WeWow on the Weekend

Summary

Podcast Summary: Wow in the World – "WeWow on the Weekend"

Host: Tinkercast (Dennis, Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz, and Reggie)
Date: April 11, 2026
Episode Theme:
This fun-filled episode of "WeWow on the Weekend," part of Wow in the World’s kid-friendly science lineup, blends listener Q&A, silly skits, and a re-listen to a favorite "Wow in the World" deep dive: the science behind wombat poop cubes. With laughter, jokes, and genuine wonder, the show explores why wombats produce cube-shaped poop and what that teaches us about nature and invention.

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Episode Structure Overview

1. Introduction & Skit Takeover (00:00–03:00)

   • Mindy shares Tinkercast updates and newsletter sign-up.
   • Dennis and his alter-ego "Baby Sock Dennis" humorously attempt to steal the host spotlight before Mindy reclaims the show.

2. Q&A Segment with Listeners (03:00–07:20)

   • Kids call in with questions and riddles, which Dennis answers in characteristically goofy and creative fashion.

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios — Feature Segment (07:33–31:59)

   • A full-length relisten of "Wow in the World" Season 3, Episode 4: "The Cubic Scoop on Wombat Poop," where Mindy and Guy Raz humorously investigate the wild world of wombat poop science.

4. Outro & Goodbye Song (31:59–End)

   • Quick wrap-up and reminders for listeners to send in questions.

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Key Discussion Points & Notable Moments

1. Introduction & Dennis' Skit (00:00–03:00)

• Newsletter Plug: Mindy encourages families to sign up for the Tinkercast newsletter, which has episode suggestions and STEM activities.
  Quote (Mindy, 00:18):

  "It's full of ideas on how to get some extra wow to your family's life."

• Dennis' Takeover: Dennis and Baby Sock Dennis try hosting, humorously claiming fame (Dennis: Ventriloquist Magazine "Dummy of the Year;" Baby Sock Dennis: alleged 14 million "Suck Talk" followers).
  • Mindy quickly steps in to "move on with a Q&A segment."

2. Q&A Segment (04:00–07:20)

• Why do cats purr?
  • Dennis gives a joke answer:
    Quote (Dennis, 04:09):

    "Because they can't bark. Next question."

• Tic Tac Toe?
  • Dennis invents a literal (and smelly) version of tic-tac-toe with Tic Tacs and his toes.
• Riddle from Ruben:
  • "I have cities, but no towers. I have forests, but no trees. I have meadows, but no flowers. What am I?" Dennis' process is dramatic and silly, with help from Reggie and countdown pressure.
    • Answer: "A map"
      Quote (Dennis, 06:27):

    "Maps have meadows. Ruben says so."

• Call-to-Action: Listeners invited to call Dennis with more questions (1-888-7-WOW-WOW).

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios: The Cubic Scoop on Wombat Poop (07:33–31:59)

A. Setup & Journey to the Poo-seum (07:33–10:30)

• Mindy invites Guy Raz to her "gingerbread bathroom" for an important, poop-related discussion.
  • The invite arrives stuck with "maple syrup," sparking hijinks.
  • Decor and hors d’oeuvres are weird: "horse doves" (Mindy claims to have created by combining horse and dove DNA).

B. Why are we in the bathroom? (10:31–13:01)

• The Big Reveal: The purpose of the bathroom meeting becomes clear—Mindy wants to talk about her latest "Wow": wombat poop, infamous for coming out as cubes.
  • Guy Raz almost eats it, thinking it's chocolate!
  • Mindy spent "$323" for authentic wombat poop for science.

C. Who Figured Out Wombat Poop? (13:02–15:14)

• Highlight: Introduction to Patricia Yang, a real-life scientist from Georgia Tech who first questioned why wombat poop is cubed.
  • She studies "bodily fluids of animals" (blood, digestion, poop, etc.).
  • Quote (Mindy, 14:55):

    "When she first learned that wombats do poop cubic bricks, she... asked if she could build a little poop igloo out of them. But then she asked the question: why?"

D. The Science: How Does the Cube Happen? (18:00–24:44)

• Travel Through the "Poo-seum":
  • Mindy and Guy Raz take listeners into an imaginary "Poo Seum" exhibit, simulating the journey of grass through a wombat’s digestive tract.
  • They (and listeners) become "wombat food" and experience the process:
    • Wombat intestines are uniquely stretchy in some places and not in others.
    • This uneven stretchiness creates uneven pressure, shaping poop into cubes as it moves through.
    • Quote (Mindy, 23:25):

      "That uneven stretchiness created uneven pressure, which was then put on the poop before it... popped out the wombat's butt."

E. But Why Cubes? (25:46–29:27)

• Territorial Poo:
  • Wombats use these 1-inch-wide poop cubes to mark territory, vital for communication and attracting mates.
  • The cube shape is practical: It doesn’t roll, staying put as a marker.
  • Wombats have poor eyesight but an amazing sense of smell, detecting the scent of others’ poop cubes.
  • Mindy demonstrates with a "5D Sensory Hat" (comic invention) to let Guy Raz smell like a wombat.

F. Biomimicry: Can We Copy This? (29:47–31:04)

• Real-World Science Application:
  • Scientists see biomimicry potential: using the way wombat intestines shape cubes to inspire new manufacturing techniques or products (bricks, dice, chocolates).
  • Quote (Mindy, 30:15):

    "The unusual cubed shape of the poop helps to keep it from rolling down a hill or in the wind."

• **Mindy dreams up practical uses for cubic shapes inspired by wombat poop.

G. Silly Wrap-Up (31:04–31:59)

• Mindy jokes about birds needing to produce cubic poop for easier cleanup.

4. Episode Close & Goodbye Song (31:59–End)

• Dennis Reviews Poop Adventure:
  • Declares the episode “so gross” but fascinating.
  • Sign-off includes classic WeWow goodbye song, with a bathroom humor twist.
  • Quote (Dennis, 31:59):

    "That's the end of the show. I need to go before I poop my pantaloons."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Mindy on Newsletter: (00:18)

  "It's full of ideas on how to get some extra wow to your family's life."

• Dennis on Cats Purring: (04:09)

  "Because they can't bark. Next question."

• Dennis, Joke on Tic Tac Toe: (04:44)

  "Here are my tic tacs. And here are my toes."

• Revelation, Why Cube-Shaped Poop: (23:25)

  "That uneven stretchiness created uneven pressure, which was then put on the poop before it... popped out the wombat's butt."

• Mindy’s Invented Sensory Hat: (27:58)

  "She invented this hat helmet as a way for us to experience the five senses the way that animals do."

• Mindy on Biomimicry: (30:15)

  "The unusual cubed shape of the poop helps to keep it from rolling down a hill or in the wind."

• Dennis’ Goodbye Song: (31:59)

  "That's the end of the show. I need to go before I poop my pantaloons."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Newsletter & Dennis Takeover: 00:00–03:00
• Q&A with Listeners: 04:00–07:20
• Wombat Poop Episode Re-listen Starts: 07:33
• Poo-seum Interactive Segment: 18:00–25:45
• Cube-shaped Poop Science Explained: 22:54–23:50
• Cubic Poop’s Purpose Discussed: 26:00–29:30
• Biomimicry & Human Invention: 29:47–31:04
• Silly Wrap-Up & Song: 31:59–End

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Tone & Takeaways

The episode is playful, silly, and brims with genuine scientific wonder. It keeps complex science accessible for all ages—using humor, imaginative scenarios, and creative analogies to turn even "gross" subjects into a cause for curiosity and laughter. Both the cast and listeners are invited to stay curious, ask questions, and always find the "wow" in their world.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a perfect example of the Wow in the World style: blending jokes, imaginative storytelling, listener engagement, and real science to create a memorable, laughter-filled learning experience. You’ll never look at animal poop (or cube-shaped objects) the same way again!

Transcript

[A]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show. Oh, sorry about that. I forgot to put it on silent. Hey, wait a second. It's an email from us. Check it out, Reg. Let's see here. It says we've got episode recommendations, free STEM activities to try out at home. The latest news about what's happening at Tinkercast. Pretty bonker balls, huh? Here, I'll help you sign up. And the grown ups will just go to tinkercast.comemail and put in your first and last names and email address. Wait, Reggie, I just realized I don't know your last name. Really? Is that with a silent G or a silent Q?

[B]

Huh.

[A]

Who knew? Let's see here. Oh, and you're not a robot, right? Sorry. Just had to double check. Okay, you are all signed up grown ups. You can sign up for our Tinkercast newsletter too. It's full of ideas on how to get some extra wow to your family's life. Visit tinkercast.comemail to sign up today. That's tinkercast.comemail. that's it. And now let's get on with the show.

[B]

Ah, ah, ah, ah. 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. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to We Wow on the Weekend. Baby Dennis is your host. And this is Baby Dennis. Co host, Baby Sock Dennis.

[A]

Hello, Bobble.

[C]

What the.

[B]

Who's down there? This is the show where Baby Dennis and Baby Sock Dennis talk. Ask questions and listen to Baby Dennis favorite episodes. Tick a tap. Lockdown. Break a stack. Hey, babe. Dennis, what on actual earth is going on here? Nothing. Nothing, my tush. It sounded like you and Baby Sock Dennis were attempting to host my podcast. Oh, sorry. My and Reggie's podcast. Baby Dennis was adding star power to Big Dennis show. What? Star power? You're not famous, Baby Dennis. Yeah. Huh? Baby Dennis is ventriloquist magazine's dummy of the year. What? And Baby Sock Dennis has 14 million followers on Suck Talk. Lots of subtract. Oh, come on. Even if that were true, which I don't think it is, this is my show. Sorry. My and Reggie's show. And we are plenty famous enough to host it, thank you very much. So back in your box now, both of you. Come on. This is no fun. Get in there. I know, the nerve. Yeah, let's just move on with a Q and A segment. The Q and A segment. Alright, let's just get the old answering machine pulled up here. Okay, here we go. Hi, you've reached Dennis from WEW on the weekend. That's me. Do you have a question? Well, I do too. Lots of them. And who's gonna answer all my questions? You? Probably not, but I guess I can answer yours. Leave me a message.

[A]

Hi, Dennis, my name is Lizzy.

[B]

Hi, Lizzy.

[A]

I have a question for you. Why do cats purr?

[B]

Oh, well, that's an easy one. Because they can't bark. Next question. What do you mean? That's not a good answer. Yeah, I guess I can say more. Well, cats can't bark. And they can't moo either, or ribbit, or do whatever that elephant noise is. So they purr and meow. Does that clear things up, Reggie? Well, agree to disagree. Next question.

[A]

My name is Isaiah and I'm from Providence, Rhode Island.

[B]

Hi, Isaiah.

[A]

My question is if Dennis knows how to play tic tac toe.

[B]

Of course I know how to play tic tac toe. Sure, we can play a quick game right now. Okay, here are my tic tacs. And here are my toes. Oh, please, they don't smell that bad. Reggie, stop being a bad sport and pick which one you want to be. Tic tacs or toes. What do you mean? That's not how the game works. Well, maybe I just play a different version of it. A better version. Whatever. Next question.

[A]

Hello, my name's Ruben and I have a riddle for Dennis.

[B]

Hi, Ruben. I love riddles. What you got?

[A]

My riddle is, I have cities but no towers. I have forests but no trees. I have meadows but no flowers.

[B]

Okay, I have cities but no towers, forests but no trees, meadows but no flowers. Hmm, this sounds tricky. Yeah, I think I need to take my time with this one. You know, really think about it. In fact, maybe I should take notes and draw some diagrams and stuff. Paper here. There we go. Exactly. When one is presented with a riddle, one must be calm and collected. Persistent and precise. Organized.

[A]

You have to guess the answer in 20. 19. 18.

[B]

Countdown.

[C]

17.

[A]

Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry.

[B]

What is it? Cities but no something. Forest but no bees. Meadow but no towers. Magic. What's a meadow? A field. Like a farmer's field.

[A]

Well, how am I supposed to know that? But answer was a map.

[B]

Oh, a map. Yes, Reggie. Maps have meadows. Ruben says so. Thanks for all your calls, everyone. If you've got a question for me. Call and leave me a message. The number is 1-888-7-WOW-WOW. That's 1-888-7-WWOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend. Okay, that takes care of that. Alright, next up is 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 today we're listening to wow in the World, Season 3, Episode 4 called the Cubic Scoop on Wombat Poop. Ew. Poop. Well, I don't care how interesting the poop is, it's still poop. Okay, fine. Just let me know when the poop part's coming, okay? And I'll cover my ears.

[C]

What?

[B]

The whole thing is poop parts? Okay, here we go.

[C]

And play

[A]

Wee Wow. We'll be right back, grown ups. This message is for you.

[C]

Hey, Wowzer, fams, Guy, Raz and Mindy here. And before we start the show, happy

[A]

Earth Day to you.

[C]

Happy Earth Day to you. Happy Earth Day, dear Wowzers.

[A]

Happy Earth Day to you.

[C]

If you're looking for ways to celebrate our earth today and every day, visit tinkercast.comearth to find activities, episodes and videos that bring the wows of the world right to you.

[A]

And while you're at it, don't forget to show your gratitude to the Earth today. It does a pretty good job of taking care of all of us. And so let's all remember to take care of it too.

[C]

That's it. Now let's get back to the show.

[A]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[B]

Well, in the world. Knock, knock, knock. Special delivery.

[C]

Oh, the mail's here.

[B]

Yellow.

[C]

I'll take that, thank you very much.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

Oh, it seems to be stuck to my fingers, man. And it's release. Doc. What is this? Maple syrup?

[B]

It is maple syrup. Who would put this in the mail?

[C]

I recognize those sticky fingerprints anywhere.

[B]

Mindy.

[A]

Hi, Rozzy. Hey, did you get my invitation?

[C]

Invitation.

[B]

Got it.

[C]

Here, let me try and fry that thing out of your hands.

[A]

It's everywhere.

[C]

Okay, on the count of three. One, two.

[B]

Ouch.

[C]

Got it. Carry the mail, they said it'll be fun. They said. No, you'll never be covered in maple syrup. Okay, now to get this thing open. Okay, let's see what this invitation says here. Your presence is requested in Mindy's gingerbread bathroom, the crumbling house next door. Now a clock, chocolate milk, and horse doves will be served. Horse doves? Does she mean hors?

[B]

D'.

[C]

Oeuvres. P.S. mindy has something bonkerballs to show you.

[A]

Hey, Guy Raz. Did you read my invitation? Now, a clock started, like, five minutes ago.

[C]

I'm coming, I'm coming.

[B]

Hi, Mindy. Hi, guys.

[C]

Oh, hi, Dennis.

[B]

Did I hear someone say invitation? Should I go check my mailbox?

[A]

Sorry, Dennis, didn't know your address.

[B]

Oh, that's okay. My address is Dennis, Neighbor. The house next door. Busybody app Minty made up.

[A]

Elizabeth, read the sign.

[C]

What? Let's see here. Huh? No dumping allowed.

[A]

Nope, the other one.

[C]

Oh, right. Let's see here. The sign says, rage against the latrine. Potty. This way. Potty?

[A]

It's a wordplay on the word party.

[C]

Oh. Oh, right. I get it. Okay, this must be the place.

[A]

Guy Raz, you came. Come right in. Make yourself at home.

[C]

Mindy, how many toilets are in this bathroom? Wait, are those my clogs? The shoes I brought back from my trip to Amsterdam. What are they doing in your toilet?

[A]

Clogging it up.

[C]

And is that a tree growing out of that one?

[A]

My toiletry. In the spring, it's supposed to bear tiny toothbrushes. Uh, can I interest you in any horse?

[C]

Don't you mean hors d'? Oeuvres?

[A]

No, I mean horse doves.

[B]

See,

[A]

I genetically engineered them by combining the DNA of a horse with the DNA of a dove. Aren't they cute?

[C]

Tiny, white, flying horses. Mindy, what did you invite me over here for?

[A]

Well, Guy Raz, I brought you here because we need to talk.

[C]

Okay, so why didn't you just call me on the phone or stop by? You know, I do live right next door. I mean, we could have done this literally anywhere but your bathroom.

[A]

Well, that's the thing, Guy Raz. See, the bathroom is really the only place we can have this particular talk.

[C]

Mindy, where are you going with this?

[A]

Well, you know how you're always saying that toilet talk belongs in the bathroom?

[C]

Yeah, I do say that to you. Multiple times a day.

[A]

Well, this is one of those times.

[C]

I'm not sure I follow.

[A]

Guy Raz, we need to talk about these.

[C]

Ooh, dark chocolate truffles. Don't mind if I do.

[A]

No, Guy Raz, stop.

[C]

Ain't no stopping me now.

[A]

Ah, Guy Raz, that's wombat poop.

[C]

Wombat poop.

[A]

Wombat poop. That's why I invited you here to my bathroom. We need to talk about it. And this is the only place where that would be appropriate.

[C]

Mindy, I don't know where you got this wombat poop.

[B]

From.

[C]

But I think it's safe to say you've been swindled.

[A]

What?

[C]

This poop is cubed like tiny brown blocks.

[A]

Yeah, okay, well, number one, I got this wombat poop off the interwebs by zoodling poop cubes.

[C]

Do what?

[A]

And for only $1, plus $322, plus taxes, plus shipping and handling, this little bag of wombat poops is all mine. Certified authentic and imported from Australia.

[C]

Wait a minute, Mindy, you spent $323 on poop? No, you did, Mandy.

[A]

And number two, this number two is supposed to be cubed. It's wombat poop, okay?

[C]

Now, I've been to Australia, and I've seen these furry, little short legged, waddling marsupials with my own four eyes, but I've never seen any cubes left behind.

[A]

Well, neither did Patricia Yang from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

[C]

Oh, I've heard of her. Isn't she that mechanical engineer who studies hydrodynamics, or the motion and action of fluids?

[A]

Yeah, and not only that, but she specializes in bodily fluids of animals like blood, food traveling through the intestines, pee, probably bark.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I got it.

[A]

Anywho, when she first learned that wombats do poop. Cubic bricks, she did what any other good scientist would do. And she asked the question,

[C]

oh, why?

[A]

No, actually, she asked if she could build a little poop igloo out of them. But then she asked the question, why?

[C]

Why?

[A]

Why? Patricia Yang had stumbled upon a scientific mystery.

[C]

My favorite kind of mystery. So, what happened next? Oh, wait, wait. Let me get my popcorn.

[B]

Wait.

[A]

What?

[C]

Oh, so good. Okay, now I'm ready. What happened next?

[A]

Well, I could tell you, Guy Raz. Yeah, but I'd rather show you.

[C]

Uh, Reggie. Mindy. Mindy, Are you sure it's a good idea to keep him in your house?

[A]

Yes, of course. I'm not sure it's a good idea to keep him in my house, Guy Razor. But he pays half the mortgage, and he's the only one who knows how to clean out my licorice gutters. Oh, but you're right. From now on, we'll keep him in your house. Come on, Reg, Got a long fly ahead of us. Let's go, Guy Raz. Hop on.

[C]

Where are we going, Mindy?

[A]

I'll give you a few hints. It's the smallest continent in the world.

[C]

Australia.

[A]

It's surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans.

[B]

Australia.

[A]

It's famous for its beaches, kangaroos, and the Sydney Opera House.

[C]

Mindy, you're talking about Australia.

[A]

Ooh, I'm sorry, Guy Raz. The correct answer is Australia.

[C]

That's what I just said.

[A]

Reg, put another shrimp on the Barbie doll and get ready for takeoff. Cause here we go. Thanks for the ride, Reg.

[C]

Looks like Reggie's met his match.

[A]

What in the wow is up with that crazy looking ostrich?

[C]

That's not an ostrich, Mindy. That's an emu. Only the second largest living bird by height.

[A]

I'll say. That thing's taller than you, Guy Raz. Sounds like she's asking Reggie for a ride.

[C]

Wait, you speak emu?

[A]

Wait, she's saying that her wings are only there for decoration. And now she's bragging about how she can run like, 30 miles an hour.

[C]

And she's hopping on Reggie's back. A bird riding another bird. What is happening?

[A]

I don't know. Come on, Reg. Don't forget to pick us up later.

[C]

Okay, so what in the world are we doing in Australia again?

[A]

Oh, remember, we're here to explore a cubic poop mystery. Why do wombats poop in cubes?

[C]

Oh, right. So where do we begin?

[A]

Look behind you, Guy Raz.

[C]

Welcome to the Poozeum. The Poo Seum?

[A]

Yeah, like museum, only it's full of poops. Anyhoo, inside this Poo Seum is an immersive interactive exhibit on wombat poops. Come on, run, run, run, run, run, run, run.

[C]

Hello there, and welcome to the Poo Seum, featuring our immersive interactive exhibit on the magic and mystery of wombat bow movements.

[A]

Two tickets, please.

[C]

Perfect.

[A]

Thank you very much.

[C]

Now, please proceed to the bag check.

[A]

Okey doke.

[C]

Excuse me, ma', am, please open your toolbox.

[B]

Ah.

[A]

Are you sure you want me to do that, Mindy?

[C]

Let him inspect the adventure toolkit so we can enter the Poo Seum.

[A]

You asked for it. Okay, everybody stand back.

[C]

What in the are these cats?

[A]

Thank you. Enjoy your day at the Poo Seum.

[C]

Hey, I'm supposed to say that to you. So, looking at the map here, it looks like our first stop is the wombat exhibit. Oh, that must be it over there.

[A]

Huh? How can you tell?

[C]

Well, because it's a wombat structure the size of a car wash. Looks like the entrance is the wombat's open mouth.

[A]

This is so. Wow. A giant building shaped like a wombat with a wide open mouth. Um, it says here on the map that we're supposed to cover ourselves in grass and then enter through the mouth as wombat food.

[B]

What is this?

[C]

Cover ourselves in grass?

[A]

Hey, anything for science. Right.

[C]

Anything for science.

[A]

Okay, now stay still while I dump this barrel of grass all over us, transforming us into delicious, grassy wombat food. Ha.

[C]

It's itchy.

[A]

Okay, let me just see here. Next stop, we enter the immersive exhibit through the mouth.

[C]

Whoa. Is it supposed to be this dark? Mindy, what happens next? Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our immersive and interactive exhibit on the magic and mystery of wombat poop. For the next two and a half weeks, you will experience what it's like to travel through a wombat's digestive system. Beginning as a simple meal of grasses and ending up as a one of a kind cubic poop. We're gonna be converted into poop.

[A]

Anything for science. That means anything.

[C]

Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me and step aboard the bow mover and begin our two and a half week journey throughout the wombat's digestive tract. Two and a half weeks? We only bought one day tickets to the poozeum.

[A]

Kairaz. Two and a half weeks is the length of time it takes for a wombat's food to travel through the intestines and convert to poop. So have a seat.

[C]

You think they'd speed it up for the exhibit's sake?

[A]

Just be patient, Guy Raz. The end is where all the magic happens. In the meantime, while we're on this bowel mover, we've got plenty of time to talk about this poop cube mystery I was telling you about.

[C]

Oh, right, the mystery of the cubic poop. Yeah.

[A]

So Georgia Tech's Patricia Yang and her fellow research buddies set out to decide, discover why and how wombats poop in cubes.

[C]

And how did she exactly begin this exploration?

[A]

By collecting wombat intestines.

[C]

And by intestines, you mean those long tubes found in the bodies of humans and animals that help us break down food and turn it into energy?

[A]

You know it, Guy Raz.

[C]

But what do you mean when you say collected wombat Intellectual? I mean, did the wombats just give up their intestinal tracts voluntarily or.

[A]

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I should clarify that these particular intestinal tracts came from wombats who were no longer living. May they rest in peace. Oh, so the next thing they did was pretty wow.

[C]

Oh, yeah? What's that?

[A]

Well, in the spirit of anything for science, Patricia Yang and her fellow research buddies pumped up these intestines, blowing them up like giant freakish balloons.

[C]

Ugh. Are you making this up, Mindy?

[A]

Not this time, Guy Raz. They did this to compare the stretchiness of the wombat intestines to the stretchiness of pig intestines.

[C]

And what was the difference?

[A]

Well, the difference was that while the pig intestines had sort of an even stretchiness, throughout the wombat intestine stretchiness was super uneven, especially in two separate, distinct places.

[C]

Meaning that when the food went through the digestion process and turned into poop, that uneven stretchiness created uneven pressure, which was then put on the poop before it. Yeah, before it.

[A]

I believe the word you're looking for is popped out the wombat's butt. Yeah, that, and it looks like we're almost there.

[C]

Has it been two and a half weeks already?

[A]

Well, judging by the time on this watch I'm not wearing right now, I'd say time flies when you're having fun, Guy Raz. Now we're nearing the end of our journey, and this is where all the magic happens.

[C]

Are we gonna be turned into magic poops?

[A]

Hold on tight, Guy Raz. We're about to reach the first uneven, stretchy groove in the intestine.

[B]

What is happening?

[A]

We're in the final step of the ingestion process. We're firming up, and the intestines captain is squeezing us into cubes.

[B]

Poop cubes.

[A]

Now close your eyes, Guy Raz. We're about to pop out the. Whee. We did it. We did it, Guy Raz.

[C]

Mindy, you look like a cubic poop emoji with googly eyes.

[A]

And you look like a cubic poop emoji with googly eyes and glasses.

[C]

So now what do we do? Wait, are we in a gift shop?

[A]

Ooh, souvenirs.

[C]

Hey, stop taking our picture, Pa. Poop is a private matter.

[A]

Too bad your pictures won't be scratched and sniffed. Am I right? Okay, Guy Raz, here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna take a deep, cleansing breath. Then we're gonna stretch and shimmy until we bust loose from these compact poop cubes.

[C]

Okay, take a deep breath.

[A]

Stretch it out.

[C]

Stretch it out.

[A]

Give me a shimmy. Stretch it out. A mess. There we go. Good as new. Ooh, look, this gift shop has those little personalized license plates and keychains. Let's see if we can find one that says Guy Raz keychains.

[C]

Mindy, I think we need to take some time to digest what we just experienced in there. Yeah, well, now that we know how cubic poop is formed, the question we're left with is why?

[A]

So, as you may recall, that was the first question that led Patricia Yang on her journey to solve this mystery.

[C]

So did she Discover the answer.

[A]

Here's the thing, Guy Raz. Wombats, which are nocturnal animals, meaning that

[C]

they sleep all day and poop all night?

[A]

Yeah, basically. So every night they poop out 80 to 100 little 1 inch pound 1 cubic inch. Well, almost that big. And they use these poops to communicate and to mark their territory so that potential mates know where to find them.

[C]

Mark their territory? Do they use them as bricks to build tiny wombat poop huts?

[A]

I wish, but no.

[C]

But wombats are known for having pretty bad eyesight. So how will other wombats even know where to find them once they've marked their territory?

[A]

Well, what they lack in vision, they make up for with their supersonic sense of smell.

[C]

Ah, yes, I've heard about this.

[A]

Guy Raz, have you ever dreamed of smelling wombat poop the way that a wombat smells its poop?

[C]

Uh, no.

[A]

Well, then today is your lucky day. Prison presenting. Oh, hang on a second. I gotta get it out of my adventure toolkit first. I know I put it in here somewhere. Dog toy? I don't even have a dog. Here it is, here it is. Okay, Guy Raz, presenting the handy dandy 5D sensory hat. D My friend Mina made it for us. Here. Stay still and I'll put it on your head.

[B]

Ah. Stop.

[A]

Stay still. I gotta fasten the chin strap. Ah, there we go.

[C]

What is all this stuff hanging off of it?

[A]

Guy Raz, those are the sensors.

[C]

Oh.

[A]

See, Meena is a world renowned inventorito from Southern California and she invented this hat helmet as a way for us to experience the five senses the way that animals do.

[C]

Like the way that wombats smell with supersonic sniff power?

[A]

You know it. Okay, now let me just attach this doohickey to your nose here and adjust the settings on the dial here on top. There, that should do it. Okay. Deep breath through your nose, Pretty. Wow.

[B]

Huh? Oh.

[C]

Mindy, get this helmet off of me.

[A]

Stay still. There we go. So that's how wombats do it. They take their poop cubes, mark their territories, and then wait for other potential wombat mates to smell their stinky surroundings. And then they fall in love. Or something like that.

[C]

So wombat poop plays a valuable role in a wombat's life. And if you think about it, it might be safe to say that their poop is essential to the survival of wombats as a species.

[A]

Exact oritos. And as a major bonus, the unusual cubed shape of the poop helps to keep it from rolling down a hill or in the wind.

[C]

Genius. So why don't we make all poop like this?

[A]

I know, right? If I had a nickel for every time your cat Alice's poop would just roll away underneath your refrigerator when I was cat sitting for her.

[B]

What?

[A]

Before we leave, Guy Raz, I want you to look to the left of this gift shop, right through that big window over there.

[B]

Huh.

[C]

Looks like a bunch of scientists and engineers and manufacturers are working on something.

[A]

Yeah, so once scientist Patricia Yang got to the bottom of this mystery, the scientific community went bonker balls, thinking of all the things they could do if only they could find a way to make fake wombat intestines. Oh, it's something called biomimicry, or using nature as a model for human inventions.

[C]

Wow. Like using it in manufacturing to make cubes.

[A]

I mean, just imagine all of the biomimicry possibilities. Guy Raz, cubic wombat poops as a model for bricks and blocks and board game dyes and chocolates.

[C]

Okay, time to put the poop talk back in the bathroom, man. You know what? Why don't we try to find one of those little keychains with our names on it?

[A]

Or a souvenir pair of poop dice to hang from the rear view mirror of Reggie.

[C]

Reggie has a. Reggie Right in the middle of the gift shop.

[A]

Now, if only nature could find a way to pack bird poop into neat little cubes.

[C]

We're gonna need a cleanup on aisle seven.

[B]

Hey, that was so gross. Yes, it was. Reggie, Mindy and Guy Raz got pooped out of a fake wombat's butt. Also, that episode kind of made me have to poop now, too. Yeah, we better wrap up the show, like, right now. 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. I just might answer your question on WEE Wow on the Weeknd. Okay, should we do the goodbye song? Here we go. That's the end of the show. I need to go before I poop my pantaloons.

[C]

Oop.

[B]

Sorry, but I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, it's the end of the show. Ee Bye.