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

October is a big month for Smash Boom Best! We're coming back with new episodes October 1st and we're doing TWO live shows! We'll be in Toronto on Oct. 3rd -- it's part of the Just For Laughs Festival. And we'll be in Dallas Oct. 11th. Our Minneapolis sold out so if you've been waiting to get tickets, now is the time! The Smash Boom live shows features Molly, three very funny debaters and two debates! And guess who gets to be the judge? It's you! The audience! We know you have big opinions, and we can't wait to hear them in person. You can get tickets at brainson.org/events.

This debate is park vs park. One is a splashy place with slides and waves. The other a bounce house with games and obstacles. Get ready for waterparks vs trampoline parks! Making a splash for the wonderful world of waterparks is actor Marina Squerciati. And leaping into action for Team Trampoline Parks, is lawyer and former competitive debater, Eli Kay-Oliphant. Which park will prevail? Listen then vote for your pick at www.smashboom.org. 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!

This is a sneak peek of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass subscribers. It’s a follow up to the Forever Ago episode about the history of Pokemon. This time, Marc and Sanden are back as the Hoax Hunters to investigate a phenomenon known as the Pokemon Shock. It was an event where a TV show apparently made thousands of people feel sick. To hear the full episode, sign up for Smarty Pass and support the Brains On Universe.

Today it’s a battle of iconic British folk heroes! One is a King who loves justice, peace and a little bit of magic. And on the other a hero who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. It’s King Arthur vs Robin Hood! Swinging his sword for Team King Arthur, is the host and creator of Greeking Out and History Snacks, Kenny Curtis! And bringing a quiver full of good arguments for Team Robin Hood is Greeking Out writer and History Snacks host, Jillian Hughes! Which side will live happily ever after? Listen and then head to smashboom.org and vote for whichever side you think won! 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!

Today two terrific tastes are here to mix it up. On one side we have a warming spice that comes from a seed pod and on the other a mean, green cooling leaf machine. It’s vanilla vs mint. Keeping things cool for mint is clown, actor and improviser Gregory Parks! And extracting all the winning points for team vanilla is writer, performer and lego builder extraordinaire Sam Suksiri! Which flavor will prevail? Tune in to find out and then go to smashboom.org to vote for your pick.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!

Today’s debate is a bookish brawl featuring two classic characters created by Dr. Seuss. Improviser Nick Kanellis is arguing for The Lorax, that beloved and mustachioed defender of trees. And Story Pirate Peter McNerney is repping everyone’s favorite mischievous feline with stylish accessories: The Cat in the Hat! After you listen, head to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who you think won!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!

In today’s debate, we’ve got two sweet treats that are delights to eat. We have Forever Ago host Joy Dolo arguing for watermelon, the colorful fruit that’s hydrating to boot. And Brant Miller is repping cotton candy, magical confection that’s like an edible cloud! Which side will our judge crown the Smash Boom Best? After you listen, head to smashboom.org and vote for whichever side you think won! 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!

Today we have two fantastic fasteners facing off. It’s Zippers against Velcro. Both keep clothes closed, both combine form and function, but only one can seal the deal for the win. Representing Team Velcro we have actor, singer, writer and Story Pirate Emily Olcott. And for Team Zipper, it’s actor, comedian and musician Tim Platt! After you find out who won the debate, head to smashboom.org to cast your vote for the winner of your heart.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!

They’re both yellow, they’re both goofy, and they both have signature outfits! It’s SpongeBob vs Minions! Which animated icon is the coolest? Tune in to find out! We’ve got host and reporter Jed Kim going bananas for Team Minions. And blowing bubbles for Team SpongeBob, it’s performance artist Jada Pulley! Find out who our judge picks and vote for your favorite funny yellow friend at smashboom.org.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!

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.

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 wins and vote for your favorite at smashboom.org.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!

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 out and make sure to cast your own vote at smashboombest.org!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!

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 who should’ve won at smashboom.org.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!

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. Find out who wins, and vote for your pick at smashboom.org.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!

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 the horn for corn is Jason Wallace. He’s also at the University of Georgia where he’s an Associate Professor of quantitative genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and crop microbiomes. And he is an actual corn researcher! Get ready for a debate as smart as it is tasty. And head to smashboom.org to vote for your favorite dinner time delight.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!

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 Hillbrands! After the debate, head to smashboom.org and let us know who you think should have won.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!

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 top prize. And don’t forget to vote for your favorite at smashboom.org.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!

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!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!

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 you think won? Cast your vote at smashboom.org.Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets ⁠head to our events page⁠. More shows announced soon!May 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NYMay 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!)June 6 - Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MIJune 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OHJune 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WIClick ⁠here⁠ for a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!

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 episodes or donate!Want to see Brains On live?!? We are probably coming to a city near you. For a complete list of shows and links to tickets ⁠head to our events page⁠. More shows announced soon!April 25 - Marines Memorial, San Francisco, CA (2nd show added!)April 26 - Newmark Theater, Portland, ORMay 30 - Electric City, Buffalo, NYMay 31 - Royal Theatre, Toronto, ON (2nd show added!)June 6 - Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MIJune 20 - Southern Theater, Columbus, OHJune 21 - Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WIClick ⁠here⁠ for a transcript of this episode.