Two Whats?! And A Wow! - The Rest Is Pre-History (9/19/25)

Summary

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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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Bonkerballs Bonus Round: Are We There Yet?

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

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Prize Reveal

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

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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)

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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)

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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 |

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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)

Transcript

[A]

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.

[B]

Hello, Wowzers. It's me, Dennis. And before we start the show this month for our new members, you can have Reggie in your pocket. No, Rezi, not for real. You're too huge. You can't fit in pockets. I'm talking about our exclusive VIP New member T shirt. Grown Ups. For a limited time only, new members to the World Organization of wowzers can get this T shirt featuring Reggie. Yeah, Reggie. See, it's a red shirt with a shirt pocket and your little head is poking out so it looks like you're in the pocket. Every membership helps support our podcasts and Tinkercast mission to spread WOW to families and Tinkers teachers around the world. That's right, Reggie. Our members also get birthday cards from Mindy and Guy, quarterly mailings from you, Reggie, and so much more. Grown ups. For access to this T shirt, visit Tinkercast.com membership and sign up your Wowzer today. That's Tinkercast.com membership. That's it. Now let's get back to my show.

[A]

I mean, I.

[B]

Our show. I mean, the show. Hey, Grown Ups. Smurfs is now streaming on Paramount. Get ready for an adventure that will blue you away. Papa Smurf has been taken by evil wizards. And if the Smurfs can't stop them, it'll mean the end of the universe. Smurfs has an all star cast with Nick Offerman, John Goodman, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, and Rihanna as Smurfette, who leads the mission to rescue Papa Smurf. Watch now with the whole Smurfin family on Paramount.

[C]

Hey, Guy. Raz.

[A]

Over here. Mindy.

[C]

Oh, there you are. So, I have an idea for tonight's show.

[A]

Oh, what were you thinking?

[C]

Well, I just realized that if there are any Allosauruses or Stegosauruses or Tyrannosaurus Rexes in the audience, then they won't be able to understand what we're saying. So I think we should translate all of our lines. Dinosaur.

[A]

Uh, I'm fairly confident there won't be any dinosaurs in the audience, Mindy.

[B]

What?

[C]

Why not? Dinosaurs would love this show.

[A]

Well, I'm not so sure about that. Plus, dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years.

[C]

Psst. Details.

[A]

Also, how do you even know what dinosaur language sounded like?

[C]

Oh, well, I've been examining some bones and fossils I found while excavating your backyard.

[A]

What? Why were you excavating in my backyard.

[C]

Your father focusing on the wrong thing. Guy Raz. So after examining the bones I found, I think it's most likely that they sounded like this. Roar, roar, roar. Like that.

[A]

You just made that up.

[C]

No. Maybe. Okay, yeah, I did.

[A]

I knew it.

[C]

I did dig up your yard for real though.

[A]

Oh, my begonias.

[B]

Okay, enough chit chat, you two. Time to start the show. You there, skate the board. And you, sun the glasses. And Reggie, table the tennis. We're on in three, two, one. And now for everyone's favorite game show.

[A]

It's two what's and a woe with your hosts, Mindy and Guy Watts. Two what? Two what's two what? Two what's two what's two what? And a wow.

[C]

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

[A]

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

[C]

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

[A]

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

[C]

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

[A]

Okay, everyone, ready to start the game?

[C]

Great. Then let's do it.

[A]

Round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A? Trilobite fossils are stronger than diamonds.

[C]

Or is it B? Sharks lived before dinosaurs did.

[A]

Or is it C? Scientists think most dinosaurs. Dinosaurs may have had long ears like rabbits.

[C]

When you think you have the correct answer, say it in dinosaur. Hey, Reggie. Thinking music.

[A]

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

[C]

And to do just that. Joining us by phone, it's Bethany from Idaho. Bethany from Idaho, tell us what's the winning wow? Hi, my name is Bethany. My wow in the world is that sharks lived before dinosaurs did. Winner, winner, Gummy sharks for dinner.

[A]

Thank you, Bethany. Contestants, if you guessed the answer B. That sharks live before dinosaurs did, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[C]

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.

[A]

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.

[C]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and shark attack an invisible ichthyosaur.

[A]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, Dimetrodons were more closely related to humans than to reptiles?

[C]

Or is it B, Brontosauruses were actually meat eaters?

[A]

Or is it C? The word pterodactyl actually means iguana duck.

[C]

When you think you have the correct answer, say it in Morse code. Thinking music, please.

[A]

And time is up. Joining us by phone to reveal the winning wow, it's Kai from Minnesota. Kai, what's the wow?

[C]

My name's Kai. My wow in the world is Dimetrodons have scales, but they're more closely related to to mammals than they are reptiles, including us humans. Winner, winner. Dimetrodonuts for dinner.

[A]

That's right, Kai. Wowzers. If you guessed A, that Dimetrodons were more closely related to humans than to reptiles, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[C]

Dimetrodons lived about 35 million years before. Before the first dinosaurs did. They looked a lot like dinosaurs with their scales and lizard like bodies, but they actually weren't even reptiles.

[A]

The difference is in their skulls. Dinosaurs had two holes behind their eye sockets where some of the lower jaw muscles attached to their skulls. But Dimetrodons only had one of these holes, just like we do. This difference helped scientists figure out that Dimetrodons were part of the same group of animals as us humans.

[C]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and raise your foot over your head.

[A]

Ok, round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, crocodiles are closely related to dinosaurs?

[C]

Or is it B, house cats are direct descendants of saber tooth tigers?

[A]

Or is it C, the earliest known insect was a prehistoric mosquito.

[C]

But before we reveal the winning wow, let's take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by evolution. This amazing biological process is the definition of new and improved. Watch as your favorite species develop new traits and split off into brand new species in a billion years or less.

[A]

Well, thank you for that. And now a message for our grownups.

[C]

Two once in a while. We'll be right back.

[B]

Grown ups don't.

[C]

This message is for you. That's it. Now back to the show.

[A]

Welcome back to Two what's and a wow. Two what's and a wow.

[C]

The scientific game show that separates the Wows from the Whats.

[A]

Okay, we're about ready to answer the question for round three.

[C]

And that question was, which of the following statements is a true scientific wow. Is it A, crocodiles are closely related to dinosaurs?

[A]

Or is it B, house cats are direct descendants of saber toothed tigers?

[C]

Or is it C, the earliest known insect is the mosquito.

[A]

And joining us by phone to reveal the answer, it's Winnie from Missouri. Winnie, tell us the wow.

[C]

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. Winner, winner, crocodile tears for dinner.

[A]

Thank you, Winnie. Contestants, if you guessed the answer A, that crocodiles are closely related to dinosaurs, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[C]

Crocodiles are part of a group of crocodilians, which also includes alligators, caimans and gharials. The crocodilians are more closely related to modern day dinosaurs, AKA birds, than they are to other reptiles.

[A]

In fact, crocodilians, birds and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs all share a common ancestor, a group of animals called archosaurs, of which birds and crocodilians are the only living descendants.

[C]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and snap your crocodilian jaw.

[A]

What was that?

[C]

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

[A]

The wolves are back.

[C]

No. It's time for today's bonkerballs bonus round. And the question for this round is. Are we there yet?

[A]

Are we there yet?

[C]

Where are we going?

[A]

Where are we going?

[C]

Oh, that's a good question, Guy Raz.

[A]

Okay, glad we got that sorted out. Anyway, congratulations to all of our winning Wowzers. Mindy.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

What's today's prize?

[C]

Guy Raz? Today, all of our winning Wowzers will be receiving their very own invisible edible dirt lump.

[A]

Uh, what?

[C]

You know, it's a lump that grows in the dirt and you can eat it, or you can make it into fries or chips, or you can bake it, or you can smash it or mash it.

[A]

Are you talking about a potato?

[C]

You say potato, I say edible dirt.

[A]

Well, that's about all the time we have for today.

[C]

But before we go, we have a little scientific challenge for you. We call it fingerprint fossils.

[A]

One of the ways scientists learn about what the world was like millions of years ago is through fossils. Imprints of plants and animals preserved in rock. This process can take 10,000 years or more, but we've come up with a quick version for you Wowzers.

[C]

For this challenge, we want you to make an imprint of yourself. Roll out a piece of clay and press your hand into it. When you take your hand out of the clay, you'll have a preserved handprint for people to find years and years into the future.

[A]

And don't forget to take a photo or a video. Grown Ups. You can upload pictures and videos to [e-mail] share and be sure to come.

[C]

Back on Monday for a brand new episode of wow in the World and again on Friday for a new episode of 2 what's in a wow?

[A]

Until then, keep on wowing. 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what?

[C]

2What'S 2 what?

[A]

2 what's and a wow.

[C]

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

[A]

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

[C]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail].

[A]

Survey 2 what's in a wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[C]

Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski.

[A]

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

[C]

Special thanks to Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Rebecca Gabon, Sana Ella Mohammed and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast hq.

[A]

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.

[C]

Thepopups.Com to keep the wows rolling. Visit us at tinkercast.com where you can become an official member of the World Organization of wowzers. Find our two what's in a wow Think and Tinker Playbook and learn about all of our other amazing amazing podcast from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

[A]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @2whats and a wow and our email address is hellotinkercast.com finally, if.

[C]

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.

[A]

Thanks again for listening and playing along. Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in.

[C]

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