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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!
For everyone's second favorite game show after MasterChef Senior.
It's Two What's and a.
What a scientific game show that separates the wows from the whats.
And the category or theme for today is mushrooms.
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 mushrooms.
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?
Now, in each round, if you guess correctly, congratulations, you win a point.
But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop, and do a ridonkulous physical challenge.
Okay, everyone ready to start the game?
Great, then let's do it.
Okay, round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A...
Portobello mushrooms can be used to make glue.
Or is it B?
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are close relatives to actual chickens.
Or is it C?
Oyster mushrooms eat plastic.
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, I'm a fun guy!
Reggie, cue the thinking music.
Time is up.
Let's now reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, please welcome by phone, Ripley.
Ripley, tell us, what's the winning wow?
Hello, Mindy and Guy Roz.
My wow is that oyster mushrooms eat plastic.
Winner, winner, oysters for dinner.
Thank you, Ripley.
Contestants.
If you guess the answer C, that oyster mushrooms eat plastic well congratulations, you've found the winning wow.
Scientists have found that oyster mushrooms can decompose polyurethane, which is commonly used to make water bottles.
The mushrooms can also thrive in lots of different environments, meaning that they could be used to break down plastic in landfills and even the ocean.
And not only that, but oyster mushrooms are still edible after decomposing plastic, which means there's potential for having your own oyster mushroom recycling at home.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop and get eaten by an invisible oyster mushroom.
Okay, round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, mushrooms make their own food?
Or is it B, trees can communicate via underground mushroom roots?
Or is it C, mushrooms have to be planted and cannot grow by themselves?
When you think you have the correct answer, scream, Inokitoki!
I'm thinking music.
Time is up.
And joining us by phone to reveal the winning answer, it's Rosie from California.
Rosie, what's the answer?
Hi.
My wow is that trees can talk to each other and send nutrients to each other by mushrooms' underground roots.
Isn't that so cool?
Winner, winner, trees for dinner.
That's right, Rosie.
Wowzers, if you guessed the answer B that trees can communicate via underground mushroom roots well congratulations, you found the winning wow.
Mushrooms have a kind of underground root system called fungal threads, and they spread much farther than the part of the mushroom we can see.
Fungal threads can connect to the roots of nearby plants.
Those plants can then send each other signals through the fungal threads and even share water and nutrients.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop drop and grow mushrooms out of your ears.
Okay, time for round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, puffball mushrooms can float in the air like balloons?
Or is it B, inky cat mushrooms are more toxic than rattlesnake venom?
Or is it C, the cordyceps mushroom can take over an insect's brain?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell teeny-weeny-criminy-vachini.
Thinking music, please.
And time is up.
Joining us by phone to reveal the winning answer, it's Asher from Ohio.
Asher, please reveal the winning wow.
Hi, my wow in the world is the cordyceps mushroom can take over insects' brains and spread the fungus to other insects.
Winner, winner, bug brains for dinner!
Thank you, Asher.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer C, that cordyceps mushrooms can take over an insect's brain well,
Congratulations, you found the winning wow.
Cordyceps is a kind of mushroom that grows inside the bodies of ants and other insects.
It then releases these special chemicals that cause the insects to seek out conditions that are just right for the fungus to survive.
But don't worry, cordyceps cannot affect humans in this way.
In fact, parts of this kind of mushroom can be safe for many humans to eat.
And it's even known to help with certain ailments like inflammation and fatigue.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and turn into a zombie ant.
And now it's time to thank our sponsors.
Today's show is brought to you in part by spores.
Do you want to clone yourself fast?
Try spores.
It's easy.
Just release your spores and watch your genetically identical offspring grow.
Do more with spores.
Okay.
Thank you, spores.
Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grown-ups.
To what's in allow, 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.
Grownups.
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.
That's it.
Now back to the show.
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.
What was that?
Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing.
Spring has sprung.
No, it's time for today's Bonker Balls bonus round.
Now, if you listened to our Wow in the World episode titled Yay for Octomoms, you'll know the answer to this one.
And if not, go back and listen.
The question is the single largest gathering of octopuses ever recorded, estimated to be around 20000, was found off the California coast in 2018.
What was it that drew these octopuses to that special spot in the ocean?
Was it A, tacos?
Or was it B, the warm waters from an underwater volcano?
Or was it C, the rough waters that helped protect them from predators?
And joining us with today's answer is Reggie.
Oh, Reggie.
What's the winning wow?
And Reggie says that the answer is B!
The warm waters produced by an inactive underwater volcano made the perfect environment for these pearl octomoms to hatch their eggs.
Well, congratulations to all of our winning wowsers.
Mindy, what's today's prize?
Guy Raz, today's winning wowsers will all be receiving their very own pet...
What?
Reggie!
Cue the prize cannon.
No!
Toad Springer Toadstools!
Green and bumpy and super jumpy!
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.
And for any teachers in our listening audience.
Consider joining Tinker Class, our free brand-new learning platform that helps get kids wild about science.
Just visit Tinkercast.com slash membership.
That's Tinkercast.com slash 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 Friday for a new episode of Two What's in a Wow.
Until then, keep on wow-ing!
Two What's in a Wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Mindy Thomas, and me, Guy Raz.
Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski, with collaboration from our head writer, Kenny Curtis.
Sound production and design is by Marion Lozano with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thull.
Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Freilich, Kristen 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.
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 wow rolling after you finish this episode, you can visit us at tinkercast.com.
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 best-selling books and learn all about the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.
Grown-ups, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at WowInTheWorld.
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 next Friday or every Monday for Wow in the World.
Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
