Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Wardsback? (10/24/25)

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Wardsback?"

Podcast: Wow in the World
Hosts: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Release Date: October 24, 2025
Episode Theme: All About "Backwards" – Animals, Nature & a Fun Scientific Game Show

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Overview

In this lively, science-packed episode of "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" (a Wow in the World game show), Mindy and Guy Raz invite young listeners to play a three-round quiz about amazing things in nature that are... backwards! Each round features three statements — only one of which is true — and the show is full of fun challenges, listener participation, quirky humor, and fascinating facts about the natural (and occasionally fashionable) world. The episode's central purpose is to spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and share delightful, lesser-known science facts, all with a backwards twist.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction: The Game Show is On! [02:20]

• Mindy and Guy kick off their imaginative quiz show, “Two Whats?! And A Wow!”
• Theme this week: Backwards – all questions relate to reverse movement or backwards features in animals and nature.

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Round One: Hummingbirds in Reverse [03:52]

Question: Which statement about hummingbirds is the true scientific “wow”?

• A) Hummingbirds can fly backwards and upside down.
• B) Hummingbirds hum songs, but they sing them backwards.
• C) Hummingbirds can fly upside down, but not backwards.

Listeners are prompted to hum a song backwards while they think.

Winning Wow:

• Correct Answer: A) Hummingbirds can fly backwards and upside down.
  • Quote:
    • “Did you know that hummingbirds can fly backwards and upside down? Winner, winner, flower nectar for dinner.” — Elliot from Seattle [04:43]
• Explanation:
  • Hummingbirds move their wings in a figure-8 pattern, allowing movement in all directions, including backwards and upside down.
  • They fly upside down only briefly, usually to avoid predators or reach nectar in downward-facing flowers.
  • Due to very high metabolism, they need to conserve energy and eat nectar almost constantly.

Clever Challenge for Wrong Answers:

• “Stop, drop, and eat something sweet while hanging upside down.” [05:50]

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Round Two: Backwards-Blocked Birds and Beasts [06:00]

Question: Which animal cannot walk backwards?

• A) Cows
• B) Alligators
• C) Emus

Listeners should beep and back themselves up (literally!).

Winning Wow:

• Correct Answer: C) Emus cannot walk backwards.
  • Quote:
    • “My foundable is that emus cannot walk backwards. Winner, winner, emu egg salad for dinner.” — Miranda from Chicago [06:51]
• Explanation:
  • Emus, unlike their ostrich cousins, can only walk and run forward.
  • Kangaroos share this trait and also cannot move backwards.
  • Cows CAN walk backwards, though they’d prefer not to. Alligators must lift their bodies off the ground to walk backwards, which is rare and awkward.

Physical Challenge for Wrong Answers:

• “Stop, drop, and crawl backwards like an alligator.” [07:47]

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Comic Interlude: Fashion… Backwards! [08:08]

• Mindy introduces “Strizz” (shirts worn backwards) and “Skoz” (socks worn inside out).
• Guy Raz discovers he’s accidentally wearing “Skoz”, much to everyone’s delight.
  • Quote:
    • “You are a fashion icon without even realizing it, Guy Raz. That's why we love you.” — Mindy Thomas [08:45]

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Round Three: Remarkable Rotations and Twists [10:28]

Question: Which statement about animal limbs/necks is true?

• A) Owls can rotate their heads 360 degrees.
• B) Giraffes have eyes on the back of their head.
• C) Kinkajous can twist their legs and paws around backwards.

Listeners are prompted to “turn your neck around as far as it'll go, but carefully”.

Winning Wow:

• Correct Answer: C) Kinkajous can twist their legs and paws around backwards.
  • Quote:
    • “My wow in the world is that Kinkajous can twist their hind feet backwards to climb trees. Winner, winner, dessert for dinner. Because we're doing things backwards today.” — Eli from Washington [11:26]
• Explanation:
  • Kinkajous (also called “honey bears”) are tree-dwelling mammals. They can rotate their hind feet backwards, letting them descend or run along branches headfirst.
  • Extra Facts:
    • Giraffes do NOT have eyes on the backs of their heads.
    • Owls can rotate their head up to 270 degrees, not 360 degrees.
      • Quote:
        • “They can't go 360 degrees, but they can get closer than any other animal at 270 degrees, which is still pretty cool.” — Guy Raz [12:20]

Challenge for Wrong Answers:

• “Stop, drop, and put a pair of gloves on backwards.” [12:42]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hummingbirds’ energy use:

  • “Hummingbirds are all about saving energy because they have such a high metabolism that they have to eat nectar all the time.” — Guy Raz [05:27]

• On fashion ‘blunders’:

  • “You are a fashion icon without even realizing it, Guy Raz. That's why we love you.” — Mindy Thomas [08:45]

• On Owls & Kinkajous:

  • “Kinkajous have short legs and five clawed fingers with webbing in between them on each of their feet. Now get this. These feet can actually turn all the way around backwards...” — Mindy Thomas [11:51]

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Fun Finale: Doing Everything Backwards [12:53]

• The winning prize sound is played backwards.
• Instead of any prizes being awarded, the hosts get “prizes” from the listeners — “blowing us a kiss!”
  • Quote:
    • “Since we're all about doing things backwards, we’ve played the winning Wowzer prize sound in reverse and we're doing all the prize things backwards too.” — Mindy Thomas [13:00]
• Guy Raz reacts in confusion and amusement to the “prize cannon.” [13:32]

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Episode Wrap-Up & Extra Resources

• The hosts encourage kids and teachers to join their online science community at Tinkercast.com. [13:42–14:13]
• New episodes—both “Two Whats?! And A Wow!” and the flagship “Wow in the World”—are released every Monday and Friday.
• Teachers can find free science learning resources at Tinkercast.com/membership.
• Listeners are invited to share their own “wow” facts for a chance to be featured.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Game Show Theme Announced (“Backwards”!) | 03:00 | | Round 1: Hummingbirds Backwards? | 03:52–05:50| | Round 2: Which Animal Can’t Walk Backwards? | 06:00–07:47| | Fashion Interlude: Strizz & Skoz | 08:08–08:50| | Round 3: Animal Limbs/Necks in Reverse | 10:28–12:42| | Prize Sound Played Backwards, Joke Finale | 12:53–13:42|

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Tone

The episode maintains a playful, energetic, and encouraging atmosphere throughout. Mindy and Guy combine humor, sound effects, and participatory challenges to keep kids excited, while embedding fun facts and science learning in every segment.

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Conclusion

If you’ve ever wondered what animals can (and decidedly cannot) do backwards, or if you just love science facts told with big energy and heart, this episode delivers. Whether you’re playing along, discovering new amazing facts, or giggling at accidental fashion statements, “Wardsback?” brings the "wow" in a style uniquely its own.

“Until then, keep on growing: two times two whats, two times two wow, and wow.” — Guy Raz [14:21]

Transcript

[Guy Raz]

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.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hey Grown Ups. Mindy here. And did you hear that we have a brand new book coming out? That's right, Dinosaurs Are Wow. A Roaring Thunder, a Prehistoric Wonder. And it's coming to a bookshelf near you on October 28th. And to celebrate, I'm throwing a little vertical Prehistoric Pre Order party for wowzer fans like you. Together we'll read from the new book, play some games and answer some fan questions live. So what are you waiting for Grown ups to get an invite to our Prehistoric Pre Order party? Just pre order your copy of Dinosaurs Are Wow. At your favorite book retailer, then visit tinkercast.com dinosaur to upload a copy of your receipt and sign up for the event. We can't wait to see you there once again. Visit tinkercast.com, to learn more. That's it. And now let's get back to the show.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

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[Guy Raz]

And now for everyone's second favorite game show. After staring into an open refrigerator for five minutes and then complaining about how there's nothing to eat in this house, it's two what's and the wow. With your hosts Mindy and Guy Rile.

[Mindy Thomas]

Two what's two what?

[Guy Raz]

Two what's two what's two what's two what?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what. And the category or theme for today is. Backwards. Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants 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 things that are backwards or moving in reverse. 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.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

All right, everyone ready to start the game?

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. Then let's get to it.

[Guy Raz]

All right, round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, hummingbirds can fly backwards and upside down?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, hummingbirds actually hum songs, but they sing them backwards?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, hummingbirds can fly upside down, but not backwards.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, hum your favorite song, but do it backwards. Hey, Reg, do the thinking music thing.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that, it's Elliot from Seattle. Elliot, tell us what's the winning wow? Hello. Did you know that hummingbirds can fly backwards and upside down? Winner, winner, flower nectar for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Elliot. Contestants, if you guessed the answer A, that hummingbirds can fly backwards and upside down, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Most birds have wings that flap up and down, but hummingbirds move and twist their wings in a figure 8 motion. This is one of the reasons why they can fly in so many different directions, including backwards and upside down.

[Guy Raz]

But they generally only fly upside down for a few seconds at most. And they would only do it to avoid a predator. Or maybe to get the nectar from a flower that's facing downwards. Flying upside down saves energy, and hummingbirds are all about saving energy because they have such a high metabolism that they have to eat nectar all the time.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and eat something sweet while hanging upside down.

[Guy Raz]

On to round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, cows cannot walk backwards.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, alligators cannot walk backwards?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, emus cannot walk backwards?

[Mindy Thomas]

Hmm, lots to think about here. When you think you have the correct answer, make a beeping noise and slowly back yourself up.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's our pal Miranda from Chicago with our winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My foundable is that emus cannot walk backwards. Winner, winner, emu egg salad for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Miranda. Wowzers. If you see that emus cannot walk backwards. Well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Emus are flightless birds that look a lot like ostriches, but unlike ostriches, they can only walk forward. They can sprint really, really fast, but only forward. Apparently, kangaroos can't walk backwards either.

[Guy Raz]

Cows can walk backwards, although apparently they don't like to do that. And if an alligator needs to walk backwards, it actually has to stop its usual belly crawling and extend its legs, lifting its whole body and tail off the ground. And I'm guessing it doesn't really like to do that either.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and crawl backwards like an alligator. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by Strizz, the new hot fashion trend from the makers of sco's.

[Guy Raz]

I'm sorry, Mindy, but what exactly are Strizz and Sco's?

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh, I'm glad you asked that, Guy Raz. For those of you who don't know, Strizz goes on the top half of your body just like a regular shirt, only you wear it backwards.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, I get it, Strizz. It's shirts spelled backwards.

[Mindy Thomas]

Exactly.

[Guy Raz]

And SCOs would be just like socks.

[Mindy Thomas]

Only they're worn inside out. Oh, look, Guy Raz, you've got skoes on already. What?

[Guy Raz]

No, I don't. Wait, I do. I didn't even notice that. Ha. I got dressed in a hurry today.

[Mindy Thomas]

You are a fashion icon without even realizing it, Guy Raz. That's why we love you.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, I love you, too. Thank you, Strizz and Skoz. Now let's take a quick look break and hear some other important messages for Grownups.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

Grown ups.

[Mindy Thomas]

This message is for you. Hey, grownups, what happens when you bring a great white shark and a baby octopus to your house? A whole lot of wow. Hey, it's me, Mindy from Wow in the World, the number one science podcast for curious kids and their grownups. And we are so excited to bring the wows of sharks and sea creatures to your home without having to turn your house into an aquarium. Our jumbo great white shark is 24 inches long and comes with an exclusive wow fact card. Our baby ocean animals are Perfect for the little ones in your life. Featuring exclusive audio that will leave the whole family saying, awesome. Wow. These wow in the world toys make for fin tastic gifts for the kids in your life who love science and even the ones who don't yet grown ups. Visit Tinkercast.com Toys to shop the wow. Now that's Tinkercast.com Toys. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to Two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Two what's and a Wow. A scientific game show separates the wows from the whats.

[Guy Raz]

And now we're on to our final round of questions. Round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, owls can rotate their heads 360 degrees, or is it B.

[Mindy Thomas]

Giraffes have eyes on the back of their head?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it c? Kinkajous can twist their legs and paws around backwards.

[Mindy Thomas]

Take a second to think this over, and when you think you have the correct answer, turn your neck around as far as it'll go, but carefully.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My wow in the world is that Kinkajooth can twist their hind feet backwards to climb trees. Winner, winner, dessert for dinner. Because we're doing things backwards today.

[Guy Raz]

Great job, Eli. Wowzers. If you guessed C that Kinkajous can twist their legs and paws around backwards, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Kinkajous are sometimes called honey bears and they spend most of their time climbing through trees looking for fruit, leaves and honey. Eli was 100% right. Kinkajous have short legs and five clawed fingers with webbing in between them on each of their feet. Now get this. These feet can actually turn all the way around backwards, which allows them to run up and down three branches at a time with no problem.

[Guy Raz]

And for the record, giraffes do not have eyes in the back of their heads. And it might surprise you to know that owls can't actually turn their heads all the way around. They can't go 360 degrees, but they can can get closer than any other animal at 270 degrees, which is still pretty cool.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and put a pair of gloves on backwards.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

A trumpet got eaten by a tape recorder.

[Mindy Thomas]

I mean, probably anything's possible, but for today, since we're all about doing things backwards. We've played the winning Wowzer prize sound in reverse and we're doing all the prize things backwards too. So today all of our wowzers will be giving us prizes instead of receiving them.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, okay. I guess. What's the prize?

[Mindy Thomas]

I think they're just blowing us a kiss.

[Guy Raz]

Aw, that's very nice with the prize cannon. Oh wait, what?

[Mindy Thomas]

Ready with that cannon, Reg? Fire away. Aw.

[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 Tinker Class. 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 2 what's in a wow? And don't forget we wow on the weekend with Dennis.

[Guy Raz]

Until then, keep on growing 2x2 watts, 2x2 wow and wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Grown ups. If you like wow in the world, you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey. 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. 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, Facebook Instagram and Twitter owintheworld and our email address is hellonkercast.com 2 what's in a.

[Guy Raz]

Wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

These episodes are written by our Tinkercast head writer Kenny Curtis and Anna Zagorski.

[Guy Raz]

Sound production and design is by Marion Lozano and Henry Moskal with help from Jed 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, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, 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 2 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.

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

The World Wow in the World Meet.

[Mindy Thomas]

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