Two Whats?! And A Wow! - On Another Planet

Summary

Wow in the World Presents: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – On Another Planet

Podcast: Wow in the World
Episode Title: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - On Another Planet
Air Date: April 3, 2026
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" takes listeners on an interplanetary adventure focused on the wonders and wackiness of planets in our solar system. With Mindy and Guy Raz hosting, the episode turns learning about planetary science into an engaging, interactive game show. Each round challenges listeners to identify the single true “wow” fact among a trio of statements, with correct answers earning points and wrong guesses triggering goofy physical challenges.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Game Show Structure

• Three Rounds of Play:
  Each round features three statements about planets, with only one containing an amazing scientific truth (the “wow”).
• Audience Participation:
  Kids from across the country join by phone to reveal the winning answers.
• Physical Challenges:
  Incorrect guesses mean “stop, drop, and” do something silly—spin, freeze, or blast off!

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Round One: Venus’ Peculiar Day

Statements:

• A: Mercury is the most lightweight planet in the solar system
• B: A day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus
• C: Earth is the center of the universe

Winning Wow (04:20 - George from Pennsylvania):
“A day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus.”

Science Behind the Wow (04:45):

• Venus orbits the Sun faster than it spins on its axis, resulting in its day (243 Earth days) being longer than its year (225 Earth days).
• Mindy: “Venus is closer to the sun than Earth ... its orbital path is shorter ... but Venus spins much more slowly than Earth does.”

Physical Challenge:
Spin around 225 times if you got it wrong! (05:22)

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Round Two: Mars' Polar Caps

Statements:

• A: Mars’ polar caps are made of dry ice
• B: Jupiter has the most moons
• C: Rings are fried like onion rings

Winning Wow (06:37 - Toby from California):
“Mars’ polar caps are made of dry ice, which is frozen carbon dioxide.”

Science Behind the Wow (06:59):

• Mars’ south pole has an ice cap composed of dry ice; about a third of the planet’s atmospheric CO₂ freezes each Martian winter.
• Guy Raz: “In the spring, the ice thaws and evaporates back into the atmosphere.”

Physical Challenge:
Stop, drop, and freeze if you missed it! (07:26)

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Round Three: Pluto and Neptune’s Orbits

Statements:

• A: Uranus formed far outside our solar system and was pulled in later
• B: Sometimes Pluto and Neptune’s orbits overlap
• C: Every 3 billion years, the planets change places

Winning Wow (08:39 - Marlo from New York):
“Sometimes Pluto and Neptune’s orbits overlap.”

Science Behind the Wow (09:01):

• Pluto’s elliptical orbit occasionally brings it closer to the Sun than Neptune, despite being farther away most of the time.
• Guy Raz: “Pluto is typically farther from the sun than Neptune, but there are times when Pluto is actually closer.”

Physical Challenge:
Stop, drop, and blast off into space! (09:25)

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• April Fools' Opener (00:12):
  Mindy: “Introducing the state of the art, never before seen, heard or wanted, jar of farts... April Fools, Guy Razzie!”
  Classic playful banter sets a silly, approachable tone.

• Bonus Round – Gratitude and Longevity (13:30):
  The "Bonkerballs Bonus Round" asks what scientists discovered about gratitude:

  • A: Grateful people may tend to live longer
    (Correct answer, as revealed by Reggie—14:27)
  • B: Grateful people don’t need to exercise
  • C: Grateful people become scientists that study gratitude
  • Guy Raz: “If you guessed the answer A, that grateful people may tend to live longer, congratulations!”

• Prize Announcement (14:44):
  Mindy: “Today’s winning wowzers will all be receiving their very own asteroid belt. Reggie, cue the prize cannon!” Guy Raz: “Do you have any asteroid suspenders?”
  Mindy: “I had some made up just for you!”
  (Silly prizes keep the mood fun and lighthearted.)

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Important Timestamps

• Game Start / Rules Explanation: (02:23)
• Round 1: (03:19) – Correct answer revealed: (04:20) | Science explained: (04:45)
• Round 2: (05:41) – Correct answer revealed: (06:37) | Science explained: (06:59)
• Round 3: (07:40) – Correct answer revealed: (08:39) | Science explained: (09:01)
• Bonkerballs Bonus Round (Gratitude): (13:31) – Answer revealed: (14:27)
• Prize Announcement: (14:44)
• Outro / Next Episodes Promo: (15:09)

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Tone & Style

The episode is upbeat, playful, and very much geared towards a family audience, especially kids. Banter and silly sound effects keep engagement high, and complicated science is communicated with clarity and fun metaphors.

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Summary Takeaway

"On Another Planet" gives listeners bite-sized astronomy lessons wrapped in a zany game show format. From Venus’ super-long days to Mars’ dry ice caps and Pluto’s quirky orbit, Mindy, Guy Raz, and a cast of enthusiastic kid guests spark curiosity and “wow” about our solar system—while mapping a path from laughter to learning.

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For more information and to join in the fun, visit Tinkercast.com!

Transcript

[A]

Hey, Wowzer fams Mindy and Guy Razzie here. And before we start the show, we have a little announcement for you.

[B]

We just got a brand new item in stock at our shop.

[A]

Introducing the state of the art, never before seen, heard or wanted jar of farts.

[B]

What?

[A]

Do you or a loved one enjoy the smell of a fresh toot?

[C]

No.

[A]

Well, then you're not gonna like this. Each wow in the World J. Zara Farts features the latest vacuum sealing technology to preserve the tooth's original odor so your nose will be so full of sulfur the second your sniffer gets a whiff of it.

[B]

Mindy, this is gross. No one's gonna want to buy this.

[A]

That's exactly what market research said. But I think.

[B]

Wait a minute. What's Today's date? It's April 1, isn't it?

[A]

April Fools. Guy Razzie.

[B]

So we're not selling jars?

[A]

Of, of course not. But we do have some stem toys that toot.

[B]

Toot. Mindy.

[A]

Like our wow in the World High flying air rocket. It's got a toot nozzle for when you wanna let her rip. And our wow in the World Amazing human body kit comes with a toot whistle too. And not to toot our own horn here, but we've got lots of stem toys that will wow the kids in your life who love science and the ones who don't.

[B]

Yet grownups. Visit Tinkercast.com to shop the wow. Now that's Tinkercast.com shop. Now back to the show. And now for everyone's second favorite game show after I'll order dessert. If you order dessert, it's two what's and the wow.

[C]

With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Rile. 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what? 2What's in a wild.

[A]

Hello and welcome to 2 what's in a wow.

[C]

2 what's in a wow.

[B]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's. And the category or theme for today is Planets. 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 the planets in our solar system.

[B]

But.

[D]

And this is a big but.

[A]

Only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up whats.

[B]

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

[A]

But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop and do a redonkulous physical Challenge.

[B]

Okay, everyone ready to start the game?

[A]

Great. Then let's do it.

[B]

All right, round one. Which of the following statements say true scientific wow? Is it A, Mercury is the most lightweight planet in the solar system or

[A]

is it B, a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus

[B]

or is it C, Earth is the center of the universe.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell intergalactic. Planetary. Planetary. Intergalactic. Reggie thinking music.

[B]

And time is up. Now reveal the winning wow.

[A]

And to do just that, it's George from Pennsylvania. George from Pennsylvania, tell us what's the winning wow?

[E]

Hi, my name is George. My wow is that a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus.

[A]

Winner. Winner, Venus fly traps for dinner.

[B]

Thank you, George. Contestants, if you guessed the answer B, that a day on Venus, Venus is longer than a year on Venus. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

Venus is closer to the sun than the Earth, which means that its orbital path or distance around the sun is shorter too. The sun's gravitational pull on Venus is also stronger than on Earth, so it orbits the sun faster. And both of these things make a year on Venus shorter. Only about 225 Earth days.

[B]

But Venus spins much, much more slowly than Earth does. About 243 Earth days. That means that a day on Venus is actually shorter than one of its years.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and spin around 225 times around and around and around and around and around.

[B]

Mindy, I'm getting dizzy just watching you.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, Mars polar caps are made of dry ice or is it

[A]

B, Jupiter has the most moons in the solar system.

[B]

Or is it C? Rings are fried like onion rings and taste great with honey mustard.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, send a message into space thinking music, please.

[B]

And time is up. And joining us by phone to reveal the winning wow. It's Toby from California. Toby, what's the wow?

[E]

Hi, my name is Toby. My wow is that Mars polar caps are made of dry ice, which is frozen carbon dioxide.

[A]

Winner, winner, dry ice for dinner.

[B]

Thank you. Tobee. Wowzers. If you guessed A, that Mars polar caps are made of dry ice, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

Mars has an icy north and and south pole just like Earth does. The north pole is made of frozen water, but the south pole has an ice cap made out of frozen carbon dioxide or dry ice.

[B]

During Mars winter, about a third of the atmosphere's carbon dioxide freezes and forms an ice cap on the south pole. And in the spring, the ice thaws and evaporates back into the atmosphere.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and freeze. Hold it, hold it, hold it. And unfreeze.

[B]

Okay, round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, Uranus formed far outside our solar system and was pulled in later?

[A]

Or is it B? Sometimes Pluto and Neptune's orbits overlap?

[B]

Or is it C? Every 3 billion years, the planets in our solar system change places.

[A]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell I'm Astro. Not getting this wrong. Hey, Reggie, can we get some thinking music, please?

[B]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Marlo from New York. Marlo, what's the winning wow?

[E]

Hi, Mindy Guy. Raz. My name is Marlo. My wow in the world is that sometimes Pluto and Neptune's orbits all relax.

[A]

Winner, winner, orbital gum for dinner.

[B]

That's right, Marlo. Wowzers. If you guessed B that sometimes Pluto and Neptune's orbits overlap, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[A]

The planet Neptune and the dwarf planet Pluto have very different orbital paths. Neptune has a mostly circle shaped orbit and Pluto's is more of an elliptical or oval shaped.

[B]

And while Pluto is typically farther from the sun than Neptune because of its oval shape, there are times when Pluto is actually closer.

[A]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and blast off into space. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you by Mindy's Astro Meals. Are you exploring the solar system and need some nourishment for the long flight ahead? Well, Mindy's Astro Meals crams all of your favorite food into one airtight pouch. Spaghetti, sweet potato casserole, Fish tacos, banana splits, disco fries, Duck, L', orange, pineapple upside down cake, deep dish.

[B]

Wait, all those meals are in one pouch? Yep.

[A]

Freeze dried and ready for takeoff. Try Mindy's Astro Meals today.

[B]

Okay, thank you. Mindy's Astro Meals. I guess. Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups.

[D]

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

[F]

Hey, grown ups. Spring is right around the corner. And as schedules fill up with activities and travel, let IXL help you stay on top of your child's learning. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into homeschooling. It offers Interactive practice in math, language arts, science and social studies. For grades Pre K through 12th. IXL offers personalized learning for every child and gives parents clear insight into their progress. At Tinkercast, making learning fun is our bread and butter. So we love that IXL has games, awards and celebrations to keep students motivated and engaged. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and WOW in the world. Listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com wow visit ixl.com wow to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

[A]

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show. Oh, sorry about that. I forgot to put it on silent. Hey, wait a second. It's an email from us. Check it out, Reg. Let's see here. It says we've got episode recommendations, Reset STEM activities to try out at home. The latest news about what's happening at Tinkercast. Pretty bonker balls, huh? Here, I'll help you sign up. So you and the grown ups will just go to tinkercast.comemail and put in your first and last names and email address. Wait, Reggie, I just realized I don't know your last name. Really? Is that with a silent G or a silent Q?

[C]

Huh.

[A]

Who knew? Let's see here. Oh, and you're not a robot, right? Sorry, just had to double check. Okay, you are all signed up grown ups. You can sign up for our Tinkercast newsletter too. It's full of ideas on how to get some extra wow to your family's life. Visit tinkercast.comemail to sign up today. That's. That's tinkercast.comemail. that's it. And now let's get on with the show.

[D]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[B]

Welcome back to 2 what's in a wow?

[C]

2 what's in a wow.

[A]

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

[B]

Who was that?

[A]

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

[B]

It's launch day.

[C]

No.

[A]

It's time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round. In our wow in the World episode titled An Attitude of Gratitude, scientists studied a group of almost 50,000 nurses over the span of 30 years to try to learn how gratitude can impact a person's life over time.

[B]

And the Bonker balls are bonus Question is, what did these scientists discover?

[A]

Is it A, that grateful people may tend to live longer?

[B]

Or is it B that grateful people don't need to exercise?

[A]

Or is It c that grateful people become scientists that study gratitude.

[B]

And with the answer to today's Bonkerballs question, please welcome Reggie.

[A]

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

[B]

And there you have it. If you guessed the answer a that grateful people may tend to live longer. Congratulations. You found the winning wow. Well, congratulations to all of our winning wowzers. Mindy what's today's prize?

[A]

Guy Raz Today's winning wowzers will all be receiving their very own asteroid belt. Reggie, cue the prize cannon.

[B]

Oh boy.

[C]

Fire away. Woo hoo.

[A]

Keep your pants up, solar system style.

[B]

Hey Mindy, do you have any asteroid suspenders?

[A]

Oh, I had some made up just for you Guy Raz.

[B]

Ah, thanks Mindy. 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 weekend with Dennis and again on

[B]

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

[A]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[C]

2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what's 2 what? 2What's and a.

[B]

2 what's in 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.

[B]

Sound production and design is by Marian Lozano with help from Jett Anderson and Tyler Thol.

[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.

[B]

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

[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.

[B]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld. And our email address is helloinkercast.com finally,

[A]

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.

[B]

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.

[D]

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