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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!

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

The Brains On crew is hitting the road in 2026, and our first shows have just been announced. If you like fun, games, dancing, optical illusions and... Mystery Sounds, check out Your Brain is Magic.
 
Head to brainson.org/events to get tickets for the following shows:
 
1/17 Newark, NJ Victoria Theater
 
1/18 Red Bank, NJ The Vogel
 
1/23 San Diego, CA The Observitory
 
1/24 Aneheim, CA House of Blues
 
2/21 Vancouver, BC Playhouse Theater (JFL Festival)
 
2/22 Seattle, WA Neptune Theater
 
If you don't see your city listed, we're adding more dates, so keep checking back!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brains On is coming to a city near you!

One’s a happy hopper and the other is a fine swine. Get ready for Pigs vs Frogs! Both animals are popular in books and movies. Both have cool features. But which is the coolest critter? Writer and archeologist Anna Goldfield will argue for Team Pig and actor, voice artist, and improviser Billy Soco will debate for Team Frogs. Listen to see which animal our judge crowns the Smash Boom Best, and head to smashboom.org to tell us who you chose.
 
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
 
Click here for a transcript of this episode.
 
Get 50% Off Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarch.com/boom.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pigs vs. Frogs

This debate is sure to be sweet music to your ears. It’s Harmonica vs Glockenspiel! Two harmonious instruments but only one can win! Wailin’ away for Team Harmonica, it’s comedian Aron Woldeslassie! Making melody for Team Glockenspiel, it’s voice actor Merk Nguyen! Which tune-maker will triumph? Listen to see who our judge picks and head to smashboom.org to vote for your favorite.
 
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
 
Click here for a transcript of this episode.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harmonica vs Glockenspiel

They’re both cute, they’re both cuddly, they both can be a handful. It’s Babies vs Puppies! Which adorable newborn will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Cooing for Team Babies is Smash Boom producer Anna Weggle and barking it up for Team Puppies is actor and animator Brant Miller! Who will win? Listen to see who our judge crowns champion of cuteness, then head over to smashboom.org to vote!
 
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
 
Click here for a transcript of this episode.
 
Get 50% Off Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarch.com/boom

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Babies vs. Puppies

Whether you like your wheels big or small, this debate is for you! It’s Monster Trucks vs Hot Wheels. It’s a battle between Brains On besties Marc Sanchez and Sanden Totten. Marc goes full throttle for Team Monster Trucks and Sanden speeds toward victory for Team Hot Wheels. Who will win? Head over to smashboom.org to vote and listen to see who our judge crowns the king of cars.
 
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
 
Click here or a transcript of this episode.
 
Get 50% Off Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarch.com/boom. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monster Trucks vs. Hot Wheels

Get ready for Smash Boom Best season 10! We promise more facts than you can shake a stick at (that's a lot, right?). Declarations of Greatness? We got 'em. Sneak Attacks? Ha-ha-who-YEAH! Arguments about ridiculous things judged by teenagers? You bet your Doja Cat!

Make sure you're subscribed, because the first episode drops on November 27th.
 
Do you want to see all the debates we have planned for this season? Of course you do! You can see them by signing up for our Smarty Pass. That's where you get ad-free versions of all Smash Boom Best, Brains On, Forever Ago and Moment of Um. Plus, you'll get other cool perks like hangouts with the team and discounts on merch and shows. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New episodes of Smash Boom Best!

Get tickets for Smash Boom Best live!
 
Nothing’s better than a good debate. Except maybe a good debate -- LIVE!
 
That’s why we’re bringing Smash Boom Best to Princeton, New Jersey. It’s gonna be a knock down, drag out brawl of words, jokes and probably some impromptu dance moves. Oh, and guess who’s judging this time? You! The audience!
 
So join us Sunday, October 26th at the McCarter Theater in Princeton. It’s gonna be a Smash Boom Blast. See ya there! 
 

 
 
 
 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See Smash Boom Best live in Princeton, NJ!

Smash Boom Best is back on October 15th! We’ve got 16 new epic debate battles, including Vampires vs Werewolves, Ice Cream vs French Fries, and Avengers vs Star Wars! Tune in for debates filled with shocking facts, laser-fine logic, and pithy puns -- all judged by a listener like you.

Want something to listen to now? Check out episodes from S1 and S2 and vote for the teams YOU think are the smash boom best at www.smashboom.org!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 3 Trailer

Smash Boom Best is back with 16 new debate battles this summer! But before we kick off the season, we need your help choosing two debate match-ups. Cast your vote below before Monday, March 9th!

 Which debate do you want to hear?

 Which debate do you want to hear?

Got a great idea for a debate?

Send us your debate ideas here! In the meantime, stay tuned for more details about the upcoming season.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 3 News!

We made a special bonus episode just for our Debate Club members! To join and get access to the episode, head to smashboom.org/debateclub and make a donation in any amount. The bonus episode features our beloved host and sloth lover, Molly Bloom, in a debate battle with Brains On producer and cheetah enthusiast, Sanden Totten. It’s cheetahs vs. sloths! Want to listen now? Join the Debate Club at smashboom.org/debateclub

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want a Bonus Episode?

Screens are amazing tools. We use them to watch shows, send messages, get directions, and more! But they’re also good at distracting us and can get in the way of having fun IRL! So this August, we’re launching an initiative called ANALOG AUGUST. It’s a challenge to step away from your screens and spend more time device-free! 

In honor of the cause, we’ve whipped up an iconic Smash Boom Smarty Pass special: ANALOG vs. DIGITAL starring Smash Boom Best producers, Anna Weggel and Aron Woldesslassie! Handwriting vs. Typing. Zoom vs. Classroom. Book vs. E-reader. Which ones are best? Tune in to find out and decide for yourself!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smarty Pass Sneak Peek: Analog vs. Digital

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