Smash Boom Best: Loki vs. Athena
Podcast: Smash Boom Best (Brains On Universe)
Episode: Loki vs. Athena
Date: June 26, 2019
Host: Molly Bloom
Debaters: Jed Kim (Loki), Elissa Dudley (Athena)
Judge: Dejuan
Episode Overview
In this family-friendly episode of Smash Boom Best, the gods collide as Loki, the notorious Norse trickster, faces off against Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. Debaters Jed Kim and Elissa Dudley use wit, facts, and creativity to convince both the studio judge, Dejuan, and listeners at home that their chosen deity deserves the title of Smash Boom Supreme. Over four lively rounds—Declaration of Greatness, the Micro Round, Sneak Attack, and Final Six—plus a sudden death face-off, they battle it out through humor, mythological history, and imaginative scenarios.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage
[00:07] Molly Bloom introduces the debate format and today's contenders: "Loki, the shape shifting trickster of Norse mythology, and Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, have come to convince you they deserve the title of Smash Boom Supreme."
- [01:30] Judge Dejuan lays down his expectations: “If you were to make a joke, it has to be funny. If it’s not funny, it won’t win me over…especially if they’re corny.”
2. Declaration of Greatness
Loki (Jed Kim) —[04:14–08:59]
- Acknowledges Loki is a "complicated figure" who isn’t always likable.
- Emphasizes Loki's roots in Norse myth, beyond pop-culture portrayals.
- Loki’s wily tricks create conflict and drive stories, making mythology exciting:
"Without him, all this mythology would be boring." — Jed Kim [02:20]
- Key tales: Loki’s pranks (shaving Thor’s wife’s head), his superpowers (shapeshifting, flying shoes), his role in the creation of Thor’s hammer.
- Loki never gets away scot-free and often suffers for his antics—teaching kids important life lessons.
- Argues Athena is too much of a “goody two shoes” and “bland” by comparison.
- Notable quote:
"He’s a lesson to Viking children that they’d better act right. Compared with Loki, Athena is kind of bland.” — Jed Kim [08:00]
Athena (Elissa Dudley) —[10:12–15:39]
- Opens with an epic, cinematic retelling of Athena’s birth and her role as a battle goddess.
- Athena is more than war—she’s wisdom, crafts, strategy; "the goddess who does it all."
- Tells the legendary story of the Trojan Horse, showing Athena as both a war strategist and a master of clever tricks.
- Real-world influence: Athens named for her, temples and statues in her honor, and continuing cultural presence (e.g., the Bryn Mawr Athena statue).
- Athena inspires mortals beyond myth, representing wisdom and leadership.
- Notable quote:
"Tricks aren’t going to do you any good on your calculus final. They’d probably just get you detention.” — Elissa Dudley [14:54]
Rebuttals:
- Elissa: “All the cool things that Loki did for his friends all start off with him messing something up royally…He’s fixing messes he could have just not created in the first place.” [09:27]
- Jed: “Athena is the goddess of so many things…that makes her a little too good for regular people…not necessarily someone you’d like. And definitely not the coolest.” [16:35]
Judge Dejuan found Athena’s connection to Athens impressive:
“I’ve never heard of a city called Loki.” [16:12]
3. Micro Round: If Loki and Athena Were YouTubers
Prompt: Each deity gets their own YouTube influencer channel.
Athena’s Channel (Elissa Dudley) [22:24–24:51]
- Shares a “day in the life” video: daily runs, divine tea, reviewing battle strategy, helping mortals with wisdom (and donuts!), and showing off her artistic side.
- Self-care and mentorship highlighted, ending with, "keep your shields shiny and your swords sharp."
- Judge reaction: Impressed by Athena’s stamina—“She takes a whole jog around monolith.” [24:56]
Loki’s Channel (Jed Kim) [25:05–28:44]
- Prank channel titled "Lokin Around," interacting with fans and haters.
- Pranks on Thor (cat-triggered goat cannon), on Balder and Hod (awkward mistletoe kiss!), and even a prank on Athena (serves her “slightly lesser quality” ambrosia and unleashes Ragnarok).
- Ends with: "Since there's no one left to prank, I think I'm gonna change the focus and make this a gaming channel. Loki out."
- Judge reaction: “Everything. I’d watch that channel. Fan of a good prank.” [28:50]
4. Sneak Attack: Survive a Shark Attack
Prompt: How would each deity deal with angry sharks?
Loki (Jed Kim) [30:40]
- Shapeshifts into a killer whale to defeat the sharks—and, for good measure, pranks the sharks by tying their fins together and dropping an anvil.
“He would change into a killer whale…then drop an anvil on top of it.”
Athena (Elissa Dudley) [31:10]
- Uses strategy and diplomacy: mortals (with Athena's wisdom) build a wooden shark, send a diplomat inside to join the shark swarm, and peacefully convince them to move away—“no blood needs to be shed.”
- Judge Dejuan appreciates the thoughtfulness: “You’re right about the animal killings. I wouldn’t want that… She went with her head instead of brute force.” [33:54]
5. Final Six: Slogan Showdown
Athena (Elissa Dudley) [32:36]
- “Athena would never trick you. Dewan.”
Loki (Jed Kim) [32:46]
- “Love, fun and jokes. Vote Lokes.”
Dejuan laughs and leads the score to a tie, “because it was just funny.” [34:07]
6. Sudden Death: Band Branding Challenge
Prompt: If your deity had a band, what would it be called and what genre?
Loki (Jed Kim) [34:45]
- Band: Valhalla’s Revenge
- Genre: Trick rock (acid jazz + beat poetry + baroque elements); “Advertised as a polka band, but what they really get is some face-melting trick rock.”
Athena (Elissa Dudley) [35:29]
- Band: Just Athena (like Beyoncé); ancient Greek pop, always headlining the grand festival “Panathenaia,” the main event.
- Judge’s pick: “Ancient Greek pop.” [36:28]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- Jed Kim’s opening volley:
“Athena may look meana, but against Loki, she’s going to get smokey.” [01:56]
- Labeled as a corny joke by both the judge and the debater himself.
- Athena’s birth myth:
“She popped out of her dad’s head. That’s Zeus. Fully grown and fully armed.” [11:00]
- On cities named after gods:
“I’ve never heard of a city called Loki. Oops.” — Dejuan [16:14]
- YouTube wars, Loki-style:
“If he picks up this cat, it’ll trigger a cannon that’ll fire a goat right into his gut. Will he fall for it?” [26:23]
- Sudden Death genre confusion:
“I didn’t like Loki because he said something about acid jazz and polka…You need to give with the culture.” — Dejuan [36:42]
- Heartfelt sportsmanship:
“Jed, I think you did a really good job of trying to make this really unlikable figure likable.” — Elissa Dudley [37:14] “And Athena, you are clearly everything. I don’t actually have anything mean to say about you.” — Jed Kim [37:23]
Judge’s Round Breakdown ([33:17])
- Declaration of Greatness: Athena (more interesting, impressive connection to Athens)
- Micro Round (YouTube): Loki (loves pranks, Athena’s channel would be “too much to watch”)
- Sneak Attack (Sharks): Athena (preferred her thoughtful approach)
- Final Six: Loki (found it funny)
- Sudden Death/Band: Athena (ancient Greek pop wins over “trick rock”)
Final Winner: Athena, as chosen by Dejuan in the sudden death tiebreaker.
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Time | |--------------------------------|--------------| | Introduction & Setup | 00:00–04:00 | | Declaration of Greatness: Loki | 04:15–08:59 | | Declaration of Greatness: Athena|10:12–15:39 | | Rebuttals & Judge Feedback | 09:27–17:36 | | Micro Round (YouTube) | 22:24–28:44 | | Sneak Attack (Sharks) | 30:40–31:53 | | Final Six | 32:36–33:02 | | Sudden Death: Band Challenge | 34:45–36:32 | | Debrief, Thanks, and Wrap-Up | 36:32–End |
Conclusion
This episode of Smash Boom Best is a lively and educational showdown between two legendary deities. With humor, clever historical references, and plenty of pranks, the debate captures both the fun and the creativity of mythology. While both sides make strong cases (and generate plenty of laughs), the judge ultimately sides with Athena for her wisdom, diplomacy, pop star power, and enduring influence. Yet, thanks to the show’s format, listeners are left to decide for themselves—which makes for the best kind of debate.