Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

Jo's special guests in episode 139 are illustrator and author James Mayhew, along with artist Toto who is also married to James. They talk about their collaboration on the picture book 'The Frog's Kiss' and why they wanted to create this story. Plus Toto answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to learn about another amphibian - a toad.     Presented, produced & e...

In episode 138 Jo is joined by science journalist Paul Rincon, for a new feature where they discuss space stories that have been in the news recently. Topics include the Artemis mission back to the Moon, missions to Jupiter and how space exploration is funded. Jo also finds out the story behind an inhaler at the Royal College of Physicians Museum in London, which has been re-imagined in the 'Unfam...

Jo's special guest in episode 137 is science communicator Phil Bell-Young, who talks about his background in marine biology, how he came to create & perform science shows and his love for crochet and magic. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story of a 3D replica of a 187 million year old fish.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durr...

In episode 136 Jo is joined by Prof Jo Verran who is Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at Manchester Metropolitan University and author Sarah Franklin who is also a Senior Lecturer at Oxford International Centre for Publishing. Jo Verran runs the Bad Bugs Book Club where infectious diseases form part of the plot and Sarah's recent book 'How To Belong' features the condition cataplexy, so they dis...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks in episode 135, to explore science fiction cinema. This time the focus is on new releases in the next 12 months, including Dune: Part Two, Oppenheimer and The Flash. Plus science journalist Paul Rincon reveals the forthcoming science fiction films he's looking forward to.      Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant. Music licen...

Jo's special guest in episode 134 is Trent Burton who is the co-creator and lead producer of the Cosmic Shambles Network. He talks about how the team brings together science, comedy, music and more in live shows, podcasts and films. He also discusses the new documentary feature film 'Rapid Motion Through Space' and he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story of a painting of Pontefract...

In episode 133 Jo's special guest is Theo Deproost, who is a fine art photographer based in Stroud. He talks about his practice and his collaboration with museums including the Museum in the Park in Stroud and he answers Jo's Quick Six. Theo's latest exhibition is called 'Unfamiliar' which is at the Royal College of Physicians Museum in London, so he talks about some of the objects featured, plus...

Jo's special guest in episode 132 is Dr Rebecca Nesbit, who is an ecologist and author. She talks about her research, interest in conversation and her book 'Tickets For The Ark'. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL in London to find out the story behind a collection of butterflies and the woman the species is named after.     Presented, produced & edi...

In episode 131 Jo welcomes back philosopher and sensory scientist Professor Barry Smith from the Centre for the Study of the Senses at the University of London. Barry talks about his recent research into loss of smell, the importance of this sense when it comes to our enjoyment of food and gets Jo to do some smell tests.  Jo also welcomes back science communicator & public engagement trainer Dr Ja...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, to explore science fiction cinema, in a milestone episode 130. They begin a brand new series where a special guest shares their Top Ten science fiction films.  The first person to do this is science journalist Paul Rincon, and some of his favourites include Contact, Interstellar and Aliens.     Presented, produced and edited by Jo D...

Jo's special guest in episode 129 is Paul Scott, former manager of the Cheltenham Playhouse. He talks about his passion for theatre, film and heritage, including the fascinating history of the Playhouse. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story of some sketch books, dating back to the Crimean War.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant....

In episode 128 Jo welcomes back science communicator Dr Emma Yhnell, who is a senior lecturer at Cardiff University, to do more myth busting on neuroscience. They look at some recent news stories including dreaming in different languages and they focus on dementia, including an event Jo chaired at the Norwich Science Festival.  Plus Jo visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud, to find out the story...

Jo marks the start of astronomical Spring with Faith Douglas who is the curator of Thorp Perrow Arboretum and the author of The Nature Remedy. They talk about the flowers and trees coming back to life, what to plant in the garden and how the Spring Equinox is celebrated. Plus Jo finds out the story of a collection of pottery at Pontefract Museum which is older than first thought.     Presented, pr...

In episode 126 Jo's special guest is Spencer McPherson, the Chief Creative Officer at Still Moving, who talks about his passion for photography, shares stories of some of famous faces he's taken the portrait of and he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back science communicator & public engagement trainer Dr Jamie Gallagher, to share another story from the Periodic Table. This time Jamie rev...

Jo marks International Women's Day in episode 125. Her special guest is Dr Victoria Kinkaid, who talks about her career in medicine, interest in women's health, empowerment and feminism and her own podcast Virago Voices. Topics discussed include reproductive health, tackling period stigma, FGM, domestic violence and smear tests. And she answers Jo's Quick Six. Plus pharmacy historian Briony Hudson...

In episode 124 Jo welcomes back Professor Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire, to do some myth busting. This time they are exploring the subject of cats. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to learn about an item in the natural history collection that was predated by a cat.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks in episode 123, to explore science fiction cinema. This time the focus is on films that feature robots, computers and artificial intelligence. Films discussed include WALL-E, Ex Machina, The Iron Giant and A.I. Artificial Intelligence.  Plus John Putley, Paul Rincon & Sue Nelson share their favourite robot movies.     Presented, prod...

In episode 122 Jo's special guest is Juliet Rosenfeld, a psychotherapist and author. She talks about her profession, as well as her book 'The State of Disbelief: A Therapist's Story of Love, Death and Mourning', and her personal experience of bereavement.  Jo also chats to pharmacy historian Briony Hudson about an intricate medicine chest now found at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum.     P...

Jo's special guest in episode 121 is Corey Brotherson, who is a writer, editor and creative consultant. He talks about his work across a variety of industries, in particular video gaming and comic books. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find why dice games were so popular in Tudor times.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music lice...

In episode 120 Jo's special guest is Stefan Gates, who is a gastronaut, science communicator, author and presenter. He talks about some of the quirky science of dogs, cats and human bodies, in his books 'Dogology', 'Catology' and 'Rude Science'. Jo also visits the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL in London to find out the story of an interesting bone belonging to a walrus.     Presented, produced &...

Jo's special guest in episode 119 is Professor Moshe Bar, who talks about his career in cognitive neuroscience and research, as well as his book 'Mindwandering'. He explains what mindwandering is and the benefits of it. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story behind a map of Cheltenham made after World War Two.     Presented, produced & edited...

In episode 118 Jo's special guest is Melanie Backe-Hansen, otherwise known as the House Historian. She talks about her passion for researching the history of houses, her books like 'Historic Streets and Squares' and work on TV shows including 'A House Through Time'. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, to learn more about the Merchant's House which d...

Jo's special guests in episode 117 are pharmacy historian and director of Amersham Museum Briony Hudson, along with illustrator and graphic designer Nick Taylor. They talk about the book they've created 'Medicine: A Magnificently Illustrated History'. Briony also tells the stories behind some historical medicine chests and Nick discusses his illustration work. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.      ...

In episode 116 Jo is joined again by Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, to explore science fiction cinema. They conclude a two part special looking at superhero films and their characters, with a focus on D.C. creations. Characters discussed include Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Plus Paul Rincon & Sue Nelson share their favourite superhero movies from D.C.     Presented, produce...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks in episode 115, to explore science fiction cinema. They begin a two part special looking at superhero films and their characters, with a focus on Marvel creations. Characters discussed include Thor, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Captain America. Plus Sue Nelson & Paul Rincon share their favourite superhero movies.      Presented, produced...