Podcast Summary

Podcast: Wow in the World
Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Lend a Hand
Original Air Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz

Episode Overview

This episode of “Two Whats?! And A Wow!”—the family-friendly science game show spin-off from Wow in the World—centers on the amazing adaptations of hands, paws, hooves, and claws in the animal kingdom. Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz present a high-energy quiz show where listeners must identify the correct “Wow” (true fact) among two misleading “Whats” (myths). Expect laughs, absurd physical challenges, memorable animal facts, and lively banter throughout!

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to the Game [02:14]

• The hosts introduce the theme: Hands and their equivalents across species.
• Game Structure: Each of the three rounds presents listeners with three statements related to animal hands, paws, or hooves—only one is the “Wow!” and the rest are red herrings.

- Mindy explains the rules:

“Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about hands, paws and hooves. But… only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up.”
(03:03 - Mindy Thomas)

Round 1 – Otter Hand-Holding [03:39 – 05:55]

Which is true?
A) Chimpanzees cannot hold hands
B) Otters sometimes hold hands when they're sleeping
C) Red bellied deuce beetles link antennae instead of holding hands

• Winning Wow: Otters sometimes hold hands when sleeping so they don’t drift apart.
  • Listener Iris from New York verifies the fact:

    “My wow is that Otters hold hands while they're sleeping so they don't get lost.”
    (04:39 - Iris)

• Discussion: Otters form “rafts” and stay connected by physical touch to avoid drifting and protect the group.
  • Mindy notes:

    “You can even see videos on social media of cute sea otters cuddling and holding hands... But it’s not something that they do regularly.”
    (05:03 - Mindy Thomas)

  • Guy adds:

    “Forming rafts help sea otters stay protected from predators, conserve energy and stay warm while they nap.”
    (05:19 - Guy Raz)

If you're wrong:
“Stop, drop and hold hands with your neighbor while taking a short nap.”
(05:49 - Mindy Thomas)

Round 2 – Bats Have Fingers [05:58 – 07:27]

Which is true?
A) Ostriches have finger-like appendages on their webbed feet
B) Raccoons have opposable thumbs
C) Bats have fingers

• Winning Wow: Bats have fingers!
  • Listener Ellie confirms:

    “My wow in the world is that bats have fingers.”
    (06:46 - Ellie)

• Explained:
  • Bats have 5 fingers (and a thumb); their wings are essentially modified hands, giving their order the name chiroptera—"hand wing".
  • Guy notes:

    “Bats are the only mammals that can fly and they're in a category known as chiroptera, which literally means ‘hand wing.’ Bats will sometimes use their wings just like we use our hands, scooping food towards their mouth.”
    (07:11 - Guy Raz)

• If you're wrong:
  “Stop, drop and flap your hands like bat wings.”
  (07:27 - Mindy Thomas)

- Memorable Moment:

Mindy introduces a silly “Finger Coats” ad:

“Finger coats just cover the finger, leaving your palm free to experience the elements. So if you’ve got sweaty palms but chilly fingers, finger coats are perfect for you.”
(07:58 - Mindy Thomas)
(Fun and playful—show’s signature quirky humor.)

Round 3 – Koala Thumbs [08:46 – 10:30]

Which is true?
A) Wombats have six fingers on their paws
B) Kangaroos do not have hands or paws
C) Koalas have two opposable thumbs

• Winning Wow: Koalas have two opposable thumbs!
  • Listener Jack from North Carolina shares:

    “My wow is that koalas have two opposable thumbs.”
    (09:48 - Jack)

• Explained:
  • Koalas have five digits on each paw, two of which function as thumbs, letting them grip branches securely.
  • Mindy emphasizes:

    “Koalas have five digits on each paw, two of which are opposed to the others, just like our thumbs are. This helps them to hold on firmly to branches and to grab food.”
    (10:07 - Mindy Thomas)

  • Guy shares an additional twist:

    “Koalas have fingerprints that look almost exactly like human fingerprints. This is a really unique trait and wasn’t discovered until the mid-1990s.”
    (10:19 - Guy Raz)

• If you're wrong:
  “Stop, drop and eat a eucalyptus leaf. No, not really. Let's leave those for the koalas.”
  (10:30 - Mindy Thomas, reassuring with humor)

Prize & Wrap-Up [10:44 – 11:46]

• Prize:
  • Every winner receives “their very own hand sanitizer!”

    “What better way to celebrate a show all about hands than to make sure that ours are clean and germ free?“
    (10:53 - Mindy Thomas)

  • Delivered in classic game-show-comedy style via “prize cannon."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Winner, winner, finger food for dinner!” (04:46, Mindy Thomas after the otter fact)
• “Winner, winner, ostrich eggs for dinner!” (06:54, Mindy Thomas after the bat fact)
• “Winner, winner, koala tea for dinner!” (09:48, Mindy Thomas after the koala fact)
• [On koala fingerprints] “Koalas have fingerprints that look almost exactly like human fingerprints. This is a really unique trait and wasn’t discovered until the mid-1990s.” (10:19, Guy Raz)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:14] - Game show begins; theme introduction
• [03:39] - Round 1 (Otter hand-holding)
• [05:58] - Round 2 (Bat fingers)
• [08:46] - Final Round (Koala thumbs)
• [10:44] - Winners announced, prize segment

Tone & Style

• Playful, energetic, and filled with sound effects and musical cues.
• Kid-friendly and filled with puns, silly challenges (not meant to be serious), and humor.
• Encourages curiosity about animal biology in an accessible and memorable way.

Conclusion

This science-packed, laughter-filled episode explores the wonders of animal “hands,” paws, and claws, challenging listeners’ assumptions and offering surprising facts. Throughout, Mindy, Guy, and their young callers inspire excitement and curiosity about the natural world—even teaching grown-ups a new thing or two!