Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Koala or Nothing

Summary

Wow in the World – Two Whats?! And A Wow! – "Koala or Nothing"

Podcast: Wow in the World
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Air Date: January 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Two Whats?! And A Wow!—a playful science game show for kids and families—dives into the world of koalas! Mindy and Guy Raz guide listeners through quirky, fascinating, and sometimes gross facts about these famous Australian marsupials using a "two whats and a wow" format. Each round presents three statements about koalas, and listeners must identify the one true "wow" fact. The show is full of laughs, fun sound effects, and energetic encouragement to think, question, and say "wow!"

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Key Segments and Insights

How the Game Works (01:43–02:36)

• Each round features three statements about koalas: only one is true (the "wow"), while the other two are made up ("whats").
• If listeners guess correctly, they win a point; if not, they must perform a silly physical challenge.

Round One: Koala Thumbs (02:36–04:32)

• The Statements:
  1. Koalas are the only bears native to Australia.
  2. Koalas drink a cup of eucalyptus tea every morning.
  3. Koalas have two opposable thumbs on each hand.
• Winning Wow: "Koalas have two opposable thumbs on each hand."
• Listener Guest: Jack from North Carolina shares the correct answer.
• Notable Quote:
  • Jack: “My wow is that koalas have two opposable thumbs.” (03:26)
  • Mindy: "Winner, winner. Two thumbs up for dinner." (03:47)
• Fun Science Fact:
  • Human thumbs are opposable, enabling us to grip things.
  • Koalas have not just one, but two opposable thumbs per hand, as well as an opposable digit on their feet, for superior tree-climbing skills (04:14).

Round Two: Koala Babies' Diet (04:40–06:27)

• The Statements:
  1. Most koalas live to be 80 years old.
  2. Baby koalas eat their mom’s poop.
  3. Koalas live in groups called cutie pods.
• Winning Wow: "Baby koalas eat their mom’s poop."
• Listener Guest: Maya from Washington reveals the answer.
• Notable Quote:
  • Maya: “My wow in the world is that baby koalas eat their mom’s poop.” (05:34)
  • Mindy: “Winner, winner, poop for dinner. That’s gross.” (05:49)
• Fun Science Fact:
  • Joeys transition from milk to solid food by eating a special soft kind of feces called “pap,” which is full of the gut bacteria needed to digest eucalyptus leaves (06:15).

Round Three: Koala Joey Size (06:37–08:35)

• The Statements:
  1. Koalas have retractable tails.
  2. Koalas’ favorite cupcake flavor is funfetti.
  3. When baby koalas are born, they're the size of a jelly bean.
• Winning Wow: "When baby koalas are born, they're the size of a jelly bean."
• Listener Guest: Andrew from Texas shares the answer.
• Notable Quote:
  • Andrew: "My wow is that when baby koalas are born they are the size of a jelly bean." (07:33)
  • Mindy: "Winner, winner, jelly beanie babies for dinner." (07:48)
• Fun Science Fact:
  • Newborn koalas (joeys) are only about 2 cm long, blind, furless, and earless, and must crawl to the mother’s pouch to continue developing (07:59).

Educational Bonus Segment: Great Salt Lake (10:17–11:48)

• Bonkerballs Bonus Round Question:
  “What’s the main reason the Great Salt Lake is shrinking?”
  1. Climate change
  2. People using too much water on crops and gardens (CORRECT)
  3. Dennis got really, really thirsty one day
• Answer Explanation:
  Although droughts contribute, the primary cause is unsustainable local water usage (11:21).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Physical Challenges:

  • “If you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and climb a eucalyptus tree.” (04:32)
  • “Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and run the whole length of Australia.” (06:27)
  • “Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and crawl around like a baby koala.” (08:35)

• Humorous Interludes:

  • Mindy (mock advertisement): “Today’s show is brought to you in part by Sleeping All Day. Do you like to sleep? So do koalas. They spend up to 22 hours a day conked out in the trees. And so can you…” (08:35)
  • Prize Moment:
    • Mindy: "Today's winning wowzers will all receive their very own lifetime supply of eggs. Reggie, cue the prize cannon." (11:54)
    • Guy Raz: "Oh, no." (12:05)
    • (Eggs break as they're fired; audience laughter)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:43] Introduction of Koala theme and game rules
• [02:36] Round 1: Koala Thumbs
• [04:40] Round 2: Joeys' Diet
• [06:37] Round 3: Koala Joey Size
• [10:17] Bonkerballs Bonus Round – Great Salt Lake shrinking question
• [11:54] Prize: Lifetime supply of eggs and comic mishap
• [12:31] How to participate, upcoming episodes, and sign-off

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Episode Tone and Style

The hosts maintain a lively, humorous, and sometimes delightfully “bonkerballs” tone throughout the episode, peppering in puns, silly jokes, and playful banter—making science accessible and memorable for kids and adults alike.

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Summary

This “Koala or Nothing” episode packs in surprising koala facts—like their double thumbs, unusual dietary transitions, and tiny jelly bean-sized newborns—while engaging listeners through a fun, interactive game show format. Each true “wow” is explained with kid-friendly science, encouraging curiosity and learning with plenty of giggles along the way. The bonus round shifts gears with an environmental message about water conservation and the Great Salt Lake, modeling critical thinking about the natural world beyond just cute animals.

Final Message:
As always, Mindy and Guy Raz encourage everyone to “keep on wowing” and stay curious about the wild wonders of the world.

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Transcript

[A]

Hey, grownups. Mindy here from wow in the World. And over the years, you've listened to all of the bonkerballs things that we have said and shared. And guess what? Now it's our turn to listen to you. What do you like about Tinker Cast shows? What do you not like? What's your favorite type of pasta? Mine's elbow macaroni. But I also like me macaroni. You're right, Reg. We probably won't ask you about pasta. But the questions we do have will really help us to understand who our Wowzer fams are and how we can keep making the bonker balls content that you love. Grown ups. Visit Tinkercast.com survey to find out more. It won't take much of your time and you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win a prize pack of wow in the world toys and books. That's Tinkercast.com survey. We can't wait to hear from you. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[B]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show. After repeating everything your brother says. Stop doing that. Seriously, stop. It's two what's and a while.

[A]

With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Rile. 2x2 1. 2. 2 what? 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's and a whoa. Hello and welcome back to 2 what's in a wow. 2 what's in a wow.

[B]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's. And the category or theme for today is. Koalas. Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?

[A]

You know it. Wowzers. In each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three. Three scientific statements about koalas. 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 what?

[B]

Now, in each round, if you guess correctly, well, congratulations, you win a point.

[A]

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

[B]

Okay, everyone ready to start the game?

[A]

Great. Then let's get to it.

[B]

Round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A? Koalas are the only bears native to Australia?

[A]

Or is it B? Koalas drink a cup of eucalyptan tea every morning?

[B]

Or is it C? Koalas have two opposable thumbs on each hand.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, say it in koala. Hey, Reg, cue the thinking music.

[B]

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

[A]

And to do just that, it's Jack from North Carolina. Jack from North Carolina. What's the winning wow? Hi, my name is Jack, and my wow is that koalas have two opposable thumbs. Winner, winner. Two thumbs up for dinner.

[B]

Thank you, Jack. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C, that koalas have two opposable thumbs on each hand, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

We humans have opposable thumbs, meaning that our thumbs can move independently of our fingers and are placed roughly opposite of them. They help us to grab and hold things, which makes them pretty handy to have around, pun intended.

[B]

And koalas actually have two opposable thumbs on each hand, which is pretty helpful with climbing the trees they live in. They also have a large opposable digit on their feet, which helps them grasp branches and stay securely in the trees.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and climb a eucalyptus tree.

[B]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A? Most koalas live to be 80 years old.

[A]

Or is it B, baby koalas eat.

[B]

Their mom's poop or is it C? Koalas live in groups called cutie pods.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell koala walla ding dong. Hey, Reggie, cue the think.

[B]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Maya from Washington. Maya, please reveal the winning wow.

[A]

Hi, mumbling guy, Raz. My name is Maya. My wow in the world is that baby koalas eat their mom's poop. Winner, winner, poop for dinner. That's gross.

[B]

That's right, Maya Wowzers. If you guessed B that koalas eat their mom's poop, well, congratulations, you found the winning wow.

[A]

Newborn baby koalas or joeys drink milk from their mother's pouch. But after about six weeks, they start eating something called pap, which is basically a softer, runnier version of their mother's poop.

[B]

Pap is rich in protein and full of the mother's gut bacteria. And scientists think that eating pap helps transition the joey's diet from milk to eucalyptus leaves.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and run the whole length of Australia.

[B]

Okay, time for round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A? Koalas have retractable tails?

[A]

Or is it B? Koala's favorite flavor of cupcake is funfetti?

[B]

Or is it C? When baby koalas are born, they're the size of a jelly bean.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell me Calyptus. No eucalyptus thinking music please.

[B]

Okay, time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Andrew from Texas. Andrew, please reveal the winning wow.

[A]

Hello, my name is Andrew. My wow is that when baby koalas are born they are the size of a jelly bean. Winner, winner, Jelly beanie babies for dinner.

[B]

That's right, Andrew. Wowzers. If you guessed C that when baby koalas are born they're the size of a jelly bean, well, congratulations, you found the winning wow.

[A]

Koalas are marsupials. Like kangaroos, they give birth to underdeveloped joeys which are only about 2cm long. These jelly bean sized newborns are blind with no fur or ears, so they kind of look like jellybeans too.

[B]

And a newborn joey has to make its way across its mother's abdomen all the way to her pouch. Once the joey makes it into the pouch, it spends about seven months continuing to grow until it's ready to come out and join its mom.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and crawl around like a baby koala. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by C. Sleeping all day. Do you like to sleep? So do koalas. They spend up to 22 hours a day conked out in the trees. And so can you simply eat a diet with very little nutrition. Keep your metabolism low and soon you'll have almost no energy at all. Let's hear it from some satisfied customers. You heard it here first, folks. Sleeping all day. It's.

[B]

Mindy.

[A]

Just put on the koala suit. Guy Raz, Just put on the koala suit.

[B]

Okay, why don't we take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups?

[A]

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.

[B]

Welcome back to 2 what's and a wow.

[A]

2 what's and a wow. The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's. What was that? Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing.

[B]

Reggie's throwing a party.

[A]

No. It's time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round. Now, if you listen to our wow in the World episode titled the Great Salt Lake, you'll know the answer to this one.

[B]

And the question for this round is.

[A]

Breaking news. The Great Salt Lake is shrinking. Yep. Now, the Great Salt lake is around 2004, 500 square kilometers large.

[B]

But 40 years ago, in 1985, the lake was almost three times that size. So what's the main reason that the lake is shrinking?

[A]

Is it A, climate change?

[B]

Or is it B, people using too much water on their crops and gardens?

[A]

Or is it C? Dennis got really, really thirsty one day.

[B]

And with the answer to today's Bonkerballs bonus question, it's Reggie.

[A]

Reggie, tell us, what's the winning wow?

[B]

Well, if you answered B, you are correct. Although climate change related droughts have certainly driven some shrinkage of the lake, the main reason that the lake is a third of its original size is because of the unsustainable water usage in the towns and cities that surround it.

[A]

Luckily, city planners and residents have a plan to reverse this shrinking and bring the lake back to the size it used to be all those years ago.

[B]

Well, congratulations to all of our winning wowzers. Mindy, what's today's prize?

[A]

Guy Raz? Today's winning wowzers will all receive their very own lifetime supply of eggs. Eggs. Reggie, cue the prize cannon.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

Fire away. Hooray. Oops. Sorry. That one broke. Sorry, that's that one too. Oh, try to catch them people. You're breaking the eggs.

[B]

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 Wolf organization of wowzers and unlock hundreds of activities.

[A]

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 Weeknd with Dennis, and again on.

[B]

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

[A]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[B]

Two what's and a wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[A]

Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski with collaboration from our head writer, Kenny Curtis.

[B]

Sound production and design is by Marian Lozano with help from Jett Anderson and Tyler Thol.

[A]

Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Froehlich, Kristin Yang, Twee Mak, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Zagorski, and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[B]

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.

[A]

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.

[B]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and twitter@wowintheworld and our email address is hellonkercast.com finally, if you're a kid with.

[A]

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.

[B]

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

[A]

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