Podium
Argue with an article. Out loud.
A speaking-practice app: read an article, get assigned a stance, and argue it aloud against the clock. Your speech is transcribed on-device by Whisper — the audio never leaves the phone.
Audio uploaded
Never
Transcription
On-device
Backend
Go
Overview
Podium is speaking practice with stakes. You read a short article, a prompt appears with a stance assigned to you — for, against or neutral — a countdown runs, and you argue it out loud. Then you get the transcript, word-timed, and feedback on what you actually said.
The transcription runs on the device. Podium downloads a quantised Whisper model into its own storage and runs it locally through whisper.cpp, which means your recorded audio never leaves the phone. Only the resulting transcript is sent to the service, and only when you save the session.
Behind it is a Go backend serving articles, prompts, sessions and feedback, with support for a native and a target language so the app works as language practice as well as debate practice.
What it does
Speech transcribed on the device
On-device transcription
A quantised Whisper model runs locally through whisper.cpp. Audio is transcribed on the phone and never uploaded.
Assigned stances
Each prompt assigns you for, against or neutral — so you practise arguing a position rather than only the one you hold.
Countdown and recording
A timed speaking round with a prompt reveal, countdown and recording flow.
Word-timed transcripts
Every word carries a start and end timestamp, so the session can be replayed against the audio.
Session replay
Go back through any past session with its transcript and feedback.
Feedback
Structured feedback on the argument you made, keyed to the article's key points.
Native and target language
Separate native and target language settings, with a difficulty level and a daily goal.
Article library
Articles across tech, politics, culture, economy, philosophy and science, each with a difficulty and read time.