Molly and Aron love horror movies! So to entertain them, Ruby plays small clips from some of the spookiest episodes of Smash Boom Best: We’re talking snakes! Spiders! Dragons! Vampires! Godzilla! Zombies! Then Ruby asks Aron and Molly a trivia question about each topic. Let the spooky fun commence!

This lively debate features Kathryn VanArendonk, a writer known for 'The Bluey Years,' championing Bluey, and Margaret H. Willison, a culture writer and podcaster, advocating for Elmo. They discuss the cultural impact of both characters, weighing Bluey's modern charm against Elmo's classic appeal. The conversation dives into life lessons from each show, highlighting themes of kindness and self-identity. Listeners are invited to vote for their favorite character, promising an interactive and spirited showdown.

Join Tim Platt, a comedian from Rude Tales of Magic, who champions slides, and Fareeha Khan, a versatile comedian and writer who advocates for swings. They dive into a spirited debate about the joys of playgrounds, trading hilarious anecdotes and personal memories. Tim highlights the thrill and simplicity of slides, while Fareeha showcases the social dynamics and challenges of swings. The vibrant exchange is filled with clever puns and fun reflections on childhood, making it a delightful confrontation of classic playground favorites!

Brains On HQ is riddled with emergencies! A bowl of pudding is chasing Sanden. Marc’s piano has challenged him to a rap battle. And Rosie is out of mustard. Anna and Ruby need Molly’s help to solve these problems, but Molly is in her favorite chair so she can’t be bothered. Hopefully, a sneak attack can get her on her feet.

Today’s debate features two powerful planets in a cosmic clash – it’s Mars vs. Saturn! Brains On Editor Sanden Totten will rep the red planet while astronomer Mark Popinchalk will glimmer for the gassy giant. Who will be crowned the most precious planet? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won!This week’s sponsor is:Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Visit Greenlight.com/inclined.Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $5/month (or $45/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today. As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!

In this lively debate, Adam Gidwitz, author and host of "Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest," champions "Jack and the Beanstalk," while Soman Chainani, famed for "School for Good and Evil," defends "The Ugly Duckling." They hilariously dissect each story's themes—heroic adventures versus self-acceptance—while sharing personal anecdotes like musical favorites and theatrical experiences. With a playful critique of each other’s arguments, they highlight the deeper morals behind these timeless tales, sparking laughter and insightful reflections on resilience and transformation.

Today’s debate is full of frights and delights. Grab your popcorn and watch your backs because it’s Ghostbusters vs. Jurassic Park! We’ve got podcast producer Tracy Mumford, ready to take the call for team Ghostbusters, and journalist and author Tom Weber is eager to roar for team Jurassic Park! Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won!This week’s sponsor is:Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Visit Greenlight.com/inclined.Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $5/month (or $45/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today. As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!

Join Joy Dolo, host of Forever Ago, and Aron Woldeslassie, producer of Brains On Universe, in a hilarious Halloween candy debate! They pit popular treats like Twix and Snickers against each other, sharing witty banter and nostalgic memories. The competition gets intense as they engage in creative pitches and character monologues to defend their choices. They even brainstorm a new candy bar, showcasing their playful imaginations. Tune in for a sugar-filled showdown and find out which candy reigns supreme!

Can’t get enough Smash Boom Best? Here’s a bonus episode! Sign up for Smarty Pass and you’ll get a bonus episode like this every month. Usually, these episodes are just for Smarty Pass subscribers but today we’re sharing one with all of our listeners. To get more, sign up for Smarty Pass at smartypass.org How many times have you asked yourself: which is better, Sanden or a Velociraptor? On the one hand, Velociraptors hunt in packs but on the other hand, Sanden Totten is funny. Sanden has great hair but Velociraptors have been featured in several movies. It’s impossible to decide. Well, grab your Smarty Pass because, with the help of a fun game, we’ll decide which is best: Sanden or a Velociraptor!

Grab your helmet and knee pads because it’s Rollerblades vs. Scooters! Listen as journalist and podcaster Jed Kim rolls out for team Scooters while singer, writer, and comedian Andrew Barbato slices through the competition for team Rollerblades! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won!This week’s sponsors are:Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Visit Greenlight.com/inclined.Let your kids' imaginations run wild and check out the new podcast Wild Interest wherever you get your podcasts. wildinterest.comAlso… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $5/month (or $45/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today. As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!