About ThePodio

ThePodio AI

Name: ThePodio AI
Author: ThePodio

Built by a Thespian. Coded by a Student. Powered by AI.

The Story Behind the Stage

Hi, I'm Manya Raisinghani.

I am a 16-year-old student at BASIS Independent McLean, a STEM-focused school where rigorous academics are the norm. But when the school bell rings, I trade my textbooks for scripts. As the Thespian President at my school, I live for the stage.

My journey into the world of competitive speech began recently, thanks to our incredible drama teacher, Ms. Bochi. She opened the door for us to participate in local speech competitions, like the WACFL (Washington-Arlington Catholic Forensic League). I was thrilled to represent my school, competing in Dramatic Performance and Duo Interpretation.

But as I stepped into that vast ocean of competition, I hit a wall.

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 all impressive, but they were built for corporate presentations or generic "public speaking." They worried about filler words and pacing. They didn't understand Forensics.

They didn't know the rules of a Declamation vs. an Original Oratory. They couldn't judge an Extemporaneous speech based on competition ballots. They were too "corporate" when I needed "competitive."

I realized that if I wanted a tool that could actually help me win, I would have to build it myself.

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: Democratizing the Stage

ThePodio is not just an app; it is an equalizer.

I built this for the students who don't have a dedicated coaching staff. I built this for the kids practicing in their parents' cars. I built this because communication is the one skill that makes us distinctly human.

While AI powers this platform, its goal is to make you more human. To help you express, persuade, and connect in ways that machines never can.

ThePodio is available to you, effectively free (with credits to manage costs), because I believe that lack of resources should never be the reason a voice goes unheard.

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

Lack of specific coaching for Speech & Debate competitions

The Solution

An AI-powered judge that understands competition rules (NSDA/WACFL) and offers instant feedback

The Vibe

For students, by a student

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

Record a speech or practice session using your device

Receive AI judge feedback within seconds with detailed analysis

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.