Two Whats?! And A Wow! People Who Wow Edition – Author and Illustrator Raina Telgemeier

Summary

Podcast Summary: Two Whats?! And A Wow! People Who Wow Edition – Author and Illustrator Raina Telgemeier

Podcast: Wow in the World (Tinkercast)
Date: May 8, 2026
Hosts: Mindy Thomas
Guest: Raina Telgemeier

---

Episode Overview

This special “People Who Wow” edition of Two Whats?! And A Wow! brings award-winning graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier (“Smile,” “Sisters,” “Drama,” “Guts”) into the studio for a playful, insight-packed interview/game show. Host Mindy Thomas guides Raina through a series of “two whats and a wow” rounds focused on imaginative childhood beliefs, behind-the-scenes creative inspiration, and hidden talents. Bursting with laughter, encouraging messages for creative kids, and one “time to wow” challenge, this episode is equal parts heartwarming and hilarious.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Raina’s Journey from Shy Kid to Graphic Novelist

• Origins of Shyness
  • [05:00] Raina shares that she was so shy as a child, she hid behind a piano to sing in choir so nobody could see her perform.
    • Quote: “I was so shy as a kid... I was always in the back, too shy. But then I had to take a choir class... The only way I would agree to sing out loud by myself was that I went and hid behind a piano so that she wouldn't see my face.” (Raina, 05:00)
• Self-Expression Through Art
  • [06:16] Raina’s comics—often autobiographical—helped her “come out from behind the piano” in her own way.
    • Quote: “Now I tell the story of my own life in my books. It's like a spirit spotlight.” (Raina, 06:16)
  • [06:48] On encouraging shy kids: “It could be behind the piano. It could be opening up a sketchbook... typing a word and letting somebody read those words. It’s different ways of letting people see you.”

2. Game Round 1: Childhood Beliefs

• [08:03] Raina lists three things she once believed as a child:
  • Books grew from the ground like flowers.
  • Monsters snuck into her room at night and were responsible for making her sick.
  • Teachers lived at school.
• Mindy guesses correctly: Raina believed tiny monsters snuck in her room and made her sick.
  • Quote: “Little guys would open up my window at night, like bat-winged creatures... They didn't scare me, but they would climb up on my bed, shove my mouth open, jump into my throat, and that would give me a sore throat.” (Raina, 09:49)

3. Game Round 2: Behind the Scenes of “Drama”

• [12:00] Raina reveals the inspiration for “Drama’s” main character Callie Marin:
  • Best friend from 7th grade, cousin, or mom?
  • Mindy guesses (correctly) that Callie is inspired by Raina’s mom, who made costumes, ran the school Glee Club, and built stage props.
  • Quote: “[My mom] would help with the set decorations... She put on musical performances twice a year... The props and lighting displays, things that would just... audiences would come... to see her performances.” (Raina, 14:20)

4. Game Round 3: Hidden Talents

• [17:48] Three supposed hidden talents:
  • Can sing bass; secretly writes fantasy novels; called karaoke queen by friends/family.
  • The true wow: Raina can sing the bass part, thanks to her naturally deep voice.
  • Quote: “If I need to sing the bass line in, say, an a cappella singing group, I can do it. I always wanted to join... a college a cappella group... Someday, Mindy, I'll go to college again.” (Raina, 20:14)
  • Raina admits karaoke is tough as her voice is “so deep there’s not a lot of music low enough.”

5. Rapid-Fire Bonus Game: “Let’s Ruin the Story”

• [22:13] Mindy gives Raina classic story titles to “ruin” by filling in silly new words:
  • Memorable moments:
    • Tortoise and the Muffin
    • Where the Silly Things Are
    • Charlotte’s Bladder
    • The Little Engine That Shouldn’t
  • Quote:
    • “It’s so hard to be wrong, isn't it?” (Mindy, 23:36)
    • “It’s so hard.” (Raina, 23:37)

6. Time to Wow Challenge

• [23:56] Raina’s creative challenge for listeners:
  • “Draw a four-panel comic about something that happened to you today.”
  • Funny or boring, with pictures, words, sound effects, or action lines—just make it funny and share it with a friend.
  • Quote: “My challenge to everybody is to draw a four-panel comic about something that happened to you today... Make it funny and then share that comic with a friend.” (Raina, 24:22)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On creativity and self-expression:
  • “There’s lots of ways to come out from behind the piano.” (Mindy, 07:05)
• Reassurance for shy kids:
  • “It could be anything like that—it’s different ways of letting people see you.” (Raina, 06:48)
• Warm encouragement all episode:
  • “Raina, thank you so much for being a person who wows not just my world, but the world of so many kids and tweens and teens and even grownups all over the world.” (Mindy, 25:35)

---

Episode Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 04:38 | Introduction of guest, Raina Telgemeier | | 05:00 | Raina describes her childhood shyness | | 06:16 | Discussion about autobiographical comics | | 08:03 | Game Round 1: Childhood Beliefs | | 09:49 | Raina’s monster germ memory | | 12:00 | Game Round 2: Inspiration behind “Drama” | | 14:20 | Raina explains her mom’s creative role | | 17:48 | Game Round 3: Hidden Talents | | 20:14 | Raina sings her low bass line | | 22:13 | “Let’s Ruin the Story” mini-game | | 23:56 | Time to Wow listener challenge | | 25:35 | Warm thanks and show closing |

---

Tone & Style

The conversation is lively, silly, supportive, and occasionally heartfelt. Mindy creates an atmosphere where both giggles and real-life lessons on creativity and self-confidence shine through. Raina is open, honest, and encouraging, offering reassurance to shy kids and practical advice for budding cartoonists.

---

Takeaways for Listeners

• Creativity comes in many forms and can help you find your voice—even if it takes years.
• Childhood fears and imaginative beliefs can lead to unique artistic inspiration.
• Hidden talents often stem from personal quirks—embrace yours, whatever they may be!
• Sharing your story—through art, writing, or performance—is a great way to connect.
• Time to Wow Challenge: Try drawing a comic about your day and sharing it—it’s a small step toward creative, funny storytelling.

---

For more on Raina Telgemeier and her books: goraina.com

Don’t miss future “People Who Wow” episodes by subscribing to the Wow in the World podcast feed or WowTube on YouTube!

Transcript

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey, Wowzer, fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, guess what? The brand new season of two what's in a People who Wow Edition begins this Friday. Cue the confetti, Reg. In this Getting to Know youw game show, I'll be visited by some of the world's most fascinating people to get the wows and the what's of their lives. From cartoonist and graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier of the Smile series, to everyday extraordinary kids just like you. And that's not all. With this new season of two what's in a wow? There are now two ways to wow. What am I talking about? Well, first, you can listen to episodes right here in our wow. In the World podcast feed. Or. And this is a big or. Yeah, you're right, Reg. That doesn't have the same ring to it. Okay, now where was I? Oh, yeah. As always, you can listen to new episodes in your favorite podcast player, or you can watch these episodes with your eyeballs on YouTube. I know. I should comb my hair or something. We are so excited for you to listen and watch our new season of two once in a while, People who Wow Edition starting this Friday. So make sure you're subscribed to our podcast feed and our WowTube channel on YouTube so you don't miss out. That's two what's in a People who Wow Edition coming this Friday. But in the meantime, let's get back to the show. Hey, Grown Ups. Mindy here. And do I have a wow for you. What if I told you that the best kids math program is actually inspired by comic books and it's about monsters? It's called Beast Academy. And the little monsters, like Grog, do the kind of math that gives kids curious enough to stop and think and figure things out for themselves. For example, Krog asked his Beast Academy math club, if our school has more than 366 kids in it, is it guaranteed that two of them will have exactly the same birthday? He proved that the answer is yes. Through problem solving.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's Beast Academy. Where kids build problem solving skills through interesting problems and puzzles. It's from the folks at Art of Problem Solving, the same people who train math champions. Grown ups. Head to beastacademy.com and use code BEASTWOW for 10% off the online program. Oh, and tell Grog Mindy says hi.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Who's that walking through the woods? Wyatt Yoshi.

[Mindy Thomas]

Here to explore a world of curious creatures with you.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Discovered a creature you haven't seen before. Why don't you get Yoshi to see what it tastes like. Hmm. Soapy.

[Mindy Thomas]

No wonder this creature blows giant bubbles

[Raina Telgemeier]

so big they can carry you.

[Mindy Thomas]

You can even jump from one bubble

[Raina Telgemeier]

to another and reach new areas. There are plenty more surprises to discover, too.

[Mindy Thomas]

Bowser Jr. What are you doing out here?

[Raina Telgemeier]

You can jump into adventure with Yoshi and The Mysterious Book. May 21, only on Nintendo Switch 2.

[Mindy Thomas]

Game Rated E for everyone.

[Raina Telgemeier]

What changed? Many things change. Now I know. Now I tell the story of my own life in my books. It's like a spotlight.

[Mindy Thomas]

I mean, that is what teachers do at the school. I'm pretty sure.

[Raina Telgemeier]

No, nobody else in my family is a cartoonist. I somehow managed to be the only one. Wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

I wonder where that comes from.

[Raina Telgemeier]

No clue.

[Announcer]

Welcome to two what's and a wow. People who wow Edition with your host,

[Mindy Thomas]

Mindy, and featuring today's special guest, Raina Telgeme. Hello and welcome to two what's in a People who Wow Edition. The getting to know you game show that separates the wows from the what of some of the world's most interesting people. And our guest today is no exception. Says here she is an award winning New York Times best selling author and cartoonist who loves historical places and says yes to drawing but no to basketball and used to hide behind pianos.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Hmm.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, she's not hiding anymore. Let's give it up for Raina Telgemeier. Hi.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Hi, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

Welcome to two what's in a wow.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Thank you. Happy to be here.

[Mindy Thomas]

So about these pianos. Hiding behind pianos.

[Raina Telgemeier]

What's going on?

[Mindy Thomas]

You want to talk through some stuff?

[Raina Telgemeier]

I was so shy as a kid and I didn't ever open my mouth when I was in class or when I was in like a group setting. And people, you know, a lot of kids love to raise their hands and answer the questions and talk out of turn. And I was always in the back, like, too shy. But then I had to take a choir class. It wasn't my choice, but I had to take a choir class when I was in sixth grade. And so the teacher made us all sing individually. And I was so scared to do it, I didn't want anybody looking at me when I did it. So the only way I would agree to sing out loud by myself was that I went and hid behind a piano so that she wouldn't see my face when I did it. But then for some reason, I was able to sing really loudly. And she was like, good voice. Come back out here, Raina. Like you, you should sing loud on stage with the rest of Us. And I was like, it's fine. I'll. I'll do it with my face showing. Just as long as I don't have to be the only voice.

[Mindy Thomas]

You know, it's really interesting that you say this, because you have written so many books that are all about your life. We're talking smile. We're talking sisters, ghosts, drama, guts. These are all books written about your life. They're autobiographical, meaning they're your business on the page.

[Raina Telgemeier]

I am the star of the show in three of those books. At least. I know. And then. And then drama is about kids who were on stage and. Yeah, yeah, I know. What. What changed? Many things changed. Now. Now I tell the story of my own life in my books. It's like a spirit spotlight.

[Mindy Thomas]

So would. So would you encourage any kids who are feeling a little shy right now, a little apprehensive, to hold the microphone for themselves or to be in the spotlight? Would you encourage them to come out from the piano or wait till they're ready?

[Raina Telgemeier]

I mean, it could be behind the piano. It could be opening up a sketchbook and letting people see what's on your page. It could be typing a word and letting somebody read those words. It could be anything like that. It's. It's different ways of letting people see you.

[Mindy Thomas]

There's lots of ways to come out from behind the piano.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Yes.

[Mindy Thomas]

Got it. Okay, Raina, well, it's time to get into our game. So before we do, I want to bring our audience up to speed on how this game works. So in each of our three rounds today, our guest Raina is going to give us three weird, interesting, unusual facts about herself. But. 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 whats. All right, Reina. If I guess correctly, I get a point. If I guess incorrectly, I must do a ridonkulous physical challenge. So go easy on me here. Are you ready for round one?

[Raina Telgemeier]

Yes.

[Mindy Thomas]

All right, Round one is all about childhood beliefs, something that you believed when you were a kid, but maybe don't so much today.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Okay, Mindy, which of these is something I used to believe as a kid? Is it A, books grew from the ground like flowers before being picked and put into bookstores? Or is it B, monsters would sneak into my bedroom at night and were responsible for making me sick? Or is it C, all of my teachers lived at the school, and I was just visiting to take classes?

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, so one of these is something that you believed when you were a Kid. So, believing that books grew from the ground and then were put in bookstores. I mean, technically, that's not wrong. I mean, books are made out of paper. Paper comes from trees. But something tells me that's not the way you would have been thinking about it. Let's see. Monsters sneaking into your bedroom at night, making you sick. That one smells a little like a wow. Or that your teachers lived at school and were just visiting to take classes. And you were just visiting to take classes, like, going to your teacher's house. They lived at the school. I mean, that is what teachers do. Live at the school, I'm pretty sure. So I'm going to guess. I think that the answer. I think your one true wow is, baby. That monsters were crawling into your room at night, trying to make you sick. Is that the one true? Wow.

[Raina Telgemeier]

It is true.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah. Yay. Me, me. Tell us all about it, Raina. Tell us everything.

[Raina Telgemeier]

It's such a funny memory that I have from when I was, like, maybe three or four years old. And it's like a vivid memory that, like, little guys would, like, open up my window at night, like. Like little. Kind of like bat. Winged creatures. And that they were sharp and pokey, and that they would sort of announce themselves, and that they would climb up on my bed. They didn't scare me, but they were just like, hi, we're here. And that they would, like, shove my mouth open and, like, jump into my throat, and that. That would, like, give me a sore throat, and that's, like, kind of tickling

[Mindy Thomas]

it tropical in there. Just.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Just kind of like that sort of thing.

[Mindy Thomas]

So you thought that the germs were these little creatures, these little monsters, entering your body while you were asleep?

[Raina Telgemeier]

I mean, I guess, yeah.

[Mindy Thomas]

But you weren't scared?

[Raina Telgemeier]

No, it just. It was just kind of matter of fact, little monsters.

[Mindy Thomas]

And then you saw a doctor, and the doctor said, no, that is not true. Are you sure this isn't true?

[Raina Telgemeier]

Just. Strep throat, Rayna. Just. You're fine now. Scare. Drugs. Yeah.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's almost like you had a w. Imagination as a kid, which. I don't know. I don't know where that would have come from or how that would have played out in your life, but it sounds like you might have had a wild imagination that sometimes drove off the rails in the best way. I love it. So that means that I was correct. So I get 3,000 points. Can we get 3,000 points here? And teachers do live at school, right?

[Raina Telgemeier]

My mom was a teacher for quite some time. And as far As I could tell, she lived at home. She still came home every day after she was done with her job. So she lived at home. I don't know about other teachers.

[Mindy Thomas]

I think there are a lot of teachers who feel like they live at school even if they don't.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Yeah, that's true. I think so.

[Mindy Thomas]

I like the idea that you're going to a teacher's house, though, when you're going to class. Like, you just are visiting to take classes. Okay, Reina, it is time for round two. And round two is all about behind the scenes. Raina, so I want you to give us three weird, interesting, unusual facts about your life behind the scenes. Take it away.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Okay. This one is about my book drama. The main character in that book is named Callie Marin, and she loves theater, and especially she loves working behind the scenes on set design. And some people think that she is based on myself, but she's not. I was always kind of like, I have things in common with her, but she's not based on me. And I never quite knew who she was. But I realized a few years ago that she is kind of based on and inspired by somebody that I do know. So I'm going to have you guess who Cali is based on.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, so these are three facts. Only one is A, true. Wow. The other two, just a couple of made up one. All right, let's hear it.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Okay. Is it, A, my best friend from seventh grade who loved theater even more than me? Is it B, my cousin who would stay with us over the summer and decorate our bedroom? Or is it C, my mom who loved creating costumes for me and my siblings?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, all right. So I am Reggie. Can we get some thinking music here? Thank you. I'm going to guess that I think it's not, A, your best friend from seventh grade who love theater because. I don't know, I just feel like seventh grade friendships, they come and go. I don't even know if this would have been something that you would have written about. Like, let's see, your cousin who used to come visit you in the summer, and then you would redecorate your room. That sounds like someone who might enjoy later on working on sets for theater. But your mom. Your mom used to make all of your costumes. I think that I. Your mom, you loved theater. Your mom made costumes. I am going to guess that the answer is C, the character is based at the character Kelly Marin is based off of your mom and your mom as a kid. Am I correct?

[Raina Telgemeier]

I mean, I think so. I think that's where she comes from.

[Mindy Thomas]

I got it right. Yeah. I can't believe it. It's two for two. All right, so tell us all about it. Tell us all about your mom.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Well, my mom, like the. The question says, she did spend every single Halloween, like October 30th. She was up just all night long getting the costumes ready and sewing them until the last second so that we would be perfect for the Halloween parade, school the next day and then that night and, you know, adding last minute flourishes. And then every time we had a play at school, she would help with the set decorations. And she was a stay at home mom for my childhood and my siblings childhoods. But then she went back to school, she got her teaching degree, and then she became an elementary school teacher. But she was also the director of the Glee club at her school. And so she put on musical performances twice a year with all of her students. But, man, the props that she would build to put those performances on. And we're not just talking like static props. We're talking like animated props and like lighting displays and things that would just. I mean, audiences would come and parents would come and the teachers and everybody would come to see her performances. They were like, sue is gonna knock this one out. And just. I mean, it was. And it was still that thing of like, mom's whole house is full of just props from. From years worth of Glee Club performances. And it was. I don't know, it's. It's a key part of her personality. And. And I didn't. I didn't even really see it until after Drama was published. I mean, we're talking 10 years later. And I went, oh, my gosh. I never realized this, but Kelly's totally my mom.

[Mindy Thomas]

Was your mom a cartoonist as well, even just as a hobby? No.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Nobody else in my family is a cartoonist. I. I somehow managed to be.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow. I wonder where that comes from.

[Raina Telgemeier]

No. Clue.

[Mindy Thomas]

2 what's in a while. We'll be right back after this ad break.

[Jed Anderson]

Yellow Grown ups. Jet Anderson here from Tinkercast. I got a question for you. How does your household manage to keep track of everything? I mean, really, I want to know because after a day of producing another episode of wow in the World and keeping track of all the crazy characters, the voices then have to keep track of all the crazy characters at home. That is why I can't wait to get a Skylight calendar. It's an all in one digital smart calendar that syncs with Google Calendar, Outlook, and more. And it gives you and your kids the perfect Customized view of everyone's events, chores, and to dos so that nothing slips through the cracks. Families are better when they're working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch calendars by going to myskylight.com wowintheworld go to myskyllite for $30 off your 15 inch calendar. That's my S K Y L I g h t.com wowintheworld

[Mindy Thomas]

that's it. Now back to the show. Okay, Raina, it is time for round three. And round three is all about hidden talents. So I want you to give us three weird, interesting, unusual facts about your hidden talents. And only one of these will be true. Wow. The other two, just a couple of made up. What? Reina, take it away.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Okay, so hidden talents. Kind of like me, you know, emerging from behind the piano to wow everybody. Is my hidden talent A, that I can sing the bass line or the low part in a song because I have a low singing voice? Okay. Or is it B, my secret love of writing fantasy novels on the side, like under nom de plume?

[Mindy Thomas]

All right.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Or is it C? Not to brag, but my friends and family call me the the karaoke queen.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah. All right. We talked about you hiding behind a piano when you were in having to audition for choir, and eventually you came out from behind the piano and you did sing. I am going to guess that a monster was created that day. And I am going to guess that in all your free time, you are not writing fantasy novels. You are not singing in a low voice. I am going to guess that you are a soprano and that you are out there pounding the pavement, doing karaoke at any place that will let you in. Raina, are you the karaoke queen? Is C your1 true? Wow. No, that's not correct. Oh, man, I thought for sure that would have been correct. What a full circle moment that would have been. Let's see here. You know what? Then I'm going to guess that your hidden talent. We're gonna knock the singing one out of here. Just get rid of it. Just get rid of the singing thing. I'm going to guess that your true hidden talent when no one is looking and no deadlines are looming is B writing fantasy novels just for fun.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Also not true.

[Mindy Thomas]

What? No. Again, that's too. So your hidden talent is that you have a really deep, low singing voice?

[Raina Telgemeier]

Yes, I do, Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

You know what I'm going to ask you to do next, Raina?

[Raina Telgemeier]

Bum bum bum bum bum bum. If I need to sing the bass Line in, say, an a cappella singing group. I can do it. So if you never need to start a barbershop quartet, say, and you want to sing some sandman songs, I can provide the baseline, no problem. Yeah, I always wanted to join. Like, I wanted to go to real college instead of art school so that I could join, like, a college acapella group. I never got the chance. But someday. Someday, Mindy, I'll go to college again.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reina, the night is young. It can happen.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Oh, my gosh. I'm just. I'm looking for the opportunity. It would be so fun. Yeah, this. This was. This was actually like. Like I was in the choir. I was in, you know, theater and stuff and all that, but when. When nobody was around and nobody was looking and everybody would, like, go into those little. Those little rehearsal rooms that they have where. Where there's, like, a piano and stuff, My friends and I would. Would sing, like, the songs from. From Disney movies, and we'd. We'd get some. Some Simon and Garfunkel sheet music or whatever, and we would just. We would just sit around, like, singing in three or four part harmony. And I was like, give me the bass lines.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow.

[Raina Telgemeier]

I actually can't sing karaoke because there's not a lot of music for me. That's low enough. I have such a deep singing voice.

[Mindy Thomas]

Reina, before we get into my ridonkulous physical challenge here for getting that wrong twice, do you wanna. I have to ask. Yeah. What?

[Raina Telgemeier]

Bass. Yeah, Bass is your ridonculous challenge. I'm just kidding. You probably can't.

[Mindy Thomas]

What? Oh, yeah, yeah. I will sing. Bass is my ridonkulous physical challenge. How's that? Can I be in Raina and the Tenorettes?

[Raina Telgemeier]

Yeah.

[Mindy Thomas]

Okay, good.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Love it.

[Mindy Thomas]

And that's all the time we have for today. But, Raina, before we go, I want to flip the script and challenge you to a little lightning round of a game that I like to call let's Ruin the Story. And the way this works is I'm going to give you a title of a popular book or story, and all you have to do is fill in the blank with a whole new word. In other words, wrong answers only. The tortoise and the.

[Raina Telgemeier]

The tortoise and the muffin.

[Mindy Thomas]

Where the things are.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Where the silly things are.

[Mindy Thomas]

Charlotte's.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Charlotte's bladder.

[Mindy Thomas]

There we go. The very caterpillar.

[Raina Telgemeier]

The very talented caterpillar.

[Mindy Thomas]

There you go. The little engine that.

[Raina Telgemeier]

The little engine that shouldn't.

[Mindy Thomas]

Little on the Prairie.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Um.

[Mindy Thomas]

All you have to do is be Wrong. I know. It's so just be wrong.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Little chair on the prairie.

[Mindy Thomas]

There we go. And the club.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Oh, my goodness. The artists club.

[Mindy Thomas]

The artists club. Ah. That is 30 seconds on the clock. Time is up. Reyna, good job. It's so hard to be wrong, isn't it?

[Raina Telgemeier]

It's so hard.

[Mindy Thomas]

All right, well, before we go, it is now time to wow. So, Raina, I want you. This has been the getting to know you game show. It is now time for our listeners to wow. So for this time to wow challenge, give our listeners, our viewers, a challenge that will help them find or spread wow to someone else.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Okay, so one of the ways that I got better at what I do and practiced and became the cartoonist I am today is that I used to draw a lot of diary comics or journal comics. I just, I made comics about my day and I did this for years, starting when I was a kid. So my challenge to everybody is to draw a four panel comic about something that happened to you today. It could be a.

[Mindy Thomas]

Anything.

[Raina Telgemeier]

It could be something interesting that happened to you. Something very boring and mundane that happened to you. But four panels about something that happened today and to make it funny and then to share that comic with a friend.

[Mindy Thomas]

Well, you know, Raina, I am just going to draw a picture of you and me doing this show today because I gotta say, this is. This is. This is. Wait, this is you. This is me. This is you. Wait, you. I don't know what's happening here. Do I have what it takes? Do I have what it takes?

[Raina Telgemeier]

Let me give you some tips. Comics are not just pictures. They also include words and word balloons. They include sound effects, they can include motion lines, they can include background elements and they can include, you know, like there's. There's all these different elements that you can put into them to make them interesting and to make them funny. Just something that happened today. Boring or interesting. Your goal is to make it funny and then your goal is to share it with somebody else.

[Mindy Thomas]

Raina, I think I've got another New York Times bestseller on my hands here. I'm just gonna keep on tinkering with it, but I'm going to take your time to wow challenge and I am going to make a four panel cartoon of my day. Something special that happened in my day and that is talking to you. Raina, thank you so much for being a person who wows not just my world, but the world of so many kids and tweens and teens and even grownups all over the world. So thank you again for joining us if you are watching and you want to know more about Reyna, if you didn't get all of her secrets here today, you can read them in her books or you can find out [e-mail] Raina thank you so much for joining us today.

[Raina Telgemeier]

Thank you Mindy. This has been so fun.

[Mindy Thomas]

And remember, if you want more wow, there's a lot more where that came from. Don't forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel. And until next time, keep on WOW. 2x2 Watts 2x2 1 2x2 Watts 2w and a WOW.

[Announcer]

Before we get into the credits for today's episode, we want to give some special shout outs and say a huge thank you to some of the wowzers whose families are powering the WOW this year.

[Mindy Thomas]

We broke the names up into two batches and here is our first batch of names. We are so grateful for your support.

[Announcer]

Owen and Aubrey from California Saman and Ryan from California Oralene and Esther from New York Ella from Singapore Lacey elementary

[Mindy Thomas]

from North Carolina Teddy, Silas and Emmett from Arizona Jason from Texas Eli and Nolan from Texas Luke and Noel from

[Announcer]

North Carolina Elan from California Emmett and Adler from Kansas John, Katie, Ethan and Amelia from Pennsylvania Nesla and Yakub from Kuwait Evelyn, Ramona and Tabitha from Nevada

[Mindy Thomas]

John R from Wisconsin Emory and Ila from California Caroline from Massachusetts Ian and Declan from Washington Elena and Lucia from

[Announcer]

Maryland Parker from Texas Albert and Lulu from Brighton, England Hayden, Hazel and Allie from Pennsylvania Magnus from the District of Columbia William and Allie from Virginia Brendan,

[Mindy Thomas]

Jessica, David and Michael from Ohio Bailey, Macy and Hank from South Carolina James from Washington Peter, Teddy and Leo from Minnesota Paul from Rhode Island Nuri from

[Announcer]

Washington, Violet and Will from California Audrey and Ethan from Virginia Alex H from Tennessee, James and Madison from Utah and

[Mindy Thomas]

Happy Birthday to Otis from Minnesota.

[Announcer]

From the bottom of our hearts and

[Mindy Thomas]

the top of our brains, thank you. Hey, thanks for listening to our show. And did you know that you can watch it now too? Yeah. Just visit Tinkercast.com YouTube and click subscribe. There you'll find full video episodes of two what's in a People who wow Edition Podcast episodes of WOW in the World, Science Experiments in my Laboratory of Bad Ideas and more. And to keep the WOW rolling, Visit [e-mail] There you can become a member of the World Organization of wowzers and get year round mailings weekly activities, Shop our wow Shop, get tickets for upcoming live events, find our best selling books and learn all about all of the other amazing podcasts that we have here at Tinkercast Grown Ups. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram Instagram owintheworld and our email address is hello inkercast.com 2 what's in a people who wow Edition was created by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer Guy Raz and me, Mindy Thomas and is executive produced by Steph Sosa. Video editing is by Thomas Van Kalken with sound production and design by Jed Anderson, Tyler Thole and Henry Moskal. Special thanks to more people who wow, including Anna Zagorski, Marianne Fernstler, Kristin Yang, Twee Mak, Ali Paxsima, Linda Rothenberg and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast hq. Our theme song was written and composed by the pop ups. You can find them at thepopups.com thanks again for listening, watching and just playing along. Meet us back here every Friday for more episodes of 2 what's in a wow? People who wow Edition Saturday and Sunday for we wow on the Weekend with Dennis and Mondays for more wow in the World. It's all right here on the wow in the World podcast feed. Until then, keep on wowing. Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast.