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