Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

Jo's special guest in episode 213 is Lucy Jane Santos, who returns to the podcast. Lucy is a freelance historian and consultant, examining the crossroads of health, wellness & beauty with science and technology. She talks about her latest book 'Chain Reactions: A Hopeful History of Uranium', which includes stories about Las Vegas, Atomic Cocktails and X-Ray Skirts. Plus she reveals her latest proj...

In episode 212 Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell to myth bust stories and topics relating to neuroscience. Emma is a Reader at Cardiff University and a science communicator. Jo and Emma talk about how AI could help people living with dementia, bear brain surgery and why smell and memories are so closely linked e.g. when it comes to pumpkin spice.  Jo is also joined by Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a sc...

Jo's special guest in episode 211 is Dr Darren Freebury-Jones, who is the author of a number of a books about Shakespeare and his contemporaries. He talks about his work, in particular his latest book 'Shakespeare's Borrowed Feathers', about the early modern playwrights who shaped the Bard. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the physic garden at Amersham Museum, to meet director and pha...

In episode 210 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast to talk about science fiction cinema. They continue their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and this time focus on Stephen King. Films discussed include 'The Running Man' and 'The Mist', as well as TV series like 'The Stand'.  Listeners and guests share some of their favourite science fi...

Jo's special guest in episode 209 is Lynne Peeples, a science journalist based in Seattle. Lynne is the author of the book 'The Inner Clock' and talks to Jo about our circadian rhythms and the impact of food, sleep and light on them. Lynne talks about her research, including ten days in a bunker, and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud, to learn the story beh...

In episode 208 Jo's special guest is writer Anna Mazzola, who talks about her career as a lawyer as well as her books, including her latest historical crime thriller 'The Book Of Secrets'. She also talks about her next project - a modern legal thriller - and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the physic garden at Amersham Museum, to meet director and pharmacy historian Briony Hudson. Briony...

Jo's special guest in episode 207 is Prof Adam Hart, who is professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Adam is back to myth bust a topic and this time its anthropomorphising animals, which is when we imbue them with human qualities. He looks at why we favour some animals to others and the pros and cons of anthropomorphism.  Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewk...

Episode 206 of the podcast is Jo's 4 year anniversary and it's also World Space Week. Jo's special guest is Dr Meganne Christian who is Commercial Exploration Lead at the UK Space Agency and a Reserve Astronaut for the European Space Agency. She talks about her life and career, including becoming part of the astronaut corps, her time in Antarctica and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also has a highl...

Jo's special guest in episode 205 is Dr Penelope Campling, a consultant psychiatrist, who worked in the field for over 40 years. She talks about her career including what we can learn from therapeutic communities. She also discusses her book 'On The Brink: Stories of Harm & Healing from a Lifetime in Psychiatry', and she answers the Quick Six.  Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives and learns ab...

In episode 204 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast to talk about science fiction cinema. They continue their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and this time focus on HG Wells. Films discussed include 'War of the Worlds', 'The Invisible Man' and 'The Time Machine'.  Listeners and guests share some of their favourite films inspired by the...

Jo brings you a special edition in episode 203, on location at the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham. She marks the 150th anniversary since the birth of composer Gustav Holst with curator Laura Kinnear. They talk about his life and work, including The Planets and learn about the Digital Kiosk in the museum.  Plus Jo has a highlight from the Cheltenham Science Festival. She talks to professor of...

Jo's special guests in episode 202 are Professor Nadine Akkerman & Dr Pete Langman. Nadine is professor of Early Modern Literature and Culture at Leiden University, The Netherlands and Pete is an editor, writer and independent scholar. They talk to Jo about their book 'Spycraft' which explores the history and science of espionage techniques from the time of Elizabeth I to the Restoration. Plus the...

In episode 201 Jo welcomes back crime writer and TV presenter Jackie Kabler. She talks about her latest book 'The Life Sentence' and the research that she did for it, including into technology and cyber crime.  Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story behind some school records.      Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website:...

It's the 200th episode of the award-winning podcast, that is the space for arts and science. In this special feature length extended episode Jo welcomes back a host of guests, and topics discussed include myth busting, meteorology, plants, sensory science, illustration, video games, theatre, history, neuroscience, microbiology, the Periodic Table, science fiction films and space.  Guests featured:...

Jo's special guest in episode 199 is Tom Donald who is a pianist and composer. Tom talks about his career including film scores and his passion for music and the science behind it. He discusses a special collaboration that combines piano and Gregorian chant for the album 'Pax Aeterna'. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a pi...

In episode 198 Jo's special guest is writer and conductor Lev Parikian. He talks about his books and passion for birds, and discusses his latest book 'Taking Flight' about how animals learned to fly, including birds, bats and insects. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also chats to one of the team from Wakefield Museums and Castles, to find out the story of a poster and one man from the area who...

Jo's special guest in episode 197 is Cheltenham writer Hayley Hoskins, who writes middle grade fiction. She talks about her journey as a writer and about her latest book 'The Whisperling Twins', which was inspired by the history of Gloucester. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind one of the largest items in the collection - a...

In episode 196 Jo's special guest is Dr Chris Laoutaris who is Associate Professor of Shakespeare & Early Modern Drama at the Shakespeare Institute (part of the University of Birmingham) in Stratford-upon-Avon. They discuss Shakespeare, in particular Chris's latest book about the people behind the First Folio - 'Shakespeare's Book'. Plus Chris answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits Amersham Museum...

Jo welcomes back Dee Atkins-Greig, who is a maths tutor and meteorologist. Dee and Jo discuss maths confidence, life coaching and the weather, including how the jet stream affects weather in the UK in particular and what happens when a heatwave is declared. Plus we learn more about clouds. Jo is also joined by Professor Jim Al-Khalili who is a theoretical physicist, author and broadcaster. Jo spea...

In episode 194 Jo welcomes back Professor Adam Hart, who is professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Adam returns to myth bust another topic and this time looks at dogs, their history and relationship to humans. Jo also visits Amersham Museum to chat to director Briony Hudson, and they explore the physic garden and some of the plants that have medicinal properties. ...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, in episode 193, to discuss science fiction cinema. They continue the series exploring the books of sci-fi novelists that have been turned into films, and this time look at the work of Michael Crichton. Films discussed include The Andromeda Strain, Westworld and Jurassic Park. Plus science journalist and writer Sue Nelson, and writer...

In episode 192 Jo's special guest is Jules Howard, who is a zoology correspondent and author. He talks about his latest book 'Infinite Life' which is about eggs, evolution and life on Earth, including birds, fish and dinosaurs.  Jo also talks to Prof Niamh Nic Daéid, who is Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Dundee and is the Director of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic...

Jo welcomes back Faith Douglas in episode 191, to mark the Summer Solstice. Faith is the curator of Thorp Perrow Arboretum in North Yorkshire and she is also the author of 'The Nature Remedy'. Jo and Faith talk about the plants we can enjoy and use at this time of year and how to have a closer relationship with the natural world, including bare foot walking, grounding and forest bathing.  Jo also...

In a milestone episode 190, Jo presents a special edition of the podcast, on location at the 2024 Cheltenham Science Festival. She talks to a range of the speakers about subjects including space, genetics, maths, neuroscience, zoology and bubbles. Guests featured: Prof Turi King, Prof Marcus du Sautoy, Dallas Campbell, Dr Meganne Christian, Ginny Smith, Jules Howard, Stefan Gates and Dame Dr Maggi...

In episode 189 Jo's special guest is Rick Tonello, the Chief Astronomer at the Gravity Discovery Centre Observatory in Western Australia. He talks about his passion for space, dark skies, witnessing a total solar eclipse and the recent aurora activity. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.  Jo also visits the Grant Museum in London, which is part of UCL, and has recently reopened after a refurbishment....