Dino Dinner

Summary

Wow in the World – "Dino Dinner" (December 8, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this fun and fact-filled episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz invite their quirky cast of characters to a dinosaur-themed dinner party. The adventure takes listeners through prehistoric times as the group learns about the true connection between modern birds and dinosaurs, especially chickens, and the science behind fossilization. Alongside humor and inventive storytelling, the episode highlights a real scientific discovery about a Gorgosaurus’ last meal and brings to life the process of how fossils can hold clues about the dinosaurs’ diets, even millions of years later.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcome to the Dino-Themed Dinner Party (02:17)

• Mindy invites everyone to the “dino room” for a prehistoric dinner party, complete with themed decorations like animatronic dinosaurs, erupting volcano flooring, and costumes for all the guests.
• Each character receives a dinosaur (or prehistoric creature) costume matching their personality, with Mindy educating listeners along the way.
  • Dennis as a pterodactyl (a flying reptile, but not a dinosaur), Guy Raz as a Troodon (one of the smartest dinos), and Grandma G Force as a Gorgosaurus (a ferocious relative of T. Rex).
  • Mindy herself dresses up as an Oviraptor, explaining its feathered and bird-like features.

Notable Quote

“Now, Guy Raz, I'm going to have you put on this Troodon costume... scientists believe that it was one of the smartest dinosaurs.”
— Mindy Thomas (06:20)

[03:35] The “Dino Room” transformation

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2. Dinosaur-Themed Cuisine & The Big Reveal (09:34)

• The dinner table features a spread of dinosaur-themed dishes: fossilized fruit salad, Tricera-tacos, stegosaurus sliders, T. Rex toast, Paleo popsicles, and “dino drool” (fruit punch).
• The highlight is the “main course”—supposedly a real dinosaur—under a silver dome.
• When Mindy dramatically reveals the dish, it has mysteriously disappeared, sparking a mock “who-done-it” mystery among the guests.

Notable Quotes

“And that chicken, like all chickens, was a real living dinosaur.”
— Mindy Thomas (12:06)

“Chickens are more closely related to the Tyrannosaurus rex. In fact, they're the closest living relative to the T. Rex.”
— Mindy Thomas (12:39)

[09:40] Menu explanation

[11:33] The missing main course mystery revealed

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3. Are Chickens Dinosaurs? The Science Explained (12:03)

• Guy Raz and Mindy explain the astonishing evolutionary truth that all modern birds, especially chickens, are direct descendants of theropod dinosaurs like T. Rex.
• The group reacts with surprise and fascination, setting the stage for the scientific story behind the episode.

Notable Quote

“Well, actually, all birds are, scientifically speaking, considered to be dinosaurs. But chickens are theropod dinosaurs.”
— Guy Raz (12:30)

[12:03] Modern birds as living dinosaurs

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4. The Mystery of the Missing “Dino” (13:38)

• The group speculates humorously about who might have eaten the roast chicken (the “dino” main course).
• This leads to a segue about how scientists recently found a 75-million-year-old Gorgosaurus fossil with its last meal preserved in its belly.

[13:38] Suspicions and comedic accusations

[14:00] Segue to the scientific story

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5. Science Story Time: The Gorgosaurus Fossil Discovery (15:47)

• Using playful narration, Mindy and Guy recount how the Gorgosaurus died by a riverbank after a meal, was buried by sediment, and eventually fossilized.
• They describe the fossilization process: decaying soft parts, sediment protecting the dino, minerals replacing bone, and eventual discovery millions of years later.
• The discovery: Scientists found the fossil of a Gorgosaurus with two smaller dinosaur legs in its belly—proof of its last meal.

Notable Quotes

“The truth will always reveal itself. Even if it takes 75 million years.”
— Guy Raz (15:17)

“Inside of its belly, scientists found the ripped off hind legs of two smaller feathered dinosaurs.”
— Mindy Thomas (22:55)

[15:47–23:00] Dramatic retelling of fossilization

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6. The Science of Fossilization (17:26)

• Breakdown of how fossils form: animal dies, gets rapidly buried, soft parts decay, hard parts mineralize, sediments harden, and over millions of years, the fossil emerges to be found.
• Emphasizes how rare and exciting it is to find fossils, especially with evidence of last meals.

Timestamps:

• [17:26] Burial and sediment coverage
• [18:00] Decay and mineralization
• [19:10] Rock formation and fossil surfacing
• [21:21] Discovery by paleontologists

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7. Wrap-Up: Revelations, Laughter, and Science Takeaways (24:16)

• After comical finger-pointing, Grandma G Force admits to eating the “dino” (roast chicken), embracing her role as the “Chicken Gobbler.”
• The message: Science takes time, but in the end, discoveries always reveal the truth, just like in the case of the Gorgosaurus’ final meal.

Notable Quotes

“We either get the truth now or we get the truth in 75 million years. Either way, the truth always comes out.”
— Mindy Thomas (24:20)

“I ate the roast dino off the table when no one was looking. And I loved it. I'm the chicken gobbler.”
— Grandma G Force (24:37)

[24:37] Grandma G Force’s confession, group reaction, and end of dinner party storyline

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Memorable Moments

• The guests’ unique dinosaur costumes and lively banter keep the tone lighthearted, with jokes about prehistoric creatures and family dynamics.
• The sudden revelation that chickens are dinosaurs sparks comedic disbelief and curiosity among the characters.
• Mindy and Guy's storytelling transforms complex scientific concepts (evolution, fossilization) into captivating adventures full of humor and imagination.
• Grandma G Force’s confession is both funny and ties the science story back to the dinnertime mystery.

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Important Timestamps

• 03:35 — Entering the “Dino Room” and the party setup
• 09:34 — Dinosaur-themed food menu explained
• 11:33 — The missing main course: dino mystery begins
• 12:03 — Chickens are dinosaurs: science revelation
• 15:47–23:00 — Story of the fossilized Gorgosaurus and last meal discovery
• 24:20 — Grandma G Force confesses to being the “Chicken Gobbler”

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Overall Tone and Style

The show maintains its trademark silly, energetic, and educational tone. Mindy and Guy juggle wacky character voices, puns, and imaginative scenarios, keeping science accessible and fun for kids and adults alike. The “Dino Dinner” episode deftly weaves real paleontological discovery with storytelling, ensuring listeners walk away both entertained and amazed by the wonders of the prehistoric world.

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Summary

"Dino Dinner" combines a hilarious dinner party with a true tale from dino science, teaching listeners that the next time they look at a chicken, they're staring at the closest living dinosaur! It’s a perfect blend of laughter, curiosity, and learning—classic “Wow in the World.”

Transcript

[Guy Raz]

Grown Ups Wondery subscribers can listen to wow in the World early and ad free right now. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, did you hear that?

It's the sound of the holidays and they're right around the corner.

Okay, technically it's the sound of my sleigh cats around the corner, but you know what I mean. Grownups, if you're looking for a gift that wows all year long long you might want to consider joining your Wowzer up for the World Organization of Wowzers. When you become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers, you get an autographed picture of Guy Raz and me and an exclusive members only T shirt delivered right to your door. And if you're in the US and you sign up by December 15th, you will get it before December 25th. Every membership helps to support our podcasts and Tinkercast's mission to spread WOW to families and teachers all over the world for free. Oh, that's right, Reg. How could I forget? Members of the World Organization of Wowzers also get birthday cards in the mail from me and Guy Raz, plus quarterly mailings from Reggie and so much more. To get your welcome kit delivered in time for the holidays and to help power the wow at Tinkercast all year long, sign [e-mail] wow before December 15th. That's tinkercast.com wow. Oh, and P.S. if you use the promo code wow10, you get 10% off. Happy holidays, Wowzer fams. And now let's get back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Proceeded.

[Thomas Fingerling]

3, 2, 1.

[Dennis]

Mission.

[Guy Raz]

Get ready for an adventure of magnificent proportion.

[Dennis]

I don't know what you've been told.

[Mindy Thomas]

We're in a golden age.

[Dennis]

So many discoveries that are jumping off.

[Mindy Thomas]

The page while in the.

[Listener]

Houston.

[Dennis]

Wow. A dinner party. I've never been to a dinner party before. Have you, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

Well, actually, I mean, I've been to.

[Dennis]

A dinner and I've been to a party, but never a dinner party. Isn't this just so fun and fancy and cool and fun and fancy?

[Guy Raz]

Uh, yeah, it is, Dennis. Mindy, do you need any help in the kitchen?

[Dennis]

Nope.

[Mindy Thomas]

Got everything out of control, Guy Raz. Just keep mingling.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, hey there, Mr. Razzie. Very interesting weather we've been having lately, huh?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, some weather.

[Thomas Fingerling]

You know what it is? It's the wind. Out of all the types of weathers, wind is the worst one. Makes my cheeks all flappy.

[Grandma G Force]

Which one? Fingerling. Excuse me.

[Dennis]

Oh, hi, Granny G. I didn't know you were here, too.

[Grandma G Force]

I'm not.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yes, you are, G Force. And where have you been? Snooping around Mandy's Candy Castle looking for gumdrops.

[Grandma G Force]

You're the one dropping gums, Fingerling. Oh, pardon.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, everyone, time for dinner.

[Dennis]

Hooray. Dinner at the dinner party.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if everyone could just follow me to the dino room, we can get started.

[Guy Raz]

What? The dino room? You mean the dining room?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, that's what I said, the dino room. Now, right through these doors.

[Grandma G Force]

Come along.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now follow me, everyone.

[Guy Raz]

All right.

[Mindy Thomas]

Cool. Surprise. It's a themed dinner party.

[Dennis]

It looks like that restaurant in the mall. What's it called? The Jungle Cafe or something?

[Guy Raz]

Actually, Dennis, this looks more like the Cretaceous Cafe. As in the late Cretaceous period, 75 million years ago.

[Dennis]

Ooh, Cretaceous.

[Grandma G Force]

That is very specific.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Pardon, J Force, will you quit belching his bad manners for a dino party?

[Grandma G Force]

I said party.

[Dennis]

That's true. She did.

[Mindy Thomas]

So, what do you think, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

Wow, look at this room, Mindy. It's like a lush flower forest. You've got prehistoric flowering plants and ferns and. Is that an animatronic dinosaur at the table?

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow.

[Dennis]

What the hell is happening?

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, Is the floor also an erupting volcano?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it, Guy Raz.

[Thomas Fingerling]

The floor is lava.

[Guy Raz]

This is amazing. Did you do this all yourself?

[Grandma G Force]

Well.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie, help.

[Dennis]

Veggie turn off the volcano, please.

[Thomas Fingerling]

I need to sit down and I need to eat. When are we gonna get to the food part of this dinner?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, we'll get to that in just a minute, Thomas Fingerling. But first, I need all of you to get into your costumes.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Costumes?

[Grandma G Force]

I'm not dressing up in your clothes.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, what kind of a themed dino dinner party would this be if we weren't all dressed up as dinos?

[Thomas Fingerling]

That's an excellent point.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, let's see here. Thomas Fingerling, you're going to wear this Triceratops costume.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Ooh, Triceratops 3 is a magic number.

[Mindy Thomas]

And, Dennis, I've got a pterodactyl costume for you.

[Dennis]

A flying dino?

[Mindy Thomas]

Actually, the pterodactyl was not a dinosaur.

[Dennis]

Oh, it wasn't?

[Guy Raz]

No. The pterodactyl was a flying reptile.

[Dennis]

Oh, I don't understand.

[Grandma G Force]

The pterodactyl was nothing but a try hard, wannabe snooping sky lizard.

[Dennis]

Oh, yeah, I wanna be that one.

[Mindy Thomas]

Here you go.

[Grandma G Force]

Hooray.

[Dennis]

Snooping sky lizard.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, Guy Raz, I'm going to have you put on this Troodon costume. Okay, because the Troodon was known for having a big brain, scientists believe that it was one of the smartest dinosaurs.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, okay. Well, thank you.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now please go put on your costume. Okay. And last. But Grandma G Force.

[Grandma G Force]

I believe you mean Grandma G Rex. Excuse me?

[Mindy Thomas]

Nope, Sorry, the T. Rex costumes were all sold out.

[Grandma G Force]

Aw, lumps.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Well, now extinct. Eh?

[Guy Raz]

Well, maybe Grandma G Force could be an Ankylosaurus. You know, the ones that looked like armored tanks and had spiked clubs at the ends of their tails?

[Mindy Thomas]

No. What?

[Guy Raz]

Why not?

[Grandma G Force]

Cause my great, great Granny G was an Ankylosaurus and.

I'm just a teenager.

Pardon me?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, actually, I was thinking of another dinosaur whose name begins with the letter.

[Dennis]

G. Oh, the Gallimimus. No, wait, the Giganotosaurus.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, I bet it was the Gassosaurus. Right? G Force?

[Grandma G Force]

Why I. Oh, da.

[Mindy Thomas]

Nope, I am thinking of the Gorgosaurus.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, okay, yeah, I'll be the Gorgosaurus.

[Mindy Thomas]

No, no, no, the Gorgosaurus. It was a theropod dinosaur during the late Cretaceous period.

[Guy Raz]

And it was a relative of the T. Rex, but a little smaller, but also ferocious.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, we're talking two fingered hands with sharp claws for grabbing and tearing up its prey.

[Dennis]

Oh, no.

[Guy Raz]

And it was bipedal, meaning that it walked on two legs.

[Dennis]

Oh, cool.

[Mindy Thomas]

The Gorgosaurus was a carnivorous meat eating dinosaur who feasted on smaller dinosaurs.

[Guy Raz]

And its arms were a little short for the the rest of its body.

[Dennis]

Cute.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, okay, I'll be the Gorgeasaurus.

[Guy Raz]

No, no, no, no, Grandma G Force. It's not the gorgeous Saurus.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, here's your costume.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, fancy and gorgeous.

[Guy Raz]

So Mindy, what are you and Reggie dressing up as well?

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie is changing into his costume now. He's going to be a paleontologist.

[Grandma G Force]

Ooh.

What, that pigeon's gonna dig us up when we're dead? Oh, excuse me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, something like that.

[Guy Raz]

I'm pretty sure this is just for pretend.

[Mindy Thomas]

And I'm going to put on my Oviraptor costume here.

[Dennis]

Ah, so feathery.

[Mindy Thomas]

The Oviraptor was a small theropod dinosaur, not much bigger than me. And fossil evidence suggests that it was covered in feathers, had a toothless beak and a feathered crest upon its head like this.

[Guy Raz]

Ta da. Wow, that looks great, Mindy.

[Grandma G Force]

You look like a cuckoo bird.

[Mindy Thomas]

So, everyone ready to sit down to eat?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Finally. I'm so hungry.

[Guy Raz]

I'm ready.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Let's see here. I'm gonna start with this.

Actually. What is this? Old fruit salad?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, no, sorry, that is fossilized fruit salad.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh.

[Guy Raz]

And it looks like we also have three very large tacos.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, yeah, those are the Tricera tacos. It's a theme.

[Dennis]

Ooh, and what are these little pterodactyl shaped appetizers?

[Grandma G Force]

How?

[Mindy Thomas]

Dennis, the pee is silent. They're called Ptero Bites. You get it?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yeah, it tastes paper terrible.

[Mindy Thomas]

We've also got stegosaurus sliders down there. T. Rex toast next to that down there, we've got Paleo popsicle.

[Thomas Fingerling]

And then what do we got to drink here?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, that's dino drool.

Oh, come on, it's just fruit punch.

[Dennis]

Oh, Mindy, you rascal.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Fruit punch tacos. Ain't any of this stuff made with real dinos?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, we do have one real dino on the table.

[Dennis]

We do?

[Grandma G Force]

Where is it? I'm gonna slay it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep, it's the main course.

And it's right here in the center of the table under that fancy silver domed cover. Ah.

[Dennis]

I can't believe it. A real dino. We're gonna eat a real dinosaur.

[Guy Raz]

I think I know where this is going.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Hear that, G Force? Under that there fancy silver dome is a real dino. And we're gonna eat it.

[Dennis]

Granny G, you've been awfully quiet tonight. I mean, aside from the burping.

[Grandma G Force]

Mind your business, boy. Pardon.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, everyone, ready for the big reveal?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. Let's see it.

[Mindy Thomas]

On the count of three. One, two, three.

[Dennis]

Huh? Uh, Mindy, there's nothing there.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, must be one of them invisible dinosaurs.

[Mindy Thomas]

My dinosaur. It's gone.

[Dennis]

It's gotta be around here somewhere. What did it look like?

[Guy Raz]

I bet I know what it looked like.

[Thomas Fingerling]

That's awfully suspicious.

[Dennis]

Yeah, what do you know, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

Well, I bet it looked like a. Like a roast chicken.

[Dennis]

Guy, don't be silly. Chickens don't look like dinos.

[Mindy Thomas]

Actually, Dennis, Guy Raz is right.

[Dennis]

Gasp.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's true. It was a chicken. And that chicken, like all chickens, was a real living dinosaur.

[Grandma G Force]

Or at least it was until you put it in the oven and cooked it. Oh, sorry.

[Thomas Fingerling]

What in the World Wide Web are you talking about?

[Dennis]

Yeah, how come chickens get to be dinosaurs but snooping sky lizard pterodactyls don't?

[Guy Raz]

Well, actually, all birds are, scientifically speaking, considered to be dinosaurs. But chickens are theropod dinosaurs.

[Mindy Thomas]

And this means that chickens are more closely related to the Tyrannosaurus rex. In fact, they're the closest living relative to the T. Rex.

[Dennis]

Well, now we have to find that little tiny roasted T. Rex. Everyone start looking. Is it over here?

Where is it?

[Grandma G Force]

Well, it's getting late I should probably be going. I'll see myself out.

[Dennis]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

Grandma G Force, don't leave. You haven't even had dinner yet.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yeah, and we need you to help us solve the mystery of missing dino.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, maybe it just fell off the platter and rolled under the table.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yeah, or maybe it's wearing an invisibility cloak.

[Guy Raz]

Or what if somebody snuck into the empty dino room before the party and ate it right off the platter?

[Mindy Thomas]

No.

[Grandma G Force]

Or what if we just move along like Donkey Kong?

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, do you all think it's possible that someone would sneak into the dino room before the party and eat the main dish right off the table, bones and all?

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yes, I think so.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, I guess we'll never know.

[Guy Raz]

Actually, Grandma G Force, never say never.

[Mindy Thomas]

What do you mean, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

Well, remember that scientific study we read in the journal Science Advances?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, the one about how scientists were able to see exactly what a Gorgosaurus last meal was 75.3 million years after the Gorgosaurus died?

[Guy Raz]

That's the one.

[Dennis]

Grandma G Force is a Gorgosaurus. Can we get scientists to see what's in her tummy?

[Grandma G Force]

No.

[Dennis]

I bet they'd find a small clucking dinosaur.

[Grandma G Force]

Boy, just because I'm a Gorgosaurus does not make me the Chicken Gobbler. Snow Snooping Sky Lizard.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, okay, no one is accusing anyone of being the Chicken Gobbler.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Actually, I would like to accuse G Force of being the Chicken Gobbler.

[Grandma G Force]

How do we know that you're not the Chicken Gobbler, Fingerling.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, I can't be the Chicken Gobbler, G Force. On account of Tommy's tummy is still hungry and rumbly.

There, there, tummy. Don't worry, we'll get you some food.

[Dennis]

Okay, now I want to accus Grandma G Force of being the Chicken Gobbler too.

[Grandma G Force]

Why, I.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, okay. No one needs to accuse anyone of being the Chicken Gobbler.

[Dennis]

Ah, why not?

[Guy Raz]

Because if we learned anything from this study, it's that the truth will always reveal itself. Even if it takes 75 million years.

[Grandma G Force]

Uh oh. I mean, oh, wow. How?

[Mindy Thomas]

Good question, Grandma GeForce. Reggie, why don't you bring down the lights? Guy, Raz and I have a little story to tell.

[Guy Raz]

We do?

[Mindy Thomas]

We do. Now just follow my lead.

[Guy Raz]

Okay.

[Mindy Thomas]

Once upon a time, 75.3 million years ago, a young teenage Gorgosaurus sat by a riverbank gorging herself on the dino equivalent of a turkey drumstick.

[Grandma G Force]

If you yum, yum, yum, get into my tub.

[Dennis]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

She didn't know Is that this would be the last meal of her entire life.

[Grandma G Force]

When I'm done eating this dino, I'm gonna start making plans for my retirement someday.

[Mindy Thomas]

But she never made those plans. Because scientists speculate that just as she finished her dino dinner, a Jurassic sized storm rolled in.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh no. Help me.

[Mindy Thomas]

Heavy rains and forceful winds cause trees to fall, dirt to fly, and I'm.

[Grandma G Force]

A dead little dino. But at least I got a full belly.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry. If the Gorgosaurus was killed in the storm, would she really be announcing it?

[Mindy Thomas]

Ooh, good point guy Raz. We don't even know if Gorgosauruses could talk.

[Dennis]

Our new English.

[Guy Raz]

No, no, no, that's not what I. Never mind, you can get back to the story.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thank you. Now, where was I?

[Grandma G Force]

I'm a dead little dino.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, that's right. Now, it wasn't long before sediments like mud and sand from the river covered the body of the Gorgosaurus.

[Thomas Fingerling]

I am the Earth and I will gradually cover this dino. Yeah.

Sprinkle a little there. Get a little of this over there.

[Mindy Thomas]

The sediments protected the dino's body and the dinner inside of its belly from decay.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, like a nice cozy blanket of earth.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Exactly.

[Guy Raz]

And the accumulation of sediments are how some fossils are formed.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exactly.

[Guy Raz]

You see, after a living organism like the Gorgosaurus here dies, well, if it's not eaten by hungry scavengers, it might become covered in sediment like mud and sand.

[Mindy Thomas]

And over time, the soft parts of the organism, like the skin and the guts and eyeballs, they all start to decay or rot away.

[Grandma G Force]

I'm melting, melting.

[Mindy Thomas]

Leaving behind the hard parts like teeth and bones.

[Grandma G Force]

Now I ain't nothing but skin and bones.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Mandy said no skin.

[Grandma G Force]

And now I'm nothing but bones.

[Guy Raz]

And then minerals from the surrounding sediment start to seep into the teeth and bones.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh no. What's happening to my teeth and bones?

[Guy Raz]

And soon the organic materials that make up the teeth and bones are replaced by these minerals.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, well, la dee dah. I still look like my dino bone self. Except now I'm made out of minerals.

[Mindy Thomas]

At this point, the sediment surrounding the teeth and bones starts to harden.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, that's me.

Harden, harden, harden.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, it's getting heavy down here. And squealy too.

[Mindy Thomas]

This heavy squeezing pressure on the mineralized remains of the dino could, could lead to the formation of a type of fossilized rock.

[Guy Raz]

And then as the Earth moves and shifts over millions of years.

[Mindy Thomas]

These fossilized rocks start to move and shift closer to the Earth's surface.

[Grandma G Force]

And so, like a vessel.

I'm moving, I'm moving on up.

[Guy Raz]

And eventually.

[Grandma G Force]

Ah, I made it.

Now what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Once these fossils have made it to the Earth's surface, they sit waiting to be discovered by paleontologists, or even just regulartologists like you and me.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Neat.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, if it's so neat, how come I ain't never found a fossil?

[Dennis]

Yeah, I want to find a fossil of an undiscovered dinosaur so I can name it the Denisodon.

[Guy Raz]

Well, actually, finding a fossil is a pretty rare event.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, because of all sorts of environmental conditions, most organisms never even get to become fossils. And even when they do, it's usually only just bits and pieces.

[Grandma G Force]

Bits and pieces, huh?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. Think of it like a. Like a jigsaw puzzle.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Ooh, I like those.

[Guy Raz]

Except most of the pieces are missing or broken and covered in dirt.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, never mind. I don't like those.

[Mindy Thomas]

But every once in a while. Jackpot. An almost complete puzzle is found. And that brings us back to our story.

[Grandma G Force]

It does? I thought it was over.

[Guy Raz]

Not quite.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now it's 75.3 million years later. Our young teenage Gorgosaurus that once sat by a riverbank eating its final meal is now a series of fossilized bones.

[Grandma G Force]

I'm just a lonely series of fossilized bones waiting to be found by some dino digging fool.

[Guy Raz]

That's right. A paleontologist.

[Dennis]

I'm a paleontologist. Yes, I am digging and singing with a shovel in my hand if I get lucky. Ah. I found something. I found something.

[Mindy Thomas]

What's this? A discovery of dinosaur fossils.

[Guy Raz]

But this isn't just any dinosaur fossil discovery.

[Mindy Thomas]

This was the discovery of our old friend Gorgosaurus, who died shortly after. After eating her last meal.

[Guy Raz]

And you might be wondering how we know she died after eating her last meal. After all, it happened over 75 million years ago.

[Dennis]

75 million years? How do we know, Guy?

[Guy Raz]

Well, we know because not only was this dinosaur found with its skull, pelvis and left side of its body, it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Was found with its dinner still in its belly.

Inside of its belly, scientists found the ripped off hind legs of two smaller feathered dinosaurs.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Well, I'll be that dino was a chicken gobbler.

[Guy Raz]

Not exactly, Thomas Fingerling. See, while all chickens are dinosaurs, no, dinosaurs were chickens.

[Dennis]

Yeah, Tommy. Chickens hadn't been invented yet. Right, Guy?

[Guy Raz]

Something like that.

[Mindy Thomas]

Anywho, what's really remarkable about this discovery is that this was the first time a Tyrannosaurus skeleton was ever found with its dinner fully intact in its belly.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Oh, I wonder if our chicken gobbler still has the main course of our dino dinner in her belly.

[Grandma G Force]

Well, you gotta be looking at me fingerling. I ain't no chicken gobbler.

[Guy Raz]

Grandma G Force, was that a bone?

[Mindy Thomas]

I don't know. Is it a bone? Detective guy? Private eye?

[Dennis]

Kinda looks like one.

[Thomas Fingerling]

I'd recognize that bone anywhere. That there's a femur bone of a certified chicken.

[Guy Raz]

Grandma G Force.

[Dennis]

Ew.

[Guy Raz]

Did you eat the entire chicken, bones and all?

[Grandma G Force]

I do not know what that is.

[Mindy Thomas]

Grandma G Force, we either get the truth now or we get the truth in 75 million years. Either way, the truth always comes out.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Yeah, it's just a matter of which end.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ew.

[Dennis]

Ew.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ew. Ew. Ah, fine.

[Grandma G Force]

I ate the roast dino off the table when no one was looking. And I loved it. I'm the chicken gobbler.

[Dennis]

Well, obviously.

[Thomas Fingerling]

Gee Force. I was looking forward to that roast dino. Now cough it up.

[Listener]

Okay.

[Guy Raz]

Oh no, no, no.

[Mindy Thomas]

You don't need to barf up the chicken.

[Grandma G Force]

Here come the bound. Oh boy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait.

[Thomas Fingerling]

J Force. We don't want the bones. Give us the meat.

[Dennis]

Quit it.

[Guy Raz]

I think I'm going to be sick.

[Mindy Thomas]

My dinner party is a dino disaster. Ew. Ew. Ew.

[Dennis]

Ew.

[Grandma G Force]

Ew.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow in the World. We'll be right back. Grown ups. This message is for you.

[Grandma G Force]

That's it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Back to the show.

Wow in the World.

Hi, thanks for calling wow in the World. After the beep, get ready to record.

[Listener]

Hello, Guy Rose and Mindy. My name is Aiden and I live in Oceanside, California. Did you know that polar bear's skin is actually black and their fur is transparent? Bye.

Hi, my name is Bridget and I live in Kansas City parks. Did you know that orcas are actually dolphins? I'm Indian Guy Raz. Love your show. Say hi to Dennis. Ahoy there, Reggie and Grandma G Force for me.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, snap.

[Listener]

Hi, my name is Leo. I'm 12 years old and I'm from Santa Fe, New Mexico. My wow in the world is that a blue whale's tongue weighs as much as an elephant. Could you believe?

[Dennis]

Bye.

[Listener]

Love your show. Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name's Heidi. I live in Cedar Groves, North Carolina. My wow in the world is that girls burp when they're happy. Say hi to Reggie and Grandma G. Flores.

[Mindy Thomas]

Bye.

[Listener]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Levi. My name is Luke. My name is Lark and we're from San Antonio, Texas. And our wow in the world is that grasshoppers have ears in their bellies.

[Mindy Thomas]

Bye.

[Listener]

Love you. The show.

Hi My name is Winslow, I'm from Boston and it takes 40 gallons of SAP to make one whole gallon of maple syrup. Thank you.

[Mindy Thomas]

Love yourself.

[Listener]

Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Nina and I live in Canton, Michigan. My WOW in the world is that humans are the only animals with a chin. Say hi to Reggie and Dennis and Thomas Fingerling and Grandma G Force.

[Mindy Thomas]

End of Messages.

Grown Ups if you like WOW in the World you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Guy Raz]

Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon.

[Mindy Thomas]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey.

[Guy Raz]

Wow in the world is written by Mindy Thomas and Tom Van Kalken with help from me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

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 Froehlich can also be heard as some of the silly characters on our show.

[Guy Raz]

Jessica Bode keeps our facts straight as our fact checker and Meredith Halpern Ranzer powers the WOW at Tinkercast.

[Mindy Thomas]

Our theme song was composed and performed by three time Grammy nominees the Pop Ups. Find them at thepopups.com Special thanks to.

[Guy Raz]

Kit Ballinger, Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kenny Kirk, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mak, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jody Nussbaum, Ali Paksima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Zagorski and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.

[Mindy Thomas]

And to keep the wow rolling after you finish this episode, visit [e-mail] There you can become a member of the World Organization of wowzers 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 Grown Ups.

[Guy Raz]

You can follow WOW in the world on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is hellonkercast.com and if.

[Mindy Thomas]

You'Re a kid with a big WOW to share with us, call us at 1-88-87-WOW WOW. For a chance to be featured at the end of our show or an upcoming episode of 2 what's in a wow?

[Guy Raz]

Thanks again for listening. We're here every Monday or you can check out two what's and a wow Every Friday right here in the wow in the World podcast feed.

[Mindy Thomas]

And don't forget, we wow on the Weekend with Dennis, Saturday and Sunday.

[Guy Raz]

Keep on wowing.

[Grandma G Force]

Wow in the World was made by.

[Mindy Thomas]

Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.