Smash Boom Best

Two courageous critters take the stage for today's debate. It’s Armadillos versus Porcupines! Which brave and beautiful beast will claim the crown? Will it be the master of armor repped by Phyllis Fletcher? Or will Tracy Mumford sway our judge in favor of the queen of quills? Which team do you think won? Cast your vote at smashboom.org! Today's episode is sponsored by Headspace (headspace.com/smash). In the meantime, check out the Smash Boom Best Listening Party Kit here! And if you...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 returning this fall. We're hard at work on new episodes and we can't wait to share them with you! In the meantime, we’re launching an awesome new YouTube series called In Defense Of — a collection of tribute videos for teams that came in second place in our most hotly-contested debates — and we need YOUR help! Our first three videos are devoted to BOOKS, TACOS and UNICORNS. Record yourself defending their glory, and use facts and logic to make your case. Send us your In...

BIG NEWS! Smash Boom Best has been nominated for a Webby Award! But we need your help to win. Cast your vote here: https://bit.ly/3cTAOVK. We can't do it without you!

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...