Smash Boom Best

Today, we’re letting the science rip in a seriously gassy showdown. It’s helium versus neon! One is famous for making balloons float and voices squeaky -- the other is prized for its beautiful glow. Brains On star Sanden Totten and science writer and comedian Kasha Patel go head to head in this elemental debate. Which team do you think won? Cast your vote at smashboom.org! In the meantime, check out the Smash Boom Best Listening Party Kit here! And if you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate. Follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

This week, two treacherous terrains take the stage. It’s deserts versus swamps! Marc Sanchez and Anna Weggel defend these exceptional environments with humor and pizzaz, but only one team will take home the title of Smash Boom Best… Who do you think won? Cast your vote at smashboom.org! Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning. If you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate and follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

One’s in the sky, one’s underground. One makes a buzz, the other? Not a sound. It’s ants versus bees! Comedians Ian Abramson and Tim Barnes take sides in this rollicking bug brawl. Which insect do you think won? Cast your vote at smashboom.org! We’re taking a short break over the holiday, but we’ll be back with more Smash Boom Best on Thursday, January 7th, 2021! Three cheers for a new year! Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning, Headspace and Literati Kids. If you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate and follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Today, we’re switching it up -- Smash Boom Best is going full on Smash Boom Pest. Two misunderstood critters go head to head in today’s debate battle. It’s rats vs pigeons! Podcast producer Elyssa Dudley takes on journalist Tom Weber in this whisker-twitching, feather-filled showdown. Which cunning creature do YOU think won? Head to smashboom.org and cast your vote! Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning and Headspace. If you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate and follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

It’s time for another superpower showdown! Challenger one is teleportation, the ability to instantly zap yourself to any place in the world. Challenger two is telekinesis, the power to move things with your mind. Which tele-power will take the crown? Million Bazillion host Jed Kim and Brains On producer Menaka Wilhelm make some mighty arguments in this smash boom battle! Who do you think won? Head to smashboom.org and cast your vote!   Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning, Purple, and Literati Kids.  If you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate and follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Today’s debate is between two totally adorable, extremely popular animals known for their fashionable fur and frolicsome feathers. It’s pandas vs penguins!! Comedians Katie McVay and Brandi Brown defend these charming cuties in an intense, delightful debate. Who are you going to vote for? Cuddly, bamboo-munching pandas? Or waddling, water-loving penguins? Head to smashboom.org and cast your vote!   Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning. If you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate and follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

We’ve got a tasty debate for you today -- it’s ice cream vs french fries!! This is going to be a tough one for everybody, because let’s face it: we all scream for ice cream and we freak out over french fries! Comedians Tommy McNamara and Brittany Carney take sides in this scrumptious debate, and they want to know who YOU think won! Cast your vote at smashboom.org!Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning. If you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate and follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

This week, two of the biggest movie franchises EVER go head-to-head in a blockbuster-worthy battle. It’s Avengers vs. Star Wars! Which team will win? The Marvel-ously superhuman Avengers saga? Or the space story from long ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Star Wars? Merk Nguyen and Nyge Turner, co-hosts of the podcast “Adult ISH” from Radiotopia and YR Media, take sides in this intense debate battle.  Who do you think won? Cast your vote at smashboom.org! Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning and Purple, makers of the Purple pillow and mattress. Go to Purple.com/smash10, and use promo code smash10 for 10% off any order of $200 or more.  And if you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate Follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

We’ve got a deep-sea debate for you today, so put on your scuba gear and jump on in! It’s Giant Squid vs. Blue Whales. Former MPR News host Tom Weber goes up against science writer and stand-up comedian Kasha Patel in a fearsome debate battle. Which of these large and legendary beasts will take home the title of Smash Boom Best?  After you listen, tell us who you think won by casting your vote at smashboom.org! And if you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate and follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning. Visit bamboolearning.com to learn more.

Today, the ultimate monstrous rivals go fang to claw in a blood-thirsty debate: vampires vs. werewolves! The pale, blood-sucking predators who sleep in coffins take on the supernaturally speedy, mutant wolf-humans who howl at the moon! Anna Weggel and Tracy Mumford debate to see which terrifying tormentor will be crowned the Smash Boom Best.After you listen, tell us who you think won by casting your vote at smashboom.org! And if you donate to the show, you’ll get to vote on the topic of this season’s bonus episode, which is only available to donors of the show. Support the show at smashboom.org/donate Follow us on social at @SmashBoomBest on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!Today’s episode is sponsored by Bamboo Learning.

We’ve got a musical matchup to get your toes tapping: guitars versus drums! Smash Boom Best producer Rosie DuPont goes up against comedian Tommy McNamara in this raucous (and rocking) showdown.After you listen, tell us who you think won by casting your vote at smashboom.org! You can support the show at smashboom.org/donate

We’re launching season three with a burst of color of delight. It’s flowers vs rainbows! Brains On star Sanden Totten goes up against Forever Ago host Joy Dolo in a breathtakingly beautiful battle. Who do you think will win? Cast your vote and get your own score sheet at smashboom.org!  Plus… if you’re looking to host a virtual listening party with friends, check out our super cool Spotify playlist: https://spoti.fi/3nLC8jT It’s an awesome way to get active during every epic showdown this fall! This episode is sponsored by Purple, makers of the Purple pillow and mattress. Go to Purple.com/smash10, and use promo code smash10 for 10% off any order of $200 or more. 

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!

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.

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

NPR’s Sam Sanders and Elise Hu go head to head in this futuristic faceoff! Sam is repping the extraterrestrial neighbors we’re still searching for. And Elise is here to defend those helpful machines we call robots. Who do you think won? Head to smashboom.org to cast your vote. This episode is sponsored by Candlewick Press, publisher of Judy Moody Book Quiz Whiz, available wherever books are sold, and Mathnasium (mathnasium.com/boom or call 855-912-MATH).

How could you ever decide between two foods so scrumptious? Today’s judge is eleven-year-old Paige Goehner, the winner of Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. The Sporkful’s Dan Pashman serves up a platter of facts for Team Cheese. And the Splendid Table’s Francis Lam tries to sway our judge with the delicious decadence of Team Chocolate. Who do you think won this foodie faceoff? Cast your vote at smashboom.org. This episode is sponsored by Candlewick Press, publisher of Judy Moody Book Quiz Whiz, available wherever books are sold, and Mathnasium (mathnasium.com/boom or call 855-912-MATH.)

It’s killer fish versus stinky furballs! Science Vs. host Wendy Zukerman goes to bat for SHARKS, those ancient, blood-thirsty predators that make swimming at the beach just a little bit scary.... and Chompers host Rachel Ward represents SKUNKS, those smelly cuties we all wish we could pet! Which wiley creature will win this smash boom battle? Head to smashboom.org and vote! And while you’re at it, join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub. This episode is sponsored by Homer Reading (learnwithhomer.com/boom).

Which sport is tops? Is it swimming, the splashy, life-saving skill, or soccer, the super-popular game of strategy and speed? Debaters Anna Weggel and Tommy McNamara face off in this sporty showdown. Which team do you think came out on top? Head to smashboom.org and vote! And while you’re at it, join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub. This episode is sponsored by Mathnasium (mathnasium.com/boom or call 855-912-MATH.)

Story Pirates podcast hosts Lee Overtree and Peter McNerney duke it out in a debate of epoch proportions: it’s the Ice Age vs. the Jurassic!! Who will win this bruiser of a battle? Will it be the chilly, 2.5-million-year period known for woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats? Or the 54-million-year period known for dinosaurs like the Stegosaurus and the Brachiosaurus? Visit smashboom.org and vote! And don’t forget, you can join the Debate Club and get access to our bonus episode at smashboom.org/debateclub. This episode is sponsored by Mathnasium (mathnasium.com/boom or call 855-912-MATH.)