Wow in the World: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - In It to Penguin It
Podcast: Wow in the World
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Episode Date: December 5, 2025
Episode Overview
This fun-filled “Two Whats?! And A Wow!” episode centers around penguins, challenging listeners with three rounds of surprising scientific facts in the form of a game show. Mindy and Guy Raz, joined by kid “contestants” from across the country, present two silly (but plausible) penguin “whats” alongside one real wow-worthy discovery per round. The episode is lively, silly, and educational, making penguin facts memorable for kids and families alike.
Key Segments and Insights
Introduction to the Game Show
- [01:35] Mindy Thomas: “Hello and welcome to ‘Two Whats?! And A Wow!’... The scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats.”
- Mindy and Guy explain the format: three rounds per show, each with three statements (two “whats” and one “wow”). Listeners guess which is the true scientific wow.
Round 1: Penguin Parenting
The Statements:
- Penguins have fashion shows to show off their tuxedos.
- Chinstrap penguins can swim over 50 miles per hour.
- Emperor penguins hold their eggs on their feet for over two months to keep them from freezing.
Winning Wow Reveal:
- [03:31] Max from Washington: “Once the emperor penguin egg has been laid, it has to sit on the parent's feet for more than two months to keep from freezing.”
- [04:00] Mindy Thomas: “Female emperor penguins lay one single egg at a time, which the males keep warm on their feet… It stands in place for about 65 days.”
- [04:20] Guy Raz: “The female spends this time in the sea, returning with a belly full of fish for the baby when the egg hatches.”
Memorable Moment:
- Pun-filled host response:
- [03:45] Mindy Thomas: “Winner, winner—penguin eggs for dinner!”
Round 2: Fairy Penguins and Colorful Feathers
The Statements:
- The smallest breed of penguin is often called the fairy penguin.
- Crested penguins are the only penguins with green eyes.
- King and emperor penguins are in a constant power struggle over rule of “Penguinopolis.”
Winning Wow Reveal:
- [05:41] Maggie from Rhode Island: “The smallest breed of penguin is blue and is often called the fairy penguin.”
- [06:06] Mindy Thomas: “The smallest species…has a few different names—little penguin, blue penguin, and fairy penguin. Their scientific name is Eudyptula minor, which means ‘good little diver berry.’”
- [06:24] Guy Raz: “About 13 to 15 inches tall, with blue feathers. Native to coasts of New Zealand.”
Memorable Moment:
- [05:51] Mindy Thomas: “Winner, winner, fairy dust for dinner!”
Round 3: Penguin Poop Extravaganza
The Statements:
- Penguins can’t jump.
- Penguins poop so much that it can be seen from outer space.
- Penguins who aren’t able to sing communicate by tap dancing.
Winning Wow Reveal:
- [07:46] Tabir and Mila from Minnesota: “Penguins poop so much that it can be seen from outer space.”
- [08:11] Mindy Thomas: “Penguins live in large colonies with hundreds of thousands… So much poop, it stands out in Antarctica and scientists can see it in satellite images.”
- [08:30] Guy Raz: “Scientists can even tell different colonies apart based on the color of their poop.”
Memorable Moment:
- [07:59] Mindy Thomas: “Winner, winner, penguin poop for dinner!”
Bonkerballs Bonus Round: The Spitting Seal
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[11:32] Mindy Thomas: Bonus question draws from a prior episode (“World Series of Spitting”). Which animal recently joined the spitting club when a seal spat at an eagle off the coast of England—and why?
- A. The eagle was trying to eat the same fish as the seal.
- B. The seal didn’t like the way the eagle looked at it.
- C. Accident—the seal later apologized.
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[12:42] Reggie: The correct answer is A, the eagle was after the same fish.
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[12:44] Mindy Thomas: “If you answered A… you are correct! Scientists hypothesize the seal was trying to scare the eagle away from its meal.”
Notable Quotes and Fun Banter
- [02:13] Guy Raz: “In each round, if you guess correctly, congratulations—you win a point. If not, you must do a redonkulous physical challenge!”
- [03:47] Guy Raz: “If you guessed answer C… Congratulations! You found the winning wow.”
- [08:11] Mindy Thomas: “So much penguin poop, it can be seen in satellite images from space.”
Fun Challenges for Listeners
- Wrong answers prompt silly “penalties”:
- [04:35] “Stop, drop and swallow 17 sardines.”
- [06:41] “Stop, drop and dive into the Pacific ocean.”
- [08:42] “Stop, drop and say ‘penguin poo poo’ five times fast.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Game Show Start: [01:35]
- Round 1 - Emperor Penguin Eggs: [02:31] – [04:35]
- Round 2 - Fairy Penguin: [04:45] – [06:41]
- Round 3 - Penguin Poop from Space: [06:49] – [08:42]
- Bonkerballs Bonus Round - Spitting Seal: [11:32] – [13:04]
Tone & Style
The episode is brimming with playful banter, kid participation, and puns. Science is communicated with humor and energy, encouraging critical thinking and curiosity. Mindy and Guy are engaging and silly, rooting the experience in “wow” moments and contagious enthusiasm.
Summary Takeaways
- Penguins are full of surprises—from dedicated dads to tiny fairy penguins to colonies detectable from SPACE!
- The game show format keeps learning interactive and memorable.
- Real kids’ voices spotlight the joy of scientific discovery.
Closing Words:
As Mindy says, “Keep on wowing!”
[14:26] Guy Raz: “Until then, keep on wowing.”
For more “Wows,” activities, and surprises, visit Tinkercast.com or tune in Mondays for more episodes.