06/20/25

You Can Whistle While You Work—But How Does A Whistle Work?

An illustration of a cartoon character whistling while walking. Beside him is a buddle that shows air passing through the inside of his mouth
Illustration by Siah Files

Whistling is a skill used to communicate over distances—a whistle can mean anything from “you’re cute” to “time to come home for dinner.” There’s a complex series of mechanisms in the mouth that need to come together to make a whistle. Hosts Ira Flatow and Flora Lichtman discuss all things whistling with professional musician and whistler Wanda Civic, aka MCP, and speech language pathologist Aaron Johnson.


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Segment Guests

Wanda Civic

Wanda Civic aka MCP is a musician and whistler based in New York, New York.

Aaron Johnson

Aaron Johnson is a speech and language pathologist at the Voice Center of New York University, in New York, New York.

Segment Transcript

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Meet the Producers and Host

About Kathleen Davis

Kathleen Davis is a producer and fill-in host at Science Friday, which means she spends her weeks researching, writing, editing, and sometimes talking into a microphone. She’s always eager to talk about freshwater lakes and Coney Island diners.

About Ira Flatow

Ira Flatow is the founder and host of Science FridayHis green thumb has revived many an office plant at death’s door.

About Flora Lichtman

Flora Lichtman is a host of Science Friday. In a previous life, she lived on a research ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.

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