Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Making Sound Waves (3/28/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: Episode Summary – "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Making Sound Waves" (March 28, 2025)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Podcast: Wow in the World
Episode Title: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Making Sound Waves

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1. Organizing Sounds by Pitch

[02:06] The episode kicks off with Mindy Thomas tidying up her home. She engages in a playful conversation with her co-host, Guy Raz, about organizing various items.

Mindy Thomas: "I'm organizing my sounds."

Intrigued, Guy Raz inquires further:

Guy Raz: "Your sounds?"

Mindy explains her unique project:

Mindy Thomas: "I noticed I had all kinds of sounds all over my house, so I decided to sort them all by pitch."

She showcases her collection by categorizing different sounds based on their pitch, demonstrating both high-pitched and low-pitched sounds with items like a bell from her roller skates and a foghorn.

Mindy Thomas: "First up, the bell on my roller skates."

Guy Raz: "So, by how high or how low they are?"

Mindy Thomas: "Exactly. That goes in my high-pitched sounds. Okay, now my foghorn. That one goes with the low-pitched sounds for sure."

This segment not only highlights the hosts' creative endeavors but also sets the stage for the episode's focus on sound.

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2. Introducing the Game Show: Two Whats?! And A Wow!

[03:28] Transitioning seamlessly, Mindy and Guy introduce their interactive segment:

Mindy Thomas: "A little, it's two what's and a wow."

Guy Raz: "With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Raz. Two what's two, what's two what's two what's and a wow."

They build excitement for the upcoming scientific challenge centered around sound, engaging their young audience—referred to as "Wowzers."

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3. The Sound Challenge

[04:06] Guy Raz explains the rules of the game:

Guy Raz: "The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's. And the category for today is Sound. Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?"

Mindy Thomas: "Wowzers, we are going to present you with three scientific statements about sound. But 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."

They present the challenge:

Guy Raz: "Which of the following statements about sound is the true scientific wow?
A. The first sound ever recorded was the song 'Mary Had a Little Lamb.'
B. Sound travels faster through solids than it does through air.
C. Only very high-pitched sounds can be heard in outer space."

Mindy prompts the audience to think carefully:

Mindy Thomas: "When you think you have the answer, say it in a high-pitched voice."

After a brief pause, they reveal the correct answer with the help of their contestant, Piper from Ohio.

Piper: "My wow in the world is that noise travels faster through solids than it does through air."

Guy Raz: "That is correct. Contestants. If you guessed the answer B, that sound travels faster through solids than through air. You found the wow. Congratulations, Wowzers!"

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4. Deep Dive into the Correct Answer

[06:47] Mindy elaborates on why statement B is the correct wow:

Mindy Thomas: "Sound travels faster through solids and liquids than it does through most gases. And it can travel especially fast through steel, about 17 times faster than through air."

She further explains the misconceptions behind the other options:

• Statement A: While people once believed the first recorded sound was "Mary Had a Little Lamb" from 1877, scientists discovered an earlier recording in 1860 of "A la Claire de la Louise."

• Statement C: Contrary to the claim, sound cannot be heard in outer space because it requires particles to travel through, and space has too few particles for sound to propagate.

Mindy Thomas: "And if you chose C, for the most part, you actually can't hear any sounds in space."

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5. Rewarding the Winner

[07:43] To celebrate Piper's correct answer, the hosts present a special prize:

Guy Raz: "All of our winning contestants today will be taking home their very own invisible megaphone."

Mindy Thomas: "That's right, Guy Raz. The invisible megaphone with three amazing invisible settings: Loud, louder, and loud."

A humorous exchange follows as they showcase the playful nature of the prize.

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6. Interactive Science Challenge: Operation See What You Hear

[08:14] Mindy and Guy wrap up the episode with a hands-on activity for their young listeners:

Mindy Thomas: "Sounds are vibrations, and strong vibrations can make things move."

They introduce "Operation See What You Hear," encouraging kids to explore the concept of sound waves through a simple experiment:

• Materials Needed: Plastic wrap, mixing bowl, grains of rice, speaker.
• Steps: Stretch plastic wrap tightly over the bowl, place grains of rice on top, position a speaker next to the bowl, and play a favorite song. Observe how the rice moves with the sound vibrations.

Guy Raz: "Try turning the volume up or down and observe what makes the rice move more and why."

Participants are invited to document their experiments with photos or videos and share them via email:

Mindy Thomas: "Grown-ups can upload pictures and videos to us at [e-mail]."

This segment fosters interactive learning, allowing children to visualize and understand the principles of sound waves.

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7. Closing Remarks

While staying within educational content, Mindy and Guy provide information on how listeners can further engage with the podcast:

• Accessing Episodes: Available early and ad-free through Wondery+, Wondery Kids on Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music for Prime members.
• Participation: Encouragement to share personal "wows" and participate in future episodes by contacting the team.

Guy Raz: "Thanks again for listening and playing along. Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in the World."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mindy Thomas [02:33]: "Your sounds?"
• Mindy Thomas [04:20]: "Only one of those statements will be a true wow."
• Piper [06:15]: "Sound travels faster through solids than it does through air."
• Mindy Thomas [06:47]: "Sound travels faster through solids and liquids than it does through most gases."
• Mindy Thomas [08:14]: "Sounds are vibrations, and strong vibrations can make things move."

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Conclusion

This episode of "Wow in the World" effectively combines fun, interactive elements with educational content about sound. Through organizing sounds by pitch, engaging in a scientific game show, and encouraging hands-on experiments, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz create a dynamic learning environment that captivates both kids and their grown-ups. The inclusion of notable quotes and clear explanations ensures that listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of sound waves and their properties, all while maintaining an entertaining and engaging format.

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, I've got a question for you. Are you ready to make It Wow? Okay, here's the deal. My buddy Carlie Q and I are hitting the road to make it wow with you in the DC area. That's right, we'll be making it wow in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, March 29th. Make it wow is a live Bonkerballs competition game show where real little kids are the star of the show. Two teams of Wowzers will turn their wildest and weirdest ideas into jaw dropping inventions live on stage. Tickets are on sale now. Grown ups visit Tinkercast.com events to get your ticket today. That's Tinkercast.com events. We can't wait to make it wow with you this spring. But until then, let's get on with the show.

[Great Wolf Lodge]

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[Mindy Thomas]

This goes over here, and that one goes over there. There we go.

[Guy Raz]

Hey, mind, what are you up to?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, hey, Guy Raz. Just doing a little organizing. Wanna help?

[Guy Raz]

Uh, yes. You know, not to brag, but I have received 23 organizer of the year awards. All of which are perfectly organized in my living room.

[Mindy Thomas]

I knew you were the guy raz for the job.

[Guy Raz]

So what should we go through first? Your clothes? Your books?

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, nope and noper. I'm organizing my sounds.

[Guy Raz]

Your sounds?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep. I noticed I had all kinds of sounds all over my house so I dec to sort them all by pitch.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, so by how high or how low they are?

[Mindy Thomas]

Exact oritos. First up, the bell on my roller skates.

[Guy Raz]

Your roller skates have a bell?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh yeah. Otherwise I have to yell, everybody watch out.

[Guy Raz]

I don't know how to skate.

[Mindy Thomas]

Go on, give it a ding. Oh yeah, that goes in my high pitched sounds. Okay, now my foghorn. That one goes with the low pitched sounds for sure.

[Guy Raz]

Where should I put this slide whistle?

[Mindy Thomas]

Uh, good question. You know what, let's decide that later because right now we have a game show to do.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, good point.

[Mindy Thomas]

Plug in the microphones, turn up the.

[Guy Raz]

Speakers and get ready to break the sound barrier. In 3, 2, 1.

[Great Wolf Lodge]

And now for everyone's second favorite game.

[Mindy Thomas]

Show after laughing so hard you pee.

[Guy Raz]

A little, it's two what's and a Whoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Rats. Two what's two, what's two what's two what? Two what's two what's two what's and a wow. Welcome back Wowzers. It's time for another ear splitting round of two what's and a wow. Two what's and a wow.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it. Wowzers. We are going to present you with three scientific statements about sound. But 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]

Okay, let's get started. Which of the following statements about sound is the true scientific wow? Is it A. The first sound ever recorded was the song Mary had a little lamb.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B? Sound travels faster through solids than it does through air.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Only very high pitched sounds can be heard in outer space.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the answer.

[Guy Raz]

Say it in a high pitched voice. We're gonna take a quick break to give you a chance to think and when we come back we'll find out if your wow is the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

2 what's in a wow? We'll be right back.

[Guy Raz]

Grown ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

This message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show. Okay, Wowzers, time is up. It's time to reveal the winning wow.

[Guy Raz]

But before we do, let's do a quick review.

[Mindy Thomas]

We gave you three scientific statements about sound and challenged you to guess which one was the one. True wow.

[Guy Raz]

Was it A? The first sound ever recorded was the song Mary had a Little Lamb.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or was it B? Sound travels from faster through solids than it does through air.

[Guy Raz]

Or was it C? Only very high pitched sounds can be heard in outer space.

[Mindy Thomas]

And joining us by phone is Hadley and Piper from Ohio. Piper, what's the wow? I'm Mindy and Guy Raz. My wow in the world is that noise travels faster through solids than it does through air. Winner, winner, Sound waves for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

That is correct. Contestants. If you guessed the answer B, that sound travels faster through solids than through air. You found the wow. Congratulations. Wowzers.

[Mindy Thomas]

Sound travels faster through solids and liquids than it does through most gases. And it can travel especially fast through steel, about 17 times faster than through air.

[Guy Raz]

If you guessed A or C, you weren't too far off. We used to think that the first recorded sound was a recording of Mary had a little lamb from 1877. But in 2008, scientists found a recording from 1860 of a different song called A la Claire de la Louise.

[Mindy Thomas]

And if you chose C, for the most part, you actually can't hear any sounds in space. Sound needs particles to travel through the air. And since particles are few and far between in space, there's no sound for humans to hear. Now, Guy Raz, why don't you tell our winning wowzers what they want?

[Guy Raz]

Mindy all of our winning contestants today will be taking home their very own invisible megaphone.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's right, Guy Raz. The invisible megaphone with three amazing invisible settings. Loud, louder and loud.

[Guy Raz]

Too loud, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Too loud. Sorry.

[Guy Raz]

Well, that's about all the time we have for today. But before we go, we have one last scientific challenge for you.

[Mindy Thomas]

We call it operation see what you hear. Sounds are vibrations, and strong vibrations can make things move.

[Guy Raz]

With a grown up's help, we challenge you to stretch plastic wrap over the top of a mixing bowl. Make sure you get a really tight seal. Place a few grains of rice on.

[Mindy Thomas]

Top of the plastic, then put a speaker next to the bowl. Put on your favorite song and watch the rice boogie.

[Guy Raz]

Try turning the volume up or down and observe what makes the rice move more and why.

[Mindy Thomas]

And don't forget to take a photo or a video of your dancing rice. Grown ups. You can upload pictures and videos to [e-mail] Share that's all the time we.

[Guy Raz]

Have for today, but until next time, keep on growing.

[Mindy Thomas]

To what? To what's 2 what 2 what? 2 what? 2 what? 2What's and a wow 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 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], 2.

[Guy Raz]

What's in a WoW is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

Our writers are Anna Zagorski, Darnell Walker, Ruth Morrison and Heba Gutta.

[Guy Raz]

Sound production and design is by Marianne Lozano with help from our senior Producer Jed Anderson.

[Mindy Thomas]

Special thanks to the rest of our team of tinkerers including Anna Zagorski, Rebecca Caban, Henry Moskal, Jessica Boddy, Jacob Stein and Jason Rabinowitz.

[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 what's and the Wows rolling, Visit [e-mail] There you can find our two what's in a while Think and Tinker Playbook, Interactive Kahoot Games and info on becoming a member of the World Organization of wowzers Grown Ups.

[Guy Raz]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @2whats and a wow and our email address is helloinkercast.com finally, if.

[Mindy Thomas]

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 1-8887-WOW. Wow.

[Guy Raz]

Thanks again for listening and playing along. Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in the World.

[Mindy Thomas]

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