Mindy Thomas

Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, is your family looking for some new podcasts to check out on your next family road trip? Well, I have got some that I think might just wow your entire family. So let's say you got some animal lovers. You've gotta meet. Flip and Mosi. Flip and Mosi are travel vlogging aliens who are discovering Earth and its amazing creatures for the first time. And along the way, they learn what it takes to be an earthling. Or maybe you're someone who loves to solve mysteries. With who win wow. Mystery Edition, you can join Carly Q On her time traveling adventures and discover the truth behind history's biggest mysteries. Like the Loch Ness monster or what happened to Amelia Earhart. And if you've got someone who prefers bouncing down the road to a beat, we are turning the tables on your favorite fables with Once Upon a Beat. In this hip hop twist on classic stories, Grammy winner DJ Fuchs adds some rhythm and rhyme to tales as as old as time. Once Upon a Beat, we'll have your whole family tapping their feet. You can find Flip and Mosey, who win wow. Mystery Edition and Once Upon a Beat. Wherever you find your podcasts, just search them in your favorite podcast app and hit the follow button so you don't miss out. Happy travels. And now a quick ad break and then we'll get on with the show proceeded. 3, 2, 1.

Guy Raz

Get ready for an adventure of magnificent proportion.

Mindy Thomas

I don't know what you've been told. We're in a golden age. So many discoveries that are jumping off the page.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

You are entering the courtroom of Guy Raz.

Guy Raz

That's me.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

The cases are real. The science is real. The people are ridiculous.

Dennis

What?

Narrator / Judge Razzi

But the rulings are final. This is Judge Razzi.

Thomas Fingerling

All rise.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

Today's plaintiff, Ms. Mindy, claims that footage of a five foot long great white shark captured on film by a researcher from the University California Riverside, is in fact the first baby great white shark to ever be spotted in the wild.

Mindy Thomas

You got that right.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

The defendant, one Grandma G. Force says that's a load of baloney.

Grandma G. Force

That is a load of baloney.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

They now stand before Judge Ruzzi and a jury of their peers.

Dennis

That's me. I'm a peer.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

Court is now in session. Mindy, VG Force, where in the wow do bab sharks come from?

Reggie

Order.

Guy Raz

Order in my courtroom. We will now proceed with the case of the baby shark. Bailiff, can you hand me the case file? Bailiff. Bailiff Thomas Fingerling.

Thomas Fingerling

Huh? What? You talking to me yes.

Guy Raz

You're the bailiff.

Thomas Fingerling

No, I ain't. I'm Thomas Fingerling.

Guy Raz

Just hand me the case file.

Thomas Fingerling

Well, now I'm confused. Do you want the case or the fil.

Guy Raz

The folder you have in your hand.

Thomas Fingerling

Whoa, this old thing?

Guy Raz

Yes, sure.

Thomas Fingerling

Here you go. Why don't you just say so in the first place?

Guy Raz

Now, could you please swear in our witness?

Thomas Fingerling

Oh, well, I don't think we're allowed to say those kind of words, Judge Raji.

Grandma G. Force

No.

Guy Raz

What? I mean, don't worry. I'll just do it. Miss Mindy.

Mindy Thomas

That's my name.

Guy Raz

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Reggie

Uh.

Mindy Thomas

Do ducks have watertight butts?

Guy Raz

What?

Mindy Thomas

Of course.

Guy Raz

Okay. And Grandma G. Force. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Grandma G. Force

No.

Guy Raz

Okay, good enough. Let's get started. Okay, Mindy, you may begin.

Mindy Thomas

Thank you, you, Honor. Pigeons and gentlemen of the jury. Yes, today we are going to solve one of the perplexing mysteries in the field of marine biology.

Guy Raz

And according to my notes here, marine biology being the study of sea life, correct?

Mindy Thomas

Correct, you, Honor. Although sharks have been around on this planet since before the time of the dinosaurs, there's still one very simple mystery that we still haven't solved. Objection, you, Honor. Overruled.

Guy Raz

Okay, continue, Ms. Mindy. What question haven't we been able to solve about sharks?

Mindy Thomas

The question is, where do baby sharks come from?

Dennis

What? I can answer that, Mindy. When a mommy shark and a daddy shark love each other very, very much, they.

Mindy Thomas

Dennis.

Dennis

What?

Guy Raz

The jury will refrain from speaking unless spoken to.

Dennis

Fine.

Thomas Fingerling

You may continue, Ms. Mindy.

Mindy Thomas

We know how baby sharks are made, Dennis. We just don't know where they're born. I mean, to this today, nobody has ever observed a baby great white shark in the wild.

Guy Raz

Never?

Grandma G. Force

Never.

Guy Raz

Wow.

Mindy Thomas

That is until today. What I bring before the court today is undeniable proof of a wild baby shark. Bailiff Fingerling?

Thomas Fingerling

Yep.

Mindy Thomas

Can we bring in the tv, please?

Thomas Fingerling

Okey dokey.

Dennis

Are we watching a movie?

Mindy Thomas

Yes, we are. Juror number Dennis.

Dennis

I hope it's America's Funniest Home Makeovers. Is it America's Funniest Home Makeovers, Mindy?

Reggie

What?

Dennis

No.

Mindy Thomas

This is the first ever known recording of a baby great white shark in the wild.

Grandma G. Force

Ah.

Dennis

Well, can we watch America's Funniest Home Makeovers afterwards?

Reggie

No.

Mindy Thomas

Or in the court.

Thomas Fingerling

There we go. Tv.

Mindy Thomas

Thank you.

Grandma G. Force

Well, if Mindy gets to play a movie, then I want to sing a song.

Mindy Thomas

Overruled.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

Mindy claims to have proof of the existence of baby great white sharks. A video captured by wildlife filmmaker Carlos Guana and biologist Philip Stearns in July 2023. The video in question shows a five foot long shark that is completely white, a SK that Mindy claims is only possible for newborn sharks. G force claims that this video is evidence of nothing more than a bad skin rash.

Mindy Thomas

Your Honor, may I present my irrefutable evidence of baby great white sharks. Bailiff Fingerling, can you please dim the lights?

Thomas Fingerling

Sheesh, I gotta do everything around here. Bailiff, do this, Bailiff, do that.

Dennis

And bailiff.

Thomas Fingerling

What?

Dennis

Would you get me some popcorn?

Thomas Fingerling

I guess.

Dennis

Oh, and for Reggie, too.

Thomas Fingerling

Well, I still gotta dim the lights. There we go. All right, I'll be back with popcorn.

Dennis

Thank you, Bailiff. We won't start the movie without you.

Thomas Fingerling

You better not.

Dennis

Okay, Mindy, let's start the movie.

Mindy Thomas

Okay, here we go.

Dennis

Oh, wow.

Grandma G. Force

Well, I ain't that impressive.

Guy Raz

What exactly are we looking at here, Ms. Mindy?

Dennis

It definitely looks like some kind of giant fish.

Mindy Thomas

This, my friends, is the first ever recording of a baby great white shark in the wild.

Guy Raz

Well, how can you tell? It looks just like a regular shark to me.

Mindy Thomas

Well, you, Honor, it's because of the color of its skin.

Guy Raz

The color?

Mindy Thomas

Yes. You see, great white sharks like this one, despite what their name suggests, are actually only half white. And that half is on the bottom half of their bodies. The rest of their skin is actually gray. Okay, but take a look at the color of this shark on the tv, you, Honor, and tell me, what color is it?

Guy Raz

I guess it looks white.

Mindy Thomas

Exactly. Completely white. From nose to mout. Finn, this shark is white all over.

Dennis

I don't get it.

Guy Raz

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to agree with the jury here. I don't get it either, Ms. Mindy.

Mindy Thomas

Well, according to the biologist that found this shark, this shark is completely white because it has not shed its embryonic layer yet.

Dennis

I still don't get it.

Mindy Thomas

I see.

Guy Raz

Embryonic layer. You mean the layer that surrounds the shark while it's still in its mother's womb?

Mindy Thomas

That is correct, you, Honor. While the baby shark is still inside the mama shark, it's surrounded by this layer of goop that provides it with all of its nutrients. Then once it's born, the embryonic layer sticks to it for a few days to provide it with further nutrients before it sheds it. Like a snake shedding its skin.

Dennis

What? Ugh, gross. I object. Can I object?

Guy Raz

No.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

Fine.

Dennis

Then I'll just pout. Ew.

Guy Raz

Okay, so Ms. Mindy your biologist believes that this video is of a baby shark that still hasn't shed its embryonic layer.

Mindy Thomas

That is correct, you, Honor.

Grandma G. Force

Jack.

Guy Raz

Grandma G Force. I forgot you were there. You've been so quiet.

Grandma G. Force

Well, I was taking a nap.

Guy Raz

Uh huh.

Grandma G. Force

How do you know this ain't just some rash?

Dennis

A rash?

Grandma G. Force

Yeah. Cause sometimes my rashes turn white. That don't mean I'm no baby shark.

Mindy Thomas

Well, interesting that you should say that, Grandma G Force, because the biologist that recorded this video had also thought the same thing. That maybe this was just some sort of a skin condition that the shark had.

Reggie

But.

Mindy Thomas

And this is a big but. They checked every shark disease on record and none of them matched up to what they saw in this video.

Guy Raz

Which led the biologists to believe that this was, in fact, a baby shark shedding its embryonic layer.

Mindy Thomas

Exact oritos, you, honor.

Guy Raz

I understand. Ms. Mindy, do you have any further evidence to support your case before we let the jury weigh in?

Mindy Thomas

As a matter of fact, I do, your honor. Let me just try and find that other video here.

Grandma G. Force

Let's see here.

Mindy Thomas

There we go.

Reggie

Hi.

Grandma G. Force

Wait.

Mindy Thomas

My name's Mindy.

Grandma G. Force

Oh boy.

Mindy Thomas

This is my audition for American Funniest Home Makeover.

Dennis

Ah.

Mindy Thomas

How did that get in there?

Grandma G. Force

Yay.

Mindy Thomas

Sorry. So embarrassing. Here we go. And play.

Guy Raz

So exactly what are we looking at here, Ms. Mindy?

Mindy Thomas

Well, this, you, Honor, is my second piece of evidence.

Guy Raz

Another shark video?

Mindy Thomas

Yep. But this one's a little different.

Guy Raz

Huh? Well, I can see that this shark is half gray, half white, and surprisingly big.

Mindy Thomas

That's right, you, Honor. And that is because.

Reggie

Yes.

Mindy Thomas

She's having a baby.

Guy Raz

She's pregnant.

Mindy Thomas

That is correct, you, Honor. This video was taken just two weeks before that first baby shark video. And it was recorded in almost the exact same area.

Guy Raz

So you're suggesting that this might be the mama shark shark that gave birth to that baby shark we saw earlier?

Mindy Thomas

That is correct. In fact, there were three pregnant sharks in that area where the baby shark video was taken in the weeks beforehand.

Guy Raz

Interesting.

Grandma G. Force

Jackson.

Guy Raz

Yes.

Grandma G. Force

A great white shark isn't gonna do that.

Guy Raz

What?

Grandma G. Force

Well, they like to have their babies out to sea.

Mindy Thomas

Huh? They like to have their babies further out at sea. How do you know that?

Grandma G. Force

Well, I read it on the inside of a bottle cap once.

Mindy Thomas

Well, yes, that is true. Up until now, scientists have thought that sharks give birth way out at sea. And the scientists thought that because they could never find the sharks babies. But this video proves otherwise.

Grandma G. Force

Well, your video don't prove squat, missy. Why don't we Just settle this like ladies with a good old fashioned wrestling. Yay.

Dennis

Wrestling match. Wrestling match. Wrestling match.

Reggie

Order.

Guy Raz

There will be no fighting in my courtroom.

Grandma G. Force

Well, that ain't no fun.

Guy Raz

Kay, well, now that the arguments have concluded, the case of the baby shark will now be determined by a jury of your peers.

Dennis

Oh, hey, Reggie. That's us.

Guy Raz

Okay, jurors, you have exactly one voiceover to determine whether this video is, in fact, a baby shark or not. And your time starts now.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

The jurors will now deliberate on the fate of Mindy and her video. Will she be vindicated for her love of all things cute and small?

Dennis

Yeah.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

Or will she be put into a headlock by Grandma G. Force and given a noogie?

Grandma G. Force

Yeah.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

And will Bailiff Thomas Fingerling ever finish getting that popcorn?

Thomas Fingerling

Boy, they better not be started that video without me.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

All will be revealed right now.

Guy Raz

Jurors, have you come to a decision?

Dennis

We have, you, Honor. We, the jury of Dennis and Reggie find in the case of the baby shark video.

Mindy Thomas

What is it?

Dennis

I'm pausing for dramatic effect. Pausing, pausing, Pausing.

Grandma G. Force

Spit it out, boy, before I gotta go spit it out for you.

Guy Raz

Jury, I'm afraid I'm going to need an answer.

Dennis

Okay, fine. We, the jury, Doubt. Now what?

Grandma G. Force

Hey, you can't do that.

Guy Raz

You don't know.

Dennis

That's right, you, Honor. We, the jury, watched the video, but, you know, we don't know. You know.

Mindy Thomas

Bonkerballs. I knew this would happen.

Dennis

You did?

Mindy Thomas

I did. Well, I thought it might. You see the video of that baby shark?

Grandma G. Force

Excuse me, Alleged baby shark.

Mindy Thomas

Okay, fine. The video of the alleged baby shark hasn't exactly found a lot of fans in the scientific community.

Guy Raz

What do you mean?

Mindy Thomas

Well, what I mean is that there's still a lot of debate amongst scientists about whether this is or is not a video of a baby shark.

Dennis

Yeah, that's what Reggie and me said. Cause, you know, it's like. Is it. You know.

Mindy Thomas

Yeah. And I guess scientists are saying that maybe there needs to be more research done before we can dolphin at least say whether in fact, this is a baby shark. Oh, yeah. Owen, wait.

Guy Raz

What?

Grandma G. Force

I'm the big tamale. I'm a taco. I'm a banana. I'm a hot dog.

Dennis

Order.

Reggie

Okay,

Thomas Fingerling

okay. Who wants popcorn? Uh, wait, what's going on? Did you play the video without me?

Dennis

Yeah.

Thomas Fingerling

Rats.

Dennis

Sorry, Tommy.

Thomas Fingerling

That's Bailiff Tommy to you. Now, here's your popcorn.

Dennis

Oh, boy.

Thomas Fingerling

So where are we? What's going on?

Dennis

Oh, Judge Rossi's about to render his verdict. Judge Rossi?

Guy Raz

I Do declare, by the power vested in me by the court of WOW and network cable TV that this is, in fact, the very first video of a baby great white shark in the wild. Or maybe it's not. I guess this case is to be continued.

Grandma G. Force

Come on.

Mindy Thomas

Oh, yeah.

Grandma G. Force

Boo. Yeah, baby. I'm the best at being a lawyer. I'm the best at. I'm the best at court.

Mindy Thomas

Bye.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

You are now leaving the courtroom of Guy Ralphs. Next time, Thomas Fingerling accuses his neighbor of stealing one of his jokes.

Thomas Fingerling

Your Honor, I told a joke about zucchini 24 years ago, and G Force has been claiming it as her joke ever since.

Mindy Thomas

I have not have to.

Grandma G. Force

Have not have to.

Mindy Thomas

And order.

Narrator / Judge Razzi

Next time on Judge Razzie.

Mindy Thomas

Wow in the world. We'll be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you. Hey, grownups. Mindy here. And it should come as no surprise that I love talking to people. I do it every Friday on two. What's in a People who Wow edition? And I've got to tell you about something else designed to bring the joy of conversation back to kids. It's called Pinwheel Home, and it's a modern take on the landline phone. The Pinwheel Home is just like the phones you remember, except it connects using your wifi and plugs into a regular wall outlet. Plus, adults approve all contacts so you don't get strangers or spam calls. And calls to other Pinwheel Homes are free, so you can talk to all your friends. Pinwheel Home lets kids safely connect with their friends and family. Plus, it builds conversation skills and promotes independence. Visit pinwheel.com wow. To learn more. That's P-I N W H E-E-L.com wow. To learn more. That's it. Back to the show. Wow in the World. Hi, thanks for calling wow in the World. It's officially summer of wow time. When you hear the beep, record your summer of wow moment.

Reggie

Hi, my name is Claire and I live in Mesa, Arizona. My summer of wow moment is we went gold mining and we found real gold and minerals. Isn't that such a wow? Say hi to grandma G Force, Thomas, Fingerling, Reggie and Dennis for me. Bye. Hi, my name is Torrin, and my summer of wild is that we're driving over the Golden Gate Bridge. Hi, my name is Jack and I'm from Mesa, Arizona. One of my favorite summer memories is from this year when I went to Iceland and saw many natural wonders. I saw icebergs with ash and volcanoes in them. I got to look at a thousand year old iceberg. And while I was looking at the iceberg I even saw a seal pop up from the water. Hi, my name is Raz. Where do I live? I live in Catonsville and favorite summer memory and my favorite summer memory is when I go to the beach with my cousin I get saltwater taffy. Bye. Hi Mindy and Guy Raj. I'm Ellie. And I'm Everett and we live in Sterling, Virginia. Our summer. Wow. Was that last summer when we went to Vermont we got to see a Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory. Say hi to Dennis, Reggie, Grandma Gford.

Grandma G. Force

Okay.

Reggie

And Thomas Fingerling.

Thomas Fingerling

Wow.

Reggie

Bye. Hi Mindy and Guy Raz. I'm Nathan and my name is Alan. We live in Manville, New Jersey. Our we last summer is going to Florida and riding on our grandparents boat. We love your show. Hi Mindingo Ross. My name is Matthew and I and I'm from Riverview, Florida and I went kayaking and did archery and went in a in a canoe too. And also I all learned it at Camp Christina. And also there's an I got to swim in a deep pool that is eight feet deep and I know how to touch the bottom with my hand and my feet and the lifeguards allow it as long as you don't stay down there for a long forever. And so love your show. Bye. Guy Razamindi.

Mindy Thomas

End of messages.

Guy Raz

Wow in the World is written by Mindy Thomas and Tom Van Kalken with help from me, Guy Raz.

Mindy Thomas

Original sound design and music editing is done by our supervising producer, Jed Anderson. You can also hear Jed Anderson in the voices of Dennis Thomas, Fingerling, Reggie and many of the other silly characters that you hear on our show. And Lizzie Froehlich can also be heard as some of the silly characters on our show.

Guy Raz

Jessica Bode keeps our facts straight as our fact checker and Meredith Halpern Ranzer powers the WOW at Tinkercast.

Mindy Thomas

Our theme song was composed and performed by three time Grammy nominees. The pop ups. Find them at thepopups.com Special thanks to

Guy Raz

Kit Ballinger, Rebecca Caban, Dr. Natasha Crandall, Kenny Curtis, Kristin Yang, Thuy Mac, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jody Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Sigorski, Tyler Thole and all of the other tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.

Mindy Thomas

And to keep the wow rolling after you finish this episode, visit us@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 about some of the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast Grown Ups.

Guy Raz

You can follow wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @wowintheworld. And our email address is hellonkercast.com and

Mindy Thomas

if you're a kid with a big wow to share with us, call us at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW. For a chance to be featured at the end of our show or an upcoming episode of 2 what's in a wow.

Guy Raz

Thanks again for listening. We're here every Monday, or you can check out two what's and a wow every Friday right here in the wow in the World podcast feed.

Mindy Thomas

And don't forget, we WOW on the weekend with Dennis Saturday and Sunday.

Reggie

Keep on wowing.

Mindy Thomas

Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.