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Hey Grownups, Midi here, and I got some big news to share.
Reggie? drumroll please.
OK, Wow in the World now has toys.
We've partnered with our friends at Wondery Kids to create hands -on STEM toys that connect learning to playing and playing to tinkering.
These toys bring a fun wow twist to the classic STEM toys you loved growing up.
Did your paper mache volcano melt when it erupted?
Will our wow -ified volcano interrupt again and again with color changing slime?
Or maybe you launched toy rockets up into the air when you were a kid?
Well now we've wow -ified the classic air rocket toy with a special fart nozzle to bring your wowzers rocket to infinity and beyond.
And for the dino fans, check out our Wow in the World dino buckets.
We have buckets full of dinos.
Our baby dino bucket is full of soft squeezable baby dino figures and amazing dino facts.
And our dino bucket is packed with your favorite dino figurines and prehistoric wow -rific facts.
Plus rocks and plants to make your own dino scenes.
And we keep our prehistoric fun rolling with the build -em -up dino board game filled with fun fossil facts that will wow the whole family.
But wait, there's more!
We've also just released a wow in the world Reggie Toney along with Wow in the World and Who Win Wow clever Tonys so you can listen to Wow screen free on your tony box.
Grown Ups you can find our wow in the world toys at amazon .com slash wow.
That's amazon .com slash wow.
That's it and now let's get back to the show.
4 feet in 3 2 1 The funny part of mission on that magnificent proportion.
I don't know what you've been told but we're in a golden age.
So many discoveries that are jumping off the page.
Wow in the world. Wow in the world.
Wow in the world. Wow in the world.
Wow in the world. Wow in the world.
Wow in the world. Coming up later tonight on Wow TV.
It's a Judge Rosy marathon.
But right now it's the series premiere of everyone's favorite astronautical reality TV show.
That's right. It's time for So You Wanna Be An Astronaut only on Wow TV.
This is so exciting.
I can't believe we're all on a reality TV show and one of us might become an astronaut.
Astronaut, hey? That sounds pretty neat.
I do not know what that is.
I mean I've been to space before in the wow machine but to be a fully fledged NASA astronaut.
That's been on my vision board for like forever.
I've always wanted to be an astronaut ever since I was a kid and this show might just be my opportunity to make that dream come true.
Five contestants, one giant pigeon and one opportunity to become a NASA astronaut.
Wow over the next half hour these five contestants will be measured by some of the strictest guidelines in the American workplace.
Did you know that only 0 .083 percent of NASA applicants get selected?
Yeah I might be in over my head.
Muring it. The contestants will face a series of tasks that NASA uses to find the best of the best of the best for their space program.
Only one question remains.
Do these contestants have what it takes to become America's next astronaut?
Yes! Yes! Oh you betcha!
Sure. This is so you wanna be an astronaut.
I can't believe I'm on so you want to be an astronaut.
I have literally watched all 12 seasons.
I'm not the biggest fan of reality television but when I heard that the grand prize was a spot in NASA's astronaut core I had to give it a go.
Yay! I'm gonna be an astronaut, right?
Hey Mr. Producer, am I gonna be an astronaut?
Probably not. Yes I am.
We head now to the NASA astronaut test facility.
Contestants, welcome to the 13th season of So You Want to Be an Astronaut.
I'm your host, Elmira Moonwalker.
Wow! What is this place?
Some kind of airplane hanger or something?
It's huge! Yeah and it has great acoustics.
Hello! Oh boy. Dennis is the best!
Now as you know every four years or so NASA puts out a call to the general public.
Like me, right Elmira?
Uh yeah sure. Yay! NASA asks people like you to send in applications to become an astronaut.
This is so exciting!
This year in 2024 NASA has once again asked you, the public, to show them what you're made of.
Oh what are you made of Tommy?
I don't know. I'd say at least 50 % macaroni.
Now this isn't any old job application.
To become a NASA astronaut you must pass a series of rigorous tests, mental, physical and emotional challenges.
Perfect! I'm very emotional!
And your prize for completing this gauntlet will be a spot in the next class of NASA astronauts.
A select group of people that will travel to the International Space Station, the Moon and eventually to Mars.
Oh I've always wanted to visit Mars.
So are you up for the challenge?
Yes! Then let's begin.
Contestants your first challenge is to fill out this form.
Uh what? A form? Well that was a little anti -climactic.
Oh a form! I love filling out forms.
Everyone else might have been overwhelmed by the first challenge but I'm not going to let it get the best of me.
Okay question one. Are you a United States citizen?
Yes I am. Well Reggie was technically born in French Canada but he got his citizenship a few years ago so I think he's okay.
I can't read this it's too small.
Feller what's this say?
Tommy it just says are you a U .S.
citizen? Let me check the old driver's license here.
Grandma G -Force did you just write what's it to ya?
I don't know what to do ya.
All right candidates you have just completed your first requirement to be a NASA astronaut being a U .S.
citizen and I'm happy to say that all of you have passed.
Yay! Except for one.
Oh no who? Grandma G -Force.
What? I'm afraid you are not America's next astronaut.
Well huh Grandma G -Force why didn't you just write yes?
Well I ain't gonna let no piece of paper tell me what to do.
G -Force I'm afraid you must leave the hangar.
Whatever I don't even want to be an astronaut neither anyway.
Congratulations to the rest of you candidates.
You've made it to the second round of so you want to be an astronaut.
We will now move on to the educational part of the selection process.
NASA astronauts must not only be in tip -top physical condition but their minds must also be sharp as a tack.
I love tacks. Contestants for your second challenge please fill out the second question on your form.
Another form! Wait is this whole show just gonna be us filling out forms and questionnaires?
Indeed spoilers! I'm just asking.
Okay let's see here astronauts must hold a master's degree in either engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
Huh? That's correct folks.
Your next challenge is to tell us what field you received your master's degree in.
Inventionary! Botany!
Wait what? You all have master's degrees?
Yeah. I got an engineering master's degree to help me with my inventing.
I got a botany degree to help with my micro garden.
My dissertation was on the construction of hyperbolic polygons within a Poincare disc.
So am I the only one here without a master's degree?
That's not fair. Well lucky for you Dennis there is one other way to overcome this challenge.
What is it? I'll do anything!
NASA also accepts candidates who have over 1 ,000 pilot hours.
You mean people have flown a plane for at least a thousand hours?
Yes but there's a twist.
What is it? We'll find out right after this short break.
Oh come on! This week on Judge Rosie.
Wait a minute you're telling me that a shrimp fried this rice?
That's right your honor.
Yeah and just wait until you see what this guy Basil can do or is it Basil?
That's this week on an all -new Judge Rosie.
And welcome back to So You Want to Be an Astronaut.
I'm Elmira Moonwalker.
Now before the break I told Dennis that there was still one way that he could make it as an astronaut even though he does not hold a master's degree.
Yeah you said if I had experience flying.
One thousand hours of flying.
That's right but there is a catch.
Oh what is it Elmira?
850 of those 1 ,000 hours must be in a high performance jet aircraft.
Dennis in a fighter jet?
Now that's something I'd like to see.
Oh I did that. Reggie remember that jet ride we took?
You took a jet ride?
I don't remember that.
Well that's because you weren't there.
I'm sorry Dennis but we have no record of any logged hours for you in a jet aircraft.
Reggie you were there you remember don't you?
What? Swart to Reggie.
I'm sorry Dennis but you do not have what it takes to be America's next astronaut.
Please leave the hangar immediately.
Oh sorry Dennis. Congratulations candidates you are now halfway through the requirements of becoming a fully fledged NASA astronaut.
And we are one step closer to finding out who will be America's next astronaut.
Whatever the next challenge is I am ready for it.
Next challenge is gonna be a piece of cake dude.
I hope this next challenge is just as exciting as the form filling round.
We now move into the physical portion of today's challenges.
Well it's about time.
I've been waiting for a chance to break out these bad boys.
Fingirling put your knuckles away.
NASA astronauts must be ready for any physical challenge space throws their way.
But NASA doesn't only want your strength and agility.
Your physiology must also fit the bill.
Wait physiology? Yeah that means your body's makeup you know stuff like your height, weight and even how you digest food makes up your personal physiology.
Ah got it. Excuse me.
That was my physiology just saying hello.
NASA requires that their astronauts fit a very specific height and weight range.
Therefore your next challenge will be the scales.
Wow those are some pretty fancy looking bathroom scales.
And this measuring tape.
In the past NASA has required that all astronauts measure between 149 centimeters and 193 centimeters.
Uh what's that translate to an American?
Between four foot three and six foot four.
And you must weigh between 50 and 95 kilograms.
Which is which is between 110 and 209 pounds.
Mindy please make your way up to the scale.
All right there was no way I was gonna lose this challenge.
I spent the last two weeks eating nothing but tarp pops in order to sculpt the perfect astronaut body for NASA.
Okay stepping onto the scale.
Okay I've got the results right here.
And Mindy I'm so nervous I'm so nervous I'm so nervous.
Congratulations you are through to the next round.
Yes! Guy Roz it's time for you to step on the scale.
All right let's see here.
Okay I've got the results right here.
Guy Roz. Congratulations you're still in the running for America's next astronaut.
Thomas Fingerling you're up next.
Please step on to the scale.
Oh Congratulations Mr.
Fingerling you're through.
And finally Reggie.
Could you please make your way onto the scale.
Oh I'm sorry Reggie but this is where your journey ends.
You will not be America's next astronaut.
Wow Reggie's out. I thought he was making it all the way to the end.
Please make your way out of the hangar.
And here we are down to our final three.
You've all done very well to make it this far in the recruitment process but still only one of you will join the next class to become America's next astronaut.
The further we get in this competition the more I like my odds.
Me too. Who you calling odd?
Now there is one last physiological challenge.
Eye sight. Okay maybe I spoke too soon.
Not only do astronaut recruits have to be mentally and physically fit they must also have perfect eye sight.
But I thought NASA no longer required astronauts to have perfect vision.
Yeah I read online that only specialist astronauts needed to have perfect vision.
I was not ready for this.
Although it's true that NASA no longer requires all astronauts to have perfect vision here on so you want to be an astronaut.
We're looking for the best of the best and the best of the best can read from afar.
Yikes. Contestants please direct your attention to the other side of the hangar.
Where? Over there? Yes.
Over there you will see phrases printed on the wall.
For your next challenge you will read these phrases out loud without the assistance of prescription glasses.
Huh. I'm afraid that means you guy Roz.
Uh -huh. Oh this ain't looking good for you Mr.
Rosie. Okay let's begin.
Mindy. Could you please read the first phrase.
Why yes I can. Old McDonald had a farm.
Thank you Mindy. Thomas Fingerling.
Present. Please recite the next phrase.
Okay and on that farm he had a duck.
Thank you. And finally Guy Roz.
Please complete the passage by reading what is written on the wall.
You got this Guy Roz.
Okay I got this uh let's see um uh with a Jack Jack peer and a whack attack fear near a mac ferrer rack everywhere a Jack Jack.
Oh I'm sorry Guy Roz that is incorrect.
Very good though. You are not America's next astronaut.
No can you have a do -over?
Please leave the hangar.
You know I had a sneaking suspicion that it would be my eyesight that would let me down but at the end of the day I'm not mad about it.
I had a great time and I know that the right person will win the job.
Sorry to see you go Guy Roz.
You did great out there.
Well thank you. So long.
Contestants there are just two of you left but only one of you can become America's next astronaut.
Well I know who I'm going for.
Are you ready for your final challenge?
Yes I am. Sure why not?
Bring in the tank. Where are we?
That's a lot of water.
I had never seen a fish tank that big before in my life.
That fish tank don't scare me.
G -Force has one just like it she keeps her pet shark in.
Contestants this is your final challenge.
Well what do you want me to do?
Drink all that water?
No Mr. Fingerling. It's for diving.
Diving? Ooh. That's right.
NASA requires a swimming test before sending their astronauts off into space.
Oh sure on account of all the space lakes and space rivers right?
Uh not exactly. Oh.
NASA requires a swim test but here on so you want to be an astronaut we're taking things up a notch.
Oh boy. Yes! For your final task you two will compete to see who is the most competent scuba diver.
What? Huh? Oh I don't like the sound of that.
I was like we're going to space why do they want us scuba diving?
It's like what are we looking for space coral or space sea turtles?
Now as you may know scuba diving and space walking share some similarities.
They both require a special suit.
Both require you to carry your own oxygen supply and both require you to manage a feeling of weightlessness.
Oh yeah that makes sense now.
Weightless? Is this like a diet or something?
No Thomas Fingerling she's saying that the weightlessness you feel when you're underwater and using a breathing tube is also the same kind of thing that you experience when you're floating around in a space suit.
Oh okay. So contestants are you ready?
Yep. Nope. What? I ain't ready.
Why not? I can't swim.
You can't swim? How did I not know that?
Well in that case I believe we have our winner Thomas Fingerling.
Yep. You are not America's next astronaut.
Please leave the hangar.
Could this mean? Mindy congratulations.
You have proven that you have what it takes to be America's next astronaut.
Oh my wow. I don't know what to say.
Okay well first of all I would just like to thank my best friend Guy Roz for always believing in me and my best pigeon Reggie for teaching me how to scuba dive.
But most of all I'd like to thank reality television.
You came into my life when I needed you the most and I'll never forget what you've done for me.
Thomas myself I wouldn't cry.
I'd also like to thank...
Now you just need to complete your two -year training program.
Whoa wait a minute two years?
That's right. Hold on so you're telling me that I have to go through another two years of training?
That's right. Then if selected to go on a mission you will need to undergo even more training.
What? So I've got even two more years even after that and I'm still not guaranteed to go to space.
Yes that's correct.
Uh I think I gotta pass.
What? Yeah sorry but I just don't have time for all of that.
I mean I'm right in the middle of remodeling my gingerbread mansion and I promised Reggie that I'd help him train for the half marathon he's doing this summer and I've got a new brownie recipe that I've been meaning to try out for like a year now and I just...
Well uh in that case Mindy I'm afraid this is where your journey ends.
You do not have what it takes to be a NASA astronaut.
Please leave the hangar.
Peace out everyone.
Peace out. You know I'm really happy with how I performed in this competition and nobody can take that away from me but two plus years of intense physical mental and emotional training all for a brief chance to go up into space nobody got time for that.
Well there you have it folks.
Five contestants entered the hangar and all five left.
The position of NASA astronaut is still up for grabs.
Do you have what it takes?
Join us next time on So You Want to Be an Astronaut as we continue to search for the next generation of young scientists that will call the stars their home.
I've been your host Elmyra Moonwalker.
Good night. Wow in the world we'll be right back.
Grownups this message is for you.
Hey grownups Mindy here from Wow in the World and let me tell you Carly Q and I are so excited to make it wow in New York City I mean New York and San Francisco with our new live show Make It Wow presented by Audible.
There's more to imagine would you listen and apparently you're excited too because our San Francisco performance is filling up and our New York City performance is almost sold out so we're adding even more wow with a second show for New York City.
Grownups get your tickets today at Tinkercast .com slash events that's Tinkercast .com slash events that's it we'll see you there.
That's it back to the show.
Hi thanks for calling wow in the world.
After the beep get ready to record.
Hi Mindy and Guy Oz and Reggie.
My name is Nora. My name is Tommy.
We live in Fairfax, Virginia.
Our wow is that horses inspired the invention of pants because when people first started riding horses they only had tunics and nothing under to wear so it was uncomfortable to ride a horse so a person sewed two tubes of fabric together and made pants.
Did you hear that Bucky?
Bye we love you show.
Hi Mindy and Guy Oz.
My name is Condor. I live in Vermont.
In my world it takes 43 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup and you can only collect it in spring so say hi to Reggie for me.
Bye. Hi Mindy and Guy Oz.
My name is Julia and I live in Rabat, Morocco.
My wow in the world is that the longest crocodile can be 20 feet long.
Bye I love your show to Reggie and Dennis to stay away from crocodiles.
Hi Mindy, Guy Oz, Reggie and Dennis.
My name is Kai. And we are from Austin, Texas.
Our wow in the world is that a jiffy is an official scientific unit of time.
Bye bye, I love your show.
Hi my name is Hubbard.
I'm from Demos, Colorado.
My wow in the world is that the smallest stone in your body is in your ear.
Hi Guy and Mindy. See you soon.
Bye. Hi Mindy and Guy Oz.
My name is Annie. I live in Roswell, Georgia.
My wow in the world is that there is more plastic flamingos than real ones.
P .S. I love your podcast and say hi to Reggie for me.
Bye. Hi my name is Stella and I live in Hollis, New Hampshire and my wow in the world is that blue whales can hold their breath for over an hour.
Bye Mindy and Guy Oz.
Say hi to Reggie for me.
Hi Mindy. Hi Guy Oz and Reggie.
My name is Addison.
My wow in the world is baby pigeons are called squabs.
Both mothers and fathers produce milk and care for their squabs.
Pigeons are able to learn math and can put items in order from lowest to highest.
Pigeons can also recognize themselves in the mirror.
Pigeons are pretty smart.
Bye Reggie. Bye Mindy.
Bye Guy Oz. End of messages.
Grownups, if you like wow in the world you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery Plus.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
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And before you go tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey at Wondery .com slash survey.
Wow in the world is written by Mindy Thomas and Tom Van Calken with help from me Guy Oz.
Original sound design and music editing is done by Tyler Thole with help from our supervising producer Jed Anderson.
You can also hear Jed Anderson in the voices of Dennis, Thomas Fingerling, Reggie, and many of the other silly characters that you hear on our show.
And Lizzie Freilich can also be heard as some of the silly characters on our show.
Jessica Bodie keeps our facts straight as our fact checker and Meredith Halpern -Ranser powers the wow at Tinkercast.
Our theme song was composed and performed by three -time Grammy nominees The Pop -ups.
Find them at thepopups .com.
Special thanks to Kit Ballinger, Rebecca Caban, Dr.
Natasha Crandall, Kenny Curtis, Kristen Yang, Tui Mack, Erika Medina, Henry Moskal, Jodie Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Zagorski, and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.
And to keep the wow rolling after you finish this episode, visit us at Tinkercast .com.
There you can become a member of the World Organization of Wowsers to get year -round mailings and weekly activities.
Shop our wow shop, get tickets for upcoming events, find our best -selling books, and learn about some of the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.
Grownups, you can follow Wow & the World on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at wowintheworld and our email address is hello at tinkercast .com.
And if you're a kid with a big wow to share with us, call us at 1 -888 -7WOW -WOW for a chance to be featured at the end of our show or an upcoming episode of Two What's in a Wow.
Thanks again for listening.
We're here every Monday or you can check out Two What's in a Wow every Friday right here in the Wow in the World podcast feed.
And don't forget We Wow on the Weekend with Dennis Saturday and Sunday.
Keep on wowin'! Wow in the world, wow in the world, wow in the world, wow in the world, wow in the world!
Wow in the world was made by Tinkercast and set to you by Wundery!
