Category: Services

Stay Inspired. Stay Informed. Stay One Step Ahead.

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Great thinking doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built over time through intentional learning, strong ideas, and meaningful conversation. That’s exactly what Lasting Impact! is here!!

When you subscribe to Lasting Impact!, you’ll receive weekly articles designed to challenge, encourage, and equip students, parents, and coaches in Speech & Debate and beyond. Presently, we have OVER 600 articles!! That’s TEN years worth of information!! We are the LONGEST Speech and Debate Community supporting leagues, clubs, coaches, parents, and students!! We love what we do! And we are here to stay!

What You’ll Get When You Subscribe

✔ Weekly Articles
Thoughtful pieces on critical thinking, purposeful practice, communication skills, and competitive growth—written to be practical, encouraging, and immediately usable.

✔ Top News & Ideas at Your Fingertips
Stay informed on relevant topics, emerging arguments, and trends shaping conversations in debate rounds and classrooms alike. We are active involved coaches… judging and running tournaments. We are club leaders listening to students and reading ballots. We have a pulse of what is going on. Each article is written with purpose—so you can spend less time searching and more time growing.

✔ Tools You Can Actually Use
From practice techniques and speaking tips to mindset shifts and coaching strategies—everything is created to support real growth, not just theory. We have years of experience from around the nation.

✔ Encouragement for the Journey
Whether you’re a student learning to find your voice, a parent supporting from the sidelines, or a coach guiding a team, you’ll find insight that meets you where you are.

Why Lasting Impact! Exists

This space was created to build thinkers, not repeaters. To start conversations, not end them. To be bold, grow, be courageous and strong. To give you resources that inspire independent work, deeper thinking, and confident communication.

Simple. Valuable. Worth Your Time.

No clutter. No overwhelm. Just clear ideas delivered straight to your inbox—so the best insights are always within reach.

Subscribe today and never miss an article. Look for the SUBSCRIBE button on the right of the home page on a computer, or scroll below on a mobile device.

The Gift of Speech and Debate Coaching

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Why Students and Parents Benefit from Investing in an Outside Speech & Debate Coach

In Speech and Debate, we often talk about skills—communication, organization, delivery, argumentation. But behind every great speaker, every confident competitor, every transformed student… there is usually a coach… a coach can be a club coach, mentor, sibling, alumni, even a parent!!

A coach is more than a tutor. More than a teacher.
A coach is a guide, a mentor, and often the person who sees potential long before the student sees it in themselves.

Coaching, at its core, is a gift—a gift of clarity, confidence, and growth that lasts far beyond tournaments. Why can a coach be the right fit for you? Why does coaching matter? Read on…

Continue reading “The Gift of Speech and Debate Coaching” →

Why Moot? By: Ethan Tong

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Moot Court is alive! After NCFCA decided to discontinue the activity this past year, a few parents and I started the High School Moot Court Association (HSMCA) to facilitate continued Moot competition. You can find more information at our website, hsmca.org.

We started by getting a team together, and we got the best of the best. We have last year’s head of ballot admin, last year’s judge recruiter, a tournament staffer, one of the NCFCA packet writers and editors, two decorated alumni, a practicing attorney, a financial advisor, and myself on the nine-person board. 

Then we filed for 501(c)(3) status, and then started doing all the small things that it takes to get a league off the ground: designing a logo; building roles and job descriptions; budgeting; planning a tournament platform; marketing; website design; designing a rulebook. 

And at long last, we’re approaching the finish line of the start-up process. But getting the league off the ground is really just step one. The second step is getting students and families involved. So… why should your family be involved in Moot Court? Three reasons come to mind. 

Continue reading “Why Moot? By: Ethan Tong” →

Why this Year’s NCFCA LD Space Resolution is Out of this World by: Hillary and Nathanael Kolssak

Posted on by Heather Neumann

An LD resolution that is “out of this world?” That is a strong statement to make! We love it so much we created an amazing resource for all you LDers (read the whole article to get the scoop)! But here is why we love this year’s 2025-2026 NCFCA Lincoln-Douglas Value resolution (and why it just might be our favorite resolution yet)…

“In the exploration and utilization of outer space, international cooperation should be prioritized”

Continue reading “Why this Year’s NCFCA LD Space Resolution is Out of this World by: Hillary and Nathanael Kolssak” →

Extemporaneous Tips and Tricks by: Roman Hogancamp

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Extemporaneous is so gratifying—and not just because of the competition. There are plenty of outlets that provide that opportunity. What I really love about Extemp is the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the world, discuss it with family and friends, and then share that information and analysis with others. That’s exactly what I hope to do with you today. If we haven’t met, my name is Roman Hogancamp, and I honored to be the 2024 NCFCA Extemporaneous National Champion. As such, I would like to provide three tips for competing in Extemporaneous—whether in STOA, NCFCA, or just around the dinner table. Continue reading or SIGN UP for EXTEMP CLUB that starts NEXT WEEK!

Continue reading “Extemporaneous Tips and Tricks by: Roman Hogancamp” →

Understanding New Speech Categories: Specifically Biblical Thematic

Posted on by Heather Neumann

As competitive speech evolves, new categories are introduced to challenge competitors and enrich the repertoire of performance styles. Back in 2016, NCFCA created a new category geared to using a prop and the Bible. Versions of the category stuck, and I don’t think it’s going to go away because of the specific benefits you can gain by competing in it. 

Stoa also created a new category in 2023 called Interp in a Box. They have since retired the category, however those that got to partake in it learned a great deal. You see, new categories bring forth fresh dynamics and specific rules that participants must master. So let’s explore how to tackle new categories, detailing their rules, objectives, and strategies for understanding the benefits of exploring a different type of Interp… Read on OR SIGN UP FOR INTERP CLUB - https://lastingimpact.info/product/club22492/ Uncover all of the benefits, mysteries, and JOYS of Interpretive Speech!

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Improv vs Impromptu By: Lynda DePasacreta

Posted on by Heather Neumann

When I was 19 years old, (gosh that was a long time ago!) I ran a 6 week summer Theatre Camp based almost entirely on improvisation. Improv for short, we would develop our listening skills to learn excellent communication and performance skills. Sound like Fun? For those that are unclear as to what Improvisation actually is, the University of Chicago, one of the leading Improv Institutions, defines it like this: (Improv) “is a live performance in which the actors make up scenes, dialogue and characters on the spot (sometimes incorporating suggestions from the audience). It’s often comedic, though not always.” Sound slightly familiar?  How about this definition: “to make, invent, or arrange offhand” (Merriam Webster) In competitive, public speaking, Impromptu is a category where we often do all of the above.

Continue reading “Improv vs Impromptu By: Lynda DePasacreta” →

Speech and Debate… Where to begin? With Lasting Impact!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Ahh! The new speech and debate season is upon us! Are you feeling prepared? Perhaps a little overwhelmed!? Don’t worry… The Lasting Impact! Team is ready to come alongside students, parents, coaches, and clubs! Allow me to introduce ourselves…. Lasting Impact! has been around for a while now! We have literally coached thousands of students nationwide and internationally. We have had the opportunity to coach numerous (too many to count) National Champions. Throughout the year we travel the country from coast to coast teaching the art of communication through Speech and Debate. During the school year, you will often find our coaches on Zoom teaching classes and clubs, or coaching one on one. We offer a variety of products and services to help you navigate the world of speech and debate! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our BLOG to be sure you get the latest information, releases, sales, etc. Look what we have just for YOU… the SHOP is where you can find all the amazing offerings…

Clubs/Classes – Our fall 2024 club/classes are gearing up, ready to go! We are offering from everything to Apologetics to Debate to Speech 101 and 102, Extemporaneous to Interp! All clubs/classes are on Zoom and recorded. Our clubs are not only for students! Many coaches have sat in to learn and gain a better understanding of what our experienced coaches have to offer! We are still taking registrations- REGISTER NOW!

Speech and Debate Resources – Lasting Impact! has created a number of “must have” resources! Whether it’s The Ultimate Guide to Interpretive Speech, The Limited Prep Guide, Speech Games, Speech Grab and Go, or our Debate Sourcebooks… our Resources will make your life a whole lot easier! All books are Ebooks, and just one click away! https://lastingimpact.info/shop/

Coaching – Wait until you see the line up of our 2024-25 Coaches! These are truly the best of the best! All of our coaches are actively involved in the speech and debate community. They are club leaders, debate coaches, preachers, tournament coordinators, judges, etc. Book a session with one today, and you won’t be disappointed! https://lastingimpact.info/coach-information/

Blog – Did you know that Lasting Impact! has over 500 articles about speech and debate!? We have a lot of say. We are here for YOU to help you dig deeper and understand the ins and outs of debate resolutions and speech categories. Be sure you SUBSCRIBE to the blog to read what our coaches think or are discovering! https://lastingimpact.info/tag/free/

Membership – Yes, Lasting Impact! is a membership site. But you don’t have to be a member to read the free blog. Members receive discounts on coaching and clubs, access to video gallery, free workshop recordings, etc. Membership is just $35 for the year! https://lastingimpact.info/register/annual-membership-subscription/

We welcome you to be a part of the Lasting Impact! Family! We look forward to coming alongside you in your speech and/or debate journey!

Unlock Your Potential This Summer at Our Speech and Debate Camps!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Are you ready to transform your speaking skills and win arguments not just in competitions but in life? This summer, dive into the exhilarating world of speech and debate through our specially designed camps!

Whether you’re a novice eager to learn the basics or an experienced debater aiming to refine your skills, we have something for everyone. Our camps are not just about learning; they’re about experiencing a journey of personal growth, critical thinking, and loads of fun!

Why Join Our Camps?

  • Expert Guidance: Learn from seasoned instructors who are passionate about speech and debate and have years of competitive and coaching experience.
  • Dynamic Workshops: Participate in interactive workshops that cover everything from debate – crafting compelling arguments to the fine art of persuasion or speech – mastering the cut or characters in an Interp.
  • Peer Learning: Meet other enthusiastic speech and debaters from all walks of life and levels of experience. Exchange ideas, practice together, and forge friendships that last a lifetime.
  • Competitive Edge: Get equipped with strategies that set you apart in local, national, and even international competitions.
  • Fun Activities: It’s not all serious! Enjoy fun activities and games designed to boost your public speaking confidence in a relaxed environment.

Our camps are offered ONLINE, as well set in inspiring locations across the country, hosted by local clubs that trust us to help you be your guide. Locations include…

  • St. Petersburg, FL
  • Newfoundland, NJ
  • Raleigh, NC
  • Honolulu, HI
  • Milwaukee, WI
  • Portland, OR
  • Seattle, WA
  • Appleton, WI
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • Omaha, NE
  • Lincoln, NE

Check out the full descriptions of CAMPS HERE! https://lastingimpact.info/product-category/camps/

Are you ready to join us this summer? And you ready to step up your game? Spots are limited, and our camps are filling up fast. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this transformative experience. Register now and start your journey to becoming a better equipped speech and debater!

Don’t see a location you can get to? Want to host your own camp? For more details and to register, visit our camp page – HERE or contact Heather at heather@lastingimpact.info

Embrace the challenge, enjoy the camaraderie, and leave with skills that will empower you for life. We can’t wait to welcome you to our Speech and Debate camps this summer!

Introducing… NCFCA Nationals Debate Prep Group

Posted on by Heather Neumann

You’ve qualified for NCFCA Nat’s….so now what?

If you have qualified for NCFCA Nationals and are thinking about how to prepare for that final competition of the season, then a prep group may be right for you. With Regionals now behind you and Nationals finally in sight, it’s important to carry your momentum from the season into that national tournament. This prep group outlined below is designed to examine the cases you will likely see at Nat’s, help you mentally prepare for the competition, and teach you how to build an effective narrative for both aff and neg.

What’s a narrative and why is it important?
The story behind your case is often the most important factor in deciding whether you will win or lose a round. If your judge walks out of the competition room with your narrative in mind, chances are you will pick up that ballot. Whether you are talking about a policy or a value, an effective narrative takes your case and connects it to a big idea. This big idea then becomes present throughout every aspect of your round to weave a cohesive narrative throughline.

How is this approach different from other prep groups?
This prep group will look a bit different from others offered because we will look at the big ideas and focus on analyzing and crafting narrative strategies. Our goal is not to search for evidence or write a bunch of briefs, but rather to focus on strategic narratives related to the cases you will likely hear at Nats. And prepare you to bring your most persuasive tool into nationals, Your Narrative.

Who will be leading the sessions?
This session will be led by Nathanael Kolssak, an NCFCA alum who has continued to coach and compete in speech & debate as a college student. Nathanael competed in NCFCA for seven years in nearly every speech & debate category. He achieved nationally ranked status in speech and debate in both high school and college, and is now a communications major, forensics competitor and assistant coach at Cedarville University. He continues to earn national awards in collegiate debate and has actively coached both Team policy and Lincoln Douglas this year. Nathanael’s approach to debate is idea-driven, as he is a staunch advocate for developing narratives that can captivate judges with a winning storyline.

Learning Objectives
● Identify the top cases expected at Nationals
● Learn what a good narrative looks like and how to build one
● Discuss which cases and strategies perform best in different regions
● Develop narrative strategies for aff and neg
● Build confidence for Nationals

These prep groups would be available for both TP and LD. Geared specifically for students, coaches… tell your students! Are you interested in joining a National Prep group? Contact Nathanael at nkolssak@gmail.com Tell your friends! Make this the best Nats yet!

Second Semester Clubs Are About to Begin! SIGN UP NOW!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

We are in full gear of the 2024 Tournament Season! Are you reading those ballots and feeling like you just need a little more push, edge, or inspiration!? Join a Lasting Impact! Club for all of the above, including GROWTH and fellowship! Second Semester Clubs are geared for the competition! Our coaches are actively involved in tournaments, judging, watching, understanding the elements of Speech and Debate, and what trends are trending. Are you looking for a little more this season? Sign up for one or more of the club below…

  • Speech 102 – Heather Neumann , along with public speaking pros, will be helping students take a deeper dive into their speeches. Students will practice and hone their speeches and receive feedback.
  • FAST TRACK – Interp – A six week course on quickly on creating a piece. There’s no reason not to jump into an interpretive speech this season! Why not start NOW!
  • LD Strategies – Ethan Tong will lead students deeper through the NCFCA resolution. This will be the place to be for extra practice, analysis, and growth!
  • Limited Prep Club – This eight week course with Honor Hoffmann will help you navigate the limited prep events – Apologetics, Extemporaneous, and Impromptu Speaking. These three events take practice! And typically more than just at a tournament! Come gain insight into these valuable events!

All clubs will be recorded, if you can’t make it. But as always, you will get the most out of being present! Tell your friends! Head to the SHOP and sign up NOW! Looking for more individual growth? Sign up for a one on one Coaching Session or a Script Assessment HERE. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Grow Your Limited Prep Skills

Posted on by Heather Neumann

How many of you actually practice your limited preparation speeches? Many people think they don’t have to, because it’s supposed to be “off the cuff.” Right!? But, did you know, if you really want to grow as a speaker and communicator, the number one way is to practice through limited prep speaking!?! And Lasting Impact! has a variety of ways for you to practice those skills…

  1. Join a Club! Whether it’s online or in person, clubs (hopefully) provide lots of practice, whether it’s through speech or debate. Lasting Impact! has specific clubs for Limited Prep, and specifically for Apologetics or Extemporaneous. All of our clubs have an emphasis on practice! We are here to help guide you and help you grow! There is still time to sign up for our Limited Prep Clubs for fall 2023. 
    – Limited Prep Club – starts TONIGHT!
    – Apologetics Club – starts Friday!
    – Extemporaneous Roundtable – starts Sept. 26
  2. The Limited Prep Guide. Want to explore all the different types of limited prep speech categories on your own? Or do you want to lead or teach limited prep speaking skills? Lasting Impact! has created their very own guide to help walk you through the ins and outs of this huge category! And we proved a plethora of activities, as well as a resource packet to keep you busy and practicing all season long!

Listen what author, Honor Persing has to say about the guide. Here is part of her introduction to the book…

“Welcome to the world of limited prep speaking! I’m so glad you’re here. Limited Preparation can be a very daunting category of speech–you only get a few minutes to sort out your thoughts and develop a well-reasoned speech on an important topic. While it’s a challenge, limited prep can also be the most rewarding type of speech. It stretches your mind unlike any other category, forcing you to think quickly, analyze effectively, and come up with thought-provoking stories and examples on the spot.

Limited prep is also a category that uniquely prepares you for life. While education, persuasion, and acting are valuable skills that you learn in the other categories, no other type of speech applies to as wide a range of life. Anytime you’re called upon to give your opinion on a political topic, speak in a group (or even one-on-one), or defend essential truths of the faith, you’re drawing on a limited prep skill.

This guide is designed to help you create those limited prep skills, whether you’re a novice starting out or an advanced student looking to up your game. For each limited prep category you’ll find an “ABCs” section with basic tips and explanations to help you get started. If you already understand the basics, you can jump to “next-level tips” where intermediate students can find advice and suggestions. Finally, “elite advice” will challenge seasoned students to push themselves as far as possible in developing their skills. At the end of each section you’ll find some helpful exercises so that you can practice the concepts discussed for yourself.

You can read this guide straight through or turn to the sections that are relevant to you. Either way, I hope you find a few practical and interesting tips that you can take with you and that you leave feeling a little more confident about the world of limited prep!” 

You can purchase the Limited Prep Guide HERE. With daily practice, your communication skills will grow stronger. Also- don’t forget, we also created the Lasting Impact! Activity Prompt Cards – ways to make club or home more fun and engaging through activity prompts!