Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

It's the three hundredth edition of the award-winning arts & science podcast and also the six year anniversary. In this feature length extended episode Jo welcomes back a host of guests and discusses a range of subjects including space, science fiction, theatre, history, illustration, plants, the weather, museums, sensory science and much more. Guests featured in order of appearance: Dallas Campbe...

Jo presents a special edition of the podcast, recorded for the first time on stage in front of a live audience - at the 2026 Gloucester History Festival.  Her special guests are Professor Janina Ramirez, who is an author, broadcaster and academic, and is the Lifetime President of the Festival, along with Andrew Armstrong, who is the City Archaeologist for Gloucester. They share their passion for t...

In episode 298 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, to talk about science fiction cinema. In this special edition they all go to the cinema together again, this time to watch 'The End Of Oak Street'. Hear their initial thoughts and what they make of it a few weeks on, including how this film compares to other dinosaur movies and just how much horror is in...

Jo's special guest in episode 297 is Luke Sherlock, who is an author, pilgrim and owner of the independent book shop 'Sherlock & Pages' in Somerset. He talks about his love of visiting historic churches which led to his book 'Forgotten Churches', including some of his favourites and how they transport us back to the past. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of P...

In episode 296 Jo's special guest is Jo Ward, who is a crime scene co-ordinator with West Midlands Police. She talks about her career, including memorable cases, her book 'Every Contact Leaves A Trace' and being part of the TV series 'Forensics: The Real CSI'. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six.  Jo also has a highlight from the 2026 Cheltenham Science Festival, which is her chat with Ben Giles, who...

Jo welcomes back Jackie Kabler in episode 295. Jackie is a presenter and a best selling crime writer. She talks to Jo about her latest thriller 'Run For Your Life', which was inspired by her love of running.  Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a new item in the collection which relates to Stroud's railway history.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Dur...

In episode 294 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, to talk about science fiction. This time they look at sci-fi film remakes and ask if a remake can be better than the original?  Films discussed include The Day The Earth Stood Still, War of the Worlds and The Omega Man/I Am Legend. Plus listeners and guests share their thoughts.        Presented, produce...

Jo welcomes back Prof Adam Hart in episode 293. Adam is Professor of Conservation Ecology at the University of Gloucestershire and joins Jo to myth bust a variety of subjects. This time it's the topic of ecotourism - they discuss what it is, the challenges and issues, and also the potential benefits.  Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy...

In episode 292 Jo welcomes back Lucy Jane Santos, who is a historian, presenter and consultant, researching the unexpected places where science, culture and consumerism meet. They discuss her new book 'Nobody's Perfect: The Making Of Some Like It Hot', including busting a few myths about some of the stories to come out of that film, especially those about Marilyn Monroe. (Content warning: Includes...

Jo's special guest in episode 291 is Prof Eileen G'Sell, who is a poet, culture critic and professor at Washington University. She is also the author of the book 'Lipstick', so on National Lipstick Day they talk about the history and cultural evolution of lipstick. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six.  Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind some samples of moss in...

In a milestone episode 290 Jo is joined by historian, author and podcaster working for History Hit, Matt Lewis. He talks about his passion for history, especially the Wars of the Roses and Richard III, the books he's written on these subjects, and the podcasts and documentaries he presents. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham to learn about Ernest...

Jo welcomes back professional photographer Jack Boskett in episode 289. He takes part in Jo's series where a guest chooses their Top Ten Theatre shows. His choices include Wicked, Phantom of the Opera and The Last Laugh. Jo is also joined by Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy, as they continue their series on the A-Z of plants. For U Faith talks about a tree known better by another name. ...

In episode 288 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, to talk about science fiction. In this special edition they all go to the cinema together to watch the science fiction thriller 'Disclosure Day'. Hear their initial thoughts and what they make of it a few weeks on, including themes, effects and performances. (There will minimal spoilers but you might wan...

Jo's special guest in episode 287 is Jenny Wicks, the founder and director of Jenny Wren Productions and the Theatre Manager at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. She shares her theatre journey with Jo, including some the most memorable shows she's put on, and talks about the open air summer production for 2026. Plus she answers the Quick Six.  Jo also has a highlight from the 2026 Cheltenham Sci...

In episode 286 Jo welcomes back Dr Daniel Swift, Associate Professor at Northeastern University and author of the book 'The Dream Factory'. He takes part in Jo's series where a guest chooses their Top Ten Theatre shows. His choices include Les Miserables, The Woman In Black and a few Shakespeare plays including King Lear and Othello. Jo is also joined by Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy,...

Jo presents a special edition of the podcast in episode 285, recorded on location at the 2026 Cheltenham Science Festival. She talks to a variety of speakers on topics including the weather, zoology, cyber security, genetics and space.  Guests featured: Jules Howard, Dr Sarah Bearchell, Prof Turi King, Dr Russell Arnott, Clare Nasir & Simon King, Prof Mark Miodownik & Prof Andrea Sella, Sophia McC...

In episode 284 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, to talk about science fiction. They continue their series on the A-Z of science fiction cinema, with the letter D. Jeff suggests a number of contenders for the Hall of Fame and Jo and Graham must decide what's going to be entered, or relegated to Room 101!  Themes discussed for D include dinosaurs and dy...

Jo's special guest in episode 283 is Dr Russell Arnott, an ocean science communicator and director of Incredible Oceans. He talks about his career, passion for his subject and what he'll be doing at the 2026 Cheltenham Science Festival. Plus we learn why we should all appreciate plankton and Russell answers the Quick Six.  Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat...

In episode 282 Jo is joined by Simon Mason, author of a number of books - for children and young people, literary fiction and more recently crime fiction for adults. He talks about his books in particular the DI Wilkins novels and the Finder Mysteries. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives in Gloucester to find out about a little known story of a nursery in Chelten...

Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell in episode 281 to myth bust biomedical and brain based science. Emma is a reader in neuroscience at Cardiff University and talks to Jo about a range of topics including the neurotransmitter dopamine, sleep, dreams and dehydration.  Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Raechel Kelly from the Planet Cheltenham project about h...

In a milestone episode 280 Jo welcomes Dr Darren Freebury-Jones, a Shakespeare scholar, public speaker and author of 'Shakespeare's Borrowed Feathers'. They begin a new series on the history of theatre, and start during the time of Shakespeare, looking at playhouses, costumes, audiences and plays.  Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with Faith Douglas, curator at Thorp Perrow Arbore...

Jo's special guest in episode 279 is historical novelist Essie Fox. She talks about her career, passion for gothic literature and her recent books 'Dangerous', about Lord Byron and 'Catherine', which is a retelling of 'Wuthering Heights'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham to find the story behind the range, which is in the kitchen.      Presente...

In episode 278 Jo is joined by Prof Susan Amussen, who is professor of history at the University of California Merced. They celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday by talking about Susan's book: 'What's In A Name: How Historians Know Shakespeare Was Shakespeare'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Prof Mark Miodownik and...

Jo's special guests in episode 277 are Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, who return to talk about science fiction. They continue their series on the A-Z of science fiction cinema, with the letter C.  Jeff suggests a number of contenders for the Hall of Fame and Jo and Graham must decide what's going to be entered, or relegated to Room 101! Themes discussed for C includ...

In episode 276 Jo welcomes back Dr Sarah Bearchell, who presents science shows for children. This time she talks to Jo about her new book 'The Future of Agriculture', including how climate change and technology are affecting farming.  Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Prof Kit Yates, who was speaking about maths and predictions.      Presented, produce...