Wow in the World
{{Short description|Children's podcast}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox podcast
| title = Wow in the World
| image = Wow in the World Podcast.png
| genre = Kids and family, science, technology
| length = 30-45 minutes
| language = English
| presenter = {{hlist |Guy Raz|Mindy Thomas}}
| production = Tinkercast, LLC
| num_seasons = 6
| num_episodes = Over 300
| began = May 15, 2017
| ended = present
| provider = Wondery (since September 2021)
Previously:
NPR (May 2017-April 2021)
Sony Music Entertainment (April–September 2021)
| theme_music_composer = The Pop Ups
| opentheme = "The Golden Age (Wow In The World Theme Song)
| website = [https://tinkercast.com/shows/wow-in-the-world/ Official website]
[https://open.spotify.com/show/1HhK3f5Fk2EBplKMLvYVnQ?si=75cba2783ffc4125 Spotify]
[https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wow-in-the-world/id1233834541 Apple Podcasts]
}}
Wow in the World is a children's podcast hosted by children's media and audio veterans Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas. which debuted on May 17, 2017 and produced by Tinkercast, LLC, a company established by Thomas and Raz to produce children's audio.,{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://tinkercast.com/about/|website=Tinkercast|access-date=2022-07-01|archive-date=December 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207190105/https://www.tinkercast.com/about/|url-status=live}} and distributed by Wondery. Initially, it was distributed by NPR as part of its efforts to invest in podcasts and digital media aimed at wider audiences, including families, as well as Guy Raz's connections to the broadcaster for producing popular shows like the TED Radio Hour and the business podcast How I Built This. Distribution was handed over to Sony Music in April 2021, but the deal with Sony was very short lived. The Amazon-owned podcast network Wondery agreed to distribute the Tinkercast assets in September the same year.
The show focuses on science and technology and each episodes is about 25 minutes long. However some episodes, such as the spin-off game show Two Whats?! And a Wow!!! are 15 minutes long and other bonus episodes may run for 5–10 minutes.
Background
In 2014, Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas had a Twitter exchanged that led to some collaborations.{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2019 |title=How Mindy Thomas Became Your Kids' Favorite Podcast Star – Washingtonian |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/03/17/how-mindy-thomas-became-your-kids-favorite-podcast-star/ |access-date=May 5, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525215922/https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/03/17/how-mindy-thomas-became-your-kids-favorite-podcast-star/ |url-status=live }} The show was financed by its hosts and is recorded in Thomas's basement studio in Fairfax, Virginia.{{Cite news |last=Hess |first=Amanda |date=October 3, 2017 |title=The New Bedtime Story Is a Podcast |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/arts/kids-podcast-panoply-pinna.html |access-date=May 5, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301203825/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/arts/kids-podcast-panoply-pinna.html |url-status=live }} They began producing episodes for Wow in the World together and the podcast debuted on May 15, 2017.{{Cite web |title=NPR's first kid-focused podcast is taking some narrative lessons from its adult counterparts |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2017/05/nprs-first-kid-focused-podcast-is-taking-some-narrative-lessons-from-its-adult-counterparts/ |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Nieman Lab |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529114010/https://www.niemanlab.org/2017/05/nprs-first-kid-focused-podcast-is-taking-some-narrative-lessons-from-its-adult-counterparts/ |url-status=live }} The podcast is the first children's podcast to be distributed by NPR.{{Cite web |title='Wow in the World': Why NPR started its first podcast for kids |url=https://www.today.com/parents/parents-behind-npr-s-wow-world-podcast-t115993 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=TODAY.com |date=September 6, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://www.today.com/parents/parents-behind-npr-s-wow-world-podcast-t115993 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Lindsay |title=NPR's first podcast for kids comes at the right time |url=https://current.org/2017/05/nprs-first-podcast-for-kids-comes-at-the-right-time/ |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Current |date=May 22, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126143218/https://current.org/2017/05/nprs-first-podcast-for-kids-comes-at-the-right-time/ |url-status=live }} The show is produced by Tinkercast.{{Cite web |title='Wow in the World' Is NPR's First Podcast For Kids (And Their Adults, Too) |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/wow-in-the-world-is-nprs-first-podcast-for-kids-their-adults-too-57543 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Bustle |date=May 12, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://www.bustle.com/p/wow-in-the-world-is-nprs-first-podcast-for-kids-their-adults-too-57543 |url-status=live }} Each episode is about 25 minutes long.{{Cite web |last=Mallenbaum |first=Carly |title=Podcast pick: NPR debuts first kids' show, 'Wow in the World' with Guy Raz |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/05/23/podcast-pick-npr-debuts-first-kids-show-wow-world-guy-raz/102018130/ |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/05/23/podcast-pick-npr-debuts-first-kids-show-wow-world-guy-raz/102018130/ |url-status=live }} The theme song is by The Pop Ups.{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2017 |title=Wow in the World: a kids' podcast with plenty for parents, too |url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/18/wow-in-the-world-a-kids-podcast-with-plenty-for-parents-too |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131344/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/18/wow-in-the-world-a-kids-podcast-with-plenty-for-parents-too |url-status=live }} The podcast's intended audience is children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.{{Cite news |last=Hallett |first=Vicky |date=May 20, 2017 |title=How to entice your kid away from a screen — with a podcast |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/how-to-entice-your-kid-away-from-a-screen--with-a-podcast/2017/05/19/2da347b4-3a4c-11e7-8854-21f359183e8c_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130234421/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/how-to-entice-your-kid-away-from-a-screen--with-a-podcast/2017/05/19/2da347b4-3a4c-11e7-8854-21f359183e8c_story.html }} The hosts of the show cite their sources during the program.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2019 |title=Wow in the World |url=https://reason.com/2019/07/01/wow-in-the-world/ |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://reason.com/2019/07/01/wow-in-the-world/ |url-status=live }} The podcast is a science and technology focused program.{{Cite news |last=Sturges |first=Fiona |date=December 1, 2017 |title=Wow in the World — a science podcast that's a real wow with its young listeners |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f4bde42a-d688-11e7-ae3e-563c04c5339a |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://www.ft.com/content/f4bde42a-d688-11e7-ae3e-563c04c5339a |url-status=live }} On April 6, 2019, the show did a live event at Tampa Theatre.{{Cite web |last=Hammond |first=Amy |date=March 5, 2019 |title=Tampa Theatre to host Wow in the World Pop Up Party |url=https://www.83degreesmedia.com/innovationnews/npr-wow-in-the-world-comes-to-tampa-030519.aspx |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=83Degrees |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710221335/https://www.83degreesmedia.com/innovationnews/npr-wow-in-the-world-comes-to-tampa-030519.aspx |url-status=live }} By 2020, the show had produced four seasons.{{Cite web |last=Atkin |first=Katy |date=October 3, 2020 |title=Family friendly podcasts for school holiday roadtrips |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300114028/family-friendly-podcasts-for-school-holiday-roadtrips |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Stuff |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300114028/family-friendly-podcasts-for-school-holiday-roadtrips |url-status=live }} During the COVID-19 pandemic, the hosts of the show started a spinoff series called Two Whats?! and a Wow!.{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Sabrina Rojas |date=March 4, 2021 |title=How 'Wow in the World{{}}s Mindy Thomas Makes Potty Humor into STEM Education |url=https://www.sheknows.com/feature/wow-in-the-world-mindy-thomas-interview-2411413/ |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=SheKnows |language=en-US |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003122419/https://www.sheknows.com/feature/wow-in-the-world-mindy-thomas-interview-2411413/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2019 |title=7 podcasts that both kids and adults will enjoy together at home |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/7-podcasts-that-both-kids-and-adults-will-enjoy-together-at-home-1.5369983 |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=CBC |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625204154/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/7-podcasts-that-both-kids-and-adults-will-enjoy-together-at-home-1.5369983 }} Two Whats?! and a Wow! released daily episodes.{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2020 |title=These Are The Best Podcasts For Kids |url=https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2020/04/these-are-the-best-podcasts-for-kids/ |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Lifehacker Australia |language=en-AU |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326053953/https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2020/04/these-are-the-best-podcasts-for-kids/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=NPR's Wow In The World Podcast Goes Daily For Kids And Families. |url=https://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/npr-s-wow-in-the-world-podcast-goes-daily-for-kids-and-families/article_77fd4736-6def-11ea-8c35-13f032d32a6d.html |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Insideradio.com |date=March 24, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710221335/https://www.insideradio.com/podcastnewsdaily/npr-s-wow-in-the-world-podcast-goes-daily-for-kids-and-families/article_77fd4736-6def-11ea-8c35-13f032d32a6d.html |url-status=live }} Tinkercast also started a spinoff called Camp WeWow''.{{Cite web |last=Leiber |first=Sarah Jae |title=Tinkercast Announces Launch of Kids Podcast 'Camp WeWow' on June 14 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Tinkercast-Announces-Launch-of-Kids-Podcast-Camp-WeWow-on-June-14-20210610 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Tinkercast-Announces-Launch-of-Kids-Podcast-Camp-WeWow-on-June-14-20210610 |url-status=live }} On November 22, 2021, the show did a special episode discussing the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: 'Wow In The World' Podcast Explains The Covid Vaccine Just For Kids |url=https://www.romper.com/entertainment/wow-in-the-world-podcast-covid-vaccine-kids |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Romper |date=November 20, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128143545/https://www.romper.com/entertainment/wow-in-the-world-podcast-covid-vaccine-kids |url-status=live }}
Reception
Charlotte Hilton Andersen wrote in Reader's Digest that the hosts "have a knack for picking science stories that kids will find fascinating".{{Cite web |last=Andersen |first=Charlotte Hilton |date=February 16, 2022 |title=16 Best Podcasts for Kids Even Adults Will Love |url=https://www.rd.com/article/best-podcasts-for-kids/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Reader's Digest |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420134536/https://www.rd.com/article/best-podcasts-for-kids/ }} ABC News said of the show that "Curious kids will be captivated, and you'll find it hard not to love it too."{{Cite news |date=September 30, 2017 |title=Seven podcasts for any family road trip |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-01/seven-kid-friendly-podcasts-for-any-family-road-trip/9001732 |access-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-01/seven-kid-friendly-podcasts-for-any-family-road-trip/9001732 |url-status=live }}
= Awards =
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Award !Date !Category !Result !Ref. |
| AAAs / Subaru Prize
|2022 |Excellence in Science Books |{{CFinalist}} |
| rowspan="2" |Discover Pods Awards
|2020 | rowspan="6" |Best Kids & Family Podcast |{{CFinalist}} |
| 2021
|{{Runner-up}} |
| rowspan="4" |iHeartRadio Podcast Awards
|2019 |{{Won}} |
| 2020
|{{Nom}} |
| 2021
|{{Won}} |
| 2022
|{{Nom}} |
Adaptation
The podcast was adapted into a book series. The first book in the series was titled Wow in the World: The How and Wow of The Human Body and the second was titled Wow in the Wild: The Amazing World of Animals.{{Cite web |last=Lodge |first=Sally |date=March 17, 2022 |title=Kids' Books and Podcasts: When the Twain Meet |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/88799-kids-books-and-podcasts-when-the-twain-meet.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en-US |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417144351/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/88799-kids-books-and-podcasts-when-the-twain-meet.html }} The intended audience of the book series is children ages 7–10.{{Cite web |last=Maughan |first=Shannon |date=June 13, 2019 |title=HMH to Publish Children's Books Based on Popular STEM Podcast |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/80442-hmh-to-publish-children-s-books-based-on-popular-stem-podcast.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en-US |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505131308/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/80442-hmh-to-publish-children-s-books-based-on-popular-stem-podcast.html }} The book was discussed at the 2021 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books as well as the 2021 San Antonio Book Festival.{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2021 |title=Here's the complete list of virtual panels for the 2021 Festival of Books |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2021-04-12/2021-la-times-festival-of-books-panel-schedule |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505132810/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2021-04-12/2021-la-times-festival-of-books-panel-schedule }}{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Nicholas |date=April 8, 2021 |title=200 authors slated to appear online for San Antonio Book Festival |url=http://sanantonioreport.org/featured-authors-2021-san-antonio-book-festival/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=San Antonio Report |language=en-US |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710221337/https://sanantonioreport.org/featured-authors-2021-san-antonio-book-festival/ }} The books are written by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz with illustrations by Jack Teagle.{{Cite magazine |last=Knibbs |first=Kate |date=June 15, 2021 |title=WIRED's Ultimate Summer Reading List 2021: Books for Kids and Teens |url=https://www.wired.com/gallery/books-summer-reading-recommendations-kids-teens-2021/ |access-date=May 5, 2022 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707175232/https://www.wired.com/gallery/books-summer-reading-recommendations-kids-teens-2021/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Gruschow |first=Kim |date=February 28, 2021 |title=Wow in the World by Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz |url=https://www.readings.com.au/review/wow-in-the-world-by-mindy-thomas-and-guy-raz |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2022 |website=readings.com.au |language=en-AU |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322082254/https://www.readings.com.au/review/wow-in-the-world-by-mindy-thomas-and-guy-raz }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://tinkercast.com/shows/wow-in-the-world/}}