Wow in the World: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - A Moment of Tooth (June 6, 2025)
Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz | Produced by Tinkercast | Wondery
Introduction
In this exciting episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz dive into the fascinating world of teeth through their engaging game show segment, "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - A Moment of Tooth." Aimed at both kids and their grown-up companions, the episode seamlessly blends scientific facts with playful interaction, making learning fun and memorable.
Two Whats?! And A Wow! Game Show Overview
"Two Whats?! And A Wow!" is a scientific game show where contestants are presented with three statements related to the episode's theme—in this case, teeth. Out of these, only one statement is a true "wow," while the other two are fabricated "whats." Contestants earn points by correctly identifying the true statement. Incorrect guesses lead to humorous physical challenges, adding an element of surprise and laughter to the learning process.
Mindy Thomas explains the rules:
"[00:47] Mindy Thomas: You got it, Guy Raz. Wowzers. In each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about teeth. But. And this is a big but, only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up what."
Round 1: Narwhal Tusks Are Actually Teeth
The first round focused on narwhals and their unique tusks.
Question Presented:
"Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
A) Grandma G force was the first US citizen to wear braces?
B) Narwhal tusks are actually teeth?
C) Cat teeth never stop growing?"
After some deliberation, Ben from Illinois correctly identified statement B as the true wow.
Mindy reveals:
"[06:31] Reggie: Thank you, Ben. Contestants, if you guessed the answer B, that narwhal tusks are actually. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.
[06:40] Mindy Thomas: Exact oritos, Guy Raz. These Arctic toothed whales typically only have one visible tooth, but it's one really long tooth.
[06:51] Reggie: That's right, Mindy. The narwhal's giant canine tooth can reach lengths of up to nine feet. That's about the height of two 10-year-olds."
Educational Insight:
Narwhals, often referred to as the "unicorns of the sea," possess a single, long tusk, which is an elongated canine tooth. This tusk can grow up to nine feet in length and serves various functions, including sensory perception and dominance displays among males.
Round 2: Snails’ Remarkable Teeth
The second round intrigued listeners with the peculiar dental anatomy of snails.
Question Presented:
"Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
A) The average garden snail has 14,000 teeth.
B) Dogs tend to get cavities more often than humans do.
C) The great white shark has the sharpest known teeth on earth."
Knox from Indiana confidently chose statement A as the correct wow.
Mindy reveals:
"[08:26] Reggie: Wowzers. If you guessed A that the average Garden Snail has 14,000 teeth, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.
[08:36] Mindy Thomas: You heard that right. Snails have thousands of teeth. And if you've ever seen a snail, you're probably wondering how they have the real estate to fit all of those teeth into their teeny tiny mouths.
[08:48] Reggie: Well, it turns out snails have special tongues that are covered in rows of microscopic teeth. But they don't chew like you and me. They slice their food and pass it along their tongues past their thousands of teeth.
[09:02] Mindy Thomas: Talk about a bumpy ride."
Educational Insight:
Garden snails possess a radula, a specialized tongue-like organ lined with thousands of microscopic teeth. These teeth are used to scrape and cut food before ingestion, allowing snails to feed efficiently despite their simple digestive systems.
Round 3: Venomous Teeth of Gila Monsters
The final round explored the venomous dental adaptations of Gila monsters.
Question Presented:
"Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
A) Gila monsters have venom in their teeth.
B) Hippos have this same number of teeth as humans.
C) Reggie has teeth."
Henry from Wisconsin correctly identified statement A as the true wow.
Mindy reveals:
"[12:15] Mindy Thomas: Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. My wow is that Gila monsters have venom in their teeth.
[12:27] Reggie: That's right, Henry. Wowzers. If you guessed A that Gila monsters have venom in their teeth, congratulations. You found the winning wow.
[12:36] Mindy Thomas: Gila monsters are a type of lizard that have venom in the grooves of their teeth on their lower jaw.
[12:42] Reggie: Their venom is one of the reasons they're able to catch their prey. And it's also a reason I do not have one as a pet yet."
Educational Insight:
Gila monsters are one of the few venomous lizard species. Their venomous bites are facilitated by specialized grooves in their teeth, allowing them to deliver toxins effectively to subdue their prey. This adaptation is crucial for their survival in the wild.
Educational Highlights and Scientific Insights
Throughout the game show, Two Whats?! And A Wow! not only entertained but also educated listeners on fascinating dental facts:
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Narwhal Tusks: The elongated tusk of the narwhal is a highly sensitive organ used for navigation, finding food, and social interactions.
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Snail Teeth: The radula of snails exemplifies how even simple organisms have complex adaptations for survival.
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Gila Monster Venom: Understanding the venomous capabilities of Gila monsters sheds light on evolutionary biology and predator-prey dynamics.
These insights encourage curiosity and wonder about the natural world, aligning perfectly with the podcast's mission to inspire both kids and adults.
Conclusion and Community Engagement
The episode concluded with playful banter and whimsical rewards, such as the mention of invisible plaque made of bacteria, reinforcing the fun aspect of learning. Additionally, hosts encouraged audience participation by inviting listeners to join the World Organization of wowzers, engage with project-based learning through Tinkercast's Tinkerclass, and share their own "wows" via a hotline.
Mindy Thomas encourages participation:
"[14:58] Mindy Thomas: And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey@wondery.com survey. Thanks for playing along with our show. If you're a kid with a big wow to share, call our wow hotline at 1-888-7-WOW wow. And you just might be featured on an upcoming episode of two what's in a wow? Once again, that's 1-888-7-WOW wow."
This interactive approach fosters a community of curious minds eager to explore and share scientific wonders.
Final Thoughts
"Two Whats?! And A Wow! - A Moment of Tooth" masterfully combines humor, competition, and education, making complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining. By highlighting intriguing facts about teeth across various species, the episode not only captivates young listeners but also encourages them to appreciate the marvels of biology and the natural world.
Whether you're a parent looking to inspire your child's curiosity or a science enthusiast eager for engaging content, this episode of Wow in the World offers a delightful blend of knowledge and fun that leaves listeners saying, "WOW!"