Podcast Summary

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Episode: New Doc 'Speak' About Competitive High School Speech And Debate
Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart
Guests:

• Jennifer Teixeira (Director, Speak)
• Guy Mossman (Co-Director, Speak)
• Esther Oya Tanje (Subject, Speak, Emory student)
• Mafaz Muham Ali (Subject, Speak, Northwestern student, TikTok creator)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the new documentary Speak, which follows five diverse high school students as they compete in the highly competitive world of original oratory within speech and debate. The conversation explores both the filmmaking process and the profound impact speech and debate has on the lives and development of young people. It highlights stories of competition, advocacy, family support, coaching, diversity, and personal growth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Speech & Debate Is Compelling for Documentary (00:17–02:01)

• Jennifer Teixeira emphasizes that while competition is the obvious appeal, the heart of Speak lies in the students’ personal stories—real, fact-based narratives driven by lived experience:
  • “The thing that's so special about original oratory is ... their heart story. ... It's fact-based analysis, something that, I don't know, we're not doing so much of these days.” – Jennifer Teixeira (01:24)

2. Casting the Five Students (02:01–04:46)

• Guy Mossman outlines the casting process: From over 140,000 contestants (debate and speech), narrowing down to 3–400 oratory competitors, then selecting five stories that best represented diversity in experience, background, and perspective.
• The process was lengthy and involved ensuring families, schools, and coaches were fully informed and supportive.

3. Importance and Impact of Diversity (04:46–06:49)

• The directors intentionally chose students differing in race, geography, neurodiversity, and family background.
• Guy notes speech and debate’s inclusivity, likening it to the “X Games” of academics because it attracts all kinds of students:
  • “You just have this incredible diversity of students. ... Even five kids doesn't fully cover the gamut.” – Guy Mossman (05:36)

4. Speech & Debate as an Outlet (06:49–08:10)

• Jennifer shares a coach's (Mylar Wu) idea that speech and debate, like theater, gives everyone a level starting field:
  • “There's this even playing field ... everyone can do it if they are given the opportunity.” – Jennifer Teixeira (06:56)
• It creates a rare forum for disagreement with respect:
  • “I may not agree with what they're saying, but I respect how they got there.” – (07:35, paraphrasing a key line from the film)

5. The Role of Coaches (08:10–10:06)

• Coaches are mentors who help students find authenticity, empathy, and self-awareness.
  • “The best coaches ... are trying to guide the student to be as authentic as they can.” – Guy Mossman (08:53)
• The coaching process is described as “Socratic”.

6. Managing Anxiety, Poise and Rivalry (10:06–11:49)

• Jennifer describes significant anxiety on her part and marvels at the focus and poise of the students.
  • “I couldn't believe the amount of focus. ... The way they all handle it ... I keep forgetting they're 17, they're 16.” – Jennifer Teixeira (11:01)
• Despite expectations, the filmmakers saw overwhelming sportsmanship and support among the students rather than rivalry.

7. Filmmaking Approach & Student Experience (11:49–12:52, 18:34–20:59)

• The directors balanced intimacy and sensitivity, sometimes stepping back to avoid intrusion during emotional moments.
  • “We wanted to be up close ... but ... need to be really sensitive to what they were going through emotionally.” – Guy Mossman (12:21)
• Students were given agency to pause or stop filming when needed to build trust.

8. Student Stories: Esther and Mafaz

Esther Oya Tanje (13:48–16:38):

• Inspired by seeing a commencement speech, transitioned from informative speaking to oratory.
  • “If we love this country, we should criticize it.” – Esther summarizing her first oratory topic (14:36)
• Values shaped by her family’s emphasis on justice and equality; sees oratory as a path to advocacy.

Mafaz Muham Ali (14:52–15:26):

• Recruited by a friend for humorous interpretation, shifted to oratory at coach’s encouragement.
• Enjoys the combination of performance and passion for serious topics.

9. Personal Growth & Overcoming Weaknesses (17:07–18:34)

• Esther: Struggles with overthinking and unpredictability; finds grounding by seeing the audience as conversational partners (17:49).
• Mafaz: Always experiences nerves but reframes them positively due to caring deeply about the message.
  • “You're only nervous because you care.” (18:13, quoting her coach)

10. Relationship with Coaches (21:02–22:30)

• Both students deeply value their coaches for pushing them outside their comfort zones and recognizing their potential.
  • “Mr. Levesque ... truly a mentor and a friend.” – Esther (21:18)
  • Mafaz humorously praises her coach Dr. Voss:
    • “He's one of my favorite white guys in the world. ... I'm like, are you a black hijabi immigrant woman? ... He cares so much about what you're saying and how you get these people to, you know, share something that means so much to them that you really don't relate to?” (22:00)

11. Team Rituals, Community & Nationals (22:43–24:43)

• Team chants and tongue twisters (e.g. “I slit a sheet, a sheet I slit...”) serve as warm-ups and build unity.
• Nationals described as “the nerd Super Bowl”, a weeklong, bond-building, culturally rich experience:
  • “It's some of the best moments of my entire life ... warm ups for the last time with my team as a senior.” – Esther (24:29)

12. Lasting Impact (24:43–25:53)

• Both agree that speech and debate imparted life skills—advocacy, leadership, communication, and dealing with authority—that continue to serve them in college and beyond.
  • “Speech and debate is ... it creates leaders. All these people ... go on to change the world.” – Mafaz (25:17)
  • “Finding myself ... being a student leader ... I don't feel intimidated, but I'm able to present information in a way that can be persuasive but also reach common ground.” – Esther (25:36)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Speech and debate, like theater ... there's this even playing field that you start with ... everyone can do it if they are given the opportunity.”
  – Jennifer Teixeira (06:56)
• “Actual physical sports are actually hard to compete in for a lot of people ... The kids are extremely competitive ... you have this incredible diversity.”
  – Guy Mossman (05:28)
• “You're only nervous because you care.”
  – Mafaz Muham Ali (18:13)
• “I may not agree with what they're saying, but I respect how they got there.”
  – Paraphrased by Jennifer Teixeira (07:35)
• “Speech and debate is ... it creates leaders. All these people that compete in them, they, they go on to change the world.”
  – Mafaz Muham Ali (25:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:17–02:01: Why speech and debate is a strong documentary topic
• 02:01–04:46: The process of selecting students for the film
• 04:46–06:49: Diversity’s impact in speech and debate and the film
• 08:10–10:06: The critical role of coaches
• 10:29–11:49: Student anxiety and the surprising lack of rivalry
• 13:48–16:38: Student stories—background, inspiration, family values
• 17:07–18:34: Personal weaknesses and pushing through nerves
• 22:43–24:43: Team rituals and the community at nationals
• 24:43–25:53: Speech and debate’s lasting impact on students

Tone/Language Notes

• The conversation is warm, supportive, and enthusiastic.
• Guests and hosts emphasize authenticity, empathy, and community, speaking openly about vulnerability, personal growth, and mutual respect.
• Humor and personal asides (e.g., “He's one of my favorite white guys in the world,” – Mafaz, 22:00) add levity.

Conclusion

Speak captures not just the competitive excitement of high school speech and debate, but the deep, transformative journey students undergo as they find their voices. The filmmakers and featured students stress the life skills, diversity, and community that make this subculture so vital—and encourage making such opportunities accessible to all.