Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Down Under Where? (3/21/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Down Under Where?" (March 21, 2025)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Podcast Network: Tinkercast | Wondery
Description: The #1 science podcast for kids and their grown-ups. Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz share stories about the latest news in science, technology, and innovation. Stories that give kids hope, agency and make us all say "WOW"!

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Episode Overview

In the March 21, 2025 episode titled "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Down Under Where?", Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz dive into the captivating world of Australian science and wildlife through their engaging and educational game show segment, "Two Whats?! And A Wow!". This episode is themed around Australia, featuring intriguing scientific facts and myths that challenge the knowledge of their young listeners and their families.

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Introduction: Embracing Mystery and Mischief

The episode begins with Mindy Thomas setting the stage for a month dedicated to mystery and mischief. She teases favorite mystery episodes and special content for "World Organization of Wowzer" members, encouraging listeners to engage in fun, mysterious activities throughout March.

Mindy Thomas [00:00]:
"March is known for madness, but why not mystery and mischief too?"

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"Two Whats?! And A Wow!" Game Show Segment

Transitioning seamlessly, the hosts introduce their scientific game show, "Two Whats?! And A Wow!", designed to separate the "wows" (true scientific facts) from the "whats" (fabricated statements).

Guy Raz [01:11]:
"After forgetting to remove the plastic from your individually wrapped cheese slices, it's 2 what's and the wow with your hosts, Mindy and Guy Raz."

Rules of the Game

Mindy Thomas [02:03]:
"In each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about Australia. 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 whats."

Correct guesses earn points, while incorrect answers result in playful physical challenges, adding a layer of fun and engagement for both participants and listeners.

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Round 1: Australia vs. The Moon

The first round focuses on comparing Australia to the Moon, a topic that piques curiosity.

Question [02:43]:
"Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A? Australia has more people than the entire Indian subcontinent? Or is it B? Australia was named by people from Austria who loved adding the letter L to stuff? Or is it C? Australia is wider than the moon."

After a thoughtful pause, contestant Ryan from New York answers confidently:

Ryan [03:45]:
"My wow in the world is that Australia is wider than the moon. Isn't that bonkerballs?"

Mindy Thomas [03:54]:
"Winner, winner, Moon pies for dinner."

Explanation:
Australia measures approximately 4,000 km in width, slightly wider than the Moon's diameter of 3,476 km. However, despite being wider, Australia has a smaller surface area compared to the Moon, which is round and has a larger total land mass.

Guy Raz [04:24]:
"Not bigger than the moon because, of course, the moon is round. So the moon has a lot more surface area."

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Round 2: Australia's Unique Structures

The second round delves into Australia's remarkable structures and records.

Question [05:06]:
"Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the giant shells on the roof of the Sydney Opera House are made of seashells harvested from the Pacific ocean? Or is it B, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia is taller than Mount Kilimanjaro? Or is it C, Australia has a fence that is longer than the trip from London to New York."

Contestant Eddie from Ohio takes the leap:

Eddie [05:48]:
"Did you know that there's a fence in Australia that's as long as from London to New York City?"

Mindy Thomas [05:58]:
"Winner, winner, dingo dog food for dinner."

Explanation:
Australia boasts the world's longest fence, stretching nearly 3,500 miles across the southeastern part of the continent. This immense structure, known as the Dingo Fence, serves the crucial purpose of protecting sheep and cattle from wild dogs and dingoes.

Guy Raz [06:13]:
"Australia is home to the world's longest fence. It stretches almost 3,500 miles across the southeastern part of the continent, and its only job is to keep wild dogs or dingoes away from the sheep and cattle that graze in that part of the country."

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Round 3: Impact of Feral Cats

The final round examines the ecological impact of feral cats in Australia.

Question [08:37]:
"Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, feral cats in Australia kill more than 1 million reptiles a day? Or is it B, a baby kangaroo can jump as high as 15ft in the air? Or is it C, koalas eat snakes and other small animals."

Sophia from California steps up with her answer:

Sophia [09:16]:
"My wow in the world is that Australia's feral cats kill over 1 million reptiles a day."

Mindy Thomas [09:26]:
"Winner winners, lizards for dinner."

Explanation:
Research from Charles Darwin University highlights the dire impact of feral cats on Australia's wildlife. On average, each feral cat kills about 225 reptiles annually, culminating in over 1 million lizards being killed each day. This predation poses a significant threat to Australia's unique reptile populations.

Guy Raz [09:42]:
"According to researchers at Australia's Charles Darwin University, on average, each feral cat kills about 225 reptiles a year. And in Australia, these wild cats consume more than 1 million lizards a day."

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Fun Interactions and Engagement

Throughout the game, hosts Mindy and Guy intersperse playful interactions and sound effects, enhancing the entertaining and educational atmosphere. For instance, during contestant challenges, humorous instructions like "throw another shrimp on your Barbie doll" and "hop like a kangaroo" are used to keep the energy lively and engaging for young listeners.

Guy Raz [02:03]:
"When you think you have the correct answer, throw another shrimp on your Barbie doll."

Mindy Thomas [05:22]:
"When you think you have the correct answer, hop up and down like a kangaroo."

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Conclusion: Celebrating Knowledge and Encouraging Membership

As the episode wraps up, the hosts celebrate the participants' knowledge and invite listeners to become members of the "World Organization of Wowzers." They also highlight educational resources for teachers and promote upcoming episodes, ensuring continued engagement and learning opportunities for their audience.

Mindy Thomas [10:19]:
"All of our winning Wowzers today will receive their very own personal invisible baby kangaroo, Reggie Cue the prize cannon."

Guy Raz [11:02]:
"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 [11:18]:
"If you're a teacher out there listening, make sure you join Tinkercast. It's our free project-based learning program."

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Key Takeaways

• Australia's Size: Australia is slightly wider than the Moon's diameter but has a smaller total land mass.
• Longest Fence: Australia houses the world's longest fence, designed to protect livestock from wild dingoes.
• Ecological Impact of Feral Cats: Feral cats in Australia have a devastating effect on reptile populations, killing over a million lizards daily.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mindy Thomas [03:54]: "Winner, winner, Moon pies for dinner."
• Guy Raz [06:13]: "Australia is home to the world's longest fence..."
• Mindy Thomas [09:26]: "Winner winners, lizards for dinner."
• Guy Raz [09:42]: "These wild cats consume more than 1 million lizards a day."

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Final Thoughts

This episode of "Wow in the World" masterfully blends education with entertainment, providing young listeners and their families with fascinating scientific facts about Australia. Through interactive gameplay and lively discussions, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz foster a sense of wonder and curiosity, encouraging their audience to explore and appreciate the natural world.

For more engaging content and to join the community of "Wowzers," visit Tinkercast.com and explore membership options that unlock a plethora of educational activities and resources.

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Thank you for listening to "Wow in the World" and joining us on this adventurous journey Down Under! Keep on wowing!

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, we know that March is known for madness, but why not mystery and mischief too? We've pulled some of our favorite mystery episodes from WOW in the world. Plus a special bite sized episode with some real mysteries from real kids. Now playing on the who Win Wow Podcast feed. And what's a little mystery without a little bit of mischief? Well, we've sent out a pigeon dropping to all of our world organization of wowzer members with ideas for how you can add a little mischief and spread a little wow to the people in your life. So, members of the wow, be sure to check your mailboxes and if you're not a member yet. Well, we've also got some fun ideas for how you can add a little mystery and mischief to your month too. Visit tinkercast.com mystery for mysterious episodes, mischievous activities and more. Wow.

[Guy Raz]

That's it.

[Mindy Thomas]

And now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show. After forgetting to remove the plastic from your individually wrapped cheese slices, it's 2 what's and the wow with your hosts, Mindy and Guy Raz.

[Sound Effects]

2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what? 2What's 2 what? 2 what's.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's and the category or theme for today is. Australia. 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 Australia. 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 whats.

[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 and do a redonkulous physical challenge.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, everyone ready to start the game?

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. Then let's do it.

[Guy Raz]

Alright, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A? Australia has more people than the entire Indian subcontinent?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B? Australia was named by people from Austria who loved adding the letter L to stuff.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Australia is wider than the moon.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, throw another shrimp on your Barbie doll. Hey Reg, let's give the people some thinking music.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that, it's Ryan from New York. Ryan Tell us, what's the winning wow?

[Contestant]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Ryan. My wow in the world is that Australia is wider than the moon. Isn't that bonkerballs?

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, Moon pies for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Ryan. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C, that Australia is wider than the moon, well, congratulations. Found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Measured from side to side, the diameter of the moon is 3,476 km wide. And Australia is about 4,000 km wide. So Australia is wider, but Australia is.

[Guy Raz]

Not bigger than the moon because, of course, the moon is round. So the moon has a lot more surface area. The total land mass of the moon is around four times bigger than Australia.

[Mindy Thomas]

I can't wait for the day we finally put a dingo on the moon.

[Guy Raz]

I know. Right?

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and howl at the moon like a dingo.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the giant shells on the roof of the Sydney Opera House are made of seashells harvested from the Pacific oce?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia is taller than Mount Kilimanjaro?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, Australia has a fence that is longer than the trip from London to New York.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hmm, lots to think about here. When you think you have the correct answer, hop up and down like a kangaroo.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone to reveal the winning answer, it's Eddie from Ohio. Eddie, what's the answer?

[Contestant]

Hello, My name is Eddie. Did you know that there's a fence in Australia that's as long as from London to New York City?

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, dingo dog food for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Eddie. Wow. If you guessed, see that Australia has a fence that is longer than the trip from London to New York. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's right. Australia is home to the world's longest fence. It stretches almost 3,500 miles across the southeastern part of the continent, and its.

[Guy Raz]

Only job is to keep wild dogs or dingoes away from the sheep and cattle that graze in that part of the country.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer, corre, you must stop, drop, and pretend to jump over an imaginary fence. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by kangaroo pouches, A great place to keep your stuff and your baby. If you've ever seen a picture of a mama kangaroo with a baby joey poking its head out of the little pouch in her tummy. You've probably experienced a cuteness overload. It's adorable. But it's also incredibly practical. Kangaroos almost never lose their keys or their phone or their remote control. You never hear about that happening because kangaroos are marsupials and marsupials have pouches.

[Guy Raz]

Well, maybe you never hear about kangaroos losing their keys and stuff because kangaroos live in the wild and don't drive or talk on the phone or watch tv.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, while that is certainly possible, Guy Raz, they still have pouches. And pouches are awesome and useful. You know you want one.

[Guy Raz]

Not gonna lie, I kinda do. Well, thank you, kangaroo pouches. Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important Messages for Grown Ups.

2 once in a while. We'll be right back. Grown Ups, this message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show.

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Sound Effects]

Two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what.

[Guy Raz]

And now we're on to our final round of questions. Round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, feral cats in Australia kill more than 1 million reptiles a day?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, a baby kangaroo can jump as high as 15ft in the air?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, koalas eat snakes and other small animals.

[Mindy Thomas]

Take a second to think this over and when you know the answer, hop like a kangaroo.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone with the answer, it's Sophia from California. Sophia, tell us, what's the winning wow?

[Contestant]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Sophia. My wow in the world is that Australia's feral cats kill over 1 million reptiles a day.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner winners, lizards for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Sophia. Wowzers. If you guessed A, that feral cats in Australia kill more than 1 million reptiles a day, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's true. According to researchers at Australia's Charles Darwin University, on average, each feral cat kills about 225 reptiles reptiles a year.

[Guy Raz]

And in Australia, these wild cats consume more than 1 million lizards a day.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and meow like a feral cat.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

You borrowed a flugelhorn from the Sydney Opera House.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yes, but that sound means it's. It's time for today's winning Wowzers prize. All of our winning Wowzers today will receive their very own personal invisible baby kangaroo, Reggie Cue the prize cannon.

[Sound Effects]

Fire away.

[Mindy Thomas]

Aren't they just the cutest guy?

[Guy Raz]

Raz they are pretty adorable and very bouncy.

[Mindy Thomas]

The bounciest.

[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 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 Tinker class into your classroom.

[Guy Raz]

And be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow in the World and again on Friday for a new episode of two what's in a wow? And don't forget we WOW on the weekend with Dennis.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Sound Effects]

Two what two what two what two what two W's two what two what's and a whole.

[Mindy Thomas]

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 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 2 what's in a wow? Once again, that's 1-888-7-WOW.

[Guy Raz]

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, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is [e-mail] 2 what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

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.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks to our Tinkercast team including Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mak, Erica Medina, Jodi Nussbaum, Ally Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, 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 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 2 what's in a wow. Saturday and Sunday for We wow 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.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Sound Effects]

Wow in the World. Wow in the World. Wow in the World. Wow in the World. Wow in the World.

[Guy Raz]

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