Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Off The Rails

Summary

Podcast Summary: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – Off The Rails

Podcast: Wow in the World
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Air Date: December 26, 2025
Episode Theme: Trains
Format: Science-based game show for kids and families

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Overview

This lively episode of Two Whats?! And A Wow! takes young listeners and their families on a journey “off the rails” with three fun, science-packed rounds—all about trains! Mindy and Guy Raz challenge listeners to spot the true WOW among several outlandish train facts, with lots of jokes, sound effects, and participation from kids who call in with their answers. Each round is filled with surprising knowledge, playful banter, and “ridonkulous” physical challenges for those who guess incorrectly.

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Main Discussion Points & Episode Structure

Opening & Episode Setup

• Mindy welcomes listeners with a celebratory note about the show's 10th season, new episodes, and audience support. (00:00–01:03)
• Guy Raz and Mindy introduce the premise: three rounds, three train “facts,” only one is a WOW; listeners at home try to pick the correct one and face silly physical challenges if they get it wrong. (01:34–02:24)

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Round 1: The World’s Longest Train

Options:
A) More people ride trains than planes, cars, and buses combined each year.
B) Trains transport 8 million gallons of gravy every year.
C) The longest train ever was over four and a half miles long.

• Kids at home are told to yell “All aboard!” when ready. (02:57)
• Caller: Gideon from New Jersey reveals the wow:

  “The longest train is over four and a half miles long.” (03:33)

• Correct Answer: C
• WOW FACT:
  • The longest train ever was an Australian freight train from 2008: 682 cars, 4.57 miles long, nearly 100,000 tons—“almost as heavy as 10 Eiffel Towers.” (04:14)
• Playful Punishment:
  • Incorrect answerers must "stop, drop, and chugga chugga choo choo your way across Australia." (04:27)

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Round 2: Levitating Trains

Options:
A) Most trains around the world use the same tracks.
B) Some trains levitate with magnets.
C) Scientists are building a train to the moon.

• Listeners should yell “Get up on the brain train!” (05:01)
• Caller: Erin from Minnesota reveals the wow:

  “Some trains levitate with magnets.” (05:31)

• Correct Answer: B
• WOW FACT:
  • Maglev (magnetic levitation) trains use magnets to hover above the tracks, allowing speeds up to 375 mph, less friction, quieter operation, and fewer breakdowns. (05:52–06:23)

  “Maglev trains are quieter, they're more energy efficient, and they don't break down as easily as traditional trains.” – Guy Raz (06:09)

• Playful Punishment:
  • “Stop, drop, and levitate off the ground.” (06:23)

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Round 3: Speedy Bullet Trains

Options:
A) The Shinkansen bullet train can go up to 200 miles per hour.
B) The Mandovi Express has almost 350 stops.
C) The Orient Express provides luxury dining, hot towels, and a dramatic mystery with every ride.

• Shout: “I'm a superconductor!” (07:02)
• Caller: Jack from Indiana reveals the wow:

  “The Shinkansen bullet train from Japan can go up to 200 miles per hour.” (07:30)

• Correct Answer: A
• WOW FACT:
  • The famed Japanese bullet train, thanks to its aerodynamic shape, takes passengers from Osaka to Tokyo (250 miles) in just 2.5 hours, versus 6 hours by car. (07:55)
  • Maglev bullet train lines are under construction, with the first expected by 2027. (08:16)
• Playful Punishment:
  • “Stop, drop, and run around at 200 miles per hour.” (08:25)

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Bonkerballs Bonus Round: Studying Mouse Brains

• Recap of a Wow in the World episode about scientists observing mice brains while they practice tasks, to understand human learning.
• Question: Why do scientists study mice brains for human brain research?
  A) Brains are similar
  B) Mice brains are easier to find
  C) Mice can talk
• Reggie reveals:

  “If you chose A, scientists study mice brains because our brains are so similar, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.” (10:38)

• WOW FACT:
  • Mouse brains are structurally and functionally similar to human brains, making them valuable in scientific studies. (10:58)

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Prize & Wrap-Up

• Prize: Winners announced to receive a train whistle. (“Grab a whistle everyone. The train is about to leave the station!” – Mindy, 11:32)
• Shoutouts to educators and promotion of Tinkercast learning platforms. (11:39–12:14)
• Encouragement for kids to share their own big WOWs and information about upcoming episodes and membership options.
• Playful, energetic signoff:

  “Until then, keep on wowing.” – Mindy (12:18)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mindy: “Winner, winner, diesel for dinner!” (03:45)
• Guy Raz: “Maglev trains are quieter, they're more energy efficient, and they don't break down as easily as traditional trains.” (06:09)
• Mindy: “Winner, winner, bullet trains for dinner.” (07:41)
• On the world's heaviest train: “That's almost as heavy as 10 Eiffel Towers.” – Mindy (04:14)
• Physical challenge punishments: Always train-themed, e.g., “Chugga chugga choo choo your way across Australia.” (04:27), “Run around at 200 miles per hour!” (08:25)
• On mouse brains: “Turns out that mice brains and human brains are similar in structure and the way they work, making them useful for scientific research.” – Mindy (10:58)

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Segment Timestamps

• 00:00 — Mindy’s New Year intro & appreciation
• 01:34 — Game introduction
• 02:28 — Round 1 (longest train)
• 03:33 — Caller: Gideon answers Round 1
• 04:37 — Round 2 (levitating trains)
• 05:31 — Caller: Erin answers Round 2
• 06:31 — Round 3 (bullet trains)
• 07:30 — Caller: Jack answers Round 3
• 09:26 — Return from break, prep for bonus round
• 09:48 — Bonkerballs Bonus Round (mice brain question)
• 10:45 — Bonus answer by Reggie
• 11:14 — Prize announcement
• 11:39 — Wrap-up and sign-off

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Tone & Style Snapshot

The episode delivers science with high energy, lots of humor, wordplay, and a focus on audience participation—engaging both kids and adults. The hosts’ enthusiasm, playful sound effects, and silly “punishments” keep the learning light and the pace quick, while still packing in real scientific facts.

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For Listeners Who Missed It

You’ll come away knowing:

• The world’s longest train was over 4.5 miles long in Australia.
• Magnetic levitation makes for super-speedy, quiet, and efficient trains.
• Japan’s bullet trains are marvels of engineering and speed.
• Scientists study mouse brains because of their similarities to human brains.

And you might find yourself yelling “Chugga chugga choo choo!” during your next car ride—or at least wishing for a train whistle!

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Keep on wowing!

Transcript

[A]

Hey, wowser fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, Happy New Year. Thank you for helping to make our 2025 so full of WOW. This year we celebrated our 10th season of WOW in the world with our 250th episode. Special guests, a new book, new toys out into the world, live events, listening parties. Oh my, so many things. Whether you shared our podcast with a friend or teacher, joined our wow membership, called our wow hotline, wrote a review on Apple or Spotify, watched us on WowTube or just tuned into an episode, this year would not have been possible without your support. So thank you for wowing with us in 2025. And here's to even more in 2026. That's it. And now let's get back to the show. Happy New Year.

[B]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show after what does this button do? It's two what's and the wow. With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Rile. Two whets.

[A]

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

[C]

Two what's in a wow. The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's. And the category or theme for today is. Trains. 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 trains.

[D]

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.

[B]

What?

[C]

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.

[C]

Okay, everyone ready to start the game?

[A]

Great. Then let's do it.

[C]

Okay, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A? Every year more people ride trains than planes, cars and buses combined.

[A]

Or is it B? Gravy? Trains transport 8 million gallons of gravy every year.

[C]

Or is it C? The longest train ever was over four and a half miles long.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, scream.

[B]

All aboard.

[A]

Reggie, how about some thinking music.

[C]

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

[A]

And to do just that, joining us by phone, it's Gideon from New Jersey. Gideon, tell us, what's the winning wow?

[D]

I'm Andy and Guy Raz. My wow of the world is that the longest train is over four and a half miles long. Is it that Pocketbook?

[B]

Winner, Winner.

[A]

Diesel for dinner.

[C]

Thank you, Gideon. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C that the longest train ever was over four and a half miles long, well, congratulations, you found the winning wow.

[A]

The longest train ever was an Australian freight train in the year 2008. Diesel locomotives pushed 682 cars and was 4.57 miles long in total.

[C]

It was also the largest and heaviest train ever, weighing 99,732 tons. That's almost as heavy as 10 Eiffel Towers.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and chugga chugga choo choo your way across Australia.

[C]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, most trains around the world use the same tracks?

[A]

Or is it B, some trains levitate with magnets?

[C]

Or is it C, scientists are building a train to the moon.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell, get up on the brain train. Hey, Reggie, can we get some thinking music, please?

[C]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Erin from Minnesota. Erin, please give us the winning wow.

[D]

Hi, my name is Elin. My wow is that. Some trains levitate with magnets.

[A]

Winner, winner, levitation for dinner.

[C]

That's right, Erin. Wowzers. If you guessed B that some trains levitate with magnets, well, congratulations, you found the winning wow.

[A]

Magnetic levitation or magnetic maglev trains use magnets to hover above the tracks instead of using wheels that roll on top of the rails. These trains can go incredibly fast, up to 375 miles per hour because there's.

[C]

No friction or resistance from the train rubbing against the track. Maglev trains are quieter, they're more energy efficient, and they don't break down as easy easily as traditional trains.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and levitate off the ground.

[C]

Okay, round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the Shinkansen bullet train can go up to 200 miles per.

[A]

Hour, or is it B, the Mandovi Express has almost 350 stops.

[C]

Or is it C, the Orient Express provides luxury dining, hot towels, and a dramatic mystery with every ride.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell, I'm a superconductor. Uh, thinking music, please.

[C]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Jack from Indiana. Jack, tell us the winning wow.

[D]

Hi, my name is Jack, and my wow in the world is that the Shinkansen bull train from Japan can go up to 200 miles per hour.

[A]

Winner, winner, bullet trains for dinner.

[C]

That's right, Jack. Wowzers. If you guessed a that the Shinkansen bullet train can go up to 200 miles per hour, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

Japan's Shinkansen trains are called bullet trains because of their aerodynamic shape and how fast they can go. Passengers can take a bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo, traveling nearly 250 miles in just two and a half hours. And that's pretty fast compared to the six hours it takes to drive that same distance.

[C]

And there are even Maglev Shinkansen lines being built. The first Shinkansen Maglev passenger line is planned to be ready by 2027.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and run around at 200 miles per hour. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by yelling, chugga chugga choo choo. Do you love trains? Do you wish you could ride or possibly even be a train? Well, try yelling chugga chugga choo. Ch Suddenly, a car trip or a piggyback ride becomes a picturesque train experience. Ride the rails of everyday life by yelling chugga chugga choo choo today.

[C]

Okay, thank you. Chugga, chugga choo choo. Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for Grownups.

[E]

Two once in a while. We'll be right back. Grownups, this message is for you.

[B]

That's it.

[E]

Now back to the show.

[C]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[B]

Two what's and a wow.

[A]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.

[C]

What was that?

[A]

Oh, Guy Raz. That sound can mean only one thing.

[B]

Thing.

[C]

Stand clear of the closing doors.

[B]

Nope.

[A]

It's time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round. In our wow in the World episode titled Practice Makes Permanent, researchers studied mice brains as they practiced identifying different smells.

[C]

The purpose of this experiment was to better understand the way practice affects our human brains.

[A]

So the bunker ball's bonus question is, why in the world, in what world do scientists study mice brains to understand human brains? Is it A, because mice have brains that are similar to human brains?

[C]

Or is it B, because mice brains are easier to find?

[A]

Or is it C because mice can talk?

[C]

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

[A]

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

[C]

And there you have it. If you chose A that scientists study mice brains to better understand human brains because our brains are so similar, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

Turns out that mice brains and human brains are similar in structure and the way they work, making them useful for scientific research.

[C]

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 train whistle. Reggie, cue the prize cannon.

[C]

Do we really need the cannon for this?

[A]

Oh yeah.

[D]

Fire away.

[B]

Woo hoo.

[A]

Grab a whistle everyone. The train is about to leave the station.

[C]

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 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.

[C]

Dennis, and again on Friday for a new episode of Two what's and a wow.

[A]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[B]

Two what's two what? Two what's two wow. Two what? Two what's and a While.

[C]

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.

[C]

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

[A]

Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Froehlich, Kristin Yang, Thuy 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 our theme song.

[C]

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.

[C]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and twitter @wowintheworld and our email address is [e-mail] finally, if you're a kid.

[A]

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.

[C]

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

[B]

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

[E]

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