Wow in the World: Two Whats?! And A Wow! – Two Whats?! And A World Record! (8/29/25)

Podcast: Wow in the World (Tinkercast | Wondery)
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Date: August 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This energetic episode of “Two Whats?! And A Wow!” is a special all-about-kids edition focused on world records—specifically, amazing achievements by young people that have made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Through their signature playful game show format, Mindy and Guy encourage listeners to distinguish fascinating true stories ("wows") from made-up ones ("whats"), all while learning fun facts, meeting real record-holders, and enjoying the wacky antics and challenges sprinkled throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. World Record Attempt: The Wow in the World Hotline

• Theme: The show kicks off with Mindy and Guy sharing their excitement about possibly breaking a Guinness World Record for “most submissions to a fact hotline,” encouraging listeners to get involved.
• Listener Engagement: Kids are called to action to submit their own “wow” facts to help reach the goal.
  • Quote: “If you haven't called in to share your wow yet, we need over 4,000 of you to call us with your WOW.” — Guy Raz [00:44]

2. Game Show — 'Two Whats?! And A Wow!' Special: World Record Kids [Main Content]

Round 1: Youngest Video Game Developer

• Options:
  • A) Created a smartphone
  • B) Built a time machine
  • C) Developed a video game
• After “thinking” time and silly sound effects, the answer is revealed by a special guest:
  • Winning Wow:
    • Simmer Khurana, at age 6, set the record as the youngest video game developer, creating the game “Healthy Food Challenge.” Her dad noticed her talent for math and games, prompting coding classes.
    • Quote: “My wow is that I set the Guinness world record for the youngest video game developer at age 6.” — Simmer Khurana [05:42]
  • Fun Fact: Simmer’s game teaches kids about healthy eating.
  • Challenge for Wrong Answer: “Stop, drop, and become a video game character. Run, jump… roll!” [06:39]

Round 2: Youngest Dinosaur Discoverer

• Options:
  • A) Fossil of an unknown dinosaur
  • B) Secret underground arcade
  • C) Star in the Andromeda galaxy
• Revealed by another guest:
  • Winning Wow:
    • Wiley Bryce, age 4, found a fossilized rib of a previously undiscovered dinosaur (a nodosaur) while digging with his dad in Texas.
    • Quote: “My wow is that I set the world record for being the youngest person to discover a fossil of an unknown dinosaur species.” — Wiley Bryce [07:57]
  • Educational Note: The dinosaur’s bones are estimated at 100 million years old.
  • Challenge: “Stop, drop and roar like a dinosaur!” [08:50]

Round 3: Largest Playing Card Structure

• Options:
  • A) Toothpicks
  • B) Playing cards
  • C) Candy
• Guest participant shares the answer:
  • Winning Wow:
    • Arnav Daga, age 15 from India, built the world’s largest playing card structure, using 143,000 cards to replicate four buildings from Kolkata—without tape or glue.
    • Quote: “My wow is that I set the world record for the largest playing card structure by stacking four heritage buildings from Kolkata.” — Arnav Daga [09:54]
  • Details: The structure took 41 days and was roughly the size of a shipping container (40 ft long, 17 ft wide, 11 ft tall).
  • Challenge: “Stop, drop, and build an invisible playing card structure—and then knock it down!” [10:38]

3. History & Fun Facts about the Guinness Book of World Records

• Mindy explains the book was originally created to settle debates about things like the world’s biggest cookie.
  • Quote: “In 1955, the first Guinness Book of World Records was published with the intention of settling arguments like this one.” — Mindy Thomas [11:04]
  • Fun Moment: They act out a (mock) argument about what type of cookie holds the record, ultimately revealing: “the world's largest cookie was chocolate chip and weighed 40,000 pounds.” [11:44]

4. Bonker Balls Bonus Round: How Many Guinness Records Exist? [12:34]

• Question Options:
  • A) 855
  • B) 9,222
  • C) 65,940
• Guy Raz gets to play the contestant, after much teasing from Mindy about his “final, final, final answer.”
  • Correct Answer: C) 65,940 active record titles as of the taping.
  • Additional Fact: In 2023 alone, 4,975 records were approved.
  • Quote: “Guy Razzie, you are correct!... There are 65,940 active record titles, and new ones are being set all the time.” — Mindy Thomas [13:51]

5. Silly Prizes and Audience Fun

• Prize: Winners are playfully awarded “the world’s largest serving of pancakes” (13,000, to be exact, with maple syrup), followed by more food-flinging silliness.
  • Quote: “Mindy, this is too many pancakes.” — Guy Raz [14:37]
  • Mindy: “That's what makes it a world record.” [14:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mindy’s challenge instructions after a wrong answer:
  • “Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and become a video game character.” [06:39]
  • “Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and roar like a dinosaur.” [08:50]
• Game Show Banter:
  • “The scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats!” — Mindy Thomas [04:00]
  • “Winner, winner, house of cards for dinner.” — Mindy Thomas [09:56]
• On the purpose of Guinness World Records:
  • “So many people were yelling their heads off trying to figure out who was the tallest person, or the fastest bird, we now have a book that can give us the answers.” — Mindy Thomas [11:26]
• On audience participation:
  • “Tell your classmates, friends and pigeons to call in with their wows and facts too.” — Mindy Thomas [01:06]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:21] – Guinness record attempt for hotline submissions announced
• [03:22] – Game show proper begins
• [05:40] – Simmer Khurana: Youngest video game developer
• [07:54] – Wiley Bryce: Youngest dinosaur fossil discoverer
• [09:54] – Arnav Daga: Largest playing card structure
• [11:04] – History of the Guinness Book of World Records
• [12:34] – Bonker Balls Bonus Round (Guinness record trivia question)
• [14:18] – Silly prize announcement (world’s largest serving of pancakes)
• [15:06] – Outro messages about audience participation and Tinkerclass (for teachers)

Summary

This episode is a celebration of kids’ curiosity and capability, shining a spotlight on real-life “wowzers” making history—and inviting the whole listenership to join the world record fun. The lively format mixes silly challenges, direct participation from record-setting kids, and educational tidbits about world records. The trademark humor and positive energy of Mindy and Guy make science and achievement accessible and exciting for families and classrooms alike.

Whether you want to be inspired by young trailblazers, dream up your own record attempt, or just laugh at the idea of a 40,000-pound cookie, this episode delivers plenty of WOWs!