Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family – Details, episodes & analysis

Get tickets for Smash Boom Best live!

Nothing’s better than a good debate. Except maybe a good debate -- LIVE!

That’s why we’re bringing Smash Boom Best to Princeton, New Jersey. It’s gonna be a knock down, drag out brawl of words, jokes and probably some impromptu dance moves. Oh, and guess who’s judging this time? You! The audience!

So join us Sunday, October 26th at the McCarter Theater in Princeton. It’s gonna be a Smash Boom Blast. See ya there! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back! We’ve officially moved into our new headquarters! Come unpack with us and get a tour while we fill you in on some big news. Plus, new episodes of Brains On coming later this month and new Smash Boom and Forever Ago after that. If you want to support the show or drop us a line, head to brainson.org. The best way to keep us going is to join Smarty Pass or donate here: https://brainson.supercast.com. Thank you!

See Smash Boom Best LIVE in Princeton, NJ!

Join us at the McCarter Theatre for a live, in-person version of Smash Boom Best, an award winning podcast for kids and families! Each live show takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets the audience decide which is best. Host Molly Bloom moderates a debate between two performers who make their case using facts fueled by jokes, physical comedy, and the occasional song and dance. At the end, the audience votes for the winner and crowns the Smash Boom Best – all while learning how to defend their own opinions and make the strongest arguments for their case. 

While we are in town, we are throwing a Smash Boom Spectacular Party right after the live show and YOU are invited! This won't be just any party. You will get to meet host Molly Bloom and our debaters. They'll be playing games with you, singing songs, answering your questions, and posing for photos. Plus, you'll get to take home an awesome, one-of-a kind Smash Boom Best goodie bag. You can gain access to this SBSP (Smash Boom Spectacular Party) by purchasing a VIP ticket* when you make your purchase.  See you there!

DETAILS & TICKETS

McCarter Theatre Center

October 26, 2025 at 3:00pm ET

91 University Place

Princeton, NJ 08540

Buy Tickets Here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Smash Boom Besties! Today we're bringing you an extra special episode from our sister podcast Forever Ago! You’ll remember debater Joy Dolo from so many debates including the spooky Ghosts vs. Zombies and the hilarious Halloween Candy Grab Bag. Turns out, Joy also made an entire Forever Ago episode about her one true nemesis – MAYONNAISE! Joy faces down her least favorite food to learn about the origins of this very popular condiment, and co-host Maya calls in Splendid Table’s Francis Lam to help Joy open her mind to mayo. Plus, a gloopy game of First Things First!

We’ll be back next week with a brand-new debate – Frankenstein’s Monster vs. Frosty the Snowman. Until then, enjoy this special episode of Forever Ago!

This week’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 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 episode of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Moment of Um and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today. As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Put on your finest frills because today’s debate is an accessory argument for the ages. It’s nail polish vs. sunglasses! Forever Ago producer Nico Gonzalez Wisler fights tooth and nail polish for magnificent manicures, while Articles of Interest producer and host Avery Trufelman reps ray-reflecting sunglasses. Which team will take the crown? Don your most exceptional eyewear, check your nails, and head over to smashboom.org and vote for the team 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 Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ready to take a whirling, twirling plunge into the unknown? Then this splashy smackdown is for you. It’s scuba diving vs. skydiving! Comedy writer and lego master model builder Sam Suskiri dukes it out with writer and co-host of the podcast Million Bazillion Ryan Perez in this diving debate. Which awesome activity will win? Jump over to smashboom.org and vote for the team 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 Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly! Vote for the debate you want Molly and Sanden to tackle here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s debate is a nightmare for the polite and uptight, starring trumpeting rumps and shouting snouts! Open a window and grab your hankie because it's sneezing versus farting! Actor, educator and sneeze queen Siri Hellerman goes up against comedian, health care worker and fart captain Brant Miller in this gaseous gameshow. Which bodily broadcast will win? Hoot and toot over to smashboom.org and vote for the team 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 Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly! Vote for the debate you want Molly and Sanden to tackle here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ain't no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough to keep us from smash boom besting. It’s Death Valley vs. Mount Fuji! Journalist and podcast host Gloria Riviera defends sizzling Death Valley, while editor and podcast host Mary Harris fights for massive Mount Fuji. Which legendary landscape will take the win? Hike on over to smashboom.org and vote for the team 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 Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly! Vote for the debate you want Molly and Sanden to tackle here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The queens of condiments go jar to jar in today’s yummy rumble. Give it up for mayo vs. mustard! In one corner, we’ve got comedian, actor and host of Forever Ago Joy Dolo defending mustard! In the other, it’s comedian, actor and writer Becky Abrams muscling it up for team mayo!

Which sandwich sidekick will take home first prize? There’s no telling. Spread your way over to smashboom.org and vote for the team 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 Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly! Vote for the debate you want Molly and Sanden to tackle here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab your telescopes, cuz you’re in for a celestial smackdown. It’s black holes vs. meteors! Comedian and writer Max Maliga goes to bat for black holes against improvisor, writer and meteor maven Anupa Otiv.

Which cosmic celebrity will take home the crown? Massive black holes, or magical meteors? Shoot over to smashboom.org to vote for the team 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 Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly! Vote for the debate you want Molly and Sanden to tackle here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s ani-melee features an amphibian with frilly gills and a pink bird with a bent bill. It’s axolotls vs. flamingos!

Comedian, puppeteer and podcaster Tim Platt champions axolotls in a wild face-off with writer, comedian and flamingo fan Katie McVay. Which side will take home first prize? Fabulous flamingos or awe-inspiring axolotls? Splash over to smashboom.org to vote for the team 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 Boom Best, Moment of Um, and Forever Ago. Visit www.smartypass.org to get your Smarty Pass today!

As an added bonus, your Smarty Pass will grant you access to a super special debate starring Sanden and Molly! Vote for the debate you want Molly and Sanden to tackle here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.