Matt Beard

Programas

Episodios

  1. Is it wrong to think bad thoughts about people? 

    30/09/2025

    Is it wrong to think bad thoughts about people? 

    We all have thoughts about other people that we’d never say aloud. But do our private thoughts say something about the kind of people we are? Or is it only our actions that count?  Brains Trust - Gibbs Street Public School, Perth: Layla, Avjot, Johanna, Imogen, Sampada, Claudia. Listen to Short & Curly, the fun and educational ABC kids podcast about philosophy and ethics. Join hosts Molly Daniels, Carl Smith, and philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith as they explore big questions about right and wrong, fairness, truth, knowledge, logic, beauty and art. Perfect for tweens aged 8–12, families, and teachers, Short & Curly is one of the best kids shows for curious minds.  Combines storytelling, philosophy, and comedyPerfect for school listening, car trips, or family discussionsCreated by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), trusted makers of award-winning children’s contentBinge this free educational ABC kids podcast series on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts worldwide

    20 min
  2. BITES – Being scared of spiders

    18/12/2025

    BITES – Being scared of spiders

    Molly’s just an itsy bitsy cutesy spider, but Carl is freaking out! Lots of people are scared of spiders. In fact, people can be scared of a whole range of things you might find surprising, like a fear of clowns or paper or pancakes. But is that OK?

    4 min
  3. Should you have to pass a test to have kids?

    01/10/2025

    Should you have to pass a test to have kids?

    We test for everything: to get a licence, to move to the next grade, to prove you're ready to use a pen. But when it comes to becoming a biological parent, there's no test to pass. Should there be? Would a parenting test be a good idea? Brains Trust — Gibbs Street Public School, Perth: Fitzroy, Shahla, Jorja, Nafi, Tabitha, Gumaan Listen to Short & Curly, the fun and educational ABC kids podcast about philosophy and ethics. Join hosts Molly Daniels, Carl Smith, and philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith as they explore big questions about right and wrong, fairness, truth, knowledge, logic, beauty and art. Perfect for tweens aged 8–12, families, and teachers, Short & Curly is one of the best kids shows for curious minds. Combines storytelling, philosophy, and comedyPerfect for school listening, car trips, or family discussionsCreated by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), trusted makers of award-winning children's contentBinge this free educational ABC kids podcast series on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts worldwide

    23 min
  4. Graffiti or Gallery? When does graffiti become street art?

    30/09/2025

    Graffiti or Gallery? When does graffiti become street art?

    Ever walked past a spray-painted wall and thought, "That's actually really cool and beautiful!" But is it art or just stylish vandalism? Molly and Carl grab some spray cans and dive into the messy, colourful world of graffiti to ask: when does a rebellious scribble become art, and who gets to decide? Brains Trust — Gibbs Street Public School, Perth: Fitzroy, Shahla, Jorja, Nafi, Tabitha, Gumaan Listen to Short & Curly, the fun and educational ABC kids podcast about philosophy and ethics. Join hosts Molly Daniels, Carl Smith, and philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith as they explore big questions about right and wrong, fairness, truth, knowledge, logic, beauty and art. Perfect for tweens aged 8–12, families, and teachers, Short & Curly is one of the best kids shows for curious minds. Combines storytelling, philosophy, and comedyPerfect for school listening, car trips, or family discussionsCreated by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), trusted makers of award-winning children's contentBinge this free educational ABC kids podcast series on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts worldwide

    23 min
  5. Risky Rescues: Should you save someone who ignored warnings?

    30/09/2025

    Risky Rescues: Should you save someone who ignored warnings?

    There's wild surf at the beach today, but people are still choosing to swim outside the area patrolled by lifeguards. If those swimmers get into trouble out there, should other people put themselves at risk to save them? Or does ignoring the warnings mean you're on your own? Brains Trust — Gibbs Street Public School, Perth: Fitzroy, Shahla, Jorja, Nafi, Tabitha, Gumaan Listen to Short & Curly, the fun and educational ABC kids podcast about philosophy and ethics. Join hosts Molly Daniels, Carl Smith, and philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith as they explore big questions about right and wrong, fairness, truth, knowledge, logic, beauty and art. Perfect for tweens aged 8–12, families, and teachers, Short & Curly is one of the best kids shows for curious minds. Combines storytelling, philosophy, and comedyPerfect for school listening, car trips, or family discussionsCreated by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), trusted makers of award-winning children's contentBinge this free educational ABC kids podcast series on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts worldwide

    21 min
  6. Bad dog or bad owner? Who’s really to blame?

    30/09/2025

    Bad dog or bad owner? Who’s really to blame?

    Most dogs are loving companions, but what about the ones that bite, bark, or cause chaos? Is a dog's bad behaviour their own fault or is it down to the way they were raised? From neglected pups to misunderstood mutts, we dig into the debate: Who's really responsible when a dog goes rogue, and what should we do about it? Brains Trust — Gibbs Street Public School, Perth: Layla, Avjot, Johanna, Imogen, Sampada, Claudia. Listen to Short & Curly, the fun and educational ABC kids podcast about philosophy and ethics. Join hosts Molly Daniels, Carl Smith, and philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith as they explore big questions about right and wrong, fairness, truth, knowledge, logic, beauty and art. Perfect for tweens aged 8–12, families, and teachers, Short & Curly is one of the best kids shows for curious minds. Combines storytelling, philosophy, and comedyPerfect for school listening, car trips, or family discussionsCreated by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), trusted makers of award-winning children's contentBinge this free educational ABC kids podcast series on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts worldwide

    21 min
  7. Is it wrong to love reality TV?

    30/09/2024

    Is it wrong to love reality TV?

    There's drama. There's competition. And there's usually a few tears as well. Reality TV takes everyday people and throws them into weird and exciting and sometimes stressful situations. But is it really real? And is it fair? And should we watch these shows at all? Brains Trust – Linden Park Primary School, Adelaide – Linda, Elina, Jescinta, Dhyana, Siera, Justine

    23 min
  8. Can you lie even when you don’t say anything?

    01/04/2025

    Can you lie even when you don’t say anything?

    The line between truth and deception can be blurry. Is leaving out important information a lie? What about misleading gestures, or half-truths? Babysitting Matt's kids force Molly and Carl to confront these complexities firsthand as they lie to get out of tricky situations. Summer Hill Public School: Dimitri, Mia, Teddy, Milla, Cleo, Marcus

    24 min
  9. Three siblings, one musical instrument, who should get it?

    01/04/2025

    Three siblings, one musical instrument, who should get it?

    Have you ever had a fight with your sibling over who should get to keep something? In a small village a long time ago, Queen Ethiconia had to settle a dispute between three siblings fighting over a musical instrument they all want and all think they deserve: a wooden recorder. Each says the recorder should be theirs, but for very different, compelling reasons. So, who should get the flute? You decide. South Wagga Public School: Noah, Lucas, Jasmine, Hunter, Olivia

    24 min
  10. Matt's big news: How to give up something you love

    01/04/2025

    Matt's big news: How to give up something you love

    As a kid, Matt, our resident ethicist, was always flat out. He juggled volunteering in the school veggie garden, playing sports, sibling duties, music practice, and chores around the house. After a while, it started to feel overwhelming, even though they were all important responsibilities that he cared about! But do humans try to do too much and is okay to just simply do nothing when there are so many important things the world needs?    Summer Hill Public School: Dimitri, Mia, Teddy, Milla, Cleo, Marcus

    22 min
  11. Should you leave all your money to a cat?

    28/03/2024

    Should you leave all your money to a cat?

    We all know Carl loves cats. But did you know that Carl is actually a super-rich millionaire who loves cats so much that when he dies, he wants his vast fortune to be spent on trying to teach cats to read? Which might actually be impossible! Should people get to decide what happens with their money after they are gone? Even if what they want is ridiculous? Brains Trust – Westmead Public School, Sydney: Swetha, Reyansh, Anirudh, Reya, Kushagra, Ashvita

    22 min
  12. Do we need a rule book to be a good person?

    01/04/2025

    Do we need a rule book to be a good person?

    Molly and Carl visit Greece in search of the mythical "Scroll of Rights and Wrongs", an ancient guide written by the smartest person to have ever lived: Adamantia The Wise*. The elusive ancient text contains the ultimate guide to morality, but what does it say? South Wagga Public School: Noah, Lucas, Jasmine, Hunter, Olivia *definitely not a real person and very much the invention of Molly & Carl.

    22 min
  13. Why do some jobs earn more money than others?

    30/09/2024

    Why do some jobs earn more money than others?

    Molly and Carl have just found out that some people earn a lot more money than they do, and this just makes no cents (pun intended). So how do we decide what different types of jobs should be paid? What about if those jobs are dangerous? If they take many years of training and study? Or if they will make the world a better place? Brains Trust – Linden Park Primary School, Adelaide – Genevieve, Grace, Alexa, Poppy, Chelsea, Sophie

    20 min
  14. Should you listen to good music made by a bad person?

    28/03/2024

    Should you listen to good music made by a bad person?

    Molly is a superfan of the singer Jackfruit Jones (don't try Googling him, we made him up). But she's in for a shock when Carl tells her what Jackfruit is like in real life. Jackfruit Jones has done some bad stuff! So should she keep listening to his music? And can you dislike the artist and still love the art? Brains Trust – Westmead Public School, Sydney: Swetha, Reyansh, Anirudh, Reya, Kushagra, Ashvita

    22 min
  15. Is it okay to yell at a robot?

    14/09/2022

    Is it okay to yell at a robot?

    Have you ever found yourself being rude to a smart speaker because it doesn’t understand you? As robots get better and smarter and more human-like, how should we treat them? Does it matter if we act badly towards something that isn’t even human?   Brain Trust - Casuarina Street Primary School, Katherine: Riley, Mahlia, Milo, Clay, Angus, Ava

    23 min
  16. BITES – Cats VS Dogs

    15/12/2025

    BITES – Cats VS Dogs

    As long as kitties have been meowing, and puppies have been prowling, people have asked - which is better, Cats or Dogs? Finally, the Short & Curly crew tackle this colossal question... but is it even a philosophical question?

    4 min
  17. BITES – Driverless cars

    17/12/2025

    BITES – Driverless cars

    Cars that drive themselves are no longer just something you’d see in a sci-fi movie… they’re on roads and highways right around the world. But what should happen if something goes wrong? Whose fault would it be – the passenger? The manufacturer? The... car itself?!

    4 min
  18. Shape shifters — When is something no longer itself?

    01/04/2025

    Shape shifters — When is something no longer itself?

    Join Molly and Carl as they valiantly attempt a world record sailing around the globe on their boat, the Theseus. Faced with a constant need for boat repairs, they are forced to confront a perplexing question: how many changes can you make to something before it's no longer the same thing it started out as? South Wagga Public School: Noah, Lucas, Jasmine, Hunter, Olivia

    22 min
  19. BITES – Grown-ups making the rules

    16/12/2025

    BITES – Grown-ups making the rules

    Who’s in charge at school? Why, that would be the teachers. And who is in charge at home? Your parents or carers. Who is in charge of running the country? Politicians, that’s who. And what do they all have in common?! They’re all grown-ups! How is that fair?!

    3 min
  20. The ethics of "getting even"

    03/04/2023

    The ethics of "getting even"

    Have you ever wanted to give someone a taste of their own medicine? They might have hurt you or been mean to you or taken something that's yours. But is it okay to do the same thing back to them? Brains Trust – Anula Primary School, Darwin: Maggie, Feranmi, Leo, Oli, Esha, Marjorie

    21 min
Matt Beard en Apple