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
Aug 14, 2019 • 43min
Ice Age vs Jurassic
Story Pirates podcast hosts Lee Overtree and Peter McNerney duke it out in a debate of epoch proportions: it’s the Ice Age vs. the Jurassic!! Who will win this bruiser of a battle? Will it be the chilly, 2.5-million-year period known for woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats? Or the 54-million-year period known for dinosaurs like the Stegosaurus and the Brachiosaurus? Visit smashboom.org and vote! And don’t forget, you can join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub. This episode is sponsored by Mathnasium (mathnasium.com/boom or call 855-912-MATH.)
Aug 7, 2019 • 37min
Rice vs Noodles
Two of the world’s most beloved starches are taking the stage today. On one side, we have Joy Dolo repping mighty, multi-colored rice! And on the other, Meghan McCarty Carino argues for slippery, slurpable noodles! Which one do you think is cooler? Head to smashboom.org and vote! You can join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub. This episode is sponsored by Homer Reading (learnwithhomer.com/boom) and Circle (meetcircle.com/smash and enter SMASH at checkout for $30 off).
Jul 31, 2019 • 35min
Venom vs Claws
Grab some sunscreen, lace up your hiking boots and don’t forget your binoculars because... you’ll want to keep your distance from today’s debate. It’s venom versus claws! Venom-lover Tom Weber and claw-queen Brandi Brown go paw to fang in this smash boom battle. Which warrior will win? Go to smashboom.org and vote! While you’re at it, join our Debate Club at smashboom.org/debateclub, and get access to our super secret bonus episode. Venom vs Claws is sponsored by Raddish, a cooking club for kids (RaddishKids.com/Boom and coupon code BOOM).
Jul 25, 2019 • 40min
Venus vs Jupiter
We’re blasting off, leaving Earth’s orbit, and grabbing front row seats at an interplanetary smackdown. Which planet will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Will debater Tommy McNamara bring it home for our neighbor Venus? Or will Kasha Patel earn a win for larger-than-life Jupiter? Visit smashboom.org to cast your vote. You can join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub. This episode is sponsored by Circle (meetcircle.com/smash and enter SMASH at checkout for $30 off) and by Raddish, a cooking club for kids (RaddishKids.com/Boom and coupon code BOOM).
Jul 17, 2019 • 36min
Mega Mini-Boom Bonanza
Buckle up for our first ever Mega Mini-Boom Bonanza! Tai Poole, host of the CBC’s award-winning podcast Tai Asks Why judges four high-octane "mini-boom" debates between high schoolers from the Minnesota Urban Debate League. They’ll tackle Spring vs. Fall, Zombies vs. Werewolves, Rats vs. Pigeons and Breakfast vs. Dinner! Do you agree with Tai’s decisions? Head to smashboom.org and vote! You can join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub. This episode is sponsored by Raddish, a cooking club for kids (RaddishKids.com/Boom and coupon code BOOM).
Jul 11, 2019 • 37min
Snakes vs Spiders
One has no legs, the other has eight. It’s snakes vs. spiders! The Washington Post’s Anna Rothschild reps Team Snake, and comedian Jenny Yang comes out swinging for Team Spider. So which one is cooler? Creepy, crawly spiders? Or slithering, scaly snakes? Listen and cast your vote at smashboom.org. This episode is sponsored by Raddish, a cooking club for kids (RaddishKids.com/Boom and coupon code BOOM). You can join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub.
Jul 3, 2019 • 34min
Invisibility vs. Flying
It’s the ultimate disguise versus the freedom of the skies! Debaters Katie McVay and Brandi Brown face off in this superpower showdown. Who won your vote? Visit smashboom.org to share your opinion. This episode is sponsored by Circle (meetcircle.com/smash and enter SMASH at checkout for $30 off). You can join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub.
Jun 26, 2019 • 41min
Loki vs. Athena
Loki and Athena battle it out for the title of smash boom supreme! Which one of these divine deities will triumph? Will it be Loki, the shape-shifting trickster of Norse mythology, or Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom? Debaters Jed Kim and Elyssa Dudley pull their most persuasive moves to win over our judge. But who do you think won? Head to smashboom.org and vote! This episode is sponsored by Relay (relaygo.com/boom for 15% off your purchase on Amazon).
Jun 19, 2019 • 34min
Grand Canyon vs. Mount Everest
Two epic landforms battle it out in a geological prizefight that’s going to rock your world! So which one of these stony-faced sluggers is going to win this showdown?! Debaters Shaena Montanari and Kasha Patel go head-to-head to win your vote. Tell us who you think won at smashboom.org. This episode is sponsored by Relay (relaygo.com/boom for 15% off your purchase on Amazon).
Jun 12, 2019 • 43min
Libraries vs. Museums
Totally lit libraries take on the marvel of museums in a heated, high-minded debate about which institution is the most educational, the most impressive and, above all, the COOLEST. So who will take home the crown? Joy Dolo for Team Library or Marc Sanchez for Team Museum? Head to smashboom.org after the episode to cast your vote. This episode is sponsored by Relay (relaygo.com/boom for 15% off your purchase on Amazon).
