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Formulating Thoughts About Rationalism vs Empiricism (LD – NCFCA) by: Isaiah Depp

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Isaiah Depp competed in Speech and Debate for four years. He began reluctantly, but found a passion for articulating his thoughts, debating arguments, and processing ideas. He was blessed to study under a few master coaches, including Isaiah McPeak and Laurie Dawson. He submerged himself into a deep dive learning process uncovering everything he could from researching an argument, to actually understanding the other side and presenting cases. Isaiah enjoys thinking through the ideas and with new NCFCA resolution out, he thought, “why not dive into it?” and below are his initial thoughts…Enjoy!

Continue reading “Formulating Thoughts About Rationalism vs Empiricism (LD – NCFCA) by: Isaiah Depp” →

Ready, Set, (Speech and Debate) Summer!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Can you believe it’s mid-June? Can you believe I have had coaching sessions already for fall 2023?! I’m not going to lie- I love summer prep! I love the enthusiasm that comes with tackling new resolutions, speech ideas, and the inspiration that comes from simply seeking His will.

Are you feeling ready for what the new speech and debate season has in store? If you are feeling unequipped, unsettled, or uninspired – join Lasting Impact! to get energized!!

Online Summer Camps! 

In Person Summer Camps!

One on One Coaching! https://lastingimpact.info/product-category/services/ 

  • There’s nothing like a coaching session to give you accountability for the summer! 

Over 400 Articles!

  • Look through all our past articles to see what past coaches, competitors, even National Champions wanted to share with us!

New! Limited Prep Guide! https://lastingimpact.info/product/club15091/ 

  • The latest Lasting Impact! Resource full of beginner, intermediate, and advanced tips to help you grow in your limited prep speaking. Including Impromptu, Mars Hill, Extemporaneous, and Apologetics.

Books and Resources!

And don’t forget Fall Clubs are right around the corner… sign up now! Space is limited! https://lastingimpact.info/product-category/clubs/ 

  • Speech 101 with Heather Neumann
  • Speech 102 with Heather Neumann
  • Interp Club with Heather Neumann and Lynda DePasacreda
  • Limited Prep with Ethan Tong
  • Debate Readiness with Amy Eichholz
  • LD Fundamentals with Hillary and Nathanael Kolssak 
  • LD Strategies with Ethan Tong
  • Intermediate LD with Peter Montgomery 
  • LD Roundtable with Noah McKay
  • TP Foundations with Emalyn George
  • Advanced TP with Eric Meinerding 
  • Extemp Roundtable 

We can’t wait to see you again, meet for the first time, come alongside you and GROW, EQUIP, INSPIRE, and IMPACT! As always, we are cheering you on, and remember- you got this… cuz He’s got you!

New Resource Alert! Limited Prep Guide

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Looking for an all in one limited prep resource that is practical and easy to use? Looking for a resource that can grow with you- from beginner, to intermediate, and beyond? Look no further!!! The Lasting Impact! Limited Prep Guide has what you are looking for…
– Impromptu
– Mars Hill
– Extemporaneous
– Apologetics
Whether you are a student, parent, club leader or coach- use this guide to elevate your skills!!
Plus!!! BONUS RESOURCE!!!
The Limited Prep Resource Packet… compilations of lists, prompts, quotes, questions, and more!!
Over 200 pages of tips and tricks to master limited prep speaking! This is an excellent tool for the tool box!! Head to the SHOP and get yours today! It’s on SALE for the month of June!

Have you seen our RESOURCES recently? We have everything from Guide Books to Source Books for Juniors, Beginners, Novices, Intermediate, and Advanced! We also cater our products to students, as well as parents, coaches, and clubs! Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact Heather@lastingimpact.info

Summer Speech and Debate Prep With Us!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Ok- maybe we are a bit premature! Some of you haven’t been to your National Championship, yet! But REGISTRATION IS GOING ON NOW! Lasting Impact! aims to empower students with the skills of effective communication and teamwork through the avenues of debate and public speaking. Check out what you can sign up for by going to the SHOP ( https://lastingimpact.info/shop/ )or read the list below…

  • In Person Camps! The Impact! Tour is topping at over 10 locations from HI to FL! We love partnering with clubs and are excited to bring energy and fun and quality coaching to your home town! We still have some dates available, if your state isn’t on the list, contact us!
  • Summer Sessions! https://lastingimpact.info/product/club15065/ We added something new to the mix this year! Online weekly encouragement to boost students, parents, coaches, and clubs! Every Monday night for ten weeks we will dig into the topics you want to hear about. We’ve invited special guests, as well as our coaches for you to hear the latest ideas and inspiration. Sessions include…
  • How to get started in Speech and Debate 
  • Overview of Resolutions 
  • How to Research 
  • Picking Topics
  • The Ins and Outs of Expository or Digital Presentations 
  • Purposeful Practicing 
  • Running Clubs/Club Leading
  • And More!

No time for summer prep!? We have that covered too! Fall classes and clubs are filling up! https://lastingimpact.info/product-category/clubs/ And more classes will be added! Classes include…

  • Debate Readiness 
  • Speech 101
  • Speech 102
  • Fundamentals of LD
  • Fundamentals of Limited Prep
  • TP Basics
  • And More!

We, at Lasting Impact! have a passion for the Art of Communication! We are excited for what the Lord has in store for young people, and want to help them understand the value and power they have to IMPACT and inspire! If you aren’t seeing something you want contact heather@lastingimpact.info

Headed to Nationals… Now What? By: Lynda DePasacreta

Posted on by Heather Neumann

I’ve been blessed to coach students heading to the national championship and watch students compete since 2016. Year after year, I often find myself saying the same thing- get a fresh perspective! It is not a new concept.

What inspired me today applies particularly to speech students, though I would encourage debate students to think through the same concept – how do we view our case, digital presentation/expos, apologetics? You name it, pick a topic.. how do we approach any of it with a fresh perspective that will not only engage our audience and judges, but engage our own minds as well…

Continue reading “Headed to Nationals… Now What? By: Lynda DePasacreta” →

Introducing – Lasting Impact! Summer Series – Register NOW!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

You asked for it! We will provide it!

What?

Lasting Impact! Summer Session Series

What!?

Weekly live (yet recorded) Speech and Debate sessions to increase your summer prep! Each week we will cover areas or subjects pivotal to Speech and Debate. Sessions will include…

  • How to get started in Speech and Debate 
  • Overview of Resolutions 
  • How to Research 
  • Picking Topics
  • The Ins and Outs of Expository or Digital Presentations 
  • Purposeful Practicing 
  • Running Clubs/Club Leading
  • And More!

Each week there will be a theme, which will include guest speakers. The schedule will go out in advance.

When?

June 26-Aug. 28

Mondays – 7:30pm CT

Cost – $150 per family/$125 per membership family

Questions?

  1. Do I need to be physically present? No. But being there is an advantage! The recordings will be sent out.
  2. Can I watch the recordings later? Yes, we will keep the recordings for the remainder of the year, possibly longer.
  3. Do I need to purchase one for each student? Nope! The cost is per family.
  4. Can I use a video for club? Yes.

Lasting Impact! loves coming along students, parents, coaches, and clubs providing you with the tools for the toolbox to create an impact! Come! Be inspired! And be get ready to make an IMPACT! Register NOW – https://lastingimpact.info/product/club15065/

A Recipe for Regionals or The National Championship

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Ahhh- yes, another baking recipe article from someone who does not like to cook or bake, but I do know how to write a speech, coach a speech, teach public speaking, and prepare for the next level of speech and debate competition! 

Whether you are heading to your Regional Championship, National Championship, or simply the last chance to achieve your goals, it’s time to relook at your speeches and make sure they have some key ingredients…

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Why Compete in Speech and Debate? By: Emalyn (Sharp) George

Posted on by Heather Neumann

What’s Your Focus?

This part of the season is particularly stressful. The last qualifiers are passing by, spelling the end of the season for some, and the road to Regionals for others. Exhaustion sets in as energy starts to run low. You have been giving these speeches and researching for debate for four months now, if not more. You trade social activities for brief building, and spend your time talking to walls in an attempt to get your accents perfected. After months of competition and being scrutinized by judges and submitting yourself to emotional and physical exhaustion for three to four days straight, you are likely worn out.

Why are you doing this Speech and Debate activity? 

Continue reading “Why Compete in Speech and Debate? By: Emalyn (Sharp) George” →

NCFCA 2024 TP (proposed) Resolution Analysis by: Honor Hoffmann

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Proposed team policy resolutions can be very hit-or-miss. Some years, the entire slate of options is highly promising (like in 2022, when NCFCA debaters could choose from tribal issues, federal prisoners, or housing concerns). Other years, the provided choices leave debaters wondering who exactly is in charge of proofing these suggestions (while increasing development assistance to Honduras, Guatemala, or El Salvador is an important topic, it doesn’t exactly lend itself well to breadth of research). 

Fortunately, this year’s NCFCA lineup is more the former than the latter. While each option has its pros and cons (we’ll get into those in a moment), each would be a perfectly reasonable and interesting topic to spend a season debating…

Continue reading “NCFCA 2024 TP (proposed) Resolution Analysis by: Honor Hoffmann” →

Platform Checklist

Posted on by Heather Neumann

If you have ever spent hours writing a speech only to have it be wordy, factual, or even like an essay, this platform checklist is for YOU!  It can be tricky to clearly and concisely convey your points in an exciting way without the so-called “meat”, main points, or the body of your speech being lost. Heather Neumann has created step-by-step guide (and the worksheet/handout is even included in the Speech Grab and Go Guide - HERE), you’ll not only be checking off each box but wowing your audience and judges! Heather has taught and coached thousands of students, including Ted Talk speakers, she knows what a good speech looks like and how to keep the audience’s attention! Perhaps going through this list you will realize what your speech is missing…

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Learn to Think Like Your Opponent: Why Debaters Thrive in the Real World by: Liliana Zylstra

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Could the skills learned in high school speech and debate be part of the solution to the culture’s ideological conflict and political division? I believe the answer is yes. Participating in debate is the best way to learn one crucial skill that is incredibly needed and often overlooked. Debate requires students to fairly evaluate views that they don’t hold…

Continue reading “Learn to Think Like Your Opponent: Why Debaters Thrive in the Real World by: Liliana Zylstra” →