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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 7pm 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!
Let's see.
Hmm.
Oh, oh, I'll start with a light snooze.
And that'll leave me plenty of time for a deep sleep from 10 to 6.
Yeah, that'll work.
Hey, Guy Razzi.
Whoa, what are you doing over here?
And where did you get that floor-to-ceiling calendar?
It takes up the whole wall.
And what is all that writing on it?
Oh, hey, Mindy.
I'm planning my sleep schedule.
You need this whole calendar to plan your sleep for the month?
The month?
Mindy, this is just for the Well, Mindy, the perfect slumber is a much bigger operation.
You have to start way before crawling into bed.
What?
What are you talking about?
Well, you need to think bigger than toothbrushing and bunny slippers.
Look at this timeline here.
It tells me when to switch from regular coffee to decaf.
And see how it tapers off here?
That's sleepy time tea.
And what's that little color code thing at the bottom?
Oh, so I can coordinate my PJs to my sheets for maximum comfort.
Oh, I see.
That would explain the weather radar you had installed.
Of course.
Nothing like organic bamboo flannel on a chilly night.
Wow, you are going to be the best rested Guy Raz I know.
I wish, but now I'm too excited to sleep.
Actually, that works out well for us because look what time it is.
We've got a game show to do.
Of course, you're right.
Turn on the white noise machine.
And dim the lights to a comfortable glow.
And warm your milk in three, two, one.
And now for everyone's second favorite game show after scraping the bird parts off your toast.
It's Two What's and a Run.
Wowzers, it's time for another dreamy round of Two What's and a Wow.
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
And the category for today is sleep.
Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?
You know it.
Wowzers, we are going to present you with three scientific statements about sleep, but only one of those statements will be a true wow.
The other two, just a couple have made up.
What?
Okay, let's get started.
Which of the following statements about sleep is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, when dolphins sleep, their brains shut down completely?
Or is it B, some birds can sleep while they fly?
Or is it C, Ducks live in groups but sleep alone.
When you think you know the answer, guess A, B, or C before you catch some Zs.
We're going to take a quick break to give you a chance to yawn and stretch.
And when we come back, we'll find out if your wow is the winning wow.
To What's in a Wow, we'll be right back.
Grown-ups, 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 wowser learn about their world through play plus you can hear exclusive audio content from me and guy ross to help your wowser 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 That's it.
Now back to the show.
Okay, Wowzers, let's not sleep on these answers.
It's time to reveal the winning wow.
But before we do, let's do a quick review.
We gave you three statements about sleep and challenged you to find the one true wow.
Was it A, when dolphins sleep, their brains shut down completely?
Or was it B, some birds sleep while they fly?
Or was it C, ducks live in groups but sleep alone?
Joining us by phone with the answer to today's question, it's Riley from Marietta, Georgia.
Riley, what's the winning wow?
Hi, my name is Riley and I live in Marietta, Georgia.
My wow is that some birds sleep while flying.
Say hi to Reggie for me.
Winner, winner, eight hours of sleep for dinner.
Riley, you are correct.
Wowzers, if you guessed B, that some birds can sleep while they fly, you found the winning wow too.
Congratulations!
Bird.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology found evidence in a study on freight gate birds that some birds can sleep and fly at the same time.
These birds fly over the ocean in search of food nonstop for weeks on end.
Scientists found that they can do this without stopping to rest because of unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, or USWS.
In USWS, animals can sleep with only one hemisphere, or side of their brain, at a time.
So they can literally keep one eye open to watch for threats, even when they're taking a snooze.
And if you went with A or C, you were.
If you chose A, when dolphins sleep, their brains shut down completely, it turns out that dolphins do not shut down their entire brains to sleep.
They shut down half their brain.
You see, dolphins need to think in order to breathe.
So even when they're tired, they can only shut down half of their brain while the other brain works the night shift.
Sound familiar?
Uh-huh.
Another example of unihemispheric sleep.
Exactoritos.
And after about two hours the dolphin will switch sides, letting the other half of its brain catch some Zs.
It repeats the process over and over during the entire snooze, allowing the whole brain to get some rest while keeping it from drowning and out of danger.
Now, if you chose option C, ducks live in groups but sleep alone.
Think about the expression getting your ducks in a row.
Ducks actually snooze in groups and sometimes even sleep in rows.
The ducks at the end face away from the group, keeping an eye out for danger, so that the ones on the inside can sleep safely and soundly.
Well, Guy Raz, why don't you tell our winning wowsers what they won?
Well Mindy, all of our contestants today will be taking home their very own invisible set of Pigs in a blanket.
Yep.
We're talking about a set of three wild boars pre-swaddled in fleece-lined wool blankets.
Snuggle up with them for a snooze or sing them your favorite lullaby.
Wait.
Are you sure it's safe to snuggle up to wild boars?
Yes.
Of course I'm not sure it's safe to snuggle up with wild boars, Guy Raz.
But these pigs in a blanket are invisible, so the rules are there are no rules.
I see.
Wow.
Well, that's about all the time we have for today.
But before we go, we have one last scientific challenge for you.
We call it Operation Make Your Bed.
Wowzers, we challenge you to design your dream bed.
Maybe it has eight mattresses.
Maybe it's made out of bread.
Maybe you sleep on clouds instead of pillows.
You can design your dream bed on paper or create a miniature model using objects you find at home.
Get creative with it and share your inventions with us.
Grown-ups, you can upload photos and videos to us at tinkercast.com slash share.
And be sure to check back here on Monday for a brand new episode of Wow in the World and on Friday for a new episode of Two What's and a Wow.
Until then, keep on wowing!
Two What's and a Wow is produced by Mindy Thomas and me.
Our writers team is made up of Anna Zagorski, Darnell Walker, and Heba Gouda.
Special thanks to Anya Grunman and the team at NPR.
Our theme song was written and composed by the Pop-Ups.
For more on their three-time Grammy-nominated all-ages music, find them...
And if you'd like to become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers, where you can get an autographed picture of me and Mindy, an exclusive t-shirt, magnifying goggles, special activities for each episode and much more, visit Tinkercastcom.
And for more up-to-date news, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at WowInTheWorld.
Our email address is hello at wowintheworld.com.
Finally, if you're a kid with a big wow to share, it could be used on an upcoming episode of Two.
What's in a Wow?
Call us at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW.
Thanks again for listening.
Now go forth and find your wow.
And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey at wondery.com slash survey.
