Ep 248 Dr Rebecca Struthers & Alom Shaha with 'About Time'
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 248 Jo welcomes back science teacher and writer Alom Shaha. This time he is also joined by Dr Rebecca Struthers, a watchmaker and historian. They talk about their book 'About Time', discussing the history and science of time. Plus Rebecca answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a book relating to the town in the Second World War. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 247 Howard Burton
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 247 is film maker Howard Burton, from Ideas Roadshow. He talks about his background in physics and philosophy and why he now makes films about art and art history, including works by Botticelli and Raphael. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with Faith Douglas, curator at Thorp Perrow Arboretum and author of The Nature Remedy. They've reached the letter J and that's something found in gin - juniper. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's...
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Ep 246 Underrated Science Fiction Films
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 246 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast, to talk about science fiction cinema. They discuss their top ten underrated science fiction films, including 'The Omega Man', 'The Day The Earth Caught Fire' and 'The World's End'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 245 Christopher Edge & 'Escape Room: Game Zero'
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo welcomes back children's author Christopher Edge, who writes novels that have science themes and ideas running through them. He talks to Jo about his recent books including 'Black Hole Cinema Club' and his latest 'Escape Room: Game Zero' where the main character ends up in a video game for real. Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with children's author and illustrator Kate Pankhurst, who talks about some inspiring women from history and her latest book 'We Are All Inventors'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music...
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Ep 244 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Misleadingly Named Animals
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 244 Jo welcomes back Professor Adam Hart, who is professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Adam joins Jo regularly to myth bust lots of topics and this time they talk about animals with misleading common names like glow worms, bear cats and whale sharks. Jo also has another highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with science writer and children's author Isabel Thomas about her recent books 'Frog: A Story of Life on Earth' and 'The Bedtime Book of Even More Impossible Questions'. Presented, produced & edited...
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Ep 243 Gareth Russell & 'Queen James'
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo welcomes back Gareth Russell in episode 243. Gareth is a historian and the author of a number of books and he discusses his latest 'Queen James'. This tells the story of the life and loves of King James I of England and James VI of Scotland - Britain's first king. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind two objects in the collection which relate to the Second World War, including one connected to the Spitfire. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 242 Dev Joshi & Roland Ellis
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 242 Jo's special guests are Dev Joshi and Roland Ellis who have combined design with engineering in their studio Relative Distance. They talk about their careers and how this collaboration came out of a project to create a representation of the Moon. Plus they answer the Quick Six. Jo also has another highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Dr Sarah Bearchell about her science shows for children and families, including bubbles. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 241 Rebecca Styles
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 241 is Rebecca Styles, who is a contemporary landscape painter. She talks about how different places have inspired her work and her recent time as artist in residence at Thorp Perrow Arboretum in Yorkshire, which has led to a new exhibition. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with Faith Douglas, curator at Thorp Perrow Arboretum and author of The Nature Remedy. They focus on a plant that Jo isn't a fan of - ivy. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet....
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Ep 240 Dr Chris Laoutaris (Shakespeare's Women) & Tim Peake
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In a milestone episode 240 Jo welcomes back 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 look at the representation of women in four Shakespeare plays - As You Like It, Macbeth, and two plays that can be seen as problematic today - The Taming Of The Shrew & The Tempest. Jo also has the first highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with astronaut Major Tim Peake, who talks about his time on board the International Space Station,...
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Ep 239 Paul Anthony Jones & Summer Words
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo welcomes back Paul Anthony Jones in episode 239. Paul is a linguist and author of a number of books including 'Why Is This A Question', which they delve into, discussing topics such as why do some of us talk with our hands? Paul also talks about summer words, such as the name for someone who loves the sun. Plus Jo continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy. They focus on hydrangea which has hundreds of varieties. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's...
info_outlineJo begins a celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day in episode 226. Her special guest is Carol Ann Lloyd, a historian and author who is passionate about Shakespeare and the Tudors. She discusses her latest book 'Courting The Virgin Queen' about the suitors to Elizabeth I. Plus she answers the Quick Six.
Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, to learn about the Pelican Badge and why this was an important symbol to Elizabeth I.
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.
Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/