Two Whats?! And A Wow! - My Oh Microbe

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - My Oh Microbe"

Podcast: Wow in the World
Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Episode Theme: Bacteria—fascinating, funny, and sometimes a little gross!

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Overview

This episode of "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" (a segment of the Wow in the World series) is an energetic science game show where Mindy and Guy Raz challenge listeners to distinguish scientific truth (the “wow”) from made-up facts (the “whats”). The focus this week is on bacteria, with a round-by-round question game filled with fun facts, laughter, and listener participation. The episode aims to deliver wow-worthy microbiological knowledge while keeping things silly, high-energy, and interactive for kids and families.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Game Show Format: "Two Whats and a Wow" (01:36)

• Structure: In each of three rounds, Mindy and Guy present three statements about bacteria—only one is the "wow" (true fact), the others are "whats" (invented).
• Participation: If listeners guess incorrectly, they must do silly challenges, keeping the atmosphere playful and engaging.

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Round 1: Which Statement About Bacteria is True? (02:32)

Options:

• A: Viruses and bacteria are the same thing.
• B: Bacteria are excellent tap dancers.
• C: If you put them together, all the bacteria on Earth weigh more than all the people on Earth.

Winning Wow:

• C: All the bacteria on Earth weigh far more than all humans combined.
• Listener Reveal: Isabelle from Oregon shares the winning wow:

  "Bacteria weighs almost nothing. But together, all the bacteria in the world weighs more than all the people on Earth." — Isabelle (03:32)

• Scientific Explanation:
  • Bacteria are tiny and lightweight—only seen with microscopes—but there are so many, together they sum to about 70 gigatons, compared to the combined human weight of about 0.06 gigaton!

  “That’s about 1,166 times lighter than all that bacteria.” — Guy Raz (04:14)

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Round 2: Unusual Places Bacteria Live (04:43)

Options:

• A: A beard has more bacteria than a dog’s fur.
• B: All bacteria can make you sick.
• C: Rhizobium bacteria are only found in chocolate chip cookies.

Winning Wow:

• A: A man’s beard has more bacteria in it than a dog's fur.
• Listener Reveal: Rosie from California confirms:

  "A man's beard has more bacteria in it than a dog's fur." — Rosie (05:37)

• Scientific Explanation:
  • The human body is covered in helpful microbes called the microbiome; most are harmless or beneficial.
  • A 2019 study found that beards contain significantly more bacteria than dog fur.

  “Your body bacteria are called your microbiome... some are even helpful.” — Mindy Thomas (05:58)

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Round 3: Stinky Facts About Bacteria (06:44)

Options:

• A: There are no bacteria in Antarctica.
• B: The bacteria in your armpits is what makes them stinky.
• C: Bacteria in a duck’s body are called “quackeria.”

Winning Wow:

• B: It’s bacteria in your armpits—not sweat itself—that causes body odor.
• Listener Reveal: Morgan from Idaho shares the wow:

  "Armpit sweat is not actually stinky. It is the bacteria that is mixed with it." — Morgan (07:41)

• Scientific Explanation:
  • Bacteria (especially Staphylococcus hominis) eat chemicals in your sweat, turning them into smelly compounds (thioalcohols).

  “Another reason to not skip bath time, am I right?” — Mindy Thomas (08:29)

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Bonkerballs Bonus Round: Dino Dinner! (11:42)

• Contextual Tie-In: Trivia referencing a previous episode about dinosaurs.

• Question: What was found inside a fossilized Gorgosaurus?

  • A: Painted toenails
  • B: A dinosaur dinner preserved in its belly (correct)
  • C: Pajamas

• Winning Wow:

  “75 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period, a young Gorgosaurus died and was recently found with an almost perfectly preserved meal in its belly.” — Guy Raz (12:31)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bacteria’s Mass:

  "Winner, winner. Gigatons of germs for dinner." — Mindy Thomas (03:44)

• On Beards and Bacteria:

  "Winner, winner, beard germs for dinner." — Mindy Thomas (05:44)

• On Body Odor:

  "Winner, winner, stinky bits for dinner." — Mindy Thomas (07:49)

• On Science and Fun:

  "The scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats." — Guy Raz (01:41)

• On Microbial Reproduction:

  "Splitting yourself in half. Are you lonely? Do you wish there were more of you? Binary fission, AKA reproduction by splitting, is all the rage." — Mindy Thomas (08:54)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------| | 01:12 | Game Show Intro: "Two Whats and a Wow" | | 02:32 | Round 1: Bacteria's total mass question | | 03:32 | Winner revealed: Bacteria weigh more | | 04:43 | Round 2: Beards vs. Dog Fur | | 05:37 | Winner revealed: Beards have more bacteria | | 06:44 | Round 3: Armpit odor—bacteria’s role | | 07:41 | Winner revealed: Bacteria cause odor | | 11:42 | Bonkerballs Bonus Round: Dino Dinner | | 12:31 | Bonus wow revealed: Gorgosaurus’s meal |

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Overall Tone and Listener Takeaway

With a playful and irreverent tone, Mindy and Guy Raz make learning about bacteria hilarious, surprising, and hands-on (sometimes grossly so). The show cleverly turns microbiology into an experience kids will want to share, combining child participation, silly sound effects, creative challenges, and real science.

Closing Message:
For teachers and parents, follow-up resources and activities are available at Tinkercast.com, and listener contributions are encouraged, making "Wow in the World" an ongoing, interactive science adventure.

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End of summary.

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. Hey, does this milk smell weird to you? Here, smell it.

[C]

It's two what's and the Wild. With your hosts, Mindy and Guy R. Two what's two what's and a wow?

[A]

Hello and welcome to two what's and a wow.

[C]

Two what's in a wow.

[D]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's and the category or theme for today is Bacteria. 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 scientific statements about bacteria.

[C]

But.

[A]

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?

[D]

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

[A]

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

[D]

Okay, everyone ready to start the game?

[C]

Great.

[A]

Then let's do it.

[D]

Okay, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, viruses and bacteria are the same thing?

[A]

Or is it B, bacteria are excellent tap dancers?

[D]

Or is it C? If you put them together, all the bacteria on Earth weigh more than all the people on earth.

[A]

When you think you know the answer, say it in burps. Hey, Reg, cue the thinking music.

[D]

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

[A]

And to do just that. Hi, it's Isabelle from Oregon. Isabelle from Oregon, what's the winning wow?

[E]

My wow is that bacteria weighs almost nothing. But together, all the bacteria in the world weighs more than all the people on Earth.

[C]

Winner, winner.

[A]

Gigatons of germs for dinner.

[D]

Thank you, Isabel. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C that all the bacteria on Earth weigh more than all the people on Earth, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

Bacteria are some of the smallest organisms or living things on Earth. In fact, they're so small they can usually only be seen through a magnifying tool like a microscope. And they're so light that we humans can't even feel them.

[D]

There are so many bacteria on Earth that if you put them together, they would have a mass of about 70 gallons gigatons. In comparison, all the humans on Earth would be about 0.06 gigatons, about 1,166 times lighter than all that bacteria.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and shrink yourself down to a microscopic size.

[D]

Okay, time for round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, a beard has more bacteria than a dog's fur, or is.

[A]

It B, all bacteria can make you.

[D]

Sick, or is it C, Rhizobium bacteria are only found in chocolate chip cookies.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell I got it, I got.

[C]

It, I got it.

[A]

Hey, Reggie, can we get some thinking music, please?

[D]

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

[E]

My wow in the world is that a man's beard has more bacteria in it than a dog's fur.

[A]

Winner, winner, beard germs for dinner.

[D]

That's right, Rosie. Wowzers. If you guessed A that a beard has more bacteria than a dog's fur, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

There are tons of bacteria living inside and on your body. And that's really not a bad thing. You see, your body bacteria are called your microbiome. A ton of the bacteria in your microbiome are harmless and, and some are even helpful.

[D]

And a study in 2019 compared bacteria samples from human beards and dog's fur. And what they found is that the bearded humans had significantly more bacteria than the dogs.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and say bacteria cafeteria in Siberia five times fast. Bacteria cafeteria in Siberia. Bacteria cafeteria in Siberia.

[D]

We gotta keep this moving. Okay, time for round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, there are no bacteria.

[A]

In Antarctica, or is It B, the bacteria in your armpits is what makes them stinky.

[D]

Or is it C. Bacteria in a duck's body are called quackeria.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell, hey, those are microbes, not your crobes. Thinking music, please.

[D]

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

[E]

My wow in the world is that armpit sweat is not actually stinky. It is the bacteria that is mixed with it.

[A]

Winner, winner, stinky bits for dinner.

[D]

That's right, Morgan. Wowzers. If you guessed B that the bacteria in your armpits is what makes them stinky, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

Your armpits are are a dream home for bacteria. They're warm and moist, and there are chemicals in your sweat that bacteria just love to eat.

[D]

One bacteria in particular called Staphylococcus hominis. This bacteria feeds on chemicals in your sweat and turns them into compounds called Theo alcohols. And that's what smells so, well, smelly.

[A]

Another reason to not skip back to am I right? Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and crawl up your own armpit. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by splitting yourself in half. Are you lonely? Do you wish there were more of you? Binary fission, AKA reproduction by splitting is all the rage. Simply split yourself down the middle.

[D]

And.

[A]

Now there's two of me and now there's four of me and now there's eight of me.

[D]

I think the audience gets the point, Mindy. I mean, Mindys, why don't we take a quick break and hear some other important Messages for Grown Ups.

[C]

2 once in a while?

[A]

We'll be right back. Grown Ups, this message is for you.

[C]

Whoa.

[B]

You're listening to Bongo in the big two in the morning on kwow. Hey, Bongo, guess what time it is. Looks to be about 7:40am now it's time for Big Teeth's big favorite.

[C]

Big favorite? Oh, yeah.

[B]

The part of the show when you big toot, hit us with your favorite new song. What you got for us today? All right, today's big favorite is a song from a new artist called wow in the world. Well, what's the song? It's called the scientifically most danceable song in the whole wide world.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

That's a big title. Yeah. Let me spin you up a clip.

[C]

A White World, the scientifically most danceable danceable song. Whoa.

[B]

That was totally Rockin'. Where can we listen to the rest of the song? Anywhere you get your tunes, Bongo. They're out on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you like to spin your tracks. Well, thanks for tuning in to big two's big favorite here on Bongo in the Big two in the morning on kwow. Bye bye now.

[A]

Later.

[C]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[D]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[C]

Two what's and a wow.

[A]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats.

[D]

What was that?

[A]

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

[D]

Our train is leaving the station.

[A]

Oh, it's time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round. If you listen to the wow in the world episode titled Dino Dinner, you'll know the answer to this one. And the Bonker Balls bonus question is.

[D]

In our wow in the World episode, a fossilized Gorgosaurus was discovered with what?

[A]

Was it A, painted toenails?

[D]

Or was it B, a dinosaur dinner preserved in its belly?

[A]

Or was it C, pajamas?

[D]

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

[A]

Reggie, tell us what's the winning wow?

[D]

If you guess the answer B. Congratulations. You are correct.

[A]

75 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period, a young Gorgosaurus died and was recently found with an almost perfectly preserved meal in its belly. No word on whether that meal had expired or not.

[D]

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

[A]

Oh, Guy Raz, today's winning Wowzers will all be receiving their very own wow water balloon.

[D]

Hang on.

[C]

What?

[A]

Reggie, cue the prize cannon. Wait, Mindy.

[C]

No. Fire away. Woo.

[A]

Water balloons for everyone. Oops, looks like one broke. Oh, that one broke too.

[C]

Oh. Oh.

[A]

You gotta catch em people or they break.

[C]

Catch the water balloons. No.

[D]

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.

[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 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 Dennis and again on.

[D]

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

[A]

Until then, keep on Wow.

[D]

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.

[D]

Sound production and design is by Marian Lozano with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thole.

[A]

Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Froehlich, Craig 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.

[D]

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 to keep the wow rolling.

[A]

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.

[D]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is hello in Tinkercast.

[A]

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. Wow.

[D]

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

[C]

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

[A]

In the World was made by Tinkercast.

[C]

And sent to you by Wondery.