Figure of Speech

Alex is an eighth grader who is currently part of the IHP program at Walter Reed Middle School. He has and still is actively competing in both speech and debate, primarily in Impromptu, OO, and Public Forum. He was a middle school Nationals Finalist in Impromptu in the sixth grade, and has won the California Orator’s Cup for the middle school division. He has also won the California State and SoCal tournaments, as well as Octa-finaled at state for Public Forum in sixth grade.

Shauhin “Shaw” Davari is best known for his beard and his competitive fire. He competed for three different forensics teams as a competitor, which gave him a unique background in forensics. Now he’s found a home at Orange Coast College as a forensics coach. He has coached numerous national champions in multiple events, but seems to have a soft spot for Reader’s Theater. • In this episode, Robert and Shaw discuss how to cut a POI, things not to do when designing a Duo, and how to love those you hate. Listen for free through Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, Overcast, Podbean, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ebru Dogan is the head elementary instructor at Nova 42 Speech and Debate Academy and serves as the Elementary Chair for the Southern California Junior Forensics League. As a competitor, she competed at the NSDA for Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, and at the California High School Speech Association in Thematic Interpretation. In this episode, Robert and Ebru discuss elementary competitions, how to teach the younger speakers through artwork, and how to deal with disgruntled parents. Listen for free through Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, Overcast, Podbean, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Patrick Kim is a senior at North Hollywood High School and has been involved in speech and debate for four years and counting, primarily competing in Extemporaneous and Impromptu Speaking. He is a middle school NSDA finalist in both Extemp and Impromptu. He is a high school finalist at Arizona State Invitational, Berkeley , and the Jack Howe. Patrick placed 5th at the California High School State Tournament and in the Top 40 at the NSDA. In this episode, Robert and Patrick discuss the current state of Extemp, what high school nationals is really like, and how to cope with high school friends who don’t understand what the forensics-life is like. Listen for free through Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, Overcast, Podbean, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Episode 2: A.J. Moorehead is a college professor and former AFA, NFA and IOC national champion in every genre of speaking event. In high school he reached semis and/or final rounds at the California Invitational (Berkeley), Harvard, and the NSDA. He has coached students to all of the above plus the Extemp TOC and MBA Round Robin. A.J. was inducted into the National Forensics Association Hall of Fame in 2016. In this episode, A.J. and Robert discuss the finer points of writing intros, the best poetry writer in American literature, and how to move with purpose. Listen for free through Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, Overcast, Podbean, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Episode 1: David Hale is the Director of Logistics at East Los Angeles College. He has been involved in the activity of forensics for over 15 years. In this episode, Robert and David discuss getting into forensics, creating Duos the shady way, what to do with your trophies after your competition career is over, and some advice to future speakers.