Podcast Summary: Brains On presents Smash Boom Best – Hot Wheels vs Monster Trucks

Podcast: Brains On! Science podcast for kids
Host: Molly Bloom
Debaters: Mark Sanchez (Monster Trucks), Sandon Totten (Hot Wheels)
Judge: Archer from Irvington, NY
Date: December 23, 2025

Overview

In this playful and high-octane episode, Brains On! shares an installment from their sister podcast, Smash Boom Best, pitting two automotive titans against each other: the toy-fueled world of Hot Wheels and the thunderous spectacle of Monster Trucks. Returning panelists Mark Sanchez and Sandon Totten face off as impassioned advocates, while teenage judge Archer brings both critical thinking and cat-themed charisma to the judging table. Packed with puns, fun facts, and creative arguments, the episode is a lively debate perfect for both kids and their grown-ups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introductions & Rules (02:00–05:45)

• Host Molly Bloom sets the stage: “We take two things, smash them together and ask you to decide which one is best.”
• Debaters introduce their chosen sides:
  • Mark Sanchez brings “the mighty, mighty Monster Trucks.”
    • “Oh yeah. I'm ready to spin circles around my opponent, AKA do donuts like the great monster trucks.” (02:30)
  • Sandon Totten advocates for “hot, hot, hot Wheels.”
    • “I feel the need, the need for winning this debate.” (02:44)
• Judge Archer introduces himself, sharing love for cats, D&D, and coding.
• The four-round debate structure is explained:
  1. Declaration of greatness
  2. Micro round
  3. Sneak attack
  4. Final six words

2. Declaration of Greatness (05:51–12:59)

Monster Trucks (Mark Sanchez, 06:17–11:16)

• Origin Story: Tells the legend of “Bigfoot,” the first monster truck created by Bob Chandler in the 1970s.
  • “He made his truck bigger, stronger, and tire-ier… I think I’ve made a monster.” (06:17)
• Spectacle & Size:
  • Tires are over 5 ft tall, trucks taller than a giraffe, weighing up to 12,000 lbs.
  • Speeds up to 70 mph, 7x the horsepower of a regular car.
  • “Seeing them perform is like being at a car show, a concert and a competition all rolled into one.” (09:55)
• Digs at Hot Wheels:
  • “The average Hot Wheel car has, well, you know, zero horsepower. Unless, of course, a horse steps on it…” (09:22)

Rebuttal – Hot Wheels (Sandon Totten, 12:05–12:41)

• Noise & Environmental Critique:
  • “Average noise levels at these monster jams can be 90 to 100 decibels… Talk about a monster headache.”
  • Mentions carbon emissions and “car violence is never the answer. Stop crushing the old cars.”
• Mark points out there are electric monster trucks.

Archer's Response

• Appreciates the “dig” at Hot Wheels.
• Amused by the comparison of truck weight to the weight of his 8-year-old brother.

Hot Wheels (Sandon Totten, 13:15–17:09)

• Imagination & Accessibility:
  • “Pretend car noises mean you’re having fun, which is why we’re alive in the first place.” (13:37)
  • Hot Wheels are imaginative, affordable (only a few dollars), and collectible.
  • Flexibility in play: make cardboard towns, set up tracks, or go wild launching them down stairs.
  • “Since they're made of tough as nails die cast metal, Hot Wheels can take a beating and keep on rolling.” (15:39)
• Small is Mighty:
  • “There’s something so satisfying about small things… Hot Wheels are way easier to stuff in your pocket than a real car.”
  • Hot Wheels are the ultimate portable companion.

Rebuttal – Monster Trucks (Mark Sanchez, 17:58–18:26)

• Challenges the points about noise and sound.
• Brings up the environmental impact of plastic tracks.

Archer's Thoughts

• Finds Sandon's presentation “delightful” and says he had to stop himself from laughing.
• Jokes about the challenge of coming up with three Hot Wheels starting with the letter “B.”

3. Micro Round (23:39–26:16)

• Format: Each debater gives three micro-arguments, each backed by a cool fact.

Hot Wheels (Sandon Totten)

• Created by toy and car designers, plus a former aerospace engineer—“space-age tech in the palm of your hand.” (23:39)
• Hot Wheels can launch up to 280 mph on tracks—nearly 3x faster than the fastest monster truck.
• Collectibility: Rare Hot Wheels can fetch up to $175,000.

Monster Trucks (Mark Sanchez)

• Monster Trucks fulfilled Hot Wheels kids’ dreams in real life, and Monster Jam even features Hot Wheels-themed events.
• Monster Jam draws millions of spectators—“4.2 million tickets in 2024, just like Taylor Swift.”
• Real-world superpowers: Monster trucks rescued people and pets after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Archer’s Commentary (26:25–26:57)

• Impressed by monster trucks saving lives—“Never seen a Hot Wheels truck do that.”
• But counters by noting, “You know what's even more family friendly? Playing by yourself with a little car.”

4. Sneak Attack – Fashion Line Improv (27:53–31:35)

Prompt: If your side had a fashion line, what would it be called and look like?

Monster Trucks (Mark Sanchez)

• Launches “Monster Chucks” (partnering with Chuck Taylor):
  • Features monster truck themes, wheels that pop out, car-noise sound effects, and a special flaming box.
  • “These are shoes… you can push a button and you get not only just like those little skate wheels that pop out, but you get like giant four wheel drive monster wheels, monster truck wheels that you can just like go crush your bus with.” (28:17)
  • Joke about possibly requiring a desert or special permit for actual use.

Hot Wheels (Sandon Totten)

• Rolls out a “Hot Wheels” fashion moment:
  • “Hat Wheels,” “Hot Heels” (orange track-inspired), color-changing metallic dresses, all with car pockets!
  • Outfits made with thin, “breathable die-cast metal”—for “strategic cool leaning.”
  • “Your opponents will be falling all over the place.” (31:08)

Judge Archer’s Verdict:

• Swoons over the creativity, especially “hat wheels.”
• “Hat wheels… how does one come up with the hat wheels?” (33:13)

5. Final Six (31:52–32:11)

• Each side delivers a 6-word slogan:
  • Hot Wheels (Sandon): “Fire in your hand, Hot Wheels.”
  • Monster Trucks (Mark): “Imagination. All grown up. Yeah, buddy.”

Archer explains winner’s edge (32:53–33:31):

• The “yeah, buddy” of Monster Trucks’ six words clinched it.
• Praises both sides for creative arguments and puns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Let me tell you about the legend of Bigfoot. Oh, sorry, Sasquatch, I’m not talking about you.” – Mark Sanchez (06:17)
• “Pretend car noises mean you’re having fun, which is why we’re alive in the first place.” – Sandon Totten (13:37)
• “Monster trucks save lives. After Hurricane Harvey… they rescued an elderly woman with her two dogs.” – Mark Sanchez (25:52)
• “Hot Wheels may be small in size, but they are huge in speed.” – Sandon Totten (24:38)
• “Monster trucks are coasting off the good graces of Hot Wheels…” – Sandon Totten (24:38)
• “Hat Wheels… how does one come up with the hat wheels?” – Archer (33:13)
• “Imagination. All grown up. Yeah, buddy.” – Mark Sanchez, final six (32:04)
• “Fire in your hand, Hot Wheels.” – Sandon Totten, final six (31:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:00 – Introduction, debate format, and meet the judge
• 05:51 – Start of Declaration of Greatness
• 06:17 – Monster Trucks declaration
• 12:05 – Hot Wheels rebuttal
• 13:15 – Hot Wheels declaration
• 17:58 – Monster Trucks rebuttal
• 23:39 – Micro Round
• 27:53 – Sneak Attack: Fashion line
• 31:52 – Final Six words for both teams
• 32:41 – Winner announced: Monster Trucks

Conclusion & Results

After a hard-fought, humor-laden, pun-filled battle, Monster Trucks take the trophy as judged by Archer — though both sides receive applause for creativity, research, and kid-friendly fun. Archer admits the “yeah, buddy” finale was the winning touch. The episode signs off in typically playful fashion, inviting listeners to vote for their own favorite at smashboom.org.

Tone & Language

Fun, energetic, and educational, with plenty of zany sound effects and conversational jokes. The panelists and judge create a warm, inclusive atmosphere, constantly riffing on each other's arguments and celebrating both competition and camaraderie. Suitable for families, with humor, facts, and general nerdy good cheer throughout.