We’re back! Brains On Universe has a new headquarters

Summary

Podcast Summary: Smash Boom Best – “We’re back! Brains On Universe has a new headquarters”

Podcast: Smash Boom Best – A funny, smart debate show for kids and family
Host Network: Brains On Universe
Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Molly Bloom (A), with Sanden Totten (B), Mark (C), Gungador (D), and Joy (E)
Length: Approximately 7 minutes 30 seconds

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Episode Overview

This joyful mini-episode celebrates the return of the Brains On Universe podcasts, introduces their brand-new, quirky headquarters, and announces exciting updates for fans—including the shows’ newfound independence and how listeners can support the team directly. Expect classic Smash Boom Best humor, playful banter, and imaginative new features, all designed to reignite excitement for kids and families.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Big Move & A Fresh Start

• The team is in the midst of unpacking their new headquarters, energetically setting the stage for all their shows.
• Molly playfully points out the unique items being moved in:
  • “Careful, Sanden. Don’t drop that one. It’s full of black holes. But you can drop that other one. It’s just full of regular holes.” (A, 00:17)
• Excitement bubbles as the hosts share updates on all their flagship shows:
  • “Brains On episodes start in October. Smash Boom Best is back later in the year and Forever Ago returns in 2026.” (C, 00:37)

2. Brains On Goes Independent

• A major announcement: the Brains On Universe is now an independent, audience-supported operation.
  • “Brains On is now a fully independent podcast. That means me, Sanden, and Mark are responsible for running everything in the Brains On Universe. We make the shows, we pay the bills, we get ourselves coffee.” (A, 01:03)
  • “Shows like ours are getting harder and harder to find. But you love learning about real science and history from real people, so we know we can count on you.” (B, 01:22)
• The team encourages listeners to join “SmartyPass” for ad-free content, bonuses, and direct support.
• Special perks for SmartyPass members include exclusive content and live hangouts.

3. Tour of the New HQ: Imagination Meets Practicality

• The headquarters is described as a whimsical, ever-evolving space:
  • Upgraded echoes: From robot mode to dolphin mode for fun sound effects. (B, 02:17-02:38)
  • Taco farm, burrito bushes, nacho trees: The team jokes about growing tasty snacks.
  • Zipline room & indoor ocean: Escalating the fun with new rooms.
  • Milk chocolate fountains: “So gooey going up.” (A, 02:55)
• Smash Boom Best has its own floor, full of debates—“Which is better, windsocks or sock puppets?” (A, 03:22)
• Joy’s decorated rodeo floor: Complete with a full-scale rodeo, a bull moving bookshelves, and a horse eating wall art, to comedic effect.
  • “Yes. Obviously this isn't my first rodeo.” (E, 04:10)

4. Call for Listener Ideas

• Several rooms are still empty, and the team invites kids and their families to help fill them:
  • “We want your ideas!” (A, 04:37)
  • “It could be a random cloud generator room or I don't know, a snail emporium...” (B, 04:43)
• Listeners are encouraged to submit room ideas, drawings, or descriptions via the website for possible future inclusion.

5. Meet the CEO: Gungador’s Sock Wisdom

• Gungador, the lighthearted, sock-obsessed CEO, shares his “sock tips”:
  • “Sock tip always by Argyle. Gangidor working hard to make Brains On Universe best company ever... one more sock tip: Nobody cares if your socks match. It's how you wear them.” (D, 05:27 & 06:12)

6. Final Encouragement & Playful Outro

• The team reminds listeners to become SmartyPass members and reach out if parents have questions.
• Playful confusion over the new “pickle ballroom” leads to a fun finish:
  • Not a “pickleball room” for sports, but a “pickle ballroom” with chandeliers and dancing while eating pickles. (B & C, 06:45-07:00)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On moving in:
  “Careful, Sanden. Don’t drop that one. It’s full of black holes.” (A, 00:17)
• On newfound independence:
  “We make the shows, we pay the bills, we get ourselves coffee.” (A, 01:03)
• On SmartyPass support:
  “Every cent goes right to the Brains On Universe, so we can keep making these shows forever and ever.” (A, 01:54)
• Touring the taco farm:
  “Check out those burrito bushes! Oh, and the nacho trees—not quite ripe yet.” (C, 02:38)
• Joy’s rodeo logic:
  “Obviously this isn't my first rodeo.” (E, 04:10)
• Gungador’s sock tip:
  “Nobody cares if your socks match. It’s how you wear them.” (D, 06:12)
• On the pickle ballroom:
  “A big fancy room with chandeliers where you can dance while eating pickles.” (C, 06:53)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:05-00:48: New headquarters, show updates, playful moving banter
• 01:03-01:34: Announcement of independence, audience support, and SmartyPass
• 02:17-03:13: Grand tour of the silly and imaginative HQ features
• 03:16-04:10: Floor-specific features (Smash Boom Best debates, Forever Ago’s rodeo floor)
• 04:31-05:05: Empty rooms and call for listener ideas
• 05:27-06:18: Introduction of CEO Gungador and his sock wisdom
• 06:36-07:00: Pickle ballroom twist and conclusion

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Episode Mood & Tone

The tone is pure, energetic fun with a signature blend of science, imagination, and comedy. Jokes about black holes in boxes, playful digs between hosts, and wild ideas for HQ upgrades make this episode engaging for kids and families alike.

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Summary

This episode of Smash Boom Best joyfully marks the dawn of a new era for the Brains On Universe. With a gleeful move-in, a big announcement about going independent, and plenty of silly HQ upgrades, the hosts invite listeners to join in shaping the future. Interactive, warm, and as off-beat as ever—they’re back, and ready to debate, dream, and dance (with pickles) their way into the next adventure.

Transcript

[A]

Broadcasting from the Brains On Universe, it's me, Molly Bloom, and yeah, we are so back. Place that box over there, Mark.

[B]

You got it, Molly.

[A]

Oh, careful, Santa. Don't drop that one. It is full of black holes. But you can drop that other one. It's just full of regular holes.

[C]

That explains why it's so light.

[A]

Oh, hey. Welcome to our new headquarters. We are busy moving in lots of boxes everywhere, but you can really see all the potential.

[C]

See? We told you we'd be back. And we're back. New Brains on episodes start in October. Smashboom Best is back later in the year and forever ago returns in 2026.

[A]

We're stoked. And over the summer, a lot changed. For starters, I. I got bangs. Do you love them? Thanks. Me too.

[B]

Yes, but also, we've gone independent.

[A]

Oh, right. I should have led with that. Brainzon is now a fully independent podcast. That means me, Sandon and Mark are responsible for running everything in the Brains On Universe. We make the shows, we pay the bills, we get ourselves coffee.

[B]

It also means we are now audience supported. Shows like ours are getting harder and harder to find. But you love learning about real science and history from real people, so we know we can count on you.

[C]

The best way to help is to join SmartyPass. In addition to getting all the warm fuzzies for supporting the Brains On Universe, you get ad free episodes of all our shows, bonus content, plus we do live online hangouts with members all the time. You can even get a special custom message from me, Molly, or Mark. You super Fun.

[A]

Go to brainson.org and join now if you are already a Smartypass member. Thank you. Thank you so much. We'll keep you in the club if you haven't joined yet. Now is the time. Every cent goes right to the Brainzon universe, so we can keep making these shows forever and ever. Okay, let's show them around, shall we?

[B]

First off, we've upgraded our echoes. Our old place had normal echoes, but this one has smart echoes. Check it out. I can change how it sounds. Like robot mode.

[D]

Echo.

[C]

Echo.

[B]

Or sports announcer mode. Echo.

[A]

Echo.

[B]

Or even dolphin mode.

[C]

Echo. Oh, over here is the taco farm. You'll notice we've expanded. Check out those burrito bushes. Oh, and the nacho trees. Not quite ripe yet.

[A]

We switched the slide room for a zipline room. The Brainzan pool has been upgraded to an indoor ocean. Oh, and get this. We replaced the chocolate milk fountains with milk chocolate fountains. So gooey going up.

[B]

Oh, oh, and SmashBoom best has its.

[C]

Own floor.

[B]

But they can't tell you anything about the weather.

[A]

Who cares? I've got googly eye on.

[E]

What more do you need?

[A]

Ah, they're arguing the age old question. Which is better, wind socks or sock puppets? And just above this, it's the forever ago floor. Joy said she's decorating it today. Whoa.

[E]

Settle down, little doggy.

[A]

Yee. Um, Joy, why is there a full on rodeo in your new headquarters?

[E]

Well, it's part of the decorating process. Haven't you ever set up a full scale rodeo to help you figure out where to place your lamps and plants and bean bag chairs? Huh?

[A]

You know, I haven't. It's very innovative, but. Oh, Joy, that bull is charging at your bookshelves.

[E]

He's helping me move it with his horns angrily.

[A]

Oh, is that horse supposed to be chewing on your wall art?

[E]

Yes. Obviously this isn't my first rodeo.

[A]

Okay, you know, I'm not sure why a rodeo is involved at all. But you know, you do you, Joy. You're amazing. We love you. See you later.

[E]

Later. I gotta go rope that steer. And it knows which box has my fridge magnets in it.

[A]

Come on.

[E]

Yee haw.

[A]

And over here we have. Well, this room is empty. In fact, a lot of rooms are still empty. What should go in here? We want your ideas.

[B]

Yeah. Go to brainson.org and tell us about a room or new feature you want to add to our headquarters. It could be a random cloud generator room or I don't know, a snail.

[C]

Emporium or a room for all my best actor awards.

[A]

Sandon, you don't have any best actor awards.

[C]

Yeah, because I have nowhere to put them.

[A]

Molly, share your idea, describe it or draw it and send it to [e-mail] contact. We'll feature your ideas in the show. And now, since we're an independent company and we needed a CEO and he really wanted a job, here is our Chief Executive officer, Gungador.

[D]

Hello, World's loudest CEO here. Gungador. When not busy with sock market, Sock tip always by Argyle Gangidor working hard to make Brains on Universe best company ever. Kangador working hard for you. Please support by joining Smarty Pass. You subscribe. Brains on Universe thrives. Okay, one more sock tip. Nobody cares if your socks match. It's how you wear them.

[A]

Thanks, boss. Like he said. Join Smartypass to keep brains on in action. Head to brainson.org shows like ours don't happen without you. And if you're a parent who wants to know more about how we're running things now and how you can help get in touch. We would love to chat.

[C]

Okay, should we take a break from unpacking and go to the pickleball room?

[A]

Ooh, I love a pickleball. I'll go get my racket.

[B]

Oh, I'm sorry, Molly. I think you misunderstood. It's not a pickleball room. It's a pickle ballroom.

[C]

Yeah, you know, a big fancy room with chandeliers where you can dance while eating pickles.

[A]

Woo.

[D]

Time to dance.

[A]

Even better. Okay, friends, keep an ear out for new brains on episodes. Soon, smash. Boom. After that and forever ago next year. And thank you for sticking with us.

[C]

Thanks for stopping by.

[B]

See you later.

[A]

Bye.

[B]

Brains on.