Not Stupid
ABC Australia
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
Feb 25, 2026 • 44min
Epstein, the Royals, and the BAFTAs
Following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest, more questions are being asked of the royals. How much did did his mother, Queen Elizabeth, and his brother King Charles know?Jules and Jez also chat about the BAFTAs, Tourette's and the criticism levelled at the BBC for failing to bleep or edit racial slurs, but editing out 'free Palestine'.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
Feb 22, 2026 • 19min
How do Olympic athletes deal with failure?
The winter Olympics has been full of highs, seeing athletes at the top of their game hurtling down mountains, absolutely nailing their performance. And then seeing some of those same athletes having a bad run and messing up their chances for a spot on the podium. While the pressure on the Olympic world stage is huge, the disappointment and compassion we feel is relatable.Jules and Jez talk about some of the winter Olympic highs and lows and some of the more curious sports like the double luge. 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
Feb 20, 2026 • 17min
Unpacking former prince Andrew's arrest
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has faced a series of allegations over his contacts with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for years. But on his 66th birthday, he became the first senior royal to be arrested since King Charles I in 1647.Jules and Jez unpack what we know. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au
Feb 18, 2026 • 40min
ISIS brides, Pauline Hanson and the advice our parents gave us
Should the Australian government repatriate Australian women and children with links to Islamic State fighters?As One Nation rises in popularity, how can the conversation around immigration be constructive and not descend into racist rhetoric?Jules and Jez also talk about GoFundMe and whether celebrity families deserve a hand 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
Feb 15, 2026 • 20min
Are people getting ruder?
Are people really getting ruder? Well according to experts the answer is yes, and there’s been a sharp uptick in rudeness since COVID. People are less patient, more entitled and the crank factor overall has definitely increased.Jules and Jez chat about things that rile and how to calm your farm. But it’s not all doom and gloom, there are beacons of kindness that shine through. We'd love to hear about random acts of kindness you've seen, you've done, or someone has done for you. Please send them to notstupid@abc.net.auJulia 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.
Feb 11, 2026 • 32min
Police and protesters clash over Herzog visit
Tension is on the rise as NSW police face questions over their clashes with protesters in Sydney who were demonstrating against Israeli President Herzog's visit.The term "social cohesion" is being bandied about but what does it actually mean and how can we achieve it? Is Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit a threat to social cohesion or is it the activists who are protesting against it? And what will it take to "turn the temperature down"?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
Feb 8, 2026 • 18min
Margot Robbie and the Taj Mahal necklace
Margot Robbie is known for promoting her films in full costume and her latest red carpet effort for Wuthering Heights is no exception. She turned up in a bespoke gown and a heart-shaped diamond necklace. When asked about it she said that it was 'the Elizabeth Taylor necklace', at which point the internet let loose with people pointing out it's 400 year history and that the diamond was originally a gift from 1600s Mughal emperor Shah Jahangir to his wife Nur Jahan.Jules and Jez talk about who should get to wear fancy jewels with complicated histories and whether they should be on red carpets or in museums. 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
11 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 36min
More Epstein files and the search for justice
The latest Epstein file dump is over 3 million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos and more names.The list has grown and the messages are shocking, banal, and concerning in terms of Epstein's reach for power and influence.Jules and Jez talk about the fight for justice for victim-survivors and how the latest files have uncovered strange links to Australian politics.They also talk about when politics becomes personal at the Grammys, remembering Catherine O'Hara, and an inspiring 13 year-old homegrown hero, Austin Appelbee.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's pick: https://www.instagram.com/p/DULYeojDOAK/?img_index=1Jules's pick: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/survival-expert-praises-teen-family-geographe-bay-rescue/106301816
Feb 1, 2026 • 15min
Wonderbumps and other awesome words
Sometimes kids come up with the best words for things like wonderbumps, parkeling, and confuzzled. Jules and Jez explore the wonderful world of language inspired by kids and authors like Shakespeare, Roald Dahl and Dr Seuss. And they also chat about words that should be retired!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
Jan 28, 2026 • 38min
Has Trump reached a turning point on ICE?
Following the second death of a US citizen at the hands of ICE agents on the streets of Minneapolis, there has been a huge backlash from the public, Democrats, Republicans and even Trump stalwarts like Joe Rogan. Trump has started to walk back his hardline rhetoric, but will the US President rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents?Jules and Jez also talk about the characteristics of extreme altruists, plus the Museum of Personal Failure and what happens when AI makes up travel tips?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
