The Extemper's Bible

Q: "Does your school really not have walls?" A: Listen to find out! In this episode of the Extemper's Bible Podcast, 2026 NCFL Champion Zoe Becker joins hosts Noori Choudhary and Marcel Chattopadhyay to discuss her tournament experience, reflect on her extemp career, and answer--begrudgingly--eye-opening questions about DC's "School Without Walls".

Only one tournament can successfully blend great food, psychological torture, and high-level extemp--no, it's not your local invitational--it's the MBA Extemp Round Robin!The MBA tournament brings together 16 of the nation's best extempers at the Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. Listen in as guests Aparna Iyer, Daphne Kalir-Starr, Rehan Buvvaji, Zoe Becker, and Rowan Seipp discuss the tournament experience and their extemp style with co-hosts Noori and Marcel. We hope you enjoy the February episode of the Extemper's Bible Podcast! Be on the look out for our March episode!

In this month's long, long awaited episode, champion of the 2025 Yale, Bronx, and Florida Blue Key Invitationals Al Zaidi returns to the podcast alongside co-hosts Noori and Marcel. Al discusses his recent success, extemp tips, and... hot takes? Listen up as we dive into the mind of one of the most successful competitors on the circuit, discussing everything from Sabrina Carpenter jokes to toxic extemp culture. We hope you enjoy the December/January episode of the Extemper's Bible Podcast! We apologize for the slow episode releases; we are back in full swing this month!

At this year's Yale Invitational, 105 Extempers competed for a spot in the final. Joining the podcast for this episode are 5 of the 6 finalists: Al Zaidi, Sophia Amundgaard, Aparna Iyer, Daphne Kalir-Starr, and Manuela Meija-Fanjul. Unfortunately, finalist Max Goldstein could not join us, but participated in spirit!Over the span of three eventful zoom calls, the 2025 finalists, along with co-hosts Noori and Marcel, reflected on the tournament, analyzed their final round questions, and shared plenty of laughs along the way.We hope you enjoy the September episode of the Extemper's Bible Podcast!

Inspired by her teammates, family, and... Fed Chair Jerome Powell? In this episode of the Extemper's Bible Podcast, Marcel interviews 2025 NSDA USX Runner-Up, Sofia Villagra. Sofia speaks on the NSDA Nationals experience, moments of growth, and shares her favorite Extemp memories. Special thanks to Sofia Villagra for the interview and Noori Choudhary for coordinating and preparing the questions!

An Unhinged Episode | NIETOC Champion Anwen WilliamsAnwen & Kate catch up about Extemp, discussing everything from crazy tournament stories to .. rerun octos rounds??Tune in to this interview with our NIETOC Champ and NCFL runner up!** Editor’s note — The Conversation is not a conservative news source, Kate was thinking of the Lowy Institute (generally rated as a center right biased source). The Conversation is generally rated as center to center-left.

Is it a bird? A plane? Nope, it’s just next year’s co-hosts, Noori and Marcel! Hailing from Pennsylvania, they’re both so excited to introduce themselves, in this very mindful episode. As the season turns to State tournaments, TOC’s, and Nationals, make sure you’re not just prepping speeches…but taking care of yourself :)Happy listening!

Bradley Wascher — epic high school & collegiate competitor, coach, and political expert — is here with Vasu & Kate!Tune in to hear Bradley’s takes on extemp, and how he’d “clean” up the circuit! (Get it, because his last name is WAS(C)HER? …he laughed at this title, I promise - Kate)Enjoy this expert interview!

Extemp may be getting too meta here at the Extemper’s Bible…Who? (Kate & Andrew Moffitt)What? (Doing an Interview)When? (Now!)Why? (Because we’re nerds!)How? (Press play and hear!)Tune in to hear your favorite host, Kate, with NIETOC Question Writer: Andrew Moffitt! As the ‘Extemp Guy’ himself, he’s got opinions on the circuit, equity, and extemp at large! Link to Andrew’s free weekly extemp questions!

It’s the start of 2025, but not the Extemper’s Bible! Here’s a quick breakdown of what Extemporaneous Speaking really is! The basics are just as important as our organization is ;)If you’re looking for more resources like this, check out our articles and free presentations on extempers.org !

In this episode Vasu (the prelim warrior) interviews Kate (who ranked below said prelim warrior) about winning the Glenbrooks, and extemp at large! Whether it’s our nonchalantness or lack thereof, enjoy this interviewer-turned-interviewee saga! Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, please continue to practice…we’re just some exhausted seniors. PS, I’m still the best host :) X, Kate

Today, Kate and Vasu chat about the (incredibly vague) Glenbrooks topic areas, and what might be in store this weekend in good ol' Chicago! Unfortunately, no deep-dish pizza or beans is being eaten during this episode, but there will be this weekend! Be sure to come and say hi to your least favorite (Vasu) and favorite (Kate) podcast hosts during the tournament! Enjoy this quick analysis episode -- we'll catch y'all at the Bean!

We're not religious or biblical, just some extemper's having fun! Welcome to this short episode previewing what the Bible has to come for 2024-2025...and unfortunately the beginning of the end of Vasu & Kate's hosting career. This season has so much going on, and we're here to help. Enjoy our (re) Genesis!

For the start of September (and the season!), enjoy this quick news and drills recap!

Enjoy this random phonecall between Téa and Kate! We chat about the best podcasts, and the worst hosts (Vasu). VOTE KATE ON THE POLL - not biased - x, Kate

At last the best host on this show, Kate, interviewed the USX National Champion and her new best friend Téa!

In this quick recap, Kate and Vasu run down some facts about some recent US events! So whether it's some fire rhymes or potential crimes, this episode sure is a good time! Enjoy the first in our Extemp Exclusives Episodes! (PS, Kate made all the rhymes. Just for the record.)

In this interview, we discuss the ENTIRE nats experience with Anthony Babu, the IX Champ. From learning what he did outside of the tournament to how he was able to lock in round after round, we learned about the skills needed that you can implement to become a phenomenal extemper. Get hyped for the USX Interview soon, but until then, we HIGHLY recommend you look at interviews from some or your favorite extempers in the past on the Extemper’s Bible to hear others strategies to really boost your extemp skills!!!

As the NIETOC Champion, Robert has got a lot to TOC (talk) about when it comes to Extemp! (I know, great pun - Kate). Everything from the "best" news sources to the end of a long season (and all of it's memories) -- Welcome to the end of the 2023-2024 season! It's been a fabulous one. Enjoy this interview with THE Extemp Drawbert! He's got advice and anecdotes for us all.

Dhruv and Vasu -- dive deep into international conflicts, but we look into the impact the United States can have as well. For IXers and DXers tomorrow, we wish you the best of luck as we go into the national tournament! Kate's Note: Good luck everyone! Vasu and I can't wait to see everyone tomorrow :D I may not be a follower of Extemp Jesus, but enjoy this quick content episode with some of the Shrewsbury team! (Even if they're from Boston... Mavs in 7 :) (I don't follow sports.)

While witnessing the leather-something-convention in Chicago -- no, we don't know about that either -- Amy Cao from Ridge High School won the NCFL National Championship, her second major title this season! Enjoy this chatty interview with Vasu, Kate, and Amy! When we're not glazing the GOATS and Goddesses of Extemp, we're getting some Extemp-BookTok recs -- from a Goddess of Extemp herself. This is our last interview before NSDA Nationals, but don't fear! Content briefs are coming soon ... just in time for Iowa. We'll see y'all in the Extemp (corn)-field! *BTW the title was all Vasu. - Kate <3

In this episode, Vasu dives deep into a topic that is extremely pivotal to converting mediocre speeches to those on the national circuit. With the help of the man, the myrh, the legend, James Gao’s knowledge, we’ll dive deep into advanced substructure!

Ladies, gentlemen, and extempers, she's back: The iconic Miss Sruti Peddi! From being our beloved host to the Harvard Champion, enjoy this special episode with the whole crew! From some (not so subtle) self-promotion, to fangirling over Carl Azuz, enjoy this (totally not late) episode on the Harvard Tournament! (P.S. We're so glad she's back too ;)

At long last, Sruti and Kate chat with the UT Longhorn Winners Kate and Waleed–while trying not to get everyone's names mixed up. Join for a wide-ranging conversation on recruiting new teammates, practice schedule secrets, tackling hypos + triads, & why Bucky's is Texas's best attraction...plus, stay tuned to the end for a farewell! Thank you for all tuning into the pod throughout the years, and giving me the platform to talk with so many cool ppl. I'll miss this (yes, even w/ the editing) <3

Vasu and Kate briefly chat about everyone's favorite (or least favorite) part of Extemp: CX! From clumsy cross stories to some ways you can practice, enjoy this short chatty episode!

Today, Sruti and Vasudevan speak with Siri Ural, the GMU Champion, and NSDA & NCFL finalist! Impromptu returns, along with advice on the best way to (not) prepare, writing your speeches on t-charts, and tournament banner drops. Oh–and don't forget–a news source better than the Economist??

Beating out 100 other competitors at the Glenbrooks to become its champion, Lishore Kumar chats with Kate Liu (on her first solo host job!) on his thoughts on the tournament and extemp at large! From Lishore’s Hot Takes (100% trademarked), beating a cow dead (and then resurrecting it), and a memorable (totally not villain) origin story…welcome to the final episode of the Extemper’s Bible until next year ;) This is part three of our PodMas Special, and the lead up until January 6th— aka MBA! Whether you’re an extemper or ex-extemper.. stay tuned for what’s to come in 2024!

Sruti and Vasu (the second of our new co-hosts!) talk with Eshaal, the champion of the New York Invitational–aka Bronx–and Princeton. Topics include: the #1 book every Extemper should read, the burden of great hair, the tape of death, and a fan club for old podcast host Kevin Li? Whether an old competitor or new, you wouldn't want to miss Part Two of our PodMas Special! (and learn, duh.)

The champion of Blue Key and its Round Robin talks with Sruti and new co-host Kate! Join us to hear about her podcast obsessions (which we def support), camp reunions, legalizing question slips, and Tana Mongeau for President? This is Part One of Our PodMas special–we'll be uploading four more episodes until January 6th (MBA time!)

Curious about substructure, question types, sources, and more? Sruti and Jennifer, our Director of Content, sit down to answer your burning extemp questions from our latest Instagram poll. Want to learn more about the ins-and-outs of extemp? Visit https://extempers.org/ and stay tuned for our next episode :)

For the UKTOC's return to an in-person tournament comes a new extemp champion! Kevin and Sruti join Pierce McDade for an interview that's long overdue. But no need to glaze him anymore—iykyk. Meet the Economist addict, PhD-level tag maker (on PhDs), and the embodiment of the HI-to-Extemp pipeline.

Sruti and Kevin chat with the other 2023 Harvard finalists: Amy Cao, McKinley Paltzik, Phoena Lin, and Taylor Burris. New Jersey extempers, beware (you'll see why very quickly). Other topics include: Instagram food accounts, Ice Spice in Info, canceling prom–and, oh yeah, the tournament itself!

Topping the NSDA points race and making weekly national appearances, Teddy Gercken stands out despite being such a familiar face. The double champion of the James Logan MLK Jr. Invitational and finalist in (quite literally) countless others joins Kevin and Sruti to talk about his inspirations, his unreal prep strategy, and his... emotive tactics? Hear about regional divides, how you too can prep in under 5 minutes, and something about a war and a battle!

Akshita Krishnan guides extempers through maybe our greatest fear: showing emotion. Okay, maybe not for all extempers... Still, hear us (and her) out on why Interp will make you a better extemper!

In the inaugural episode of our new, semi-seasonal series, Kevin, Sruti, and Logan Scisco recap the significant tournaments of the season so far while looking forward to MBA. Congratulations to all 16 invitees!

New co-host and a new Potomac Champ! Join Kevin and Sruti as they talk to Taylor Burris, the champion of the GMU Patriot Games. From Virginia locals to Blue Key, to landing an invite to MBA, Taylor is charting her path on the national circuit. Just don't ask her any questions about education!

Florida: known for its harsh climate, harsher politics, and possibly an even harsher field of extempers. In this episode, Kevin and McKinley are joined by Blue Key champion and NSDA IX finalist Jack Ververis who, despite missing our last invite for the podcast, is finally on to tell us about a new tenet of his. Key to his success? Having fun, and hating on cryptocurrencies (Jack was right about FTX?!). A callback to Brazil, Georgia with the midterm moves, and looking forward to UT Longhorn are all included.

Perhaps no other school in recent history has had as much success and consistency on the national extemp circuit as Plano West Senior High School. So, what really goes on behind the scenes? Are extemper's just bigger (and better) in Texas? Is Plano running an extemp mill for middle schoolers? Or, do they just practice in a diligent manner? Off the heels of the Yale University Invitational, McKinley Paltzik and Kevin Li are joined by Kyle Letterer, Phoena Lin, Gabriel Bo, Madeline Tsao, and Anirudh Prasanna in a group call that's sure to excite! Just don't mind the incessant mentions of rain, or travel, or funds, or chants, or...

If you didn't listen to part one, go do that now! Now that you're back for part two, McKinley and Kevin ask Scisco about the creation of Extemp Central, ongoing trends at the national level, and concerns over a post-pandemic world of speech and debate.

The man, the myth, and the legend Logan Scisco has been running Extemp Central for over a decade. So, what does it take to go from an NFL (now called the NDSA) Final Round champion to leading one of the largest websites for free extemp briefs? In part one, McKinley and Kevin dive into the days of early 2000's competition, Scisco's coaching style, and (of course) which national tournament has the best judge's lounge. Look out for part two, where the conversation shifts towards the upcoming season.

The best is saved for the last and 3rd episode of our national finalist series! Kevin and McKinley (!!!) talk to the 2022 NSDA USX finalists: Peter Alisky, Kush Narang, Ananth Veluvali, Kyle Letterer, Dev Ahuja, and William Chien. Kyle contemplates life on a long bus ride, Dev can’t figure out how to cross a particular someone, and Peter remarks on his winning speech! Warning: a third of this episode is dedicated to roasting layered analysis.

Treading our way into the 2nd episode of a 3-part series, Kevin rings up the 2022 NSDA IX finalists: McKinley Paltzik, Daniel Kind, Majid Shabbeer, Ajay Gupta, and Gabriel Bo (Jack Ververis low-key forgot about the call). The cross clash of two titans, complaining about this year’s (and next year’s) heat, and a now-infamous on-top moment are all included.

In the first of a 3 part series on national finalists, Kevin chats with the 2022 NCFL finalists in Extemp: Daniel Kind, Ananth Veluvali, Rhea Rajvansh, Siri Ural, Rishika Bansal, and Mukta Dharmpaurikar. Enjoy a dose of travel stories and extemp tips from the people at the very top of the game! Also, they wanted a laugh track at one moment in particular, so watch out for that…

Cross-ex catfights, DX slander, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Barring further hypotheticals, Kevin and surprise host McKinley Paltzik chat with the reigning Queen of ETOC, McKinley’s words I promise.

In a special spin-off episode of our news series, Kevin delves into the Russo-Ukrainian war just in time for you to absorb the info before TOCs. Take notes, simply memorize, whatever. Just don't use any of this if you hit Kevin or Chirag in a room.

The champion of Yale, Bronx, Arizona States, and (the most prestigious tournament in all of extemp) MBA, McKinley Paltzik herself goes over her extemp finesse with Chirag and Kevin. With a learning curve that probably matches her MBA graph, Paltzik talks about time and trophies in the 2nd-ever interview we've done with an MBA Champion!

In a surprise to the extemp community, Marc Zavarro ended up winning Harvard. Then, he added to his tally by being Florida's USX Champion. In this episode of the Extemper's Bible, Kevin chats with Marc about his victories and his thoughts on a couple of key events to America's future. P.S. Danny, we know you're already planning revenge.

In this episode, Chirag walks through the admittedly complicated conflict in Ukraine so far. Hopefully, the editing isn't bad this time!!

In this episode, Director of Content Mukta Dharmapurikar talks about the importance of Impromptu, despite the event frequently being the butt of jokes made by extempers.

Another month, another opportunity to complain about the world. In this episode, Chirag and Kevin talk about the retiring Supreme Court Justice, a military-led coup in Burkina Faso, and most dangerously, the whole Russia situation. Grab your dose of news and depressing impacts with The World Sucks and Here's Why, January Edition!