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...
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Ep 238 Science Fiction Books & Films: Ray Bradbury
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 238 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast, to talk about science fiction cinema. They've reached the end of their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and TV series and in the final part focus on Ray Bradbury. Films discussed include 'Fahrenheit 451', 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' and 'A Sound Of Thunder'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 237 Helen Jukes
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 237 is Helen Jukes, who is an author and creative writing tutor. She talks about her books in particular her latest 'Mother Animal' which redefines motherhood through the lens of the natural world. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy. They learn about different kinds of garlic. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 236 Mark Thompson Space Business
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 236 Jo welcomes back Mark Thompson, who is an author, broadcaster and astronomer. They discuss recent space stories, including the astronauts who spent longer in space than expected, what we can enjoy seeing in the summer night sky and why Mark is interested in the cross section of space and business. Jo also has a highlight from the 2024 Cheltenham Science Festival - her chat with Prof AC Grayling, on the subject of who owns the Moon. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 235 Kate Werran
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 235 is author Kate Werran, who talks about her passion for uncovering hidden histories, in particular her two books 'An American Uprising in Second World War England' and 'Black Yanks: Defending Leroy Henry in D-Day Britain'. She also answers Jo's Quick Six. Continuing on the theme of World War II and the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story of one young man from the area and a very poignant letter. (Extracts of the letter read by Filip Boś). Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant....
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/