Today we’re diving into a fascinating question: Is listening to an audiobook the same as reading a book? With podcasts, audiobooks, and digital media everywhere, you might wonder if listening is just as effective as reading.

Our guest, Professor Anne Castles, is Distinguished Professor of Cognitive Science and Scientific Director of the Macquarie University Centre for Reading. She’s one of Australia’s foremost experts on reading development, dyslexia, and how the brain processes language. Her research helps us understand why reading and listening use our brains differently — and how this affects learning for everyone.