Smash Boom Best is a funny, smart debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! from APM Studios. Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best: Pikachu vs. Mario, Lollipops vs. Popcorn, Flamingos vs. Axolotls, Mermaids vs. Bigfoot, Cats vs. Dogs, Spiderman vs. Batman, Refrigerators vs. Toilets, Minecraft vs. Lego… the list goes on. Our star-studded line-up of debaters use facts and passion to make their case, teaching listeners how to defend their opinions along the way! Past debaters include Tim Platt, cast member of the comedy narrative play podcast Rude Tales of Magic, comedian and writer Jenny Yang, Minneapolis-based rapper NUR-D, comedian and creator of the Story Pirates Peter McNerney, Radio Ambulante’s Daniel Alarcón, journalist and host of Into It Sam Sanders, host of Terrible, Thanks for Asking Nora McInerney, food-writer Kenji Lopez-Alt and many, many more. To top it off, our State of Debate segment shows listeners how to identify logical fallacies in the wild. Ad hominem attacks and bandwagon fallacies, be gone! So if you’re looking to ignite a funny, feisty debate on your next roadtrip, or just want some amusing arguments for your kids to consider while they fall asleep… tune into Smash Boom Best, where we make debate – a blast!
Today, we’ve got a brawl between two things we’d hate to live without. It’s refrigerators vs. toilets! Terrible, Thanks for Asking creator Nora McInerny and reporter Jill Replogle duke it out in this feisty fixture face-off. But which team will claim the throne? Stone cold fridges? Or savvy lavvies? Shimmy over to smashboom.org, and vote for the team that YOU think won!
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Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets head to our events page. More shows announced soon!
April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA (2nd show added!)
April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, OR
May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NY
May 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!)
June 6 - Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI
June 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OH
June 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI
Click here for a transcript of this episode.
Hi Smash Boom Besties! We are currently working on the next season of Smash Boom Best, and we cannot wait for you to hear it. In the meantime, we have this episode of Brains On to share with you. I also host Brains On, it's a show where we answer our audience's questions.
This episode is all about something I'm guessing that lots of you are curious about, which is: What's the deal with trends? Enjoy the episode and we will be back in your feed in May with new episodes of Smash Boom. Best.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're busy working on a way the next season of Smash Boom Best (coming back in May!) but until then we wanted to let you know that our history show Forever Ago is back with new episodes RIGHT NOW.
Join fan favorite debater Joy Dolo and co-host Luke as they learn about the origins of the Teddy Bear and find out about a stuffed possum that should’ve been the next big toy craze, but never caught on.
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Saving the world is easy compared to winning this debate. We’re pitting two heavy hitting heroes against each other. It’s Black Panther vs Wonder Woman. Fighting for the Amazonian warrior with a golden lasso, it’s actress Tiffany Smith. Stepping up for the Wakandan King with the vibranium suit, it’s comedian Aron Woldeslassie. Which superhero will succeed? Listen to find out and head to smashboom.org to cast your vote.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
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One fast, one slow, both super cool. It’s Turtles vs Rabbits! This episode takes the famous story of The Tortoise and the Hare and turns it into a rollicking debate for the ages! Hopping in for Team Rabbit is comedian Tim Platt! And doing the slow walk for Team Turtles is comedian Fareeha Kahn! Which animal will win this time? Listen to see who our judge picks and head to smashboom.org to vote for the side that won you over!
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
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Today we’re pitting two amazing condiments against each other. One is sweet, the other savory. Both are beloved. It’s Maple Syrup versus Soy Sauce. Pouring it on for Team Maple Syrup is host and reporter Jed Kim. Sharing his joy for soy is filmmaker, writer and vocalist, Jun Sekiya. Which side will win this dip-worthy debate? Listen to find out who our judge chooses and then head to smashboom.org to weigh in yourself.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
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Two savory snacks, one delicious debate. It’s Peanuts vs Seaweed! One grows on land and pairs perfectly with chocolate or jelly. The other is found in the sea and is key in soups and sushi. Which one will be deemed the best bite? We’ve got actress and Forever Ago host Joy Dolo sounding off for Team Peanuts. Actor and improviser Alsa Bruno is diving in for Team Seaweed. Tune in to see who wins and then head to smashboom.org to vote for your favorite snack.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today we’ve got a real brain buster. It’s bass vs bass. What? Well, the names are spelled the same, but they couldn’t be more different. One is a slippery, shimmery fish. The other is a boppin’, booming, guitar. Both are cool in their own way, but only one will triumph. On the side of the bass guitar we have Zak Rosen, host of the podcasts Weirdly Helpful and Care and Feeding. And repping the bass fish is Science Friday host Flora Lichtman. Listen to see which bass is best and head to smashboom.org to choose your favorite!
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
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Two creatures from a galaxy far, far away go head to head in this interstellar debate. One is a little blue force of destruction and the other is a little green font of wisdom. It’s Stitch vs Yoda! Surfing in on a wave of enthusiasm for Team Stitch is comedy writer and Lego Master Sam Suksiri. And the Force is strong with actor, comedian and Story Pirate Peter McNerney, for Team Yoda! Which alien being will be crowned the best? Listen to find out and then head to smashboom.org to vote for the side you would’ve chosen to win.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
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This debate has its ups and downs, literally! One side is all about scaling up mountains, boulders and walls. The other side goes down hills with a woosh. It’s Rock Climbing vs Sledding! This pulse pounding episode features writer, comedian, and podcaster Tim Barnes holding fast for Team Rock Climbing and host of NPR’s It’s Been A Minute, Brittany Luse for Team Sledding. Which side will come out on top… or bottom, as the case may be? Listen and find out. Then head to smashboom.org to vote on your fav.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
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Get ready for an ancient throwdown of epic proportions. It’s Tyranosaurus vs Triceratops. One is a meat-eating, mega-predator and the other is a vegetarian with three horns for three times the protection. Dino experts Riley Black and Kallie Moore will duke it out to see which animal is crowned the Smash Boom Best. After the debate, head to smashboom.org to tell us who you think won.
You can find Riley's books here and Kallie's books here! Kallie also hosts PBS' Eons.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.