We know a lot of you debate heads like to take notes and keep score while you're listening to Smash Boom Best, BUT have you ever stopped to think how the pencil lead your’re using sticks to the paper? Strange concept right? 

This is just the type of question we like to answer on our newest podcast: Moment of Um. The show comes out every weekday in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe now. 

If you have a question you think might make for a good Moment of Um episode, send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact.

How does pencil lead stick to paper? - A Moment of Um extra

Smash Boom Best is a funny, smart debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! from APM Studios. Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best: Pikachu vs. Mario, Lollipops vs. Popcorn, Flamingos vs. Axolotls, Mermaids vs. Bigfoot, Cats vs. Dogs, Spiderman vs. Batman, Refrigerators vs. Toilets, Minecraft vs. Lego… the list goes on. Our star-studded line-up of debaters use facts and passion to make their case, teaching listeners how to defend their opinions along the way! Past debaters include Tim Platt, cast member of the comedy narrative play podcast Rude Tales of Magic, comedian and writer Jenny Yang, Minneapolis-based rapper NUR-D, comedian and creator of the Story Pirates Peter McNerney, Radio Ambulante’s Daniel Alarcón, journalist and host of Into It Sam Sanders, host of Terrible, Thanks for Asking Nora McInerney, food-writer Kenji Lopez-Alt and many, many more. To top it off, our State of Debate segment shows listeners how to identify logical fallacies in the wild. Ad hominem attacks and bandwagon fallacies, be gone! So if you’re looking to ignite a funny, feisty debate on your next roadtrip, or just want some amusing arguments for your kids to consider while they fall asleep… tune into Smash Boom Best, where we make debate – a blast!

Kids & Family

Education for Kids

Today’s debate is more about the journey than the destination! It’s a match-up between the winged wonders of our skies and the locomotives that love making tracks. It’s Trains vs. Planes! In one corner we’ve got Forever Ago producer Nico Gonzalez Wisler ready to roll for team Trains, and in the other we’ve got actor, director, and teacher Allison Vincent here to take off for team Planes! Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Vote below for the team YOU think won!
This week’s sponsors are: IF - from writer and director John Krasinski comes a new film about what happens to our Imaginary Friends (IFs) when we grow up. Out in theaters on May 17th!
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!

Trains vs. Planes: A transporting debate

Today’s debate has some real skin in the game. It’s a wild matchup between two creatures of the depths. It’s Blobfish vs. Naked Mole Rat! In one corner we’ve got actor and comedian Mike Cabellon ready to put on the pressure for team Blobfish! And donning the mantle for team Naked Mole Rat is comedian Comrade Tripp. 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: IF - from writer and director John Krasinski comes a new film about what happens to our Imaginary Friends (IFs) when we grow up. Out in theaters on May 17th!
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!

Blobfish vs. Naked Mole Rat: a wild debate

Today’s debate will have you rolling, laughing and bouncing with joy. Grab your knee pads and helmet, because it’s pogo sticks versus unicycles! Actor, writer and improvisor Sean Holloway is ready to roll out for team unicycles, while piano player and extreme pogo sticker Nick Ryan is here to stick up for team pogo sticks! Who will win? Pogo sticks or unicycles? 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 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!

Pogo Sticks vs. Unicycles: a playful debate

It’s a good old-fashioned compliment-off! Producers Rosie duPont and Ruby Gutherie are SURE they’ve got what it takes to say the nicest thing to one another. But only one can be the kindest. Grab your Smarty Pass to hear: 2 Nice 2 Handle!

2 Nice 2 Handle: A Smarty Pass Sneak peek

oday’s debate is a brawl between two terrestrial titans. A gritty gladiator versus a plucky plant. It’s Sand vs. Grass! In one corner, we’ve got editor and Brains On! co-creator Sanden Totten ready to grind it out for team Sand! And standing tall for team Grass is actor, voice artist, and improviser Billy Soco. 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, 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!

How does pencil lead stick to paper? - A Moment of Um extra

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