Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Hit The Lights

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Wow in the World
Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – Hit The Lights
Date: January 9, 2026
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz

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Episode Overview

This energetic episode of "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" focuses on fascinating facts about light and invites young listeners to play along in the science-based game show. Mindy and Guy put three statements to the test each round—two imaginative “Whats” and one scientific “Wow”—with special kid contestants joining in for the big reveals. Expect jokes, quirky physical challenges, and lots of “wow-worthy” discoveries designed to inspire curiosity and laughter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction – Game Show Rules & Theme

• Category: Light
• Mindy and Guy explain the rules: each round features three statements about light; only one is true—the "Wow."
• Incorrect answers result in silly physical challenges.

Mindy Thomas [01:25]: “The scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats. And the category for today is Light.”

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Round 1 – Flying Squirrels and Fluorescence

Question: Which of these statements is a true scientific wow?

• A. The speed of violet light travels faster than any other color.
• B. Some squirrels glow pink under UV lights.
• C. Dennis has a permanent light bulb floating above his head because he always has good ideas.

Revealed by Maddie from North Carolina:

• Correct Answer: B – Some squirrels glow pink under UV lights.
  • Flying squirrels are among the few mammals that fluoresce, absorbing light in one color and radiating it in another.
• Joke: Mindy teases Guy Raz about eating too many micro carrots and glowing orange (playful, not factual).

Notable Quotes:

Maddie [03:21]: “My wow in the world is that flying squirrels can glow pink under UV light.”
Mindy Thomas [03:46]: “Flying squirrels are one of the only mammals known to fluoresce, which is the ability to absorb light in one color and radiate it in another.”

• Physical challenge for incorrect answers: Pretend to ride a bicycle upside down.

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Round 2 – The Distance of a Light Year

Question: Which of these statements is true?

• A. The distance light travels in a year is 5.88 trillion miles.
• B. You would need the energy of a billion hamsters to light a bulb for 2 hours.
• C. The brightest city in the world is New York City.

Revealed by Ahad:

• Correct Answer: A – The distance light travels in a year (a light-year) is 5.88 trillion miles.
• Scientific context: Light travels almost 6 trillion miles in a year!
• Fun fact: The closest galaxy to the Milky Way is about 25,000 light years away.

Notable Quotes:

Ahad [05:20]: “A light year is 5.88 trillion miles long. Isn’t that bonker balls?” Mindy Thomas [05:48]: “Light travels almost 6 trillion miles in a year.”

• Physical challenge for incorrect answers: Do your best impersonation of a whoopee cushion.

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Round 3 – Sunlight’s Commute to Earth

Question: Which of these sunlight facts is true?

• A. The sunlight you see in your window was actually the sun from eight minutes ago.
• B. Guy Raz’s reading light is so bright it caught his encyclopedia on fire.
• C. Sunlight directly feeds a type of bear called a sun bear.

Revealed by Theo:

• Correct Answer: A – The sunlight you see is from eight minutes ago.
  • Light travels 93 million miles from the Sun to Earth, taking about eight minutes.
• Humorous side: Mindy jokes about the sun being "fashionably late" and stars being "just like us!"

Notable Quotes:

Theo [07:28]: “The sunlight you see at the window was out the sun eight minutes ago.” Mindy Thomas [07:50]: “The light from the sun has to travel about 93 million miles to get to Earth. Talk about a commute, right?” Mindy Thomas [08:09]: “So even the sun is fashionably late.”

• Physical challenge for incorrect answers: Yodel your grownup’s grocery list.

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Bonkerballs Bonus Round – Thresher Shark Fact ([09:33])

• Question: What superpower does the thresher shark’s tail have?
  • C – It can whip its tail over its head to stun schools of fish, making hunting easier.
• Science tie-in: Unique adaptations in the animal kingdom.

Guy Raz [09:59]: “The thresher shark has the unique ability to whip its super flexible tail over its head, stunning entire schools of fish and then gobbling them up in a single gulp.”

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Prize and Celebration ([10:17])

• Prizes: Winners receive "smile polish" (bubblegum-flavored toothpaste, of course!).
• Guy Raz actually enjoys the taste, leading to another playful moment.

Guy Raz [11:00]: “Well actually this tastes pretty good. Is that a hint of bubble gum?” Mindy Thomas [11:05]: “You know it. This flavor is called bubblegum that I found on the street.”

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Game Show Energy: The hosts’ upbeat tone and the silly, family-friendly challenges keep the episode lively throughout.
• Kid Contestants: Maddie, Ahad, and Theo shine as guest “Wowzers,” hosting reveals with confidence and charm.
• “Fashionably late” Sunlight: A fun way to reframe a scientific fact for kids.
• Imaginative “What” Statements: From hamster-powered bulbs to bears eating sunlight, the fakes are as creative as the truths are astonishing.

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Notable Timestamps

• [01:25]: Introduction of game show and rules
• [03:21]: Maddie reveals flying squirrels glow pink under UV light
• [05:20]: Ahad confirms 5.88 trillion miles in a light year
• [07:28]: Theo explains sunlight reaching Earth after 8 minutes
• [09:59]: Thresher shark’s tail superpower explained
• [10:32]: Smile polish prize reveal
• [11:00]: Guy Raz tastes the bubblegum toothpaste

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Episode Takeaways

• Light is fascinating: From animal fluorescence to the staggering distances light travels, the episode illuminates the wonders of the natural and cosmic world.
• Science is fun and accessible: The show’s format helps explain complex ideas in memorable, engaging ways.
• Curiosity is encouraged: With physical challenges, silly jokes, and lots of “wows,” young listeners feel included and excited to keep exploring science.

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For Further Engagement

• More episodes: Listeners are invited to Tinkercast.com for additional resources, activities, and future episodes.
• Teachers: Encouraged to check out Tinkerclass, a platform to jumpstart science curiosity in classrooms.

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“Two Whats?! And A Wow!” reimagines science education for the whole family—making every fact a reason to say, well, Wow!

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy and Guy Raz here. And before we start the show, did you hear that? We are on YouTube.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Mindy. Wowzer fams. You can find full episodes of wow in the world and more of your favorite tinkercast podcasts on our YouTube channel, WowTube.

[Mindy Thomas]

Plus, on WowTube, you can also watch me explode some watermelons and test out Bonkerball's experiments in the laboratory of bad ideas.

[Guy Raz]

Or you can dance along with Dennis for music videos featuring music from wewow on the weekend.

[Mindy Thomas]

So much in store made just for you on WowTube. Visit Tinkercast.com YouTube to watch. Now that's Tinkercast.com YouTube.

[Guy Raz]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show. After leaving the store with everything but the one item you actually need, it's.

[Reg]

Two what's and the wow. With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Ra. 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2? 2 what's 2 what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Reg]

2 what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats. And the category for today is Light. 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 light.

[Reg]

But.

[Announcer]

And this is a big but, only.

[Mindy Thomas]

One of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up what?

[Guy Raz]

In each round, if you guess correctly. Well, congratulations, you win a point.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

All right, everyone, ready to start the game?

[Reg]

Great.

[Guy Raz]

Then let's do it. Here goes. Round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the speed of violet light travels faster than any other color?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, some squirrels glow pink under UV lights?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, Dennis has a permanent light bulb floating above his head because he always has good ideas.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, flap your invisible wings.

[Announcer]

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 Maddie from North Carolina. Maddie, tell us what's the winning wow?

[Contestants (Maddie, Ahad, Theo)]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Ralph. My name is Maddie, and my wow in the world is that flying squirrels can glow pink under UV light.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, Winner. Pink for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Maddie. Contestants, if you guessed the answer B. That some squirrel pink under UV lights. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Flying squirrels are one of the only mammals known to fluoresce, which is the ability to absorb light in one color and radiate it in another.

[Guy Raz]

Fascinating.

[Mindy Thomas]

And that's not all. One of the other mammals happens to be Guy Raz, who once ate too many micro carrots and had an orange glow for about a week. Indeed. Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and pretend like you are riding a bicycle upside down.

[Guy Raz]

All right, time for round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the distance light travels in a year is 5.88 trillion miles.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, you would need the energy of approximately 1 billion hamsters to light A for 2 hours, or.

[Guy Raz]

Is it C, the brightest city in the world is New York City.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, sing your lowest note thinking music, please.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up to reveal the winning answer. It's Ahad.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ahad, tell us what's the winning wow?

[Contestants (Maddie, Ahad, Theo)]

Hi Mindy and Guy Rose. My wow in the world is a light year is 5.88 trillion miles long. Isn't that bonker balls?

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, Winner. Light years for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Ahad. Contestants, if you guessed the answer A, that the distance light travels in a year is 5.88 trillion miles, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep, you heard that number right. Light travels almost 6 trillion miles in a year.

[Guy Raz]

So when scientists say that the closest galaxy to our Milky Way galaxy is about 25,000 light years away, imagine how far that distance is.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's astronomical, literally. Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and do your best impersonation of a whoopee cushion.

[Guy Raz]

And now for the final round, round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the sunlight you see in your window was actually the sun from eight minutes ago, or is it B?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz's reading light is so bright that it once caught his encyclopedia on fire.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, Sunlight isn't just food for plants. Sunlight also helps directly feed a type of bear called a sun bear.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, give yourself a pat on the elbow thinking music please.

[Guy Raz]

Time is up. And now to reveal that winning wow, please welcome by phone Theo from North Carolina.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey Theo, tell us, what's the winning wow?

[Contestants (Maddie, Ahad, Theo)]

I'm Auntie and Guy Raz. Did you know that the sunlight you see at the window was out the sun Eight minutes ago.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner. Winner. Sunlight for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Theo. Contestants, if you guessed the answer A that the sunlight you see in your window was actually the sun from eight minutes ago, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The light from the sun has to travel about 93 million miles to get to Earth. Talk about a commute, right?

[Guy Raz]

And because of this distance, it takes sunlight about eight minutes to get to Earth. Meaning that the sunlight we see on Earth is from the sun about eight minutes ago.

[Mindy Thomas]

So even the sun is fashionably late.

[Reg]

Wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Stars really are just like us. So, Guy Raz, your encyclopedia book did not catch on fire from your reading light?

[Guy Raz]

Well, it didn't catch fire, but it did smolder a bit.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and yodel your grownup's grocery list. And now it's time to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you by Crater Joe's, the moon's first grocery store. From moon cheese to Mars bars, Crater Joe's is your one stop shop for all you'll need in space.

[Guy Raz]

All right, let's take a quick break. And here are some other important messages for grownups.

[Announcer]

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

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Reg]

Two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what. Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing. It's time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round.

[Guy Raz]

And the question for this round is.

[Mindy Thomas]

In our wow in the World episode titled Shark Tail, scientists discovered that the thresher shark's tail has the superpower to what? Is it A tie up in knots?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it B, poke its own eyes out?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it C whip its tail over its head.

[Guy Raz]

And the answer is C. The thresher shark has the unique ability to whip its super flexible tail over its head, stunning entire schools of fish and then gobbling them up in a single gulp.

[Reg]

Wow.

[Guy Raz]

Congratulations to all of our winning wowzers on today's show. Mindy, what's today's prize there, Oz?

[Mindy Thomas]

Today's winning wowzers will all receive their very own smile polish.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy Thomas]

Today, I'm giving everyone in the audience a free sample of my new line of toothpaste. You know, smile polish?

[Guy Raz]

Uh huh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Reg, cue the prize cannon.

[Reg]

Wait.

[Mindy Thomas]

Open wide.

[Reg]

Wowzers.

[Mindy Thomas]

You're. Taste it, Guy Razzle. Squirt it onto your teeth.

[Reg]

I'm just gonna. Huh.

[Guy Raz]

Well actually this tastes pretty good. Is that a hint of bubble gum?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it. This flavor is called bubblegum that I found on the street.

[Guy Raz]

Ah, 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 and.

[Mindy Thomas]

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.

[Reg]

Until then, keep on Wow 2w2w2w2w2 what? 2 Wow.

[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 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 Thol.

[Mindy Thomas]

Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Froehlich, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mac, Erica 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-WOW wow.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Announcer]

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