Not Stupid
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.
Latest episodes
7 snips
May 7, 2025 • 42min
Nagi, Brooki and the caramel slice wars
Dive into the delicious drama of recipe ownership with a spicy debate over caramel slices. Explore the intersection of baking and politics, reflecting on a surprising election outcome and women's growing roles in government. Delight in the charm of moose migrations live-streamed from Sweden, blending humor with nature. Additionally, discover the revival of an ancient rice recipe that celebrates culinary history. This episode serves up a mix of politics, recipes, and quirky viewing experiences to spark your interest!
Apr 30, 2025 • 38min
Welcome to the election culture war
"Welcome to Country" ceremonies are the latest culture war as we reach the pointy end of the Federal Election campaign, so Jules and Jez look at why it has become such a hot button issue this week. And we had so much feedback about using Chat GPT for relationship advice, so Jules and Jez have been asking it their deepest, darkest secrets with mixed results.JEZ'S PICKhttps://www.theguardian.com/media/ng-interactive/2025/apr/27/strange-case-writer-landing-a-lister-interviews-local-magazinesJULES' PICKhttps://www.theguardian.com/media/ng-interactive/2025/apr/27/strange-case-writer-landing-a-lister-interviews-local-magazines
Apr 23, 2025 • 40min
What did Pope Francis teach us about leadership?
Pope Francis was the most humble Pope in living memory, so has he shaped the future of Catholicism? For some, he was too much and for others, not enough. Jez and Jules chat about his legacy and the future of the Catholic Church. And we asked you about incorrect lyrics or "mondegreens" and you have so many great examples. SHOW NOTESPeter Kay's misheard lyrics: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7my5baoCVv8&t=206sJeremy's pick of the week: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/a64444507/men-asking-chatgpt-for-dating-advice/Julia's pick of the week: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/fifty-years-ago-this-irresistible-disco-song-and-dance-craze-swept-the-nation-and-changed-the-music-landscape-180986460/
Apr 16, 2025 • 35min
Katy Perry and putting the "ass" into "astronaut"
Katy Perry went to space with a group of famous women, so was it one giant leap for womankind or just a really weird marketing blunder? We have a lot of thoughts.And what do we want from our leaders? We are half way through the election campaign and it has got us thinking about what makes a good leader.JULES' PICK: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/voyager/voyager-1s-pale-blue-dot/
Apr 9, 2025 • 42min
White Lotus and our obsession with the unhappy rich
The HBO TV drama "White Lotus" focuses on a number of very rich and in many ways deeply unpleasant people. So why are we so fascinated by the lives of the super rich? And the US has dominated the global news this week with Donald Trump’s new tariffs, but Jules and Jez are keen to talk about deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE. Since Donald Trump returned to the Presidency, tens of thousands of people have been arrested and it's leading to a lot of fear for migrants and for people planning on travelling to the US. SHOW NOTESBuy tickets to our live show in Sydney ! https://www.swf.org.au/program/season-2025/not-stupid-live-with-julia-baird-and-jeremy-fernandezJules' pick: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/30/world/plants-make-sounds-scn
Apr 2, 2025 • 40min
Did influencers pop the Canberra bubble?
The election campaign is in full swing, but when it comes to the news you consume, who do you trust? The ALP offered to pay travel expenses so some influencers could go to the Federal Budget lock-up. So did it get the Government favourable coverage? Or find audiences who just aren't listening to the mainstream media? And we've heard from so many teachers about the Netflix show, Adolescence. Lots of them have ideas about how we talk to boys. And because we like to tackle the big topics, Jez has been pondering the meaning of life.SHOW NOTESRebecca Sparrow on Adolescence: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccasparrow72/p/DH3KKfNBnxa/?img_index=2Tom Holland "Umbrella" Lip Sync Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPCJIB1f7jkJEZ PICK: The Meaning of Life: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/22/what-is-the-meaning-of-life-15-possible-answers-from-a-palliative-care-doctor-a-holocaust-survivor-a-jail-inmate-and-moreJULES PICK: Paddington Bear statue: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/judge-reprimands-thieves-in-bear-statue-heist-your-actions-were-the-antithesis-of-everything-paddington-stands-for-180986337/
Mar 26, 2025 • 39min
Why the drama Adolescence hit a raw nerve
The Netflix drama, Adolescence, has been watched millions of times in the last week and it is raising a lot of questions about masculinity and how we treat boys. So why this series has hit such a nerve?And Jez was in Canberra for the Federal Budget, so what is the government offering and have we lost the capacity for long term planning?Buy tickets to our Sydney show here: https://www.swf.org.au/program/season-2025/not-stupid-live-with-julia-baird-and-jeremy-fernandezSHOW NOTESDonald Trump portrait removed: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-26/donald-trump-portrait-removed-from-colorado-state-capitol/105096442George W Bush's portraits https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-26890910Blobfish is the fish of the year https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l125d0597o
Mar 19, 2025 • 36min
Trump hates DEI, so will Australians care?
US President, Donald Trump, is slashing diversity programs in the US, so is DEI over here too? Jules and Jez chat about what might happen in Australia. Also, Elon Musk says he has a prescription for ketamine and it comes at a time when the use of the drug in Australia is at an all time high. And Jules is obsessed with the story of the two astronauts who have spent nine months in space.Come to our Sydney show! https://www.swf.org.au/program/season-2025/not-stupid-live-with-julia-baird-and-jeremy-fernandezSHOW NOTESAstronauts arrive back https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-18/iss-arrival-back-in-us-after-months-stuck-in-space/105064762Club apologises after sports star found alive https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/clydxyv94k8o
Mar 12, 2025 • 38min
Why Meghan Markle is not our jam
After being slammed by the tabloids for the best part of decade, Meghan Markle (or is it Sussex?) has emerged with jam and cake and maybe a bit too much perfection. Jules has thoughts. And in the wake of ex-Cyclone Alfred, politicians have been pitching in and helping out. So what do we want from our leaders in a time of crisis?SHOW NOTESWhat we want in a leader https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656620300787With Love, Meghan https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-05/with-love-meghan-markle-duchess-sussex-review-netflix/105009410Grandmother gets X-rated AI message https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l1kpz3w32oScottish Elevator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMS2VnDveP8Brighton Man breaks record on crutches https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gkvn0k9vo
Mar 6, 2025 • 21min
Adelaide Live: Hunting for awe
Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez have been in Adelaide for their first live show as part of Adelaide Writers' Week. It was a chat about the news, hope, awe and sparkly suits. If you missed it in Adelaide, here is a taste!
