Wow in the World — “Two Whats?! And A Wow! - No Bones About It” (October 3, 2025)

Episode Overview

Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz bring listeners a lively, dinosaur-packed episode of their classic game show, “Two Whats?! And A Wow!” This time, the prehistoric fun is dialed up as they challenge kids and families to identify the one true scientific WOW among statements about ancient animals—complete with quirky banter, a guest dinosaur (Steve the T. Rex), and imaginative learning prompts. Not only do listeners get to test their knowledge, but they’re also inspired to imagine themselves as paleontologists and leave a future “fossil record” of their own.

Key Discussion Points

Setting the Scene: Closet Excavation and Dino Introductions

• [03:25-04:42]
  Mindy gears up with a flashlight and shovel (for “closet digging”) as Guy Raz is bemused, expecting an actual archaeological adventure.
  • Mindy: “I can’t seem to find my Gasesaurus anywhere.”
  • Steve the T. Rex offers comic relief, worried about digging, only for them to find “Gassy” the dinosaur in Mindy’s closet.

The Game Show Begins: “Two Whats?! And A Wow!”

• [04:51-06:00]
  The game is introduced—listeners are presented with three statements about prehistoric animals, but only one is scientifically accurate. Mindy explains the rules with her signature enthusiasm.
  • “We are going to present you with three scientific statements about prehistoric animals. BUT only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up whats.” — Mindy Thomas [05:43]

The Prehistoric Statements Challenge

• [06:00-06:40]
  The contestants must figure out which of these is the “wow”:
  1. Woolly mammoths danced like birds to attract their mates.
  2. Before humans existed, turtles were larger than cars.
  3. Siberian unicorns produced 400 pounds of poop per day.

Answer Reveal and Scientific Explanation

• [07:04-08:43]
  Caller Izzy from Seattle gives the correct answer: Before humans existed, turtles were larger than cars!
  • Izzy: “My wow in the world is that before humans existed, turtles were bigger than cars.” [07:44]
  • Mindy shares the science:
    • “Fossil scientists known as paleontologists found remains of a turtle that lived 5 to 10 million years ago and measured in at 9 and a half feet long, the size of a mid sized car.” — Mindy Thomas [08:16]
  • The other “what” facts get a fun twist:
    • Dinosaurs (not mammoths) sometimes danced like birds for mating.
    • It was actually mammoths (not Siberian unicorns) who produced 400 pounds of poop per day—“That’s like a whole piano’s worth of poop!” — Mindy Thomas [08:43]

Playful Prizes & Imagined Prehistoric Fun

• [09:02-09:18]
  Winners are rewarded with “an invisible prehistoric time machine”.
  • “Perfect for those who want to play with kangaroos before they learn how to hop or run with whales when they were land creatures.” — Mindy Thomas [09:12]

Science Activity for Listeners: Operation Rock Talk

• [09:25-10:08]
  The hosts encourage kids to create their own “fossil record”:
  • “On those rocks, draw or paint what you want the scientists of the future to know about your life today. Love skateboarding, playing with your pet raccoon? Corn? Draw it all on the rocks!” — Mindy Thomas [09:47]

Engagement and Community

• Listeners are invited to share their creations at tinkercast.com/share and participate in the wider Wowzer community.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:50]
  Steve the T. Rex (worried): “Phew.”
• [05:43]
  Mindy Thomas explains the game:
  “Only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up whats.”
• [08:43]
  Mindy Thomas on prehistoric poop:
  “That’s like a whole piano’s worth of poop!”
• [09:02]
  Guy Raz, on their prize:
  “An invisible prehistoric time machine.”
• [09:47]
  Mindy Thomas, encouraging creativity:
  “Draw or paint what you want the scientists of the future to know about your life today.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:25] — Closet “dino dig” and banter with Steve the T. Rex
• [04:51] — Game show introduction: “Two Whats?! And A Wow!”
• [06:00] — The three prehistoric animal statements
• [07:44] — Izzy reveals the correct “wow” (car-sized turtles)
• [08:16] — Paleontological explanation about giant turtles
• [09:02] — Prize announcement: “invisible prehistoric time machine”
• [09:25] — Listener activity: “Operation Rock Talk”

Tone and Style

The episode is upbeat, silly, and brimming with energy. Mindy and Guy rely on playful jokes, friendly jabs, and interactive calls to action to keep kids and families engaged. Steve the T. Rex’s humorous cameo adds extra fun to the learning.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a prime example of Wow in the World’s unique blend of fun and science. Mindy, Guy, and friends use creativity, jokes, and vivid examples to spark curiosity, letting listeners learn about prehistoric animals (like giant turtles and dancing dinosaurs) in a hands-on, memorable way. Their “Operation Rock Talk” invites kids to connect with science by making their own “fossil” artwork, encouraging imaginative play and scientific thinking—all in under fifteen minutes. Whether you’re a fossil fanatic or just in for a laugh, this episode inspires everyone to say: “Wow!”