Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

It's the 2021 New Year special of the podcast and Jo has invited back six pairs of guests, to discuss New Year traditions, as well as their review of 2021 and hopes for 2022. The guests are (in order of appearance): Professor Barry Smith & James Mayhew; Briony Hudson & Owen Gower; Dr Emma Yhnell & Rebecca Ellis; Professor Jo Verran & Sarah Franklin; Dr Helen Fry & Mark Thompson; and Jeff Downes &...

It's the 2021 Christmas special of the podcast and Jo has invited back six pairs of guests, many appearing together for the first time. They discuss festive food, films, fun and much more. The guests are (in order of appearance): Professor Jo Verran & Sarah Franklin; Dr Emma Yhnell & Rebecca Ellis; Dr Helen Fry & Mark Thompson; Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer; Briony Hudson & Owen Gower; Professor Ba...

Jo's special guest in episode 63 is biologist and writer Dr Andrew Steele who talks about his book 'Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old', his passion for this subject and love of space too. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back pharmacy historian Briony Hudson, to talk about a blood mixture which is now in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum.   Presente...

Jo is joined in episode 62 of the podcast by Professor Adam Hart from the University of Gloucestershire, who is myth busting climate change and looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Jo also visits Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley to tell the story of an item that reveals another of Edward Jenner's interests - poetry.   Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple P...

In episode 61 Jo's special guest is historian and writer Lucy Jane Santos who specialises in leisure, health and beauty. She talks about her passion for combining history and science and discusses her book 'Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium' Plus she goes on a virtual journey in time and space in Jo's Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back science communicator Dr Jamie Gallagher with another st...

In her milestone 60th episode Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks. We continue the series looking at science fiction films decade by decade, moving into 1970s.  Films discussed include Star Wars, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Superman, Alien and Rollerball. Plus Steve Knibbs, Paul Rincon and Paul Scott share their favourite science fiction films from this decade.     ...

Jo's special guest in episode 59 is archaeologist and writer Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes, who talks about her career, passion for her subject especially Neanderthals, her book 'Kindred' and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the geology stores of the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story of some of the dinosaur remains there.     Music licensed from Purple Planet.  Presented, produc...

In episode 58 Jo's special guest is Darren Lewington from Gloucestershire who has a lifelong passion for aviation, and now turns parts of planes into works of art and pieces of furniture in Staverton. Plus he takes on the Quick Six questions. Jo also finds out the story behind a replica of a Hawker Hurricane which is found at the Jet Age Museum in Staverton, which Darren has also been involved wit...

Jo's special guest in episode 57 is presenter, writer and gastronaut Stefan Gates, who shares his passion for food, especially the science behind it. He also talks about his career, books and he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the geology stores of the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a mummified cat.     Music licensed from Purple Planet.  Presented, produced and ed...

In episode 56 Jo explores the lives and legacy of two pioneers of iron and steel production - father and son, David and Robert Mushet who did many of their experiments in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire in the 19th century. Historian Dr Roger Deeks is Jo's guide and explains why the Mushets were internationally important. Jo also finds out about some items relating to the Mushet family that...

Jo's special guest in episode 55 is microbiologist Dr Freya Harrison, who is based at the University of Warwick. She talks about her career, including research into early medieval medicine that could have a real world application today. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back pharmacy historian Briony Hudson, to talk about mandrake, with images that are now part of the Wellcome Colle...

In episode 54 Jo's special guest is writer and teacher Alom Shaha, who talks about his career, passion for making science accessible to all and his books including 'Mr Shaha's Marvellous Machines'. Plus he takes on the Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story of a marble relating to a unique event, found at the Castleford Museum in West Yorkshire.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Musi...

It's the one year anniversary special of the podcast and Jo has invited back a number of guests to her virtual birthday party. Each of them also chooses a virtual guest, living or not, as their plus one. The guests are (in order of appearance): Christopher Edge, Dr Emma Yhnell, Dr Daisy Dunn, Professor Jo Verran, Mark McCaughrean & Alexander Milas, Briony Hudson & Owen Gower, Dr Jonny Brooks-Bartl...

In episode 52 Jo's special guest is science communicator and writer Dr Natalie Starkey, who talks about her career, passion for volcanoes and space, including her latest book 'Fire and Ice', plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the archaeology stores of the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind some Roman tiles with imprints in.     Music licensed from Purple Planet. ...

Jo is joined in episode 51 of the podcast by Professor Adam Hart from the University of Gloucestershire, who is myth busting biodiversity and why it's so important. Jo also visits Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley to tell the story of a letter relating to the first person to receive a smallpox vaccine - James Phipps.   Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. 

It's a milestone edition of the podcast - episode 50. Jo's special guest is science writer and broadcaster Sue Nelson, who is the author of 'Wally Funk's Race For Space'. She talks about her career, passion for space and friendship with Wally, plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also catches up with Dr Jackie Bell to hear how her astronaut training is going.      Music licensed from Purple Planet. ...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast for episode 49. We continue the series looking at science fiction films decade by decade, moving into 1960s.  Films discussed include 2001 A Space Odyssey, Planet of the Apes and The Time Machine. Plus James Mayhew, Sue Nelson, Paul Rincon and Paul Scott share their favourite science fiction films from this decade.      Music...

In episode 48 of the podcast Jo's special guest is Annie Howitt, a PHD student at the University of Cambridge who discusses her research into cancer metabolism. Plus she talks about her passion for sharing science and answers the Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story of a book that belonged to Florence Nightingale, found at the Royal College of Nursing Library and Archive.   Presented, produced &...

Jo is joined in episode 47 of the podcast by science and comedy writer Dr Helen Pilcher, who talks about her work, in particular her recent book 'Life Changing'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley to tell the story of a painting of some cows given to Edward Jenner by his mentor John Hunter.   Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from...

In episode 46 Jo's special guest is Dr Emily Rees Körner from the University of Leeds, who talks about her research including into the history of women in engineering. Plus she takes on the Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story of an 18th century recipe book found at Pontefract Museum in West Yorkshire.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. 

Jo's special guest in episode 45 is astronomer, broadcaster and author Mark Thompson, who talks about his passion for stargazing, career highlights, his world record attempt and he answers Jo's Quick Six. Plus Jo visits the science collection at University College London to learn about the story behind a print from 1966 taken of the Earth and the Moon.   Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant....

In episode 44 Jo's special guest is Professor Ben Garrod who talks about his work as an evolutionary biologist, broadcaster and author, including making a TV programme with Sir David Attenborough. Plus he goes on a virtual journey in time and space in the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury and learns about an item in the natural history collection - a mole.   Presented,...

Jo's special guest in episode 43 is science writer and presenter Ginny Smith who specialises in psychology and neuroscience. She also talks about her book 'Overloaded' and answers Jo's Quick Six. Plus Jo visits the science collection at University College London to learn about some of the bones there.   Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. 

In episode 42 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast. We begin a new series looking at science fiction films decade by decade, beginning in the 1950s.  Films discussed include Forbidden Planet, The Day The Earth Stood Still and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Plus science writer and broadcaster Sue Nelson shares her favourite science fiction films from this decade...

Jo's special guests in episode 41 are Dr Jessica Barker and FC who are cyber security experts based in Gloucestershire. They join Jo to do some myth busting on topics like ransomware, hybrid working and discuss if your phone is really listening to you. Plus Jo visits the science collection at University College London to uncover the story of a mini computer from 1986.   Presented, produced & edite...