Ep 258 Charlie Creed
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 258 Jo's special guest is Charlie Creed, a writer from Bristol. He talks about his career and his latest book 'The Cat's Tales: Feline Fairy Tales and Folklore', including famous cats and magical cats. 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 M and it's the oldest plant in the world - moss. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 257 A-Z of Science Fiction Cinema: A
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guests in episode 257 are Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, who return to talk about science fiction. They begin a new series on the A-Z of science fiction cinema, beginning with the letter A. Jeff suggests a number of contenders for the Hall of Fame and Jo and Graham must decide if it's going to be entered, or relegated to Room 101! Themes discussed for A include alternate realities, asteroids and aliens, plus films like Arrival, Armageddon and the Alien franchise. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music...
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Ep 256 Dr Joanne Baker
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 256 Jo is joined by Dr Joanne Baker, a former astrophysicist and now writer. She is also Chief Opinion Editor at Nature. She chats to Jo about her passion for space, the research she has done and her new book 'Starwatchers: A History of Discovery in the Night Sky'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Dr Shelia Kanani MBE. Shelia is a planetary scientist, author and EDI specialist. She talks about her children's book 'Can You Get Music on the Moon?' Presented, produced & edited by Jo...
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Ep 255 Mark Turnbull
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 255 is historian and author Mark Turnbull, who specialises in the 17th century. He talks about his passion for this period and his latest book 'Prince Rupert of the Rhine: King Charles I's Cavalier Commander'. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL to find out the story of the echidna and why the one in the collection isn't entirely accurate. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 254 Dr Nicola Clark
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 254 Jo's special guest is Dr Nicola Clark, senior lecturer at Chichester University, Tudor historian and author. She talks about her passion for this period of history and in particular discusses her recent book 'The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens'. 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've reached the letter L and it's the lentil plant which has many benefits. Presented, produced &...
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Ep 253 Five Year Anniversary: Prof Barry Smith & The Quick Six Smells
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo celebrates the 5 year anniversary of the podcast in episode 253 and she welcomes back two familiar voices. Jo reflects back on five years of the Quick Six feature, by exploring the favourite smells guests have chosen. She does this with sensory scientist and philosopher Prof Barry Smith who is the Director of the Centre for the Study of the Senses at the University of London. Smells discussed include freshly cut grass, baked bread, coffee, the sea air, rose and petrichor. Jo is also joined by Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. In...
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Ep 252 Lou Beckett Top Ten Theatre
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 252 Jo welcomes back playwright Lou Beckett, who this time takes part in Jo's new series where a guest shares their Top Ten Theatre shows. Her choices include 'Hamilton', 'Death Of A Salesman' and a Shakespeare comedy. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham to find out why a piece of embroidery helps to tell the story of the Cheltenham Female Orphan Asylum, that was close to where the museum now stands. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 251 Dr Mike Esbester
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 251 is Dr Mike Esbester, senior lecturer in history at the University of Portsmouth. Mike talks about his passion for railway history and his research into railway accidents and how they tell a social history. They also talk about the Railway 200 anniversary and he answers the Quick Six. Plus Jo 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 K and it's the Katsura tree, which is famous for Autumn colour. Presented, produced & edited by Jo...
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Ep 250 Dr Meganne Christian Astronaut Training
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In a milestone episode 250 Jo welcomes back Dr Meganne Christian who a reserve astronaut with the European Space Agency and Senior Exploration Manager (Commercial) at the UK Space Agency. She talks about some recent space stories and shares with Jo her experiences of having the first phase of her astronaut training, including getting her flight suit. Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with astronomer Prof Chris Lintott, one of the presenters of 'The Sky At Night'. They discuss the past, present and future of astronomy, including an exciting new...
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Ep 249 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting the Brain & Hot Weather
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell, who is a Reader in neuroscience at Cardiff University and a science communicator. She returns to myth bust biomedical and brain based science, including the effect of heat on the brain, benefits of gardening and how useful daily targets in things like exercise and water are. Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with marine biologist and writer Dr Helen Scales, who talks about her recent books including 'What The Wild Sea Can Be'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple...
info_outlineIn 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: https://jodurrant.co.uk/