Wow in the World Podcast Summary
Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - World Wide Web
Release Date: July 4, 2025
Host: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Produced by: Tinkercast | Wondery
Introduction to Planet Wow
At the beginning of the episode, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz introduce an exciting initiative called Planet Wow. This collaborative effort with Geocaching HQ, the Aspen Institute, and the Nature Conservancy aims to engage young listeners in eco-friendly adventures through geocaching. Participants are encouraged to become the next generation of climate crusaders by exploring and appreciating various "wow" places on Earth.
Notable Quote:
Mindy Thomas (00:22): “Planet Wow... encourages curious kids like you to become the next generation of climate crusaders.”
Listeners are invited to search for Planet Wow trading cards in geocaches near their locations, with printable versions available on the Tinkercast website. The hosts also encourage children to share their eco-adventures for a chance to be featured in future episodes.
Main Segment: Two Whats?! And A Wow!
The core of the episode revolves around the interactive game show segment, Two Whats?! And A Wow!, a scientific game designed to educate and entertain listeners by distinguishing between fascinating facts ("wows") and plausible but incorrect statements ("whats"). The theme for this episode centers on spiders.
Round One: The Musical Web
Questions Presented:
- A: Spider webs have been used to make violin strings.
- B: Grandma G Force has a pet spider named Charlotte.
- C: All spiders can swim.
Contestant: Adeline from Colorado
Winning Answer: A - Spider webs have been used to make violin strings.
Notable Quote:
Adeline (05:59): “My wow in the world is that people used to make violin strings with spider webs.”
Insight:
Dr. Osaki from Japan innovatively twisted thousands of spider silk threads to create violin strings that were tightly packed with minimal spacing. These spider-derived strings were favored by some professional violinists for their superior tone compared to traditional materials.
Mindy Thomas (06:37): “A researcher From Japan named Dr. Osaki twisted thousands of spider silk threads together, creating very tightly packed strings with virtually no space in between them.”
Round Two: Speedy Slingshot Spiders
Questions Presented:
- A: Jumping spiders could jump over the length of a pickup truck.
- B: Most spiders have excellent night vision.
- C: A slingshot spider accelerates a hundred times faster than a cheetah.
Contestant: Joaquin from Maryland
Winning Answer: C - A slingshot spider accelerates a hundred times faster than a cheetah.
Notable Quote:
Joaquin (07:56): “My wow is that slingshot spider could accelerate 100 times faster than a cheetah.”
Insight:
Slingshot spiders possess the remarkable ability to accelerate over 3,000 feet per second squared, making them 100 times faster than the fastest land animal, the cheetah. Additionally, these spiders can withstand immense G-forces of about 130, significantly higher than what fighter pilots can endure.
Guy Raz (08:22): “Slingshot spiders have enough energy to accelerate over 3,000ft per second squared.”
Round Three: Sparkle Muffins – The Peacock Spiders
Questions Presented:
- A: There is a peacock spider species called Sparkle Muffin.
- B: The longest living spider lived for 93 years.
- C: Spiders love to sing.
Contestant: Cormac from Idaho
Winning Answer: A - There is a peacock spider species called Sparkle Muffin.
Notable Quote:
Cormac (13:38): “There is a new species of peacock spider in South Australia. And the name of the species is Sparkle Muffin.”
Insight:
Sparkle Muffin spiders are diminutive yet captivating, measuring just a quarter of an inch in length. Distinguished by their vibrant striped colors, male Sparkle Muffins perform elaborate dance routines to attract mates, showcasing nature's intricate beauty and complexity.
Mindy Thomas (14:07): “This peacock spider species is tiny but adorable at just a quarter of an inch long. Sparklemuffin spiders are known for their bright striped colors.”
Conclusion and Prizes
Following the final round, the hosts announce prizes for the winning contestants. All victorious participants receive a unique prize dubbed "corn on the cobwebs," a playful combination of a favorite side dish and the episode's spider theme.
Notable Exchange:
Mindy Thomas (14:38): “You must stop, drop and add some sparkles to the nearest muffin.”
Guy Raz (14:42): “Either a spaceship has landed or Dennis is trying to play the kazoo again.”
The segment concludes with invitations for listeners to join the World Organization of Wowzers, participate in Tinkerclass for educational projects, and stay engaged with future episodes across various platforms.
Final Remarks:
Mindy Thomas (15:29): “If you're a teacher out there listening, make sure you join Tinkerclass. It's our free project-based learning program.”
Engage and Participate
Listeners are encouraged to:
- Join Planet Wow by visiting Tinkercast.com/PlanetWow to find geocaches and printable trading cards.
- Become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers for exclusive activities and rewards.
- Share their own wows via video or audio messages for a chance to be featured on the podcast.
Contact Information:
- Survey and Feedback: wondery.com/survey
- WoW Hotline: 1-888-7-WOWW
- Membership and More: Tinkercast.com
- Social Media: Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @owintheworld
- Email: hellotinkercast.com
Production Credits
- Executive Producers: Meredith Halpern, Ranzer, Mindy Thomas, and Guy Raz
- Writers: Kenny Curtis and Anna Zagorski
- Sound Production and Design: Marion Lozano and Henry Moskal
- Theme Song: The Pop Ups (thepopups.com)
Stay Tuned:
Join Mindy and Guy every Monday for new episodes of Wow in the World, Friday for Two Whats?! And A Wow!, and weekends for WeWOW with Dennis. Keep exploring, learning, and most importantly, keep on wowing!
This summary captures the essence of the "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - World Wide Web" episode, highlighting the interactive game segments focused on spider facts, participant interactions, and the engaging educational content presented by the hosts.