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

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.

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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|

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.

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]