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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!

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

Molly and Aron love horror movies! So to entertain them, Ruby plays small clips from some of the spookiest episodes of Smash Boom Best: We’re talking snakes! Spiders! Dragons! Vampires! Godzilla! Zombies! Then Ruby asks Aron and Molly a trivia question about each topic. Let the spooky fun commence!

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Smash DOOM Best

Smash Boom Best is back on Thursday, February 1st with 16 new epic episodes! And we’re kicking it all off with our 100th episode! 

We've got a whole new pile of exciting matches coming up such as Hippopotamus vs. Dragonfly, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. My Little Pony and Pegasus vs. Centaur. 

Which sides do YOU think will come out on top? There’s only one way to find out! Tune in on February 1st for the first of 16 new sizzling smackdowns. 

See you soon, smash boom besties!

We're back on February 6th!

Today’s debate is a matchup between two musical marvels. It’s viola vs. keyboard! Vying for the viola’s rich, velvety tones it’s violist Sam Bergman, and repping the keyboard’s versatility and funky beats is musician Katie Drahos! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won!

Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $5/month (or $45/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today. As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!

Viola vs. Keyboard: a musical debate

Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and let's you decide which is best. Cats versus Dogs. Pizza versus Tacos. Super Speed versus Super Strength. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Our debaters use facts and passion to make their case... teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way.

Season One: The Trailer

Wings out, eyes wide -- we’re swooping in on a battle between a perfect pair of creatures of the night. Which is cooler: Bats? Or owls? We’re going to hear lots of facts and feelings from our debaters: Brandi Brown and Katie McVey. Who will be chosen the Smash Boom Best? Listen to hear what our judge decides and then head over to smashboom.org to share your opinion with us!

Bats vs Owls

Ready for some mystery? This Smash Boom Battle takes on two famous places: the Bermuda Triangle and Loch Ness. Which is cooler? Is it the Bermuda Triangle -- a puzzling patch of ocean where ships, planes and plenty of people are said to have disappeared? Or is it Loch Ness -- a Scottish lake best known for spooky sightings of a long-necked creature? Listen to hear what our judge decides and then head over to smashboom.org to share your opinion with us!

Bermuda Triangle vs. Loch Ness

Will muscly might or supersonic speed triumph? This Smash Boom Best battle takes on two out-of-this world superhuman powers. Which would you rather have: super speed or super strength?

Super Speed vs. Super Strength

In one corner, human’s best friend, licker of faces, chewer of toys -- it’s dogs. And in the other corner, sleek and graceful, free pest control with a cute face to boot -- it’s cats. Are you Team Cat or Team Dog? Head to smashboom.org to cast your vote!

Cats vs Dogs

We’re pitting noble medieval fortresses against naturally-made chambers of wonder. Which do you think is cooler: castles or caves? Our debaters aim to settle this millennia-old rivalry once and for all. Are you Team Castle or Team Cave? Vote here: https://goo.gl/forms/xFJGvYuCgatMuJ782 Today’s episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson).

Castles vs Caves

Who are you rooting for: the printed word or the silver screen? Bibliophiles face off with film buffs everywhere in this week's Smash Boom Battle. Hear both sides out and then vote here: https://goo.gl/forms/Qxk3Zqu9YbRBjQIk2 Smash Boom Best is sponsored today by KiwiCo (https://kiwico.com/boom)

Books vs Movies

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!

Season 4 Trailer

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