Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

In episode 16 Jo is joined by writer Sarah Franklin, author of 'Shelter' and 'How To Belong'. Sarah talks about her childhood in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire and how the area has provided great inspiration for her work. Plus she answers the Quick Six questions as Jo takes her on a virtual journey. Jo also discusses the rich literary heritage of the Forest of Dean with Roger Deeks, co-dire...

Jo's special guest in episode 15 is illustrator and author James Mayhew, who talks about what inspires his work, his career highlights including the Gaspard The Fox books and why he loves collaborating with orchestras. And he goes on a virtual journey in time and space in Jo's Quick Six. Plus Glasgow based chemist and science communicator Dr Jamie Gallagher returns with some more stories from the...

In the first episode of 2021 Jo is joined by Professor Barry Smith, a philosopher and sensory scientist based at the University of London. He explains how our enjoyment of food is a multi sensory experience and why Jo is a 'super taster'. Plus he takes on the Quick Six. Jo also brings you the best of her guests from the first 12 episodes, talking in the Quick Six about their favourite smells.   Pr...

Jo's special guests in episode 13 are Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast based in Stroud, Gloucestershire. In this edition they are shining the spotlight on science fiction films that deal with time travel. Plus Jo brings you the best of her guests from the first 12 episodes, talking in the Quick Six about what period of time they'd travel to and who they would meet there. ...

It's the 2020 Christmas Special of the podcast and Jo's joined by four previous guests - TV presenter & writer Dallas Campbell, cyber security expert Dr Jessica Barker, science communicator Dr Jamie Gallagher and Emeritus Professor of Microbiology Jo Verran.  They discuss the science of Christmas, when decorations should go up, gifts they wished they'd received and there's a festive version of the...

In episode 11 Jo is joined by Shar Daws, author of the book 'Bombshells: Five Women Who Set the Fifties on Fire'. They discuss the lives and legacies of Jean Harlow, Ruth Ellis, Marilyn Monroe, Diana Dors and Jayne Mansfield. Plus Shar takes on the Quick Six. Jo also explores life in Tudor England as she learns the story behind a charter at Gloucestershire Archives containing the seal of Henry VII...

Jo finds out how art and science combine when it comes to magic in episode 10. Her special guests are Richard Parsons and Kerry Scorah, professional magicians based in Gloucestershire. They talk about their love of magic, becoming members of The Magic Circle and how they've adapted their work for the virtual world in 2020. Plus they perform some tricks and take on the Quick Six. Jo also finds out...

In episode 9 Jo is joined by Dr Emma Yhnell from Cardiff University, who is myth busting neuroscience and biomedical topics. This time it's brain chemistry. Plus she answers the Quick Six questions as Jo takes her on a virtual journey. Jo also catches up with PHD student Rebecca Ellis, based in Swansea, to find out how she got on in an international science communication competition. And she share...

Jo's special guests in episode 8 are Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast based in Stroud, Gloucestershire. They discuss science fiction films and TV series, reviewing some recent releases and also shining the spotlight on some classics. And they go on a virtual journey in time and space in Jo's Quick Six. Plus Glasgow based chemist and science communicator Dr Jamie Gallagher...

In episode 7 Jo's special guest is Jo Verran, Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Among the topics they discuss are viruses, bacteria and antibiotics, as well as how arts and science have combined for Jo. Plus they go on a virtual journey in the Quick Six. Jo also learns about an object at the home of Dr Edward Jenner in Berkeley, Gloucestershire which helps t...

Jo's special guests in episode 6 are Dr Jessica Barker and FC who are cyber security experts based in Gloucester. They join Jo to do some myth busting on topics like passwords, QR codes and cookies. They also take us on a virtual journey as they answer the Quick Six. Plus Jo visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story behind an object she wasn't allowed to see.    Presented, produced & e...

Hear some of the best bits from the first five episodes of the podcast. Guests featured: Dallas Campbell, Dr Jackie Bell, Professor Adam Hart, Rebecca Ellis, Dr Jamie Gallagher & Faith Douglas. Plus the stories behind objects at Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley, the Jet Age Museum in Staverton, the Museum in the Park in Stroud and outside the Dean Heritage Centre in the Forest of Dean.   Music licens...

Jo is joined in episode 5 of the podcast by Faith Douglas, author of 'The Nature Remedy' and curator of an arboretum in North Yorkshire. She talks about our relationship with nature, the changing seasons and explains what forest bathing is. And Faith answers the Quick Six questions as Jo takes her on a virtual journey. Plus Jo finds out the story behind a historic item with a scientific connection...

There are two special guests joining Jo for episode 4 of the podcast. Swansea based PHD student Rebecca Ellis shares and explains some of her science poetry, which helped her to win the UK final of FameLab. Science communicator and chemist Dr Jamie Gallagher from Glasgow tells some element tales from the Periodic Table.  And Jo discovers the story behind some unusual items at the Museum in the Par...

Jo is joined in episode 3 of the podcast by Professor Adam Hart from the University of Gloucestershire, who is myth busting science communication and vaccinations. Plus he answers the Quick Six questions as Jo takes him on a virtual journey. Jo also visits Dr Jenner's House in Berkeley to find out the story of an object that marks 40 years since smallpox was declared eradicated. And there's a prev...

In episode 2 of the podcast Jo's special guest is mathematician and physicist Dr Jackie Bell, who talks about her passion for science and her hopes of becoming an astronaut. Plus she takes on the Quick Six questions as Jo takes her on a virtual journey. Jo also finds out the story behind the Gloster Meteor F.8 which is found at the Jet Age Museum in Staverton, which is next to Gloucestershire Airp...

In episode 1 of the podcast Jo's special guest is TV presenter and writer Dallas Campbell, who Jo talks to about arts & science, space, conspiracy theories and he answers her Quick Six questions as she takes him on a virtual journey.  Jo also visits the home of Dr Edward Jenner in Berkeley, Gloucestershire to learn about the Physic Garden there. And she previews some of the guests appearing in fut...

Hear some of the guests Jo will be talking to as she explores and celebrates arts and science.  Guests featured in the trailer: Professor Adam Hart, Rebecca Ellis, Graham O'Dwyer & Jeff Downes, Dr Jamie Gallagher, Dr Emma Yhnell, Owen Gower, Dr Jackie Bell & Dallas Campbell.   Music licensed from Purple Planet.