Not Stupid
ABC Listen
Not Stupid is the podcast that helps you understand the news of the week and the stories in your social media feed. Julia Baird and Jeremy Fenandez chat about the stories they are obsessed with and the stories you may have missed.
They look at what shapes our politics here in Australia from Anthony Albanese to Peter Dutton. As the Federal Election looms they’ll unpack and explain some of the big issues that might affect your vote.
Jules and Jez also try to explain what’s going on in the world. They both follow US politics closely and will be watching to see what the next Donald Trump presidency means for the US and the world.
But it’s not all about politics. If it is in your Facebook or Instagram feed (or even on X) they will talk about it. They look at the pop culture figures who are shaping our world from Elon Musk to Mr Beast and Ariane Grande.
There’s also a focus on the issues that affect you like the cost-of-living crisis and the duopoly of the Supermarkets Coles and Woolworths. They’ve also looked at microplastics and bushfires, looking at how climate change is affecting us and what impact humans are having on the environment.
The show will also make you laugh or cry. And on a good day, maybe both. They talk about poetry and history, about films and cakes and everything in between. Julia is passionate about grace and forgiveness so they talk a lot about that, but also about resilience and what makes us human.
At the end of each show, Julia and Jeremy talk about their “pick of the week”. It’s something that has made them think or giggle that week from the silliest Guinness World Record attempts to great books and silly Tiktoks.
They look at what shapes our politics here in Australia from Anthony Albanese to Peter Dutton. As the Federal Election looms they’ll unpack and explain some of the big issues that might affect your vote.
Jules and Jez also try to explain what’s going on in the world. They both follow US politics closely and will be watching to see what the next Donald Trump presidency means for the US and the world.
But it’s not all about politics. If it is in your Facebook or Instagram feed (or even on X) they will talk about it. They look at the pop culture figures who are shaping our world from Elon Musk to Mr Beast and Ariane Grande.
There’s also a focus on the issues that affect you like the cost-of-living crisis and the duopoly of the Supermarkets Coles and Woolworths. They’ve also looked at microplastics and bushfires, looking at how climate change is affecting us and what impact humans are having on the environment.
The show will also make you laugh or cry. And on a good day, maybe both. They talk about poetry and history, about films and cakes and everything in between. Julia is passionate about grace and forgiveness so they talk a lot about that, but also about resilience and what makes us human.
At the end of each show, Julia and Jeremy talk about their “pick of the week”. It’s something that has made them think or giggle that week from the silliest Guinness World Record attempts to great books and silly Tiktoks.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 17, 2025 • 38min
Charlie Kirk and Trump's divided America
Tyler Robinson has been charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk, but in the week following the death of the right wing commentator and activist, there have been plenty of claims and conspiracy theories about what happened and who is really responsible. Julia Baird and guest host Chas Licciardello attempt to make sense of the week and wonder if America under this Trump administration really is more divided than ever. Join them every week as they chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter. Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au
Sep 10, 2025 • 35min
Will a shark net save you?
Jules was swimming in the ocean on the weekend when a surfer was killed by a shark at a nearby beach. She got back to the beach okay, but it got her thinking a lot about sharks. Jules and guest host Darren Saunders chat about sharks, shark nets and spending time in the water.And should your kid go to university? There have been plenty of funding cuts, so are our tertiary institutions as good as they once were?Julia Baird and Darren Saunders chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter. Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.auSHOW NOTESDarren's pick: https://chemistry.anu.edu.au/research/research-facilities/samsaraJulia's pick: https://www.dadletterproject.com/
Sep 3, 2025 • 36min
Aussie flags, protests and yum cha
Jez and Jules debunk the wild “mass-migration” claims spread by far-right anti-immigration protestors and talk about balancing the right to protest with social cohesion.Also the Governor of California is taking the fight to Trump and the results are hilarious social media posts featuring CAPS, kittens and sick burns.Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter. Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au
Aug 27, 2025 • 40min
Tay Tay and Travis are getting hitched
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have announced their engagement and Jules and Jez have been thinking about celebrity relationships. And the Australian Government says Iran was responsible for several anti-Semitic attacks on Australian soil, so what were they trying to achieve? Also, locals in tourism hotspots like Barcelona and Venice have had enough of rowdy tourists, so what does that mean for the future of travel?Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter on "Not Stupid". Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au
Aug 20, 2025 • 38min
Trump's fact-free world
From labour figures to museums, Donald Trump has started a war on data and Julia Baird (and fill in host) Chas Licciardello have been thinking about what it means for the US and the world. And is everyone just getting angrier and meaner? Jules and Chas are looking for the brighter moments. Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au
10 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 36min
Is anything off-limits in public debate?
Dive into the complexities of public debate, where boundaries of free speech and responsibility collide. Explore the intricate discussion on modern masculinity, touching on aggression and loneliness among men. Delve into the implications of AI on creativity and copyright, raising urgent questions about ethical integration in the arts. Plus, get a glimpse of nature's fun side with the whimsical dance moves of cockatoos, revealing how music impacts their joyful antics!
Aug 6, 2025 • 35min
Red carpets and bridge marches
Police say 90, 000 people walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, calling for peace in Gaza. So do protests make a difference? And on the same day, the TV Logie Awards were held and Jez was there. In a room full of "tv stars" he was amazed by the humility of so many people who spend their life on the television.Also actor Sydney Sweeney has been making headlines for a new ad campaign about genes and would we all feel lighter and calmer if we walked away from our phones?
Jul 30, 2025 • 39min
Will this "tipping point" change anything in Gaza?
The latest images out of Gaza are horrific. There are headlines across the globe and lots of people are posting on social media. But what will it mean for people in Gaza?And Jules and Jez talk about Monica Lewinsky, thirty years after the sex scandal with Bill Clinton broke. JULIA'S PICKhttps://andreagibson.substack.com/p/a-list-of-things-i-loveJEREMY'S PICKhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/26/vatican-hot-priests-spread-faith-digital-age/
Jul 23, 2025 • 40min
Should we punish politicians like Mark Latham?
With the Independent NSW MP Mark Latham in the headlines once again facing unsavoury allegations, Jez and Bev talk about the boundaries of acceptable behaviour of our politicians.Would you like to know if the music you’re listening to has been AI-generated? Boasting a million listens on Spotify, AI-generated band The Velvet Sundown, has prompted questions around the ethics of AI-generated music and the real people who are using bots to game the system. Jeremy Fernandez and Beverley Wang chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter. Filling in while Julia Baird is away is Beverley Wang, ABC’s National Culture correspondent, co-host of Stop Everything and Life Matters on Radio National.Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au
Jul 16, 2025 • 41min
Trump backflips on Epstein and MAGA slaps back
Beverley Wang, ABC’s National Culture correspondent and co-host of Stop Everything, brings her insights to the conversation. She and Jez dissect the swirling controversies around Donald Trump’s shifting narrative regarding Jeffrey Epstein, including the backlash from his MAGA base. They also delve into the complexities of memoir writing, specifically addressing the dilemmas surrounding Rainer Wynne's 'The Salt Path.' The duo discusses the blurred lines between emotional truth and factual accuracy, raising questions about accountability in personal storytelling.
