Today’s debate is all pet and no peeve. We’ve got the titan of the tank vs. the rage in the cage. It’s Hamsters vs. Goldfish! We’ve got author and podcaster Nora McInerny ready to give it her all for team Hamsters and podcaster producer Marcel Malekebu is here to defend team Goldfish. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor is: Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters March 21. Rated PG, parenta...
Feb 27, 2025•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate is a showdown between two beloved stories — Matilda vs. Alice in Wonderland! Author and “Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest” podcast host Adam Gidwitz defends Roald Dahl’s tale of brainpower and rebellion, while filmmaker and rapper Jun Sekiya sings the praises of Lewis Carroll’s whimsical world of wonder. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor: Experience Disney's Snow White, only in theaters Mar...
Feb 20, 2025•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’ve all heard of a sneak attack, but have you heard of a “Squeak Attack”? Well, Brains On Producer Marc Sanchez has and he’s ready to dish it out! Grab your Smarty Pass to hear how Producer Aron Woldeslassie fares against the squeak attack!
Feb 18, 2025•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate zooms out to the farthest reaches of space then back in to the tiniest details of life on Earth. It’s Telescope vs. Microscope! Astronomer Mark Popinchalk will leave you starry-eyed for Team Telescope, while writer and producer Menaka Wilhelm will fill you with marvel for Team Microscope. Who will reign supreme in this ultimate battle of magnification? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for j...
Feb 13, 2025•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate is a matchup between two musical marvels. It’s viola vs. keyboard! Vying for the viola’s rich, velvety tones it’s violist Sam Bergman, and repping the keyboard’s versatility and funky beats is musician Katie Drahos! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $5/month (or $45/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episo...
Feb 06, 2025•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Smash Boom Best is back on Thursday, February 1st with 16 new epic episodes! And we’re kicking it all off with our 100th episode! We've got a whole new pile of exciting matches coming up such as Hippopotamus vs. Dragonfly, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. My Little Pony and Pegasus vs. Centaur. Which sides do YOU think will come out on top? There’s only one way to find out! Tune in on February 1st for the first of 16 new sizzling smackdowns. See you soon, smash boom besties!...
Jan 30, 2025•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Molly and Aron love horror movies! So to entertain them, Ruby plays small clips from some of the spookiest episodes of Smash Boom Best: We’re talking snakes! Spiders! Dragons! Vampires! Godzilla! Zombies! Then Ruby asks Aron and Molly a trivia question about each topic. Let the spooky fun commence!
Dec 17, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today's debate is a showdown between two lovable characters. One is a playful pup from down under, and one is a giggling, ticklish monster. It’s Bluey vs. Elmo! Writer Kathryn VanArendonk will fight for family fun with team Bluey while culture writer and podcaster Margaret H. Willison will charm you with Elmo’s curiosity and cuteness. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor is: Follow 'Tis The Grinc...
Nov 28, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate is a beastly battle between two playground legends. It’s Slides vs. Swings! Comedian Tim Platt zooms towards glory for team slides while comedian, actor and writer Fareeha Khan soars through the sky for team swings. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor is: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Visit Greenlight....
Nov 21, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brains On HQ is riddled with emergencies! A bowl of pudding is chasing Sanden. Marc’s piano has challenged him to a rap battle. And Rosie is out of mustard. Anna and Ruby need Molly’s help to solve these problems, but Molly is in her favorite chair so she can’t be bothered. Hopefully, a sneak attack can get her on her feet.
Nov 19, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate features two powerful planets in a cosmic clash – it’s Mars vs. Saturn! Brains On Editor Sanden Totten will rep the red planet while astronomer Mark Popinchalk will glimmer for the gassy giant. Who will be crowned the most precious planet? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor is: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Visit Greenlight.com/inclined. Als...
Nov 14, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate throws two timeless tales into the ring for a clash of the classics. It’s Jack and the Beanstalk vs. The Ugly Duckling! In this epic showdown, author and “Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest” podcast host Adam Gidwitz climbs to the top for Jack and the Beanstalk, while author Soman Chainani helps The Ugly Duckling soar to new heights! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor is: Help your kids learn to e...
Nov 07, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate is full of frights and delights. Grab your popcorn and watch your backs because it’s Ghostbusters vs. Jurassic Park! We’ve got podcast producer Tracy Mumford, ready to take the call for team Ghostbusters, and journalist and author Tom Weber is eager to roar for team Jurassic Park! Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsor is: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for...
Oct 31, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sneak attack? Try snack attack! We’re going absolutely decadent with this special, king-sized episode that will pit a whopping SIX sweet treats head to head in a candy clash for glory. Forever Ago host Joy Dolo will battle Brains On Universe producer Aron Woldeslassie in the ultimate Halloween candy showdown! Get ready for some sweet, sticky, and seriously silly mini debates and find out which treat deserves the top spot in every trick-or-treat bag. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head ...
Oct 24, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Can’t get enough Smash Boom Best? Here’s a bonus episode! Sign up for Smarty Pass and you’ll get a bonus episode like this every month . Usually, these episodes are just for Smarty Pass subscribers but today we’re sharing one with all of our listeners. To get more, sign up for Smarty Pass at smartypass.org How many times have you asked yourself: which is better, Sanden or a Velociraptor? On the one hand, Velociraptors hunt in packs but on the other hand, Sanden Totten is funny. Sanden has great ...
Oct 21, 2024•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Grab your helmet and knee pads because it’s Rollerblades vs. Scooters! Listen as journalist and podcaster Jed Kim rolls out for team Scooters while singer, writer, and comedian Andrew Barbato slices through the competition for team Rollerblades! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsors are: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. ...
Oct 17, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, the ultimate immortal rivals go fang to claw in a blood-thirsty debate. It's vampires vs werewolves! Who will win? Pale, blood-sucking vampires? Or supernaturally speedy, howling werewolves? 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 !
Oct 10, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Beloved host and sloth lover, Molly Bloom, takes on Brains On producer and cheetah enthusiast, Sanden Totten. Which team will triumph? Grab your Smarty Pass to hear and find out!
Oct 04, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate is a sporty showdown between two playful pastimes. It’s Surfing vs. Ice Skating! Actor, writer and comedian Allison Reese is here to ride the waves for team surfing, and editor Nancy Yang will glide across the ice for team ice skating. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsors are: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for te...
Oct 03, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate pairs perfectly with dip and is better than any chip. It’s Broccoli vs. Carrots! Listen as comedian, voice actor, and writer Mary Mack battles for team Broccoli while actor and improviser Jada Pulley charges for team Carrots! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This week’s sponsors are: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Visit...
Sep 26, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate has lots of dice and is very nice. Get ready for a game night delight, because it’s Dungeons & Dragons vs. Monopoly! We’ve got Smash Boom Best Producer Anna Weggel ready to pass Go for team Monopoly and comedy writer Sam Suksiri is here to dominate for team Dungeons & Dragons! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Vote below for the team YOU think won! This episode’s sponsor: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card an...
Sep 12, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate is a smackdown of the smartest. It’s Parrots vs. Gorillas! Brains On Editor Shahla Farzan is ready to win parrots the prize and Brains On Producer Marc Sanchez is ready to GET IT for gorillas. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! This episode’s sponsor: Help your kids learn to earn, save, spend wisely, and invest with Greenlight, the debit card and money app for teens. Visit Greenlight.com/inclined. Also… do ...
Sep 05, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate is a break from all of life’s troubles. It’s Weekends vs. Vacations! Actor and comedian Brad Milison wows us with weekend wonder, while actor, writer and comedian Melanie Johnson vies for vacations! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, ...
Aug 29, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast They come in pairs, they both wiggle and they’re going up against each other in today’s debate! It’s Eyebrows vs. Thumbs! Listen as producer and writer Menaka Wilhelm raises eyebrows for team eyebrows while comedian Katie McVay declares a thumb war for team thumbs. Who will be crowned the fiercest physical feature? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes eve...
Aug 22, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate is a showdown of natural wonder. It’s a beachy beauty vs. a fabulous frond. Polish up your camera and get ready to hear all about the magic of Seashells vs. Ferns! Listen as actor and podcaster Michael Stevens sings his praise for seashells while comedian and composer Justin LoBasso fawns over ferns. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $4/month...
Aug 15, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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! ...
Aug 13, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today’s debate features two delicious and delectable delicacies. It’s Donuts vs. Bagels! Listen as comedian Comrade Tripp dishes on donuts while actor and animator Brant Miller boasts the beauty of bagels. Who will be crowned the tastiest treat? Head on over to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who YOU think won! Also… do you have your Smarty Pass yet? Get yours today for just $4/month (or $36/year) and get bonus episodes every month, and ad-free versions of every episode of Brains On, Smash Boo...
Aug 08, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Everybody loves a good theme song! And thanks to Molly’s new game, producers Anna Goldfield and Anna Weggel will be challenged to come up with theme songs for some of our proposed new shows! So grab your smarty passes to hear the brand new game, Smash TUNE Best!
Jul 16, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Uh oh, Molly is late to a Smash Boom Best taping of Elevators vs. Escalators! But things get worse when she runs into the all-knowing elevator at Brains On HQ, who demands she play a special sneak attack! Will Molly make it to the taping on time?
Jun 18, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
