Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Food Fight (11/14/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Food Fight

Podcast: Wow in the World (Tinkercast | Wondery)
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Date: November 14, 2025
Episode Theme: A Food-Themed Science Game Show for Kids and Families

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode of Two Whats?! And A Wow!, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz challenge their audience with food-themed scientific facts, but with a twist: only one statement in each round is a “Wow” (true), while the other two are clever fabrications (“Whats”). The show combines playful science learning with humor, interactive listener participation, and creative physical challenges.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Pre-Show Preshow Shenanigans (02:04–03:37)

• Tomatoes for Everyone: Guy Raz surprises everyone with tomatoes from his garden.
• Dennis’ Pre-Show Comedy: Dennis attempts stand-up, but the jokes land flat, prompting audience reactions (“Who gave the audience fresh produce?” — Dennis, 03:06).

Game Show Setup & Rules (03:40–05:06)

• How It Works: Each round, Mindy and Guy present three food science statements. Only one is true—the “Wow.” Audience or contestant has to guess which is real.
  • Correct = 1 point
  • Incorrect = Silly physical challenge

Notable Quote:

“The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what’s.” — Guy Raz (04:10)

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Game Rounds

Round 1 – Sweet Survival

Question: Which is the real Wow?
A) Only chicken eggs are edible
B) Passion fruit isn’t actually a fruit
C) Before sugar was available in Europe, parsnips were used to sweeten jam
Listener Reveal: Mary and Maggie from Oklahoma (06:10)
Winning Wow: C) Parsnips were used to sweeten jam!

• Insight: Before refined sugar, parsnips’ natural sugars made them a popular sweetener in medieval Europe ([06:41]).
• Physical Challenge for Incorrect Guesses: Do the can-can ([07:07]).

Notable Exchange:

Mindy: “Winner, winner, parsnip jam for dinner!” (06:22)

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Round 2 – Berry Surprises

Question: Which is true?
A) Bananas and avocados are berries
B) Swiss cheese always has same number of holes
C) Sweet potatoes and yams are the same food
Listener Reveal: Adelie and Hayden (08:11)
Winning Wow: A) Bananas and avocados are berries!

• Insight: Botanically, if a fruit develops from a flower ovary and contains seeds and pulp, it's a berry. Pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchinis—also berries! ([08:36]).
• Common “berries” like strawberries and raspberries don’t qualify botanically ([08:50]).
• Physical Challenge for Incorrect Answers: Roll around in an invisible vat of grape jelly ([09:00]).

Notable Quote:

Guy Raz: “There are other fruits we often think of as berries that aren’t technically true berries at all.” (08:50)

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Round 3 – Out of This World Foods

Question: Which is a real scientific Wow?
A) Food in submarines needs special packaging because of deep-sea pressure
B) Potatoes can grow on Mars
C) Astronauts’ most-eaten food in space is Wonder Bread
Listener Reveal: Max from California (12:35)
Winning Wow: B) Potatoes can grow on Mars!

• Insight: Martian soil lacks nutrients, but researchers at the International Potato Center simulated Mars conditions with fertilizer and water to successfully grow potatoes ([13:06]).
• Physical Challenge for Incorrect Answers: Roll like a loose tater tot ([13:35]).

Notable Quote:

Mindy: “The soil on Mars isn’t great for farming... So if humans were to go to Mars, growing food would be a huge challenge.” ([13:06])

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Bonus Round (Bonker Ball)

Classic Riddle: “What’s black and white and red all over?”

• Guy Raz guesses “newspaper” ([14:06]); Mindy’s punchline: “A panda wearing lipstick.” ([14:14])

Notable Moment:

Mindy: “Actually, the answer I was looking for is a panda wearing lipstick!” (14:14)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Winner, winner, banana berries for dinner.” – Mindy Thomas (08:22)
• “Winner, winner, space taters for dinner.” – Mindy Thomas (12:53)
• “If you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and roll around like a loose tater tot.” – Mindy Thomas (13:35)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:04 | Episode officially begins with tomatoes and Dennis’ comedy | | 03:40 | Show introduction and rules explained | | 05:06 | Round 1: Parsnips as sweetener | | 07:15 | Round 2: Berries redefined | | 09:10 | Round 3: Potatoes on Mars | | 13:48 | Bonus Round joke (“Bonker Ball”) | | 14:30 | Prize reveal (invisible orange recreation sphere) | | 14:54 | Scientific challenge for listeners |

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Listener Participation & Challenges

• Physical Challenges: E.g., “Can-can” dance, roll in jelly, roll like a tater tot if you guess wrong.
• Home Challenge: Try a food you’ve never had before, describe its flavor and texture, and share photos/videos online ([15:04]).

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Episode Wrap-Up

• Prizes: Winners get an “invisible orange recreation sphere” (spoiler: it’s a basketball, 14:41).
• Encouragement: Mindy and Guy invite everyone back for more games and challenges in future episodes.
• Listener Engagement: Kids can submit their own science facts at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW.

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Final Note

Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Food Fight is a hilarious, fast-paced podcast episode that turns food science into a wacky, interactive quiz, punctuated by laughter, groan-worthy puns, and listener call-ins. The hosts keep the energy high and the scientific curiosity higher—perfect for curious kids and their grown-ups!

Transcript

[Guy Raz]

Grown Ups Wondery subscribers can listen to wow in the World early and ad free right now. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November is about to get a lot more wow. Join us each week for the rest of the month for special episodes of wow in the World, starting this week with a brand new episode on Mars with special guest Emily the space gal Calendrali. Next week, grab a plate and join us for a slice of Turducken with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for kids. And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame street stops by wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th. Oh, but that's not all, Reg. On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of wow in the World with all of you. We think this week is going to be music to your ears.

[Guy Raz]

Literally.

[Mindy Thomas]

Did I mention it's a musical? And if you're a member of the world organization of Wowzers. Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you. You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd at 7pm Eastern. That's right. We are throwing another listening party. Join us as we dance along to our new songs. React to the episode with other members in chat and more grown ups. If you want your Wowzer to join this members only listening party, you can sign up to become a member [e-mail] wow. Already a member? Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign [e-mail] wow. That's it. It's gonna be a November to remember. But for now, let's get on with the show.

[Guy Raz]

Hey there, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hey, guy Raz. What you got there?

[Guy Raz]

I've been growing tomatoes in my garden and I brought some to share with everyone. Here, I picked a whole bag for you.

[Mindy Thomas]

Aw, thanks, buddy.

[Guy Raz]

You're welcome. I already passed a bunch out to the audience, you know, as kind of a fun giveaway.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, that might not have been such a good idea. What?

[Guy Raz]

Why not?

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, I told Dennis that he could tell some jokes before the show started today and.

[Dennis]

Hello everyone, and welcome to Dennis Preshow Comedy Show.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, oh.

[Reggie]

Okay.

[Dennis]

Why did the pigeon cross the road? Because he was too COO for school.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yikes.

[Dennis]

Oh, wait, I forgot. To mention there's a school on the other side of the road. Um, let me start over. Why did the pigeon.

[Reggie]

What?

[Guy Raz]

Ooh, this is not good.

[Reggie]

Ah.

[Dennis]

What? Why do you all have tomatoes?

[Reggie]

Caleb.

[Dennis]

Caleb leaving. Okay, who gave the audience fresh produce?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hey, Dennis. I think it's time to start the show.

[Dennis]

Oh, right. Yo there. Cuke the cumbers and you pump the kins and Reggie to mot the toes. We're on in three, two, one.

[Guy Raz]

And now for everyone's favorite game show.

[Reggie]

It's two what's and a whoa. With your hosts, Mindy and guy rats. Two watts. Two watts. Two watts. 2 watts. 2 what? 2 what's 2 watts.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hello and welcome back to 2 what?

[Reggie]

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 food. 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 food.

[Reggie]

But.

[Mindy Thomas]

And this is a big but, but only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up woo.

[Guy Raz]

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]

Round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, chicken? Eggs are the only edible kind of eggs?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, passion fruit? Isn't actually a fruit.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Before sugar was regularly available in Europe, parsnips were used to sweeten jam.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, say ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. 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. It's Mary and Maggie from Oklahoma. Mary and Maggie, tell us what's the wow?

[Caller/Contestant]

Our wow in the world is parsnips in Europe were used to sweeten jams and cakes before sugar was available. Bye.

[Reggie]

Winner.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, parsnip jam for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Mary and Maggie. Contestants, if you guessed the answer c. That before sugar was regularly available in Europe, parsley were used to sweeten jam. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Most of the white sugar we eat these days is from sugar cane, which grows in tropical climates, not places like England or France. So when people in medieval Europe wanted their jam to be Sweet. They used parsnips.

[Guy Raz]

Parsnips are vegetables that naturally have a lot of sugar in them. People would crush parsnips, draw off the liquid and use it to sweeten things like jam or tarts.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and do the can. Can.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, time for round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, bananas and avocados are.

[Mindy Thomas]

Actually berries or is it B, Swiss cheese always has the same number of holes?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, Sweet potatoes and yams are the same food.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, write it in chocolate syrup. Thinking music, please.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. Joining us by phone to reveal the winning answer, it's Adelie and Hayden. Adelie and Hayden, what's the winning wow?

[Caller/Contestant]

Hi, Mindy. Hi, Guy Raz. Our wow in the world is that bananas and avocados are actually berries. Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. We love your show.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, banana berries for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Adelie and Hayden. Wowzers. If you guessed bananas and avocados are actually berries, well, you found the winning wow. Congratulations.

[Mindy Thomas]

Botanically speaking, a berry is a fruit with seeds and pulp that develops from a part of the flower called an ovary. Other berries that might surprise you are pumpkins, cucumbers, and zucchinis.

[Guy Raz]

There are other fruits that we often think of as berries that aren't technically true berries at all, like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and roll around in an invisible vat of grape jelly.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, time for round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it a, food eaten in submarines has to have special packaging because of deep sea pressure, or is it B.

[Mindy Thomas]

Potatoes can grow on Mars.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, the food astronauts eat the most of when they're in space is Wonder Bread.

[Mindy Thomas]

But before we reveal the winning wow, let's take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by Mindy's Bakery. Do you like bagels? How about a bagel baked in a jet engine tailpipe at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit? Or maybe cupcakes are more your thing. We have endless flavors such as vanilla, red velvet, key slime pie, sodium chloride, sulfuric acid and plasma. And be sure to check out our world famous Schrodinger's cannolis. They both exist and don't Mindy.

[Guy Raz]

I don't think a lot of those things are Edible.

[Mindy Thomas]

Who said anything about eating? Guy Raz, these are my experiments. You shouldn't go around eating other people's science projects.

[Guy Raz]

I didn't. I wasn't. Oh, never mind. Anyway, let's take a quick break and hear some other important Messages for Grownups.

[Mindy Thomas]

2 what's in a while. We'll be right back. Grownups, this message is for you. Hey, grownups. Mindy here from wow in the World, the number one podcast for curious kids and their grownups. That's you. And we are so excited to bring the wows of the world to your home with our brand new wow in the World stem toys from Wondery Kids and Themes and Cosmos. Channel your inner astronomer with our wow in the World telescope kit. Or zoom in on the tiny wows of nature with our wow in the World microscope and biology kit. You can even tinker like real scientists with our 100 extra experiments that wow kit. And with every wow in the World stem toy, you unlock access to exclusive audio content from me and my buddy, Guy Raz. There are so many ways to wow. So whether you're shopping for a kid who loves science or one who doesn't just yet, our wow in the World stem toys are the perfect gift for your curious kids. Grown ups. Visit tinkercast.comtoys to shop the wow Now.

[Reggie]

That's it.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Reggie]

Two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's Now.

[Guy Raz]

Before the break, we left you with a dangling question for round three.

[Mindy Thomas]

And that question was, which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, food eaten in submarines has to have special packaging because of.

[Guy Raz]

Deep sea pressure, or is it B, potatoes can grow on Mars?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it C, the food astronauts eat the most of when they're in space is Wonder Bread.

[Guy Raz]

And joining us by phone to reveal the answer. Hello, it's Max from California. Max, what's the wow?

[Caller/Contestant]

Hi, my name is Max, and my wow in the world is that potatoes can grow on Mars.

[Reggie]

Bye.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, Space taters for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Max. Contestants, if you guessed the answer B, that potatoes can grow on Mars, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The soil on Mars isn't great for farming. It's thin, it's salty, and it doesn't have a lot of nutrients that plants need to grow. So if humans were to go to Mars, growing food would be a huge challenge.

[Guy Raz]

But researchers at the International Potato center were able to grow potatoes in a Device that simulates conditions on Mars with the help of fertilizer and nutrient rich water.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and roll around like a loose tater tot.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

We're having a fire drill.

[Reggie]

No.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's time for today's Bonker Ball bonus round. And the question for this round is. What's black and white and red all over? Oh.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, I know this one. It's a newspaper because the paper is white and the ink is black. And once you read it, it's been read.

[Mindy Thomas]

Good guess, Guy Raz. But actually, the answer I was looking for is a panda wearing lipstick.

[Guy Raz]

Well, congratulations to all of our winning wowzers. Mindy, what's today's prize?

[Mindy Thomas]

Today's winning Wowzers will all be receiving their very own invisible orange recreation sphere.

[Reggie]

Oh. What?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know, a round orange thing that you dribble and throw into a hoop.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, a basketball.

[Mindy Thomas]

Swish. Two points for you, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

All right, well, that's about all the time we have for today.

[Mindy Thomas]

But before we go, we have a little scientific challenge for you. We call it a Taste for Adventure.

[Guy Raz]

For this challenge, we want you to try a food that you've never tried before. You can even ask a friend or family member to share their favorite food with you.

[Mindy Thomas]

What flavors can you taste? What kind of texture does this food have? Does it taste like anything else you've ever tried before?

[Guy Raz]

And don't forget to take a photo or a video. Grown Ups. You can upload pictures and videos to [e-mail] share and be sure to come.

[Mindy Thomas]

Back on Monday for a brand new episode of wow in the World and again on Friday for a new episode of 2 what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Reggie]

2 what's 2. What? 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what's 2 what's? And a wild red.

[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].

[Guy Raz]

2 what's in 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.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

Special thanks to Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Rebecca Gabon, Sana Ella Mohammad and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

Thepopups.Com to keep the wows rolling, visit us at tinkercast.com where you can become an official member of the World Organization of wowzers. Find our two what's in a wow? Think And Tinker Playbook and learn about all of our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

[Guy Raz]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @2whats and a wow and our email address is helloinkercast.com finally, if.

[Mindy Thomas]

You'Re a kid 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-WOW wow.

[Guy Raz]

Thanks again for listening and playing along. Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in the World.

[Reggie]

Wow in the World Wow in the.

[Mindy Thomas]

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