Smash Boom Best: Moss vs. Moths
Episode Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Molly Bloom
Debaters: Emily Olcott (Team Moss), Tiz Irie (Team Moths)
Judge: Nora, from Durham, NH
Overview
This episode of Smash Boom Best pits two underappreciated wonders of the natural world against each other for the title of "Smash Boom Best." Will the soft, ancient, and environmentally Mighty Moss take the crown, or will Moth, the winged master of the night, flutter away with the victory? Host Molly Bloom guides us through a kid-friendly, laughter-packed, and fact-filled debate between actor/comic/story pirate Emily Olcott advocating for Moss and comedian/writer/musician Tiz Irie repping Moths, with artsy pet-lover Nora judging.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Declaration of Greatness
[04:56–09:22] Team Moths — Tiz Irie
- Super Senses: Moths have “super vision” suited for the night, inspiring even NASA cameras (05:18–05:56).
- Quote: “Moth eyes are so sophisticated, they even inspired a NASA camera that takes pictures of things in the deepest darkness of space.” (05:49 – Tiz/Narrator)
- Super Smell: Moths can smell mates up to six miles away via their antennae.
- Masters of Metamorphosis: From caterpillar to cocoon to moth, their transformation is compared to “you wrapping yourself in a sleeping bag and emerging a penguin or platypus.” (08:05).
- Quote: “There are more than 160,000 different types... like nature’s winged rainbow.” (08:13 – Narrator)
- Diversity: Huge range from Atlas Moth (“wingspan more than a foot wide”) to Luna Moth (“lime green wings and markings that look like big eyes”).
- Moths are "mothrageous:" Fun, adaptable, and essential to ecosystems.
[13:06–18:11] Team Moss — Emily Olcott
- Chill Factor: Moss is relaxing and pleasant to the touch, “like I’m petting nature itself.” (13:17)
- Ancient & Unique: Mosses are ancient plants without roots, sticking to things via “little threads called rhizoids.” (13:53)
- Hydration Powers: “Mosses can soak up to 20 times their own weight in water—hydration heroes.” (14:29)
- Ecosystem Glue: Home to micro-critters like tardigrades, aka “moss piglets,” moss helps soil and supports big and small animals (15:30–15:47).
- Climate Champions: Mosses absorb over 6 billion tons more carbon than bare earth—crucial in fighting climate change (15:48–16:07).
- Aesthetic Inspiration: Moss comes in various forms, “like green mats of tangled noodles” or “mini pine forests,” and inspires artists and nature lovers.
- Personal Story: Moss was Emily’s “constant friend” on a 10-hour hiking trip in Ireland—supportive, soothing, and indispensable (17:22).
- Quote: “Moss reminds us that simple, small things can have a big purpose.” (16:40)
Judge Nora's Take:
- Impressed by moths’ senses and transformation; loved the climate change benefit and animal antics in the moss argument.
2. Rebuttals
[09:48–10:24] Emily (Moss) on Moths:
- “Moths think they are better than us, okay? They’ve got superpowers. That’s not relatable!”
- Jokingly claims, “Moths don’t need apps to find true love, I also don’t relate to that.”
[18:47–19:17] Tiz (Moths) on Moss:
- Pun-heavy: “Boy, was that sporing. I’m more of a fun guy… Hang out with us, we could fly!”
- Positions moths as “dangerous butterflies” and hard-partying pollinators.
3. Micro Round: Fact Attack!
[23:01–26:03]
- Moss Facts (Emily):
- WWI Wound Care: Peat moss as a natural, bacteria-fighting bandage. (23:16)
- Nature's Diaper: Moss used as diapers by Indigenous peoples due to its absorbency. (23:58)
- Stops Erosion: Moss holds soil in place, fighting environmental damage. (24:56)
- Moths Facts (Tiz):
- Masters of Disguise: Some moths look like leaves, hornets—or even bird poop! (23:41)
- Night Pollinators: Moths work the graveyard shift, pollinating when everyone else is asleep. (24:20)
- Bat-Jamming Sound: Tiger moths “jam” bat sonar with high-pitched clicks. (25:29)
- Quote: “Moths staying up late so bees don’t have to.” (24:50)
4. Sneak Attack: Superhero Challenge
[27:22–30:06]
- Moth Superhero (“Super Librarian” – Tiz):
- Super-reader, fast flyer, gentle, wise, “keeping the earth alive,” wears glasses, gray, teleport-fast.
- Quote: “It has all the powers that all of the moths have… it can fly, it can smell things from really far away, it helps pollinate the Earth.” (28:04)
- Moss Superhero (“Ms. Moss” – Emily):
- Green, inspired by Elphaba (Wicked), power is calming and healing everyone, advocating rest and relaxation—“embracing gravity.”
- Quote: “Ms. Moss is all about getting comfortable…laying your head down on nature’s pillow.” (29:23)
5. The Final Six (Words)
[30:43–31:13]
- Emily/Moss: “Moss, Nature’s doctor, and nature’s diaper.” (30:54, Emily)
- Tiz/Moths: “Kings of bright lights.” (31:11, Tiz)
6. The Verdict & Reflection
[31:44–32:22]
- Nora declares Moss the winner—tied until the final six word round, where “Nature’s doctor and nature’s diaper” tipped the scales.
- Quote: “I loved nature’s doctors, and I forgot what the rest of it was, but…” (32:12, Nora)
- Both debaters praise each other and their newfound appreciation for the rival side.
- Emily: “War is not simple…but I was honored to be your opponent today in the ring.” (32:38)
- Tiz: “You really showed the fighting spirit…might just lay down in some grass.” (32:44)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Is there anything more chill than sitting next to a patch of green, fuzzy moss?” (13:13 – Emily)
- “Butterflies are pretty cool... We're like the dangerous... We're dangerous butterflies. Hang out with... Hang out with the moths.” (18:53 – Tiz)
- “Moss reminds us that simple, small things can have a big purpose.” (16:40 – Emily)
- “Moths staying up late so bees don’t have to.” (24:50 – Tiz)
- Final kicker from Nora: “It was really, really close…they were tied until the final six. And the final six, I loved ‘nature’s doctors and…nature’s diaper.’” (31:54)
- Off-mic banter: “Come over here. There’s good sap over here.” (35:26 – Tiz)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:55 Episode theme and introduction of guests
- 04:56 Declaration of Greatness: Moths (Tiz Irie)
- 13:06 Declaration of Greatness: Moss (Emily Olcott)
- 23:01 Micro Round: Three cool facts each
- 27:22 Sneak Attack: Superhero Challenge
- 30:43 Final Six words round
- 31:44 Winner announced (Moss edges out Moths)
- 32:38 Debater reflections and appreciations
Tone and Language
Upbeat, pun-filled, friendly, and wry with plenty of lighthearted banter and kid-friendly jokes. Both debaters balance scientific facts with humor and personal stories, and Molly keeps the energy playful. Judge Nora responds thoughtfully, often explaining her reasoning with care and insight.
Conclusion
This laugh-out-loud debate is packed with quirky science facts and playful jabs, making both participants (and listeners) rethink the value of the humble moss and mysterious moth. Moss ultimately takes the prize thanks to its climate superpowers, absorbency, and relaxing aesthetic, but the respect for moths’ marvels is clear. The episode concludes with gratitude, laughter, and a call for listeners to vote for their winner.