Why Debate Was the Best Preparation for Life, Career, and Business with Kim Castillo

This episode has been a long time coming. I’m joined by one of my favorite people in the world—Kim, who happens to be a User Experience Program Manager at Google. I may have slightly bullied her into doing this, the same way I scammed her into being a bridesmaid at my wedding.

Kim leads the cross-functional research efforts for DORA (yes, that DORA report) and manages user research initiatives under Google Cloud. But before she became the boss lady she is now, she and I were teammates on the college debate team.

We talk about how debate shaped our careers, our communication styles, and our ability to survive—and even thrive—in high-pressure environments. We share our most embarrassing tournament memories, how debate gave us the confidence to speak on stage and lead teams, and why the skills we learned as students are still paying off today.

What We Talked About

• Why debate is the ultimate crash course in public speaking and critical thinking

• The skills from debate that help in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and sales

• Why confidence sometimes just looks like pushing through with butterflies in your stomach

• Funny stories from our debate failures (spoiler: someone misunderstood what “embargo” meant)

• Lessons in stamina, prep, and how debate tournaments are mental marathons

• The difference between persuasion and substance—and how you need both to lead effectively

• What happens when you have to argue for a side you don’t agree with

• How these skills make you sharper at work, in business, and in life

If you have a kid—or know someone—consider encouraging them to join a debate team. It’s not just for nerds or aspiring lawyers. It’s a serious skill builder that opens doors, builds confidence, and gives you lifelong advantages. Whether you're heading into business or climbing the corporate ladder, debate can make all the difference.

Also, starting this month, None of Your Business will shift from weekly to monthly episodes. I’ll be focusing some energy on launching a new podcast for location-independent business owners. But don’t worry, this show isn’t going anywhere—it’s just pacing itself better, the same way we learned to do in debate.

Let's connect:

• Instagram: @karlastefan

• Website: karlasingson.com