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The Extemper's Bible: Kate Liu & Vasu Lakshmanan
Whether you're an extemper, or ex-extemper, this is the podcast for you! From interviews, Extemp Exclusives, and the occasional bloopers episode, we've got it all! The Extemper's Bible is the desperately needed podcast for the extemper community, so make sure to tune in! We'll catch y'all in round ;)
Check out our website (extempers.org) or Instagram (@theextempersbible)!
Bean There, Extemp-ed That! | Glenbrooks Topic Area Breakdown
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!
20:1017/11/2024
Re-Genesis: Introducing The Extemper's Bible
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!
07:1520/10/2024
Extemp Exclusives #2 (Electric Boogaloo!)
For the start of September (and the season!), enjoy this quick news and drills recap!
22:2409/09/2024
The Bloops & Best Podcasts! | Extras with Téa Shouldice
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
16:0916/08/2024
Welcome to New York (Long Island!) | Interview with Téa Shouldice
At last the best host on this show, Kate, interviewed the USX National Champion and her new best friend Téa!
46:1509/08/2024
A Wild Weekend | Trump Shot, Biden Naught, Vance Locked & Kamala’s New Spot?
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.)
26:3524/07/2024
Des Moines > Boston?? | Interview with Anthony Babu
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!!!
40:3912/07/2024
Hating the Economy (and the Economist?!) | Interview with Robert Zhang (Drawbert)
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.
39:4602/07/2024
Conflicts in Taiwan, Russia, and Israel
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.)
24:0617/06/2024
Becoming D1 Glazers and Readers | Interview with Amy Cao
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
35:4706/06/2024
Studying Some Not-So-Sub-Par-Substructure | Substructure Explained!
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!
20:5414/05/2024
Host turned Harvard Champion! | Interview with Sruti Peddi
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 ;)
34:2918/04/2024
Double Champions and Kate Squared | Interview with Kate Lee & Waleed Haider
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
01:23:0828/02/2024
How to Cross-Extemp-ation!
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!
21:2625/02/2024
AI Taking Over (...Extemp) | Interview with Siri Ural
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??
01:01:1424/01/2024
Extemp Hot Takes and Beating a Cow Dead | Interview with Lishore Kumar
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!
56:0731/12/2023
Heartwarming Wins & NY Rivalries | Interview with Eshaal Ubaid
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.)
01:11:4731/12/2023
Podcasts > Papers (except for NYT games) | Interview with Charlotte Reitman
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!)
49:2426/12/2023
Answering Your Burning Extemp Questions
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 :)
20:4107/10/2023
Promises & Podcasts | Interview with Pierce McDade
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.
56:4330/04/2023
Becoming Cambridge Tour Guides | Harvard Finalists Group Call
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!
01:00:5514/04/2023
Fast Preps and Faster Flights | Interview with Teddy Gercken
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!
01:20:1816/02/2023
Considering Interp with Akshita Krishnan
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!
14:3313/02/2023
State of the Season with Logan Scisco | 2022-2023 Mid-Season Review
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!
01:10:2602/01/2023
Potomac Back on the Map | Interview with Taylor Burris
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!
36:2724/12/2022
Hypothetically Carefree | Interview with Jack Ververis
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.
43:5325/11/2022
That Extemp School (Which Now Does Interp) | Plano West Sr. High School Group Call
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...
01:11:0521/10/2022
The Extemp Central Crossover | Interview with Logan Scisco Part Two
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.
01:05:0309/09/2022
The Extemp Central Crossover | Interview with Logan Scisco Part One
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.
52:1907/09/2022
Extemp's Many Layers | USX Finalists Group Call
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.
01:10:3631/07/2022
DiCaprio's Iceberg, International Heatwaves, and Brazil | IX Finalists Group Call
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.
01:10:5331/07/2022
B.D.E. | NCFL Group Call
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…
01:19:3330/06/2022
Cameron Roberts’ Trickle Down Popularity - Interview with the ETOC Champ
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.
54:4020/05/2022
Russia Sucks and Here’s Why | The Global Toll of War
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.
12:4404/04/2022
The MBA Superstar on Equity and Notecards | Interview with McKinley Paltzik
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!
30:4118/03/2022
Stopping Kind and Predicting the Future of America | Interview with Marc Zavarro
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.
01:25:0912/03/2022
The World Sucks and Here’s Why | World War III Edition?
In this episode, Chirag walks through the admittedly complicated conflict in Ukraine so far. Hopefully, the editing isn't bad this time!!
11:4327/02/2022
The Benefits of Impromptu | With Mukta Dharmapurikar
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.
06:1620/02/2022
The World Sucks and Here's Why | January Edition
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!
12:5529/01/2022
Conquering the Out Rounds
In the second part of a two-part series, Chirag offers his advice on doing your best in the dreaded and esteemed out rounds. We know it is hard to consistently break past your first out round, but hopefully this episode helps make breaking a bit easier. We believe in you!!
10:4722/01/2022
Conquering the Prelims
In the first part of a two-part series, Kevin gives some tips on approaching the preliminary rounds. A little bit of strategy, psychology, and more coming up! Be sure to check out the next part too!
06:4021/01/2022
The World Sucks and Here's Why | December/New Year's Edition
Everyone's favorite segment of the Extemper's Bible Podcast is back! Today, Chirag and Kevin tackle the omicron variant and a number of elections to wrap up a conflicted and controversial year as we head into the second half of the extemp season.
10:0931/12/2021
At the End of the (Extemp) Road | Interview with Daniel Kind
Our holiday gift to the extemp community is an interview with the extemper at the top of pretty much every single results list. That’s right, in this episode, Chirag and Kevin have a chat with Daniel Kind and his experience in extemp. The winner of the Season Opener, Blue Key, and probably a dozen more, gives us insight into what it takes to be a great extemper and how much extemp can truly mean.
44:0924/12/2021
Engaging with the Extemp Community and Alumni | Interview with Nicholas Blauz
Learning extemp isn't easy. Today, we talk to Nick Blauz from Nova High School about how his connections with alumni have shaped his experience in extemp. Learn more about the importance of alumni to the extemp community in this interview!
20:0710/12/2021
The World Sucks and Here's Why | November Edition
Oil. Africa. High-profile American legal cases, and more. This isn't just a bad parody of Avatar, but our new series on the most applicable news for extempers: The World Sucks and Here's Why...
11:5526/11/2021
How to Bounce Back
We've all had bad tournaments, but it's always important to bounce back. In this episode, Chirag and Kevin talk about ways to improve and come back better for your next competition.
08:1826/11/2021
Extemp in and Online Era, and a Couple of Changes for This Season
Chirag and Kevin talk about the future of the podcast and reflect on the past year and a half of online extemp.
14:1419/11/2021
Creating Effective Statements of Significance
On this episode of the podcast, I'll take a deep dive into creating effective statements of significance in extemp, so you can maximize your extemp ethos!
09:4605/04/2021
Framing Extemp Speeches: Answering "How" vs "Should" vs "Why" Questions
On this episode of the Extemper's Bible, I'll take a look at how to frame your question, depending on the exact wording of it. Then, we'll take a look at a few examples and some sample outlines:
- What should Pete Buttigieg's biggest priority be as head of the Department of Transportation?
- Should the United States withdraw troops from Afghanistan?
- Will Iran develop nuclear weapons in the near future?
- Is peace possible in Yemen?
- How can _____ country grow their economy?
12:5626/03/2021
Interview with Gary Arndt (part 2)
On this episode of the Extemper’s Bible, I interview Gary Arndt, a nationally-acclaimed former extemp coach. While coaching several state champions and national finalists is certainly an accomplishment in itself, it’s Gary’s other exploits that make him a truly interesting interviewee. From traveling to over 130 countries to running his own successful podcast (Everything Everywhere), Gary is an incredibly knowledgable source of information. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Sorry for the big gap between episodes, I have some exciting developments lined up for the podcast that I hope to share soon (including getting more hosts and posting more frequently)! In the meantime, check out our website extempers.org!
Gary can be reached out to on Discord: https://discord.gg/UkRUJFh
55:0517/01/2021