Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

It's a milestone for the podcast as it's episode 40 and Jo has two special guests. She is joined by Alexander Milas and Mark McCaughrean who founded Space Rocks. They talk about their passion for celebrating arts, science, music, culture and space. Plus they answer the Quick Six. Jo also talks to actor Jason Isaacs backstage at the 2019 Space Rocks event in London.   Presented, produced & edited b...

In episode 39 Jo's special guest is Dr Karen Aplin, an associate professor at the University of Bristol. She talks to Jo about her research and interest in space and atmospheric science, in particular weather on other planets. Plus she talks about her love of music and answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley to learn about a grape storage bottle and the story of the vin...

Jo's special guest in episode 38 is writer and historian Dr Helen Fry, who talks about her work including uncovering hidden histories of intelligence operations in World War II and books like 'The Walls Have Ears' and 'M19: Escape & Evasion'. Plus she goes on a virtual journey in time and space in the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find out the story of a gavel th...

In episode 37 Jo's special guests are illustrator and author James Mayhew & writer Ian Eagleton. They talk about collaborating on a picture book called 'Nen and the Lonely Fisherman'. Plus Ian goes on a virtual journey in time and space in Jo's Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back science communicator Dr Jamie Gallagher who has more stories from the Periodic Table and tells Jo about the special pin ba...

Jo is joined in episode 36 of the podcast by Professor Adam Hart from the University of Gloucestershire, who is myth busting scientific research, plus insects like bees and wasps. Jo also visits Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley to tell the story of a piece of research by Edward Jenner into cuckoos.   Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. 

In episode 35 Jo's special guest is behavioural and data scientist Dr Pragya Agarwal who talks about her career including her books 'Sway: Unravelling Unconscious Bias' and '(M)otherhood: On the choices of being a woman'. Plus she goes on a virtual journey in time and space in the Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back pharmacy historian Briony Hudson, to talk about a satirical cartoon depicting an apot...

Jo's special guest in episode 34 is biologist and science presenter Simon Watt. He talks to Jo about his career including the Ugly Animal Preservation Society and his latest immersive theatre project The Mirror Trap. Plus he takes on the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum of Gloucester to find out the story of the Birdlip Mirror.    Music licensed from Purple Planet. Presented, produced and edit...

In episode 33 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast to shine the spotlight on another theme in science fiction films. This time it's the representation of scientists in films including titles like Frankenstein and Blade Runner, as well as biopics such as Hidden Figures and Radioactive. Jo also chats to other guests on the podcast who give her their thoughts on so...

In episode 32 Jo is joined by writer and classicist Dr Daisy Dunn, who talks about her passion for ancient history and discusses her book 'In The Shadow of Vesuvius'. Plus she takes on the Quick Six. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives and learns the story behind a charter containing the seal of Elizabeth I.    Music licensed from Purple Planet. Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant.

There's a mathematical theme in episode 31 as Jo's special guest is data scientist Jonny Brooks-Bartlett. He joins Jo to demystify algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning and much more. Plus he goes on a virtual journey in time and space in the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find out the story behind a reckoning cloth that a Tudor merchant would have...

It's episode 30 and in this milestone edition Jo's special guest is the person who was with her for episode 1 - TV presenter and writer Dallas Campbell, who talks to Jo about animals that have gone into space, including dogs, a cat and tortoises. Jo also learns about the incredible, microscopic tardigrades, with Professor Adam Hart, Dr Jamie Gallagher and Will Gater.     Presented, produced & edit...

Jo's special guest in episode 29 is marine biologist and writer Dr Helen Scales, who shares her passion for the deep and talks about her work including her latest book 'The Brilliant Abyss'. Plus she goes on a virtual journey in time and space in the Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back pharmacy historian Briony Hudson, to talk about another apothecary ointment jar, that's now in the Royal Pharmaceuti...

In episode 28 Jo's special guest is science writer and children's author Isabel Thomas, who has written over 180 books. She talks about her work including 'Moth: An Evolution Story' and her latest book 'Exploring the Elements'. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six.  Glasgow based science communicator Dr Jamie Gallagher also returns with another story from the Periodic Table. This time it's strontium, w...

Jo's special guest in episode 27 is writer Oliver Soden, who talks about his work, in particular his book about an 18th century cat called Jeoffry who was immortalised in a famous poem. Oliver also goes on a virtual journey in time and space in the Quick Six. Plus Jo talks to pharmacy historian Briony Hudson, about apothecary ointment jars, specifically one that's now in the Royal College of Physi...

In episode 26 Jo is joined by Dr Emma Yhnell from Cardiff University, who is myth busting neuroscience and biomedical topics. This time it's clinical trials.  Jo also talks to PHD student Rebecca Ellis, based in Swansea, who she shares another of her science poems - on autism's myths and misconceptions. Plus she talks about World Autism Awareness Week. And at the end of Women's History Month, Jo d...

Jo's special guest in episode 25 is astronomer and science writer Will Gater, who talks about his career, passion for stargazing and the Winchcombe meteorite. He also takes Jo on a virtual tour of the Solar System and answers the Quick Six. Plus Glasgow based chemist and science communicator Dr Jamie Gallagher returns with some more stories from the Periodic Table, including mercury.   Presented,...

Jo shines the spotlight on theatre in episode 24 of the podcast. Her special guest is Iwan Lewis, the CEO & Artistic Director of the Barn Theatre in Cirencester. He talks about his career, passion for the Barn which is marking its third anniversary and explains how the team used innovative ways to connect with audiences in the last year. Plus he takes on the Quick Six. Jo also brings you some her...

Episode 23 of the podcast marks International Women's Day and Women's History Month. Jo's special guest is science writer and broadcaster Dr Kat Arney, who talks about her career, science communication, latest book and she takes on the Quick Six. Plus Jo talks to pharmacy historian Briony Hudson, about medical pioneer and suffragette Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and shares the story of a letter she...

Jo's special guest in episode 22 is broadcaster and childen's author Zeb Soanes, who talks about his career highlights including the Gaspard The Fox books and the real life fox that inspired the stories. He also discusses the latest Gaspard adventure which is published on World Book Day. And he goes on a virtual journey in time and space in Jo's Quick Six. Plus at the start of Women's History Mont...

In episode 21 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast to shine the spotlight on another theme in science fiction films. This time it's alien contact including films like Independence Day, ET, Contact and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Jo also chats to some of the familiar voices and previous guests on the podcast who tell her what their favourite alien contact...

In a bonus edition, hear some of the best bits from guests talking about space topics from the first 20 episodes of the podcast. Guests featured: TV presenter & writer Dallas Campbell, trainee astronaut Dr Jackie Bell, Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast, author Christopher Edge and Paul Millington from the National Space Centre. Plus some of Jo's previous guests reveal where t...

There's a space themed milestone episode 20 of the podcast.  Jo's special guest is Gloucestershire author Christopher Edge who writes stories inspired by science and space for children. He talks about his latest book 'Space Oddity' and takes on the Quick Six. Plus Jo chats to Paul Millington from the National Space Centre in Leicester, which is marking its 20th anniversary in 2021.      Presented,...

Jo is joined in episode 19 of the podcast by Professor Adam Hart from the University of Gloucestershire, who is myth busting a group of mammals often misunderstood, especially in the last year - bats. Jo also finds out the story behind a piece of furniture at Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley which helps to tell a tale of love.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple...

In episode 18 Jo's special guest is science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist Dr Jamie Gallagher from Glasgow. Jamie shares more stories from the Periodic Table, with a focus on the work of Marie Curie, and he takes on the Quick Six.  Jo also chats to lecturer and science communicator Dr Emma Yhnell from Cardiff University, about the Cardiff Science Festival which is taking place...

Jo's special guest in episode 17 is a familiar voice on the podcast - Swansea based PHD student Rebecca Ellis. She shares another science poem, explains more about her research into care pathways for autistic children in Wales, and also takes on Jo's Quick Six. Plus Jo talks to pharmacy historian Briony Hudson about an ancient remedy that was known as medicinal treacle.    Presented, produced & ed...