Not Stupid

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

New Yorker interview with Michael Vizontay:

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 [email protected]

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”.

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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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]