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Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.
On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of Wow in the World with all of you.
We think this one is going to be music to your ears.
Literally.
Did I mention it's a musical?
And if you're a member of the World Organization of Wowzers...
Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.
You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7 pm.
Eastern.
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
Join us as we dance along to our new songs.
React to the episode with other members in the chat and more.
Grownups.
If you want your wowzer to join this members-only listening party, you can sign up to become a member today at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
Already a member?
Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign in at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
That's it.
It's going to be a November to remember.
But for now, let's get on with the show.
Woo on the weekend.
We wow on the weekend because 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 uh whatever, we wow on the weekend.
We wow on the weekend.
We wow on the weekend because this is what we do.
Welcome to WeeWow on the Weekend.
I'm your host, Dennis!
And that's my co-host, Reggie the Giant Pigeon!
What?
What do you mean you don't want to be a giant?
You are giant!
Fine, we can try something else.
And this is my co-host, Reggie the Large Pigeon!
You don't like it?
Okay, how about Reggie the Oversized Pigeon!
Reggie!
The Enormous Pigeon.
Reggie, the extremely fussy pigeon who is kind of getting on my nerves right now.
This is the show that we always record from my mother's basement.
What?
Record somewhere else?
Reggie, no.
We can't record upstairs.
Mother has book club today.
Outside?
Next to my prize-winning azaleas?
No, they're very sensitive and can't be disturbed by recording equipment.
Besides, I like the basement.
It's got a squishy old couch and it's where I keep my keyboard.
Keyboard!
Yeah!
Hey, Reggie.
You want to answer some questions with a Q&A segment?
Hooray!
Let's do it!
Ahem.
The Q&A segment.
Alright, let's just get the old answering machine pulled up here.
Okay, here we go.
Hi, you've reached Dennis from WeWow on the weekend.
That's me.
Do you have a question?
Well, I do too.
Lots of them.
And who's going to answer all my questions?
You?
Probably not.
But I guess I can answer yours.
Leave me a message.
Hey, Dennis.
My question is why I'm put in charge of doing all the questions.
But I love this podcast and I love you as a character.
And I want to know why you were put in charge of all these.
Well, first of all, thank you.
And second of all, I'm not in charge of all the questions.
The Wowsers are in charge of all the questions.
Reggie, no, I don't ask the questions.
I give the answers.
Because, Reggie, I have lots of good answers and I'm very generous and I give them away for free.
Next answer, I mean, next question.
Hi, Dennis.
I'm a piece of rice from the rice pot.
What?
My question is, how is rice cooked?
Thank you.
Bye.
Well, piece of rice from the rice pot.
I would think that a piece of rice from the rice pot would be the ultimate authority on how rice is cooked.
What?
Oh, good point, Reggie.
Maybe this piece of rice only knows how rice is grown and harvested and dried and packaged and put into a pot.
Okay, so if I remember correctly, rice is cooked by reading the instructions on the package, then throwing the package away, then forgetting the instructions and having to dig the package out of the trash again.
Yes, it is, Reggie.
Next question.
Hello, my name is Steven.
I am 12 years old and I live in New York.
Hi, Steve. my question is for you.
Do you play with toys still?
Do I play with toys?
You bet I do.
My favorite toy is the coffee grinder.
Reggie, the coffee grinder is so a toy.
It's plastic and has buttons and dials and you put coffee beans in it and it goes.
It's the Oh, and the ice cube maker on the fridge.
I love that toy.
And all the sleigh cat toys.
Yeah, there's one with like squeakers in them and little balls with dingleys in them and strings and lasers.
I can chase.
What do you mean these are all terrible toys?
Well, I don't know what the good toys are.
Steve didn't say if he plays with toys still.
I do, like Rubik's Cubes and puzzle games and something even Lego and stuff.
Oh, yeah, those are good toys.
Next question.
Hi, Dennis.
Hi, Reggie.
I am Sophia from Texas.
Ooh, Texas.
If you sweat in a sweater, does that make you the sweater?
Oh, good question.
And the answer is no.
If you sweat in a sweater, that makes you sweaty.
But also fashionable.
Oh, Reggie, is it possible to dress up As a sweater for Halloween?
Because that would definitely make you the sweater.
Yeah, probably not.
Thanks for 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.
I just might answer your question on WeWow on the weekend.
Okay, that takes care of that.
All right, 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 1, Episode 18, called Cuckoo for Coco.
Oh!
Reggie, yeah, now I want hot cocoa.
Yeah, with whipped cream.
Yeah, and sprinkles.
Reggie, I know the episode's not about hot cocoa.
I just want some.
Well, this episode is less about chocolate and more about where chocolate comes from.
Exactly.
Ah, Reggie!
No spoilers.
Let's just play the episode.
Okay, here we go.
And play.
We were We'll be right back.
Grownups, this message is for you.
Hey, grownups.
It's Mindy and Guy Raz here from Wow in the World.
Mindy and I have some brand new Wow in the World toys out in the world just in time for the holidays.
Made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't yet.
From our 100 experiments, that Wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit.
Our Wow in the World toys help your wowzer learn about their world through play.
Plus, you can hear exclusive audio content from me and Guy Raz to help your wowzer discover even more wows.
Grownups.
Give the gift of wow and wonder this holiday season with our latest Wow in the World toys designed with your curious wowzer in mind.
You can shop our Wow in the World toys at Tinkercast.com slash toys.
That's Tinkercast.com slash toys.
Now, back to the show.
Come on, just a little bit.
Buzz, what are you doing over here?
It sounds like you're going... Anyway, do you need some help?
Yeah, can you sit on the suitcase so I can zip it shut?
Yeah, here we go.
One, two, three, and... Oh!
Ah! so the bad news is I broke it.
The good news is there's no good news.
So what'd you pack a suitcase for anyway?
Nothing, nothing really.
Just a quick scientific trip, that's all.
Huh, yeah, just a quick little scientific trip, huh?
Yes, but... To where?
Oh, nowhere really.
I'm not really sure you'd be interested in it.
It's kind of... Oh, no, Kairos.
The fact that you're not telling me suggests that it might actually be really interesting.
Only you don't want me to know.
Well, Well, it's nothing.
Nothing, Mindy.
Okay, so let me see here.
You're packing a bag.
You say that you're leaving for a scientific trip.
You're wearing dark sunglasses, a white linen suit, a brand new straw fedora and you want me to believe it's not interesting.
Well, okay, if you must know...
I'm going on a scientific trip to study the Theobroma cacao plant.
Oh, well, why didn't you just say so in the first place?
I told you it wasn't that interesting.
Okay, bye!
Bye!
Bring me back a souvenir!
Okay, let's see here.
Theobroma angustifolium.
No, that's not it.
Theobroma bicolor.
Oh, here it is.
Theobroma cacao.
Okay, got it.
Theobroma cacao, the taxonomic classification for the plant, also called the cacao tree, which is a small evergreen tree native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, which produces a fruit whose seeds are used to make cocoa mass, cocoa powder and chocolate.
Chocolate?
Oh, hey, Mindy, why are you panting?
You didn't tell me that you were going to a chocolate forest.
Well, um... I'm coming with you.
But...
There is no way that you are going to the Candy Land without me.
But, um... I know, you're trying to pull a fast one on me, but it's not going to work this time.
Mindy, I'm not going to Candy Land.
I'm just going to investigate a scientific study.
Well, it sounds like you've got the golden ticket and me and Reggie here want a piece of the action.
Uh, well, um... Reggie, get your flight goggles on, you batty old pigeon.
You're flying us to South America.
Mindy, I'm not so sure this is a good idea.
I mean, remember the last time you had access to unlimited chocolate?
Remember?
It felt like it was just yesterday.
Let's take one more.
Oh, there's more.
Okay, I got your point.
But that was the old me.
This is the new me.
The new me promises to limit my chocolate consumption to under 25 pounds in a sitting.
Okay, but just so you know, this is a scientific field investigation.
This is serious stuff.
Guy Raz, I understand.
I agree completely.
There is nothing more serious than the science.
Stuffing your face full of chocolate ice cream, topped with hot fudge sauce, topped with chocolate sprinkles, topped with cocoa puffs, topped with a hot choco taco.
Oh boy, this is not going to end well.
This is going to be an epic scientific expedition.
Well, uh... Kairos, saddle up.
Reggie, next stop?
Wait a minute, where in South America are we going?
Well, most cacao in the world is grown in the Ivory Coast in West Africa.
I thought we'd head to the birthplace of the cocoa tree, to Columbia.
Yes, I've always wanted to visit Columbia.
Columbia, Guy Raz, is the country in South America that's right on the equator.
It's the halfway point on Earth.
Yes, exactly.
It's there we should find plenty of examples of the Theobrama cacao tree.
Oh, man, I am so excited.
Reggie, fire it up.
Guy Raz, hold on for your life.
And get ready, because here we go!
Oh, man.
Mindy?
Mindy?
Over here, Guy Raz.
You okay?
Yeah, I just got a T2.
Reggie, how'd it land?
Well, at least he still allows free baggage.
I mean, all the other birds are even charging for carry-on now.
Yeah, I heard that one bird even charges money just to let you sit next to your family.
Yeah, well, at least we've landed safely, more or less.
Hey, Mindy, look, look over there.
Over where?
What?
The Chocolate Forest.
We're surrounded by cacao trees.
This is the Chocolate Forest, Guy Raz?
Well, uh... Where's Count Chocula?
Where are the M&M guys?
Where's Willy Wonka?
Where's the Nesquik bunny?
Yoo-hoo!
I don't even see Kathy, and I know she loves chocolate.
I think Kathy was retired in 2010.
Well, my point is that I'm not seeing any chocolate.
Well... I see trees with little orange footballs growing out of them.
These are them, Mindy.
The what?
The cacao fruits.
Fruits?
Man, I'm going home.
Reggie!
But...
These are the chocolate trees.
Those cocoa fruits are where chocolate comes from.
Wait a minute.
The chocolate is hidden inside these fruits?
Well... It's like the best Easter egg hunt of all time.
Uh... Hold on to your Swiss chard, Guy Raz.
I'm going in.
No, no, no.
Wait, wait, Mindy.
Got it.
Okay, here goes nothing. a sweet lime.
Kairos, I thought you said this was chocolate.
Mindy, I tried to tell you, this is definitely not what you were expecting.
You can say that again.
This is not what you were expecting.
Hold on, let me just spit out these giant seeds of... Mindy, Mindy, that's what we're here for.
You said we were coming here for chocolate and all I'm tasting is a slightly sweet and sour lime thing with a bunch of annoying inside of it.
Well, that's just it, Mindy.
Those seeds you're spitting out, that's where the chocolate comes from.
Wait, these things?
Hang on a second.
Disgusting.
A little bitter, right?
A little?
Well, these seeds are better known as cocoa beans.
Well, I'm not tasting any cocoa.
All I taste is gross.
I know, weird, right?
You can say that again.
I know, weird.
Nope, you don't really need to say it again.
Oh, sorry.
Well, as I was about to say, you have to dry these seeds and then roast them and then grind them up into a paste.
And that's what produces cocoa.
Oh, so that's how it works.
Okay, so then what happens?
Well...
What you get is a paste that still needs other ingredients to make it taste like the chocolate you and I love to eat.
So ingredients like sugar and milk and cocoa butter, which is a type of fat that you get from roasting and grinding down the cocoa beans.
Well, now that we have the recipe, let's make ourselves some chocolate.
Well... Wait a minute.
You said the purpose of this field trip was for a scientific investigation.
Oh, it is, Mindy, and it has to do with memory.
Wait a minute.
I forgot what you just said.
It has to do with memory.
Wait, I just forgot again.
You were saying?
Mindy, as we humans grow older, our memories become less reliable.
We tend to forget things like where we left our keys or the names of the people we meet.
Or that time I forgot to tell you that Mehmet, our neighborhood skunk, was using your toilet and you walked in and freaked out.
Yeah.
So you get the picture here, right?
Yeah.
We humans, especially as we get older, have a harder time remembering all of the little details in our lives.
But what I want to know is what any of this has to do with chocolate.
And why did we have to come all the way to Columbia to investigate memory?
Well Mindy, what if I told you that A naturally occurring chemical in chocolate can actually help improve your memory?
What?
I knew it.
I knew it all along.
Boys, bring in the Butterfingers.
Uh, Mindy?
All right, move forward a little.
All right, now back it up.
Back it up.
A little further.
Yep, right there.
Right there.
Stop.
Mindy, where did this chocolate delivery truck come from?
And who are these guys?
Oh, this is my chocolate posse.
I like to keep them close by, especially for occasions like this.
Well, that type of chocolate won't actually do much good.
And besides all that sugar, you know yeah yeah, not good for you.
I know, guy ross, but you said chocolate could actually improve my memory, and i just remembered that i traveled with a truckload of chocolate bars.
Well, it is true that some types of chocolate will help with memory, but it has to have high levels of that natural chemical i mentioned.
Well, i'm pretty sure these chocolate bars are chock full Of chemicals.
Well... You get it?
Chock full of chemicals?
Well, but not the right chemicals.
The ones I'm talking about are called flavonoids.
And it's a chemical that is found naturally in the cocoa bean.
So generally in things like cocoa nibs, which are crushed and roasted pieces of cocoa beans, and also in things like dark chocolate.
Okay, so how does it help your memory?
Well, a team of scientists from the University of L'Aquila in Italy studied the effects of flavonoids on memory and they found that if you regularly eat or drink dark chocolate drinks, they can actually help older people, especially grandparents, remember.
Wow, so how does that work?
Well, flavonoids that are concentrated in some types of dark chocolate.
So chocolate that isn't mixed with too much stuff like sugar and milk can actually cause more blood in your body to go to your brain.
And more blood to your brain means more oxygen to your brain, too.
Exactly.
And flavonoids are found in several other foods, like blueberries and parsley and black tea and, of course, Chocolates.
And so the scientists in Italy found that eating lots of flavonoids can boost the blood to a part of the brain called the dentate gyrus.
It's in the hippocampus, which is hidden deep inside our brains.
And what's so important about the dentate gyrus?
Well, it's thought to be the part of the brain that creates memories.
Okay, got it.
But you'd need a lot of flavonoids to get it all to work, right?
Yes, precisely.
That's what I thought you said.
Time for some chocolate indulgence.
Yeah, but the average chocolate bar won't do the trick.
Here, here, try this.
Huh?
Try some of these cacao nibs.
They're pretty crunchy and good for you, too.
Hand them over here.
These taste like rocks.
Well, I didn't say they taste like chocolate.
All right, enough of these nibs.
Hey Reggie, strap your goggles on.
Next stop, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
I'm gonna get me some flavonoids.
Oh boy, here we go again.
Ah!
Reggie!
Oh no!
What do you mean, why am I yelling?
Jairus Reggie, it's in peril.
Yes, we have to go find some flavonoids right now.
What do you mean there are all kinds of flavonoids?
Well, get them all.
This is serious.
Then yeah, we'll make like a flavonoid pie or flavonoid casserole.
Fine, or a flavonoid salad, whatever.
All right, we need to wrap up the show.
I forgot that too.
Okay, real quick before I forget again.
Ahem.
Thanks for listening 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 Weekend.
Okay, should we do the goodbye song now?
Oh no, what if I forgot?
Okay, I think I remember, I think I remember.
That's the end of the show.
I need to go protect my dentate gyrus.
But I'll do another show tomorrow.
But for now, that's the end of the show.
Bye.
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