Hey friends, do you have a young adult in your life who's looking to beef up their financial know-how? Then check out the new season of Financially Inclined, hosted by Janelle Espinal. this season the show is tackling topics like how to align your values with your money decisions the skill of negotiating and what you can get out of internships
Financially Inclined is presented in partnership with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Greenlight helps teens learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest. Tune in to Financially Inclined wherever you find your podcasts. From the brains behind Brains On, it's Smash Boom Best. The show for people with big opinions.
I'm Molly Bloom, and this is Smash Boom Best, the show where we take two things, smash them together, and ask you to decide which one is best. Today's debate is a high-energy showdown between two classic playground pastimes. Jump Rope vs. Hula Hoop. We've got journalist Jed Kim ready to bounce his way to victory for Team Jump Rope. Jump Rope! You're going to hop with excitement. And backs.
And writer and comedian Andrew Barbato is here to spin circles around the competition for Team Hula Hoop. My arguments are about to spin out of control in the best way possible. And here to judge it all is Eloise from Heartland, Wisconsin. Eloise loves eating beer cheese soup with croutons, feeding baby birds at her local wildlife rehabilitation center, and she wants...
saved a chipmunk's life. Hi, Eloise. Hi. So Eloise, what is it like to feed baby birds? It's fun. I mean, they're really tiny and cute. How do you feed them? Some you need syringes and liquid. Others you feed insects and stuff like that. Oh my gosh. Are they cute? Oh yeah. They're very cute. Do you give them the beer cheese soup? No. Not suitable for baby birds. No. Eloise, I feel like you should know that this is a rematch between...
Jed and Andrew. They have faced off once before. Yes, yes. And then the votes. Look, there's a lot of statements out there on the internet that you can't always trust. Smash Boom Best is a reputable source, and we should believe them, but... There is a pending lawsuit and, you know, we're going to see how that goes. You know, I won and it feels real good. But my own family. preferred you. I must destroy you.
Can Jed win his own family? Only time will tell. But first, here are the rules of the game. Every debate consists of four rounds. The Declaration of Greatness, the micro-round, the sneak attack, and the final six. After each round, our judge... At the end of the show, head to our website, smash... Boom.org and vote for whichever team you think won. Okay, Jed, Andrew, and Eloise, are you ready?
I'm jumping at the bitch. I am revolving and spinning and shaking, and I am so excited for you, Jed. I would say that jump ropes are cool, but I don't like lying. Well, it is time for the Declaration of Greatness.
In this round, our debaters will present a well-crafted, immersive argument in favor of their side. Then they'll each have 30 seconds to rebut their opponent's statements. We flipped a coin, and Jed, you're up first. Tell us what makes jump ropes so... joyful physical education film number seven hopped up on jump roping hello there american dudes what are you up to we're building a fallout shelter sir
Sounds fun. But don't forget the importance of bodily rigor. Say, here's a jumping rope. Golly! That's never that. Look, I don't need retro propaganda to convince you that jump ropes are infinitely, skippitably superior. Reason number one. Amazing physical prowess from a piece of cord. Imagine there was a tool that would give you an incredible workout. I'm talking muscles quivering, lungs screaming, sweat soaking fitness, and you can store it in a drawer or hang it from a hook.
How much would you be willing to pay for this amazing device? One hundred? Two hundred? A thousand? Ah, it's like ten bucks, give or take. And I am serious about the health benefits. Scientific studies have shown jumping rope improves your heart health, endurance, lower and upper body maximal strength, whatever that means. It's no wonder top athletes like LeBron James... incorporate it into their training regimens. Plus, there are so many ways to jump. Just for funsies. Speed rope.
Double unders. That's spinning it twice in one jump. Even that criss-cross arms thingy. Ah, nuts! And then there's the ultimate achievement, the pinnacle of athleticism. I am, of course, referring to that physics-defying magic we know as... Double Dutch! Two people spinning... two jump ropes? A maelstrom of whipping fury in which someone jumps? The danger, the beauty, the incredible rhymes.
2, 3, and 59. She's jumping rope and doing pretty fine. Flap, clap, put it in a trap. How many presents is she gonna wrap? Should I try? I'm gonna do it. No, no, I'm too scared. How do they do that? Reason number two jump ropes are super cool. Versatility. In a pinch, so many things could be a jump rope, a clothesline, an extension cord.
All of your aunt's necklaces link together. And if you do have a jump rope, well, you've got about a thousand tools at your disposal. You could use it to swing across a canyon. It'd have to be a pretty narrow one, but still. You could use it to lasso an evil villain. Or stretch it out to trip an evil villain. Or tie up the evil villain. It could even be a lead you use to drag said evil villain to justice.
How did you save the day? I had a jump rope. How many different ways can you use a jump rope? Why, that's only as limited as your imagination. My imagination is pretty limited. So let's move on to reason number three. Jump ropes bring people together. The hula hoop is a novelty that by its very nature forces people to keep their distance.
When you do it, you're like, oh, oh, don't get too close. You'll ruin my hooping. It's an isolating experience. Even more so because, you know, you look silly. Look at me, Gyrate! Ew, Dad, stop! That's not the case with a jump rope. A pair of people can jump with a single rope. If you've got three people, easy. Two people twirl, their friend jumps in the middle.
Heck, if you do that, you'll soon have a line of friends and neighbors all waiting for their turn to jump in. Plus, oh man, what if one of them has a second rope? Then we could... That's right! Double Dutch! And he's on the hula hoop! Wiggling like he's full of poop! Inga collusion! Boo hula hoops! Hooray jump ropes! I gotta go. It's my turn. I'm going for it. Oh, sorry, sorry. Let's do it again. Jed's going to get that double dutch real soon. I just know it. Someday.
Oh, Eloise, what stood out to you about this wonderful declaration of greatness? I really liked the end when he tried to jump rope because I tried to jump rope. I feel like him a lot. I can't get over it. But that's okay. I liked the rhymes and all those things with the evil villains. The music in the beginning, I liked that. And LeBron James.
You know, why not? Excellent. All right, Andrew, it's time for your rebuttal. Tell us why jump ropes should be called dump ropes. You've got 30 seconds and your time starts now. Wow. Well, first of all, I'm boiling. I mean, I am boiling. How dare you call the hula hoop a novelty? You know, luckily you did the work for me, Jed, because every time that you tried to use a jump rope in that declaration of greatness, you were.
unable to do it you had to remove yourself and and and guess what i maybe you don't have a trauma from gym class but i certainly do because i'm meant to i'm meant to get tripped up in this rope time and time again no Absolutely not. And time. Thank you. You say that The hula hoop is not a novelty and that I was not able to jump rope. I didn't record myself trying to hula hoop because there would have been so much cussing. And this is a kid's podcast.
Oh, my gosh. Hula hoops are impossible and pointless. All right, Andrew, let's hear your declaration of greatness. Tell us why hula hoops make people go whoop whoop. Hey, the amazing new 63 Wham-O Hula Hoops are here. Get one, get two, get more. It's the new amazing Wham-O Hula Hoop. Oh hi! Didn't see you there. The name's Hula Make Hoop Face. The Hula Hoop. But you can call me Hoopy. I'm just sifting through old recordings, enjoying a trip down memory lane. Starting with the 19...
Rock and roll, poodle skirts, and me. When I joined the scene at the time, everyone went wild for me. Kids, adults, dogs. Yes, even dogs. forward to today, and I'm still king. Why don't you roll with me and see how I've stayed on top for the last 70 years. First stop, playground. Look at this. Young people spinning me around their waist, arms, and legs. An explosion of joy they'll never forget. You think a jump rope could do that? It'd probably just trip them.
I'm okay. Oof. The jump rope strikes again. All right, kids. Gotta roll. Where? The gym. All right, gym enthusiasts, if you're ready for hoopies weighted hula hoop workout, can I get a hoop? Hoop! There it is. Shake those hips. Wiggle those buns! No offense, Jump Rope, but I make workouts fun! Hoopla! What's that? Time for my circus rehearsal? Ha! Gotta roll! Check it out. An entire circus performing with hoops like me. Just attach them to the ceiling and spin. Whee!
Now time for the grand finale. Let's make some magic! See? I'm not just a piece of plastic. I'm an icon, spinning joy and creativity into the lives of millions. I'm amazing! Yes, you are, Hoopy. Wow, that guy's schedule is packed. All I have to do today is destroy the jump rope and prove why the hula hoop deserves to win this debate. Let's start with the joy factor.
Hula hoops make people happy. There's just something magical about spinning a hoop, whether it's around your waist, your arm, or even your neck. It's pure fun. You look ridiculous doing it, and that's the best part. This joy isn't new. The ancient Greeks used hoops made of dried vines to exercise and play thousands of years ago. These hoops were often shown in paintings as tools of strength and agility. But hula hoops aren't just toys. They're tools for creativity.
We've all had a blast spinning them, but why stop there? Use them as a giant bubble wand. Trace them with chalk to draw the biggest smiley face emoji ever. You can even use them to win a talent show at the Boys and Girls Club, like I did when I was nine years old. True story. I spun hula hoops on my arms and neck while bouncing on a pogo stick while wearing a... handmade silky blue outfit. Sound incredible? It was. Just ask my mom. Andrew loved his hula hoop. He was very good at it.
He was all dressed, ready to go, with his hula hoop and pogo stick. He did a wonderful job, and he was a winner. Oh, thanks, Mom. 25 years later, I'm still proud of myself for winning. Look, jump ropes are great. For jumping! But the hula hoop invites experimentation, imagination, and play. Spin it, twirl it, toss it, step through it, and imagine it's a portal into a new dimension.
So I ask you, will you drop that one trick string you call a jump rope and join the hula hoop revolution? There's still time because, honey, hula hoops aren't going anywhere. They're iconic because they're simple. No ropes to trip you up. No tongue twister double dutch chance to remember. No frustration. Just a circle that stood the test of time. Most toys come and go, but the hula hoop is forever. Yes, dear listener, the hula hoop is the cockroach of toys, but in a fun way. And so...
As the hula hoop spins, it doesn't just create circles, it creates worlds. Worlds of joy. creativity, and timeless simplicity. While other toys fray, break, and tangle the hula hoop keep spinning through generations, uniting us in laughter and wonder. And it will always keep spinning. Thank you. Oh, my goodness. Featured Hoopie and Andrew's mom? Holy cow. Eloise, what stood out to you about this fantastic declaration of greatness? I liked the music at the end.
Because it felt like you watch a movie and then the good part finally happens and you're like, yes! And the talent show, too, because... I did that. I did hula hooping for a talent show. Oh. Oh, the mom part was really sweet. We had to cut time of my mom saying that I'm the best. Oh, I'm so sorry, Jeff.
Jed, after our last debate, I'm pretty sure your entire family, including your mother, actually sort of just said, I am now her child. So maybe that's what you're getting confused about. Oh, man. All right. Jed, it is time for your rebuttal. Tell us why the hula hoop is a pile of poopy poop. You've got 30 seconds and your time starts now.
Actually, I'm going to talk more about jump rows. I know this is controversial, but I just learned something today. Back in December, an Indiana teenager fell through a frozen pond trying to save his dog. Hypothermia is about to set in. He can't get out. Who comes to the rescue? A professional jump roper. He inches out to the ice, throws out his 16-foot-long double dutch rope. The kid grabs it. He pulls him.
To safety. Saves his life. If that man had been a professional hula hooper, this would be a much darker story. And time. Wow. You know what? I'm going to assume that's true. Okay. Eloise, it is time to award some points. Please give one point to the declaration of greatness you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that won you over. Have you made your decision? Okay, I think so. Excellent. Andrew and Jed, how are you two feeling so far?
Wow, you know, I'm feeling really excited right now. I'm feeling a little silly. I'm feeling fun. I'm feeling loosey-goosey. Everything that one might feel while hula hooping. And I'm feeling what Andrew said, but like three times that. All right, it is time for a quick break. Scoop up your hoop and get a handle on your rope. And we'll be right back with more Smash Boom Best. You're listening to State of Debate, home to rage and rhetoric and awe-inspiring argumentation.
Hey, yo, and welcome to the show. I'm Taylor the Tinkering Lincoln. And I'm Todd the Rug Douglas. Rug? Yeah, I'm plush, comforting, and I like lying on the floor. Plus, I love feet. You love feet? I do. Think how much they do for you every single day. The burden they carry. Are you calling my body a burden? No, but sometimes your feet need a break. Taylor, stop the tinkering. I'm serious.
Put down that broken toaster and take a load off. Todd, are you feeling okay? Maybe. Maybe not. But I just heard a doozy of a fallacy. The enemy of a good argument. And this one is a foot fallacy. Okay, let's hear it. The two voices you're about to hear are my own two feet talking to each other. Hit it. Ugh. I have a bunion. What's that? Like a toe ring or something? I've always wanted a toe ring. With inlaid turquoise? No, it's a medical condition. What?
I've never heard of a bunion before. I've heard Todd talk about onions. He likes to eat them raw, apparently. A bunion is a painful bump, and it's on the side of my big toe. You are totally silly, Lefty. Bunions, uh, not a thing. Just because you haven't heard the word bunion doesn't make my pain any less real. Lefty, aka my left foot, is right. My right foot is wrong.
Yep. Your right foot used the personal incredulity fallacy. Just because they don't know what a bunion is doesn't mean bunions don't exist. I know. My feet have been fighting a lot recently. I need to take him to couples therapy. You do that, Todd. But maybe, in the interim, take a nap. Yeah, then my tootsies will get some rest as well. Maybe I'll indulge in my rug-like nature and nap on the floor. All right. Well, okay. This has been State of Debate.
Hey friends, Molly, Sandin, and Mark here with some very big news. Drumroll please. We're hitting the road in search of adventure, fresh air, and you. That's right. We're going to be live at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, April 27th. Our science-themed live stage show takes the audience on an adventure through the brain, complete with magic tricks, dance moves out of...
body experiences, mystery sounds, and a game show. Molly, you almost left out the most important part. Yeah, Molly, don't forget the big party. Oh, right. After the shows, we're throwing a brain-tastic bash. Join us afterward for a VIP party where we'll play games, guess mystery sounds, pose for photos, and give as many high fives as humanly possible. Snag a spot by purchasing a VIP party.
when you buy your show ticket. Oh, that reminds me. I've got to start training. These hands aren't going to high five by themselves. Good idea. And remember, Spots are limited, so grab your tickets today at BrainsOn.org slash events. The Sold a Story podcast is about how teaching kids to read went wrong. But now we have a story about a school district where things are going very right. Let me make sure my friends are sitting crisscross applesauce.
I've never had a child that couldn't read. How did they do it? When I tell some of my other colleagues that may be at other schools that this is what I do, they would say, are you kidding me? New episodes of Sold a Story are available now in your podcast app. Brains On Universe is a family of podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Smash Boom Best, you'll love the other shows in our universe. Come on, let's explore.
It's Alien Laundry Day. While I wash my nose mufflers and tummy togas, I'll listen to a new podcast. How about... My favorite science podcast. So this is Mark Snow's... It's not... actually as hairy as I would have thought. Whoa, check out that big crowd of boogers. And they're cheering for something? Loogies and gentle phlegm, boogs and germs, gather round. Today we... Signal down! Stay right there, tummy togas. Must find brains on... Listen to Brains On wherever you get your podcasts.
You're listening to Smash Boom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom. And I'm your judge, Eloise. And we love getting debate suggestions from our listeners. Take a listen to this zesty debate idea from Nyla. Hi, my name is Nyla, and I'm from Tampa, Florida. My debate idea is lemons versus mugs. Refreshing, bright, aromatic, everything needed for a perfect debate.
We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Nyla thinks should win. And now it's back to our debate. Jump rope versus hula hoop. That's right. And it's time for round two, the micro round. For the micro-round challenge, each team has prepared a creative response to a prompt they received in advance. For Jed and Andrew, the prompt was, and that's how a blank saved my family.
Each debater was asked to write a fictionalized, fond memory about the time their side saved their family's lives. Jed went first last time, so Andrew, you're up. Tell us why hula hoops are so handy. Well, I did the impossible. I focused the chaos that is my family group chat and coordinated a family beach day.
The sun was shining, the waves were crashing, and my adorable niece Samantha, who insists I call her Pony, was so excited about the extra-large cheese pizza we'd ordered from the Pie Tide Pizzeria. We'd just spread out the beach blanket when disaster struck. No, not a beach jogger trampling my recreation bust of Nefertiti sand sculpture. Much worse.
A rogue seagull swooped down and snatched our entire pizza. All eight deliciously cheesy slices and the box. I know, it was a surprisingly strong seagull. Pony wailed, watching the birds flop away with her pizza. The entire family froze in disbelief. But I didn't walk barefoot on hot sand while carrying two enormous beach chairs, a beach umbrella, and a cooler, all belonging to one of my aunts, just to let this unbelievably beefy seagull...
ruin our day. No. I grabbed our trusty hula hoop. Fear not, Sammy! I mean, pony! I shouted, spinning the hoop like a frisbee and launching it into the air. The hoop soared with the precision of a trained Olympian, bonking that incredibly hunky seagull just enough to make it drop the pizza. The pizza box tumbled to the sand, slices intact. Even better as they had perfectly cooled in the air on the way down. Pony grabbed her piece of the pie, ran into my arms and said, Uncle Andrew!
You're my hero. No, Pony. I'm not the hero. That's Hoopy, the hula hoop. Just doing my job. I'm amazing. Oh, my gosh. Thank goodness for Hoopy. Yes. And actually, me and that seagull are now engaged. Beautiful. Thank you. All right, Jed. It is your turn. Take us on a journey for jump ropes. Welcome back to another edition of Family Flipout. Today we have the Sanchez family and the Kims.
As always, both families are sitting in giant catapults that will launch them into space unless they can identify a mystery item from a series of clues. Sanchez family, are you ready? You know it! Okay, first clue. It's round and fun and makes you wiggle your buns. It's not just a toy. It's the original Rump Shaker. Uh, uh, is it a car? Correct. Next clue. You don't have to go to Hawaii to learn this luau dance. This item lets you practice at home. I don't know. It could be anything. Pass. Pass.
No passing and also incorrect. Okay, final clue. It rhymes with moolah floop. This is literally impossible. Time's almost up. Tandem bicycle? I am so sorry. The answer was hula hoop. Okay, Cam family, you're up. And you'd better hop to it because your lives are on the line. First clue. Jump ropes! It's jump ropes. Uh, yes. We have a winner. Yeah, boy! We're gonna live! Amazing.
No one's ever won before. Well, that's it for Family Flipout. See you next time. And remember, family can't drag you down when you're flying through the air. Okay, I love game shows very, very much. That was very exciting. Okay, Eloise, what did you like about Jed and Andrew's micro rounds? I liked Andrew's, like, the pony thing, because I feel like little kids always, like... When I feel special like that. Yeah. And in Jed's, I liked the family flip out. And then the mystery items. Wow.
It is a tough decision, Eloise, but you must award only a single point for this micro round. Please award your point, but don't tell us who it's going to. Alrighty, I think I got it. Wonderful. Then it's time for our third round, the super stealthy sneak attack. This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot. Today's sneak attack is called...
acrostic. An acrostic is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word or a sentence. Here we want you to write an acrostic poem for your side using the eight letters. Let's spell it out. For example, if your side was dog, this might be your acrostic D, devoted. O, obedient. G, good boy. Debaters, does this make sense? Yes. Yes.
Debaters, are you ready for your sneak attack? Oh, yeah. Let's do this. Oh, yes. I am hoops and bounds ahead of the game. I'm ready. All right. We're going to start with Jed. Let's hear your acrostic for Team Jump Rope. Just... Use more physicality. Rebound over puny earth. Oh, very nice. Wasn't sure if you were going to get it there, but you did. It was very exciting. All right, Andrew, it's your turn. Let's hear your acrostic for Team Hula Hoop. Hoops ultimately love.
Almost... Happiness... Only... Origami. If you get it, you get it. Yeah, you know, it's poetry, right? It's poetry after all. Wow, those were both... Incredible. Eloise, I do not envy you having to make this decision, but you must award a point for these wonderful acrostics. Think about which side impressed you the most and award your fourth point. Have you made your decision? It's so hard. You guys are both so good. I think I have. Yes. Yes, I have.
Perfect. Then it's time for our final round. The final six. In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side. Andrew, let's hear your six words for the heavenly hula hoop. Hoops twirl. Ropes. Betray. Choose wisely. Oh, very nice. All right, Jed, it is your turn. Give us your six words for the jaw-dropping jump rope. Double Dutch literally saved a life. Literally. Excellent work, both of you. Eloise, it is time to award a final...
point for our final six. Have you made your decision? Yeah. Okay, tally up those points, Eloise. Are you ready to crown one team the smash boom best? Yes, but I just want to say it's nothing personal. And I want you guys to be mad at me for picking one. They're not going to be mad. You are an impartial, fair judge here to judge them. Okay, drum roll, please. And the winner is... Hula hoop! I am so mad right now! It's the hula hoop! And I won this debate! Jed!
I will gladly return your family back to you because this is redemption. Andrew, I... We'll make it my mission in life to show up at your mother's house, spangled out in an elaborate costume, twirling my jump ropes to win her love. She would love it. She would open her door to you anytime, Jed. Know that. Well, that is it for today's debate battle. Eloise crowned hula hoop the Smash Boom Best, but what about you? Head to smashboom.org.
Invoke to tell us who you think won. Smash Boom Best is brought to you by Brains On and APM Studios. It's produced by me, Molly Bloom, Anna Weigel, and Aran Woldeselassi. We had engineering help from Derek Ramirez and Lisa Nalbandian. with sound design by Anna Wegel. Our editors are Shayla Farzan and Sandin Totten. With fact-checking by Rebecca Rand and Nico Gonzalez-Whistler. And we had production help from the rest of the BrainZone universe.
Our executive producers, Beth Perlman, and the APM Studios executives in charge are Chandra Kapoor. And we want to give a special thanks to Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman. Jed, is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to today? Yeah, voice acting talents of my entire traitorous family. Andrew, how about you? Any special shout outs? Absolutely. I am going to give a big shout out to my mom.
Her name is Rhonda. And I want to, yeah, just say thank you for, I'm so happy that she was part of this, that she exists in the Smash Boom Best universe. And it was so sweet to hear her voice. So mom, I love you. Thank you, Rhonda. Do you want to give any special thanks or shout-outs, Eloise? Sure. To my mom and my dad for driving me here. To my brother, Joey, and my sister, Maggie, and my friends from the class.
Hi. And my school and my forensics team who helped me with speeches. Very nice. Before we go, let's check in and see who Nyla thinks should win the lemons versus limes debate. I think. Linens would win because they're used in more things to help you get over your cold or sickness, such as tea. Smash Boom Best is a non-profit public radio program.
If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knockdown drag out debate, head to smashboom.org slash contact and drop us a line. And make sure to subscribe to Brains on Universe on YouTube where you can watch animated versions. of some of your favorite episodes. We'll be back next week with a new Smash Boom Best Debate Battle, Clowns vs. Magicians. Goodbye! Auf Wiedersehen! See ya! I'm a winner! Bye bye!
Absolutely. You are completely invited to the wedding, Eloise. Oh, man. The Sold a Story podcast is about how teaching kids to read went wrong. But now we have a story about a school district where things are going very right. Let me make sure my friends are sitting crisscross applesauce, hands in their lap.
I've never had a child that couldn't read. How did they do it? When I tell some of my other colleagues that may be at other schools that this is what I do, they would say, are you kidding me? New episodes of Sold a Story are available now in your podcast app.