Cake vs. Pie: a tasty debate

Summary

Smash Boom Best: "Cake vs. Pie: A Tasty Debate" Summary

Episode Released: March 6, 2025

Introduction

In this delectable episode of Smash Boom Best, host Molly Bloom orchestrates a scrumptious showdown between two beloved desserts: Cake and Pie. With Delia Bloom championing Team Cake and Mickey Bloom defending Team Pie, listeners are treated to a mouthwatering debate filled with passion, creativity, and insightful arguments. Joining as judges are Tessa and Andrew from Toronto, Canada, who meticulously evaluate each team's case to determine the ultimate dessert champion.

Teams Introduction

• Team Cake: Represented by Delia Bloom, a writer and dog enthusiast, who fervently advocates for the versatility, celebratory essence, and artistic merit of cakes.

• Team Pie: Led by Mickey Bloom, a writer and producer, who passionately defends pies, highlighting their historical significance, versatility in both savory and sweet forms, and cultural impact.

Rules of the Game

Molly outlines the structure of the debate, explaining the four key rounds:

1. Declaration of Greatness: Each team presents a comprehensive argument in favor of their side, followed by a 30-second rebuttal.
2. Micro Round: Teams share personal stories that demonstrate their dessert of choice.
3. Super Stealthy Sneak Attack: Teams propose unconventional uses for their dessert beyond its traditional purpose.
4. Final Six: Each team condenses their argument into six impactful words.

After each round, judges Tessa and Andrew award points based on the persuasiveness and creativity of the arguments.

Round 1: Declaration of Greatness

Timestamp: 03:50

• Team Cake (Delia Bloom): Delia paints a vivid picture of celebrations without cake, emphasizing its role in marking joyous occasions. She highlights the ease of making cake, from boxed mixes to mug cakes, making it accessible to all skill levels. Delia also showcases the artistic side of cake-making, referencing pastry chefs who craft intricate designs that can challenge the perception of what a cake can be.

  "From the depression-era boxed cake mixes to the modern marvel of hyper-realistic pastry art, cake has always been the centerpiece of celebration and creativity."
  — Delia Bloom [04:11]

• Team Pie (Mickey Bloom): While Mickey's initial declaration isn't immediately present, the focus shifts to their role as judges, setting the stage for Team Pie's forthcoming arguments.

Rebuttal

Timestamp: 08:18

• Team Cake's Rebuttal: Delia counters by emphasizing the classic status of cake and its infinite flavor possibilities. She dismisses the notion that cake's simplicity is a drawback, advocating that its versatility is a strength.

  "Cake is a classic for a reason. It can be any flavor. It can be made out of anything."
  — Delia Bloom [05:59]

Judges' Feedback

Timestamp: 08:26

• Mickey Bloom:
  Appreciates Delia's mention of mug cakes, sharing a personal connection.

  "She really pulled me in with the argument about mug cake. I used to make those all the time during COVID. It’s really quick and delicious."
  — Mickey Bloom [08:26]

• Andrew:
  Connects with the artistic aspect of cake, admiring the creation of hyper-realistic cakes.

  "I really liked how she talked about art. I really like to do art myself, so that was really fun."
  — Andrew [08:38]

Round 1 Winner: Team Pie

Though Team Cake presented a strong case, the judges commend Team Pie's enthusiasm and dedication, awarding them the point for this round.

State of Debate Segment: Logical Fallacies

Timestamp: 17:55

In the State of Debate segment, Molly and Delia delve into the Appeal to Ignorance fallacy. Using a playful example involving stolen cookies, they illustrate how assuming something must be true simply because it hasn't been proven false is a flawed argument strategy.

"Appeal to Ignorance fallacy is when you say something must be true because there's no evidence showing otherwise."
— Molly Bloom [18:27]

Round 2: Micro Round

Timestamp: 23:22

Teams share heartfelt stories from their childhood that showcase their favorite dessert.

• Team Pie (Mickey Bloom): Tessa recounts a family road trip where pie played a central role, from birthday celebrations to the inspiration drawn from messy obstacle courses involving pies. These nostalgic moments underscore pie's enduring presence in family traditions.

  "There was the time we were on a family road trip and made a special stop at the Norsky Nook in Osseo, Wisconsin, an out-of-the-way haven for pie."
  — Tessa [24:39]

• Team Cake (Delia Bloom): Delia shares a memorable story about Molly's Einstein-themed birthday cake, highlighting how cake has been integral to their family's celebrations and creative expressions.

  "Around this time, it was also Molly's birthday. And growing up in our family, we got to choose the theme for our birthday cakes."
  — Delia Bloom [25:50]

Judges' Feedback

Timestamp: 28:17

• Andrew:
  Commends Mickey's diverse range of stories, finding them convincing and heartfelt.

  "I really liked that Mickey's had a lot of different stories. There was a lot of different evidence from different parts of your childhood that really was really convincing."
  — Andrew [28:17]

• Mickey Bloom:
  Expresses confusion over Delia's cake preservation story but acknowledges its significance.

  "I think maybe, if we're keeping a cake in the freezer for that long, maybe it's because we didn't want to eat it."
  — Mickey Bloom [28:30]

Round 2 Winner: Team Pie

Team Pie's storytelling resonates more with the judges, earning them another point.

Round 3: Super Stealthy Sneak Attack

Timestamp: 29:25

Debaters propose unconventional uses for their respective desserts.

• Team Cake (Delia Bloom):

  1. Cake Ball Pit: A fun, edible twist on traditional ball pits.
  2. Cake Forts: Using cake pops to build protective structures.

  "What if we had a pit of cake that we could jump into and just, like, throw it around and have a nice soft place to play?"
  — Delia Bloom [29:51]

• Team Pie (Mickey Bloom):

  1. Pie Frisbee: Repurposing pie tins as playful frisbees.
  2. Mini Pies for Animals: Creating tiny pies to feed wildlife.

  "I would just take a pie, which is delicious, but obviously I've just finished it. But what do I do with the pie tin? Oh, I turn it into a frisbee."
  — Tessa [30:18]

Judges' Feedback

Timestamp: 33:28

• Andrew:
  Finds Mickey's idea of repurposing pie tins into frisbees inventive and practical.

  "He really brought it home with the fact that pie is really versatile."
  — Andrew [32:50]

• Mickey Bloom:
  Appreciates Delia's creativity but remains skeptical about some ideas.

  "If you didn't have slippers around and your feet were really cold and you had a warm leftover pie on the windowsill, you might want to put your feet inside the pie because it's warm, and it'll feel good."
  — Tessa [31:47]

Round 3 Winner: Team Pie

Team Pie's practical and imaginative suggestions garner them the final point for this round.

Final Round: Final Six Words

Timestamp: 34:25

Each team encapsulates their argument in six impactful words.

• Team Pie (Tessa):

  "Pie brings people together, cake sends home."
  — Tessa [34:38]

• Team Cake (Delia Bloom):

  "Sorry, Mickey. Cake takes the cake."
  — Delia Bloom [34:55]

Judges' Feedback

Timestamp: 35:16

Both teams deliver memorable phrases, but the judges find Team Pie's summary more compelling and cohesive.

Conclusion and Voting

Timestamp: 35:18

Despite the strong performances from both sides, the judges conclude with a split decision:

• Tessa Voting:

  "Pie."

• Andrew Voting:

  "Cake."

Molly announces the split verdict, emphasizing the subjective nature of the debate and encouraging listeners to cast their votes on the Smash Boom Best website.

Listeners' Interaction

Molly invites listeners to participate by voting for their preferred team and submitting future debate ideas, such as the suggested "Fireflies vs. Dinosaurs."

Final Thoughts

The "Cake vs. Pie" episode showcases the engaging format of Smash Boom Best, blending informative arguments with personal anecdotes and creative challenges. By incorporating logical fallacies and encouraging audience participation, the podcast not only entertains but also educates its young audience on critical thinking and effective debate strategies.

Notable Quotes

• "Cake is a classic for a reason. It can be any flavor. It can be made out of anything."
  — Delia Bloom [05:59]

• "Pie isn't just a food, it's a concept."
  — Tessa [13:05]

• "She really pulled me in with the argument about mug cake."
  — Mickey Bloom [08:26]

Episode Credits

Produced by Molly Bloom and the dedicated Smash Boom Best team, the episode features contributions from voice talents, sound designers, and engineers who ensure a high-quality listening experience.

Vote and Participate

Don't forget to visit smashboom.org to vote for your favorite dessert and suggest new debate topics. Join the fun and help crown the next Smash Boom Best champion!

Transcript

[Molly Bloom]

It can be hard to unwind your mind, but the Brains on Universe is here to help. Check out Moment of Calm in the Moment of podcast feed. For the week of March 3rd, you'll hear moment of episodes with soothing topics and special quiet music perfect for playing at bedtime or anytime you need some chill in your life. And on Friday, March 7, you'll hear a special story with music and sounds that will take your imagination on a magical, relaxing journey. Tune in to Moment of Calm by listening to Moment of the week of March 3, or follow the Moment of in your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode.

[Delia Bloom]

From the brains behind Brains on. It's Smash Boom Best, the show for.

[Mickey Bloom]

People with big opinions.

[Molly Bloom]

Hi, I'm Molly Bloom, and this is Smash Boom Best, the show where we take two things, smash them together, and ask you to decide which one is best. Today's debate is a boisterous bake off between two sweet treats. It's cake versus pie. We've got writer, dog enthusiast, and my sister, Delia Bloom ready to give in her all for team cake.

[Delia Bloom]

Chocolate fudge, red velvet, tres leches. Whatever the flavor, it's time to party. Let's go. Cake.

[Molly Bloom]

And writer, producer, and my brother, Mickey Blume is here to defend Team Pie.

[Tessa]

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. Ding.

[Molly Bloom]

Pie's ready to judge it all. Our siblings, Tessa and Andrew from Toronto, Canada. Andrew loves ice hockey and video editing. And Tessa loves debate and competitive swimming. Hey.

[Tessa]

Hey.

[Molly Bloom]

So, Tessa, you are an avid debater. What do you think makes a solid argument?

[Andrew]

I would say a lot of evidence and analysis. I think being able to support your points really well is really important, like having a lot of explanation, making it really clear to the judge and the audience what you're trying to say.

[Molly Bloom]

Wow.

[Mickey Bloom]

Okay.

[Molly Bloom]

Andrew's impressed. Andrew, do you have any advice for our debaters today?

[Mickey Bloom]

I've honestly never debated, so maybe we.

[Molly Bloom]

Should ask Tessa, what advice do you have for our debaters today?

[Andrew]

Um, I think my favorite part of debates is how entertaining they are. So just have fun and keep it entertaining.

[Molly Bloom]

And so Tessa and Andrew, you two are siblings, so I'm wondering. I know, Tessa, you debate in, like, a debate team, but do you ever have, like, debates in your family?

[Andrew]

Probably.

[Mickey Bloom]

I mean, yeah, all the time.

[Molly Bloom]

What's a debate?

[Mickey Bloom]

You and Tessa have what to order for dinner?

[Andrew]

Yeah, he always wants pizza. He always wants Pizza Hut.

[Molly Bloom]

I don't get it.

[Mickey Bloom]

Cause I don't know why.

[Andrew]

Because I don't want Pizza Hut.

[Mickey Bloom]

I don't know why we don't like Pizza Hut.

[Molly Bloom]

So I'm curious. So you want pizza? And then Tessa, like, what do you want anything else?

[Andrew]

I mean, see, that's the problem.

[Mickey Bloom]

She just for no reason.

[Molly Bloom]

Andrew, do you ever succeed in getting pizza?

[Mickey Bloom]

I do, but it's always when she's not at home.

[Molly Bloom]

So Tessa's like, I got reasons.

[Mickey Bloom]

That's the problem is she's too good of a debater, so she always wins.

[Molly Bloom]

Will Tessa and Andrew side with Delia or Mickey? Only time will tell. But first, here are the rules of the game. Every debate consists of four. The declaration of greatness, the micro round, the sneak attack, and the final six. After each round, our judges, Tessa and Andrew will award points to the team that impresses them the most. But they'll keep their decisions top secret until the end of the listeners. We want you to judge too. Mark down your points as you listen. At the end of the show, head to our website, smashboom.org and vote for whichever team you think won. All right, Delia, Mickey, Tessa and Andrew, are you ready?

[Mickey Bloom]

Yes, ma'am.

[Molly Bloom]

Yes.

[Tessa]

Coming in piping hot with all I got.

[Molly Bloom]

Then it's time for the declaration of greatness. In this round, our debaters will present a well crafted immersive argument in favor of their side. Then they'll each have 30 seconds to rebut their opponent's statements. We flipped a coin. And Delia, you're up first. Tell us why your team takes the cake. Cake.

[Delia Bloom]

Just saying the word makes you crave a bite of fluffy, creamy, sugary goodness. It's the perfect dessert and the ideal way to celebrate. Just imagine life without it. You walk into your best friend's birthday party. To your left, there's a hot, gooey pizza and bowls of chips. To your right, there's a table piled high with gorgeous gifts. And finally, straight ahead, you look for the one thing you've been waiting for since opening the Evite. But there is no cake. You look everywhere. Under every table, on top of every shelf. Still no cake. You shake your best friend by the shoulders, frantically scream, where is the cake? Ish Ani, she says we don't have any cake.

[Andrew]

Have some fruit instead.

[Delia Bloom]

You feel like you're falling into an endless dark pit, like you'll never feel joy again. Luckily, that was just a nightmare scenario. In reality, we live in a cake tastic cake filled world. One reason cake is the best, it screams celebration, celebration, wedding, cake, birthday. There's a cake. Retiring after 42 years at your boring job. You know that's a cake. Pie is cool and all, but if you give me an apple pie for my birthday, I will not be happy. Apple is a fruit, which is basically a vegetable, which is basically salad. And I'm not trying to celebrate another year on this earth with a salad.

[Tessa]

No celebration.

[Molly Bloom]

Yuck.

[Delia Bloom]

Another cake mazing reason why cakes are superior. Anybody can make one at any time no matter what their skill level is. Are you a beginner baker or just short on time? Try a boxed cake mix. In the US These mixes were created during the depression when lots of people didn't have jobs and couldn't buy many ingredients. With these early cake mixes, you only had to add water to make a cake. Nowadays, it's estimated over 186 million Americans use them every year. Also, have you seen the pure magic of a mug cake?

[Tessa]

For my next trick, I the great cake deenie will toss some simple ingredients.

[Molly Bloom]

Into this ordinary mug.

[Tessa]

Then place the mug in the microwave for about two minutes and abra cake dabra you have a cake.

[Delia Bloom]

Cakes aren't just delicious easy to make instant party bringers, they're also works of art. There are pastry chefs who train for years to make stunning cakes. They make flowers or fire trucks or furry friends out of frosting. They make delicate details out of spun sugar or chocolate or edible glitter. Some can even carve cakes to look exactly like any non cake object. So much so you'll ask yourself, is it even cake?

[Tessa]

Billy, have you seen my phone? Billy.

[Andrew]

No, no, no, no.

[Tessa]

Get that out of your mouth.

[Andrew]

Enough phone. It's cake.

[Tessa]

Oh gosh darn you. Clever cake making Billy.

[Delia Bloom]

Sorry to say it, but pie isn't pretty. Usually it's a sloppy hot mess that needs a scoop of ice cream to even make it somewhat attractive. So whether you're in it for the celebration, the welcoming attitude to all skill levels, or the artistry, nothing can beat cake. No matter which way you slice it, cake deserves the crown.

[Molly Bloom]

A cake tastic cake abration for cake there. Andrew and Testa, what stood out to you about Delia's declaration of greatness?

[Mickey Bloom]

She really pulled me in with the argument about mug cake. I used to make those all the time during COVID Yeah, it used to be my go to snack and I don't know, it's really. It's really quick and delicious.

[Andrew]

So yeah, I really liked how she talked about art. I really like to do art myself, so that was really fun. Also when she mentioned like hyper realistic cakes, I've definitely seen those videos out there. They're pretty crazy.

[Molly Bloom]

Is it cake? Yes, it is. Okay, Mickey, it is time for your rebuttal. Tell us why cake is a mistake. You've got 30 seconds, and your time starts now.

[Tessa]

Okay, where do I begin? Cake for celebration is so old and tired. That's the only way you can celebrate. Really? When I see a cake at a party, I'm like, oh, wow. They put minimum effort into this one and. Pretty trite, honestly, and a little insulting. It should be a little more personal for whoever you're celebrating. And look, I know Delia was going out of her way to say, like, look, cake is so simple. Look, anyone can do it. Why is that a good thing? Anyone can do it. Is that what we want in our desserts? We want something spectacular.

[Delia Bloom]

Cake is a classic for a reason. It can be any flavor. It can be made out of anything. And also, you know, Mickey, I don't want to keep cake away from the masses. I want anyone to be able to do it.

[Tessa]

Typical cake.

[Molly Bloom]

All right, Mickey, it is your turn. Please tell us why. Team Pie can fly sky high.

[Tessa]

Look, PI is a forever thing for me. I'm ride or die for PI. In fact, I love pies so much that I decided to write an entire ode devoted to this perfect pastry. Such crusted goodness knows no equal. A golden vision for the hungry eye. Keep tonight's roast chicken, for I await tomorrow's sequel. Leftovers baked into chicken pot pie, a quiche lorraine served hot and piping, with a ham and cheese hot pocket nearby. You say you. You mean on the side, but I won't hear your griping as I munch loudly on my sandwich pie. I'd go on, but I've made a grave error. I've left out dessert. Fruit pie a la mode. Apple and pumpkin seem fairest, but banana cream's fairer. I'll drop the mic this fork and end this pie ode, as undoubtedly evidenced by my Pulitzer Prize submitted owed. Pies are truly an unparalleled food. That's because, unlike cake, pies are versatile. You can get them savory, sweet, and everywhere in between, from a veggie quiche for breakfast to a savory tamale hand pie for lunch. Not to mention a shepherd's pie for dinner and cherry pie for dessert. Oh, gosh, I better stop there. I'll be inspired to write another ode. Meanwhile, the options for cake are limited to dessert served on special occasions. And pies have been around longer than cakes going back to ancient Egypt. Back then, pies were made of honey and oats or chicken.

[Molly Bloom]

And if you walk this way, you'll find the burial chamber of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, where inscribed along the walls, you'll find ancient drawings of a tasty looking circle cut into segments. Over there you'll see a spoon, a bowl and an ancient Cuisinart. M.

[Tessa]

Okay, I might have taken a few artistic liberties there, but that's not far from the truth. And pie isn't just a nourishing, delicious dish people have been eating for literally thousands of years. It's also a learning tool. Ever heard of the pie chart? From generating a family budget, to showing the world's favorite pie flavors by percentage, to surveying people to find the best kind of pie, as impossible as that choice would be, the pie chart is a handy visual tool that allows you to instantly understand a given total through its specific distinct slices. Pie isn't just a food, it's a concept. Meanwhile, the best piece of cake is merely that, a piece of cake. Which is a popular phrase to describe something easy that doesn't take much thought. Like a cake. Take it from me, I avoided cake for most of my life. As a kid, I preferred the decadence of a chocolate French silk pie over birthday cake. Even I could taste the difference and I was five.

[Molly Bloom]

The needless sugar.

[Andrew]

It haunts me.

[Tessa]

Pie is simple and elegant. Cake is just basic. Look, I can sit here and list the merits of pie all day, but sometimes the most persuasive argument is an example. In that sense, look no further than pizza. I assume you've heard of pizza. Its status as a pie was cemented in the early 1900s when the term pizza pie was coined by a journalist, when that delicious, cheesy dish was first becoming popular. Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world, especially in the US where people eat more than 350 slices per second. And scientists have found it's a literal source of joy, causing your brain to release feel good chemicals like dopamine and boost your mood. Meanwhile, cake is served at the end of the night when guests are ready to leave.

[Molly Bloom]

Man, this party is really dragging. Can we go home? But they haven't cut the cake yet. That cake over there looks kinda dry.

[Andrew]

And what's with all that neon green frosting? Hey, there's still a couple of slices of pepperoni pizza left.

[Delia Bloom]

Yes, pizza.

[Molly Bloom]

Last one.

[Andrew]

There's a dried out old birthday cake.

[Tessa]

Well, there you have it. Pie brings people together. Cake sends everyone home.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh my. A rhyming, ravishing argument. Tessa and Andrew, what did you think about Mickey's declaration of greatness? What stood out?

[Andrew]

Well, I was Kind of on the fence. And then he said pizza pie, and I was like. I thought that was a really good point. I. I do like pizza.

[Molly Bloom]

I thought.

[Mickey Bloom]

I thought you hated Pizza Hut.

[Andrew]

Well, Pizza Hut is different.

[Mickey Bloom]

I thought he really brought it home with the. The fact that it's. That pie is really versatile. Because I like. Originally, I wasn't even considering, like, salty and savory pies.

[Molly Bloom]

Mm. Excellent points. All right, Delia, it is time for your reb. Tell us why pie is just crusty. Leave no crumbs. You've got 30 seconds, and your time starts now.

[Delia Bloom]

I'll cake it from here. Mickey, I knew you were gonna bring up savory pie, but, you know, cake can also be savory. If you watch the Great British Bake off, they make a Swedish sandwich cake. There's also crab cakes. There's pancakes with some melted salty butter on top. Speaking of that, how about a potato panc. How about. I have a crazy question. Is lasagna a cake? It's layers of something that you bake.

[Molly Bloom]

And who's to say?

[Delia Bloom]

Just asking questions.

[Tessa]

First off, Swedish sandwich cake sounds disgusting. I never want to eat that, and I never will. You know, here's what I know. I know my heart. I know my gut, and both of which together acknowledge that pie. So you don't even have to finish a sentence. It just ends on pie. You don't need anything else.

[Delia Bloom]

I can do that too.

[Tessa]

Try it.

[Delia Bloom]

Okay, well, see, here's the thing.

[Molly Bloom]

Cake.

[Tessa]

Okay, you got me there. Okay. All right, all right. Fair enough. Fair enough. Point taken. Point taken.

[Molly Bloom]

Speaking of points, Tessa and Andrew, it is time to award some points. Please give one point to the declaration of greatness that you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that won you over. You get to decide what makes a winning argument. Did one team's jokes make you giggle? Was another team's logic impeccable? Award the points, but don't tell us who they're going to. Each person could get a point. Both could go to the same person. Totally subjective. Totally up to you. Have you made your decision?

[Mickey Bloom]

Yep.

[Andrew]

Yep.

[Molly Bloom]

Excellent. Mickey and Delia, how are you two feeling so far?

[Tessa]

I was feeling confident until I fell for Delia's meticulously designed trap. I'm gonna be okay. I'm feeling great. Five stars would recommend Delia.

[Delia Bloom]

You know, I am feeling nervous, but I'm feeling ready to go. I'm ready to go head to head with Mickey some more. And all I have to say is, the end is nigh for Pie.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, very nice. All right, it's time for a quick break. Sit back and preheat the oven.

[Andrew]

And we'll be right back with more smashboom. Best.

[Delia Bloom]

You're listening to State of Debate. Home to raging rhetoric and awe inspiring argumentation.

[Molly Bloom]

Hello, you logic loving lovelies. It's me, all star debate champ, Taylor Lincoln, here with everyone's favorite debate duderino, Todd Douglas.

[Tessa]

Hello, friends. And boy, oh boy, do we have a doozy of a debate to play for you today.

[Molly Bloom]

That's right. And this one is chock full of logical fallacies.

[Tessa]

Those are bad arguments that make it easy for your opponent to poke holes in what you're saying.

[Molly Bloom]

And these two have fallen into the same trap. They're using the Appeal to Ignorance fallacy. That's when you say something must be true because there's no evidence showing otherwise. Let's take a listen. Admit it, Maggie.

[Delia Bloom]

Admit what, Maxine?

[Molly Bloom]

The cookies. They're gone.

[Delia Bloom]

So?

[Molly Bloom]

So you stole them. You stole the cookies from the cookie jar. Who, me? Yes, you. Couldn't be. Then who?

[Delia Bloom]

Well, I don't know.

[Molly Bloom]

Maybe it was you. Me? Do you have any proof I did it? No.

[Delia Bloom]

But do you have any proof you didn't do it?

[Molly Bloom]

Well, no, but do you have any proof you didn't do it?

[Delia Bloom]

Well, no, but do you have any proof you didn't know that you didn't do it?

[Molly Bloom]

Well, no, but do you have any proof you didn't know that I didn't know that you didn't do it? Well, no.

[Delia Bloom]

So it must be you.

[Tessa]

Wow. Not only are they all out of cookies, they're all out of logic too.

[Molly Bloom]

Talk about adding insult to injury, right?

[Delia Bloom]

Mmm.

[Tessa]

Chocolate chip.

[Molly Bloom]

Todd, did you take the cookies?

[Tessa]

What? Of course not.

[Molly Bloom]

You have crumbs all over your shirt.

[Tessa]

Well, that's all the time we have for today. We'll see you next time on State of Debate.

[Molly Bloom]

Hey, friends. Molly Sandon and Mark here with some very big news. Drum roll please.

[Tessa]

We're hitting the road in search of adventure, fresh air and you.

[Molly Bloom]

That's right.

[Tessa]

We're going to be live at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, April 27.

[Molly Bloom]

Our science themed live stage show takes the audience on an adventure through the brain, complete with magic tricks, dance moves, out of body experiences, mystery sounds and a game show.

[Tessa]

Molly, you almost left out the most important part.

[Delia Bloom]

Yeah.

[Tessa]

Molly, don't forget the big party.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, right after the shows, we're throwing a Brain Tastic bash. Join us afterward for a VIP party where we'll play games. Guess Mystery sounds, pose for photos, and give as many high fives as humans possible. Snag a spot by purchasing a VIP pass when you buy your show ticket.

[Tessa]

Oh, that reminds me, I've gotta start training. These hands aren't gonna high five by themselves. Good idea. And remember, spots are limited, so grab your tickets [e-mail] events.

[Delia Bloom]

The Soul to Story podcast is about how teaching kids to read went wrong. But we have a story about a school district where things are going very right.

[Molly Bloom]

Let me make sure my friends are sitting crisscross applesauce, hands in their lap.

[Tessa]

I've never had a child that couldn't read.

[Delia Bloom]

How did they do it?

[Mickey Bloom]

When I tell some of my other.

[Molly Bloom]

Colleagues that may be at other schools that this is what I do, and they would say, are you kidding me?

[Delia Bloom]

New episodes of Sold a Story are available now in your podcast app.

[Mickey Bloom]

Brains on Universe is a family of.

[Tessa]

Podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Smash Boom.

[Mickey Bloom]

Best, you'll love the other shows in our universe.

[Tessa]

Come on, let's explore.

[Molly Bloom]

It's alien laundry day. While I wash my nose mufflers and tummy togas, I'll listen to a new podcast. How about Forever Ago, my favorite history podcast?

[Tessa]

Whoa.

[Andrew]

I was not expecting that to work or for it to sound this good.

[Molly Bloom]

That's the DJ Dolo technique.

[Tessa]

DJ Dolo.

[Molly Bloom]

When I say pizza, you say bagel. Pizza. Zorp signal down. Stay right there. Tummy togas. Must find Forever Ago.

[Delia Bloom]

Now.

[Tessa]

Listen to Forever Ago wherever you get your podcasts.

[Molly Bloom]

Smash.

[Delia Bloom]

Smashboom Best.

[Molly Bloom]

You're listening to smashboom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom, and we're.

[Andrew]

Your judges, Tessa and Andrew.

[Molly Bloom]

And we love getting debate suggestions from our listeners. Take a listen to this prehistoric debate idea from Ellis.

[Andrew]

Hey, my name's Ellis, and I have a great debated idea. Fireflies versus Dinosaurs.

[Mickey Bloom]

What an illuminating idea.

[Molly Bloom]

We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Ellis thinks should win.

[Andrew]

And now it's back to our debate.

[Mickey Bloom]

Cake versus pie.

[Molly Bloom]

That's right. And it's time for round two, the micro round. For the micro round challenge, each team has prepared a creative response to a prompt they received in advance. For Delia and Mickey, the prompt was. Oh, Molly. This is a surprise to me, everybody. Each debater has to tell a true story that involves me from your childhood. Oh, boy. Demonstrating how much I love your side. Oh, this is fun. Okay, Delia went first last time. So, Mickey, you're up. Let's hear your Personal pie parable.

[Tessa]

I have so many memories of my sister Molly's love of pie that it's hard to pick one. There was the time we were on a family road trip and made a special stop, at Molly's request, at the Norsky Nook in Osseo, Wisconsin, an out of the way haven for pie. There's also Molly's lifelong love of raspberry rhubarb pie, requested on birthdays and holidays. But the one moment that stands out above the rest goes back years ago to the 1990s, when there were lots of kids TV shows that featured messy obstacle courses and trivia questions, often involving the contestants getting pied in the face. And at 10 years old, Molly was inspired.

[Andrew]

Dad, can you please throw a pie in my face?

[Tessa]

You want me to throw a pie in your face?

[Andrew]

Yes, please. It looks so fun being a loving.

[Tessa]

And dutiful father who loves a good bit. Dad agreed. He secured a graham cracker crust piled high with cold, foamy whipped cream, met Molly in the front yard, and before anyone could yell dairy based topping, it happened. Molly's face was covered, as was our front lawn, and she was delighted.

[Andrew]

I am invincible.

[Tessa]

A pie in the face has been a staple of comedy for over a century, going back to the earliest days of silent film. That day, Molly and Dad joined a long roster of duos trained in the sacred art of pieing, including Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello.

[Andrew]

Who's on first?

[Tessa]

Bloom and bloom have done it.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, my goodness. That is a 100% true story. I remember it like it was yesterday. Oh, my gosh. All right, Delia, now it's your turn to put the icing on top. Let's hear your cake chronicle.

[Delia Bloom]

Molly is the host of today's debate, not the judge. But if she were the judge, I know how she would vote. Molly is a cake person through and through. Who isn't? She loves to eat them. She loves to bake them. Bake them. And years ago, she even inspired one. When Molly was 10 years old, she had an assignment for school where she had to dress up as an influential person. Molly chose Albert Einstein.

[Tessa]

Great choice, Molly.

[Delia Bloom]

Around this time, it was also Molly's birthday. And growing up in our family, we got to choose the theme for our birthday cakes. For example, when I was seven, I got my ears pierced, so my cake was covered in frosting earrings. Tres chic. Meanwhile, my brother Mickey didn't want cake, so he would have birthday brownies or cookies or pie. Cut back to Molly's 10th birthday cake. It was Einstein Themed. Einstein's wild white hair and big, bushy mustache were flawlessly executed in buttercream frosting. Which was the real Einstein cake? Einstein or Molly Einstein in her costume?

[Tessa]

Uh, me. I am the real one. I think.

[Delia Bloom]

For years we kept the slice with Einstein's face on it in our freezer because it was so special. We didn't keep any pies in the freezer because there's no sense in preserving something so gloppy and uninspired, I want to say. Anyway, yay, Molly. Yay, cake. Yay for Molly loving cake the best and definitely more than pie.

[Molly Bloom]

Yes, that Einstein head did live in our freezer for a very long. I think it lived until our parents moved out of that house in that freezer for like, 15 years.

[Delia Bloom]

Because cake is so special.

[Mickey Bloom]

Oh, no, no, wait. I'm a little lost. I'm a little lost. So you kept the cake in the freezer the entire thing?

[Molly Bloom]

We kept only the Einstein's face that was made of buttercream frosting in the freezer. We lovingly peeled off the face and kept it in the freezer for some reason. All right, Tessa and Andrew, what did you like about Delia and Mickey's micro rounds?

[Andrew]

I really liked that Mickey's had a lot of different stories. Like, there was a lot of different evidence from different parts of your childhood that really. That was really convincing. Just the breadth of stories.

[Molly Bloom]

And Andrew, what did you like about Delia's?

[Mickey Bloom]

I don't know what to think about Delia's. I think maybe, like, if. If we're keeping a cake in the freezer for that long, maybe it's cause we didn't want to eat it. Oh, that's pies in the freezers.

[Delia Bloom]

It's because it was special.

[Mickey Bloom]

Molly and I'm just brainstorming here.

[Molly Bloom]

All right, Tessa and Andrew, it is time to award a point. The criteria are totally subjective and totally up to you. Did someone present some interesting story? Did they draw you in? Did they make you laugh? Did they make you think? Please award your point, but don't tell us who it's going to. Have you made your decision? Yep.

[Andrew]

Yep.

[Molly Bloom]

Fantastic. Then it's time for our third round. The super stealthy sneak attack. This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot. Today's sneak attack is called Dinglehopper. List 3 uses for your side other than what it's really used for. We're gonna do this volley style, back and forth, starting with Delia. Debaters, are you ready for your sneak Attack.

[Tessa]

Yes.

[Molly Bloom]

Yes. Okay, we'll start with Delia. Let's hear your first unconventional use for cake.

[Delia Bloom]

Totally. So we all know how fun a ball pit is. You jump in it, you get to, like, throw the balls around. It's like a fun, soft landing. But we don't all have those little plastic balls all the time. But what if we had a pit of cake that we could jump into and just, like, throw it around and have a nice soft place to play?

[Molly Bloom]

Ugh, I love that. Sounds so fluffy and fun and tasty. Okay, Mickey, it's your turn. What's an unexpected use for pie?

[Tessa]

First of all, we don't all have cake lying around, so that's not a fix. Okay. And second of all, if it was me, if it was me, I would just take a pie, which is delicious, but obviously I've just finished it. But what do I do with the pie tin? Oh, I turn it into a frisbee. Because that's how a frisbee was invented in the first place.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, Delia. Ugh.

[Delia Bloom]

After eating a dense, buttery pie, I'm not gonna wanna jump up and play with a frisbee. I'm going to want to take a rest. And what is better than a nice, fluffy angel food cake? Oh, just resting my head on it to take a little nap. I'm going straight to heaven.

[Molly Bloom]

Okay, Mickey, your turn.

[Tessa]

Why are all of your ideas about enveloping yourself in cake? I don't understand that.

[Delia Bloom]

I also have a lifelong dream of being covered in dessert, just like Molly.

[Tessa]

Fair enough. Having said that, if you didn't have slippers around and your feet were really cold and you had a warm, not piping hot, but warm leftover pie on the windowsill, you might want a kid sit putting your feet inside the pie because it's warm and it'll feel good.

[Molly Bloom]

Very nice.

[Tessa]

That is nothing like enveloping your whole body in cake. Okay, I'm being conservative.

[Delia Bloom]

Dream bigger, Mickey.

[Molly Bloom]

All right, Delia, your final alternative use for cake.

[Delia Bloom]

Cake is, you know, so versatile. You can make a cake pop, which are delicious the way you make those that you take some cake, you take some frosting, you kind of mush it all around, and then you've got. Got a ball and that becomes a cake pop. What if you use that same concept and you use that to build a fort? It's sticky, it's strong, and it's gonna house you, and it's gonna protect you from the elements, and it would make a really cool fort.

[Molly Bloom]

Very nice. All right, Mickey, what's your final alternative use for pie.

[Tessa]

You listen to me, you. We're not going big. We're not going big. We're going small, okay? You could take a pie, and inside a pie is a bunch of little pies. If you had a cookie cutter or something along those lines. And every single one of those little pies could feed all of the animals of the world. Could feed squirrels.

[Andrew]

What?

[Tessa]

Birds. Listen, hear me out, okay? Delia told me to dream bigger. And, baby, this one's a goose.

[Molly Bloom]

Are you saying you'll make tiny pies for animals out of a pie?

[Tessa]

Yes, that's what I'm saying.

[Delia Bloom]

That's not an alternative use. That's just pie.

[Tessa]

No, excuse me? I'm just saying you don't have to go the opposite route of this wasteful cake dome palace arena thing. You could go very, very small. That even a pie. One pie could feed thousands. Okay?

[Molly Bloom]

Oh.

[Tessa]

Millions, depending upon how small these little Morses are going to get.

[Andrew]

So he's, like, redistributing the pie to the people.

[Tessa]

That is exactly right. Tessa understands. She always did.

[Mickey Bloom]

No, she doesn't.

[Tessa]

That was your own brother, Tessa.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, my. Okay, wow. Some really creative alternate uses for pies and cakes there. But Tessa and Andrew, only one of them can get a point. For this sneak attack round, think about which side impressed you the most, and Please award your 4th point. Have you made your decision? Yep. Ooh. In sync. Very nice. Okay, Mickey, Delia, it is time for our final round.

[Delia Bloom]

The final.

[Molly Bloom]

In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side. Mickey, let's hear your six words declaring pie the pinnacle of pastries.

[Tessa]

I have said my piece. Delia.

[Molly Bloom]

Delightful. Okay, Delia, it's your turn. Give us six words summing up why cake is king.

[Delia Bloom]

Sorry, Mickey. Cake takes the cake.

[Tessa]

What does that even mean?

[Molly Bloom]

Delightful again. Okay, Tessa and Andrew, it is time to award a final point for this final six. Have you made your decision?

[Mickey Bloom]

Yep.

[Andrew]

Yep.

[Molly Bloom]

Are you ready to crown a team the smashboom best? Yes.

[Andrew]

Yep.

[Molly Bloom]

So, Tessa, first. You. Drum roll, please. And Tessa's winner is.

[Andrew]

Pie.

[Molly Bloom]

Yes.

[Tessa]

Oh, thank you, Tessa. Thank you. You understand.

[Molly Bloom]

Drum roll, please. And Andrew's winner is.

[Mickey Bloom]

Cake.

[Andrew]

A split.

[Molly Bloom]

Excuse. Wow.

[Tessa]

Andrew. Wow. That is a betrayal. That's okay.

[Delia Bloom]

Me and Andrew love cake and Pizza Hut. Okay.

[Molly Bloom]

Well, this was a very exciting debate. We did not come to a consensus, but that's how this works. It's totally subjective. So I want to hear. Tessa, what was your favorite moment that sealed the deal for pies?

[Andrew]

Well, I don't know if it was a singular moment, but I really liked how Mickey was really selling it. He was really doing the most in, like, a good way. Like, even if.

[Tessa]

Doing the most in a good way.

[Andrew]

Exactly. Even if it didn't make sense at first. He was really. He really likes selling it. And I really admire that dedication. That's like a big thing in debate. You just gotta double down.

[Molly Bloom]

I love that.

[Tessa]

Thank you.

[Molly Bloom]

Andrew, how about you? What was the moment that decided it for cake?

[Mickey Bloom]

I'm gonna agree with Tessa. There were a lot of points where Mickey really didn't make a lot of sense.

[Delia Bloom]

Excuse me. Thank you, Andrew.

[Mickey Bloom]

You got, you got. I gotta admit, like, I have no idea what he was talking about during the sneak attack.

[Tessa]

Oh, my gosh.

[Molly Bloom]

Yeah.

[Mickey Bloom]

And I also liked Delia's one liners. I thought they were pretty clever. The thing is, I like pies better, but you like.

[Tessa]

Wait a minute, you like pies better, And I did such a terrible job.

[Mickey Bloom]

But you lost me so much.

[Tessa]

And you chose cake over pie. Is that what you're saying here?

[Andrew]

It's the opposite for me. I actually like. I think coming in, I liked cake a little bit more than pie.

[Molly Bloom]

But this is so interesting, Mickey.

[Delia Bloom]

It's just that you and I are so, so good at changing hearts and minds.

[Molly Bloom]

Yes.

[Delia Bloom]

That's beautiful, Mickey. I learned so much about PI that I didn't even know. I was like, what facts could there even be about PI? But I learned so much. And just like Tessa said, you gave it your all, and I just respect the heck out of that. You did a great job.

[Tessa]

There may have been many times when I too thought, that's a good one liner. And there may have been times when I thought, well, I think she's gonna win because she's presenting a very clear case that it's very eloquently written.

[Delia Bloom]

Aw, thank you.

[Tessa]

You know, I didn't wanna do this. Cause I knew I was gonna cry and it happened and now I'm crying.

[Delia Bloom]

It's okay. You can dry your tears with your pie.

[Molly Bloom]

And that's it for today's debate battle. Tessa and Andrew had a split decision today, but what did you think?

[Mickey Bloom]

Head to smashboom.org and vote to tell.

[Andrew]

Us who you think won.

[Molly Bloom]

Smashboom Best is brought to you by Brains on and APM Studios. It's produced by me, Molly Bloom, Anna.

[Tessa]

Wegel, and Aron Woldesilassi.

[Molly Bloom]

We had engineering help from Derek Ramirez, Will Yar, Gary O'Keefe, and Sean Campbell with sound Design by Rachel Breeze. Our editors are Shayla Farzan and Sandon Tottenham with fact checking by Anna Goldfield. And we had production help from the rest of the Brainzn universe team. Rosie Dupont, Nico Gonzalez Whistler, Ruby Guthrie, Lauren Humpert, Joshua Wright, Rebecca Rand, Mark Sanchez and Charlotte Traver. Our executive producer is Beth Perlman and the APM Studios executives in charge are Chandra Kavati and Joanne Griffith. Our announcer is Marley Foyer, Worker Auto. And we want to give a special thanks to Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman. Delia, is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to today?

[Delia Bloom]

Oh, yes. I would like to shout out two of my favorite people in the whole world, my siblings Molly and Vicki for doing this with me. And I want to thank everyone at Smash. Me best. And I want to thank my friend Ishani Das for lending her voice to my declaration of greatness and for their help in my debate prep. Our mom, Carolyn and my fiance, say Tony.

[Molly Bloom]

Oh, and how about you, Mickey? Any special thanks?

[Tessa]

Yeah. Special thanks to Catherine. Thank you for bearing with me while I worked on this and you were very supportive. Thank you very much. I also want to thank Sylvie. She's my daughter. She really had no say in this at all. But I just have to thank her because, you know, she keeps me going. And a shout out to the PA at work that I practice some debating with. You know, I presented my case and she really helped me a lot. And that was Tiana Barajas. So thank you, Tiana and Molly and Delia because I love you guys a lot. You're my rock and I couldn't do any of this without you, literally this time. So thank you.

[Molly Bloom]

Do you want to give any special thanks, Tessa and Andrew, or shout outs?

[Mickey Bloom]

I'd like to shout out my mom for driving me here all the way downtown through the snow. I really appreciate that.

[Andrew]

Yeah. And I'd like to shout out my brother and my dad for shoveling so we could drive down here.

[Molly Bloom]

Before we go, let's check in and see who Ellis thinks should win the dinosaurs versus Fireflies debate.

[Andrew]

I think Fireflies would win because only dinosaur bones are here and fireflies still exist. Smashboom Best is a non profit public radio program.

[Molly Bloom]

If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knockdown drag out debate, head to smashboom.org contact and drop us a line. And make sure to sign up for the Brains on Universe newsletter for bonus activities, reading recommendations, conversation starters and more. We'll be back with a new smashboom Best Debate battle next week. Jump Rope versus Hula Hoop. Bye bye baby.

[Delia Bloom]

Bye bye pie. Bye Pie.

[Tessa]

Ride or pie? Pie or die. Either way, this was Team Pie.

[Mickey Bloom]

See you later, alligators.

[Andrew]

That was a piece of cake. Bye.

[Tessa]

And I just wanted to say to you, if I have to admit something nice about Mickey.

[Delia Bloom]

Mickey, you just got scolded.

[Tessa]

I know. Why? What happened?

[Molly Bloom]

I want you to be nice to Delia.

[Tessa]

I, I if I. Okay. I am trying. I'm trying.

[Molly Bloom]

It can be hard to unwind your mind, but the brainzone universe is here to help. Check out Moment of Calm in the Moment of podcast feed. For the week of March 3rd, you'll hear moment of Episodes with soothing topics and special quiet music perfect for playing at bedtime or anytime you need some chill in your life. And on Friday, March 7, you'll hear a special story with music and sounds that will take your imagination on a magical, relaxing journey. Tune in to Moment of Calm by listening to Moment of the week of March 3, or follow the Moment of in your podcast app to make sure you don't miss an episode.