Two Whats?! And A Wow! - In It to Penguin It

Summary

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

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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.

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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.

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Round 1: Penguin Parenting

The Statements:

1. Penguins have fashion shows to show off their tuxedos.
2. Chinstrap penguins can swim over 50 miles per hour.
3. 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!”

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Round 2: Fairy Penguins and Colorful Feathers

The Statements:

1. The smallest breed of penguin is often called the fairy penguin.
2. Crested penguins are the only penguins with green eyes.
3. 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!”

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Round 3: Penguin Poop Extravaganza

The Statements:

1. Penguins can’t jump.
2. Penguins poop so much that it can be seen from outer space.
3. 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!”

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Bonkerballs Bonus Round: The Spitting Seal

• [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.

• [12:42] Reggie: The correct answer is A, the eagle was after the same fish.

• [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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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]

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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.

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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.”

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For more “Wows,” activities, and surprises, visit Tinkercast.com or tune in Mondays for more episodes.

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 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 WEW on the weekend.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Game Show Announcer]

And now for everyone's second favorite game.

[Guy Raz]

Show after trying to remember that actor's name. You know he was in that thing.

[Game Show Announcer]

It's two what's and the Wild.

With your hosts, Mindy and guy rats. 2 what? 2 wants what? 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's and a whoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Game Show Announcer]

But.

[Mindy Thomas]

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 do a redonkulous physical challenge.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, everyone, ready to start the game?

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. Then let's get to it.

[Guy Raz]

Round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, Penguins have fashion shows to show off their tuxedos?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, chinstrap penguins can swim over 50 miles per hour?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Emperor penguins hold their eggs on their feet for over two months to keep them from freezing.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell, what's cooler than being cool? Ice cold. Hey, Wrench, cue the thinking music, please.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that, it's Max from Washington. Max From Washington. What's the winning wow?

[Contestants (Max, Maggie, Tabir, Mila, Reggie)]

Hi Mindy. Hi Guy, Raz. My name is Max. Once the emperor penguin egg has been laid, it has to sit on the parents feet for more than two months to keep from freezing.

[Game Show Announcer]

Winner, winner.

[Mindy Thomas]

Penguin eggs for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Max. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C that emperor penguins hold their eggs on their feet for over two months to keep them from. Well congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Female emperor penguins lay one single egg at a time which the males keep warm on their feet. The male covers the egg with a thick layer of feathery skin called a brood pouch to keep the egg roasty and toasty. And then it stands in place for about 65 days.

[Guy Raz]

Meanwhile, the female penguin spends basically this entire time in the sea. When it's time for the egg to hatch, she returns with a belly full of fish to bring up or regurgitate for her baby to eat.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and swallow 17 sardines.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the smallest breed of penguin is often called the fairy penguin.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B? Crested penguins are the only penguins with green eyes.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? King penguins and emperor penguins are in a constant power struggle over rule of Penguinopolis.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, carve it into a glacier.

[Producer/Announcer]

Hey Reggie, cue the thinking music.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Maggie from Rhode Island. Maggie, please reveal the winning wow.

[Contestants (Max, Maggie, Tabir, Mila, Reggie)]

Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. The wow in my world is that the smallest breed of penguin is blue and is often called the fairy penguin.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, fairy dust for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Maggie. Wowzers. If you guessed A, that the smallest breed of penguin is often called the fairy penguin, well congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The smallest species of penguin has a few different names. Little penguin, blue penguin and fairy penguin. All of which are great descriptors for these little buddies. Their scientific name is Eudiptula minor, which means good little diver Berry.

[Guy Raz]

Penguins are about 13 to 15 inches tall and many of them have blue feathers on their head, back and flippers. They're native to the coasts of New Zealand and the shade of their blue feathers varies from very blue to almost black depending on where they live.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and dive into the Pacific Ocean.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, penguins can't jump?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, Penguins poop. So much that it can be seen from outer space.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it c? Penguins who aren't able to sing eventually learn to communicate and by tap dancing.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell I'm a penguinner.

Thinking music, please.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Tabir and Mila from Minnesota. Tabir and Mila, what's the winning wow?

[Contestants (Max, Maggie, Tabir, Mila, Reggie)]

I'm Indian Guy Ra Our wow in the world is that penguins poop so much that it can be seen from outer space. Bye bye.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, penguin poop for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Tabir and Mila. Wowzers. If you guessed B that penguins poop so much that it can be slow seen from outer space, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Penguins live in large colonies which have hundreds of thousands of penguins in them. And that many penguins means a lot of penguin poop. In fact, in Antarctica, that poop stands out against the snow and ice so much that scientists can see it in satellite images from space.

[Guy Raz]

Looking at penguin poop from that distance can tell us a lot about where penguin colonies are and how many penguins are in them. They can even tell different colonies apart based on the color of their poop.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and say penguin poo poo five times fast. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by Sliding on youn Belly. Are you tired of waddling around on your short little stumpy legs? Do you have a need for speed? Well, try sliding on your belly. Simply topple over onto your front blubber and enjoy the ride. Slide to school the movies, into the freezing depths of an arctic waters or just slide for fun. Try sliding on your belly. Today only works on ice. Ice sold separately.

[Guy Raz]

All right, thank you. Sliding on your belly. Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups.

[Producer/Announcer]

To once in a while. We'll be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you.

[Sponsor Voice]

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[Mindy Thomas]

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[Sponsor Voice]

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[Producer/Announcer]

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[Sponsor Voice]

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[Game Show Announcer]

Is that a cow?

[Sponsor Voice]

And Seinfeld's Jason Alexander.

[Guy Raz]

You are a genius.

[Sponsor Voice]

Find circle around wherever you get your podcasts.

[Producer/Announcer]

Psst.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, grown ups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz here from wow in the world.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy and I have some brand new wow in the World toys out in the world. Just in time for the holidays.

[Mindy Thomas]

Made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't yet.

[Guy Raz]

From our 100 experiments, that wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit, our wow in the World toys help your Wowzer learn about their world through play.

[Mindy Thomas]

Plus, you can hear exclusive audio content from me and Guy Raz to help your Wowzer discover even more wows.

[Guy Raz]

Grown ups give the gift of wow and wonder this holiday season with our latest wow in the World toys designed with your curious wowzer in mind.

[Mindy Thomas]

You can shop our wow in the world [e-mail] toys that's tinkercast.com toys.

[Producer/Announcer]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Two what's and a wow. The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what?

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz. That sound can mean only one thing.

[Guy Raz]

Success.

[Contestants (Max, Maggie, Tabir, Mila, Reggie)]

Nope.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round. If you listen to our wow in the World episode called the World Series of Spitting, you'll know the answer to this one. And the bonkerball's bonus question is.

Humans aren't the only species that have been known to spit. Several animals, such as snakes, camels, and fish have been known to spit for a whole lot of reasons. Mainly to hunt and to protect themselves from predators.

[Guy Raz]

There was a recent addition to this select group of animals. A gray seal off the coast of England. What reason did this seal have to hock a loogie at an incoming sea eagle? Was it A, it was trying to eat the same fish as the seal?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or was it B, the seal didn't like the way the eagle was looking at it?

[Guy Raz]

Or was it C, it was an accident. The seal later apologized.

[Mindy Thomas]

And with today's winning wow, it's Reggie. Reggie, tell us what's the winning wow?

[Guy Raz]

And there you have it.

[Mindy Thomas]

If you answered A that it was trying to eat the same same fish as the seal, you are correct. Although it's not known for certain, scientists have hypothesized that this activity was the result of both the seal and the eagle hunting in the same area. The seal was simply trying to scare the eagle away from its meal.

[Guy Raz]

Congratulations to all of our winning Wowzers. Mindy, what's today's prize?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz? Today's winning Wowzers will all be receiving their very own life supply of snow. Reggie, cue the prize cannon. Fire away.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Let it snow. Look at that Guy Raz. The audience loves it.

[Guy Raz]

Are they making snowballs?

[Mindy Thomas]

Duck and cover Guy Raz or penguin in cover. Whatever.

[Game Show Announcer]

Come on.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, I think they're out of snowballs.

[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 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.

[Guy Raz]

Dennis and again on Friday for a new episode of 2 what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Game Show Announcer]

2 what's 2 what's 2 what's.

[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]

Two what's and 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, Twee 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 @wowintheworld. And our email address is helloinkercast.

[Mindy Thomas]

Finally, if 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.

[Sponsor Voice]

Wow.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Game Show Announcer]

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

[Producer/Announcer]

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