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
6 snips
Jan 19, 2025 • 20min
Searching for solitude
Exploring the paradox of solitude, speakers discuss the growing trend of Americans finding joy in isolation. The shift in habits highlights how technology impacts our connections. They contemplate self-optimization among young men, pondering the balance between personal success and meaningful relationships. Cultural trends reveal a rise in social isolation, especially post-pandemic, and practical strategies for enhancing community ties are shared. Ultimately, the importance of nurturing genuine connections in a fast-paced world takes center stage.
Jan 15, 2025 • 31min
What do we do when the truth is burning?
The fires in California have been dominating the news for the last couple of weeks and on social media its getting hard to sort the facts from fiction. Jules and Jez look at the conspiracy theories about the fires and whether Meta's decision about fact checking might make it worse in the future. And we are a few weeks into January, so how are your new year’s resolutions going?? Have they already fallen by the wayside and does it really matter. SHOW NOTES:Jez' Pick: Every Best Actress Award https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMSoIJl9DWcPaloma Diamondhttps://www.instagram.com/juliansew/reel/DEnoV-yzaMF/Jules' Pick: Severance https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-15/severance-season-one-recap-ahead-of-season-two-release/104803698
Jan 6, 2025 • 27min
Why robots can't write poetry
A US study found that when a group of people were asked to read poetry by famous authors and poetry written by Chat GPT, they preferred the Chat GPT poems. Jules and Jez put Chat GPT to the test, plus more of your favourite poems.Buy tickets to our Adelaide show here: https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/events/2025-writers-week/podfest-not-stupid/Poems discussed:"Good Bones" by Maggie Smith"A May Night On The Mountains" by Henry Lawson"Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver"Still I rise" by Maya Angelou
Dec 30, 2024 • 23min
Why children's books stay with you forever
Do you have a favourite kids book? Can you still recite it? Jules and Jez chat about their most-loved children's books and the ones they remember reading to their own kids. Have you got a favourite? We'd love to hear from you. You can email us at notstupid@abc.net.auBuy tickets to our Adelaide show here: https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/events/2025-writers-week/podfest-not-stupid/
Dec 23, 2024 • 20min
Lessons from the resilient
This year, Jules has been speaking to lots of people about what makes them resilient. She wanted to know how they cope in the aftermath of horrific events or how they deal with ongoing pain. She's been writing about it in her "Staying Upright" column and she and Jez chat about what she has learnt. STAYING UPRIGHThttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-24/staying-upright-life-can-be-hard-how-do-people-endure/103615514STAYING UPRIGHT: JAMILA RIZVIhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-07/staying-upright-jamila-rizvi-brain-tumour-diagnosis/103673974STAYING UPRIGHT: JON OWENhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-26/jon-owen-wayside-chapel-helping-others-staying-upright/103887876STAYING UPRIGHT: SARAH LULU FAITHhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-14/staying-upright-crochet-and-healing-power-of-knitting-needles/103700364STAYING UPRIGHT: DAVE TARNOWSKIhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-05/dave-tarnowski-stigma-mental-illness-disappointing-affirmations/103795176
Dec 18, 2024 • 34min
Hate and the "hot assassin": has 2024 sent us mad?
Dive into the complexities of societal judgment with the intriguing case of a so-called 'hot assassin' and its implications on public perception. Explore the Dignity Index as a tool for fostering healthier political discourse in a divided world. Discuss the unsettling realities of the American healthcare system through the scandal surrounding a major CEO, while humor and quirky world records bring a light-hearted twist to the conversation. Celebrate aspirations and camaraderie as the hosts prepare for their live show in Adelaide!
Dec 15, 2024 • 0sec
Break glass for emergency trifle
We asked if you needed any life advice and you've got questions. What's the best trifle recipe? Is a plastic Christmas tree better than a real one? Do I have to buy nice presents for people if they only give me rubbish ones?Jules and Jez offer their advice and their baking tips.MADS' EMERGENCY TRIFLE TIPS1.Use the right bowl. A good bowl is the difference between an amazing looking trifle and slop in a bowl. Making a trifle on holidays? Take the bowl to the holiday house. They never ever have a trifle bowl.2.Best Christmas trifle recipe: Morello cherry jelly (add alcohol if you want), choc cake (I make and freeze this so its ready when I need it), crushed gingerbread layer, cream or mascarpone cream, more cherries, another chocolate cake, more cream or mascarpone, fresh cherries, shaved chocolate and gingerbread Christmas trees on the top.
Dec 11, 2024 • 34min
Is it ok to make fun of Raygun?
The Raygun Musical was shutdown before it even began, so is it ok to make fun of celebrities? How much do people in the public eye get to control their image? And if we can recreate dead celebrities with A.I., who controls that story?Also Syria is back in the headlines as Syrians across the globe celebrate the end of fifty years of the Assad regime. Jules and Jez take a closer look at what's happened and what it means for the Middle East.SHOW NOTESThe Celebrity Machine Never Dies https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2024/12/ai-dead-celebrity-estate-profit/680873/Jules' pick: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/14/us/fake-bear-insurance-fraud-charges.htmlJez's pick: https://www.smh.com.au/national/one-of-the-worst-people-i-know-got-an-oam-so-i-ve-decided-to-act-20241129-p5kujr.html
Dec 8, 2024 • 16min
Our Not Stupid Playlist
Jez had an idea to make a playlist with all the songs he loves to dance to. When he asked for song requests, so many of you got in touch. Jules and Jez chat about some of the songs you love to dance to and why you love them.You can find the playlist here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/36xBCBL6jCrPJe6J8drjYe?si=BF6PCTj-QCK-nIDa1LTPTg&pi=a-CpIDFEEDROGtAnd if you have other suggestions, you can get in touch at notstupid@abc.net.au
Dec 4, 2024 • 34min
Current mood: enshittification
Has your year been: a) brat b) demure c) enshittified? Join Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez as they chat about the words of the year. Plus why is it so hard to cap the amount of plastic produced globally? And would you eat a $9 million dollar banana?SHOW NOTESNEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/climate/plastic-industry-internal-documents.htmlMACQUARIE DICTIONARY WORD OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST: https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WOTY_2024_shortlist_FINAL-1.pdf JEREMY'S PICKShttps://hbr.org/2024/11/lets-end-toxic-productivityhttps://hbr.org/2019/07/making-joy-a-priority-at-workJULIA'S PICKShttps://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/crypto-executive-eats-banana-artwork-bought-for-9-6-million-says-it-tasted-quite-good-20241130-p5kus4.html
