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Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.
On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of Wow in the World with all of you.
We think this one is going to be music to your ears.
Literally.
Did I mention it's a musical?
And if you're a member of the World Organization of Wowzers...
Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.
You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7 pm.
Eastern.
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
Join us as we dance along to our new songs.
React to the episode with other members in the chat and more.
Grownups.
If you want your wowzer to join this members-only listening party, you can sign up to become a member today at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
Already a member?
Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign in at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
That's it.
It's going to be a November to remember.
But for now, let's get on with the show.
Woo!
Yes?
Where's Mindy?
Two once in a while is about to start.
No idea.
I haven't seen her anywhere.
Uh... Mindy?
Oh, hey, Guy Raz.
Hey, Dennis.
Mindy, where have you been?
And why are you covered in dirt?
Oh, I've been planting trees for Earth Day.
Uh...
Today is not Earth Day.
Well, we do live on planet Earth, so technically every day is Earth Day, Guy Raz.
I guess that's true.
Well, I should probably go get cleaned up.
Mindy, there's no time.
You'll have to do the show with earthworms in your hair.
Works for me.
Okay, everyone, look alive.
You there, bread the bananas.
And you, jelly those beans.
And Reggie, plant all the power you can find.
We're going live in three, two, one.
And now, for everyone's favorite game show, it's Two What's and a What?
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what?
And the category for today is... Forests!
Mindy, why don't you remind our contestants how the game works?
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 forests.
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 what?
In each round, if you guess correctly, congratulations, the point is yours.
But if you guess wrong, you must stop, drop, and do a ridonkulous physical challenge.
Okay, everyone ready to get started?
Let's do this thing.
Round one, question one.
Which of the following statements about trees is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, a grove of aspen trees is actually one singular plant?
Or is it B, elm, birch, and willow trees all produce the same kind of nuts?
Or is it C, maple syrup does not come from maple trees?
When you think you have the correct answer, Whisper it into a pine cone.
Reggie, can we get some thinking music?
And time is up.
Let's reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, joining us by phone, it's Adeline from Colorado.
Adeline...
Tell us, what's the wow?
My wow in the world is that a grove of aspen trees actually are one living thing.
Winner, winner, tree sap for dinner.
Thank you, Adeline.
If you guessed the answer A, that a grove of aspens is one singular plant, you found the winning wow.
Congratulations.
Each quaking aspen tree in a grove is actually just one part of a much larger organism, all connected by its extensive root system.
An aspen root system can lay dormant, which is to say asleep, for years, until conditions are just right for tree trunks to grow.
Now if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and climb an invisible tree.
Oh, and watch out for invisible squirrels.
They can get very protective with their invisible acorns.
Okay, round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, red squirrels only live in cypress trees?
Or is it B, when sycamore trees are 100 years old, their bark turns bright yellow?
Or...
Is it C. There's a type of fog that freezes the tops of trees.
When you think you have the correct answer, write it on a piece of paper and fold it into an origami crane.
Hey Reggie, cue the thinking music.
And time is up.
Let's reveal the winning wow.
And here with the answer is Beatrice from Iowa.
Beatrice, tell us, what's the winning wow?
My wow in the world is that there's a thing called freezing fog.
It freezes the tops of trees and makes the branches look all silvery.
You, Beatrice.
If you guessed the answer C that there's a type of fog that freezes the tops of trees, you found the winning, wow.
Congratulations.
When the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or zero degrees Celsius.
Tiny water droplets in the air can freeze when they touch solid surfaces.
And when the water droplets in fog accumulate or build up on trees, the branches look like they're covered in silver tinsel.
It can also freeze on things like sidewalks, railings, and streets, making them extra slippery.
So you may want to admire the silvery beauty of freezing fog from the indoors.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and twist your arms and legs into a pretzel shape.
And while everyone gets untwisted, let's thank our sponsor.
Today's show is brought to you by bees?
Yes, bees.
The little yellow buzzy bugs that pollinate trees on every continent except Antarctica.
Wow, bees are doing some important work.
I'll have to say thanks the next time I see one.
Oh, well, good news for you, Guy Raz.
I've invited a whole swarm of bees to be part of our studio audience today.
What?
All right, come on.
Come on, bees.
Time to get back in your hive.
Mindy, please, never bring bees in here again.
Aw, don't be such a buzzkill, Guy Raz.
Okay, let's just move on.
Round three, question one.
Which of the following statements is the true scientific wow?
Is it A, the oldest living tree in the world is a ginkgo tree named Old Henry?
Or is it B, bamboo is not a kind of tree at all?
Or is it C, Trees that have needles instead of leaves do not produce oxygen.
When you think you have the correct answer, spell it out using sticks.
And we'll reveal the winning answer right after the break.
To What's in a Wow, we'll be right back.
Grown-ups, this message is for you.
Hey, grown-ups.
It's Mindy and Guy Raz here from Wow in the World.
Mindy and I have some from our 100 experiments that wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit.
Our Wow in the World toys help your wowzer learn about their world through play.
Plus, you can hear exclusive audio content from me and Guy Raz to help your wowzer discover even more wows.
Grown-ups.
Give the gift of wow and wonder this holiday season with our latest Wow in the World toys designed with your curious wowzer in mind.
You can shop our Wow in the World toys at Tinkercast.com slash toys.
That's Tinkercast.com slash toys.
Welcome back to Two What's and a Wow.
Two What's and a Wow.
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
Now, before the break, we left you with this question for round tree.
I mean, three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, The oldest living tree in the world is a ginkgo tree named Old Henry.
Or is it B?
Bamboo is not a kind of tree.
Or is it C?
Trees that have needles instead of leaves do not produce oxygen.
And now with that winning wow, please welcome our caller, Lily from North Carolina.
Lily, tell us, what's the wow?
My world is that bamboo is not actually a type of tree.
It's a type of grass.
Winner, winner, bamboo for dinner.
Thank you, Lily.
If you guessed the answer B, that bamboo is not a kind of tree, you found the winning wow.
Congratulations.
Like Lily said, bamboo is a hard, hollow kind of grass.
And there are actually over 1,400 species of bamboo.
Bamboo is a particularly fast-growing grass.
Some species can grow as much as a foot per day.
In fact, the Guinness Book of World Records once named bamboo as the fastest growing plant in the world.
Now, if you did not get the answer correct, you must stop, drop, and roll around like a baby panda.
And that sound can mean only one thing.
The studio's on fire?
No, Guy Raz.
It's time for today's Bunker Balls bonus round.
And the question for this round is, if you were a pizza, what would your toppings be?
Oh, good question.
Well, congratulations to all of our winning contestants.
Hi, Roz.
All of our winning contestants today will be going home with an amazingly random prize.
Reggie, it's time to roll out the prize generator.
I built this machine to create fabulous invisible prizes.
When Reggie turns it on, it will spit out a prize in three different parts.
Is that machine wearing a bow tie?
Oh, yeah.
I thought it added a little something special.
Who's a handsome random prize generator?
He's so handsome and beautiful.
Mindy?
You are.
Yes, you are.
Mindy?
Oh, sorry.
Reggie?
Time to fire up the prize generator.
All of our contestants, will be taking home their very own invisible chunky fish milk.
That's disgusting.
No one's going to want to drink chunky fish milk.
Just think of it as a refreshing fish-flavored milkshake.
Contestants, it's time to wrap this up because I think I'm going to be sick.
Before we go, Gyro, have a little steam-themed challenge for our audience.
We call it Tree Whiz.
For this one.
We challenge you to look at the trees in your neighborhood, a park or anywhere else you can find them.
What do you notice about their leaves or needles?
Do they have nuts or flowers or fruit growing on them?
And how many different kinds of trees can you find?
Don't forget to take a photo or a video of your findings and grown-ups.
You can upload pictures and videos to us at tinkercastcom.
Slash share.
And be sure to come back on Monday for a new episode of Wow in the World and again on Friday for a new episode of Two What's and a Wow.
Until then, keep on wowing!
Do What's in a Wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Mindy Thomas, and me, Guy Raz.
Our writers are Anna Zagorski, Darnell Walker, Ruth Morrison, and Heba Gouda.
Sound production and design is by Marion Lozano, with help from our senior producer, Jed Anderson.
Special thanks to the rest of our team of tinkerers, including Anna Zagorski, Rebecca Caban, Henry Moskal, Jessica Bode, Jacob Stein and Jason Rabinowitz.
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 thepopups.com.
And to keep the What's in the Wow's rolling, visit us at tinkercast.com.
There you can find our two What's in a Wow Think and Tinker playbook, interactive Kahoot games and info on becoming a member of the World Organization of Wowzers.
Grownups, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at Two What's and a Wow.
And our email address is hello at tinkercast.com.
Finally, if you're a kid with a big wow to share, it could be used on an upcoming episode of Two What's and a Wow.
Call us at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW.
Thanks again for listening and playing along.
Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in the World.
Made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
