'Finding Nemo' with Brenda Swirczynski, Carla Cummins, and Kevin Stoller
Release Date: 05/28/2025
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Better Learning Podcast
In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we’re breaking down the 1986 comedy Back to School, where Rodney Dangerfield plays a loud, lovable millionaire who enrolls in college to reconnect with his son and shakes up the entire campus in the process. Joined by guest Thea Wayburn from BRIC Architecture, host Kevin Stoller and co-host Carla Cummins take a deeper look at how the film portrays higher education, student life, and the meaning of "fitting in." Part of our ongoing series dissecting school-related movies, we explore what this over-the-top comedy reveals (intentionally or not)...
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'Finding Nemo' with Brenda Swirczynski, Carla Cummins, and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we dive deep (pun intended) into Finding Nemo - the animated adventure that’s equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and insightful. As part of our series on school-related films, we explore what this Pixar classic can tell us about the student experience, the importance of trust and independence, and how schools can support every kind of learner on their journey. Joining host Kevin Stoller is co-host Carla Cummins and special guest Brenda Swirczynski from Pfluger Architects, bringing both educational and design perspectives to the table....
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'Napoleon Dynamite' with Brian Parker, Carla Cummins, and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
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Better Learning Podcast
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Better Learning Podcast
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Better Learning Podcast
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'Teachers' (1984) with Steve Miletto and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
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'Mean Girls' with Steven Shapiro, Nancy Shapiro Rapport, and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
Mean Girls, directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey, is a cult classic teen comedy based on Rosalind Wiseman’s book Queen Bees and Wannabes. The film humorously yet accurately portrays the harsh realities of high school social dynamics, focusing on cliques, peer pressure, and the impact of popularity on self-identity. The story follows Cady Heron, a homeschooled girl navigating the cutthroat social hierarchy of public high school life after moving from Africa. As she infiltrates "The Plastics," the school’s most popular clique, Cady faces a moral dilemma that tests her values,...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we dive deep (pun intended) into Finding Nemo - the animated adventure that’s equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and insightful. As part of our series on school-related films, we explore what this Pixar classic can tell us about the student experience, the importance of trust and independence, and how schools can support every kind of learner on their journey.
Joining host Kevin Stoller is co-host Carla Cummins and special guest Brenda Swirczynski from Pfluger Architects, bringing both educational and design perspectives to the table. Together, they unpack the film’s themes of overprotection, resilience, and growth — and how those same challenges show up in real-world school environments.
From Marlin’s struggle to let go, to Nemo’s need to prove himself, the conversation begins to ask: What can educators, school leaders, and architects learn from this undersea tale? How can schools create environments where students feel safe to explore, fail, and thrive?
Takeaways:
- Marlin’s instinct to shield Nemo from danger mirrors how schools and parents can sometimes overcorrect in the name of safety.
- Just as Nemo’s “lucky fin” made him different — but not less capable — the conversation highlights the importance of designing spaces and systems that accommodate a wide range of learners, abilities, and personalities.
- From Dory’s unorthodox support to the Tank Gang’s teamwork, the film underscores the power of collaboration — a theme echoed in the episode’s discussion around how architects, educators, and designers must work together to build student-centered spaces.
About Brenda Swirczynski