Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family
American Public Media
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 18, 2022 • 2min
Introducing Moment of Um!
Get ready for the newest podcast, Moment of Um! Answering random questions like how oysters make pearls and why your ears pop. Hosted by Brains On creators, it's bite-sized fun for curious minds.
Jan 13, 2022 • 35min
Coral Reefs vs. Rainforests
Two iconic ecosystems hurl tree-mendous facts and rock-hard arguments in today’s colorful debate. It’s coral reefs versus rainforests! Comedian and host of Forever Ago, Joy Dolo, takes salty swings at science writer and comedian Kasha Patel in this rip-roaring battle… but which realm will rain supreme? Snorkel over to smashboom.org and vote for the ecosystem YOU think won!
Jan 6, 2022 • 32min
Apples vs. Bananas
Today’s fruity free-for-all is apple-solutely bananas! In one corner, we’ve got those crunchy, portable treats -- apples! And in the other, it’s those yellow fruits in a suit -- bananas! Comedian Tommy McNamara spars with comedian and writer Saurin Choksi in this tasty face-off... but which fruit will peel their way to victory? There’s no telling with this bunch! Crunch and munch your way over to smashboom.org and vote for the fruit YOU think won!
Dec 16, 2021 • 35min
Lego vs. Minecraft
Today, we’ve got a builder’s battle you’re gonna dig. It’s Lego vs. Minecraft! In one corner, we’ve got the Lego-loving YouTuber and contestant on Lego Masters USA Season 1, Boone Langston! In the other, it’s Minecraft influencer and author of the NY-Times best-selling book series Wild Rescuers, Stacy Hinojosa, a.k.a. StacyPlays! Which realm will triumph? The physical kingdom of plastic bricks? Or that digital universe of biomes and blocks? Hop over to smashboom.org and vote for the team YOU think won. You’re in for a breathtaking battle of the bricks!Give a holiday gift in support of Smash Boom Best. When you give, you'll get immediate access to our Halloween Spook-tacular — so you’ll get more Smash Boom Best! Head to smashboom.org/donate and donate today. Thanks!
Dec 9, 2021 • 33min
Godzilla vs. King Kong
We hope you’re ready for today’s ragin’ rivalry, cuz it’s monstrous! In one corner we’ve got that legendary lizard with atomic breath… Godzilla! And in the other, it’s that gargantuan gorilla who scales skyscrapers… King Kong! Radio producer and comedian Aron Woldeslassie tangles with journalist and author Tom Weber in this colossal clash… but which monster will be crowned the smash boom beast?! Stomp over to smashboom.org and vote for the monster YOU think won!Give a holiday gift in support of Smash Boom Best. When you give, you'll get immediate access to our Halloween Spook-tacular — so you’ll get more Smash Boom Best! Head to smashboom.org/donate and donate today. Thanks!This episode was sponsored by Headspace headspace.com/smash
Dec 2, 2021 • 34min
Jello vs. Spam
We hope you're hungry, cuz today’s debate stars two funny, fantastic foods. It’s Jello vs. Spam! Audio producer Tracy Mumford and American chef and food writer Kenji Lopez-Alt get serious in this squelching smackdown… but which tasty treat will triumph? Jiggly, wiggly Jello, or Spam, that salty ham in a can!? Bounce over to smashboom.org and vote for the food who YOU think won. You’re in for a sweet and salty treat!Give a holiday gift in support of Smash Boom Best. When you give, you'll get immediate access to our Halloween Spook-tacular — so you’ll get more Smash Boom Best! Head to smashboom.org/donate and donate today. Thanks!This episode was sponsored by Wondery’s new podcast, Flip and Mozi’s Guide to How to be an Earthling.
Oct 7, 2021 • 1min
New Episodes & Our Live Virtual Halloween Debate!
Smash Boom Best will be back with eight new episodes starting December 2nd. Get ready for a slew of awesome battles, including one of our most requested debates of all time, Lego vs. Minecraft!In the meantime, join us for our first-ever live virtual Halloween-themed debate on October 23rd. Fan favorite debaters Jed Kim, Katie McVay, Joy Dolo and Sanden Totten will go head to head in a tournament of champions. It's going to be a blast.To watch the debate, all you have to do is give a gift of any amount to Smash Boom Best at smashboom.org/donate. Not only will you be supporting the show, but you'll get to watch this spooktacular showdown. If you can't make it live, a recording of the event will be made available to everyone who donates. Thanks so much for your support!
Sep 23, 2021 • 32min
Pikachu vs. Mario
Buckle up for a brawl between two of the most iconic video game characters of all time. It’s Pikachu vs. Mario!! Radio producer and Pokemon trainer David Zha goes up against podcast pro and Mario maven Kristina Lopez in this electrifying debate. Which character will win? The mighty, mustachioed plumber known for giant jumps? Or the yellow thunder mouse known for packing an electrified punch!? Zip over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won.Support Smash Boom Best with a donation and get automatic access to our live, interactive Halloween themed event in October. Head to smashboom.org/donate and donate today!This episode was sponsored by:Headspace headspace.com/smash
Sep 16, 2021 • 36min
Chess vs. Ping Pong
Today’s teams are in it to spin it. It’s chess vs. ping pong! Comedian and writer Joon Chung goes up against podcast producer Elyssa Dudley in this classic competition, but which team will smash their way to victory? Ping over to smashboom.org and vote for the team YOU think won -- and get ready for an epic battle, mate!Support Smash Boom Best with a donation and get automatic access to our live, interactive Halloween themed event in October. Head to smashboom.org/donate and donate today!This episode was sponsored by:Headspace headspace.com/smash
Sep 8, 2021 • 32min
Horses vs. Dolphins
Saddle-up, because today’s debate is the dolphinition of awesome. It’s horses vs. dolphins! Terrible, Thanks for Asking producers Marcel Malekebu and Jeyca Maldonado-Medina go hoof to flipper in this fin-pressive debate... but which team will win? Handsome horses or dreamy dolphins? Splash over to smashboom.org and vote for the team YOU think won!Support Smash Boom Best with a donation and get automatic access to our live, interactive Halloween themed event in October. Head to smashboom.org/donate and donate today!This episode was sponsored by:Imagine Neighborhood (imagineneighborhood.org/smashboom)
