Dr. Al Louden, Professor Emeritus, Wake Forest University on CEDA then and now, his book, and American debate education
In the Bin
In 2024 I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Louden of Wake Forest and California debate fame about the NDT, CEDA, his recent book on the history of Wake Forest Debate, Inheritance, and much more. We talk about current trends in debating, changes in practices, and what debate needs to stay healthy. Questions, comments or other ideas? Please email! Want to support the show?
info_outline
Matt Stannard of Colab Debate on the Power and Potential of Non-Adversarial Format
In the Bin
the bin welcomes back Matt Stannard to discuss his new project, and his new essay all about the power and potential of non-adversarial debate alternatives. Matt is a co-founder of an Oregon-based nonprofit learning center for debate and collaborative leadership. It's a very cool, stimulating, and ambitious project to offer debate education that goes beyond the tournament. Matt wrote a post on the Colab Debate website, titled that I found fascinating and asked him a bunch of questions about as well! To contribute to Colab Debate, Contact the Show! Questions, comments, ideas...
info_outline
On National Speech & Debate Day
In the Bin
We should be praising the Senate's designation of National Speech & Debate day, right? There are some serious reservations we should consider here. Exactly what is being praised? Is this the model of debate and oratory we want to forward in the world? I critique "Speech & Debate" as well as the NSDA model, and discuss some of the issues I have with the recent Dallas Morning News Editorial praising debate as part of the future school curriculum. Comments welcome! Support the podcast if you would like!
info_outline
What Figure Skating Proves about Debate Tournaments
In the Bin
An all new ITB! What does Olympic Figure Skating show us about the Debate Tournament? Steve is giving a lot of talks this month! New Italian debate format? The Irish Times has their 66th winners And more! make a comment here: inthebinpodcast@gmail.com
info_outline
Where Do We Look for Good Debate Motions? A Panel Discussion
In the Bin
How do we find good, accessible, interesting, and controversial topics for debate motions? It seems there are too many boxes to check sometimes. In this episode we explore some of the best sources and methods for generating good debate motions. Have you tried any of these? This is a RECYCLED episode of In the Bin that originally aired on February 15, 2017. To support In the Bin, feel free to
info_outline
Intercollegiate Debate in the 1950s: An Interview
In the Bin
The history of intercollegiate debate in the United States suffers from a lack of oral history. I had the incredible opportunity to interview Sheldon Horowitz, an alum from the University of Vermont, about his experiences debating at UVM in the 1950s. The Debate Director at the time was Dr. Robert Huber, and the team had just won the NDT when Sheldon joined. This conversation is surprising, funny, and revalatory for those of us wondering what it was like to compete in college debate in the 1950s. Have a listen! The interview was conducted in my office on the St. John's University campus in...
info_outline
Dr. Will Silberman joins to discuss Tournament finances, Jubilee, and much more
In the Bin
In this episode. Dr. Will Silberman is back on the show to discuss the fiscal state of intercollegiate debate, online tournaments, and whether or not Jubilee is a debate format or not. comments or questions welcome! Email us at Or drop a comment!
info_outlineThe history of intercollegiate debate in the United States suffers from a lack of oral history. I had the incredible opportunity to interview Sheldon Horowitz, an alum from the University of Vermont, about his experiences debating at UVM in the 1950s. The Debate Director at the time was Dr. Robert Huber, and the team had just won the NDT when Sheldon joined.
This conversation is surprising, funny, and revalatory for those of us wondering what it was like to compete in college debate in the 1950s. Have a listen!
The interview was conducted in my office on the St. John's University campus in Queens, New York on November 18, 2016.