Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Runaway Critters (8/22/25)

Summary

Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Wow in the World
Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – Runaway Critters
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz

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Episode Overview

This lively installment of “Two Whats?! And A Wow!” is themed around “running critters.” Hosted by the energetic Mindy Thomas and the ever-curious Guy Raz, the episode presents a fun, interactive science game show in three rounds. Each round invites kids to separate fascinating scientific truths from silly fabrications, all centered on animals and their remarkable running (or running-adjacent) abilities. Along the way, young contestants join the show via phone to reveal the winning facts, and the hosts pepper in amusing jokes, memorable challenges, and wow-worthy trivia that spark curiosity and physical activity.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Game Show Format and Rules (03:55 – 04:56)

• Structure: Each of the three rounds features three statements about running critters.
• Only one statement per round is a “winning wow” (true), the other two are “whats” (false).
• If listeners guess the correct answer, they win a point; if not, they are playfully challenged to complete a silly, active task (like running in place or taking big steps).
• Quote:
  • Mindy Thomas (04:21): “In each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about critters and the way they run… only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up what nows?”

Round 1: How Fast Do Giraffes Run? (05:01 – 06:42)

• Questions:
  • A. Giraffes are the slowest animal in Africa.
  • B. A running giraffe can go almost 60 miles per hour.
  • C. Giraffes can run about 30 miles an hour.
• Correct Answer: C – Giraffes can run about 30 miles an hour.
• Details:
  • Giraffes appear slow due to their long legs and large stride, but actually can reach up to 34 mph.
  • Contestant Alden calls in to announce the correct answer.
  • Quote:
    • Mindy Thomas (06:05): “Winner, winner, treetop treats for dinner! Cause you know, giraffes get all the best snacks from the top of the tree.”
  • Fun Fact: Those who guessed wrong must “stop, drop, and run out of the room taking really, really big steps” (06:42).

Round 2: The Basilisk Lizard’s Special Power (06:52 – 08:44)

• Questions:
  • A. The basilisk lizard can run on water.
  • B. The basilisk lizard can scare away predators by staring at them.
  • C. The basilisk lizard is just a storybook monster.
• Correct Answer: A – The basilisk lizard can run on water.
• Details:
  • Basilisk lizards (related to iguanas) inhabit Central and South American rainforests and can literally sprint across water to escape predators.
  • They have specialized, fringed hind toes that act like paddles to carry their weight momentarily across the water’s surface.
  • Contestant Callan highlights the basilisk’s “big hind webbed feet like a penguin.”
  • Quote:
    • Guy Raz (08:22): “…their rear feet have these really cool toes that have fringes of skin like scales that spread across the water, kind of like a paddle or maybe a penguin’s foot. And this allows them to scoot right across the surface without falling in.”
  • Physical Challenge: Wrong guesses must "stop, drop, and go run through a puddle" (08:44).

Bonus: Horseshoes for Running Horses (08:44 – 09:51)

• Fun Segment: The hosts joke about "Wowdidas Horseshoes," silly fictional cross-trainers for horses with Velcro instead of laces.
• Teaching Moment: Guy Raz explains real horseshoe use: “Horse hooves are kind of like our fingernails and toenails…for extra support” (09:28).
• Memorable Quote:
  • Mindy Thomas (09:44, in response to new horseshoe technology): “Yeah, but wow, Dita's horseshoes have Velcro.”

Round 3: The Speediest Spider (10:19 – 12:23)

• Questions:
  • A. A mosquito can fly as fast as a cheetah can run.
  • B. Slingshot spiders can accelerate 100 times faster than a cheetah.
  • C. Cheetahs are terrified of spiders and always run away from them.
• Correct Answer: B – Slingshot spiders can accelerate 100 times faster than a cheetah.
• Details:
  • Slingshot spiders in the Amazon rainforest create a web like a slingshot, launching themselves with astonishing speed at prey.
  • Speeds reach 4 meters per second; the G-force exceeds 10 times what a jet fighter pilot can withstand.
  • Contestant TJ announces the “wow.”
  • Quote:
    • Guy Raz (12:09): “…the slingshot spider can speed up to 4, 4 meters per second. That’s a G-force more than 10 times what a fighter pilot in a jet plane can withstand.”
  • Physical Challenge: For wrong answers: “Stop, drop, and slingshot yourself across the room.” (12:23)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mindy Thomas (06:05): “Winner, winner, treetop treats for dinner! Cause you know, giraffes get all the best snacks from the top of the tree.”
• Guy Raz (08:22): “Their rear feet have these really cool toes that have fringes of skin like scales that spread across the water…like a paddle or maybe a penguin’s foot.”
• Guy Raz (12:09): “That’s a G-force more than 10 times what a fighter pilot in a jet plane can withstand.”
• Mindy Thomas (13:05): “These are old hand me down horseshoes that are only good for one thing.”
• Guy Raz (13:06): “Shooting out of a Prize Cannon.”
• Hosts (throughout): Running jokes, playful challenges, and pun-filled banter (e.g., “Winner, winner, corn cobwebs for dinner” at 11:41).

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:55 – Start of the game show, rules introduction
• 05:01 – Round 1: How fast can giraffes run?
• 06:01 – Contestant Alden announces Round 1 answer
• 06:52 – Round 2: Basilisk lizard’s powers
• 07:38 – Contestant Callan announces Round 2 answer
• 08:44 – Horseshoes segment and trivia
• 10:19 – Round 3: Slingshot spider surprise speed
• 11:29 – Contestant TJ announces Round 3 answer
• 12:38 – Prize cannon and winners’ segment
• 13:29 – Information for teachers and listeners on extra activities and Tinkerclass

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Conclusion & Resources

The episode delivers fascinating science facts through play, challenge, and humor. Kids are both entertained and educated, learning about animal movement and remarkable critters with interactive elements and memorable teaching moments. For further resources, activities, and information for both homeschoolers and teachers, listeners are encouraged to visit Tinkercast.com.

Hosts’ Closing Message:

• Mindy Thomas (13:57): “Until then, keep on wowing…”
• Audience/Chorus: “Wow in the World!” (14:34)

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This summary captures the vibrant energy, educational focus, and playful spirit of the episode—perfect for families, teachers, and curious kids who want to know the truth about the fastest, most fascinating critters on (and above!) the ground.

Transcript

[Guy Raz]

Grown Ups Wondery subscribers can listen to wow in the world early and ad free right now. Join Wondery in the Wondery App or Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey wowzer Fams. All of us here at Tinkercast want to wish you a very happy new school year. And before we start the show is your wowzer family homeschooling this school year. You may have heard about our Podject based learning tool Tinkerclass which helps K through 5 students build 21st century skills like critical thinking, collaboration and creative innovation. Over 4,000 teachers are using Tinkerclass in their classrooms and did you know that you can now bring tinkerclass to a home room near you? With tinkerclass at home you get access to all of our podcast based projects or as we like to call them, Podjects. Plus over 1,000 online activities, experiments, crafts, recipes, worksheets and more. Want to learn more about how you can bring the WOW into your your homeschool curriculum this year? Visit Tinkercast.com homeschool that's Tinkercast.com homeschool, that's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[IXL Sponsor Voice]

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[Announcer]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show. After trying to get the dang straw, the dang juice packet. Come on. Yeah. It's two W and the wow. With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Rile.

[Audience/Chorus]

Two watts. Two watts. Two watts. Two what? Two what? Two what? Two what and what?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Audience/Chorus]

Two what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's. And the category or theme for today is running. Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it, Guy Raz. Wowzers. In each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about critters and the way they run.

[Audience/Chorus]

But.

[Mindy Thomas]

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.

[Audience/Chorus]

What now?

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

All right, everyone, ready to start the game?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yay. Let's get to it.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, giraffes are the slowest animal in Africa.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, A running giraffe can go almost 60 miles per hour.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, Giraffes can run about 30 miles an hour.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, stretch your neck out and run like a giraffe. Uh, Reggie, can we get the thinking music here?

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that, it's Alden from North Carolina. Alden, tell us, what's the winning wow? Hello.

[Contestants]

Giraffes can run up to 30 miles an hour.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, treetop treats for dinner. Cause you know, giraffes get all the best snacks from the top of the tree.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Alden. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C. That giraffes can run about 30 miles an hour. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Giraffes have the longest of Any land mammal. That means they take really big steps. So when you see them running, they might look slow.

[Guy Raz]

But even though they don't run at cheetah speed, giraffes can run as fast as 34 miles an hour. That's pretty fast.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and run out of the room taking really, really big steps. Steps.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, the basilisk lizard can.

[Mindy Thomas]

Run on water, or is it B, the basilisk lizard can scare away predators by staring at them?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, the basilisk lizard is just a storybook monster.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hmm, lots to think about here. When you think you have the correct answer, stick your tongue out like a lizard.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Callan with our winning wow.

[Contestants]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Ralph. My wow in the world is the basilisk has big hind webbed feet like a penguin to help it run on water.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, twinkle toes for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Kellen. Wowzers. If you guessed A that the basilisk lizard can run on water, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Basilisk lizards are related to iguanas and they live in tropical rainforests in Central and South America. Now, even though they spend most of their time in trees, they have the special ability to escape predators by being able to drop into nearby water, running across the surface to safety.

[Guy Raz]

And how do they do it? Well, as Callan said, the basilisk lizard has special toes. Their rear feet have these really cool toes that have fringes of skin like scales that spread across the water, kind of like a paddle or maybe a penguin's foot. And this allows them to scoot right across the surface without falling in.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and go run through a puddle. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you by Wowdidas Horseshoes. Horses run more than most animals, so why do they have to wear those metal C shaped things on the bottom of their hooves? Our friends at Wowdidas have the solution. Wowdidas Horseshoes, the perfect cross trainers for our equine friends. They come in four different colors and even have a lace free velcro option so you don't have to waste time tying them up. All the cool horses will be wearing them to school, so get yours today. Wowdidas Horseshoes.

[Guy Raz]

Well, actually, horses wear those C shaped shoes to strengthen and protect their hooves and feet. Horse Hooves are kind of like our fingernails and toenails. So if the horse is gonna be running or working a lot, they might need the extra support.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yeah, but wow, Dita's horseshoes have Velcro.

[Guy Raz]

Hard to argue with that. Well, thank you, Wowdeetus. Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownup.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Two whats in a while. We'll be right back. Grown Ups, this message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Audience/Chorus]

Two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

And now, and we're on to our final round of questions. Round three, which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, a mosquito can fly as fast as a cheetah can run.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, slingshot spiders can accelerate 100 times faster than a cheetah?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Cheetahs are terrified of spiders and always run away from them.

[Mindy Thomas]

Take a second to think this over, and when you think you have the correct answer, start running in place.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone with the answer, it's TJ from California. Tj, please tell us the winning wow.

[Contestants]

My wow in the world is that slingshot spiders can accelerate 100 times faster than Aksheeta.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, corn cobwebs for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Good job, tj. Wowzers. If you guessed, baby, that slingshot spiders can accelerate 100 times faster than a cheetah, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The slingshot spider lives in the Amazon rainforest of Peru. And it makes a web like a slingshot that it uses to launch itself at unsuspecting flies and mosquitoes that it catches for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

According to scientific studies, the slingshot spider can speed up to 4, 4 meters per second. That's a G force more than 10 times what a fighter pilot in a jet plane can withstand.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and slingshot yourself across the room.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

You're having another cowgirl lunch date with Grandma GeForce.

[Mindy Thomas]

No, that's actually next weekend. But that sound means it's time for today's winning Wowzers prize. And today, all of our winning wowzers will be receiving their very own horseshoes.

[Guy Raz]

Horseshoes? You mean the new ones from wowdas?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, no, those are way too expensive. These are old hand me down horseshoes that are only good for one thing.

[Guy Raz]

Shooting out of a Prize Cannon.

[Mindy Thomas]

You got it Reggie.

[Guy Raz]

Cue the prize.

[Mindy Thomas]

Prize Cannon.

[Audience/Chorus]

Fire away.

[Guy Raz]

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.

[Mindy Thomas]

And if you're a teacher out there listening, make sure you join tinkerclass. It's our free project based learning program. For more just visit Tinkercast.com membership that's Tinkercast.com membership to bring Tinkerclass into your classroom.

[Guy Raz]

And be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of.

[Mindy Thomas]

Wow in the World and again on Friday for a new episode of 2 what's in a wow? And don't forget we wow on the Weekend with Dennis.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on wowing two what's two?

[Audience/Chorus]

What's two? What's two? Two.

[Mindy Thomas]

Grown Ups. If you like wow in the World you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Guy Raz]

Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Mindy Thomas]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey. Thanks for playing along with our show. If you're a kid with a big wow to share, call our wow hotline at 1-888-7-WOW wow and you just might be featured on an upcoming episode of 2 what's in a wow? Once again, that's 1-888-7-WOW.

[Guy Raz]

And to keep the wow rolling, visit [e-mail] There you can become a member of the World Organization of wowzers. To get year round mailings and weekly activities. You can shop our wow Shop, get tickets for upcoming live events, find our best selling books and learn all about our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is [e-mail] 2 what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

Is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

These episodes are written by our Tinkercast head writer Kenny Curtis and Anna Zagorski.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks to our Tinkercast team including Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kristin Yang, Twee Mac, Erica Medina, Jodi Nussbaum, Ally Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[Guy Raz]

Our theme song was written and composed by the Pop Ups. For more on their three time Grammy nominated all ages music, find them at.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thepopups.Com thanks again for listening and for playing along with us. Meet us back here every Friday for more episodes of 2 what's in a wow? And Saturday and Sunday for we wow on the Weekend with Dennis and Mondays for Wow in the World. It's all right here on the wow in the World podcast feed.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on wowing.

[Audience/Chorus]

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

[Sponsor/Announcer]

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