Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Totally Q’s of the Heart

Summary

Wow in the World – Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Totally Q’s of the Heart

Podcast: Wow in the World
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Date: February 13, 2026
Episode Theme: Science game show focused on heart facts – “Totally Q’s of the Heart”

---

Overview

In this playful, science-filled episode of “Two Whats?! And a Wow!”, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz host a game show all about fascinating heart facts, perfect for curious kids and their families. Through three game rounds, listeners learn real “wow-worthy” truths about animal and human hearts, sprinkled with playful banter, memorable challenges, and active participation from kids across the country. With each round, only one of three statements about the heart is true—the “wow”—and the rest are fun but fictional “whats.”

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Game Structure & Rules

• Game Concept: Mindy and Guy present three statements per round; only one is a true scientific “wow.”
• Participation: Listeners are encouraged to guess, with fun physical challenges for incorrect answers.
• Heart Theme: All questions and facts this episode relate to hearts in the animal kingdom and in humans.

---

Round 1: Animal Hearts

Question: Which statement about animal hearts is correct?

• A: A shark’s heart is made of cartilage (like your upper ear).
• B: A jellyfish’s heart weighs less than an egg.
• C: The octopus has three hearts.

Answer & Explanation:

• Correct: C – The octopus has three hearts.
  • Explanation: Two hearts move blood past the gills for oxygen exchange; the third pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Notably, the third heart stops beating when the octopus swims (05:30), which explains why octopuses prefer crawling over swimming since swimming tires them out.
  • Fun Fact: Jellyfish have no hearts at all!

Memorable Quote:

“Winner, winner, calamari for dinner!” – Mindy (04:55)

Challenge for Incorrect Answers:

• “Stop, drop, and crawl around on the floor like an octopus who doesn’t feel like swimming.” (06:03)

---

Round 2: Human Heart Facts

Question: Which statement about the human heart is correct?

• A: The average adult heart is about the size of an adult foot.
• B: The human heart beats around 100,000 times per day.
• C: Heart rate can be measured with a thermometer.

Answer & Explanation:

• Correct: B – The human heart beats about 100,000 times per day (07:01).
  • Details: The heart circulates around 2,000 gallons of blood daily, even though the human body contains only about 1.5 gallons of blood—meaning the heart recycles your blood many times each day! (07:27–07:33)

Notable Banter:

• Guy: “Red blood cells deliver something very important.”
• Mindy (joking): “Pizza.”
• Actual Answer: “No. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to all of the most important parts of our bodies.” (08:26)

Challenge for Incorrect Answers:

• “Stop, drop, and put your head on a friend’s chest and listen to their heartbeat.” (07:54)

---

Round 3: Biggest Hearts in the Animal Kingdom

Question: Which is true?

• A: Birds do not have hearts.
• B: The elephant has the largest heart of any mammal.
• C: A whale’s heart can be as big as a car.

Answer & Explanation:

• Correct: C – A whale’s (specifically the blue whale’s) heart can be as big as a car (13:10).
  • Details:
    • The blue whale’s heart can weigh around 400 pounds, comparable to a full-grown gorilla, and is “roughly the size of a small car.” (13:38)
    • While diving, the blue whale’s heart slows down, sometimes beating only two or three times per minute. (13:47–13:57)

Memorable Quote:

“Winner, winner, blubber for dinner.” – Mindy (13:17)
“Today, all of our winning wowzers will receive their very own personal hug.” – Mindy (14:14)
“Nothing touches the heart quite like a hug from someone who loves you.” – Mindy (14:23)

Challenge for Incorrect Answers:

• “Stop, drop, and sing a song like a humpback whale.” (13:57)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On octopus hearts:

  “Two of the octopus hearts have the job of moving blood past the gills … The third heart has the special job of making sure that all of that oxygen-rich blood gets to all of the organs and muscles, giving the octopus energy.” – Mindy (05:08)

• Fun connection:

  “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.” – Guy Raz (14:48)

• Heartfelt finale:

  “You know, that does feel pretty great.” – Guy, after a virtual hug from Mindy (14:43)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:42] – Start of “Two Whats?! And a Wow!” game show
• [03:44] – Round 1: Octopus hearts
• [06:03] – Round 2: How often the human heart beats
• [12:02] – Round 3: Blue whale’s massive heart
• [14:22] – Bonus reward: Hugs for all wowzers!

---

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is playful, energetic, and highly interactive, blending silliness (“Winner, winner, blubber for dinner!”) with truly amazing science facts. Mindy and Guy riff off each other with lighthearted jokes, metaphors, and encouragement, while inviting kids to be part of the action through interactive challenges and participation in the show.

---

For Listeners

• To keep playing and learning: Join the World Organization of Wowzers.
• Teachers: Check out Tinkerclass for free project-based learning.
• Kids: Call the WOW Hotline (1-888-7-WOW) to share your own wow moments.

---

Key Takeaway

Hearts are truly “wow”—from the hardworking human heart beating about 100,000 times a day, to the octopus’s three hearts, to the blue whale’s heart the size of a car. Friends, hugs, and curiosity power the show—and the world!

Transcript

[Narrator]

Grown ups, this message is for you.

[Guy Raz]

Hey, it's Guy, Raz and Mindy here from WOW in the World. And before we get started, we'd like to take a moment to send a sincere thank you to all of the families who have already contributed to help us power the wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

We've been hard at work preparing your thank you shout outs and videograms, setting up some exciting behind the scenes recording sessions, and sending out all of the other thank you gifts for your support.

[Guy Raz]

And for any grownups wondering why we're asking our listeners for support. Well, the answer is simple.

[Mindy Thomas]

The truth is, in order to keep creating high quality human made programs like wow in the world, we need your help.

[Guy Raz]

The media industry has changed a lot since we first launched this show back in 2017. Traditional funding from partnerships, sponsors and distributors are no longer enough to sustain this type of programming alone.

[Mindy Thomas]

Programming that is created by a team of real humans, real experts. No AI bots.

[Guy Raz]

There's researching, writing, fact checking, voice acting, editing, musical scoring, sound effects, sound designing.

[Mindy Thomas]

You get the picture. There's a lot that goes into making a Tinkercast show. And each episode takes time and a team of talented people to make it.

[Guy Raz]

A dedicated team who values kids and childhood and work tirelessly to create high quality content for families to enjoy, laugh and learn with together.

[Mindy Thomas]

So grown ups, we're asking you to help us keep going by making a financial contribution.

[Guy Raz]

You can visit team Tinkercast.com support and choose from a handful of different thank you gifts for different levels of giving.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh yeah, we're talking personal shout outs from your favorite characters, special audio and video messages for your wowzers, and the chance to go behind the scenes of an episode recording and more.

[Guy Raz]

Once again, that's Tinkercast.com support.

[Mindy Thomas]

So from the bottom of our hearts.

[Guy Raz]

To the top of our brains, thank you.

[Flip]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show. After asking, are we there yet? Even when you can look out the window and clearly see we're not, it's.

[Mosi]

Two what's and the wow. With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Rice. 2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what's 2 what? 2What's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Mosi]

2 what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

The scientific game show that separates the Wows from the whats and the category or theme for today is. Hearts. Yes. We love you. So Mindy, why don't you bring everyone up to speed 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 the heart.

[Mosi]

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.

[Mosi]

What?

[Guy Raz]

Now, 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]

Okay, everyone ready to get started?

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. Then let's get to it.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, a shark's heart is made of cartilage? Or the same stuff in your upper ear?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, a jellyfish's heart weighs less than an egg?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it c, the octop? 3 hearts.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, give it to the person next to you. Hey, Reggie, cue the thinking music.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that, it's Merritt from New Jersey. Merritt, tell us what's the winning wow? My wow in the world is that. Is that octopus is a sweetheart. Winner, winner. Calamari for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Merritt. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C, that the octopus has three hearts, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Great.

[Guy Raz]

Good job, Lousers.

[Mindy Thomas]

Two of the octopus hearts have the job of moving blood past the gills so that carbon dioxide can go out and oxygen can come in, just like our lungs do for us. The third heart has the special job of making sure that all of that oxygen rich blood gets to all of the organs and muscles, giving the octopus energy.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, oh, and one more thing about that third heart, Mindy. It actually stops beating when the octopus swims. And this is why the octopus prefers to crawl rather than swim, because swimming really tires them out.

[Mindy Thomas]

I had no idea, Guy Raz. And by the way, jellyfish, they don't have hearts at all. Okay, now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and crawl around on the floor like an octopus who doesn't feel like swimming.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, time for round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific one?

[Mosi]

Wow.

[Guy Raz]

Is it A, the average healthy adult human heart is about the size of an adult foot.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, the human heart beats around 100,000 times per day.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C. Your heart rate can be accurately measured with a thermometer.

[Mindy Thomas]

Lots to think about here. When you think you have the correct answer, tap out some beats on your chest like an extra heart.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Rose from Washington to reveal our winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

My wow in the world is that the heart of beets about 100,000 times a day. Winner, winner, heart shaped beets for dinner only. It's beets, not beets like the vegetable.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Rose. Wowzers. If you guessed the answer b that the human heart beats about 100,000 times per day, Congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The human heart pumps around 2,000 gallons of blood through through your body every day.

[Guy Raz]

But you don't have 2,000 gallons of blood in your body. You only have about a gallon and a half. Your heart keeps moving all of this blood around your body, delivering oxygen everywhere. And that circulation adds up to around 2,000 gallons.

[Mindy Thomas]

If you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and put your head on a friend's chest and listen to their heart beat. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by red blood cells. These little buddies are inside our blood and are a very important part of our circulatory system.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Mindy. Red blood cells deliver something very important.

[Mindy Thomas]

Pizza.

[Mosi]

Kale.

[Guy Raz]

No. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to all of the most important parts of our bodies.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ah, that's right. So all of the oxygen in our bodies is brought to you by red blood cells. Just like this episode of 2 what's in a wow.

[Guy Raz]

All right, thank you, red blood cells. Why don't we take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups.

[Narrator]

Two what's in a while. We'll be right back. Grown ups. This message is for you. Greetings, earthlings.

[Flip]

I am called Flip and you can call me Mosi.

[Narrator]

And we are extraterrestrials, what you may call space aliens.

[Flip]

Flip, you can't just blurt it out like that. The humans will get freaked out and think we're weird.

[Narrator]

Regardless, our star cruiser broke down and we've got to wait 3,000 years for the repair ship to show up.

[Flip]

So while we're waiting, we decided to make a podcast all about exploring your planet.

[Narrator]

We particularly enjoy interacting with many of the earthlings you call animals, like giraffes, pandas, and penguins.

[Flip]

On our podcast feed, we transmit different kinds of episodes back to our home planet and to all of you. You can hear musical episodes, travel pod interviews, and our newest addition to the feed are mini pods. We are call Postcards from Earth.

[Narrator]

Experience life on Earth in a whole new way. Check out Flip and Mosi. Wherever you get your podcasts, you can.

[Mindy Thomas]

Listen to Flip And Mosey's new mini pods, Postcards from Earth starting next Thursday, February 12th in the flip and Mosey podcast feed. Don't miss out on any earthly adventures. Subscribe to Flip and Mosey wherever you get your podcasts. Hey grownups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

And we have an important message to share with you. For nine years, wow in the World has been free for every family, teacher, curious kid and grownup who listens.

[Mindy Thomas]

And we've kept it going through partnerships, sponsors, distributors, and honestly, a whole lot of scrappy ingenuity.

[Guy Raz]

But the truth is, the media industry has changed a lot since we launched this show in 2017, and it's becoming a lot harder to financially sustain a show like wow. In the world without additional help.

[Mindy Thomas]

And that's because every episode you hear is handcrafted by an entire team of real humans.

[Guy Raz]

So for the first time ever, we are asking our listeners you to support the show. If your family values what we create.

[Mindy Thomas]

If you've laughed or learned something new.

[Guy Raz]

Or if the show has inspired curiosity in your home, we're asking you to consider making a contribution.

[Mindy Thomas]

Your support goes directly to paying our team and keeps wow in the World free for everyone who listens to it.

[Guy Raz]

So grown ups, if you can just.

[Mindy Thomas]

Visit tinkercast.comsupport to see the thank you packages that we've put together for your support.

[Guy Raz]

Once again, you can visit tinkercast.com support and we'll put all this information in the podcast show notes.

[Mindy Thomas]

Thanks for helping to power the WOW at Tinkercast. And now let's get on with the show.

[Narrator]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Mosi]

Two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

And now we're on to our final round of questions, Round three. So which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, birds do not have.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hearts, or is it B, the elephant has the largest heart of any mammal?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? A whale's heart can be as big as a car.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, take a second to think this over. And when you think you have the correct answer, yellow. Be still my beating heart.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone with the answer, it's Riley from North Carolina. Riley, please tell us the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

My wow is A whale's heart is the size of a car. Winner, winner, Blubber for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Riley. Wowzers. If you guessed C that a whale's heart can be as big as a car. Congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

It's true. The blue whale has the largest heart in the entire animal kingdom. Sorry, elephants. It weighs about 400 pounds.

[Guy Raz]

That's about the same weight as a full grown gorilla and roughly the size of a small car. Another interesting fact, when the blue whale dives down to feed, its heartbeat slows down. It might even only beat two or three times every minute.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and sing a song like a humpback whale.

[Guy Raz]

Wait Mindy. I thought you got the answer right.

[Mindy Thomas]

I did, but I just couldn't help myself. Today, all of our winning wowzers will receive their very own personal hug.

[Guy Raz]

A hug?

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep. Nothing touches the heart quite like a hug from someone who loves you.

[Mosi]

Fire away. Hugs.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, you know, that does feel pretty great.

[Mindy Thomas]

Of course it does, Guy Raz. And that one was just for you.

[Guy Raz]

Ah, thanks Mindy.

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it.

[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 two what's in a wow? And don't forget, we WOW on the weekends with Dennis.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on growing.

[Mindy Thomas]

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. And you just might be featured on an upcoming episode of two what's in a wow? Once again, that's 1-888-7-WOW. 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 hellotinkercast.com 2.

[Guy Raz]

What'S in a wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and.

[Mindy Thomas]

Me, Guy Raz These episodes are written by our Tinkercast Head writer Kenny Curtis and Anna Zagorsky.

[Guy Raz]

Sound production and design is by Mariam Lozano and Henry Moskal with help from Jett Anderson and Tyler Thole.

[Mindy Thomas]

And special thanks to our Tinkercast team including Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mack, Erica Medina, Jody Nussbaum, Ally Paxema, 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 two what's in a wow. 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.

[Mosi]

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

[Narrator]

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