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
Sep 2, 2021 • 37min
Refrigerators vs. Toilets
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!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)
Aug 26, 2021 • 37min
Spaceships vs. Submarines
Pack your bags, cuz today’s episode is a trip. It’s spaceships vs. submarines! Too Beautiful to Live co-host Andrew Walsh and comedian Brandi Brown travel from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space in this daring debate -- but which travel-craft will triumph? Vote for the vessel YOU think won at smashboom.org!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:Stitch Fix Kids (stitchfix.com/smash)
Aug 19, 2021 • 34min
Honey vs. Pickles
Two iconic foods go jar-to-jar in today’s fearsome flavor feud. It’s honey vs. pickles! Million Bazillion host Jed Kim goes up against comedian and journalist Anna Weggel in this sweet and salty showdown. Which team dill prevail? Vote to tell us who YOU think won at smashboom.org!Plus, we’ve got a special State of Debate segment this week, featuring actors Greg Cipes and Tara Strong, the voices behind Beast Boy and Raven on Teen Titans Go!, available on Cartoon Network. Which character do you think is cooler, Beast Boy or Raven? 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:Bobby Wonder Podcast (gokidgo.com)
Aug 12, 2021 • 36min
Bikes vs. Skateboards
Get ready to kickflip out -- cuz this debate is off the chain. It’s bikes vs. skateboards! Listen to radio journalist Daniel Alarcón and Brains On! star Sanden Totten drop some gear-grinding arguments and gnarly facts... then cruise over to smashboom.org to vote for the team YOU think won. You’re in for a wheelie awesome debate!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)Stitch Fix (stitchfix.com/smash)
Aug 5, 2021 • 35min
Fairies vs. Giants
We’re stomping into season four with a debate of mythic proportions. One team is the size of a green bean, while the other towers over the whole magic beanstalk. It’s fairies vs. giants! Journalist Tarkor Zehn and comedian Katie McVay serve up some fee-fi-fo-fabulous arguments in this one... but which fabled figure will triumph? Vote to tell us who YOU think won at smashboom.org -- and get ready for some fairy GIANT laughs!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:Stitch Fix Kids (stitchfix.com/smash)Bobby Wonder Podcast (gokidgo.com)
Jul 22, 2021 • 2min
Season 4 Trailer
This August 5th, Smash Boom Best is back! We’re staging some very controversial debates this season, including Skateboards vs. Bikes, Godzilla vs. King Kong, Horses vs. Dolphins, and Minecraft vs. Lego!We’re also planning a live, virtual, Halloween-themed debate this October. It’s going to have sneak attacks... costumes... and interactive voting, so YOU’LL get to be the judge! We’ll be releasing tickets for this spooktacular event in the coming months, so stay tuned. In the meantime, download and listen to all-new smash boom episodes starting Thursday, August 5th!
Apr 29, 2021 • 47sec
Return Date & New Merch!
We’re coming back!Smash Boom Best is coming back on August 5th. New merch While you wait for fresh episodes to drop, check out our awesome new merch at smashboom.org/shop. We’ve got t-shirts, phone grips, face masks... everything you need to see your way through to the bright, beautiful days of summer. Follow us on social!And if you haven’t yet, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Thanks again for listening to and supporting our show. We couldn’t do it without you, smash boom besties. Stay tuned!
Feb 26, 2021 • 1min
Want a Bonus Episode?
Meep Meep! Our bonus episode has arrived. That’s right, folks. It’s coyotes vs roadrunners!! In this season’s Debate Club exclusive, Brains On! producer and coyote lover, Marc Sanchez, takes on podcast producer and roadrunner enthusiast, Elyssa Dudley! Want to listen? Join the Debate Club at smashboom.org/debateclub by making a donation of any amount, and we’ll send you the episode.
Feb 11, 2021 • 39min
Mermaids vs. Bigfoot
Two marvelous, mythical legends make an appearance in this week’s episode. It’s mermaids versus Bigfoot! Which elusive creature will win this smash boom battle? Mermaids, the mysterious sirens that haunt our oceans? Or Bigfoot, the sneaky creature that lurks in forests around the world? Comedian Joy Dolo and “Adult ISH'' podcast host Merk Nguyen go foot-to-fin in this knock-down, drag-out debate. Who do you think won? Cast your vote at smashboom.org!Also… this is our last episode of the season! But don’t despair. We’ll be back soon. And if you just can’t get enough and you want to support the show, donate and you’ll get our super awesome bonus episode, Coyotes vs Roadrunners! Head to smashboom.org/donate to make sure you get the bonus episode when it's published on Feb. 25. Keep on listening smash boom besties, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. We’ll be back soon with more Smash Boom Best!
Feb 4, 2021 • 36min
Sugar vs. Salt
Today, we’re going to tickle your tastebuds with two mouthwatering flavors. It’s sugar versus salt! Which fabulous flavor will win? The savory mineral we like to lick off pretzels, or the sweet ingredient we like to sprinkle on our cereal? American chef and children’s book author Kenji Lopez-Alt goes up against author and photographer Nik Sharma in this tasty face-off. Who do you think won? Cast your vote at smashboom.org!If you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate and follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
