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Mindy Thomas
Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, I've got a question for you. Are you ready to make It Wow? Okay, here's the deal. My buddy Carlie Q and I are hitting the road to make it wow with you in the DC area. That's right, we'll be making it wow in Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, March 29th. Make it wow is a live Bonkerballs competition game show where real little kids are the star of the show. Two teams of Wowzers will turn their wildest and weirdest ideas into jaw dropping inventions live on stage. Tickets are on sale now.
Carlie Q
Grown ups.
Mindy Thomas
Visit Tinkercast.com events to get your ticket today. That's Tinkercast.com events. We can't wait to make it wow with you this spring. But until then, let's get on with the show.
Carlie Q
Wow in the world.
H Dad
It's wewow week round one.
Carlie Q
Houston.
Guy Raz
Hello and welcome to wewow mystery week.
Mindy Thomas
A hands on crash course in fun fun 101 for science seekers and inventoritos everywhere. I'm Mindy.
Guy Raz
And I'm Guy Raz.
Mindy Thomas
We've been trying to solve the case of the missing golden fake teeth and getting exactly nowher.
Guy Raz
We already found one clue. An applesauce fingerprint. And maybe we can find another.
Mindy Thomas
I like your attitude, Guy Raz. Now where do you think we should look?
Guy Raz
Well, whoever took those teeth probably needed a glass to put them in at night.
Carlie Q
Aha. To the kitchen.
Mindy Thomas
I'll just open the cabinet.
Guy Raz
What in the.
Mindy Thomas
Hmm. Everything seems normal.
Guy Raz
Mindy, this cabinet has one glass and 1, 2, 3, 4. 12 parakeets.
Nibbles the Rat
Yep.
Mindy Thomas
Like I said, totally normal.
Guy Raz
Hang on. There's a piece of paper in here.
Carlie Q
A piece of paper.
Mindy Thomas
What does it say?
Carlie Q
Let's see.
Guy Raz
It says beard, Fab reindeers. Alpine peps. Is this in a different language? Mindy, I think this might be some kind of secret code. Well, I mean, do you think someone's trying to pass us information? Or maybe keep information away from prying eyes?
Mindy Thomas
Well, Guy Raz, hate to burst your bubble gum, but that's actually just my grocery list.
Guy Raz
Your grocery list? I mean, I know you eat some pretty unusual things, but Alpine peps, Fab reindeer beard.
Mindy Thomas
Oh, yeah, those are just anagrams for pineapples, fried beans and bread.
Guy Raz
Uh, what?
Mindy Thomas
So I take the letters in my grocery and then I scramble them all up. Oh, that reminds me. I need eggs. G, E G S Gags.
Guy Raz
And let me get this straight. You write your grocery list in anagrams.
Mindy Thomas
Because because it makes groceries more fun. Takes the boredom out of chore d'em, you know.
Guy Raz
So this isn't a secret coded message?
Mindy Thomas
Nope. But I'm not giving up. Guy Raz. There's gotta be a clue around here somewhere.
Guy Raz
Well, wowzers, the mysteries still on.
Mindy Thomas
And if you want full instructions on how to make an anagram grocery list of your own or an anagram secret code, you can just go to tinkercast.com.
Guy Raz
Wewow and don't forget to send photos and videos to us@tinkercast.com Share now relax and enjoy.
Mindy Thomas
Who win wow. Mystery Edition.
Carlie Q
Hello. Remember me? Your favorite secret host from your favorite secret po that you never ever talk about. Well, guess what? I'm back with another mystery. And I've got a show for you that's truly filled with everything. Monsters, ice cream, and unusually large sized feet. I'm Carlie Q. And this is who When. Wow. Mystery Edition Our past is vast and wild. Many things have brought us to this day. As history has been compiled. Some important details have slipped away.
Lewis
In.
Carlie Q
Our spectacular shared existence. We consider it our business to recognize a few folks you may not know. Made important inventions, asked all the right questions. History will never be the same. I mean, are we over this ice cream competition thing or what? When I got into work today, I expected everyone to be talking about my co worker Lewis and his big competition tonight at the local ice cream store. Linda, you're probably ready for the end of all this ice cream talk, huh? He's actually barely mentioned it, but to my surprise, no one was talking about it at all. What? That's so strange. It was strange because Lewis had been bragging to me about it for weeks. He'd been going on and on about how no one else stands a chance and how he's gonna make the perfect ice cream sundae and win the top prize. Free ice cream for a year. Ugh, I sound like him. I'm talking about it so much I decided to make my way down to the basement before he saw me. I really didn't him to corner me with more ice cream talk. Once I got to my desk, I got right down to work catalog. And the best part. I only had to catalog a few random historical events before getting to the good stuff. Yes, that's right. A new time sealed mystery event. June 1971. The Dalles, Oregon. Giant sized footprints. Giant sized footprints in Oregon? More like giant sized curiosity. And Carly pulled out my AI device. Hdad hey there.
H Dad
Howdy. It's hdad time.
Carlie Q
And typed in the Keywords from the event organ, Giant footsteps.
H Dad
Analyzing. Analyzing. This file most likely refers to the purported ape like creature known as Bigfoot.
Carlie Q
Bigfoot?
H Dad
Gorilla emoji.
Carlie Q
An ape like creature. Cool. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to look into it more. Cause just then. Hey, colleague. The ice cream man himself. Louis, could you please stop the music?
Lewis
You must be so jealous of all that free ice cream I'm about to get for the next year.
Carlie Q
Ice cream? Shmice cream. I'd be more impressed if it was free pie. And you haven't even won the competition yet.
Lewis
Well, I'm gonna.
Carlie Q
If you're so confident, then why haven't you told anyone about it besides me? I figured it'd be the talk of the town upstairs, but they've barely even heard of it.
Lewis
Oh. Cause, well, I mean, come on.
Carlie Q
They don't.
Lewis
They don't understand competitions and stuff, so.
Carlie Q
They don't?
Lewis
Yeah, they just. They, you know, they wouldn't get it. I have a very sophisticated palate. That's a fancy way of saying I'm a picky eater, so I don't need them to care.
Carlie Q
But you need me to care.
Lewis
No, no, I don't need anyone. Just yesterday I learned it's actually a partner competition. You and a teammate will each create a sundae.
Carlie Q
Oh. So who's your teammate?
Lewis
I don't have one. That's my point. I don't need one. I'm gonna make two perfectly delicious sundaes all on my own. One's gonna be chocolate with a banana and whipped cream, and the other will be perfectly vanilla with more strawberries and hot ch. Fudge. So take that, all you office workers, and Carly Q and everybody.
Carlie Q
Cool. Well, good luck. Thank you.
Lewis
I don't need it.
Odie
But thank you.
Lewis
Who needs luck anyway when you have talent?
Carlie Q
Okay, bye.
Lewis
I'm leaving now.
Carlie Q
Bye.
Lewis
Bye.
Carlie Q
Bye.
Lewis
Bye.
Nibbles the Rat
Bye.
Carlie Q
That was weird. I could tell my rat friend Nibbles thought so too. She'd been watching from the potted plant near my desk. I know Hdad said it was an ape like creature, but I can't help picturing it as just a single giant foot. After a few more hilarious jokes about the giant butt, Nibbles and I finally got down to work.
Mindy Thomas
The hour for caloric consumption has arrived. Dig in.
Carlie Q
Yes. Let's go find. I grabbed Nibbles and Hdad and took off for the elevator. Hi, Odie.
Odie
Hello, basement companion.
Carlie Q
Another day, another mystery. This one's about Bigfoot. Some sort of ape like creature in Oregon. Heard of him?
Odie
Oh, rumors of a creature like that go back hundreds of years and come from many different indigenous cultures. In my day, I've heard him go by many names. Sasquatch, Skunk, ape, Woodbooger.
Carlie Q
Woodbooger.
Odie
In cold climates, he's sometimes called a yeti, or even the abominable snowman.
Carlie Q
This One is for June 1971. So I'm not sure about how much snow there's gonna be.
Odie
Probably none. But don't be surprised if your bigfoot search Goes differently than you expect.
Carlie Q
Why is that?
Odie
Because even the biggest foot can have the softest heart.
Carlie Q
What? That. That doesn't sound anatomically.
Odie
Okay, Quick review of the time travel rules. No changing anything in the past, but ask all the questions you like, and you must be back before the end of your lunch break. Otherwise, you might get caught.
Carlie Q
Okay, got it. But what.
Odie
Okay, here you go.
Nibbles the Rat
Wait, hang on.
Carlie Q
You got to hang on there. What if we get caught?
Nibbles the Rat
By big.
Carlie Q
We made it. And as expected, no snow. It's a warm and sunny day. We're here in the center of a small town. There are houses and little shops and. And lots of people are out. It sure is pretty scenic with the mountains all around, huh, nibbles?
Nibbles the Rat
Yeah, and look at all the payphones and the people all dressed exclusively in beige and brown clothing.
Carlie Q
I guess this is the 70s.
Nibbles the Rat
Sure smells like it.
Trailer Park Resident
10Ft tall and hairy all over. Like an ape.
Carlie Q
An ape? Nibbles, they must be talking about bigfoot.
Nibbles the Rat
Eat a bigfoot. Well, my great uncle Ricky, he's the biggest rat you've ever seen.
Carlie Q
Hey, excuse me. Are you ladies talking about bigfoot?
Trailer Park Resident
Who are you, some nosy newcomer in town?
Carlie Q
Yes. Yes, I am. I just love to keep tabs on everything happening in the neighborhood. I heard there's been a sighting of bigfoot recently and sounds like you might know about it.
Trailer Park Resident
Sounds that way. Cause it's true. A friend of mine has seen him three times the past three days.
Carlie Q
What? Where?
Trailer Park Resident
At the trailer park where he works, just outside of town. His name's Joe. He's the maintenance man.
Carlie Q
So what did he see?
Trailer Park Resident
Something in the meadow just past the trailer park. A big creature or something. This was three days ago. But he didn't say anything because there were some important businessmen coming over the next day. He didn't want to disrupt things with the police coming in.
Carlie Q
So that was it.
Trailer Park Resident
Until the next. The next day, the businessman had just arrived. When the creature came back, what did they do? They saw it through the windows, so they went outside to have a look. It was this hairy ape thing. But huge and walking upright. They stared at him for a good minute or so, and he stared right back at them.
Carlie Q
And then.
Trailer Park Resident
And then it walked back off into the woods.
Carlie Q
Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness. I have so many questions. Okay, how close did he get? Was he smiling? What color was his hair? Was it blonde? Brunette? What did he smell like?
Nibbles the Rat
You're coming in hotter than a Coney island hot dog.
Mindy Thomas
Cool it.
Carlie Q
Sorry. Sorry. I get a little excited sometimes. You said your friend saw the creature three times?
Trailer Park Resident
That's right. The third time was just last night. He was working when there was a scream at the entrance to the trailer park. A guy named Rich Brown and his wife were out of their car, pointing into the woods. There in the headlights was the creature again.
Carlie Q
He sure seems to like this trailer part.
Trailer Park Resident
Rich ran back to his trailer and came back with a gun. He aimed it at the thing, but in the end, he didn't shoot it. Afterwards, he said he couldn't shoot it because it looked more human than animal.
Carlie Q
Oh, my. Wow. That is unbelievable. Well, what happened next? Did he run off? What does he look like when he runs? How fast does he run? What would he win in the Olympics, you think? Gold?
Mindy Thomas
Silver?
Carlie Q
Bronze? Ugh. What color unitard would he wear?
Nibbles the Rat
We're doing it again.
Trailer Park Resident
Uh, sorry, young lady. We're gonna have to get going. Nice talking with you. Yeah.
Carlie Q
Bye.
Lewis
Oh.
Carlie Q
Oh, okay. Well, maybe I can.
Nibbles the Rat
They're already walking off.
Carlie Q
Carly.
Nibbles the Rat
You're cooked.
Carlie Q
Ah. I just got so excited by how wild this story is. And honestly, by how silly scary. Can you imagine seeing him at night like that? Terrifying.
Nibbles the Rat
Well, why don't we go find this Rich Brown guy and ask him about it?
Carlie Q
We could. Or we could just go out in the woods and look for Bigfoot ourselves. What if he's been around here the past few days? Maybe he's still nearby.
Nibbles the Rat
You just said he was terrifying.
Carlie Q
Well, yes, but I am way too intrigued to turn back now. If we don't go out there and look for him ourselves, I'll always regret it.
Nibbles the Rat
Can you at least check in with your dad machine first?
Carlie Q
All right. Uh, h. Dad, you got anything?
H Dad
What? Oh, still analyzing. Analyzing.
Carlie Q
For once. I am glad to hear it. Come on, Nibbles. Let's go. Let's go into the woods and let's find Bigfoot. Let's go into the woods and see the creature with our own eyeballs. Our own eyeballs. It didn't take us long to get to the forest right outside of town. It was nice. It smelled like moss and dirt and the woods were beautiful with the sunlight streaming in through the trees. What do you think, Nibbles? Any sign of Bigfoot?
Nibbles the Rat
Not so far, but if I see anything, I'll be sure to run as fast as I can in the other direction.
Carlie Q
Oh, shush. You're fine.
Nibbles the Rat
There's something in the trees.
Carlie Q
Bigfoot.
Nibbles the Rat
Here it comes. It's getting closer. Tell my mama I love her. No. It's a beaver at a stream.
Carlie Q
Oh. Oh. Phew. That was scary.
Nibbles the Rat
Yeah. Maybe we should turn back.
Carlie Q
Nice try. Just because we're a little bit terrified doesn't mean we're giving up. We kept traipsing through the woods, keeping our eyes and ears open for any trace of him. See anything? Is that Bigfoot?
Nibbles the Rat
Nope. That's a skunk with indigestion.
Carlie Q
Mmm. Delicious. Is that Bigfoot? Nope.
Nibbles the Rat
That's a person in a bear costume with a sign that says I heart Bigfoot.
Carlie Q
Nice costume. Love the sign. Hey, thanks. Is that Bigfoot?
Nibbles the Rat
Nope, that's just a big rock that looks like a face.
Carlie Q
Is that Bigfoot?
Nibbles the Rat
Nope. That's the same beaver we saw before.
Carlie Q
Oh, no. Are we just going in circles? Bigfoot.
Bigfoot Hunter
I finally got. Oh, you're not Bigfoot.
Carlie Q
Who are you? You're not Bigfoot either.
Bigfoot Hunter
I'm a Bigfoot hunter.
Carlie Q
So you're hunting Bigfoot?
Bigfoot Hunter
I'm looking for Bigfoot. I'm not actually trying to hunt him.
Carlie Q
Oh, well, I am, too. He's been sighted a bunch in town.
Bigfoot Hunter
As I'm well aware, after the film from 1967, I've been obsessed with finding him.
Carlie Q
What film?
Bigfoot Hunter
The Pedersen film. There have been plenty of claimed sightings of Bigfoot over the years, but. But that film set the Bigfoot community aflame.
Carlie Q
A film? Like a whole movie? No, no, no.
Bigfoot Hunter
It's only about a minute long. Two men, Roger Patterson and his friend Bob Gimlin, were riding on horseback in Northern California when they saw it and managed to get it on camera.
Nibbles the Rat
Get it on camera with those pranksters. Got the Loch Ness Monster on camera.
Carlie Q
Well, how do you know it's not a prank?
Bigfoot Hunter
Both men have sworn up and down. It's real. And the their footage matches all the other descriptions of Bigfoot. A tall, hairy, ape like figure. Also, when the men were interviewed separately, there were a few minor inconsistencies in their stories.
Carlie Q
Wouldn't that mean it's more likely they're lying?
Bigfoot Hunter
No, because if it had been a hoax, they likely would have practiced in advance.
Carlie Q
Oh, of course they would have gotten their stories straight.
Bigfoot Hunter
Exactly.
Carlie Q
Weren't they Scared. Then when they saw it. A big, tall, hairy monster who's been giving me the heebie jeebies all day.
Bigfoot Hunter
On that, I disagree. I certainly understand why everyone thinks Bigfoot is so dangerous, what with him being so big and hairy and frightening looking. But I think he's just sad. Sad about being all alone, about having no one in the world on his or her side. Just people like us searching for him in the woods. Can you imagine how unsettling it must be for him?
Carlie Q
So that means Bigfoot isn't scary as much as he is scared. Precisely. Look. Oh, my gosh.
Bigfoot Hunter
It's Bigfoot.
Carlie Q
Wait, no, no, no, no, no. That's a guy in a bear costume. We saw him before. Hi.
Bigfoot Hunter
He's waving at us.
Carlie Q
Yeah. Cause I saw him before.
Bigfoot Hunter
Now he's running off.
Carlie Q
I've got to chase you. That's not Bigfoot.
Bigfoot Hunter
Hey, come back, Bigfoot.
Carlie Q
Oh, but I guess you're just gonna ignore me and run off. Okay.
Nibbles the Rat
In his defense, it is a great bear costume.
Carlie Q
Very convincing. Hdab. What's the story? You got anything yet?
H Dad
Analysis complete. There is no scientific consensus on whether Bigfoot exists.
Carlie Q
That's it.
Nibbles the Rat
We could have told you this.
H Dad
Many, though not all, of the past Bigfoot sightings have been proven to be hoaxes.
Carlie Q
Any theories for the ones that haven't been hoaxes?
H Dad
Theory one, misidentification.
Nibbles the Rat
Come again?
Carlie Q
Huh? It means when you identify something incorrectly. Like thinking an animal is Bigfoot when it's actually just a beaver or a skunk or a guy in a bear costume. Exactly.
H Dad
Theory two, Pareidolia parai.
Nibbles the Rat
What now? I didn't even know pears had eyes.
Carlie Q
Yeah, this one I'm gonna need some help on. Definition.
H Dad
Pareidolia. The tendency to observe human like faces and figures within the natural environment.
Carlie Q
Oh, that's like when we saw that big rock and we thought it had a human face, but once we got up close, we could see it was just a trick of the light.
Nibbles the Rat
And this is why rats prefer the dark.
H Dad
Theory three, Bigfoot is real.
Lewis
Whoa.
Carlie Q
Really?
H Dad
Scientist John Napier concluded that whether Bigfoot is real or not, there is, quote, something in Northwest America that needs explaining. And that something leaves man like footprints. End quote.
Carlie Q
Not to mention something to explain all the eyewitness accounts. The people who claim they've seen Bigfoot seem very sure.
Nibbles the Rat
You know, if Bigfoot really is real, it would make sense about him being scared. As a member of the animal kingdom myself, I get it. It's a big, scary world out there.
Carlie Q
Well, sure, but you're a rat. I just mean you're so small. No offense.
Nibbles the Rat
None taken. But I think you're missing the point. And someone else maybe pointed out something similar.
Carlie Q
Who?
Odie
Even the biggest foot can have the softest heart.
Carlie Q
Odie. Ah, so that's what she meant. Just because Bigfoot is big and frightening, it doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings.
Nibbles the Rat
Doesn't matter how big or small you are, you can still get scared.
Carlie Q
Wow, that's a really good point.
H Dad
Incoming message from BUTT headquarters.
Mindy Thomas
Lunchtime is ending. Stop consuming and start producing.
Carlie Q
Uh oh. Elevator's back in town. We gotta get out of these woods.
Nibbles the Rat
Let's go.
Carlie Q
We raced back through the trees as fast as we could. No more signs of Bigfoot. Or Bear Costume Guy either. Watch out. Finally we got back into town, found the elevator, and moments later. I really hope we're not too late.
Odie
You're late, basement companion.
Carlie Q
I know, I'm sorry. We were out in the woods looking for Bigfoot.
Odie
And what did you find?
Carlie Q
Oh, a lot. There have been many supposed Bigfoot sightings over the years. Though many of those have been hoaxes.
Odie
Uh huh.
Carlie Q
And some other ones might have been more genuine, but they were just mistakes. Like people saw bears or beavers or big rocks and mistook them for creatures.
Odie
Big rocks?
Carlie Q
It kind of looked like a face. Okay. Anyway, I actually think it makes sense that there's not more evidence of him.
Odie
And why is that?
Carlie Q
Because if Bigfoot really is real, can you blame him for hiding from us? Nibbles helped me see it. He'd be scared of humans just like any wild animal.
Odie
Very interesting.
Carlie Q
So, okay, I can't say for sure whether he's real or not, but I sure hope that if he is, he's not too lonely out there.
Odie
Hmm. Bigfoot being lonely and scared of us? That seems a little different from what you'd expect.
Carlie Q
Which is exactly what you meant with your riddle. Even the biggest foot can have the softest heart. Hmm.
Odie
I did say that, didn't I?
Carlie Q
You meant that even though Bigfoot might seem intimidating, he could still have a soft side and need other people or other Bigfoots or big feet in order to not feel so alone.
Odie
A very good point. I'm glad you've been able to see it from Bigfoot's point of view.
Carlie Q
Honestly, it kind of reminds me of somebody else I know. Oh? My co worker, Lewis. I mean, his feet are actually more dainty rather than big per se, but he's kind of got some of the same bluster going on. Like he wants you to think he's tough and doesn't care, but underneath, he's got a soft heart.
Odie
It's not just Bigfoots who can put on a scary front.
Carlie Q
So true. Thanks again for all your help today, Odie. When I see Lewis next time I'm gonna.
Lewis
Hey Carly.
Odie
Uh oh. Good luck, Carli Q. Got to go.
Lewis
Have a nice ride in the time traveling elevator.
Carlie Q
What? No. I mean yes, this is a lovely elevator and I have never been inside of it. Okay. It's not like I traveled back in time to find Bigfoot or anything just now.
Lewis
Well, whatever you did, I'm sure the bosses upstairs will find it fascinating.
Carlie Q
But don't you have an ice cream challenge to get to?
Lewis
Yes, I do, Carli Q. Yes, I do.
Carlie Q
Good luck.
Lewis
Don't need it.
Carlie Q
I spent the rest of the afternoon in terror. Did I just ruin my whole secret? He never came back down and I was too scared to go upstairs and talk to him. How am I gonna get in trouble? Is he gonna. Maybe he was too distracted with his ice cream competition to care. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking. I guess I'll have to wait and see tomorrow. Wish me luck. I am going to need it. Until then, this is Karlie Q signing off. And remember, you never heard this and hopefully neither did Lewis.
Mindy Thomas
Grown Ups if you like WOW in the world you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondry.
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 survey@wondery.com survey.
H Dad
HDAB initiating end credits mode Who Went Mystery Edition is an original Tinkercad production with help from Gen Z Media. Handshake Emoji High five emoji for Tinkercast. The executive producers are Guy Raz, Mindy Thomas and Meredith Halpern Ranzer. The shows are written by Aaron Weissman, Danielle Nicki, Tom Van Kalken, Kenny Curtis and Mindy Thomas. Carly Shiraki is a producing consultant. Big shout outs to Jed Anderson, Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Jessica Boddy, Natasha Crandall, Rebecca Caban, Sona Ali Mohammed, Anna Dannecker, Anna Szagorski and the rest of the team at Tinkercast. Megaphone Emoji Applause Emoji who Went Wow's theme song was composed and performed by the pop ups. For more information on their three time Grammy nominated all ages music, find them at thepopups.com Producers for Gen Z Media are David Kreisman, Ben Strauss, Chris Terry, Claire McClanahan, and Amy Cervini at gzmshows.com sound design and editing is by Chris Terry and Oded Lev Ari. Voice editing by Yoni Recom headphones, emoji, microphone emoji, thumbs up emoji. Original music was created by Jennifer Rocamp and voice direction is handled by David Kreizman. Our main cast features Carly Shiraki as Carly Q, Brandon Salerno as Lewis, Melissa Vandershiff as Nibbles the Rat, Kenny Curtis as H dad, and Angela Desai as od. Want to explore who Went wow's mysteries even further? You can find free activities and resources to extend the wow@whowenwow.com and if you have a time sealed mystery you want Carli Q to explore, email us@helloinkercast.com HDAD Powering Off.
Carlie Q
History will never be the the same.
Wow in the World: "WeWow Mystery Week – Day 3: Cracking the Code" (Released March 5, 2025)
Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
"WeWow Mystery Week" is an engaging segment of the "Wow in the World" podcast, hosted by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz. In Day 3's episode, titled "Cracking the Code," the hosts delve into the enigmatic world of Bigfoot, exploring recent sightings and the enduring mystery surrounding this legendary creature.
The episode begins with Carlie Q, the show's secret host, introducing a new mystery filled with elements like monsters, ice cream competitions, and unusually large feet. She sets the stage by recounting her coworker Lewis's obsession with an upcoming ice cream sundae competition, which surprisingly becomes intertwined with the Bigfoot mystery.
Mindy Thomas [03:00]: "So I take the letters in my grocery and then I scramble them all up... because it makes groceries more fun."
This playful introduction hints at the show's blend of humor and intrigue, preparing listeners for the investigative journey ahead.
Carlie Q transitions into the heart of the mystery by describing a series of Bigfoot sightings in a small town near The Dalles, Oregon, dating back to June 1971. She shares an eyewitness account from Joe, a maintenance man who reported seeing a giant, ape-like creature multiple times over three days.
Trailer Park Resident [12:04]: "Rich ran back to his trailer and came back with a gun. He aimed it at the thing, but in the end, he didn't shoot it because it looked more human than animal."
This account adds a layer of suspense and raises questions about the true nature of Bigfoot—whether it's a misunderstood creature or something else entirely.
Determined to uncover the truth, Carlie Q, alongside her rat friend Nibbles and the AI assistant H Dad, embarks on a quest into the local woods. Their journey is marked by humorous misidentifications, such as mistaking a beaver, a skunk, and even a person in a bear costume for Bigfoot.
Carlie Q [16:00]: "Bigfoot? Nope. That's a beaver at a stream."
These light-hearted moments keep the investigation entertaining while highlighting the challenges of identifying cryptids in the wild.
The team encounters a passionate Bigfoot hunter who shares insights into the creature's lore and the famous Pedersen film—a pivotal piece of evidence in Bigfoot folklore.
Bigfoot Hunter [17:34]: "The Pedersen film. Two men... saw it and managed to get it on camera."
Despite skepticism, the hunter argues that the film provides genuine evidence of Bigfoot's existence, emphasizing the persistence of eyewitness accounts over time.
Back in their base, H Dad breaks down the possible explanations for Bigfoot sightings:
H Dad [20:02]: "Pareidolia. The tendency to observe human-like faces and figures within the natural environment."
Through this analysis, the hosts encourage critical thinking and scientific inquiry, reinforcing the podcast's educational mission.
Carlie Q reflects on the investigation, pondering Bigfoot's elusive nature and the importance of empathy even towards mythical beings.
Carlie Q [22:38]: "Because if Bigfoot really is real, can you blame him for hiding from us?"
This sentiment underscores a recurring theme in "Wow in the World": fostering curiosity, understanding, and compassion in young listeners.
"Cracking the Code" masterfully blends storytelling, humor, and scientific exploration to tackle the Bigfoot mystery. By engaging young minds in investigative thinking and presenting multiple perspectives, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, along with Carlie Q and the supporting characters, create a captivating narrative that inspires wonder and critical inquiry.
Listeners are left with a thought-provoking message: the line between myth and reality is often blurred, and understanding requires both skepticism and open-mindedness. As always, "Wow in the World" empowers its audience to explore, question, and find the "WOW" in everyday mysteries.
For listeners eager to dive deeper into the Bigfoot mystery or other intriguing topics, "Wow in the World" offers a plethora of resources and activities on their website tinkercast.com. Sharing personal stories and participating in community discussions are encouraged to foster a collaborative learning environment.
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