Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Berry Nice

Summary

Wow in the World: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – "Berry Nice"

Podcast by Tinkercast | Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz | Date: Feb 20, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively and science-packed edition of "Two Whats?! And A Wow!", Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz invite listeners to put their berry knowledge to the test. Each round features three quirky scientific statements about berries—but only one is the true WOW, and the others are wacky WHATs! With humor, unexpected facts, engaging call-ins from young listeners, and some whimsical physical challenges, this episode delivers accessible science learning with laughs for the whole family.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

How the Game Works

• Format: Three rounds of questions, each with three statements—only one is a "wow" (truth), two are "whats" (fibs).
• Participation: Listeners are encouraged to shout, sing, or move when answering—laughter and physical silliness are a must.
• Physical Challenges: Wrong guesses lead to playful penalties, like organizing a grownup's closet or counting backward while walking backward.
• Listener Call-Ins: Young "wowzers" share the correct answers throughout.

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Round 1: What’s the Real Berry Wow?

Statements:

• A) Avocados are actually berries.
• B) Eating a blackberry daily turns you into an old cell phone.
• C) Strawberries have only existed since the 1600s.

Winning Wow: "Avocados are actually berries." (05:18)

• Revealed by Mai from Maryland
• Explanation:
  • The central “brown thing” in an avocado is a seed; the surrounding fruit is fleshy, classifying avocados as berries (!).
• Humor Highlight:
  • Guy Raz: "It's like when I open a bag of kale chips and it's 60% air. It kind of feels like a rip off." (06:02)
  • Mindy: “Don't you mean a ripe off, Guy Raz?” (06:12)

Physical Challenge for Incorrect Guessers:

• Stop, drop, and organize your grown-up’s closet. (06:13)

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Round 2: Seed-Side Story

Statements:

• A) Blueberries are fresher in January than August.
• B) Strawberries are the only fruit to have seeds on the outside.
• C) Scientists can grow raspberries on Mars.

Winning Wow: "Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside." (07:16)

• Explained by Theodore from Washington
• Insight:
  • While most fruits hide their seeds inside, strawberries wear theirs proudly outside—about 200 per berry.
• Memorable Quote:
  • Mindy: "Aw, it's like they wear their seeds on their sleeves." (07:49)
  • Guy Raz: "Because as we all know, it's what's on the inside that counts." (07:53)

Physical Challenge for Incorrect Guessers:

• Count backwards from 50 while walking backwards. (08:07)

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Round 3: Wild Berry Feats

Statements:

• A) Some fish jump out of water to eat berries.
• B) A scientist in Germany only ate berries for a year and her ears turned blue.
• C) Blueberries belong to the lavender genus.

Winning Wow: "Some fish jump out of water to eat berries." (09:28)

• Reported by Callum from Pennsylvania
• Fun Fact:
  • The “Puru Patonga” fish in Brazil leap from the water to grab berries from low-hanging branches.
• Zinger:
  • Guy Raz: “So they literally go for low hanging fruit.” (10:06)

Physical Challenge for Incorrect Guessers:

• High-five yourself for your effort—with your feet! (10:09)

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Bonkerballs Bonus Round

Referencing Previous Episode ("Cellular Tattoos for Science")

Question:

• What made Mindy's science tattoos different from average body art?
  • A) These tattoos couldn't be seen by the human eye.
  • B) They used silver instead of ink.
  • C) They glow in the dark.

Correct Answer:

• A) Tattoos were invisible to the human eye; printed in gold on human cells and viewable only with a microscope. (13:52, 14:00)
• Application:
  • The tattoos last around 16 hours and could one day help transmit health data to doctors.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Guy Raz: "The category for today is Berries!" (03:33)
• Mindy Thomas: "When you think you have the correct answer, shout how many times you've been to the bathroom today." (04:52)
• Guy Raz: "It's like when I open a bag of kale chips and it's 60% air. It kind of feels like a rip off." (06:02)
• Mindy Thomas: "Don't you mean a ripe off Guy Raz?" (06:12)
• Mindy Thomas: "Aw, it's like they wear their seeds on their sleeves." (07:49)
• Guy Raz: "So they literally go for low hanging fruit." (10:06)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:33] Game intro and rules
• [04:24] Round 1 - Avocado berry question
• [05:18] Round 1 answer revealed by Mai from Maryland
• [06:13] First physical challenge
• [06:26] Round 2 - Strawberry seed question
• [07:16] Round 2 answer revealed by Theodore from Washington
• [08:07] Second physical challenge
• [08:33] Round 3 - Fish and berries question
• [09:28] Round 3 answer revealed by Callum from Pennsylvania
• [10:09] Third physical challenge
• [13:05] Bonkerballs bonus round question
• [13:52] Bonus round answer by Reggie
• [14:27] Silly prize reveal (“cow juice”)
• [15:02] Wrap-up and invites to further WOW activities

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Episode Tone and Style

Lighthearted, silly, pun-filled, and energetically educational! Mindy and Guy banter with good-natured jokes, encouraging kids to play along, be physically active, and stay curious about the science in their world. The presence of listener call-ins and playful challenges creates a sense of community and interactive fun.

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Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode of "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" is a rollicking, family-friendly science game show focused on berries. With zany false facts, some truly surprising real ones (like avocados being berries!), and creative listener participation, the show demystifies plant science in a deliciously fun way. Sprinkled with humor, clever wordplay, and memorable kids’ voices, it’s a perfect audio snack for curious young minds and their grownups alike.

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Grown ups. This message is for you.

[Tom Menkalkin]

Hi, I'm Tom Menkalkin, a writer here at Tinkercast and today I wanted to tell you a little bit of a story. In 2017, I was working at an animation studio in Vancouver and quietly feeling the pull towards something new. At the time, I was getting most of my news, storytelling and entertainment from podcasts. The medium felt intimate and immediate. It felt like the future. One day I was listening to the TED Radio hour and at the end of the episode, Guy Raz mentioned something almost in pass. He was starting a new kids science podcast. What luck. Years earlier, back in Australia, I had worked on a children's science show and here was a brand new kid science podcast being created by one of my podcasting icons. Out of an abundant sense of curiosity, I cold emailed the team and somehow my message made its way through to Meredith Halpern Ranza. That email literally changed my life. Meredith, who has since become one of the most motivational people I know, gave me a shot. She asked me to write a spec script. I wrote a time traveling story about the invention of chocolate and I censored it. Three days later, they asked me if I could write more. Since then, I've had the privilege of writing six books, two live shows, and more than 250 episodes of WOW in the world with the one and only Mindy Thomas. Without question the most creative, wide eyed person I know. The closest comparison I can make to Mindy is if Kimmy Schmidt and Willy Wonka got smashed together into one human being. In 2020, when the world felt uncertain and isolated, audio storytelling became a lifeline for millions of listeners. We were in the right place at the right we were able to ride that podcasting wave. But right now, that wave is receding. The children's media landscape is tougher than it's been in years. Advertising is down, platforms are shifting. Funding for thoughtful, mission driven content is hard to secure. And yet the need for what we make has never been greater. Our work is entertainment, yes, but it's also education. It's confidence. It's imagination. It's the moment a kid realizes that you can answer any question you might have about the universe with the scientific method and a little bit of curiosity. Grownups. If you believe that kids deserve smart, joyful, curiosity driven storytelling. If you believe that education and entertainment don't have to be separated, if you believe that inspiring a child's sense of curiosity is one of the most valuable investments we can make, then I hope you'll consider supporting Tinkercast. Because when you help fund children's media like ours. You're not just supporting a podcast. You're supporting future scientists, future creators, future problem solvers. And you're supporting Curiosity. Please visit Tinkercast.com support today to help us keep on wowing. That's Tinkercast.com support from all the tinkerers here at Tinkercast. Thank you.

[Guy Raz]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show after what goes in the cereal bowl first, milk or cereal. It's two what's and the wow. With your hosts, Mindy and guy R.

[Mindy Thomas]

2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what? 2what's 2 what? 2 what's and a wow. Hello and welcome back to 2 what's in a wow. 2 what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's. And the category for today is Berries. Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it. Wowzers. In each of our three rounds today, Guy, Raz, and I will present you with three scientific statements about berries. But 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's.

[Guy Raz]

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.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, everyone ready to start the game?

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. Then let's do it.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, avocados are actually berries?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, if you eat a BlackBerry every day, you'll turn into an old cell phone your grownups might have in a drawer somewhere.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it strawberries have only existed since the 1600s.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, shout how many times you've been to the bathroom today. Hey, Reggie, cue the thinking music.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. Let's now reveal the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that. Joining us by phone, it's Mai from Maryland. Mai from Maryland, tell us what's the winning wow? My wow in the world is that avocados are berries. Winner, winner, avocados for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Mai. Contestants, if you guessed the answer A, that avocados are actually berries, well, congratulations. You found the winner.

[Mindy Thomas]

You know the brown thing at the center of your avocados? Well, that is actually a seed. And because the layer that surrounds the seed is fleshy, scientists say that this savory fruit is actually a berry.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, I mean, that seed is always Taking up so much space in my avocados. It's like when I open a bag of kale chips and it's 60% air. It kind of feels like a rip off.

[Mindy Thomas]

Don't you mean a ripe off guy, Raz? Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and organize your grown up's closet. I promise they did not pay me to say that.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, blueberries are fresher in January than in August.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B? Strawberries are the only fruit to have C on the outside.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Scientists believe you can grow a raspberry on Mars.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, sing your name upside down. Thinking music, please.

[Guy Raz]

And to reveal the winning wow, it's Theodore from Washington.

[Mindy Thomas]

Theodore from Washington, tell us what's the winning wow. Hi, I'm Theodore. Did you know that a strawberry has 200 seeds? It's the only fruit that has seeds on the outside. Winner, Winner. Strawberries for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Theodore. Contestants, if you guessed the answer B, that strawberries are the only fruit that have seeds on the outside, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Aw, it's like they wear their seeds on their sleeves.

[Guy Raz]

Fruits typically contain seeds, meaning they're on the inside. Because as we all know, it's what's on the inside that counts. But the strawberry is the only fruit that appears to have all its seeds on the outside.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and count backwards from 50 while walking backwards. 49, 48, 47. 47.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, look out for the stage light.

[Mindy Thomas]

Mindy all good guy Ross. Run. Run, run, run. Okay, all right. Everything's fine.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, now time for the final round. Round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific W? Is it A, some fish jump out of water to eat berries?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, a scientist in Germany only ate berries for an entire year and her ears turned blue.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Blueberries are part of the lavender genus.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, wave your hands in the air like you just don't care. Thinking music, please.

[Guy Raz]

And now, to reveal that winning answer, please welcome by phone Callum from Pennsylvania.

[Mindy Thomas]

Callum, tell us what's the winning wow? Hi, my name is Callum. My wow is that Some fish in South America jump out of the water to eat berries from low hanging branches. Winner. Winner. Berries for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Callum. Contestants, if you guessed the answer A, that some fish jump out of water to eat berries well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's right, Guy Raz. The Puru Patonga fish in Brazil jumps out of the water to grabberries on the trees that hang over the river.

[Guy Raz]

So they literally go for low hanging fruit.

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it, Guy Raz. And if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and give yourselves a high five for your effort. But. And this is a big but, you must high five yourself with your feet. And now it's time to thank our sponsors.

[Guy Raz]

Today's show is brought to you by Luluberry, your one stop shop for athleisure. You can eat.

[Tom Menkalkin]

What is this?

[Mindy Thomas]

Maybe once you've finished your workout, dig right in. Nine out of 10 users say the sweatier the sweeter.

[Guy Raz]

This can't be safe to eat. Anyway, let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups.

[Mindy Thomas]

To what's in allowable. Be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you. Hey grownups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz

[Guy Raz]

and we have an important message to share with you. For nine years, WOW in the World has been free for every family, teacher, curious kid and grownup who listens.

[Mindy Thomas]

And we've kept it going through partnerships, sponsors, distributors, and honestly, a whole lot of scrappy ingenuity.

[Guy Raz]

But the truth is, the media industry has changed a lot since we launched this show in 2017. And it's becoming a lot harder to financially sustain a show like wow. In the world without additional help.

[Mindy Thomas]

And that's because every episode you hear is handcrafted by an entire team of real humans.

[Guy Raz]

So for the first time ever, we are asking our listeners you to support the show. If your family values what we create,

[Mindy Thomas]

if you've laughed or learned something new,

[Guy Raz]

or if the show has inspired curiosity in your home, we're asking you to consider making a contribution.

[Mindy Thomas]

Your support goes directly to paying our team and keeps WOW in the world free for everyone who listens to it.

[Guy Raz]

So grown ups, if you can just

[Mindy Thomas]

visit tinkercast.comsupport to see the thank you packages that we've put together for your support.

[Guy Raz]

Once again, you can visit tinkercast.com support and we'll put all the information in the podcast show notes.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks for helping to power the WOW at Tinkercast. And now let's get on with the show. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Two what's and a wow. The scientific game show that separates the Wows from the what's.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, Guy Raz that sound can mean only one thing.

[Guy Raz]

It's Halloween again.

[Mindy Thomas]

I wish. It's time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round. And the question for this round comes from the wow in the World episode titled Cellular Tattoos for Science.

[Guy Raz]

And the question is, what made the tattoos that Mindy got different from your everyday body art?

[Mindy Thomas]

Is it A, these tattoos cannot be seen by the human eye?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it B, they used silver instead of ink?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it C, they glow in the dark?

[Guy Raz]

And joining us for today's answer, it's Reggie.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie, tell us, what's the winning wow? Hooray, Reggie.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Reggie. The correct answer was A. The tattoos that Mindy got could not be seen by the human eye.

[Mindy Thomas]

These tattoos are printed in gold on human cells, which means that you would need a very, very powerful microscope to see them properly.

[Guy Raz]

Now, they currently last for around 16 hours, but scientists are hoping that one day they can make them last longer so that they can transmit health data to doctors. Congratulations to all of our winning wowzers on today's show. Mindy, what's today's prize?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz. Today's winning wowzers will all be receiving their very own cow juice.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, what kind of cow juice are we talking about, Mindy? 2. 2% non fat expired.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reggie, cue the prize cannon. No.

[Guy Raz]

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 for any teachers in our listening audience, consider joining tinkerclass, our free brand new learning platform that helps get kids wild about Science. Just visit Tinkercast.com membership that's Tinkercast.com membership and be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of wow in the world. This weekend for some wee wow in the weekend with Dennis, and again on

[Guy Raz]

Friday for a new episode of 2 what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Guy Raz]

Two what's and a wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern Ranzer, Mindy Thomas, and me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski with collaboration from our head writer, Kenny Curtis.

[Guy Raz]

Sound, production and design is by Marian Lozano with help from Jett Anderson and Tyler Thole.

[Mindy Thomas]

Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Froehlich, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mack, Erika Medina, Henry Moskal, Jody Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Zagorski, and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[Guy Raz]

Our theme song was written and composed by the Pop Ups. For more on their three time Grammy nominated all ages music find [e-mail] and

[Mindy Thomas]

to keep the wow rolling after you finish this episode you can 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 all about the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

[Guy Raz]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is helloinkercast.com finally, if you're a kid

[Mindy Thomas]

with a big wow to share, it could be used on an upcoming episode of 2 what's in a wow? Call us at 1-888-7-WWOW.

[Guy Raz]

Thanks again for listening and playing along. Meet us back here next Friday or every Monday for Wow in the World.

[Mindy Thomas]

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