Podcast Summary: Wow in the World

Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – The Rest Is Pre-History

Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Date: September 19, 2025
Theme: Prehistoric Animals

Overview

On this lively episode of Wow in the World, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz bring prehistoric times to life with their signature energy and humor. The theme is “Prehistoric Animals,” and the hosts invite listeners to play along in their game show “Two Whats?! And A Wow!”—a scientific guessing game where only one of three wild-sounding statements is true. Along the way, they share fun facts about ancient creatures, offer hands-on science challenges, and keep kids giggling with silly skits and physical challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Banter and Premise

• Mindy jokingly proposes they should “translate all of our lines into Dinosaur,” suggesting the outlandish idea that dinosaurs might attend their show (02:09).
• Guy quickly grounds the conversation, reminding Mindy that dinosaurs are extinct and humorously questioning her methods for interpreting dinosaur “language” (02:31).
• Dennis the announcer sets the high-energy tone, and Reggie the pigeon contributes his usual quirky asides.

Game Show: Two Whats?! And A Wow!

Each round features three statements about prehistoric animals; listeners must guess which is true. Callers from across the country reveal the correct answers.

Round 1 – Sharks and Dinosaurs

• Question: Which is true?
  A) Trilobite fossils are stronger than diamonds
  B) Sharks lived before dinosaurs
  C) Dinosaurs may have had long ears like rabbits

• Correct Answer: B) Sharks lived before dinosaurs.

• Quote:

  • “Scientists have discovered fossilized shark scales that date all the way back to about 420 million years ago, which is about 175 million years before the first known dinosaur.” – Mindy (06:38)
  • “Fossilized evidence tells us that there were between 2 and 3,000 ancient shark species. And although the dinosaurs are long gone, we still have roughly 500 shark species today.” – Guy Raz (06:53)

• Memorable Moment: Contestants failing to answer must “shark attack an invisible ichthyosaur.” (07:07)

Round 2 – Dimetrodons and Mammals

• Question: Which is true?
  A) Dimetrodons were more closely related to humans than reptiles
  B) Brontosauruses were meat eaters
  C) Pterodactyl means ‘iguana duck’

• Correct Answer: A) Dimetrodons were more closely related to humans than to reptiles.

• Quotes:

  • “Dimetrodons lived about 35 million years before the first dinosaurs did. They looked a lot like dinosaurs… but they actually weren’t even reptiles.” – Mindy (08:43)
  • “The difference is in their skulls. Dinosaurs had two holes behind their eye sockets… but Dimetrodons only had one of these holes, just like we do. This helped scientists figure out they were part of the same group… as us humans.” – Guy Raz (08:56)

• Memorable Moment: Incorrect contestants must “raise your foot over your head” as a physical challenge. (09:18)

Round 3 – Crocodiles and Dinosaurs

• Question: Which is true?
  A) Crocodiles are closely related to dinosaurs
  B) House cats descended from saber-tooth tigers
  C) The earliest known insect was a prehistoric mosquito

• Correct Answer: A) Crocodiles are closely related to dinosaurs.

• Quotes:

  • “The crocodilians are more closely related to modern day dinosaurs, AKA birds, than they are to other reptiles.” – Mindy (12:02)
  • “Crocodilians, birds, and dinosaurs all share a common ancestor, a group called archosaurs, of which birds and crocodilians are the only living descendants.” – Guy Raz (12:19)

• Memorable Moment: Those who answered incorrectly must “snap your crocodilian jaw.” (12:34)

Bonkerballs Bonus Round: Are We There Yet?

• Playful, nonsensical round where Mindy and Guy keep the fun rolling with silly banter (12:54).

Prize Reveal

• Prize: “Invisible edible dirt lump”
• Quote:
  • Mindy: “You say potato, I say edible dirt!” (13:43)

Hands-On Science Challenge: Fingerprint Fossils (13:51–14:44)

• Mindy and Guy challenge listeners to make their own “fossil” imprint in clay and share photos.
• Quote:
  • “This process can take 10,000 years or more, but we’ve come up with a quick version for you Wowzers.” – Guy Raz (14:00)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Dinosaur Language:

  • “So after examining the bones I found, I think it’s most likely that they sounded like this. Roar, roar, roar.” – Mindy (02:52)
  • “You just made that up.” – Guy Raz (03:14)

• Physical Challenges:

  • “If you guessed incorrectly, you must stop, drop, and do a redonkulous physical challenge.” – Mindy (04:57)

• Listener Participation:

  • “Joining us by phone, it’s Bethany from Idaho…” (06:05)
  • “Hi, my name is Winnie. Crocodiles are closely related to dinosaurs. I wish you could come to St. Louis, Missouri for a live show. Say hi to everybody for me. Bye!” – Winnie (11:32)

Detailed Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:09 | Dinosaur language joke & beginnings of prehistoric talk | | 04:11 | Game show instructions (“Two Whats?! And A Wow!” explained) | | 05:13 | Round One—Sharks before dinosaurs | | 06:05 | Bethany from Idaho reveals Round One answer | | 07:15 | Round Two—Dimetrodons and mammals | | 08:11 | Kai from Minnesota reveals Round Two answer | | 09:26 | Round Three—Crocodiles and dinosaurs | | 11:32 | Winnie from Missouri reveals Round Three answer | | 12:54 | Bonus Round (“Are we there yet?”) | | 13:18 | Prize reveal (“Invisible edible dirt lump”) | | 13:51 | Hands-on science challenge (“Fingerprint Fossils”) | | 14:44 | Episode wrap-up & listener outreach |

Conclusion & Overall Energy

Exuberant and educational, this episode lets kids “travel back in time” to explore astonishing prehistoric facts, busting myths (like cat ancestry and dino ears) with laughter and curiosity. Listener participation, silly challenges, and creative science experiments make for a memorable family podcast that’s both fun and mind-expanding.

Closing advice:

• “Until then, keep on wowing!” – Guy Raz & Mindy (14:52)