EPISODE 222: ‘Battle Royale’ with Brandontoksmovies & Ben Treadway

March 5, 2025

In this episode, we dive into Battle Royale—the cult classic that makes The Hunger Games look like a friendly school fundraiser—to uncover any connections to education. Joined by TikTok movie reviewers BrandonToksMovies and Ben Treadway, we break down the film’s themes of competition, authority, and survival—and how they (thankfully, in a less deadly way) mirror the struggles students face in real life.

Can we actually learn anything from this extreme scenario to improve schools? How does this dystopian scenario reflect the pressures students face today? Tune in as we try reading between the lines and figure out what Battle Royale can teach us.

Overview:

In this episode, we dive into Battle Royale—the cult classic that makes The Hunger Games look like a friendly school fundraiser—to uncover any connections to education. Joined by TikTok movie reviewers BrandonToksMovies and Ben Treadway, we break down the film’s themes of competition, authority, and survival—and how they (thankfully, in a less deadly way) mirror the struggles students face in real life.

Can we actually learn anything from this extreme scenario to improve schools? How does this dystopian scenario reflect the pressures students face today? Tune in as we try reading between the lines and figure out what Battle Royale can teach us.

Meet Our Guest:

Brandon and Ben are the hosts of The Cinemast Podcast, a film podcast where they discuss both new and favorite films from two different perspectives, Ben is the everyman and Brandon is the cinephile. In addition to the podcast, Brandon creates movie-related content on TikTok and Instagram under the username @brandontoksmovies. They both live in Arizona with their families.

Check Out The Cinemast Podcast:
Website: https://brandontoksmovies.com/

Connect with BrandonToksMovies:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brandontoksmovies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandontoksmovies/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandonToksMovies

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/8ztyvqw0jAA

Takeaways:

  • The teacher on the very first day sets the tone for how the class is going to be run
  • Creating connection creates care
  • Don’t pit students against each other, foster connection and growth together
  • As a teenager, hormones run the show

The Host:

Host, Kevin Stoller:
Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Connect with Kevin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

Connect with co-host, Carla Cummins:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-cummins-01449659/

Our Partners:

For more information on our partners:
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) – https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders’ Organization – https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation – https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket – https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE – https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

Be a Guest on the Better Learning Podcast!

Do you have a favorite school-related movie that left a lasting impact? Join us as a guest on the Better Learning Podcast, where we dive into iconic films, break down memorable moments, and hand out fun awards—all while connecting them to real-world education.

From standout teachers to unforgettable one-liners, we’ll explore how these movies reflect (or totally exaggerate!) school life. Plus, you’ll get to share your own insights and experiences in education.

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About the podcast

The Better Learning Podcast combines education and entertainment in a fresh, engaging format where guests share their favorite school-related movies. Host Kevin Stoller leads dynamic conversations, exploring memorable scenes, iconic characters, and timeless lessons through award-style categories like “The John Keating Award” for standout teachers and “Realistic or Ridiculous?” to dissect school life portrayals.

With humor, analysis, and reflection, each episode celebrates the fun, flaws, and impact of these films while sparking nostalgia and insights. Whether you’re an educator, student, or movie buff, join us to relive the movies that shaped how we see school life, and share your favorites.