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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Today’s debate is between two totally adorable, extremely popular animals known for their fashionable fur and frolicsome feathers. It’s pandas vs …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Today, the ultimate monstrous rivals go fang to claw in a blood-thirsty debate: vampires vs. werewolves! The pale, blood-sucking predators who sleep …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

Two of the world’s most beloved starches are taking the stage today. On one side, we have Joy Dolo repping mighty, multi-colored rice! And on the …

Grab some sunscreen, lace up your hiking boots and don’t forget your binoculars because... you’ll want to keep your distance from today’s debate. …

We’re blasting off, leaving Earth’s orbit, and grabbing front row seats at an interplanetary smackdown. Which planet will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Will debater Tommy McNamara bring it home for our neighbor Venus? …

Buckle up for our first ever Mega Mini-Boom Bonanza! Tai Poole, host of the CBC’s award-winning podcast Tai Asks Why judges four high-octane …

One has no legs, the other has eight. It’s snakes vs. spiders! The Washington Post’s Anna Rothschild reps Team Snake, and comedian Jenny Yang comes …

It’s the ultimate disguise versus the freedom of the skies! Debaters Katie McVay and Brandi Brown face off in this superpower showdown. Who won your …

Loki and Athena battle it out for the title of smash boom supreme! Which one of these divine deities will triumph? Will it be Loki, the …

Two epic landforms battle it out in a geological prizefight that’s going to rock your world! So which one of these stony-faced sluggers is going to …

Totally lit libraries take on the marvel of museums in a heated, high-minded debate about which institution is the most educational, the most impressive and, above all, the COOLEST. So who will take home the crown? Joy …

Unicorns and dragons have graced us with a magical, show-stopping debate! Which one of these whimsical, wondrous beasts will triumph? Will it be ferocious, fire-breathing team dragon? Or ethereal, elusive team unicorn? …

Venus flytraps and piranhas go leaf to teeth in this fearsome debate battle! That’s right, this matchup is killer plant meets fanged fish. Will it be treacherous team Venus flytrap or tricky team piranha for the win? …

Smash Boom Best is back on June 6th! In 16 new episodes, our debaters tackle epic match-ups like chocolate versus cheese! Aliens versus robots! And …

Press play for an announcement from the Smash Boom Best team!

Two natural phenomena go head-to-head in our final match-up of the season. It's ooey, gooey molten lava versus tricky, shifty, fast-acting quicksand. …

It's an all-you-can-eat buffet of difficult decisions in one of our toughest match-ups ever. In one corner, it's cheesy, shareable, savory-sauced …

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: …

We’re pitting noble medieval fortresses against naturally-made chambers of wonder. Which do you think is cooler: castles or caves? Our debaters aim …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …