Women in Forensics

INTERVIEW | Laura Belec on Prep Rooms, Event Norms, and the Next Generation

Laura Belec competed for Bradley University from 2017 to 2021. She was a mainstay in Extemp and Impromptu national finals for several years before going on to coach for Eastern Michigan University. This conversation was recorded on May 9, 2024. It is the remainder of what we discussed for Episode One: Women in Forensics. Featuring Laura Belec. Hosted by Gursimrat Dahry. ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics⁠ [https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics]

INTERVIEW | Lily Pieper on Mentorship, Ballots, and the Role of Coaches

Lily Pieper was a competitor for Bradley University from 2018 to 2022. She was the first woman from Bradley to win a national title in extemp speaking– on top of becoming a finalist in a range of other events including duo and impromptu. Lily is currently head coach of Woodbury High School's debate and speech programs. This conversation was recorded on November 20, 2023. It is the remainder of what we discussed for Episode One: Women in Forensics. Featuring Lily Pieper. Hosted by Gursimrat Dahry. ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics⁠ [https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics]

EPISODE 2 | A Historic NFA Extemp Final (ft. JR Saling, Kate Inman, and Isabel Kapustska)

The 2024 NFA extemp final was historic with the number of women on stage. We discuss what that moment means for the activity, how coaching makes all the difference, and the current state of extemp. Featuring JR Saling, Kate Inman, and Isabel Kapustska. Hosted by Gursimrat Dahry. Reach out below: https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics

INTERVIEW | Simran Chugani on Gender Expectations, Interp Events, and the Power of Representation

Simran Chugani was a competitor for the University of Minnesota from 2019 to 2022. Her ability to create non-conforming pieces was a huge force of change for some events and across the circuit. She has national finaled in CA, and has won multiple titles in POI and Poetry. This conversation was recorded on November 19, 2023. It is the remainder of what we discussed for Episode One: Women in Forensics. Featuring Simran Chugani. Hosted by Gursimrat Dahry. ⁠https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics [https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics]

INTERVIEW | Anna Kutbay on ADS Audiences, Impromptu, and Getting Women Involved

Anna Kutbay was a former competitor for the University of Alabama from 2018 to 2022. In that time she became a national finalist in ADS, CA, Extemp, Impromptu, Info, and Persuade. She went on to win CA, Impromptu and Informative, as well as the entirety of AFA her junior and senior year. She’s currently a rising 3L at Georgetown Law.  This conversation was recorded on November 28, 2023. It is the remainder of what we discussed for Episode One: Women in Forensics. Featuring Anna Kutbay. Hosted by Gursimrat Dahry. https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics [https://linktr.ee/womenbelonginforensics]