Two Whats?! And A Wow! – Just Kitten Around

Summary

Wow in the World: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – Just Kitten Around
Release Date: July 24, 2026
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" is all about cats—one of the most popular (and adorable!) subjects around. Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz dive into feline science with their classic game show format, challenging listeners across three rounds to spot the true “wow” among a trio of cat-themed statements. Along the way, they dish up quirky facts, engaging physical challenges, and invite young guests to announce the correct answers. With plenty of laughs, audience participation, and memorable moments, this family-friendly science show is sure to leave everyone saying "Wow!" about the world of cats.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Game Show Format

• The episode follows “Two Whats?! And A Wow!” format: In each of three rounds, Mindy and Guy Raz present three scientific statements about cats. Only one is true (“the wow”); the others are made up (“whats”).
• Listeners are encouraged to shout out their answers and perform silly challenges if they guess incorrectly.

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Round 1: Feline Facts—Predators & Peculiarities

Statements:

• A) Meerkats eat scorpions
• B) Leopards can’t change their spots, but tigers can change their stripes
• C) Cats always sleep with one eye open

Correct Answer:

• A. Meerkats eat scorpions (04:25)
  • Guest Sam from Connecticut announces the “wow.”
  • Mindy Thomas (04:29): "Winner, winner, scorpions stingers for dinner!"
  • Guy Raz (04:42): Explains meerkats—actually a type of mongoose—hunt and eat scorpions, digging for them in sand or dirt, and avoiding the poisonous stinger by biting off the tail.

Fun Facts:

• Mindy Thomas (05:06): "They immediately bite off the tail of the scorpion because that's where the poison is."
• Guy Raz (05:14): "Then they make sure to brush off the outside of the scorpion with some sand or dirt."

Physical Challenge for Incorrect Guess:

• Sing “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” by The Scorpions or pretend to have a stinging tail and zap a friend (05:19-05:35).

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Round 2: Historical Cat-stume Drama

Statements:

• A) Hairless cats can't wear clothes
• B) In ancient Egypt, cats wore jewelry
• C) An Italian company makes tiny saddles for cats so that mice can ride them

Correct Answer:

• B. In ancient Egypt, cats wore jewelry (06:37)
  • Guest Sawyer from Colorado provides this answer.
  • Guy Raz (06:58): "If you guessed B…congratulations, you found the winning wow."
  • Mindy Thomas (07:07): Walks listeners through how cats were status symbols, beloved for keeping pests away. "The Egyptians loved cats so much… many of them were given jewels and fancy clothes, and some were even mummified and buried with their humans." (07:18)
  • Cats were revered and given special treatment, including jewelry and afterlife considerations!

Physical Challenge for Incorrect Guess:

• Stop, drop, and cough like hacking up a hairball (07:33).

Memorable PSA Moment:

• Sandbox Preservation Society Announcement (07:42): Humorous caution for cats: “If it is outside, and if it is on the playground, it is not a litter box. This is a sandbox.”

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Round 3: Hidden Feline Features

Statements:

• A) A cat’s ears can rotate 360 degrees
• B) Cats have whiskers on their front legs
• C) Persian rugs are made entirely from Persian cat hair

Correct Answer:

• B. Cats have whiskers on their front legs (12:22)
  • Natalie from Virginia announces the wow.
  • Mindy Thomas (12:26): "Winner, winner, extra cat hairs for dinner!"
  • Guy Raz (12:30): "These whiskers are called carpal whiskers, and cats have them on their front paws."
  • Additional Insight (12:51): Carpal whiskers help cats sense the ground, changes in air pressure, and temperature—keeping them safe and out of danger.

Physical Challenge for Incorrect Guess:

• “Stop, drop, and give a big shout out to my friends, the sleigh cat!” (13:07)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Guy Raz (02:13): "The scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats. And the category or theme for today is…"
• Reggie Dennis (02:24): "Cats!"
• Mindy Thomas (06:54): "Winner, winner, cat bling for dinner."
• Guy Raz (12:30): "If you guessed B that cats have whiskers on their front legs, congratulations, you found the winning wow."
• Sandbox PSA (07:42): "Please note that our children don't play in your litter box, so we would appreciate if you did not do your business in their sandbox."
• Cat Toy Prize Hijinks (13:42): Mindy chases a cat toy prize, with Guy and Reggie joining in the fun.

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Interactive & Educational Elements

• Listeners participate at home, meowing, purring, or shouting answers and doing silly challenges.
• Kids (Sam, Sawyer, Natalie) join as special callers to announce the “wow.”
• Each round is crafted to entertain and educate about genuine animal science, especially the extraordinary features and history of cats.

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Episode Flow & Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------| | 01:38-02:13 | Show begins; Category for the day: Cats | | 03:26-05:19 | Round 1: Meerkats, tigers, and sleeping cats | | 05:50-07:33 | Round 2: Ancient Egypt cat bling | | 07:42-08:24 | Sandbox Preservation Society PSA | | 11:14-13:07 | Round 3: Cat ears, carpal whiskers, and Persian rugs | | 13:18-13:58 | Prize time—cat toy hijinks | | 14:05-15:45 | Bonus: Join the World Organization of Wowzers/Club info |

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Tone & Style

• Fun, playful, and interactive—encouraging laughter while learning
• Scientific accuracy wrapped in humor and catchy phrases
• Light-hearted banter and plenty of cat-puns throughout

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Summary for New Listeners

This “Just Kitten Around” edition of Two Whats?! And A Wow! is a purr-fect gateway to fun and educational science. With rapid-fire rounds and infectious enthusiasm, Mindy and Guy Raz make learning about cats’ unique abilities, their odd habits, and their special place in history both memorable and giggle-inducing. Young callers join the show, silly challenges keep the energy high, and by the end, the whole family will have at least three new “wows” to share about their favorite furballs.

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, do you want to help us spread the word about WOW in the world?

[Audience/Listener]

Yay.

[Mindy Thomas]

Then just leave us a review in your podcast player. Your reviews help us to bring our podcast to new ears. That's right. Reg Dennis even reads some of these reviewsies on wewow on the weekend. So who knows, you might just hear your review on the show. And if you're looking for even more ways to support WOW in the world, tell your friends if you know someone who you think would enjoy. If you enjoy this podcast, send them your favorite episode or tell them about something you learned or made you laugh while listening. Thanks for listening and for helping us spread the wow. And now a quick ad break and then back to the show.

[Reg Dennis]

Decaf.

[Ad Narrator]

In Donkey Kong Bonanza, you can smash through almost anything. Giant watermelon, easy. Solid rock. Say less. Explore the underground world by smashing to the planet's core as Donkey Kong and Pauline. Hold up. Are you hearing karts?

[Reg Dennis]

All right.

[Ad Narrator]

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[Reg Dennis]

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[Ad Narrator]

You can power up your play on Nintendo Switch. 2. Additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode, game system and some accessories sold separately. Games rated E to E10PL.

[Guy Raz]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show. After putting frosting on your nose and trying to lick it off, it's two what's and the wow.

[Reg Dennis]

With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Rye. 2x2w. 2w. 2w2 what? 2w.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hello and welcome to 2 what's in

[Guy Raz]

a wow, the scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats. And the category or theme for today is.

[Reg Dennis]

Cats.

[Guy Raz]

Again. Yep, we've covered this topic before, but there are so many amazing feline facts out there, we thought it was worth another trip back to the litter box. No, nevermind. I just mean we wanted to share more cat bats.

[Audience/Listener]

Right?

[Mindy Thomas]

It is a very popular catagori. So, in each of our three rounds today, Guy, Raz, and I will present you with three scientific statements about cats. But. 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.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

All right, everyone ready to get this show going?

[Audience/Listener]

Great.

[Mindy Thomas]

Then let's do it.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it a Meerkats eat scorpions or is it B?

[Mindy Thomas]

Leopards can't change their spots, but tigers can change their stripes.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Cats always sleep with one eye open.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, meow it out loud like a hungry cat at suppertime. Hey, Reg, do that thinking music thing.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. Lets now reveal the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that, it's Sam from Connecticut. Sam, tell us what's the winning wow.

[Contestants (Sam, Sawyer, Natalie)]

Hello, My wow on the rough that meerkats eat scorpions.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, scorpions Stingers for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Sam. Contestants, if you guessed the answer A, that meerkats eat scorpions, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Meerkats are actually a type of mongoose and they hunt and eat scorpions. Sometimes they actually dig for them in the sand or dirt.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Mindy. Even though the stinger on a scorpion's tail is poisonous, the meerkat is quick enough to avoid it. When they catch their prey, the meerkats immediately bite off the tail of the

[Mindy Thomas]

scorpion because that's where the poison is.

[Guy Raz]

And then they make sure to brush off the outside of the scorpion with some sand or dirt.

[Mindy Thomas]

You know, just in case some of the poison dripped in there too.

[Guy Raz]

It's dinner time.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and sing Rock Me Like a hurricane by the 80s rock band called the Scorpions.

[Guy Raz]

Rock me like a hurricane?

[Reg Dennis]

Really?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or you can just pretend like you have a stinging tail and politely zap your friend.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, that's. Hey.

[Mindy Thomas]

Gotcha.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, let's move on to round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, hairless cats, can't we clothes?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, in ancient Egypt, cats wore jewelry?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? There's a company in Italy that makes tiny saddles for cats so that mice can ride them.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hmm, lots to think about here. When you think you have the correct answer, purr as loudly as you can.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone with the answer, it's Sawyer from Colorado.

[Mindy Thomas]

Sawyer, tell us what's the winning wow.

[Contestants (Sam, Sawyer, Natalie)]

Hi, I'm Mindy and Guy Ross. My wow in the world is that back in ancient Egypt, people used to dress cats in jewelry and mummified them because they worshiped them for killing rodents and other pests that would eat their crops.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, cat bling for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Sawyer. Wowzers. If you guessed B that in ancient Egypt cats wear jewelry, congratulations, you found

[Mindy Thomas]

the winning wow in ancient Egypt, cats were sort of U.S. status symbol. Rich people kept them as pets and regular people loved the way they kept the pests away.

[Guy Raz]

The Egyptians loved cats so much that many of them were given jewels and fancy clothes, and some were even mummified and buried with their humans so they could go to the afterlife with them.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's a lot of cat love. Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and cough like you're trying to hack up a hairball. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by a special public service announcement from the Sandbox Preservation Society of America. This is a special notice for any and all cats or feline friends in the listening audience. If it is outside and if it is on the playground, it is not a litter box. This is a sandbox. There is a big difference. Please note that our children don't play in your litter box, so we would appreciate if you did not do your business in their sandbox. Thank you for your time and understanding. Good kitty.

[Guy Raz]

All right, well, thank you to our friends at the Sandbox Preservation Society. Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups

[Audience/Listener]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey Wowzer fams. Mindy, here is your family looking for some new podcasts to check out on your next family road trip? Well, I have got some that I think might just wow your entire family. So let's say you got some animal lovers you've gotta meet. Flip and Mosi. Flip and Mosi are travel vlogging aliens who are distinct discovering Earth and its amazing creatures for the first time. And along the way, they learn what it takes to be an earthling. Or maybe you're someone who loves to solve mysteries with who when? Wow. Mystery Edition you can join Carlie Q on her time traveling adventures and discover the truth behind history's biggest mysteries. Like the Loch Ness Monster, what happened to Amelia Earhart. And if you've got someone who prefers bouncing down the road to a beat. We are turning the tables on your favorite fables with Once Upon a Beat. In this hip hop twist on classic stories, Grammy winner DJ Fuch adds some rhythm and rhyme to tales as old as time. Once Upon A Beat will have your whole family tapping their feet. You can find Flip and Mosey, who win wow. Mystery Edition and Once Upon a Beat. Wherever you find your podcasts, just search them in your favorite podcast app and hit the follow button so you don't miss out. Happy travels. And now a quick ad break, and then we'll get on with the show. Hey, grownups. Mindy here. And it should come as no surprise that I love talking to people. I do it every Friday on two. What's in a People who Wow Edition? And I've got to tell you about something else designed to bring the joy of conversation back to kids. It's called Pinwheel Home, and it's a modern take on the landline phone. The Pinwheel Home is just like the phones you remember, except it connects using your wi fi and plugs into a regular wall outlet. Plus, adults approve all contacts so you don't get strangers or spam calls. And calls to other Pinwheel Homes are free so you can talk to all your friends. Pinwheel Home lets kids safely connect with their friends and family. Plus it builds conversation skills and promotes independence. Visit pinwheel.com wow. To learn more. That's P-I N W H E-E-L.com wow to learn more.

[Audience/Listener]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to 2 what's in a wow?

[Mindy Thomas]

A scientific game show that separates the wows from the what.

[Guy Raz]

And now we're on to our final round of questions. Round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, cat's ears can rotate 360 degrees?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, cats have whiskers on their front legs?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, Persian rugs are made entirely from the hair of the Persian cats.

[Mindy Thomas]

Take a second to think this over, and when you think you have the correct answer, yell, here, kitty, kitty, kitty,

[Reg Dennis]

kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone with the answer is Natalie from Virginia. Natalie, please tell us the winning wow.

[Contestants (Sam, Sawyer, Natalie)]

Did you know that cats have whiskers on the front legs?

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, extra cat hairs for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Natalie. Wowzers. If you guessed B that cats have whiskers on their front legs, congratulations, you found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's true. These whiskers are called carpal whiskers, and cats have them on their front paws. They're usually a little longer and a little thicker than the whiskers on their faces.

[Guy Raz]

Carpal whiskers help cats get a better sense of the ground or surface they're walking around on. They can also detect tiny changes in air pressure and temperature, which is a good way for them to stay out of trouble and away from danger.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer, you must stop, drop, and give a big shout out to my friends, the sleigh cat.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

An angel got its wings.

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, no, but nice holiday movie reference, Guy Raz, that sound means it's time. For today's winning wowzers prize. All of our contestants today will receive their very own personal cat toy. Look how cute it is. Just so.

[Ad Narrator]

Whoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

This is so fun. Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, don't you think we should come back here?

[Mindy Thomas]

I'm gonna get you. Come here.

[Guy Raz]

You know what? I think I got this. Reggie, cue the prize cannon.

[Reg Dennis]

Fire away. No, stop.

[Mindy Thomas]

Stop rolling away from me. Come on, get back here and.

[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 if you're a teacher out there listening, make sure you join tinkerclass. It's our free project based learning program. For more, just visit Tinkercast.com membership that's Tinkercast.com membership to bring Tinkerclass into your classroom.

[Guy Raz]

And be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of wow. In the World.

[Mindy Thomas]

And again on Friday for a new episode of 2 what's in a wow? And don't forget, we wow on the weekend with Dennis.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Reg Dennis]

2 what? 2 what? 2 w 2 what? 2 w 2 what'? 2 what? And wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks for playing along with our show. If you're a kid with a big wow. To share, call our wow. Hotline at 1-888-7-WOW. Wow. And you just might be featured on an upcoming episode of two what's in a wow? Once again, that's 1-888-7-WOW. Wow.

[Guy Raz]

And to keep the wow rolling, visit [e-mail] there you can become a member of the World Organization of wowzers to get year round mailings and weekly activities. You can shop our wow. Shop, get tickets for upcoming live events, find our best selling books and learn all about our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld. And our email address is [e-mail] 2

[Guy Raz]

what's in a wow? Is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

These episodes are written by our Tinkercast head writer Kenny Curtis and Anna Zagorski.

[Guy Raz]

Sound production and design is by Marion Lozano and Henry Moskal with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thole and special

[Mindy Thomas]

thanks to our Tinkercast team including Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mak, Erica Medina, Jodi Nussbaum, Ally Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, 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 them at

[Mindy Thomas]

thepopups.com thanks again for listening and for playing along with us. Meet us back here every Friday for more episodes of 2 what's in a wow? And Saturday and Sunday for we wow on the Weekend with Dennis and Mondays for Wow in the World. It's all right here on the wow in the World podcast feed.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Reg Dennis]

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

[Audience/Listener]

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