Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

In episode 164 Dr Emma Yhnell returns to myth bust stories and topics relating to neuroscience. Emma is a senior lecturer at Cardiff University and a science communicator. Jo and Emma discuss the possibility of the use of AI in brain surgery, whether you can rewire your brain and how to reduce stress at Christmas. Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public enga...

Jo welcomes back Mark Thompson in episode 163. Mark is an astronomy, science & sleep broadcaster and author. He tells Jo how a challenge over two years ago has led to a passion for communicating why sleep is so important for our health. Mark also talks about his new podcast and theatre show, tells us what we can enjoy looking at in the night sky this winter and why he loves Christmas so much.  Jo...

In episode 162 Jo's special guest is Lyndsey Fineran, who is the Artistic Director of the Auckland Writers Festival | Waituhi O Tāmaki. She talks about her love of books and travel, the ten plus years she worked at Cheltenham Literature Festival and why she recently moved to New Zealand for her new role. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six.  Jo also finds out the story of a hoard of coins found in Pon...

Jo's special guest in episode 161 is Dr Katerina Kaouri, who is Associate Professor at the School of Mathematics at Cardiff University and also Director for Impact & Engagement at the department.  She talks about mathematical modelling and how it can be applied to real life challenges, like sonic booms and biology. She also shares her passion for science communication and how she has incorporated...

In a milestone episode 160, Jo's special guest is Gareth Russell, who is a historian, author and broadcaster. He talks about his passion for his subject and his books including 'The Palace' which tells the story of Hampton Court Palace. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.  Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find out what items would have been used for dining in Tudor times.      Pre...

Jo's special guest in episode 159 is writer Rachel Marks from Stroud, who talks about her novels, including her latest book 'One December Day'. She also discusses her narrative style and inspiration behind her work. Plus she answers the Quick Six.  Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud, where she finds out the story of part of a dinosaur, which it turns out isn't what people originally t...

In episode 158 Jo welcomes back Dr Jonny Brooks-Bartlett, who is a senior machine learning engineer at Spotify, to do some more myth busting. He discusses topics relating to data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, including generative AI, applications of AI in human biology and the Digital Services Act.  Jo also visits the museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in London fo...

Jo's special guest in episode 157 is Alom Shaha, who is a science teacher, dad and writer. He returns to the podcast to talk about his latest book 'Why Don't Things Fall Up', which answers science questions like why the sky is blue and if we really are all made of stars.  Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. He returns to s...

In episode 156 Jo's special guest is Dr Simon Fryer, who is a senior lecturer in sport and exercise physiology at the University of Gloucestershire. He talks about how a love of climbing led him into this career and discusses some of his research, especially into sedentary behaviour. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.  Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story of steamships built...

To celebrate the three year anniversary of the podcast, Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, to explore science fiction cinema. In episode 155 another special guest shares their Top Ten science fiction films.  The next person to do this is Corey Brotherson, a writer, editor and creative consultant who works across a variety of industries including video gaming and comi...

In episode 154 Jo welcomes back Paul Rincon, who is science commissioning editor for The Conversation. Paul returns to discuss space stories that have been in the news recently. Topics include India's landing on the Moon, space tourism and the Osiris-Rex mission returning from asteroid Bennu. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to uncover an aviation story from history.     Presented, produced...

Jo welcomes back Faith Douglas who is the curator of Thorp Perrow Arboretum and the author of The Nature Remedy. They continue their series celebrating each season, and focus on Autumn. They talk about folklore associated with this time of year, what to harvest and plant, why leaves change colour and how to embrace change in our own lives.  Plus Jo finds out why liquorice has been so important in...

In episode 152 Jo's special guest is author Jane Bailey who returns to the podcast to talk about her latest novel 'Stay'. Jane reveals why she chose the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic lockdown as the backdrop to the thriller. In it a young woman accepts a lift from strangers and ends up at their Gloucestershire home, but will they let her leave? Plus Jane explains why folk songs feature in the book. Jo al...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, to explore science fiction cinema. Episode 151 sees the return of the occasional series where a special guest shares their Top Ten science fiction films.  The next person to do this is Paul Scott, former manager of the Cheltenham Playhouse, and some of his favourites include a Star Wars & a Star Trek film. Plus he reveals his guilty...

Jo celebrates a milestone 150th episode of the podcast.  Her special guest is imaging specialist Andy Saunders, author of 'Apollo Remastered'. He tells Jo about his passion for photography and space, and how he painstakingly digitally remastered thousands of images from scans of original NASA films from the Apollo era. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.  Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to fin...

In episode 149 Jo's special guest is freelance writer and editor Liz Bell, who is also the founder of the ZIG/ZAG Project. She talks about her background in science communication, wildlife TV production and love of insects, as well as her passion for poetry, moving to the Forest of Dean and how she's explored her own neurodivergence. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back historian...

Jo's special guest in episode 148 is author Lauren Beukes. She talks about her books including The Shining Girls, which is now a TV series, and the award-winning Zoo City. She also discusses her new book Bridge, which delves into multiverses. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. He shares an...

Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell in episode 147, to do some more myth busting on neuroscience. Emma is a senior lecturer at Cardiff University and a science communicator. In this edition topics discussed include brain fog, naps and an Alzheimer's Disease drug trial.  Jo also finds out the story behind a walking cane belonging to a physician from the 1700s, at the Royal College of Physicians Museum...

Jo's special guest in episode 146 is Dr Shane Horgan, who is a criminology lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University & Programme Leader for the Policing & Criminology degree.  He talks about his career and research into cyber security and more recently into hacking. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back pharmacy historian Briony Hudson, to find out the story of a Victorian pill machi...

In episode 145 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks. In a departure from science fiction cinema, they discuss two space documentary films.  The first is 'Apollo 11' (2019), which uses archival footage of the first Moon landing in 1969. The second is 'The Farthest' (2017), which tells the story of the Voyager mission that launched in 1977, to visit Jupiter, Saturn, Ura...

Jo's special guest in episode 144 is Rebecca Fogg, author of the book 'Beautiful Trauma: A Journey of Discovery in Science and Healing'. Rebecca shares with Jo the story of a serious hand injury that she sustained, and the science behind her recovery. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story behind a pipe and inhaler at the Royal College of Physicians Museum in London, which ha...

In episode 143 Jo welcomes back Professor Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire, to do some myth busting. This time they are exploring the subject of predators, in particular those that view humans as prey. They talk about Adam's new book 'The Deadly Balance' and explore the issues and possible solutions for both humans and animals who have to live alongside one another. This includes...

In episode 142 Jo welcomes back crime writer and TV presenter Jackie Kabler. She talks about her latest book 'The Vanishing Of Class 3B', as well as how she plans her books and comes up with character names.  There's also a mystery element to explore with science communicator and public engagement trainer Dr Jamie Gallagher.      Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purp...

Jo's special guest in episode 141 is Dr Stewart Carswell who is a poet with a PhD in physics. He talks about quantum computing, how the Forest of Dean has influenced his poetry, especially the collection 'Earthworks', and he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to learn about John Moore's love of woodlands and also about dendrochronology - the scientific metho...

Jo marks the Summer Solstice with Faith Douglas who is the curator of Thorp Perrow Arboretum and the author of The Nature Remedy. They talk about the ways the event is celebrated, what plants we can grow in the garden at this time of year and how to make the most of the extra daylight. Plus Jo visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story of a bird's nest made by a blackbird in a h...