Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

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...

Jo welcomes back Prof Adam Hart in episode 275. Adam is Professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire and joins Jo to myth bust a variety of subjects. This time it's tortoises, turtles and terrapins, including how fast they move, how long they live for and why a pair of tortoises went to the Moon. Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with Faith Douglas, curat...

In episode 274 Jo concludes her celebration of Women's History Month and welcomes back magician Kerry Scorah. She takes part in Jo's series where a guest chooses their Top Ten Theatre shows. Her choices include a number of musicals like Wicked, Starlight Express and Six. Jo also visits the museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and finds out why Rupert the Bear is in the collection.     Presen...

Jo continues her celebration of Women's History Month in episode 273 and is joined by Rachael Rowe. She is an author and journalist and talks about her book 'The Science Lover's Guide To London'. She also discusses organising the Sturminster Newton Literary Festival in Dorset and answers the Quick Six. Jo visits one of the museums featured in Rachel's book, the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL, to f...

As Jo continues her celebration of Women's History Month, she is joined in episode 272 by Dr Shelia Kanani MBE. Shelia is a planetary scientist, space educator and author. She talks about her passion for space, studying Saturn and her recent book 'The Starspotter's Guide'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a small silver sp...

Jo begins a new series celebrating Women's History Month, and in episode 271 welcomes back historical novelist Annie Garthwaite. They discuss the sequel to her debut book 'Cecily' - 'The King's Mother'. This centres on the later life of Cecily Neville, mother of Edward IV and Richard III, and we also learn about three other powerful women of the Wars of the Roses.  Jo also continues her series on...

In a milestone episode 270 Jo welcomes back Paul Scott, who has worked in theatres and arts centres for many years. He takes part in Jo's series where a guest chooses their Top Ten Theatre shows. His choices include some Shakespeare, Alan Bennett and Gilbert & Sullivan. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham to find out about a harp that helps to tell a story about Gustav Holst's g...

Jo's special guests in episode 269 are Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, who return to talk about science fiction. This time they pause their A-Z of sci-fi films, to shine the spotlight on B Movies.  Films discussed include Starcrash, The Blob, Mad Max and Santa Claus Conquers The Martians. Plus Paul Scott shares some of his favourite science fiction B Movies.        P...

In episode 268 Jo's special guest is Dr Daniel Swift, Associate Professor in English at Northeastern University and the author of the book 'The Dream Factory: London's First Playhouse and the Making of William Shakespeare'. He talks about his passion for his subject, the role The Theatre had in shaping Shakespeare and he answers the Quick Six. Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with...

Jo's special guest in episode 267 is Dr Elizbeth Norton, who is a historian specialising in queenship. She shares her passion for her subject and discusses her recent book 'Women Who Ruled The World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy'. Queens they discuss include Matilda of England, Merneith of Egypt and Wu Zetian of China, as well as Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Plus Elizabeth answers the Qui...

In episode 266 Jo is joined by Phil Downing who is the manager of Harvington Hall - a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor in Worcestershire. They talk about his passion for history, why Harvington is known as 'The House of Secrets', has more surviving priest hides than any other house in the country and why Phil has spent a considerable amount of time in some of them.  Phil also tells Jo about a spec...

Jo's special guest in episode 265 is Amelia Thomas, who is an author, journalist and naturalist. She talks about her career and why she spent a year learning to listen to animals, for her book 'What Sheep Think About The Weather'. Plus she answers the Quick Six.  Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Dr Russell Arnott, Director of Incredible Oceans CIC, ab...

In episode 264 Jo is joined by Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, who return to talk about science fiction. They continue their new series on the A-Z of science fiction cinema, with the letter B.  Jeff suggests a number of contenders for the Hall of Fame and Jo and Graham must decide if it's going to be entered, or relegated to Room 101! Themes discussed for B include b...