Not Stupid

Jules and Jez chat about dinner table etiquette, the correct way to eat cake, random acts of kindness and Lisa's antidote to the manosphere, the nannasphere.  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

Many countries around the world are feeling the effects of fuel shortages due to the war in Iran. While China treads a delicate diplomatic path between the US and Iran, its 25 year investment in renewables like solar power and electric cars could mean that it is more protected. Jules and Jez also talk about Chloe Zhao's approach to creativity and collaboration, as well as a UK  event called Pints and Ponytails that helps dads learn how to  style their daughters' hair.   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 SHOW NOTES: Chloe Zhao's Dance Take with the cast and crew of Hamnet at the Globe Theatre to Rihanna's track We Found Love Pints and Ponytails

Sometimes help comes from unlikely quarters like the big burly bikers whose mission is to protect and help kids. Jules heard about a group called Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) and she chats to Jez about how they're helping vulnerable kids. 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 SHOW NOTES: The bikers helping abused kids feel safe

As people panic buy petrol, questions are being asked about whether Australia has enough fuel stockpiled and how we can secure our future. Jules and Jez also talk about Louis Theroux's documentary Inside the Manosphere and whether we actually need to know Banksy's identity.     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

As the Oscars get underway, the internet is still in outrage mode following actor Timothée Chalamet's comments about 'no one caring about' ballet and opera anymore. Is Chalamet being an arrogant upstart or does he have a point? Jez and Jules chat about these art forms that are literally hundreds of years old, and how ballet and opera companies are clapping back.  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 SHOW NOTES: Not Stupid Podcast Opera & Ballet Mixtape

In the middle of the night five members of the Lionesses, the Iranian women's soccer team, escaped their minders to stay in Australia. The five women feared persecution after they were labelled "traitors" for refusing to sing the national anthem before a game at the Women's Asian Cup. Jules and Jez also talk about MAFS and how one particular contestant is being challenged on his sexist views.   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 SHOW NOTES: Not Stupid Podcast Opera & Ballet Mixtape

Would you give yourself an electric shock to stave off boredom? Or do you never get bored anymore because you're too busy doom-scrolling? Jules and Jez chat about boredom, phones and the highs and lows of raising small humans. 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

As Trump continues to flout international law and doubles down on the war on Iran, the regime names Ayatollah Khamenei's successor. But the question is can regime change actually be achieved? Jules and Jez also talk about the spat that broke up the 25-year partnership of shock jock Kyle and Jackie-O. And Jez sings the praises of the Quiet Queers - introverts who showed up to Mardi Gras on couches with book 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

Trump wants to boost the US birth rate and is the self-proclaimed “fertilization president"... if that's enough to make you shudder, keep in mind that his government has approved paid parental leave, which is a positive step. However rising childcare costs, combined with a freeze on childcare funding in five states, and the Trump administration's cuts to Medicaid are making things more difficult for women and low-income families. But there is one interesting boost to the birth rate that could be staring us all in the face. Jules and Jez discuss the possibilities.  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

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

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

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

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

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.au 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.

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

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

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.au SHOW NOTES Jez's pick: https://www.instagram.com/p/DULYeojDOAK/?img_index=1 Jules's pick: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/survival-expert-praises-teen-family-geographe-bay-rescue/106301816

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

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

Martin Luther King III is an American human rights activist who has followed in the footsteps of his parents. He is the eldest son of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King who were both prominent American civil rights activists. Jules and Jez talk to Martin Luther King III about the current situation in Minneapolis, ICE, leadership and whether the US can find a path out of political violence. 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

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.au Jez's pick: Australian of the Year Awards 2026 https://australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/listing/2026 Jules's pick: Naomi Osaka takes to the court in style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekTPFRTvwd8

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 Rivalry Jez’s pick: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j30kx1vk3o 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

We all know what the world map looks like. It was probably on your classroom wall when you went to school. But what if it is wrong?  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 SHOW NOTES The true size of countries: https://thetruesize.com/ The Ocean Map: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/ocean/turning-our-view-world-inside-out-introducing-new-ocean-map Jez Pick: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-29/native-oyster-reefs-restored-algal-bloom-recovery-sa/105943318 Jules' Pick: https://apnews.com/article/australia-prison-vegemite-ban-court-victoria-e46084defadc9757c8ecf2f53027d215

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.au SHOW NOTES Jez Pick: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2506595-man-unexpectedly-cured-of-hiv-after-stem-cell-transplant/

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.au SHOW NOTES Woman 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=PcWnQ7fYzwI HelloFresh 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/106148656 Dolphin friendships https://theconversation.com/friendship-is-magic-male-dolphins-with-close-friends-age-more-slowly-271411

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.au   New Yorker interview with Michael Vizontay: https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/R5qaIj

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

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

Per capita, Aussies are the world’s biggest losers, gambling away between $25 to $31.5 billion per year. In 2023, an inquiry into gambling harm chaired by the late MP Peta Murphy made 31 recommendations. Despite crossbench support for gambling reform, none of these recommendations have been implemented by the Australian government. Jules and Jez also chat about the perils of AI slop which has just dubbed  Macquarie Dictionary's 2025 word of the year. We want to hear from you! Please 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. Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au

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

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.au Jules' pick: https://www.whitlam.org/women-and-whitlam  Chas' pick: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/F3HI1zugyU4 EDITOR'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.

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

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

Prince Andrew will no longer be called "the Duke of York" following further revelations about his relationship with US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Jules and Jez chat about what we now know and the lack of transparency in the royal family. And while Barnaby Joyce has led to lots of new speculation about the future of the Coalition, there are calls for the Liberal Party to do more to reconnect with women. A leader of a grassroots movement aimed at boosting female representation in the party says the Liberals risk staying in long-term opposition unless it stops dismissing women as “woke”.  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

Despite not winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Trump has been dominating the headlines (as usual), and the real winner: Venezuelan politician and activist, Maria Corina Machado, even thanked him. As violence erupts in Gaza, the real question is whether Trump’s peace plan will hold. Jules and Jez also preview the Boyer Lectures which focus on democracy, and they talk about why Australia’s ‘democracy experiment’ is an important global benchmark. And stick around for their picks of the week where we find out about a dog with attitude and communicating with cuttlefish.  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

It's no secret that US President Donald Trump wants to win The Nobel Peace Prize. Badly. Barack Obama won it in 2009 and Trump has repeatedly said he deserves the prize.  Jules and Jez take a look at previous recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize which include Martin Luther King Jr, Nelsen Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu and the Red Cross. But the Nobel Peace Prize hasn't been without controversy. So could Trump actually make the cut, and is the award still even relevant? Jules and Jez also talk about the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, who is now ceremonial head of 85 million Anglicans in over 165 countries. 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

While there's a lot of hope around Trump's 20-point proposal for peace in Gaza, Jules and Jez look at a crucial piece that's missing from it. And despite LGBTQI+ education modules and an action plan, the end of the AFL season has been marred once again by homophobia. Perhaps men's footy could learn a thing or two from the Matildas. 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

Thousands turned out for Charlie Kirk's memorial, but there seems to be a disconnect between Christian values and the policies of the Trump administration. While Jimmy Kimmel is back following a huge backlash against the FCC crackdown, journalism and free speech in the United States is still under threat.   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

Tyler Robinson has been charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk, but in the week following the death of the right wing commentator and activist, there have been plenty of claims and conspiracy theories about what happened and who is really responsible. Julia Baird and guest host Chas Licciardello attempt to make sense of the week and wonder if America under this Trump administration really is more divided than ever.  Join them every week as they 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

Jules was swimming in the ocean on the weekend when a surfer was killed by a shark at a nearby beach. She got back to the beach okay, but it got her thinking a lot about sharks. Jules and guest host Darren Saunders chat about sharks, shark nets and spending time in the water. And should your kid go to university? There have been plenty of funding cuts, so are our tertiary institutions as good as they once were? Julia Baird and Darren Saunders 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 SHOW NOTES Darren's pick: https://chemistry.anu.edu.au/research/research-facilities/samsara Julia's pick: https://www.dadletterproject.com/

Jez and Jules debunk the wild “mass-migration” claims spread by far-right anti-immigration protestors and talk about balancing the right to protest with social cohesion. Also the Governor of California is taking the fight to Trump and the results are hilarious social media posts featuring CAPS, kittens and sick burns. 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

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have announced their engagement and Jules and Jez have been thinking about celebrity relationships. And the Australian Government says Iran was responsible for several anti-Semitic attacks on Australian soil, so what were they trying to achieve? Also, locals in tourism hotspots like Barcelona and Venice have had enough of rowdy tourists, so what does that mean for the future of travel? Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter on "Not Stupid". Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au

From labour figures to museums, Donald Trump has started a war on data and Julia Baird (and fill in host) Chas Licciardello have been thinking about what it means for the US and the world.  And is everyone just getting angrier and meaner? Jules and Chas are looking for the brighter moments.  Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon.  We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au

Jules and Jez love a good debate, but can you debate anything? Is a debate featuring sexist or fascist views a good idea? Or does it just give airtime to offensive opinions?  And will a robot write the next book you read? The Productivity Commission has been looking at AI and it could have big implications for how copyright is controlled.

Police say 90, 000 people walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, calling for peace in Gaza. So do protests make a difference? And on the same day, the TV Logie Awards were held and Jez was there. In a room full of "tv stars" he was amazed by the humility of so many people who spend their life on the television. Also actor Sydney Sweeney has been making headlines for a new ad campaign about genes and would we all feel lighter and calmer if we walked away from our phones?

The latest images out of Gaza are horrific. There are headlines across the globe and lots of people are posting on social media. But what will it mean for people in Gaza? And Jules and Jez talk about Monica Lewinsky, thirty years after the sex scandal with Bill Clinton broke.  JULIA'S PICK https://andreagibson.substack.com/p/a-list-of-things-i-love JEREMY'S PICK https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/26/vatican-hot-priests-spread-faith-digital-age/

With the Independent NSW MP Mark Latham in the headlines once again facing unsavoury allegations, Jez and Bev talk about the boundaries of acceptable behaviour of our politicians. Would you like to know if the music you’re listening to has been AI-generated? Boasting a million listens on Spotify, AI-generated band The Velvet Sundown, has prompted questions around the ethics of AI-generated music and the real people who are using bots to game the system.  Jeremy Fernandez and Beverley Wang chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter. Filling in while Julia Baird is away is Beverley Wang, ABC’s National Culture correspondent, co-host of Stop Everything and Life Matters on Radio National. Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au

On this week’s show, Jez and Bev try to untangle what’s been happening with the Epstein files. The Jeffrey Epstein-related conspiracy rumours US President Donald Trump initially helped stoke are now coming back to bite him. He's facing backlash from his MAGA fanbase as he tries to tamp them down. We also look at The Salt Path controversy and the trust between authors and readers. Does anyone actually fact-check memoirs? Jeremy Fernandez and Beverley Wang chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter. Filling in while Julia Baird is away, is Beverley Wang is ABC’s National Culture correspondent, co-host of Stop Everything and Life Matters on Radio National. Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au Jez’s pick: AI recycling trucks https://www.centervilleohio.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=146 Bev’s pick: Bev talks about Albo’s song picks for Triple J's Hottest 100 of Australian Songs. Voting closes at 5pm on 17 July.https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/countdown/hottest100

Even though the verdict has been handed down, thousands of articles and podcasts are still talking about the mushroom case. Jez and Bev chat about the photos, the memes and why we're obsessed with women who kill.  Elon Musk says he's starting a new political party in the US and we look at the Big Beautiful Bill that kicked off the latest Trump-Musk Feud. Jeremy Fernandez and Beverley Wang chat about the stories you're obsessed with, the stuff you've missed and the things that matter. Jules is away for a few weeks and filling in for her on Not Stupid is the ABC’s National Culture correspondent, co-host of Stop Everything and Life Matters on Radio National, Beverley Wang.  Episodes drop every Wednesday afternoon. We want to hear from you! Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au

With a phone in your pocket and the news cycle rolling at a frantic speed, it can be so hard to slow down. Jules and Jez have been thinking about how to look at things more slowly and if it is even possible. Plus a couple of weeks ago we asked a really weird question: "have you seen a colour that you've just never seen anywhere else?" We got so many emails about colour, from Monet's dining room to Samoan delicacies and puce lollipops.  Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez have  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 SHOW NOTES Jeremy's pick : https://mashable.com/article/reddit-cofounder-ai-video-deceased-mom-divides-internet Julia's pick: https://www.instagram.com/justbeingmelani/?hl=en

So much has happened over the past week. Despite US President Donald Trump’s attack and intervention, will the ceasefire between Israel and Iran hold? How do the Iranian people feel about the regime? Jules has been watching The Pitt and thinking about “moral injury” the idea of having to betray your own moral beliefs because of lack of staff or lack of supplies. Join the conversation and email the show at notstupid@abc.net.au SHOW NOTES: Jule’s pick: www.orrca.org.au/census Jez: https://medium.com/@truthiness/the-quiet-optimism-of-letting-go-d8472aa681ee

The situation in the Middle East got a lot more precarious this week, with Israel attacking Iran. It says it is trying to halt Iran's nuclear plans, but what does it mean for the region and what will Donald Trump do next?  And you had such great thoughts about the best thing you've seen in a museum. We go down a rabbit hole about cane toad dioramas, family blankets and everything in between.   SHOW NOTES Jules' pick: https://harvardartmuseums.org/article/pigment-collection-colors-all-aspects-of-the-museums Jez's pick: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/classic-100-concert-2025

We've seen cars on fire and riot squads on the streets, so what is going on in California? We take a closer look at the fight between Donald Trump and the Governor of California. And if you could order an object from a museum, what would you want to see or touch? The V&A in London has just opened a new museum where you can do just that. PICKS Jeremy's Pick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APyn8Otui_w Jules' Pick: https://www.vam.ac.uk/east/storehouse/visit?srsltid=AfmBOorh7m_NcTjeHFxFhgxISlhgXAxkwDUpr0cimL6lykqAIsXDFMYa

Greens Senator Dorinda Cox has switched from the Greens to the Labor Party, so is it okay for a politician to change their mind?  Is switching parties ok? Or what about changing you mind on issues? And Jules has been fascinated with the case of Lucy Letby, the British nurse convicted of killing babies while working in a neonatal ward.  It is also our birthday, so we celebrate Not Stupid turning one...with cake.

News out of Gaza has gone from bad to worse with acute food shortages and growing concern of a famine. So are attitudes from Israel's Western allies starting to change? And will a change in attitude lead to concrete action? And last week we were talking about poison pen letters and we've heard lots of great stories. We go through our favourites. Plus a little treat from our Sydney live show. SHOW NOTES Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova profile https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/interactive/2023/chris-evert-martina-navratilova-cancer/?itid=lk_interstitial_manual_11

Joe Biden is back in the news with a cancer diagnosis, but there’s also a new book out looking at his alleged cognitive decline. So what do you need to disclose and why, if you are in public office? And in Australia the Coalition is consciously uncoupling, so Jules and Jez take a look at the messy split. Buy tickets to our Sydney live show here: https://www.swf.org.au/program/season-2025/not-stupid-live-with-julia-baird-and-jeremy-fernandez PICKS Jez's pick: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-16/magna-carta-copy-confirmed-to-be-original/105301724 Jules' pick: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/quiet-village-street-hit-mysterious-31585577

Jules and Jez are talking reinvention this week because there are new leaders everywhere. There's a new Pope in the Vatican and he is American, so what does he make of Donald Trump? And the Australian Liberal Party has its first female leader in Sussan Ley. Also the recipes you share, the ones you keep to yourselves and the ones you can't quite decipher. PICKS https://www.aco.com.au/whats-on/2025/bach-beach-boys-beyond

There's a copyright stoush over caramel slice and Jeremy and Julia have thoughts. Can you own a recipe? And is "Julia Baird's caramel slice" also just "Nagi's Caramel slice"? And you might have noticed an election on the weekend, it was hard to miss. Labor won in a landslide, so how does the Coalition rebuild and how many women will be involved?  JEREMY'S PICK https://interestingengineering.com/culture/2000-year-old-rice-brought-to-life JULIA'S PICK https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/04/swedens-great-moose-migration-live-stream-ends-after-478-hours-viewing

"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 PICK https://www.theguardian.com/media/ng-interactive/2025/apr/27/strange-case-writer-landing-a-lister-interviews-local-magazines JULES' PICK https://www.theguardian.com/media/ng-interactive/2025/apr/27/strange-case-writer-landing-a-lister-interviews-local-magazines

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 NOTES Peter Kay's misheard lyrics: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7my5baoCVv8&t=206s Jeremy'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/

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/

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 NOTES Buy tickets to our live show in Sydney ! https://www.swf.org.au/program/season-2025/not-stupid-live-with-julia-baird-and-jeremy-fernandez Jules' pick: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/30/world/plants-make-sounds-scn

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 NOTES Rebecca Sparrow on Adolescence: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccasparrow72/p/DH3KKfNBnxa/?img_index=2 Tom Holland "Umbrella" Lip Sync Battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPCJIB1f7jk JEZ 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-more JULES 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/

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-fernandez SHOW NOTES Donald Trump portrait removed: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-26/donald-trump-portrait-removed-from-colorado-state-capitol/105096442 George W Bush's portraits https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-26890910 Blobfish is the fish of the year https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l125d0597o

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-fernandez SHOW NOTES Astronauts arrive back https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-18/iss-arrival-back-in-us-after-months-stuck-in-space/105064762 Club apologises after sports star found alive https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/clydxyv94k8o

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 NOTES What we want in a leader https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656620300787  With Love, Meghan https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-05/with-love-meghan-markle-duchess-sussex-review-netflix/105009410 Grandmother gets X-rated AI message https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l1kpz3w32o Scottish Elevator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMS2VnDveP8  Brighton Man breaks record on crutches https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gkvn0k9vo

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!

The news can be a lot. And sometimes it feels hard to keep up and difficult to keep paying attention. So how do we cope when the world is full of triggering news?

It's been three years since Russia invaded Ukraine and the US President Donald Trump says its time to make a deal. But he is also rewriting history with the American president saying Ukraine has been the aggressor all this time. Jules and Jez have been doing some fact checking. And how do you itemise the amount of work you do in a week? Elon Musk wants people to write lists of their weekly achievements, so will it work? SHOW NOTES Anne Applebaum on Ukraine: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/02/putins-three-years-of-humiliation/681810/ Jules' Pick: https://apnews.com/article/valentines-day-animal-shelters-fundraisers-rats-elephants-40537881d8f5ad65dd971fef11a856f5 Jeremy's Pick: https://x.com/SusanDavid_PhD/status/1894066591551086683

There's plenty of hype around Netflix's new series about serial liar Belle Gibson, but what does the story mean to cancer survivors? Plus, we've got an interest rate cut, but when everything is costing more, so will voters blame the Government at the election? And Jez has been thinking about birthday cakes and making quite a few of them.    SHOW NOTES Financial Review "Cost of Living" article: https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/how-australia-became-the-world-s-biggest-cost-of-living-loser-20241118-p5krgk Julia's Pick: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-12/belle-gibson-apple-cider-vinegar-where-is-she-now/104918624 Jeremy's Pick: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2025/02/14/birthday-jail-visit-centenarian/ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-09/childrens-birthday-cake-book-changed-shape-kids-birthdays/10208246

Jules has been looking at some Australian and US studies about church attendance and they show an increase in young men identifying as Christian. At the same time, the number of women in the Anglican priesthood in Australia is dwindling, so is the Anglican Church becoming more masculine? SHOW NOTES The Anglican Church's disappearing women https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-09/the-church-s-disappearing-women/104910172 In a first among Christians, young men now more religious than young women https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/us/young-men-religion-gen-z.html

Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially harassing a police officer and Jules and Jez are wondering how we decide if "white" is a racial slur. And Donald Trump has pulled funding from USAID, so what does that mean for global aid and for the US' position in the world. SHOW NOTES I was a London judge. Sam Kerr’s case should never have gone to trial https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/i-was-a-london-judge-sam-kerr-s-case-should-never-have-gone-to-trial-20250210-p5lb1e.html US Soft Power took decades to build. Trump is dismantling it in weeks https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/02/03/donald-trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-soft-power/ Jez Pick https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-11/hiv-campaigner-david-polson-qtopia-dies/104922742 Jules Pick https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g63725350/best-dressed-men-celebrities-super-bowl-2025/

A UK poll has found that more than 50% of Gen Z think a dictator is a good idea. Jules and Jez are flabbergasted but when you think about all the  things younger generations are up against, maybe it is not a surprise. They discuss the findings, the Grammys and seven hundred Marilyn Monroes. Show Notes: Gen Z: Trends, Truth and Trust: https://www.channel4.com/corporate/about-4/gen-z-trends-truth-and-trust#:~:text=Meet%20Gen%20Z%3A%20a%20diverse,why%20urgent%20action%20is%20needed.   Jez' pick: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-02/2025-brighton-jetty-marilyn-swim-fundraiser-cancer-council-sa/104886846

Jez attended an Australia Day event recently where last year's Australian of the Year recipients, Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long, were speaking about their work. They shared their concerns that young people aren't paying attention to sun-safe messages. They say we've seen worrying trends on social media in the last few years which glamorise tanning and sunburn. So why are #sunburn and #tanlines trending? SHOW NOTES A TikTok tanning trend is making the rounds on social media. Here's why it's dangerous: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-04/dangerous-tiktok-tanning-uv-levels-trend/104776700

At the Australian Open, a protester yelled out in the quiet stadium at the end of the men's tennis final. Jules and Jez unpack what it was all about and how sports deal with allegations against players. And after hosting a few days of Australia Day events, Jez has been thinking about how we mark important dates. BUY ADELAIDE SHOW TICKETS HERE https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/events/2025-writers-week/not-stupid/ JULES PICK The Remarkable Normalcy of Being Disabled and in Love: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/well/family/interabled-relationships-burcaw.html JEZ PICK Ariana Grande reveals the truth about "Holding Space" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOo-e-tR3PI

Have you come back to work after a summer holiday? Are you thinking that this year, you'll get your work/life balance sorted? Are you wondering if it really is possible?  Jules and Jez chat about whether we should have a "right to disconnect" from the office and it turns out they are just very different humans.  The Right to Disconnect https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-01/we-now-have-the-right-to-disconnect-but-has-it-changed-anything/104711380

Donald Trump has taken office, so what will the next four years look like in the White House? Jez and Jules look at what Donald Trump has done in his first days in the job and who is pushing back. And after a series of Anti-Semitic attacks across the country, the Government is promising to act, but Jules thinks we also need to think more about our history. SHOW NOTES  COME TO OUR ADELAIDE SHOW! TICKETS HERE: https://my.adelaidefestival.com.au/4188/4189 JEZ' PICK: De-extinction https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/16/science/colossal-de-extinction-funding-resurrection-science/index.html WATERMELON VIDEO: https://www.msn.com/en-in/food-and-drink/recipes/woman-smashes-most-number-of-watermelons-with-thighs-in-a-minute-to-create-guinness-world-record-watch/ar-AA1xnAGK?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

Jules has been reading up on solitude after finding a piece in The Atlantic about "The Anti-Social Century". It looks at our changing habits around social isolation and says that Americans are spending more time alone than ever. So is it the same here? And if you love your solitude, do you sometimes think about why? "The Anti-Social Century" in The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/ Multi-tasking research https://childmind.org/article/kids-shouldnt-use-phones-during-homework/

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=aMSoIJl9DWc Paloma Diamond https://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

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

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.au Buy tickets to our Adelaide show here: https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/events/2025-writers-week/podfest-not-stupid/

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 UPRIGHT https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-24/staying-upright-life-can-be-hard-how-do-people-endure/103615514 STAYING UPRIGHT: JAMILA RIZVI https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-07/staying-upright-jamila-rizvi-brain-tumour-diagnosis/103673974 STAYING UPRIGHT: JON OWEN https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-26/jon-owen-wayside-chapel-helping-others-staying-upright/103887876 STAYING UPRIGHT: SARAH LULU FAITH https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-14/staying-upright-crochet-and-healing-power-of-knitting-needles/103700364 STAYING UPRIGHT: DAVE TARNOWSKI https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-05/dave-tarnowski-stigma-mental-illness-disappointing-affirmations/103795176

After a big year of pretty toxic politics globally, can we learn to disagree better? Jules has been reading up about the "Dignity Index", so could it make a difference? And the so called "hot assassin" has lots of people talking about healthcare and health insurance in the US. Also, could "Not Stupid" get in the Guinness Book of Records? SHOW NOTES Buy tickets to our Adelaide show! https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/events/2025-writers-week/podfest-not-stupid/ Utah Governor advert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5_ajRH0QN8 Jules' Pick: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2024/12/record-breaking-best-of-2024-iconic-meet-ups-amazing-animals-and-age-defying-love Jez' Pick: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/very-musical-christmas

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 TIPS 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. 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.

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 NOTES The 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.html Jez'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

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-CpIDFEEDROGt And if you have other suggestions, you can get in touch at notstupid@abc.net.au

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 NOTES NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY  https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/climate/plastic-industry-internal-documents.html MACQUARIE DICTIONARY WORD OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST:  https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WOTY_2024_shortlist_FINAL-1.pdf  JEREMY'S PICKS https://hbr.org/2024/11/lets-end-toxic-productivity https://hbr.org/2019/07/making-joy-a-priority-at-work JULIA'S PICKS https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/crypto-executive-eats-banana-artwork-bought-for-9-6-million-says-it-tasted-quite-good-20241130-p5kus4.html

Jules got a tattoo in New York after some particularly strong margaritas, so we asked you for your tattoo stories. And boy did you deliver. Join Jules and Jez as they read through some of your emails about weird and wonderful tattoos. You can always get in touch at notstupid@abc.net.au

Donald Trump's White House picks have many questioning whether the #metoo movement is dead. So is it? And here in Australia, executives from Coles, Woolworths and ALDI have appeared at the ACCC’s supermarket inquiry, so what have we learned and is anything going to change? SHOW NOTES Please do our survey! Link here: https://forms.office.com/r/XCJvrKqCkd JULES' PICK Jesse Krimes Exhibition https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/jesse-krimes-corrections JEZ'S PICK Nadal Retires. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zka2KlZ_-GM

Jules is in the US talking about grace and forgiveness and it is a tricky topic in the wake of the election result. So what reaction has she been getting? If you can, please fill out our listener survey. It's anonymous and will only take a few minutes. SURVEY LINK HERE: https://forms.office.com/r/XCJvrKqCkd

Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has been charged with historical indecent assault and sexual touching offences and Jules and Jez chat about what we know about the charges. And Jules is still in the US and everything is so expensive. We talk about how Donald Trump says he will fix the economy and what impact the economy might have on the Australian economy. You can always get in touch with us at notstupid@abc.net.au SHOW NOTES The Not Stupid Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/36xBCBL6jCrPJe6J8drjYe?si=BF6PCTj-QCK-nIDa1LTPTg&pi=a-CpIDFEEDROGt Jez's pick about aliens:  https://www.themandarin.com.au/281675-aaro-releases-annual-uap-report/

When Jules and Jez spoke about Tim Winton's novel "Juice", they spoke about communities trying to do their bit to address climate change and we wanted to hear from you. Lots of you got in touch and we discuss a few of those emails. If you have more stories, please get in touch at notstupid@abc.net.au

When Donald Trump won the US election, sexist, racist and misogynistic comments exploded online. Julia and Jeremy look at what happened at why. And here in Australia, the Government plans to stop misinformation, but will it work?   Jeremy's Playlist Dancing may be better than other exercise for improving mental health - The University of Sydney

It has been a big few days in US politics and Jules is about to head to the US. She'll be there talking about grace, after a very tumultuous and divisive election campaign. So will there be any grace on display? Also Jules talks about meeting Donald Trump in 2016.

Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez have been reporting on the US election all day, but after the tv broadcast, they got into the pod studio for a debrief and a chat. They take us through how the day unfolded and how Trump won.

We asked for your favourite poems and you really delivered. We have been inundated with emails about poetry so we thoughts we'd share a few. Keep sending them at notstupid@abc.net.au and we will share more in coming weeks. POEMS "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum "Araluen" by Henry Kendall "Small Kindnesses" by Danusha Laméris SONG LYRICS "The Wine Song" by The Cat Empire "Still remains" by Stone Temple Pilots

There's one week until the US election and Jez and Jules are reading and listening to everything so you don't have to. They chat about the latest and what they think we sometimes get wrong about Trump voters. And Jules has COVID while one of her kids is doing her final exams. It has got us thinking about the pressure of final exams and whether we've got it right. And who steals cheddar? Jez is intrigued by a very weird crime. JULIA'S PICK Saoirse Ronan on Graham Norton JEREMY'S PICK The Great Cheese Theft

Julia Baird and Jeremy Fernandez answer more of your questions about the US election. Will Trump's criminal cases matter? What are the issues which will decide the election? And when will we have a result?

King Charles and Queen Camilla have been in Australia and a heckle from Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe caused global headlines for heckling the King. So should the King be heckled and are we ever going to be a Republic? Also Julia has been deep down a rabbit hole reading about the Menendez brothers who were convicted of killing their parents more than thirty years ago. Now the case is being looked at again following a couple of tv shows. And Jules and Jez went to pub choir and loved it.    SHOW NOTES Survivors and Mates Support Group Menendez Case  Pub Choir