Latest episode
The Questioning Block (with Representative Juel!)
April 16, 2025 · 32 min
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The Congressional Debate podcast
Where Congressional Debate meets caffeine.
From docket woes to a latte stories, Coffee and Congress brews up everything competitors need to know about the TFA, NSDA, and UIL Congressional Debate circuits.
On the docket
- TFA
- NSDA
- UIL
The Podcast
Brewing up all things Congressional Debate.
Real conversations. Bold perspectives.
Welcome to Coffee and Congress, the podcast brewing up all things Congressional Debate. Whether you're an experienced representative or walking into your first chamber, this is the show for you.
Hear competitors talk through the strategies, stories, personalities, and issues shaping the circuit — the speeches that landed, the dockets that didn't, and everything the ballot never tells you.
From docket woes to a latte stories, Coffee and Congress brings competition and conversation together — one cup at a time.
The circuits on our docket
- TFA
- Texas Forensic AssociationThe Texas circuit — state tournament docket talk and all.
- NSDA
- National Speech & Debate AssociationThe national circuit, from districts to Nationals.
- UIL
- University Interscholastic LeagueTexas public-school competition, region through state.
Now Brewing
Episodes
What We Brew
Every cup on the menu.
Six standing orders of business — the conversations we keep coming back to, episode after episode.
Docket Breakdowns
Legislation, research, argument construction, and the issues shaping each chamber.
Speech Strategy
Structure, delivery, refutation, crystallization, and judge adaptation.
Circuit Culture
The people, traditions, friendships, rivalries, and controversies behind competition.
TFA, NSDA & UIL
Conversations spanning the major Congressional Debate circuits.
- TFA
- NSDA
- UIL
Competitor Stories
Tournament memories, failures, victories, lessons, and everything between.
Political Literacy
How Congressional Debate shapes students' understanding of public policy and community issues.
Who It's For
Built for every representative.
Same chamber, same coffee pot. Different questions, equal pour.
New to the chamber
Your first session starts here
- Learn how the event actually works
- Understand chamber culture before you walk in
- Improve speech construction from the first draft
- Prepare for tournaments with fewer surprises
- Pick up the terminology and expectations fast
Circuit veterans
Sharpen the edge you already have
- Explore advanced chamber strategy
- Hear perspectives from other circuits
- Challenge common event norms
- Improve argument selection and adaptation
- Learn from other accomplished representatives
Novices aren't junior varsity here — every representative gets the floor.
Meet the Host
The representative behind the mic.
Host
Wilhelmina DeHart
Full introduction brewing — debate background, favorite order, and all.
More introductions on the way
Host and guest introductions will be poured here soon.
Get In Touch
Join the chamber.
Have a topic we should cover, a story worth sharing, or a guest we should invite? Connect with Coffee and Congress on Instagram.
Visit Coffee and Congress on Instagram (opens in a new tab)@coffee_andcongress
The chamber is in session.
Grab your coffee.
Where crippling caffeine addiction meets dynamic competition.