About ThePodio

ThePodio AI

Free public-speaking practice. Built by a student who was afraid to speak—and chose the stage anyway.

The Story Behind the Stage

Hi, I'm Manya Raisinghani.
I am a 16-year-old student at BASIS Independent McLean. I used to share a fear a lot of kids have: getting on stage and speaking up. Theater, my coach and drama teacher Ms. Bochi, and speech and debate competitions helped me work through that fear—one rep at a time.
As Thespian President at a STEM-focused school, I live for the stage—but I also saw how hard confidence is without constant practice. Ms. Bochi opened the door to local competitions like WACFL. I competed in Dramatic Performance and Duo Interpretation, thrilled to represent my school.
The idea for ThePodio started there: help students like me prepare for speech and debate. It has grown into something bigger—helping anyone, especially students, build the courage to speak.

The "Gap" in the Arena

I remember walking into a tournament at a local high school and seeing thousands of students. I quickly realized that while I was passionate, passion wasn't enough.
I saw students who had been practicing for 8 or 10 years. I saw schools that had dedicated speech coaches, structured curriculums, and armies of alumni mentors. I learned that 50-60% of the awards were often swept by a single school—not because they were inherently more talented, but because they were better prepared.
At a rigorous STEM school like mine, we didn't have the time or resources for dedicated speech coaches. I was practicing in the car with my mom early in the morning or late at night after homework. I was practicing in front of a mirror, making the same mistakes over and over again because a mirror can't give you feedback.
I worked hard. I made it to the Metro Finals. But I knew I was still far from the best. I needed a coach who was available on my schedule—whether that was 6 AM or 11 PM.

Why ThePodio Exists

I looked for help. I scoured the App Store and tested every tool I could find—Yoodli, Speeko, Orai.
They were impressive for corporate decks, but I needed something that understood forensics—and that could also help kids who simply fear the microphone. In a world shaped by screens, COVID-era habits, and AI, fewer students practice speaking out loud—while communication matters more than ever.
Competition rules still matter (Declamation vs. Oratory, real ballots). So does courage: scored practice, tutorials, and seeing what strong speaking looks like. And discovery: many people don't even know speech & debate competitions exist.
Over winter break I started building. I later sharpened product and go-to-market thinking at MTSI (Wharton). ThePodio is my way of giving back—so the next generation can practice, improve against themselves, find events, and get comfortable on stage.

The Intersection of Art & AI

This is where my other side comes in. I am a "Coding Thespian" (you can read more on my blog, TheCodingThespian.com). I have always been fascinated by how technology intersects with the arts.
Drawing on my background in Python, Java, and Large Language Models (and a few intensive MIT courses!), I decided to build the coach I never had.
ThePodio is a one-woman project. From the strategy paper and visual design to the backend coding and the agonizing battles with App Store rejections (4 times!), I built this from the ground up. I utilized AI to write the code that powers the AI, creating a cycle of innovation that allowed a single high schooler to build a platform that rivals venture-backed companies.

Security & Privacy: Built with Care

As a modern generation kid who's grown up hearing about all kinds of security breaches and privacy concerns, I wanted to make sure I do what I care about most myself.
I ensured that the app and web have the utmost security and privacy. This is the area where I utilized help from experts to validate that we treat security and privacy as first-class citizens of the app.
Your Data, Your Privacy, Protected
Security and privacy aren't afterthoughts—they're foundational. From encrypted data storage to secure authentication, every aspect of ThePodio has been built with your safety in mind. Expert validation ensures we meet the highest standards.

Our Mission: Find Your Voice

ThePodio started as a speech & debate practice tool. It is now a free public-speaking confidence platform—for high schoolers and younger students first, and also for college speakers and professionals who need stage reps.
Practice with feedback and scores. Browse tutorials and example speeches. Find competitions you might never have heard of. Compete with yourself until speaking up feels possible.
AI is a practice partner—not a replacement for coaches or judges. The goal is more human courage: express, persuade, and connect.
ThePodio is free to use as a community service (credits help manage costs). We are not running this as a for-profit product right now. Live on Web, iOS, and Android—with learners finding us organically from many countries.
If you're a student who wants to help—marketing, campaigns, product research, or engineering—email thepodio.support@gmail.com and ask for Manya. I'd love collaborators who want to give back too.
Welcome to ThePodio. Let's clear your throat and find your voice.

At a Glance

Founder
Manya Raisinghani, 16
School
BASIS Independent McLean
Roles
Thespian President, Developer, Speech Competitor
The Problem
Fear of speaking up + uneven coaching + too few practice reps
The Solution
Free scored practice, forensics-aware feedback, event discovery, classrooms—Web, iOS, Android
The Vibe
For students, by a student—community service, not a for-profit hustle

Key Features

AI Judge Feedback
Get instant, detailed feedback from AI judges trained like National Finals judges. Receive comprehensive analysis of your speech performance.
AI Coach
Receive personalized coaching tips and strategies to improve your performance. Get actionable advice tailored to your skill level.
Practice Platform
Record and practice speeches anytime, anywhere. Practice with different events and get feedback on Original Oratory, Extempore, Declamation, and more.
Tournament Resources
Access WACFL and NSDA tournament calendars, championship speeches, and daily briefings to stay prepared for competitions.
Daily Briefings
Receive AI-generated daily training content with winning speech examples, practice drills, and coaching insights.
Championship Speeches
Watch and learn from winning speeches from tournaments. Study championship performances to improve your own skills.

How It Works

1
Sign up for free and receive 100 free credits (33 practice sessions)
2
Record a speech or practice session using your device
3
Receive AI judge feedback within seconds with detailed analysis
4
Review improvement suggestions and practice again with new insights

Pricing

Free Tier
100 free credits (33 AI Judge feedback sessions)
3 daily credits (1 daily practice session)
Access to all features
No credit card required

Who Uses ThePodio?

High school speech and debate students
WACFL competitors
NSDA participants
Speech team members
Debate club members

How ThePodio Differs

AI Judge Trained Like National Finals Judges
Not generic AI feedback - our AI judges are specifically trained on National Finals judging criteria and standards.
Specialized for Speech/Debate
Unlike general public speaking tools, ThePodio is built specifically for competitive speech and debate with event-specific features.
Tournament-Focused Resources
Comprehensive resources for WACFL, NSDA, state championships, and other tournaments with calendars and championship content.
Generous Free Tier
100 free credits plus 3 daily credits - no credit card required. Start practicing immediately without any payment.
Daily New Content
Fresh daily briefings and new championship speeches keep your practice sessions engaging and up-to-date.
Ready to Improve Your Speech & Debate Skills?
Get started with 100 free credits - no credit card required
Get Started Free
ThePodio AI - Speech coach in your pocket. For high school students, young adults, and professionals.
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