Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Whale of Fortune (6/27/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Whale of Fortune" (June 27, 2025)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Produced by: Tinkercast | Wondery

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Introduction

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz dive into the fascinating world of whales through their interactive game segment, "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" This scientific game show challenges listeners to distinguish between true scientific "wows" and fabricated "whats" about these magnificent marine mammals. The episode is both educational and entertaining, designed to spark curiosity and wonder in listeners of all ages.

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Two Whats?! And A Wow!: Whale Edition

The core of the episode revolves around the game "Two Whats?! And A Wow!" where contestants are presented with three statements about whales. Only one statement per round is a true scientific fact ("wow"), while the other two are fabricated ("whats"). Correct guesses earn points, while incorrect ones lead to playful physical challenges.

Round 1: Blue Whale Earwax

• Statements Presented:

  • A: Whales are the largest fish on the planet.
  • B: Bowhead whales like to wear fancy hats.
  • C: You can tell how old a blue whale is by their earwax.

• Correct Answer: C – You can tell how old a blue whale is by their earwax.

• Explanation:

  • Mindy Thomas (05:02): "Whales have earwax. And some species of whale have earwax that stays in their ear canal and forms a kind of earplug. This can actually help them hear better because it blocks out the water while letting sounds pass through."
  • Guy Raz (06:17): "These earplugs form in layers and can become up to 10 inches long. And by counting the number of layers, scientists can tell the exact age of the whale."

• Notable Quote:

  • Mindy Thomas (06:28): "By counting the layers in a whale's earwax, scientists can accurately determine its age."

Round 2: Humpback Whale Bubble Net Feeding

• Statements Presented:

  • A: Pilot whales don't have dorsal fins.
  • B: Humpback whales use bubbles to hunt.
  • C: Orcas have long and beautiful eyelashes.

• Correct Answer: B – Humpback whales use bubbles to hunt.

• Explanation:

  • Mindy Thomas (07:52): "Humpback whales eat mostly small fish and krill, roughly one and a half tons of food per day. They employ a unique hunting technique called bubble net feeding."
  • Guy Raz (08:06): "Groups of whales, or pods, work together by swimming in a circle around schools of fish. They create bubbles by splashing and blowing through their blowholes, trapping the fish in a net of bubbles."

• Notable Quote:

  • Guy Raz (08:25): "This way of hunting is called bubble net feeding, showcasing the whales' cooperative hunting strategies."

Round 3: Beluga Whales' Neck Flexibility

• Statements Presented:

  • A: Beluga whales are the only whales that can turn their heads.
  • B: Narwhals use only their tusks for fighting each other.
  • C: All whales speak Welsh.

• Correct Answer: A – Beluga whales are the only whales that can turn their heads.

• Explanation:

  • Mindy Thomas (09:53): "Most whales cannot turn their heads because their neck vertebrae are fused to support the weight of their enormous heads."
  • Guy Raz (10:07): "Belugas, however, do not have fused neck vertebrae, allowing their necks to be more flexible. They can turn their heads up, down, and side to side, much like humans."

• Notable Quote:

  • Mindy Thomas (10:20): "Belugas' flexible necks enable them to navigate their underwater environment with ease."

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Bonus Round: Bonkerballs

After the main game, Mindy and Guy introduce the Bonkerballs Bonus Round, a special segment where listeners recall information from a previous episode titled "Om, Sweet Om."

• Bonus Question:

  • What happens almost immediately after an OLM is born?
    • A: It turns inside out with all of its guts showing on the outside.
    • B: Skin grows over its eyes.
    • C: It does a little dance to let the underground animal kingdom know it's arrived.

• Correct Answer: B – When an OLM is born, its eyes are almost immediately covered in skin, leaving its face featureless and ready for a life underground.

• Prize: Winners receive a "giant pile of seaweed," adding a playful and thematic reward to the educational content.

• Notable Quote:

  • Mindy Thomas (15:18): "Today's winning wowzers will all be receiving their very own giant pile of seaweed. Reggie, cue the prize cannon."

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Key Takeaways and Insights

1. Scientific Accuracy vs. Fun Facts:

   • The game effectively distinguishes between verified scientific information and amusing myths, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based knowledge about marine life.

2. Whale Intelligence and Social Behavior:

   • The explanations reveal the complex social structures and cooperative behaviors of whales, such as bubble net feeding in humpback whales and the unique flexibility of beluga whales' necks.

3. Educational Engagement:

   • By incorporating interactive elements like quizzes and physical challenges, the episode engages listeners actively, making learning about whales both memorable and enjoyable.

4. Encouraging Curiosity:

   • The format encourages listeners, especially young ones, to explore and question the natural world, fostering a sense of wonder and scientific inquiry.

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Conclusion

"Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Whale of Fortune" is a stellar example of how Wow in the World blends education with entertainment. Through engaging games and informative discussions, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz provide listeners with fascinating insights into the lives of whales, sparking curiosity and a deeper appreciation for these incredible creatures. Whether you're a child or a grown-up, this episode promises to leave you saying "WOW!"

Notable Quotes Recap:

• Mindy Thomas (06:28): "By counting the layers in a whale's earwax, scientists can accurately determine its age."
• Guy Raz (08:25): "This way of hunting is called bubble net feeding, showcasing the whales' cooperative hunting strategies."
• Mindy Thomas (10:20): "Belugas' flexible necks enable them to navigate their underwater environment with ease."

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Listen to more episodes of "Wow in the World" on Wondery and join the World Organization of Wowzers for exclusive content and activities!

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 Wowzer fams Mindy here. And before we start the show, did you know that you could receive pigeon mail from Reggie? That's right. Reggie has been very hard at work in his new position as ambassador to the World Organization of Wowzers, the not so secret organization for WOW seekers and super fans everywhere. Grown Ups. When you sign up for a membership, your wowzer receives a package in the mail with wow in the World gear and top secret missions to complete all year long. That's right, Reg. But and this is a big but. There's more. You'll receive quarterly messages that we sometimes call pigeon droppings and a birthday card delivered directly to your mailbox by Reggie. So what are you waiting for? Unlock the WoW today at Tinkercast.com membership that's Tinkercast.com membership.

[Reggie]

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[Guy Raz]

And now for everyone's second favorite game.

[Reggie]

Show after having a staring contest with.

[Guy Raz]

A fish, it's two what's and the wow. With your hosts, Mindy and Guy Ra.

[Lola]

2 what's 2 what? 2 what's 2 what? 2What's 2 what? 2 what's and a. Whoa.

[Mindy Thomas]

Hello and welcome back to 2 what's in a Wow.

[Lola]

2 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. Whales. Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?

[Mindy Thomas]

You know it. Wowzers. In each of our three rounds today, Guy Raz and I will will present you with three scientific statements about whales. 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 incorrectly, you must stop, drop and do a redonkulous physical challenge.

[Lola]

Woo hoo.

[Guy Raz]

Shh. All right, everyone ready to start the game?

[Mindy Thomas]

Great. Then let's get to it.

[Guy Raz]

Round one. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, Whales are the largest.

[Mindy Thomas]

Fish on the planet, or is it B, Bowhead whales like to wear fancy hats.

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? You can tell how old a blue whale is by their earwax.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell thar she blows. Hey Reg, we need thinkin music.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

And to do just that, it's Lola from Texas. Lola from Texas, tell us what's the winning wow?

[Theodore]

Hello, my name is Lola and my wow is you can tell how old a blue wow is by the earwax.

[Lola]

Winner.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, earwax for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

Thank you, Lola. Contestants, if you guessed the answer C that you can tell how old a blue whale is by their earwax, well, congratulations. You found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Oh wait. Whales have earwax. And some species of whale have earwax that stays in their ear canal and forms a kind of earplug. This can actually help them hear better because it blocks out the water while letting sounds pass through.

[Guy Raz]

These earplugs form in layers and can become up to 10 inches long. And by counting the number of layers, scientists can tell the earth age of the whale.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and put your elbow in your ear.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, round two. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow. Is it A, pilot whales don't have.

[Mindy Thomas]

Dorsal fins, or is it B, humpback whales use bubbles to hunt?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C? Orcas have long and beautiful, beautiful eyelashes.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell way a lobe. Hey, Reggie. Cue the thinking music.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone for the answer, it's Jackson from Maryland. Jackson, please reveal the winning wow.

[Theodore]

Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz. My wow in the world is that humpback whales use bubbles to hunt.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, bubbles for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

You got it, Jackson. Wowzers. If you guessed B that humpback whales use bubbles to hunt, well, congratulations, you found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Humpback whales eat most mostly small fish and krill. And they eat a lot of it, roughly one and a half tons of food per day. And they have a pretty unusual way of going fishing.

[Guy Raz]

Groups of whales, or pods, work together by swimming in a circle around schools of fish. They create bubbles by splashing and blowing through their blowholes. This traps the fish in a kind of net of bubbles, which is why this way of hunting is called bubble net feeding.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and shoot bubbles out of your blowhole.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, time for round three. Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow? Is it A, Beluga whales are the only whales that can turn their heads.

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it B, narwhals use only their tusks for fighting each other?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it C, all whales speak Welsh.

[Mindy Thomas]

When you think you have the correct answer, yell I have the correct answer. Thinking Music, please.

[Guy Raz]

And time is up. And joining us by phone, it's Theodore from California. Theodore, please tell us the winning wow.

[Theodore]

Hi, my name is Theodore, and my wow is that beluga whales are the only whales that can turn their heads.

[Mindy Thomas]

Winner, winner, fish heads for dinner.

[Guy Raz]

That's right, Theodore. Wowzers. If you guessed fact A, that beluga whales are the only whales that can turn their heads, well, congratulations, you found the winning wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Most whales cannot turn their heads because their neck vertebrae or neck bones are fused. Scientists think that this kind of neck helps whales to support the weight of their ginormous heads.

[Guy Raz]

But belugas do not have fused neck vertebrae, so their necks are more flexible. They're able to turn their heads up and down and side to side, kind of like humans.

[Mindy Thomas]

Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and spin your head around and around and around. And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Today's show is brought to you in part by now that's what I call Whale Songs Volume 12. This deluxe compilation has songs from all of your favorite artists, Whaler Swift, Fluke Combs, Baleen Dion and more. We've got classic hits like this and who could forget this one? Order now and you'll also receive Baby Beluga Bops absolutely free.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, thank you Whale Songs. Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grown.

[Mindy Thomas]

Ups to once in a while.

[Theodore]

We'll be right back. Grown Ups, this message is for you.

[Reggie]

Today's episode is presented by Samsung Hey Grown Ups. If you've been looking for the right smartwatch to get your kids connected, look no further at Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids. It gives your child the right tools to safely learn, play and explore the Wows in their world and gives you the tools to set boundaries and monitor their activity. It's the perfect balance of independence for kids and peace of mind for parents. Your kid can call and text right from their wrist, but you choose who they can connect with. It can also share your child's location with you and even establish safe zones with alerts if they venture outside of them. We are so excited about the Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids here at Tinkercast that we teamed up with them to make one of our first apps ever. That's right. Wow in the World. Fans can now play a new round of two what's in a wow Every day on their Wrist with the two what's in a wow game for WatchOS. Guess the real wow from the made up what's to Earn prizes, unlock badges and enjoy special seasonal games. And they can take Guy, Mindy and Reggie on all of their adventures with the wow in the World Watch face. See the wow wow Crew come to life with motion activated animation that mirrors the watch's motion. Choose from an outer space theme or seasonal scenes, tap to uncover hidden surprises and pick a background color to really personalize it. Kids can find these awesome wow in the World features and tons more age appropriate content on Google Play. And when playtime is over, you can always put the watch in do not Disturb mode. Let your kids keep the wows rolling wherever they go with the Samsung Galaxy Watch for kids. Get Galaxy Watch 7 on t mobile now. Kid ready with a new paired line. Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. Parent and child must have a Samsung account and Google account with Family Link requires initial pairing with a compatible Samsung smartphone and qualifying wireless plan with LTE service activated. Please check with your carrier for more information. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps. It does not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active, supervised Google account required. Kids can still access limited features like calling and texting emergency contacts.

[Theodore]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Welcome back to two what's and a wow.

[Lola]

Two what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

The scientific game show that separates the wows from the Whoops.

[Guy Raz]

What was that?

[Mindy Thomas]

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

[Guy Raz]

Land ho.

[Mindy Thomas]

Yep, it is time for today's Bonkerballs bonus round. If you listen to our wow in the World episode Om, Sweet Om, you'll know the answer to this one and the bunker balls bonus question is what happens almost immediately after an OM is born? Is it A, it turns inside out with all of its guts showing on the outside?

[Guy Raz]

Or is it B, skin grows over its eyes?

[Mindy Thomas]

Or is it C, it does a little dance to let the underground animal kingdom know it's arrived?

[Guy Raz]

And now to reveal the winning wow, it's Reggie. Reggie, tell us what's the winning wow?

[Mindy Thomas]

And the correct answer is B. When an OLM is born, its eyes are almost immediately covered in skin, leaving its face basically featureless and ready for a life underground.

[Guy Raz]

Well, congratulations to all of our winning Wowzers. Mindy, what's today's prize?

[Mindy Thomas]

Guy Raz Today's winning wowzers will all be receiving their very own giant pile of seaweed. Reggie, cue the prize cannon.

[Guy Raz]

I don't think you should fire away. Woo hoo.

[Mindy Thomas]

Get that seaweed. Don't worry, it's slimy because it's fresh.

[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 for any teachers in our listening audience, consider joining tinkerclass, our free brand new learning platform that helps get kids wild about Science. Just visit Tinkercast.com membership, that's Tinkercast.com membership and be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of wow in the World. This weekend for some wee wow in the Weekend with Dennis and again on.

[Guy Raz]

Friday for a new episode of 2 what's and a wow.

[Mindy Thomas]

Until then, keep on wowing 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].

[Guy Raz]

Survey2 what's and a wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern, Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and me, Guy Raz.

[Mindy Thomas]

Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski with collaboration from our head writer Kenny Curtis.

[Guy Raz]

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

[Mindy Thomas]

Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Froehlich, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mac, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Zagorski 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 [e-mail] and.

[Mindy Thomas]

To keep the wow rolling. After you finish this episode you can Visit [e-mail] There you can become a member of the World Organization of wowzers to get year round mailings and weekly activities. Shop our wow. Shop, get tickets for upcoming events, find our bestselling books and learn all about the other amazing podcast from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

[Guy Raz]

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and twitter@wowintheworld and our email address is.

[Mindy Thomas]

Helloinkercast.Com finally, if 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.

[Guy Raz]

Thanks again for listening and playing along. Meet us back here next Friday or every Monday for Wow in the World.

[Lola]

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

[Theodore]

In the World was made by Tinkercast.

[Mindy Thomas]

And sent to you by Wondery.

[Reggie]

Today's episode is presented by Samsung. Hey grownups Looking for a kid friendly smartwatch that's parent approved. Samsung Galaxy Watch for kids lets you manage their contacts and see their locations and lets them call, text and play games like the two what's in a wow? Daily game show apps get Galaxy Watch 7 on T mobile now kid ready with a new paired line. Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps. It does not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active.