Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family
Brains On Universe
Smash Boom Best is a funny, smart debate show for kids and families from the Brains On Universe. 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!
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 2, 2026 • 23min
Smash Boom Presents: Forever Ago and the history of teddy bears
A playful dive into how the teddy bear became an icon, from early rag dolls to mass-produced plushies. Tales of Margarita and Richard Steiff’s inventions and a presidential cartoon that sparked a craze. A rival plush possum and its wild marketing rise and fall get center stage too. Fun facts about famous bears and how stories turned toys into cultural phenomena.
Mar 26, 2026 • 32min
Black Panther vs Wonder Woman
Saving the world is easy compared to winning this debate. We’re pitting two heavy hitting heroes against each other. It’s Black Panther vs Wonder Woman. Fighting for the Amazonian warrior with a golden lasso, it’s actress Tiffany Smith. Stepping up for the Wakandan King with the vibranium suit, it’s comedian Aron Woldeslassie. Which superhero will succeed? Listen to find out and head to smashboom.org to cast your vote.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 36min
Turtles vs Rabbits
Faria (Fareeha) Kahn, comedian who brings playful, character-driven arguments for turtles. Tim Platt, comedian known for energetic, humorous storytelling defending rabbits. They spar over turtle longevity, shells and even butt-breathing. Tim touts rabbit speed, teeth, social life and charm. Rapid-fire micro facts, mock acceptance speeches, six-word closers, and a judge’s surprising verdict keep the fun rolling.
4 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 33min
Soy Sauce vs Maple Syrup
Jun Sekiya, filmmaker/writer/vocalist who champions soy sauce with culinary flair. Jed Kim, reporter and storyteller who makes maple syrup feel nostalgic and funny. They spar over umami vs sweetness. Quick facts, playful chants, rebuttals, and six-word closers keep the debate lively and surprising.
Mar 5, 2026 • 36min
Seaweed vs Peanuts
Two savory snacks, one delicious debate. It’s Peanuts vs Seaweed! One grows on land and pairs perfectly with chocolate or jelly. The other is found in the sea and is key in soups and sushi. Which one will be deemed the best bite? We’ve got actress and Forever Ago host Joy Dolo sounding off for Team Peanuts. Actor and improviser Alsa Bruno is diving in for Team Seaweed. Tune in to see who wins and then head to smashboom.org to vote for your favorite snack.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 26, 2026 • 30min
Bass 🐟 vs Bass 🎸
Today we’ve got a real brain buster. It’s bass vs bass. What? Well, the names are spelled the same, but they couldn’t be more different. One is a slippery, shimmery fish. The other is a boppin’, booming, guitar. Both are cool in their own way, but only one will triumph. On the side of the bass guitar we have Zak Rosen, host of the podcasts Weirdly Helpful and Care and Feeding. And repping the bass fish is Science Friday host Flora Lichtman. Listen to see which bass is best and head to smashboom.org to choose your favorite!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 19, 2026 • 36min
Stitch vs Yoda
Peter McNerney, actor and comedian with Story Pirates roots, champions Yoda for his wisdom and charm. Sam Suksiri, comedy writer and Lego master, builds a case for Stitch’s chaos, heart, and quirky skills. They trade rapid-fire trivia, playful rebuttals, improvised campaign pitches, and six-word closing lines as the debate hurtles toward a tight, surprising finish.
Feb 12, 2026 • 34min
Rock Climbing vs Sledding
Brittany Luse, NPR host who loves sledding and its history, champions downhill joy and tradition. Tim Barnes, writer and comedian, defends rock climbing with stories, puzzles, and gym accessibility. They trade fast facts, playful acrostics, dramatic rebuttals, and six-word closers as they debate gravity, effort, danger, and pure fun.
Feb 5, 2026 • 34min
Tyranosaurus Rex vs Triceratops
Get ready for an ancient throwdown of epic proportions. It’s Tyranosaurus vs Triceratops. One is a meat-eating, mega-predator and the other is a vegetarian with three horns for three times the protection. Dino experts Riley Black and Kallie Moore will duke it out to see which animal is crowned the Smash Boom Best. After the debate, head to smashboom.org to tell us who you think won. You can find Riley's books here and Kallie's books here! Kallie also hosts PBS' Eons. Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 29, 2026 • 34min
Moss vs. Moths
Tiz Irie, comedian/writer/musician, champions moths with fun facts about night vision, echolocation tricks, and pollination. Emily Olcott, actor/writer/singer/comedian, defends moss with lively takes on water-holding power, ecosystem benefits, and soil protection. They trade witty rebuttals, invent nature superheroes, and debate surprising micro facts about survival and ecosystem roles.
