Escape from Gamer Grid (9/8/25)

Summary

Wow in the World – Escape from Gamer Grid (9/8/25)

Episode Overview

In this engaging, science-filled episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, joined as always by their quirky crew, find themselves on a simple mall trip that turns into a wild squirrel chase—quickly evolving into a virtual adventure inside “Gamer Grid,” a new VR video game inspired by real cognitive science research. Along the way, they teach listeners about memory, pattern recognition, problem-solving, and reaction skills, all while showcasing the surprising benefits of video games on the brain. The episode balances humor, action, and clear explanations about scientific concepts, perfect for kids and their grown-ups.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Squirrel Chase at the Mall ([02:01]–[05:00])

• Set-Up: Mindy, Guy Raz, and Grandma G Force are at the mall, originally on a mission to buy squirrel food.
• Escalation: The trip becomes a squirrel rescue mission after Grandma’s squirrel, Thomas Fingerling, escapes.
  • Quote:
    • Mindy: “This little trip to the mall just became a squirrel search and rescue mission.” ([03:52])
    • Guy Raz (worried about consequences): “If security finds that squirrel before we do, we'll be banned from the mall forever.” ([03:56])

2. Entering the Gamer Goblin Store and Discovering Gamer Grid ([05:00]–[07:21])

• Discovery of VR Game: While chasing the squirrel, the crew stumbles into the "Gamer Goblin" store and is introduced to the just-arrived VR game, “Gamer Grid.”
• Science Tie-in: Guy Raz explains that Gamer Grid is based on cognitive neuroscience research from Western University in Canada, exploring the differences between gamers and non-gamers in memory, reasoning, and reaction time.
  • Quote:
    • Guy Raz: “They wanted to find out if there was any differences between the brains of gamers and non gamers. And so each of the levels in Gamer Grid is based on one of the tests that they got their subject to do for the study.” ([06:12])

3. The Team Gets (Pretend) Trapped in VR ([07:21]–[10:28])

• The Premise: While demoing the VR game, a real squirrel chews through some electrical wiring, and Dennis (being Dennis) jumps to the wild conclusion that they are now "trapped" in the game until they win.
• Meta Humor: Gamer Goblin assures them it’s safe in the real world, but plays along for the adventure.
  • Quote:
    • Dennis: “Now we're stuck in the game.” ([09:06])
    • Gamer Goblin (playing along): “Something happened and now you're all stuck in virtual reality.” ([09:44])

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The Three Science-Backed Video Game Challenges

Level 1: Memory Maze ([10:36]–[12:28])

• The Challenge: Players must memorize a sequence of colored lights and repeat the order, like the game "Simon Says."
• Scientific Basis: Designed around a short-term memory test from the research study, which found gamers outperform non-gamers in such tasks.
  • Quote:
    • Guy Raz: “The researchers found that gamers performed significantly better in memory challenges like this one than non-gamers.” ([11:26])
    • Grandma G Force: “Yeah, I always knew they would.” ([11:39])

Level 2: Odd One Out ([12:39]–[14:48])

• The Challenge: The team must identify which door’s shape or color does not fit with the rest—pattern recognition and problem-solving.
• Scientific Basis: Relates to the study’s reasoning skills test.
  • Quote:
    • Guy Raz: “If this is anything like that brain study, one of those pictures won't go along with the rest... That's definitely the odd one out.” ([13:17], [14:22])
    • Grandma G Force: “With pleasure.” (Kicks open the correct door) ([14:30])

Level 3: Think Fast ([14:53]–[17:25])

• The Challenge: Players must dodge digital balls, relying on quick reaction times.
• Scientific Basis: Based on tests of reaction time and processing speed—where again, gamers show a measurable advantage.
  • Quote:
    • Guy Raz: “Researchers found that gamers had much faster reaction times and processing speeds than those that didn't play video games.” ([15:21])
    • Mindy: “Processing speeds? ... how fast it takes your brain to notice something, understand what it is, and decide what to do...” ([15:30])

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The Escape & Science Recap ([17:25]–[19:44])

• Victory: The team completes the game and “resets” the virtual world, freeing themselves (and providing for a triumphant return to reality).
  • Quote:
    • Mindy: “We did it. We beat the game.” ([17:29])
• Recap of the Science:
  • Guy Raz: “Who knew that playing video games would actually come in handy?” ([18:25])
  • Mindy: “Short term memory, problem solving skills…” ([18:29])
  • Grandma G Force: “Don’t forget about all them digital dodgeballs.” ([18:32])
  • Guy Raz: “That’s right, the faster reaction times and processing skills.” ([18:35])

---

The Squirrel Reunion and Escape from Security ([19:44]–[19:50])

• Resolution: The runaway squirrel is discovered safe and sound with the Gamer Goblin, who covers for the team as mall security arrives.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • Gamer Goblin: “A gamer in need is a friend. Indeed.” ([19:27])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Meta Humor About Being Stuck in a Game:
  • Dennis: “Now we're stuck in the game.” ([09:06])
  • Gamer Goblin: “No, you can just take off the headsets, like, anytime you want.” ([09:30])
• Teamwork and Playful Banter:
  • Mindy: “Easy. ... this is gonna be easy. Easy peasy.” ([16:31])
  • Dennis: “Dodge that ball like a pro.” ([16:55])
• Science Recap:
  • Guy Raz: “That’s right, the faster reaction times and processing skills.” ([18:35])
• Fitting Finale:
  • Grandma G Force: “We've got you surrounded. And we wanna play a retro 2D platformer.” ([19:31])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|---------------| | Squirrel chaos at mall begins | 02:01 | | Entry into Gamer Goblin & VR set-up | 05:00 | | Explanation of science-backed game design | 06:00–06:28 | | Team gets “trapped” in VR | 09:03–09:44 | | Level 1: Memory Maze | 10:36–12:28 | | Level 2: Odd One Out | 12:39–14:48 | | Level 3: Think Fast | 14:53–17:25 | | Science recap & real-world benefits | 18:25–18:39 | | Squirrel reunited & security evasion | 19:44–19:50 |

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Conclusion

This episode of Wow in the World expertly blends fun, adventure, and educational concepts to answer: Are video games good for your brain? The answer, in the hands of Mindy, Guy, and their wild crew, is a resounding "wow!" The show breaks down real research on cognitive gains from gaming through creative storytelling, while reinforcing teamwork, fast thinking, and problem-solving.

Final quote:
Gamer Goblin: “A gamer in need is a friend. Indeed.” ([19:27])

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For more science adventures and to support curiosity in young listeners, tune in Mondays for new episodes of Wow in the World!

Transcript

[Guy Raz]

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[Mindy Thomas]

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[Guy Raz]

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[Mindy Thomas]

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[Guy Raz]

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[Mindy Thomas]

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[Mindy Thomas]

Proceeded.

[Grandma G Force]

3, 2, 1.

[Guy Raz]

The bubble for an adventure of magnificent proportion. What are we doing at the mall again, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

We're going to the pet store. Remember? Grandma G Force and her squirrel need to pick out food for her squirrel feeders because the birds keep eating all their seeds.

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now they said they would meet us out by the water fountain, but I don't see them anywhere. There she is. Looks like she brought Thomas Fingerling along too.

[Grandma G Force]

Okay, hand em here.

[Mindy Thomas]

What are you doing?

[Grandma G Force]

What do you mean? What does it look like we're doing?

[Guy Raz]

It looks like you're going for a swim in the mall fountain.

[Mindy Thomas]

Mandy, move out of the way. We're spelunking.

[Guy Raz]

Spelunking?

[Grandma G Force]

Yeah. Did you know people just throw their old pennies in this fountain here?

[Guy Raz]

Yep.

[Mindy Thomas]

This right here is my ice cream money.

[Guy Raz]

Found it all, Grandma GeForce. I thought we were here to get some Pet food for your new squirrel, not go fishing for pennies.

[Mindy Thomas]

We can do both.

[Grandma G Force]

Yeah, we brought the little fella along with us.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, not the.

[Guy Raz]

Please tell me you didn' squirrel to the mall.

[Grandma G Force]

Yep. He figured he should pick out his own food. He's right here in this bag. Uh oh.

[Mindy Thomas]

What is it, Fingerling?

[Grandma G Force]

He ain't here.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

You lost this squirrel?

[Grandma G Force]

No, I didn't lose him. He escaped.

[Guy Raz]

Are you saying that we have an escaped squirrel on the loose in the mall?

[Grandma G Force]

I guess.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, this little trip to the mall just became a squirrel search and rescue mission.

[Guy Raz]

If security finds that squirrel before we do, we'll be banned from the mall forever.

[Grandma G Force]

So?

[Mindy Thomas]

So that means no more penny diving for either of you.

[Grandma G Force]

Oh, no.

[Mindy Thomas]

We need to find that squirrel.

[Guy Raz]

And I think that might be a good place to start.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, come on, everyone. Quick. Follow that screech.

[Guy Raz]

Right behind you, Mindy.

[Grandma G Force]

Little squirrely squirrel. Where are you, buddy?

[Guy Raz]

Does anyone see it?

[Mindy Thomas]

No.

[Dennis]

Is that a squirrel?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hey, Raz. Over there. Look.

[Guy Raz]

That's it.

[Dennis]

Squirrels aren't alive.

[Listener Caller]

In.

[Guy Raz]

Quickly, Mindy. After it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Run, run, run, run, run.

[Guy Raz]

Jump.

[Mindy Thomas]

Get back to your little furball.

[Guy Raz]

He ran into that store, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

What store? Where? I don't see it.

[Guy Raz]

That one. Gamer Goblin.

[Grandma G Force]

Ooh, cool. Excuse me, ma'. Am, have you seen a woodland critter scurrying around here?

[Mindy Thomas]

Quick, follow it. Security's coming.

[Gamer Goblin]

Hello, welcome to the Gamer Goblin. How can I help you?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hi. This is going to sound a little bit strange, but I don't suppose you've seen a squirrel in here, have you?

[Guy Raz]

Nah, ma'.

[Mindy Thomas]

Am.

[Gamer Goblin]

No squirrels. Although that dude over there is pretty squirrely looking.

[Dennis]

Oh, this game looks fun.

[Guy Raz]

Damn it.

[Dennis]

Oh, hi, Mindy. Hi, guy.

[Grandma G Force]

And me and GeForce.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah, don't forget about us. Dennis. What are you doing here?

[Dennis]

Browsing. What are you doing here, Lost Squirrel? Oh, sure.

[Mindy Thomas]

Whoa.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, check this out.

[Mindy Thomas]

What is it?

[Guy Raz]

Gamer Grid.

[Gamer Goblin]

Oh, yeah, Gamer Grid. That one just came in this morning. It's a super rad virtual reality game. The graphics are killer. Totally feels like real life, dude.

[Dennis]

Ooh, virtual reality reality.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, I've heard about this game.

[Mindy Thomas]

Really? I thought the only games you played were those spot the difference puzzle games on your phone.

[Guy Raz]

This game's different, Mindy. It's based on a brain study from researchers at Western University in Canada.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, now that makes sense.

[Guy Raz]

I was reading about it just this morning. They wanted to find out if there was any differences between the brains of gamers and non gamers. And so each of the levels In Gamer grid is based on one of the tests that they got their subject to do for the study.

[Mindy Thomas]

W. That sounds Bunker balls. Hey, gamer goblin, can we try this out?

[Gamer Goblin]

For sure. We've got a demo ready to go for you.

[Guy Raz]

I don't know, Mindy. We really should be trying to find that lost squirrel.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, come on. The squirrel's still gonna be lost once we finish the game. Anything for gaming.

[Gamer Goblin]

Don't worry. It's a super short demo. It's only like three levels. You'll all be in and out in like, 15 minutes tops.

[Mindy Thomas]

Come on, just a quick. A quick 15 minute virtual reality adventure.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, fine, I'll give it a try.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Grandma. G Force Fingerling. Dennis, you in? No. Want to play a semi educational video game based on a real world scientific study about the differences in cognitive abilities between gamers and non gamers?

[Grandma G Force]

You had me at cognitive abilities.

[Dennis]

And you had me at Dennis.

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. We're all in. Ms. Video Game Store Person.

[Gamer Goblin]

Radical. Please put on these VR headsets and I'll get the game booted up for you.

[Grandma G Force]

Okie dokie.

[Dennis]

Yay.

[Grandma G Force]

All right, there we go.

[Mindy Thomas]

I can't see nothing. Me neither.

[Dennis]

Mine's all dark.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's because she hasn't started the game yet.

[Gamer Goblin]

Okay, now the point of this game is, like, cooperation. You have to work together to finish the levels. You think you guys can, like, do that?

[Dennis]

Yeah.

[Gamer Goblin]

Sweet. Here we go.

[Grandma G Force]

Wow. Would you look at that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah. This is weird.

[Dennis]

Where are we?

[Guy Raz]

I think we're inside the video game.

[Grandma G Force]

Whoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

But it feels so realistic.

[Guy Raz]

I'll say. It feels like I'm actually standing in a giant, empty black room, Mindy.

[Dennis]

Yeah, it even has its own echo. Look. Echo, echo.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow.

[Gamer Goblin]

Testing, testing. Can you dudes, like, hear me? I'm talking to you through the game's chat function.

[Dennis]

Oh, hey, miss Video game Star Person.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey.

[Gamer Goblin]

So we have a little bit of an issue.

[Guy Raz]

I don't like the sound of that.

[Gamer Goblin]

It looks like some sort of, like, rodent chewed through the electrical cabling in the store right when the game was loading up.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ooh, that's not good.

[Guy Raz]

The squirrel.

[Dennis]

Oh, no. And let me guess. Now we're stuck in the game.

[Gamer Goblin]

Uh, what?

[Mindy Thomas]

I'm sorry, what is anybody talking about? What do you mean we're stuck in the game?

[Dennis]

It's like a superhero origin story, right? As the game was loading, a squirrel short circuited the programming, and now we're all scared. Stuck inside.

[Mindy Thomas]

What?

[Gamer Goblin]

No, you can just take off the headsets, like, anytime you want.

[Dennis]

Ah, well, that's not Very dramatic.

[Gamer Goblin]

Okay, fine.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, no.

[Gamer Goblin]

Something happened and now you're all stuck in virtual reality.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh boy.

[Dennis]

And now the only way out is to win the game, right?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah.

[Gamer Goblin]

If you complete the game, it should reset the database and the code and stuff and I'll be able to get.

[Mindy Thomas]

You out of there.

[Dennis]

Oh, goodness. The stakes are so high.

[Mindy Thomas]

I know, right?

[Guy Raz]

We have to finish the whole game.

[Gamer Goblin]

Uh, yeah. To begin, everyone needs to say start game.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, fine. Start game.

[Gamer Goblin]

See you dudes on the other side.

[Mindy Thomas]

Welcome to Gamer Grid Level 1. Memory Maze.

[Guy Raz]

Ooh, memory maze.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Roz, look over there. You see that? Yeah.

[Guy Raz]

It looks like a giant five by five grid of lights.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, yeah. Look, the instructions are written down here. It says each of those lights is a different color and they're going to come up in a specific order. Your job will be to repeat back the order in which the colors came up. Huh?

[Dennis]

Oh, I get it. It's like Simon says.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Fingerling.

[Grandma G Force]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

Don't you play that Simon says video game all the time?

[Grandma G Force]

I don't know.

[Guy Raz]

Did Simon say this must be the level? That's based on the short term memory test that researchers from Western University did on gamers.

[Mindy Thomas]

Really?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. The researcher found that gamers performed significantly better in memory challenges like this one than non gamers.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ooh, you hear that, Fingerling? Looks like all those hours of Simon says are finally gonna pay off.

[Grandma G Force]

Yeah, I always knew they would.

[Dennis]

So how do you start the level?

[Grandma G Force]

Ahem. Simon says start.

[Guy Raz]

I guess like that.

[Grandma G Force]

Okay, now let's see. Looks like red, blue, blue, yellow, green, green, green, red, blue.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, Fingerling, now all you have to do is repeat those colors back again.

[Guy Raz]

You got this, Thomas Fingerling.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah. You got this.

[Grandma G Force]

Alrighty. Let's see here. There was red, blue, blue, yellow, green, green, green. Again, red and blue.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner.

[Guy Raz]

Level complete.

[Mindy Thomas]

Way to go, Fingerling. You made it through level one.

[Guy Raz]

I didn't doubt you for a second.

[Mindy Thomas]

I did. Level two Loading.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome to level two.

[Dennis]

Odd one out. Is this one about sorting socks or something? Because I have a lot of odd socks, but I'm not very good at sorting them, so someone else is going to have to do this level.

[Mindy Thomas]

I don't think this has anything to do with socks, Dennis.

[Guy Raz]

Ah, I bet this is the level that's based on the part of the study that tested reasoning skills. Look, Mindy, do you see those five doors in front of you?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah. It looks like each of them has a picture on it.

[Guy Raz]

Right? And if this is anything like that brain study, one of those pictures won' along with the rest, I bet we have to go through the door that has the picture on it, which is the odd one out.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wait, isn't this sort of like those spot the difference puzzle games that you do before you go to bed at night, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

You're right, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, so why don't you take the lead with this one?

[Guy Raz]

Good idea, Mindy. Okay, let's see here. What pictures do we have on the doors here?

[Dennis]

This one over here has a red triangle.

[Grandma G Force]

And I see a blue diamond on this one.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ooh. That middle door has a purple circle on it. And this one has a green triangle.

[Guy Raz]

And that far door has a blue circle.

[Mindy Thomas]

Um, okay, think, Guy Raz, think. Which one is the odd one out?

[Grandma G Force]

Hmm.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, let's see. Triangle, diamond, circle, triangle circle.

[Dennis]

Oh, is it the colors? Maybe we have to go through the green door.

[Grandma G Force]

Why would we have to go through the green door?

[Dennis]

Because I like green.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, I don't think it's that.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, could it be the shape?

[Guy Raz]

Maybe they're all different, apart from. Wait, I've got it.

[Grandma G Force]

You do?

[Guy Raz]

Yes, that's it. It's the diamond door.

[Mindy Thomas]

Are you sure, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

Yes, look, there are two circles and two triangles, but only one diamond. That's definitely the odd one out.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, if you say so, Grandma G Force, kick in that door with a diamond on it. With pleasure. Winner, level complete. You did it, Guy Raz. You got it right.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now we get to move on to level three. Level three.

[Guy Raz]

Think fast. Think fast.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oof.

[Dennis]

Oh, Mandy, something just hit me.

[Grandma G Force]

Ha ha. Ooh.

[Mindy Thomas]

What is going on?

[Guy Raz]

I think this is the final level.

[Mindy Thomas]

Mindy, what did that robot say that this level was called?

[Grandma G Force]

I believe she said it was called Think Fast.

[Guy Raz]

This must be the level to do with reaction times.

[Dennis]

What are you talking about, Guy Raz?

[Guy Raz]

In the study, researchers found that gamers had much faster reaction times and processing speeds than those that didn't play video games.

[Mindy Thomas]

Processing speeds? What does that mean?

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, well, processing speeds are how long it takes your brain to notice something, understand what it is, and decide what to do, and then send a message to your body to react.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah. Like these balls that are coming at us, how fast it takes for us to notice that it's a ball, see it coming towards us, and then, ah, jump to dodge it. So close.

[Guy Raz]

Exactly. Just like a sprinter can train to run faster, your brain can train to react faster too.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ha ha. Dodged another one.

[Guy Raz]

So what do we have to do to complete this level?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, it might have something to do with that big timer up on the wall there.

[Dennis]

Oh, look, it's Counting down from 15. 14, 13, 12, 11.

[Mindy Thomas]

Dennis. Boy.

[Dennis]

Oh, now it says 15 again. 14.

[Guy Raz]

Just reset.

[Mindy Thomas]

I think all you need to do is avoid getting hit by any balls for 15.

[Guy Raz]

I think you're right, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Easy.

[Dennis]

Yeah, this is gonna be easy. Easy peasy.

[Guy Raz]

Hmm, this might be harder than we thought, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, everyone focus. Use those gamer reactions to dodge those balls.

[Grandma G Force]

You got it, Mandy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Don't tell me what to do. And jump.

[Guy Raz]

Fingerling, watch out. Duck.

[Grandma G Force]

I got it. Can't catch me, Dennis.

[Mindy Thomas]

Watch out.

[Dennis]

I see it, I see it. Dodge that ball like a pro.

[Mindy Thomas]

Good job. Hey, guy, right there. Jump.

[Guy Raz]

Whoa, that was a close one.

[Mindy Thomas]

We're almost there, everyone. Just five more seconds.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, watch out, watch out. Game over.

[Mindy Thomas]

Congratulations on Indy.

[Guy Raz]

We did it.

[Mindy Thomas]

We beat the game.

[Gamer Goblin]

All right, little digi dudes. I knew you could do it.

[Grandma G Force]

Can we leave now, please?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, get me out of here. Game goblin.

[Gamer Goblin]

Okay, okay, let me just run the extraction protocol and hold on, this might tickle a little.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's weird.

[Gamer Goblin]

Welcome back, everyone. Did you like, dig the game?

[Dennis]

How long were we gone for? A year, two years? Three years? What year is it?

[Gamer Goblin]

Relax, little dude. It's only been like 15 minutes.

[Dennis]

Oh, well, thanks to our gaming skills, we were able to beat the machine and get out of there.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, who knew that playing video games would actually come in handy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, short term memory, problem solving skills.

[Grandma G Force]

Don't forget about all them digital dodgeballs.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, the faster reaction times and processing skills.

[Dennis]

Now where's that squirrel who chewed through the wires?

[Gamer Goblin]

Oh, that reminds me. I have some like, stellar news for you.

[Mindy Thomas]

What?

[Gamer Goblin]

I made a new friend.

[Guy Raz]

The squirrel.

[Grandma G Force]

There he is. I knew he'd come back.

[Mindy Thomas]

No, you did not.

[Grandma G Force]

Aw, come here, little squirrel. That's a good squirrel.

[Gamer Goblin]

Yeah, little dude's been chilling here with me for the last 10 minutes.

[Grandma G Force]

Security, open up. We know you're hiding rodents in there.

[Gamer Goblin]

So I locked the door to the.

[Grandma G Force]

Store, give us the squirrel and then let us play a cool game.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh no.

[Dennis]

What are we gonna do?

[Mindy Thomas]

I'll hold em off. Hope they like penny sandwiches.

[Gamer Goblin]

Don't worry, I'll go deal with security while you all head out the back door. Okay?

[Guy Raz]

Really? You do that for us?

[Mindy Thomas]

Duh.

[Gamer Goblin]

A gamer in need is a friend. Indeed.

[Grandma G Force]

We've got you surrounded. And we wanna play a retro 2D platformer.

[Dennis]

Yeah, with bean bag chairs and chat.

[Gamer Goblin]

Now get out of here, squirrel dude. Go live a full life.

[Mindy Thomas]

We will Video game goblin. We will.

[Grandma G Force]

All right, let's go.

[Dennis]

Right behind you, Tommy.

[Gamer Goblin]

Right on.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Listener Caller]

Hi Mindy and Guy Ross. My name's Cora and I'm from Louisville, Kentucky. And my wow in the world is that Australia's great Barrier Reef can be seen from space. Bye. Say hi to Reggie, Thomas Fingerling, Grandma G Force and Dennis for me. Love your show.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, snipe.

[Dennis]

Bye.

[Listener Caller]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. I'm Adele and I am nine years old. I live in Arnold, Maryland. My wow in the world is that sweat actually is cooling you down. Bye. Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Julian and I'm from Lake Forest, Orange County. And my wow in the world is that if you measure from the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is taller than Mount Everest by nearly a mile. In total, Mauna Kea is 10,210 meters tall and Mount Everest is 8,848 meters tall. Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Nev and I live in Pasadena, California. And my wow is that Goliath tarantula is the size of a dinner plate. Hi Mindy and Guy Ross. My wow that if an earthquake happens on Mars, it's called a marsquake. Bye. Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. My name's Elliot and I live in Edmonton, Canada. And my wow in the world is that butterflies taste with their feet. Hi Reggie and Dennis and Thomas Fingerling and Grandma D Force.

[Dennis]

Howdy.

[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 Music.

[Mindy Thomas]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey. Thanks for listening to this episode of wow in the World. If you're a kid with a big wow to share with us, call our WOW hotline at 1-888-7-WOW WOW for a chance to be featured at the end of the show or an upcoming episode of two. What's in a wow?

[Guy Raz]

And while you're at it, why don't you head over to Apple podcasts and tell us what wows you about our show by leaving a review. You just might hear your reviewsy Read by Dennis on wewow on the weekend.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh and don't forget to Visit [e-mail] and become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers. With that you'll get year round mailings, weekly activities, birthday cards and more on.

[Guy Raz]

Tinkercast.com, you can also shop our wow Shop, get tickets for upcoming live events, find our books and learn about all the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.

[Mindy Thomas]

Once again, that's Tinkercast.com wow in the.

[Guy Raz]

World is written by Mindy Thomas and Tom Van Kelkin with contributions from Me Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

Original sound design and music editing is done by Tyler Thole with help from our senior Production Director Jed Anderson. 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. This episode also features the voice talents of Lizzie Froehlich. Thanks Lizzie.

[Guy Raz]

Jessica Boddy 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]

Our team in including Kit Ballenger, Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kenny Curtis, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mak, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jody Nussbaum, Ali Paxsima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Anna Zagorski and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ Grown Ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

You can follow wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is hellonkercast.com thanks for listening.

[Guy Raz]

Find episodes of wow in the world every Monday 2 what's in a wow Every Friday and we wow on the weekends with Dennis every Saturday and Sunday right here in the wow in the World podcast feed. Until then, keep on wowing.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow in the World. Wow in the World Wow in the World Wow in the World Wow in the World Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.