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!

You – yes, you – are  at the heart of the Brains On Universe! This is a public radio podcast and you are the public! That means we rely on your donations to keep us going strong.  

This Giving Tuesday, we’re offering a limited time deal. When you donate $72 you can choose to receive a personal message from hosts Molly Bloom or Joy Dolo.

If you donate today, you’ll receive your special, one-of-a-kind personalized message by December 20th.

Contribute today at smashboom.org/donate and don’t forget – today is the ONLY day you can get a personalized message at this discount and in time for the holidays!

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 Grinch Holiday Podcast and unlock weekly Christmas mystery bonus content and listen to every episode ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

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!

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.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!

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.

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.

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!

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 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!

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 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!

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 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.

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!

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 hair but Velociraptors have been featured in several movies. It’s impossible to decide. Well, grab your Smarty Pass because, with the help of a fun game, we’ll decide which is best: Sanden or a Velociraptor!