From Debate to the Real World

The Coach Effect

Behind every empowered student and inspired educator is a coach who believed in their potential. At Boston Debate League, coaching is the thread that runs through everything we do — from After-School Debate to Resolved to Debate-Inspired Classrooms. Coaches don't just teach skills like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. They unlock agency and transform learning environments. In this episode, we explore what we call The Coach Effect. In this episode, we feature David Rivera, a debate coach and alum, Omega Roberts, a debate coach and debate-inspired educator, and Marisa Suescun, Managing Director of Programs at Boston Debate League. Learn more about Boston Debate League by visiting www.bostondebate.org.

Innovating on Debate - en Español

We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a special episode: "Innovating on Debate – en Español" . Tune in to discover how Boston Debate's Debate en Español is breaking barriers—giving Spanish-speaking students the tools to debate with confidence, build community, and excel academically. This episode features Douglas Matute, Senior Director of Debate en Español; Marilú Alvarado-Hernandez; Gabriel Ponce Lemus, a Boston Debate Alum and current student at Suffolk University; and Sarah Sanchez, Director of Programs & Communications at the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. www.bostondebate.org

Welcome to Season 2

Welcome back to the More Than Debate podcast - Season 2. Join us this season to hear about how we've innovated on debate, where debate has taken our alumni and celebrate with Boston Debate League as we reach our 20-year milestone. Want to catch up on last season? Subscribe to More Than Debate on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Amazon to listen to Season 1. And visit us at bostondebate.org [http://bostondebate.org/] or follow Boston Debate on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube to stay up to date.

From Debate to the Real World

Each year, BDL debaters have a new, real-world policy debate topic. This year’s topic centers on intellectual property rights. Our debaters immerse themselves in rigorous research, critically analyzing evidence, and honing their arguments to adeptly debate both sides of the issue. This journey of preparation unfolds in after-school practices and weekend tournaments, where debaters cultivate invaluable skills that transcend the debate arena. They learn to engage thoughtfully with the world, lead civil discourse, and become proactive agents of their own learning, both inside and outside the classroom. In this episode, BDL Executive Director Kimberly Willingham sits down with BDL debater Alana Laforest, and BDL alumni Rebecca Francois and Mosie Burke. Together, they share their personal experiences and insights, illustrating what it truly means to engage with the world beyond the debate stage. This episode features BDL Executive Director Kim Willingham, alumni Rebecca Francois, Travel Team Coach Mosie Burke, and current debater Alana Laforest. www.bostondebate.org

Voices Amplified

Through Resolved, a culturally-responsive program working with cohorts of Black and Latino young men, the BDL took debate-inspired learning in a new direction. Now in its fourth year, the Resolved program has grown to include 40 young men across four schools where Black and Latino young men learn and apply the essential skills of debate, like research and argumentation, while exploring their identities as young men of color. Resolved is reimagining what engaging young men of color in debate can look like. This episode features Resolved Program Director Ranner Faugas; DI Classrooms Senior Coach Carlos Monteiro; and Researcher and Masters in Education Student specializing in Positive Youth Development, Kyle Broadnax. www.bostondebate.org