Not Stupid
ABC News
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
Dec 31, 2025 • 19min
Lily Allen and the art of the break-up song
This year UK singer-songwriter Lily Allen released her album "West End Girl" and it goes into a lot of detail about the break down of her marriage. So what makes a good break-up song? And should anything be off-limits?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.auSHOW NOTESJez Pick: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2506595-man-unexpectedly-cured-of-hiv-after-stem-cell-transplant/
Dec 24, 2025 • 24min
Should you ever argue with an internet troll?
If someone picks an argument with you online, are you the kind of person who argues back? Jez found a video this week of a US women who tracked down a troll and knocked on his front door. It got Jez thinking about how we talk to people online.Every week, 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.auSHOW NOTESWoman drives three hours to confront troll: https://www.fox26houston.com/video/1755386"I taught an octopus to play piano " https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcWnQ7fYzwIHelloFresh and Youfoodz sued by ACCC over allegedly misleading consumershttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-16/hellofresh-and-youfoodz-sued-by-accc-for-misleading-consumers/106148656Dolphin friendships https://theconversation.com/friendship-is-magic-male-dolphins-with-close-friends-age-more-slowly-271411
Dec 17, 2025 • 30min
What Bondi tells us about who we are
The terrorist attack that took place at Bondi Beach at the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday evening left fifteen dead, 40 injured and the Jewish community fearing for their lives. Jules and Jez talk about gun control, antisemitism and the heroism and kindness of ordinary people.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.auNew Yorker interview with Michael Vizontay:https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/R5qaIj
Dec 10, 2025 • 33min
Anika Wells, a drunk raccoon and the pub test
Taxpayer funded ski trips, thousand dollar dinners in Paris and business class flights to New York. Do these expenses pass the pub test? What about the sniff test? The thing is Communications and Sports Minister Anika Wells hasn’t racked up the most expenses – in fact, Australian politicians have claimed $1.1 million dollars in the past year. There’s no doubt the job is demanding, but should the expenses rules be reviewed?And Queensland Museum has found itself in a bit of a pickle following an investigation into Shell sponsored educational materials that downplay the role of fossil fuels in climate change.And after hearing about a drunk raccoon in the United States, Jules wonders whether animals have a taste for fermented beverages too?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
Dec 3, 2025 • 34min
Is this the end of body positivity?
With the rise in Ozempic use, people are shrinking before our very eyes. But are Ozempic-style drugs all they’re cracked up to be? There are new global guidelines from the World Health Organisation and the TGA is warning about side effects. But are we also seeing a shift in how we think about weight? Also Jules and Jez also talk about dodgy subscriptions and the government’s strategy to take on consumer “tricks and traps”.We’d love to hear from you! Please take a minute to fill in our audience survey.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
Nov 26, 2025 • 37min
AI slop and the push for gambling reform
Australians are losing billions to gambling, raising concerns about the societal impact and calls for reform. Despite a parliamentary inquiry's recommendations, political resistance continues to stall change. The discussion also highlights the rise of online gambling ads targeting youth. In a lighter turn, the hosts dive into the meaning of 'AI slop,' dubbed Word of the Year, reflecting on the anxieties surrounding misleading AI-generated content. Plus, hear about a woman’s near-cremation experience in Thailand that defied all odds.
Nov 19, 2025 • 39min
US Senators vote to release the Epstein files
Democrats and Republicans voted unanimously today to release the full Epstein files. Now it's up to Trump to sign the bill. He's been under increasing pressure over recent months to release the files and last week had a big falling out with Marjorie Taylor Greene who was previously a huge supporter of Trump and the MAGA movement.Jez and Jules also talk about Victoria's new Liberal leader, Jess Wilson, who is a moderate and a millennial.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
Nov 12, 2025 • 38min
The women are coming. And they might ruin EVERYTHING
This week an article in the New York Times set group chats alight everywhere. "Are women ruining the workplace?" it asked. We have thoughts. And what do the resignations at the BBC tell us about the state of the media and power. The BBC's director-general and head of news resigned amid criticism of the broadcaster's editing of a speech Donald Trump delivered before protesters attacked the US Capitol.Julia Baird and guest host Chas Licciardello 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.auJules' pick: https://www.whitlam.org/women-and-whitlamChas' pick: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F3HI1zugyU4EDITOR'S NOTE: In this episode, Chas Licciardello says that the BBC re-ordered the speech by Donald Trump. This is not correct. While Donald Trump mentioned "going to the Capitol" twice in the speech, the BBC ran the two grabs in the correct order but with almost an hour of speech in between.
Nov 5, 2025 • 33min
Are our phones re-wiring our friendships?
Could messaging apps be keeping us from REAL connection or do they enable connections we otherwise wouldn't have had...? The truth is it's complicated.Jules and Jez also chat about your stories of cleaners flying under the radar, the disconnect between avoiding news broadcasts and bingeing Mafia content, and the story behind a message in a bottle found on a remote beach in WA.Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez talk 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
Oct 29, 2025 • 29min
Who wins between Trump and China's Xi
As Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping meet for the first time since 2019, Jez and guest host Emma Shortis discuss the meeting and what it means for the future of the relationship between the two superpowers.And what can the New York mayoral race tell us about the future of the US Democratic Party?Jeremy Fernandez and Emma Shortis 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
