'Finding Nemo' with Brenda Swirczynski, Carla Cummins, and Kevin Stoller
Release Date: 05/28/2025
'WALL-E' with Megan Brown, Ron Lamarre, Carla Cummins and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
In Pixar’s WALL-E, a lonely robot’s quest to clean up a deserted Earth becomes a sweeping meditation on sustainability, technology, and the human spirit. As WALL-E and Eve spark change aboard the Axiom, the film asks: what does it take to break free from comfort, complacency, and the status quo? And how can educators plant the seeds of curiosity and responsibility in a world shaped by screens, systems, and inertia? Through the eyes of WALL-E, the Captain, and the humans rediscovering their planet, we see the power of small acts, the danger of losing connection, and the hope that comes from...
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'Can't Hardly Wait' with Jay Doherty, Jessica Westerduin, and Carla Cummins
Better Learning Podcast
In Can’t Hardly Wait, a graduating class gathers for one unforgettable night — a chaotic, emotional, and often hilarious collision of cliques, identities, and expectations. Beneath the 90s nostalgia and party anthems, the film poses a timeless question for educators: how do young people find belonging and purpose in a world so quick to label and divide them? Through characters like Preston, Amanda, and Denise, we see the tension between perception and authenticity — between who students think they should be and who they truly are. The movie reminds us that every learner is in their own...
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'Real Genius' with Rob Wroble and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
In Real Genius, a group of brilliant college students are pushed to their intellectual limits in a high-pressure, high-stakes environment. But beneath the humor and chaos, the movie explores a question educators still wrestle with today: what happens when learning becomes more about achievement than curiosity? Through characters like Chris Knight and Mitch Taylor, we see two sides of education collide - rigid academic systems versus authentic discovery and joy in learning. Their journey reminds us that genius isn’t just about intelligence. It’s about passion, purpose, and the freedom to...
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'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' with Nathan Strenge and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
Sometimes the best insights about learning don’t come from research studies or professional development - they come from the stories we see in pop culture. In Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a high schooler skips class for one unforgettable adventure across Chicago. But beneath the comedy, Ferris is doing something educators talk about every day: he’s owning his learning. His day is filled with exploration, curiosity, and authentic experiences — the kind that research shows actually drive deeper engagement and motivation. He chooses his goals, designs his own path, and orchestrates...
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'Metal Lords' with Peter Sharma and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
Sometimes the best lessons don’t come from textbooks or classrooms... they come from the stories we see on screen. In Metal Lords, a coming-of-age Netflix film, two high school outsiders form a heavy metal band in hopes of competing in the “Battle of the Bands.” What starts as a quest to play loud music quickly turns into a journey of self-discovery, belonging, and resilience. So how does a movie about teens rocking out connect to education? At its core, Metal Lords highlights what we talk about so often on the Better Learning Podcast: that schools are not just about content, but about...
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'The Great Debaters' with Jeff Johnson and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
Released in 2007 and inspired by true events, The Great Debaters tells the story of Wiley College’s debate team in the 1930s, led by Professor Melvin B. Tolson. At a time when segregation and systemic injustice were defining forces, this small but determined team rose to national prominence, even going head-to-head with Harvard University. More than a story about competition, the film highlights the role education plays in empowerment, resilience, and giving students the courage to use their voice. We dive into the plot and memorable moments, then run through a series of award-style...
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'Miracle' with Bryan Benway and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
What does it take to bring out the best in a group of individuals and transform them into something greater than the sum of their parts? In this episode of our school-related movie review series, we dive into Miracle (2004), the powerful retelling of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's unbelievable upset over the Soviet Union. It’s a story of vision, discipline, belief, and building a culture of excellence—all themes that deeply resonate in the world of education today. Joining us for this conversation is Bryan Benway, someone who brings a unique and dynamic perspective to the table. Bryan...
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'Rich Hill' with Dr. Julie Williams and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
What happens when the challenges students face outside the classroom overshadow everything happening within it? In this episode of our school-focused movie review series, we dive into Rich Hill—the 2014 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary that offers an unfiltered look into the lives of three teenage boys growing up in rural Missouri. The film captures the challenges they face in poverty-stricken homes, unstable environments, and a school system struggling to support them. Joining us to break down the themes and realities of Rich Hill is a special guest - Dr. Julie Williams, a...
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'Annie' with Olivia Graf, Matt Rogers, and Carla Cummins
Better Learning Podcast
It’s easy to remember Annie for its catchy tunes and iconic optimism. But what if we told you this classic musical also offers a surprising amount of insight into our education system? In our latest episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we take a fresh look at the 1982 film adaptation of Annie through the eyes of school designers and changemakers. From the harsh institutional feel of Miss Hannigan’s orphanage to Daddy Warbucks’s transformative environment where Annie’s potential flourishes, the movie mirrors a central truth we see in schools every day: the physical and emotional...
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'Accepted' with Emily Wright, Laura Smyles, and Kevin Stoller
Better Learning Podcast
What if a group of students created their own college because no one else would accept them? That’s exactly what happens in the 2006 movie Accepted, where a handful of students—rejected by every school they applied to—decide to take matters into their own hands. They invent a fake university, build a website, rent a building, and unknowingly attract hundreds of other students who also felt pushed out by the traditional system. What starts as a lie quickly transforms into something surprisingly real: a student-led, curiosity-driven learning environment where everyone is accepted for who...
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