Home Podcasts Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family
Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family

Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family

Brains On Universe 224 Episodes Jul 2, 2026

Smash Boom Best is a funny, smart debate show for kids and families from the Brains On Universe. Each episode pits two cool things against each other, like Pikachu vs. Mario or Lollipops vs. Popcorn, and lets listeners decide which is best. Star-studded debaters use facts and passion to make their case, teaching listeners how to defend their opinions. The show also includes a State of Debate segment that helps identify logical fallacies.

Episodes

Dandelions vs Orchids Jul 2, 2026 2223 Today, we’re frolicking through the flowers. It’s Dandelions vs Orchids. One is butter yellow and grants wishes, the other is delicate and dazzling! We’ve got Smash Boom Best co-creator Sanden Totten for Team Orchids and filmmaker, writer and director Jun Sekiya for Team Dandelions. Which petal wins the medal? Find out and vote for your favourite at smashboombest.org.
Texting vs Calling Jun 25, 2026 2278 Today we’ve got two cool ways of reaching out. One starts with a ring, the other, a ding. It’s calling vs texting. Defending the tradition of talking on the phone, it’s the host of the Heavyweight Podcast, Jonathan Goldstein. And here to talk up texting we have Kalila Holt, producer of the Heavyweight Podcast. Whether you like to type or talk, you’ll have a lot to say about this one! Find out who
Avocados vs Raspberries Jun 18, 2026 2141 Snack time! On one side it’s a creamy, dreamy, green fruit perfect for salads and dips. On the other side it’s a razzle-dazzle red berry that loves being in smoothies and parfaits. Avocados vs Raspberries! Here to cut it up for avocados is audio producer and editor Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong. And raving for raspberries, it’s voice actor Merk Nguyen. Which piece of produce will prevail? Listen to find o
Balloons vs Candles Jun 11, 2026 2258 Get ready for a debate worth celebrating! It’s balloons vs candles. One floats festively toward the sky, the other brightens the dark. Both are popular at parties. But which one is the best? We’re about to find out! We’ve got podcast producer Anna Weggel lifting spirits for Team Balloon. And actor and improvisor Alsa Bruno lighting the way for Team Candles. Listen to the debate and then tell us wh
Knitting vs Pottery Jun 4, 2026 2274 Get ready for a craft-tastic debate. One side serves up cuddly, cozy creations. The other, hardy, handy homeware. It’s knitting versus pottery! Both are fun, useful crafts that have been loved for centuries by countless people. So which will come out on top? Yearning for yarn, it’s comedian Katie McVay for Team Knitting. And craving the kiln, it’s science writer Menaka Wilhelm for Team Pottery. Fi
Onions vs Corn May 28, 2026 2092 I hope you are hungry, because today’s debate is serving up two staples of the dinner table. Grill ‘em, saute ‘em, mix ‘em in salads. They’ll both taste great. But only one can take the trophy. It’s Onions vs Corn. Here to slice and dice for Team Onions is Brian Kvitko. He’s an Associate Professor of Molecular Plant Bacteriology at the University of Georgia and an actual Onion researcher! Sounding
Alligators vs Otters May 21, 2026 2452 Get ready for a clash of critters! On one side we’ve got alligators, rowdy reptiles known for tough skin and a winning smile. On the other we’ve got otters, mischievous mammals with webbed feet and the cutest little smushy face. Which animal is the coolest? Arguing for alligators is writer, director and Story Pirate Lee Overtree! And making waves for otters is writer, comedian and improviser Andy
Slime vs Slinkies May 14, 2026 2465 Set out these two playthings on a table and see which one your kid grabs first. Is it the gooey, squishy, surprising slime? Or the springy, wiggly, wonderous slinky? Both are fun, one will triumph! Smooshing the competition for Team Slime, it’s RadioLab host Latif Nasser. And stretching toward victory for Team Slinky, it’s podcast producer Hans Buetow. Listen to see which terrific toy takes the to
Barbie vs Mr Potato Head May 7, 2026 2289 Today we’ve got two toys that spur creativity and imagination. One’s a fashion icon for the ages and the other one is a bulbous blank slate! That’s right, it’s Barbie vs Mr Potato Head. Story Pirate Alex Nader is boosting Barbie and comedian Comrade Tripp is a proponent for the potato! Who will win? Listen to see who our judge picks and head to smashboom.org to vote for the side that won you over!
Mermaids vs Bigfoot: A fan favorite encore Apr 30, 2026 2614 Two marvelous, mythical legends make an appearance in this week's episode. It's mermaids vs 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 aound 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
Bikes vs Skateboards: A fan favorite encore Apr 23, 2026 2386 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!Want to support the show? Join ⁠Smarty Pass⁠ to listen to ad-free episo
Toilets vs Refrigerators: A fan favorite encore Apr 16, 2026 2440 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! Want to support the show?

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