Ep 279 Essie Fox
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guest in episode 279 is historical novelist Essie Fox. She talks about her career, passion for gothic literature and her recent books 'Dangerous', about Lord Byron and 'Catherine', which is a retelling of 'Wuthering Heights'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham to find the story behind the range, which is in the kitchen. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 278 Prof Susan Amussen
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 278 Jo is joined by Prof Susan Amussen, who is professor of history at the University of California Merced. They celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday by talking about Susan's book: 'What's In A Name: How Historians Know Shakespeare Was Shakespeare'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Prof Mark Miodownik and Prof Andrea Sella about the science of coffee and the science of cocktails. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's...
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Ep 277 A-Z of Science Fiction Cinema: C
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo's special guests in episode 277 are Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, who return to talk about science fiction. They continue their series on the A-Z of science fiction cinema, with the letter C. Jeff suggests a number of contenders for the Hall of Fame and Jo and Graham must decide what's going to be entered, or relegated to Room 101! Themes discussed for C include clones and computers, plus films like Capricorn One, Contact, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Children of Men. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music...
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Dr Sarah Bearchell & 'The Future of Agriculture'
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 276 Jo welcomes back Dr Sarah Bearchell, who presents science shows for children. This time she talks to Jo about her new book 'The Future of Agriculture', including how climate change and technology are affecting farming. Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Prof Kit Yates, who was speaking about maths and predictions. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 275 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Tortoises
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo welcomes back Prof Adam Hart in episode 275. Adam is Professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire and joins Jo to myth bust a variety of subjects. This time it's tortoises, turtles and terrapins, including how fast they move, how long they live for and why a pair of tortoises went to the Moon. 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 R - which is for a well known vegetable. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music...
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Ep 274 Kerry Scorah Top Ten Theatre
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In episode 274 Jo concludes her celebration of Women's History Month and welcomes back magician Kerry Scorah. She takes part in Jo's series where a guest chooses their Top Ten Theatre shows. Her choices include a number of musicals like Wicked, Starlight Express and Six. Jo also visits the museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and finds out why Rupert the Bear is in the collection. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 273 Rachael Rowe & 'The Science Lover's Guide To London'
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo continues her celebration of Women's History Month in episode 273 and is joined by Rachael Rowe. She is an author and journalist and talks about her book 'The Science Lover's Guide To London'. She also discusses organising the Sturminster Newton Literary Festival in Dorset and answers the Quick Six. Jo visits one of the museums featured in Rachel's book, the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL, to find out the story behind a large butterfly in the collection. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 272 Dr Shelia Kanani MBE
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
As Jo continues her celebration of Women's History Month, she is joined in episode 272 by Dr Shelia Kanani MBE. Shelia is a planetary scientist, space educator and author. She talks about her passion for space, studying Saturn and her recent book 'The Starspotter's Guide'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a small silver spoon and why it links Stroud to a town in the Netherlands in World War Two. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
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Ep 271 Annie Garthwaite & 'The King's Mother'
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Jo begins a new series celebrating Women's History Month, and in episode 271 welcomes back historical novelist Annie Garthwaite. They discuss the sequel to her debut book 'Cecily' - 'The King's Mother'. This centres on the later life of Cecily Neville, mother of Edward IV and Richard III, and we also learn about three other powerful women of the Wars of the Roses. 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 Q - which is for a famous English tree. ...
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Ep 270 Paul Scott Top Ten Theatre
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
In a milestone episode 270 Jo welcomes back Paul Scott, who has worked in theatres and arts centres for many years. He takes part in Jo's series where a guest chooses their Top Ten Theatre shows. His choices include some Shakespeare, Alan Bennett and Gilbert & Sullivan. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham to find out about a harp that helps to tell a story about Gustav Holst's grandfather. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website:
info_outlineJo's special guest in episode 261 is Annie Garthwaite, who is a historical novelist. They talk about her passion for history, in particular writing about the women of the Wars of the Roses. They delve into her debut novel 'Cecily' about Cecily Neville - the matriarch of the House of York. Plus Annie answers the Quick Six.
Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. He shares another story from the Periodic Table - this time how elements are named and why in the mid 1990s a number of elements were discovered but there was disagreement over what they would be named.
Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.
Music licensed from Purple Planet.
Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/