Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Strength in Numbers

Summary

Podcast Summary: Wow in the World – Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Strength in Numbers

Podcast: Wow in the World
Host(s): Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Date: March 20, 2026
Episode Theme: Exploring Wow-worthy facts about “strength” in the animal and physical world, presented through a playful science game show.

---

Overview

This episode of “Two Whats?! And A Wow!” puts kids’ curiosity to the test with the theme of Strength in Numbers. Hosts Mindy and Guy Raz challenge listeners with science-based multiple-choice questions—only one is a “Wow” (true), while the others are “Whats” (invented). Listeners play along, learning fun facts about some of nature’s and science’s most impressive feats of strength. Each correct guess earns points; each miss induces a silly physical challenge.

---

Key Discussion Points & Game Rounds

1. Introduction & March Gladness

• [00:01 - 00:44] Dennis enthusiastically introduces “March Gladness,” encouraging listeners to name things that made them happiest this month and participate with a printable bracket.
  • Memorable Quote:
  • Dennis: “…the winner of my March Gladness tournament was my new haircut. Do you love it?” (00:30)

2. Game Show Format: Two Whats?! And A Wow!

• [01:53] Mindy welcomes everyone back to the game show and explains the rules:
  • Each round presents three statements about “strength”
  • Only one is a wow (true), the other two are playful fabrications
  • Points for correct answers, silly challenges for mistakes

Round 1: Strength Facts

• [03:01 - 04:47]
  • A. It’s impossible to break a diamond.
  • B. A titan beetle can snap a pencil in half.
  • C. The world’s strongest tortilla chip can withstand two jars of salsa per square inch.
• Winning Wow:
  • Listener Cece from Ohio reveals the true fact:
    • “The titan beetle can snap a pencil in half.” (03:52)
  • Explanation:
    • Mindy: “This 6 inch long beetle can snap your number 2 pencils into 2 pieces just by using their jaw.” (04:02)
  • Physical Challenge for wrong answers:
    • Take a big bite out of your string cheese instead of peeling it.

Round 2: Magnetism and Strength

• [04:47 - 06:42]
  • A. A magnet will get stronger as it gets colder.
  • B. The strongest man alive is Dennis Moi.
  • C. Chimpanzees cannot peel oranges.
• Winning Wow:
  • Ryan and Jacob from Illinois reveal:
    • “A magnet will get stronger as it gets colder.” (05:48)
  • Explanation:
    • Mindy: “When a magnet gets colder, the molecules in it move around a lot less, leading to less vibration… creating a more concentrated magnetic field, meaning a stronger magnet.” (06:08)
  • Physical Challenge:
    • Pretend to be an ostrich at a shopping mall.

Round 3: Animal Power

• [06:42 - 08:25]
  • A. Spider silk is about as strong as notebook paper.
  • B. The world’s strongest toot was smelled over 20 miles away.
  • C. The golden eagle’s talons are thought to be 10 times stronger than a human hand.
• Winning Wow:
  • Sadie from North Carolina shares:
    • “Golden eagle's talons are thought to be 10 times stronger than a human hand.” (07:37)
  • Explanation:
    • Mindy: “The golden eagle’s talons are only about 2 inches long… but they pack a powerful punch. In fact, they can have a grip force of around four to seven hundred pounds per square inch.” (08:14)
  • Physical Challenge:
    • Screech like an eagle.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On titan beetles’ strength:
  • Mindy: “Winner, winner, pencil shavings for dinner.” (03:58)
• Discussion of magnetic power:
  • Mindy: “I leave all my magnets inside my refrigerator.” (06:21)
  • Guy Raz: “Don’t you mean on your fridge?”
  • Mindy: “Nope.” (06:33)
• Animal strength:
  • Sadie: “Golden eagle's talons are thought to be 10 times stronger than a human's hand. Isn't that bonkerball?” (07:37)
• Prize Segment:
  • Mindy: “Today's winning wowzers will all receive their very own potato sunscreen. Put some on your tater and when it goes out into the sun, it won't get baked.” (12:48, 13:02)

---

Time-Stamped Key Segments

• March Gladness Introduction: 00:01–00:44
• Game Show Rules: 01:53–02:44
• Round 1 (Titan beetle): 03:01–04:47
• Round 2 (Magnet stronger when cold): 04:47–06:42
• Round 3 (Golden eagle talons): 06:42–08:25
• Bonus Round - Cat Taste Buds (Umami): 11:24–12:27
  • Correct answer: “Cats love tuna…because of the chemicals inside the tuna binding with their taste receptors and causing an umami explosion in their mouths.” (12:27)

---

Bonus Segment: Polka Balls Bonus Round

• Question: Why do cats love tuna so much?
• Answers:
  • A. Because they get an umami overload from a chemical inside the tuna (Correct)
  • B. Because they can’t taste sweetness
  • C. Because they are strict pescatarians
• Winning Wow by Reggie:
  • Mindy: “Although it’s true that cats cannot taste sweetness, the reason they love tuna so much is because of the chemicals inside the tuna binding with their taste receptors and causing an umami explosion in their mouths.” (12:24–12:43)

---

Closing/Prizes

• [12:48] Winner’s “prize” is a (made-up) jar of “potato sunscreen.”
• [13:18 – 15:58] Mindy and Guy Raz encourage teachers to check out Tinkerclass and listeners to join the World Organization of Wowzers for more science fun.

---

Tone & Style

• Playful, silly, and high-energy
• Frequent puns, jokes, and physical challenge tie-ins to science facts
• Encourages interactive listening and family participation

---

For New Listeners

"Two Whats?! And A Wow!" is a science trivia show that mixes real science with humor and games, making learning irresistible for kids and families. This episode centers on mind-blowing strength in nature and objects, from bug brawn to magnetic power and eagle talons—all presented in a format that inspires shouting, laughing, and wowing along at home.

Transcript

[Dennis]

Hello, Wowzers. It's me, Dennis. And before we start the show, did you hear about March Gladness? Reggie? No, not basketball tournament stuff. March Gladness tournament stuff. Yeah, exactly. March Gladness is where I think of all the things that made me the gladdest this month. And then I put them head to head in a tournament style bracket. Oh, so you do know what I'm talking about. Well then, as you know, the winner of my March Gladness tournament was my new haircut. Do you love it?

[Guy Raz]

What do you mean?

[Dennis]

Don't worry, it'll grow back.

[Mindy Thomas]

Whatever.

[Dennis]

Wowzerfams, you too can fill out your very own March Gladness bracket by going to tinkercast.com march there you can print your very own free March gladness bracket. Then fill it out to see what made you the gladdest this month. Put your favorite things head to head in a tournament of gladness one more time. That's Tinkercast.com March now let's get on with the show.

[Big Toot]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show after. Hey, does this milk smell weird to you? Here, Smell

[Guy Raz]

and a wow. With your hosts, mindy and guy rats. 2W 2W. 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what? 2What's and a what?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

2 what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

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

[Guy Raz]

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 whats.

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

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

Okay, everyone ready to start the game? Great. Then let's do it. Okay, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, it's impossible to break a diamond?

Or is it B? A titan beetle can snap a pencil in half?

Or is it C? The world's strongest tortilla chip can withstand two jars of salsa per square inch without breaking.

When you think you have the correct answer, do your best fish impression. Hey, Reggie, can we get some thinking music, please?

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

And to do just that, Joining us by phone, it's Cece from Ohio. Cece from Ohio, tell us what's the winning wow?

[Caller]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My wow is that the titan beetle can snap a pencil in half.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, pencil shavings for dinner.

Thank you, Cece. Contestants, if you guessed the answer B, that titan beetles can snap a pencil in half, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow. This 6 inch long beetle can snap your number 2 pencils into 2 pieces just by using their jaw.

And when they're done gnawing on pencils, titan beetles enjoy drinking a nice tall glass of some Beetlejuice.

Beetlejuice.

Guy Raz, we have to be careful. We can't say Beetlejuice three times in a row.

[Guy Raz]

Oops.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and take a bite out of your string cheese instead of peeling it.

All right, time for round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, a magnet will get stronger as it gets colder?

Or is it B, the strongest man alive is Dennis Moi?

[Guy Raz]

Shh.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it C, Chimpanzees cann peel oranges.

When you think you have the correct answer, tell your guest to the nearest grandma thinking. Music, please.

And to reveal the winning wow, it's Ryan and Jacob from Illinois.

Ryan and Jacob, tell us what's the winning wow.

[Caller]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My name is Ryan.

[Mindy Thomas]

And my name is Jacob. And we live in Weedon, Illinois.

[Caller]

And our wow in the world is

[Mindy Thomas]

that a permanent magnet gets stronger as it gets colder. Winner, winner, orange peels for dinner.

Thank you, Ryan and Jacob. Contestants, if you guessed the answer a, a magnet will get stronger as it gets colder. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

When a magnet gets colder, the molecules in it move around a lot less, leading to less vibration.

This creates a more concentrated magnetic field, meaning a stronger magnet.

So decreasing the temperature actually increases the magnetism. And that's why I leave all my magnets inside my refrigerator.

Don't you mean on your fridge?

[Dennis]

Nope.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and pretend to be an ostrich at a shopping mall.

Okay, now for the final round. Round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it a spider silk is about as strong as notebook paper?

Or is it B, the world's strongest, its toot was smelled over 20 miles away.

Or is it C, the golden eagle's talons are thought to be 10 times stronger than a human hand.

When you think you have the Correct answer. Tap your toes and rub your elbows.

And now, to reveal that winning wow, please welcome Biphone Sadie from North Carolina.

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

[Caller]

Hi, my name is Sadie. My wow in the world is that golden eagle's talons are thought to be 10 times stronger than a human's hand. Isn't that bonkerball?

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, jazz hands for dinner.

Thank you, Sadie. Contestants, if you guessed the answer c that if golden eagle talons are thought to be 10 times as strong as a human hand, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

That's right, Guy Raz. The golden eagle's talons are only about 2 inches long, so they're pretty small compared to our hands, but they pack a powerful punch.

In fact, the golden eagle's talons can have a grip force of around four to seven hundred hundred pounds per square inch. Talk about some serious strength.

You're telling me, Guy Raz. Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and screech like an eagle. And now it's time to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by Inside Out Burger, the only restaurant serving up your burgers with meat and cheese on the outside, buns on the inside, and a mess everywhere else.

All right, well, let's take a break and hear some other important messages for grownups.

2 what's in a while? We'll be right back.

[Dennis]

Grown Ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

This message is for you.

[Dennis]

You're listening to Bongo and the Big

[Big Toot]

two in the Morning on K. Hey, Bongo, guess what time it is. Looks to be about 7:40am no, it's time for Big Toot's big favorite.

[Guy Raz]

Big favorite?

[Big Toot]

Oh, yeah. The part of the show when you, Big Toot, hit us with your favorite new song. What you got for us today? All right, today's big favorite is a song from a new artist called wow in the World. Well, what's the song? It's called the scientifically Most danceable song in the whole wide world. Wow, that's a big title. Yeah. Let me spin you up a clip.

[Guy Raz]

The scientifically most danceable song in the world. A wide world. The scientifically most danceable danceable song.

[Big Toot]

Whoa too. That was totally rockin'.

[Dennis]

Where can we listen to the rest of the song?

[Big Toot]

Anywhere you get your tunes, Bongo. They're out on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you like to spin your tracks. Well, thanks for tuning in to Big 2's big favorite here on Bongo in the Big 2 in the morning on Kwow Bye bye now. Later.

[Mindy Thomas]

That's it. Now back to the show.

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Guy Raz]

Two what's and wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

What was that?

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

We're having a polka party.

[Guy Raz]

Oh.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's time for today's poker balls bonus round. And today's question comes from the episode of wow in the World called Tuna, A meal fit for a cat.

And the question for this round is. It turns out opening up an exclusively tuna themed restaurant is a fantastic idea if you want it to be overrun with cats. But why do cats love this fishy feast so much?

Is it A, because they get an umami overload from a chemical inside the tuna?

Or is it B, they can't taste sweetness?

Or is it C because they are strict pescatarians and only eat fish? When you think you have the correct answer, honk a horn.

And joining us with today's answer, it's Reggie.

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

That's right, Reggie. The correct answer is A.

Although it's true that cats cannot taste sweetness, the reason they love tuna so much is because of the chemicals inside the tuna binding with their taste receptors and causing an umami explosion in their mouths.

Congratulations to all of our winning wowzers on today's show. Mindy, what's today's prize?

Guy Raz. Today's winning wowzers will all receive their very own potato sunscreen.

Potato sunscreen? I've never even heard of this.

Yeah, that's cause I just made it up.

Huh?

Put some on your tater and when it goes out into the sun, it won't get baked. Okay, Reg, cue the prize cannon.

[Guy Raz]

No. Ah, my eyes. Sorry.

[Mindy Thomas]

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.

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 Dennis.

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

Until then, keep on wowing.

Two what's and a wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern Ranzer Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski with collaboration from our head writer Kenny Curtis.

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

Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Froehlich, Kristin Yang, Twee 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 was written and composed by the Pop Ups. For more on their three time Grammy nominated all ages music, find [e-mail] and

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.

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and twitter@wowintheworld and our email address is helloinkercast.com finally, 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-WWOW.

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

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