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
Jan 21, 2026 • 40min
Trump vs Greenland and a lot of shark attacks
Trump continues escalating his rhetoric to take over Greenland, putting the US's relationship with NATO and the EU into question. Jules and Jez also talk about the shocking number of shark attacks in Sydney and NSW this week, why they might be occurring, and whether we need better shark literacy.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.auJez's pick: Australian of the Year Awards 2026 https://australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/listing/2026Jules's pick: Naomi Osaka takes to the court in style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekTPFRTvwd8
Jan 14, 2026 • 40min
The fall out from Adelaide Writers’ Week
The Adelaide Writers’ Week board’s decision to disinvite Palestinian-Egyptian-Australian author and academic Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah has seen over 180 writers and participants boycott the festival, leading to its cancellation. Board members have resigned. Dr Abdel-Fattah's lawyers have threatened defamation proceedings against South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas. AWW director, Louise Adler, also resigned saying that she “cannot be a party to silencing writers.” As the fall-out continues, Jules and Jez talk about their love of writers’ festivals, the very real contribution writers’ festivals make to the community, and the importance of free speech.Jules’s pick: Heated RivalryJez’s pick: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j30kx1vk3oJulia 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
Jan 7, 2026 • 18min
There's something wrong with the world map
Explore the intriguing world of map projections and their political implications. Discover why the Mercator map dominates classrooms despite its distortions. Learn about the African Union's push for fairer maps and alternative projections like Peters and Equal Earth. Dive into how map orientation shapes geopolitical views, including an ocean-centric approach. Plus, hear about a quirky legal battle over Vegemite bans in prisons and a unique program restoring oyster reefs for a healthier ecosystem!
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
