For devoted listeners of the Brains On, Smash Boom Best, Forever Ago, and Moment of Um podcast universe, the Smarty Pass represents a significant upgrade to the standard listening experience. As host Molly Bloom articulates, the subscription service is designed to cater to fans who are "absolutely loving" these shows and wish to deepen their engagement with the content while simultaneously providing vital support to the production team.
The primary value proposition of the Smarty Pass is the removal of interruptions. Subscribers receive "ad-free feeds of all of our shows," ensuring a seamless and immersive audio experience. This feature is particularly beneficial for long-term fans who consume multiple episodes across the network and prefer an uninterrupted flow of information and entertainment. By removing advertisements, the listener gains a cleaner, more streamlined way to enjoy the high-quality educational and debate-style content the network is known for.
Beyond the functional benefit of removing ads, the Smarty Pass serves as a gateway to exclusive entertainment. Every month, subscribers gain access to "new special bonus games," adding a layer of interactive fun that is unavailable on the free feeds. Bloom highlights a "pretty radical new game" featured in the latest bonus episode, which ties into the thematic elements of the network's creative programming. Specifically, she mentions the game "Radical Design," a fictional show on "home planet television" where designers collaborate to "imagine living spaces on different planets." This exclusive content demonstrates the network's commitment to rewarding its most loyal listeners with creative, unique, and experimental material that goes beyond their standard programming.
While the subscription offers tangible perks like ad-free listening and bonus games, it is also framed as a philanthropic action for the community. Bloom emphasizes that subscribing is "a great way to support the shows," ensuring that the creators can continue to produce the content that fans love. The subscription model is positioned as an accessible investment, priced at "just like $4 a month" or a discounted rate of "$36 for the whole year," which Bloom characterizes as a "great deal."
It is important to note that the network maintains its commitment to accessibility. Bloom clarifies that "if you don't subscribe you'll still get your free feeds like always." The Smarty Pass is an optional enhancement rather than a barrier to entry, ensuring that the educational mission of the podcasts remains available to everyone. For those interested in upgrading their experience, the process is straightforward: listeners are encouraged to "head to smartypass.org to subscribe." By bridging the gap between supporter and consumer, the Smarty Pass creates a sustainable model that benefits both the production team and the dedicated audience.