26–13:07
- Twins experiment explained: 14:44–15:49
- Stinky sock wind tunnel experiment: 16:38–17:13
- Discussion on real-world benefits: 18:11–18:30
- Dennis wraps up and reflects: 18:49
Conclusion
This family-friendly episode provides science fun and laughs, mixing Dennis’s playful listener interactions with an engaging, educational revisit to a favorite “Wow in the World” topic. Kids are taken from goofy Q&As through a wild ride with mosquitoes and genetics, all with the quirky, energetic spirit that defines the show.
Perfect for:
- Curious kids and parents looking for a STEM adventure
- Anyone who’s ever wondered why mosquitoes seem to pick on them
- Listeners who enjoy humor, creative science, and lively banter
Final Dennis signoff:
“Gimme a call if you’re my long lost twin and I’ll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that’s the end of the show. Bye.” (19:42)