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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!
Thanks, Dennis.
Where are you?
Never mind where I am.
Just get ready for the show.
Dennis, we can hear you, but we can't see you.
I said don't worry about it.
Places, everyone.
Places.
Look, he's up there.
Oh, no.
Dennis, what are you doing dangling from the ceiling?
Oh, you know, just hanging around.
Dennis!
Okay, fine.
I'm stuck.
Well, how did you get tied up there in the first place?
Well, it all goes back to my days in the theater.
Yes, it does, Reggie.
I was the understudy for the understudy's understudy in a production of Peter Pan, the musical.
And I never got the chance to do the flying scene.
Oh, boy.
It was the biggest disappointment of my entire life.
Oh, Dennis.
And today, I was hanging a bird prop from the ceiling for the show.
Uh-huh.
And I thought, ooh, look how high I am.
Now's my chance to do the flying scene from Peter Pan the Musical.
And then?
And then my harness got snagged on something and now I'm stuck up here.
Oh, Dennis.
It's okay.
I have my megaphone.
I can still produce the show from up here.
Ahem.
You there.
Hula the hoop.
You, banana the bread!
That's not good.
And Reggie, get me an ice pack.
We're live in three, two, one.
And now for everyone's favorite game show.
It's Two What's and a.
What scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's?
And the category or theme for today is birds.
Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?
You know it.
Wowzers in each of our three rounds.
Today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about birds.
Five.
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, you get a point.
But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop, and do a redonkulous physical challenge.
Okay, everyone ready to start the game?
Great, let's do it.
Okay, round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, there are more species of flightless birds than birds that can fly?
Or is it B, many birds' feathers weigh more than their bones?
Or is it C, there are 11 species of birds that have teeth?
When you think you have the correct answer, sing it like a bird.
Thinking music.
And time is up.
Let's now reveal the winning wow.
And calling in with the answer, it's Jenna from Florida.
Jenna, tell us, what's the winning wow?
I'm Mindy and Gary Wallace.
My wow was that many birds' feathers weigh more than their bones.
Bye, love your show.
Winner, winner, feathers for dinner.
Thank you, Jenna.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer B, that many bird feathers weigh more than their bones well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Most birds have bones full of air pockets, which makes them lightweight and strong.
But not all bones in a bird's body are hollow, and some birds have more than others.
Birds that fly tend to have more, while birds that dive underwater tend to have fewer.
Now, if you did not get the answer correct, you must stop, drop, and fly south for the winter.
Okay, round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards?
Or is it B, storks usually lay up to 12 eggs at a time?
Or is it C, the African fish eagle is the fastest bird in the world?
When you think you have the correct answer, write it with your elbow.
Reggie, cue the thinking music.
Time is up.
Joining us by phone, it's Isla from Nevada.
Isla, please reveal the winning wow.
Hi, my name's Isla.
Did you know that hummingbirds are the only bird that can actually fly backwards?
Winner, winner, sugar, water for dinner!
That's right, Isla.
If you also guessed A that hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards well congratulations, you found the winning wow.
Hummingbirds are the only birds that can truly hover like a helicopter.
They can fly in any direction and even upside down.
Now, while other birds' wings flap in an up and down motion, a hummingbird moves its wings back and forth and can rotate its wings 180 degrees.
This lets hummingbirds move in whatever direction they want.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, You must stop, drop, and hum your least favorite song.
Okay, round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, blue jays used to have yellow feathers in the 1800s?
Or is it B, emperor penguins can hold their breath for 22 minutes?
Or is it C, ostriches and emus are actually the same species?
Now, before we reveal the winning wow, let's take a moment to thank our sponsors.
Today's show is brought to you in part by Happy Hawk Bird Seed.
Crunchy, tasty, and full of all the nutrients birds need for shiny feathers and a healthy beak.
But don't take my word for it.
Let's hear it from a satisfied customer.
Well, if that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will.
In fact, I'm going to try some right now.
Mmm, so dry and mealy.
Thank you.
I love them.
Minnie, bird seed is for birds, not people.
Birds are people too, Guy Raz.
But I will admit that there is a ton of millet stuck in my teeth right now.
Can you see it?
Oh, boy.
Let's take a quick break.
We'll be back right after some other messages for grown-ups.
Hey, Reggie, can I get some floss?
To what's in the wild, 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 brand new Wow in the World toys out in the world just in time for the holidays.
Made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't yet.
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.
Now back to the show.
Welcome back to Two What's and a Wow.
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what.
Now before the break, Mindy ate a questionable amount of bird seed and we left you with a dangling question for round three, and that question was which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it a?
Blue jays used to have yellow feathers in the 1800s or is it b?
Emperor penguins can hold their breath for 22 minutes, or is it c?
Ostriches and emus are actually the same species.
And joining us by phone to reveal the answer, it's Henry from California.
Henry, tell us the winning wow.
My wow is that emperor penguins can hold their breath for 20 minutes.
Winner, winner, frozen fish for dinner.
Thank you, Henry.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer B, that emperor penguins can hold their breath for 22 minutes well congratulations, you found the winning wow.
Emperor penguins eat fish, krill and squid, so they need to be able to hold their breath for a long time while they hunt.
In fact, they can hold their breath longer than any other species of bird.
They can also slow down their heart rates from 70 beats per minute to just 10 beats per minute, which helps them conserve oxygen while they're underwater.
Now, if you did not get the answer correct, you must stop, drop, and waddle like a penguin.
Ah!
What was that?
Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing.
You've been baking exploding mini muffins again?
Maybe we talked about this.
No!
Yes, I have.
But no, this sound means that it's time for today's Bonker Balls bonus round.
And the question for this round is, is a cold hot pocket just a pocket?
Food for thought.
Although I don't recommend eating a cold hot pocket.
Well, congratulations to all of our winning wowsers.
Mindy, what's today's prize?
Guy Raz, today's winning wowsers will all receive their very own invisible, screaming wake-up time machine.
A what?
This amazing machine not only tells the time, it screams it at you when it's time to wake up.
Do you mean an alarm clock?
Yeah, but when you say it like that, it sounds a little...
Alarming, Guy Ross.
I see.
Yes, your way sounds much calmer.
Well, Wowsers, that's about all the time we have for today.
But before we go, we have a little scientific challenge for you.
We call it Bird Buffet.
For this challenge, we want you to make your very own bird feeder.
Find a pine cone or a toilet paper tube and attach a string to it.
Cover it with unsalted peanut butter or sunflower butter and roll it around in seeds.
Then hang it outside your window and watch the birds go to town.
And don't forget to take a photo or a video.
Grown-ups, you can upload pictures and videos to us at tinkercast.com slash share.
And be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of Wow in the World and again on Friday for a brand new episode of Two.
What's in a Wow?
Until then, keep on wowing.
Two What's and a Wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and me.
Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski.
Sound production and design is by Marion Lozano, with help from our supervising producer, Jed Anderson.
Special thanks to Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Rebecca Caban, Sana Alamohamed and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.
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.
To keep the wows rolling, visit us at tinkercastcom, where you can become an official member of the World Organization of Wowsers.
Find our Two What's and a Wow Think and Tinker playbook and learn about all of our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.
Grownups, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at twowhatsandawow.com.
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 in a Wow?
Call us at 1-888-7WOW-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.
