What if education didn’t have to feel so heavy all the time?

In this episode, Meghan sits down with David Mettler, founder of the Swing Set Institute, to explore what happens when we bring whimsy back into a system that often forgets joy. From his early experiences with transformative education in Nicaragua to his work supporting educators through burnout and mental wellness, David shares a perspective that feels both grounding and refreshingly different.

Together, they unpack what it means to lead with “realness and ridiculousness”—and why both might be essential for sustaining educators and reimagining schools.

You’ll also hear:

• Why education is one of the most transformative forces in the world

• The story behind the Swing Set Institute and what it represents

• How childhood experiences (like swings!) still shape how we learn and lead

• A powerful reframing of failure through the idea of an “anti-resume”

• Why teacher wellness needs more than surface-level solutions

• A fun (and honest) round of “Swing It or Scrap It”

If you’ve ever felt like education has become too serious—or too overwhelming—this conversation is a reminder that joy, imagination, and humanity still belong in our classrooms.

🎙️ Listen in for a conversation that might just help you breathe a little deeper and think a little differently.

• Website: Swing Set Institute

• Email: davemettler@gmail.com

“Education is the path of liberation… it gives people the ability to create their own lives.”

🔗 Connect with David💭 Favorite Quote from the Episode