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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!
Give it a little snort.
Good.
I'm awake!
I'm awake!
Reggie, quick, wake up!
We gotta get into our costumes for Cartoon Con!
What?
You slept in your costume?
Reggie!
Well, I guess that's fine.
Come on, get in here and brush your feet!
Oh wow, your costume looks great, Reg!
You are going to be the most authentic looking Captain Cuckoo head in the whole place.
The Pigeon Patrol fans are going to love you.
Come on, let's get downstairs.
Downstairs, downstairs, downstairs, downstairs, downstairs.
Okay, we have time for a quick breakfast and then we... Good morning, citizen.
What are you doing in my kitchen, Dennis?
No, I'm not Dennis.
I'm Stan.
Fully charged and adamant. our service.
Ow!
Dennis!
And do you have any dryer sheets I can borrow?
This cape is clinging to my body and shocking me every time I move.
Ow!
Quit it, cape!
Reggie!
No, there's no time.
Here, you two stay here and don't zap Reggie.
He's got to fly us to Cartoon Con and I don't want you messing up his GPS.
Bye.
I'm coming!
I'm coming!
There ain't nothing wrong with it.
That's not a costume, G-Force.
That's just the same old snagged up unitard you always wear.
It ain't a costume, Fingerling.
It's my Grandma G-Force official uniform.
Thomas Fingerling, Grandma G-Force.
Hi, Mandy.
Grandma G-Force, where is your costume?
Where's your costume?
Where's my costume?
I've got my costume.
Ow! this thing?
Is it broken?
Bring it over here, fella.
I'll take a look at it.
Dennis, I told you not to shock anyone.
I'm not Dennis.
I'm Static Man.
And I'm shocking myself.
Fix it, Tommy.
Come here.
And what cartoon character are you dressed up as, Thomas Fingerling?
Are you a grocery bag?
No.
I'm the Amazing Couch Potato!
That is amazing.
I just shoved a bunch of foam inside a burlap sack.
I'm not a real potato.
I'll be the judge of that.
Give me a bite.
Chief Horse, I told you to quit biting my potato costume.
And I told you to give me a bite.
No!
Good morning, everyone.
Gay Ross, you're late.
Am I late or am I... The Clockwork Crusaders!
What did he say?
The clockwork crusader.
My superpower is logical and flawless time management.
I always get us to where we need to go on time.
See, I've got two watches on each wrist and another one in my pocket.
Kewa!
Ow!
Hold still.
Sorry.
Kewa.
I know.
I came up with this Cartoon Con character myself.
That's great, Guy Raz.
So, uh, is everyone ready to go?
To Cartoon Con and beyond!
Wait, Mindy, where's your costume?
Oh, I still have to put it on.
It's outside in my scrap metal yard.
Your scrap metal yard?
Yeah, it's just your backyard, but she filled it up with scrap metal.
Why?
I'm organizing and recycling all my old inventions.
I see.
Okay, I'll go out back and get my costume on and the rest of you hop aboard Reggie, and meet me out front, okay.
Okay.
But hurry up, Mindy.
The Clockwork Crusader says we need to leave soon.
Opening the back gate to the scrap metal yard.
Okay, let's sit here.
Now I'm just going to attach this steel car bumper to my human bumper back here.
And a metal hubcap for the Front.
Aluminum trash can lid for the back.
Lead pipes for my legs.
Tin cans on my forehead.
And stainless steel silverware on each of my fingers.
Oh, yeah, baby.
It's showtime.
Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk.
Drag, drag, drag.
Ta-da!
Wow!
That's weird.
Have no fear!
Super Self-Healing Metal Man is here!
Pretty cool.
That's brilliant.
And she sounds just like Mandy.
Oh, well... So cool!
Super Self-Healing Metal Man is like the best Best character ever.
You don't say.
Yeah, super self-healing metal ma'am has this metal suit that can repair itself.
You know it.
And I just read that her suit is inspired by a new discovery reported in the scientific journal Nature.
Yeah, and the bad guys are all like, And then super metal, ma'am is all like, And it all comes back together.
Neat.
And then metal ma'am is all like...
Now it's my turn.
And then everyone's all like... Well, she looks like she belongs at the dump.
Ouch.
I'll take that as a compliment.
Okay.
See, these scientists just made this stunning discovery that some metals like copper and pure platinum can actually heal their own cracks without anything.
Wow.
Well, that sounds very nice and fancy, Mindy.
Now get on the pigeon.
Oh, right.
Let's see here.
Do you need some help getting up, Mindy?
Yeah, I think I do.
Here, take my hand.
Okay, everyone, on the count of three.
One, two, three.
Hooray!
Okay, I'm ready, Reg.
Good, because here we go!
So, Mindy, is your costume actually made out of self-healing metal?
What?
I said, is your costume made...
Thanks for the ride, Reggie.
Okay, bye.
Remember, he's Captain Cuckoo Head.
Oh, right.
Yeah, sorry.
Is that Captain Cuckoo Head from Pigeon Patrol?
Look, everyone.
It's Captain Cuckoo Head.
Well, good for Reggie.
Anyway, look at the time.
Everyone ready to head inside?
Oh, yeah.
We better start making our way to the... No way.
Is that Static Man?
Me?
Static Man.
I'm a huge fan.
Can I shake your hand?
Sure.
Sounds like a plan.
Ow!
Tommy!
I thought you fixed my cape.
That's the amazing couch potato, Tommy, to you.
What?
Who's the amazing couch potato?
I need a picture.
No.
Oh, boy.
Let's just keep on walking.
Good idea.
Oh, hey there.
Welcome to Cartoon Con.
Tickets, please.
Of course.
Here you go.
Thank you.
Oh, wait.
Ma'am?
That's super self-healing metal, ma'am, to you?
Okay, sure.
Super self-healing metal, ma'am.
This is a parking ticket.
Mindy!
Oh, well, uh... Listen, you asked for a ticket, and she gave you a ticket.
Oh, yeah, I guess that's true, but I didn't ask for a parking ti... Oh, wait.
You're not...
Are you... Here we go.
Oh, wow, Grandma G-Force right here in front of me.
I'm such a big fan.
In fact, looky here.
I'm wearing a unitard costume just like yours.
This ain't no costume, boy.
It's a uniform.
Can I, uh, please have your autograph?
Okay, fine.
Wow, Grandma G-Force is popular.
I'll say.
Thank you so much.
Okay, just sign this parking ticket here, and could you make it out to Francis?
Is that you?
Yep, that's me.
Well, Francis, would you mind letting my junkyard granddaughter through?
Aw, you called me your granddaughter.
Oh, of course.
Sorry, right over this way, ma'am, and then...
Through the metal detectors over there.
Thank you.
Wait, metal detectors?
Mindy, I don't know if that's a good idea.
Your entire costume is made out of... metal.
Oh, see.
Sorry.
Ma'am, please remove all metal from your pockets.
Oh, it's okay.
I'm Super Self-Healing Metal Man.
And I'm the Clockwork Crusader.
I have... two watches on each wrist and one in my pocket.
Ah, well, that explains that.
Please continue on to the convention center.
Move along.
Walk, walk.
Walk, walk.
Cartoon Con is proud to welcome attendees professionals exhibitors retailers, volunteers and all the fans who dressed up as their favorite cartoon characters and comic book heroes.
Come on, Guy Raz.
We're right behind you, Mindy.
Coming up next on the main stage, a conversation with the self-healing marvel.
I'm so excited.
I'm so excited.
I'm so excited.
I'm so excited.
What began as a stunning new discovery made by scientists at Sandia National Laboratories and Texas AM University has now become a superhero sensation sweeping the globe.
Please give it up for Super Metal Man!
Yes!
Super Metal Man!
I'm here!
This is amazing, Mindy.
I can't believe there are actually metals that can heal themselves.
Yeah, it's a huge breakthrough in the metal community.
Thank you, thank you.
Calm down, everyone.
I put my metal pants on the same as all of you.
One metal leg at a time.
Oh, she's so relatable.
Yeah.
So, Super Metal Man.
Tell us what makes you and your costume here so special.
Well, as you can see, I'm covered in mostly pure platinum and copper metals.
Psst, Mindy.
What's your costume made out of?
Mostly just hubcaps and garbage can lids.
Oops, sorry, I just dropped my fork finger.
Wow, that's so interesting.
Now tell me, why those two metals, platinum and copper?
Well, they are two of the metals that scientists discovered could actually heal themselves.
And that means most other metals cannot?
Well, at least that's what we've always thought.
Oh, I bet she's going to talk about metal fatigue.
Let's talk about something called metal fatigue.
You called it.
Let's take the metal in cars or bridges, for example.
When the metal in these things is put to use over and over and over again...
It can eventually become stressed.
And what happens when something is stressed?
It starts to crack.
It starts to form these teeny tiny cracks.
And over time, these cracks can grow bigger and bigger.
And bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger.
Until suddenly... Snap!
And that's when you've got a big catastrophic problem on your hands.
But that's when you swoop in, super metal man!
Shh!
Be quiet.
Sorry.
That's right, lady in the junkyard costume.
Oh, boy.
But before I could swoop in, I had to be discovered by scientists.
Oh, yeah, this is the good part.
Now, when these scientists were conducting a different experiment with certain cracked metals under a special microscope, they noticed something unusual.
They noticed that the teeny tiny nanoscopic metals had begun to spontaneously heal themselves.
Now that's a superpower!
We love you, super metal man!
Thank you, trash dump!
Oh, come on!
Incredible!
Absolutely stunning discovery!
Wow, it really is!
Yeah, and after making this discovery, the scientists decided to run some experiments to test the limits of it.
For these experiments, the researchers would pull on the ends of tiny pieces of metal 200 times per second.
I know, I know.
Aha, I suppose the purpose was to stress the metal enough to form a teeny tiny crack.
And once they got a crack to form, they watched as it grew and spread.
And then, 40 minutes later, the crack fused itself together.
It healed itself!
And that super self-healing metal became its own superpower.
And that superpower became a superhero.
Me.
Super Metal Man!
Oh, I wish I could just see you!
You're amazing, Super Metal Man!
We're twins!
Amazing!
Amazing!
We will now take some questions from fans in the audience.
Does anyone have a question?
Pick me, pick me.
I'm right here.
I've got a question.
Uh, yes.
Looks like we have a question from the pile of used car parts in the back.
Seriously?
Please state your question, junkyard lady.
Okay, super metal man.
First of all, big fan, and if you're seeing double, it's because I made my super metal ma'am costume to look exactly like yours.
Hmm well, I must need classes.
My question for you is what is happening inside the guts of the metal when it heals itself, You know like?
Is there a scientific explanation for this?
Well, yes, there is.
It's a process called cold welding.
And this is a process that occurs when two smooth, clean pieces of metal are brought together and their atoms, their teeny tiny building blocks, reform or bond together.
Uh, I have a question.
Yes, you.
The one wearing an unnecessary number of wristwatches.
Actually, I'm the Clockwork Crusader.
My superpower is time management and... Just your question, if you please.
Oh, yes.
Right.
Okay, so Super Metal Man, when can we see you do your thing?
I'm sorry?
What now?
He's talking about your superpower.
We want to watch you crash.
And then fuse yourself back together again.
Yeah.
Well, all I can tell you is that I am actually self-healing as we speak.
Huh.
Sure doesn't look like it does in the cartoon.
That's because in real life, it's happening on a nanoscale.
And a nanoscale is 1000 times smaller than a microscale, which means that it's not visible to the human eye.
Hey, Ross, where's my magnifying goggles?
I'm not responsible for keeping track of your things, Mindy.
But it is possible that scientists can take this nanoscopic discovery and use what they've learned to create other materials and metals that can self-heal in larger ways.
And ultimately, hope to prevent big problems with cracking metals in the future.
And that's all the time we have for questions.
Super Metal Man will be signing autographs in the autograph booth today at noon.
Thank you, everyone.
Thank you.
I'm your biggest fan.
That was interesting.
Yeah, even if she did mistake me for a pile of used car parts.
I think your costume looks great, Mindy.
And maybe you don't look exactly like Super Metal Man, but why would you want to when you can be like that self-repairing metal and be your own superhero?
Yeah, I can be my own superhero.
And you, Guy Raz... be my trusty timekeeping sidekick.
Well, I don't know about sidekick.
Excuse me, night watchman.
Would you happen to have the time?
Dennis!
No, it's Static Man.
And everyone here knows it.
Hi, Static Man.
Hi.
Mandy, where's that pigeon?
I want to go home.
Everybody here likes me, and I don't like it.
Did you have fun today, Captain Cuckoo Head?
Where's Thomas Fingerling?
Yeah, I didn't even notice he was gone.
Oh, he's over there passing out prizes.
Prizes?
And that's one potato bug for you and another one for you over here.
Oh, and a potato bug for you.
What?
Where is he getting them?
He's getting them off his mushy potato body.
Where else?
Well...
I think our time here is up.
Everyone ready to go?
I'm already up here on the pigeon.
The time has come for Static Man to recharge!
Someone help me.
Are you ready, Super Metal Man?
Ready, Clockwork Crusader.
Captain Cuckoo Head?
Okay, let me just hop on here and... Here we go! be right back grown-ups this message is for you hey grown-ups it's mindy and guy ross 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.
Grown-ups.
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.
That's it.
Back to the show.
Wow in the World.
Hi, thanks for calling Wow in the World.
After the beep, get ready to record.
Hi, Wow in the World.
My name's Frances and I'm from Decatur, Atlanta, Georgia.
My Wow in the World... is that narwhals' horns are actually tough.
They're just a really long tooth.
Say hi to Reggie, Grandma G-Force, and Thomas Fingerling for me.
Gnarly.
Bye.
Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz.
My name is Zelda.
I'm nine years old, and I live in Brooklyn, New York.
My wow in the world is that peacocks can fly despite their massive tail feathers that make up Hi.
My name's Lev.
I live in Toronto, and my wow in the world is that a T-Rex's teeth are as big as bananas.
Hi, I'm Ella from Morgantown, West Virginia, and my wow is.
Arctic foxes have fur on the bottom of their paws.
It feeds them from slipping on ice.
Say hi to Reggie for me.
Hi, Mindy and Guy Ross.
I'm Joey, and I live in New Jersey.
My wow is that elephants don't have bones in their trunk.
Say hi to Reggie and Dennis.
Hi.
Bye.
Hi, Mindy and Guy Ross.
My name is Ava.
I live in Virginia.
My wow is there is a type of animal that has scales on their head, back, and tails.
It is called a pangolin, but they have furry bellies, so they are mammals.
Say hi to Grandma G-Force.
Oh, isn't that nice?
And Reggie.
Bye.
Hi, Mindy and Guy Ross.
My name is Eli, and I live in Bellingham, Washington.
And my wow in the world is about 400 lakes are hitting under the Antarctic ice.
Say hi to Thomas Fingerling.
What's up?
And get it for me.
Hi there.
Bye.
I love your show.
End of messages.
Wow in the World is written by Mindy Thomas and Tom Van Kalken with help from me, Guy Raz.
Original sound design and music editing is done by our supervising producer, Jed Anderson and Tyler Tholtz.
You can also hear Jed Anderson in the voices of Dennis Thomas Fingerling, Reggie and many of the other silly characters you hear on our show.
Jessica Bode keeps our facts straight as our fact checker and Meredith Halpern-Ranzer 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 Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Ruth Morrison, Rebecca Caban, Kit Ballinger, Sana Ali-Mohamed, Anna Zagorski and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.
To keep the wows rolling, visit us at Tinkercast.com.
There you can learn more about becoming an official member of the World Organization of Wowsers.
Learn about upcoming events, shop our wow shop, Find our best-selling books and learn about all of our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.
Grown-ups, you can follow Wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at Wow in the World.
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.
7WowWow for a chance to be featured at the end of our show or an upcoming episode of 2.
What's in a Wow?
Thanks again for listening and until next time, be fun wowing!
Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
