Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

It's the Christmas Special 2022 of the podcast and Jo has three pairs of guests talking about their festive traditions. Author & illustrator James Mayhew and broadcaster & author Zeb Soanes talk about their collaboration on Gaspard The Fox books, including 'Gaspard's Christmas' and the musical premiere.  Horticultural broadcaster & author Ellen Mary and Faith Douglas who is an author & curator of...

In episode 113 Jo welcomes back Professor Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire, to do some myth busting. This time they are exploring the subject of invasive species from plants to ants.  Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives and meets one of the team in the collections care department, to learn about how items are preserved and conserved.      Presented, produced & edited by Jo Dur...

Jo's special guest in episode 112 is Cindy Forde, who is the founder of the education platform Planetari and the author of the book 'Bright New World'. She talks about her passion for storytelling, sustainability and finding solutions to climate change. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a famous and revolutionary bicycle. ...

In episode 111 Jo's special guest is Dr Sean Wensley, a senior vet and author of 'Through A Vet's Eyes: How We Can All Choose a Better Life for Animals'. Sean talks about his career, research, animal welfare and his love of nature. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL in London to find out the story of the Thylacine, otherwise known as a Tasmanian tiger...

Jo's special guest in episode 110 is anthologist Allie Esiri, who talks about her passion for poetry, including collections like 'A Poet For Every Day Of The Year' and 'Shakespeare For Every Day Of The Year'. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Dean Heritage Centre in the Forest of Dean to find out the story behind three books that have recently been added to the collection, includ...

In episode 109 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 lab grown brain cells and also explore the different regions of the brain. Plus Jo visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out about a selection of aerial photographs of the county, taken before...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks in episode 108. This time they explore science fiction TV series including Dr Who, Star Trek, Babylon 5, The Twilight Zone, Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse and many more. Plus Dr Jamie Gallagher, Sue Nelson, John Putley & Paul Rincon share their favourite science fiction TV shows.      Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant....

Jo's special guest in episode 107 is Dr Elizabeth Mills, a marine biologist and science communicator. She talks about her passion for the sea, her research and combining arts and science with her channel Marine Mumbles. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL in London to find out the story of a squid, which is actually a piece of artwork made from glass....

In episode 106 Jo's special guest is Alison Neil, an actress and writer based in the Forest of Dean. She talks about her theatrical career including one person plays about women from history including Mary Anning and Marie Curie. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story of a collection of items at the Museum in the Park in Stroud made from a special plastic.     Presented, produ...

Jo's special guest in episode 105 is Dr Simon Morden, a science fiction writer and planetary geologist who also talks about his first non-fiction book 'The Red Planet: A Natural History of Mars'. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Science communicator & public engagement trainer Dr Jamie Gallagher is back with another story from the Periodic Table - two related elements that played their part in hist...

In episode 104 Jo's special guest is writer Jane Bailey from Cheltenham. She talks about her novels including the latest 'Sorry Isn't Good Enough.' Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story of a replica Tudor football at the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. 

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks for this special two year anniversary special. They create a virtual science fiction film festival with a 1980s theme plus a fringe festival with other classics. Features the choices of: Dr Jessica Barker, Dr Jonny Brooks-Bartlett, Dr Daisy Dunn, FC, Dr Helen Fry, Dr Jamie Gallagher, Will Gater, Owen Gower, Professor Adam Hart, Megan...

In episode 102 Jo's special guest is Jackie Kabler, a TV presenter and crime writer. She talks about her varied career, love of running and novels including the latest 'The Murder List.' Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the home of Dr Edward Jenner in Berkeley to find out the story of a bust, relating to his time in Cheltenham.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music li...

Jo is joined in episode 101 of the podcast by playwright Lou Beckett who is based in the Cotswolds. She talks about her varied career as well as her radio plays 'Bletchley Girls' and 'Forbidden Music', and she answers the Quick Six. Plus Jo visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story of a recipe book dating back over 200 years.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licens...

It's the 100th 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, sensory science, illustration, history, microbiology, the Periodic Table, science fiction films and space.  Guests featured: Professor Adam Hart, Dr Emma Yhnell, James Mayhew, Dr Ja...

A preview of the 100th episode of the award-winning podcast that is the space for arts and science. Guests featured: Dr Emma Yhnell, Dr Daisy Dunn, Dr Helen Fry, Professor Adam Hart, Sue Nelson, Will Gater, Professor Barry Smith, Dr Jamie Gallagher, Professor Jo Verran, Findlay Napier, Megan Henwood, Jeff Downes, Graham O'Dwyer, Dr Jonny Brooks-Bartlett, FC, Dr Jessica Barker, Briony Hudson, Owen...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks in episode 99. We conclude the series looking at science fiction films decade by decade, this time it's the first few years of the 2020s. They also look to the future of science fiction cinema. Plus Professor Jo Verran and Paul Rincon share their favourite science fiction films from the last few years.      Presented, produced and ed...

Jo is joined in episode 98 of the podcast by Anna Saunders who is a founder and director of the Cheltenham Poetry Festival. She talks about the event, what inspires her own poetry and she answers the Quick Six. Plus pharmacy historian Briony Hudson shares the story of a rare pill tile found at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in London. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licen...

In episode 97 Jo is joined by artist and film maker Robyn Woolston, who talks about her work, passion for her subject and projects involving archives and those about mental health and the environment. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story behind a sketch book dating back over a hundred years.      Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. M...

Jo's special guest in episode 96 is Raechel Kelly who is an independent sustainability consultant and also runs Planet Cheltenham. She talks about her passion for community based solutions to things like climate change. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story behind a ballot box at Pontefract Museum that was used in the first secret ballot in England 150 years ago - on 15 Augus...

In episode 95 Jo is joined by science journalist Paul Rincon from London, who talks about his career, including interviewing astronauts and going to rocket launches. Plus he shares his love of science fiction films and answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the home of Dr Edward Jenner in Berkeley to find out about a special society that was set up in his name.     Presented, produced & edited by J...

Jo's special guest in episode 94 is science communicator and writer Sophie Pavelle, from Devon. Sophie talks about her passion for nature and storytelling, and in particular her debut book 'Forget Me Not'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to learn about a plague doctor mask.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple...

In episode 93 Jo is joined by Stroud author Melanie Golding who talks about her novels 'Little Darlings' and 'The Replacement', and the way she combines crime thrillers with folklore. Melanie also answers Jo's Quick Six. Plus Jo visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind the cross cutter which it is thought inspired the invention of Budding's lawnmower.   Presented, produ...

Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks in episode 92. We continue the series looking at science fiction films decade by decade, this time it's the 2010s. Films discussed include Arrival, Interstellar, Looper and Inception. Plus Sue Nelson, Paul Rincon, Professor Jo Verran and John Putley share their favourite science fiction films from this decade.      Presented, produce...

Jo is joined in episode 91 of the podcast by Professor Adam Hart from the University of Gloucestershire, who is doing more myth busting - on monkeypox, living with predators, and energy, including renewable sources. Plus pharmacy historian Briony Hudson shares the story of a fire helmet found at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in London. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music lic...