Common Sense Media Review
By Lauri C. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun showdowns teach debate skills, history, science.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Listen
What's It About?
SMASH BOOM BEST pits two things against one another for the sake of debate, on a range of topics like sports, fantasy, food, animals, or history. In weekly episodes, host Molly Bloom guides an older kid guest judge through listening to two adult debaters present their entertaining, creative, well-researched, and persuasive arguments of why their side is the best. Some discussions and interludes teach about the art and vocabulary of debate. As debaters compete, they model using humor, production, style, and facts rather than meanness or insults. Listeners are encouraged to cast their votes for winners and interact in various ways on the show's website.
Is It Any Good?
This podcast is the next best thing from the American Public Media team that created Brains On!. Smash Boom Best is a well-produced, well-researched and entertaining way of teaching debate skills. Even if younger listeners don't quite grasp the debate concepts, they may enjoy hearing funny people talk about topics accessible to them, like apples vs. bananas or horses vs. dolphins. Between interesting older kids acting as guest judges and good information about debate ideas, this podcast might inspire older listeners to pursue new interests in science, history, or debate. Smash Boom Best brings out the friendly and fun sides of argumentation.
While high on entertainment and educational value, the podcast does not explicitly relate debate settings to real life disagreements, larger social-emotional lessons, or debating as activism to improve our world. Visit the website to find topics that might interest the family, and steer clear of spooky topics for more sensitive listeners. The site has good opportunities for kids to feel involved, whether by voting for their winners or proposing other debate topics, as well as resources for educators teaching students how to debate.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they find persuasive about one side of a Smash Boom Best debate. Was it the debater's creativity, information, consistency, style, humor, or something else that convinced you their side was best? What makes a good all-around argument?
How can you use the elements of this show to turn heated arguments into constructive debates?
When do you think you might use debate strategies in your life? When might these ideas help you understand the world better, or help convince others of your opinion?
When you disagree with someone else's opinion, how do you feel, and what are the types of comments you feel like making? What types of comments might be the most useful to make?
Podcast Details
- Release date : May 15, 2018
- Genre : Games & Trivia
- Run time : 30 minutes
- Website : https://www.smashboom.org/
- Host : Molly Bloom
- Production Company and Network : American Public Media
- Pricing structure : Free
- Topics : History , STEM
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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