Lungs and Livers and Bladders and Hearts

It's that time again! A new guest and a new podcast, and this week's is fantastic because we have Wendy Bryan from I Heart Guts!

Way cuter than the creepy Bodyworlds
(image by I Heart Guts)

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Wendy was at the Sakura Matsuri this year, but it was nearly impossible to work your way through the throng of adoring customers. Evidently kawaii plushy organs were in high demand at the festival. Which is what we at DC Geeks always love to see for local vendors.

At first glance, the company may seem like a competitor with the plush microbes and diseases that have been so popular lately. However, Wendy says that the plush toys complement one another nicely. They've even been placed side by side in several con vendor rooms with no epic Cancer vs. Pancreas pillow fights. 

It's really not surprising how the I Heart Guts site has taken off from a t-shirt business to pins, temporary tattoos, the toys, and even a few special editions. (Check out the totally badass black leather heart). However, the toys can be touching as well as adorable. Wendy says she gets heart-wrenching letters from people who've given the plushes to relatives suffering from all sorts of diseases. Customers buy intestines for Celiac patients, pick up a spare appendix for a friend in need, or a kidney while someone's healing from a donation.

Honestly, given all the DC Geeks Drinking Game Beta Testing that's been going on lately, this was the neither noble nor high-brow thought that first came to mind:

(created by DC Geeks with Quickmeme)

What seemed most surprising was the way that the plush toys created an easy way for parents to educate even young children about anatomy. Wendy's son certainly has a better understanding of organs than most adults. At one point in the episode, we broke down and asked "what does the pancreas do, anyway?"

The pancreas helps you eat cupcakes.

It produces insulin which helps your body handle the sugar in cupcakes and other foods. Sure it's a basic explanation, but The Talk might be a lot easier if your kid starts off with a basic age-appropriate understanding of "this is a testicle and this is a uterus and here's generally what they do!" You have to admit, it's easier than trying to explain a spleen. (And one can assume that hilarity would ensue if presents were opened Christmas morning in front of the in-laws).

Visit the I Heart Guts site to pick up toys and all sorts of awesome merch. Or find it in a store near you if you prefer to hug your heart before you buy. Check out their non-profit work. And read the blog for excellent ideas like giving a uterus as an awesome thank you gift for a midwife.

Thanks, Wendy, for such an outstanding podcast. Let us know if you ever come out with a velcro holder for them all. I want to play pin the organ on the meatling some Halloween. 

PS: For all you astute readers, bonus points for everyone who knew the Repo reference in the title.