Two Whats?! And A Wow! - A Moment of Tooth (6/6/25)

Summary

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

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

1. Narwhal Tusks: The elongated tusk of the narwhal is a highly sensitive organ used for navigation, finding food, and social interactions.

2. Snail Teeth: The radula of snails exemplifies how even simple organisms have complex adaptations for survival.

3. 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.

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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 [e-mail] 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.

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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!"

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, grown ups. Happy Dino Day. It's me, Mindy. And before we start the show, did you know that scientists actually don't know what color dinosaurs were? Yeah, scientists make educated guesses based on fossilized feathers or skin impressions. But no one is 100% certain what colors dinosaurs actually were when they roamed the Earth 66 million years ago. So when we made our own wow in the World Dinosaur Toys, Guy Raz and I added a little pop of color to make those dinos really roar. Yep, that's why the wow in the World jumbo T. Rex dinosaur is neon blue and purple. And the baby brontosaurus in our baby dino bucket is bright orange and pink. To discover even more wows about dinosaurs for the dino fans in your world, grown ups visit Amazon.com wonderykids to shop all of our colorful dinosaur toys. And more coming soon. Plus, don't forget to pre order our newest book, Dinosaurs Are Wow. A roaring thunder of prehistoric wonder coming to a bookshelf near you this October. Pre order today. Wherever you get your books, just search Dinosaurs Are Wow. At your favorite retailer. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Hey grown ups. Looking for the perfect story to accompany you on your summer adventures? Well, look no further than Audible. Audible has thousands of titles to choose from, so unleash your adventurous side and try something new, like hotly anticipated new releases or must listen best sellers that you haven't explored yet. There's an adventure out there that will captivate you here at Tinkercast. We love audio storytelling on Audible because you can enjoy the story while having an adventure of your own. You can listen to Audible titles while out for a walk, on a road trip or even on an airplane. So wherever you find your thrills, you can always keep a few more in your back pocket. Start your adventure today. Sign up for a free 30 day trial at audible.com wow and dive into a world of new thrills. Audible knows there's no greater thrill out there than yours. That's audible.com wow. Hey grown ups. Ever feel like everyone's glued to their own screen? Want to actually feel good about your family's screen time? Nex Playground flips the script with games that get the whole family moving, laughing and playing together. It's a motion powered game system. No controllers or wearables, just your body and a little wiggle. Explore wild adventures with how to Train youn Dragon, Dance with Barbie, Pop Bubbles in Gabby's Dollhouse, or Kick it with Kung Fu Panda. It's 100% fun 0% ads or in app nonsense Safe silly screen time that you'll actually feel good about ready to play. Visit nextplayground.com that's N E xplayground.com to bring the fun home. Do you want to spend another summer stuck at home?

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Jim, how's your back?

[Reggie]

Oh, you know.

[Mindy Thomas]

I hear ya.

[Guy Raz]

Leave the small talk behind because Disney and Pixar invite you on out of this world adventure.

[Mindy Thomas]

Engaging hyperspeed this is awesome.

[Guy Raz]

On June 20th.

[Mindy Thomas]

Welcome to the community verse. Prepare to be conquered. But I just got here. Follow me. What is this place? These are the lava tunnels. I am not fireproof.

[Guy Raz]

Disney and Pixar's Elliot in theaters June 20th. Tickets available now. Rated PG for rental guidance suggested.

[Reggie]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show. After drinking orange juice right after you brush your teeth, it's two one Once and the wow. With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Rile.

[Guy Raz]

2 what's 2, what's 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what's 2 what's and a what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Hello and welcome to 2 what's and a wow.

[Guy Raz]

2 what's and a wow.

[Reggie]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's and the category or theme for today is. Teeth. Now that we know the theme, Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?

[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.

[Reggie]

Now, in each round, if you guess correctly, congratulations, you win a point.

[Mindy Thomas]

But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop and do a ridonkulous physical challenge.

[Reggie]

Okay, everyone ready to get this show going?

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. Then let's get to it.

[Reggie]

Okay, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A Grandma G force was the first US citizen to wear braces?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, Narwhal tusks are actually teeth?

[Reggie]

Or is it C? Cat teeth never stop growing?

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, chomp your own teeth.

[Reggie]

Let's give you a few seconds to think on it. Reggie, cue the thinking music. And time is up. Let's now reveal the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that, it's Ben from Illinois. Oh, Ben, tell us what's the winning wow? Hi, Mindy and Guyla. My wow is that the Norwal touch is Really? A tooth. Winner, Winner, toothbrushes for dinner.

[Reggie]

Thank you, Ben. Contestants, if you guessed the answer B, that narwhal tusks are actually. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exact oritos, Guy Raz. These Arctic toothed whales typically only have one visible tooth, but it's one really long tooth.

[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.

[Mindy Thomas]

Scientists are amazed that narwhals can even still eat large fish even though they only have two teeth and those teeth are outside of their mouths. And that's the tooth. I mean, truth. Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and brush your teeth with a hairbrush. Wait, that's a bad idea. Don't do that.

[Reggie]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the average garden snail has 14.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, dogs tend to get cavities more often than humans do.

[Reggie]

Or is it C? The great white shark has the sharpest known teeth on earth.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hmm, lots to chew on here. Well, when you think you have the correct answer, try saying toothbrush without opening your mouth.

[Reggie]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Knox from Indiana with our winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My wow in the world is snails have over 14,000 teeth. Winner, winner, snail teeth for dinner.

[Reggie]

Thank you, Knox. Wowzers. If you guessed A that the average Garden Snail has 14,000 teeth, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[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.

[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.

[Mindy Thomas]

Talk about a bumpy ride. Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and run to the nearest dentist. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by Grandma GeForce's Ultra Spicy Toothpaste. This fresh new take on toothpaste puts a new spin on flavors you know and love. Check out her bestseller, Pepper X Mint. With a hint of the world's spiciest pepper, Pepper X. This FDA unapproved toothpaste will leave you with tears in your eyes and a snotty nose to boot. Grandma G Force's Ultra Spicy Toothpaste is not coming to a store near you.

[Reggie]

All right, well, thank you, Grandma GeForce's Ultra Spicy Toothpaste. Why don't we take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups to whats in a while.

[Mindy Thomas]

We'll be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you. Hey grown ups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz from WOW in the World. And guess what?

[Reggie]

What's the good news, Mindy?

[Mindy Thomas]

Once Upon a Beat is back with brand new episodes.

[Reggie]

Oh, I love that podcast.

[Mindy Thomas]

We here at Tinkercast have partnered with our friends at Wondery to bring your family new episodes of Once Upon a Beat.

[Reggie]

Once Upon a Beat remixes fairy tales and fables as old as time, giving them a fresh spin with some rhythm and rhyme.

[Mindy Thomas]

This podcast is hosted by the amazing DJ Fuch and features original hip hop songs from Grammy Award winning artist Secret Agent 23's Cadoo.

[Reggie]

Once upon a Beat is where hip hop and and fairy tales meet and you can listen to new episodes right now.

[Mindy Thomas]

Follow Once Upon a Beat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to Once Upon a Beat early and ad free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app in Apple podcasts. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Reggie]

Welcome back to two what's the And.

[Mindy Thomas]

A wow, the scientific game show that separates the wows from the what.

[Reggie]

And now we're on to our final round of questions. Round 3. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it a Gila monsters have venom.

[Mindy Thomas]

In their teeth or is it B Hippos have this same number of teeth as humans?

[Reggie]

Or is it C Reggie has teeth?

[Mindy Thomas]

Take a second to think this over and when you think you know the correct answer, tell it to your toothbrush.

[Reggie]

And time is. And joining us by phone with the answer is Henry from Wisconsin. Henry, please tell us the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. My wow is that Gila monsters have venom in their teeth. Winner, winner, toothaches for dinner.

[Reggie]

That's right, Henry. Wowzers. If you guessed A that Gila monsters have venom in their teeth, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Gila monsters are a type of lizard that have venom in the grooves of their teeth on their lower jaw.

[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.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and search for the tooth fairy.

[Reggie]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, guy Raz. That sound can mean only one thing.

[Reggie]

My kale chips are overcooked in the oven.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, probably. But this time I think that sound means it's time for today's winning wowzers prize. All of our winning wowzers today will receive their very own invisible plaque.

[Reggie]

Oh, I love a plaque. Especially one that's made of gold and silver.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, this one is actually made up of bacteria. Here, I brought some tartar too.

[Reggie]

Ugh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Mindy, fire away. Plaque for everyone. You get some plaque and you get some plaque. And watch out.

[Guy Raz]

Tartar incoming.

[Reggie]

Well, that's about all the time we have for today. But if you want to keep the fun going, then become a member of the World Organization of wowzers and unlock hundreds of activities.

[Mindy Thomas]

And if you if you're a teacher out there listening, make sure you join tinkerclass. It's our free project based learning program. For more just visit Tinkercast.com membership that's Tinkercast.com membership to bring Tinkerclass into your classroom.

[Reggie]

And be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of wow in the World.

[Mindy Thomas]

And again on Friday for a new episode of 2 what's in a wow? And don't forget wewow on the weekend with Dennis.

[Reggie]

Until then, keep on growing.

[Mindy Thomas]

Grown ups. If you like wow in the World, you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Reggie]

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 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.

[Reggie]

And to keep the wow rolling, visit [e-mail] There you can become a member of the World Organization of wowzers to get year round mailings and weekly activities. You can shop our wow. Shop, get tickets for upcoming live events, find our best selling books and learn all about our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

You can follow us on Facebook, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld. And our email address is. Hello inkercast.com 2 what's in a wow.

[Reggie]

Is executive produced by Meredith Halpern Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

These episodes are written by our Tinkercast Head writer Kenny Curtis and Anna Zagorski.

[Reggie]

Sound production and design is by Marian Lozano and Henry Moskal with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thole.

[Mindy Thomas]

And special thanks to our Tinkercast team including Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mak, Erica Medina, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paxsima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[Reggie]

Our theme song was written and composed by the Pop Ups. For more on their three time Grammy nominated all ages music, find them at.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thepopups.Com thanks again for listening and for playing along with us. Meet us back here every Friday for more episodes of two what's in a wow. Saturday and Sunday for wewow, on the Weekend with Dennis and Mondays for Wow in the World. It's all right here on the wow in the World podcast feed.

[Reggie]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow in the World.

[Guy Raz]

Wow in the World. Wow in the World.

[Mindy Thomas]

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