Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

Jo Durrant celebrates and explores arts and science as part of our culture. Winner of the 2021 Sir Arthur Clarke Award: Space Achievement - Media, broadcast & written.

Ep 184 Lou Beckett & 'A Rose By Any Other Name' 05/01/2024

Ep 184 Lou Beckett & 'A Rose By Any Other Name' Jo's special guest in episode 184 is Gloucestershire based playwright Lou Beckett. She discusses her latest play 'A Rose By Any Other Name' and how it was inspired by Shakespeare. Plus she talks about the charity she co-founded called Theatre Works. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud to find out the story behind a medieval tile featuring the game Nine Men's Morris. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/31056898

Ep 183 Joe Hackett 04/24/2024

Ep 183 Joe Hackett In episode 183 Jo's special guest is Joe Hackett, who is the MD of IKP, a Gloucestershire based theatre company. Joe talks about his passion for theatre, making is accessible to everyone and his latest production 'You're Bard' which presents Shakespeare in a unique way. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also chats to one of the team from Wakefield Museums and Castles, to find out the story of an Elizabethan style dress that was worn for a pageant in the 1930s. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30941558

Ep 182 Gareth E Rees 04/17/2024

Ep 182 Gareth E Rees Jo's special guest in episode 182 is author Gareth E Rees, who talks about his love of storytelling and how he's combined science with folk tales in his latest book 'Sunken Lands', which explores issues like climate change. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Grant Museum in London, which is part of UCL, and has recently reopened after a refurbishment. She finds out the story of two very small frogs and how they are adapting to a changing climate. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30855023

Ep 181 Honor Harger 04/09/2024

Ep 181 Honor Harger In episode 181 Jo's special guest is Honor Harger who is Vice President of ArtScience Museum in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands. Honor talks about her passion for the intersection of arts & science, her decade at the museum where she is Artistic and Executive Lead and exhibitions including the recent 'Mars: The Red Mirror' and the permanent 'Future World', which features The Crystal Universe. She also answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth in Western Australia, where the brand new 'To The Moon' exhibition has recently opened. She chats to manager and lead curator for the exhibition, Helen Simondson. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30756083

Ep 180 Paul Franklin 04/03/2024

Ep 180 Paul Franklin Jo's special guest in a milestone episode 180 is filmmaker and visual effects designer Paul Franklin. Paul talks about his career including work in the feature film industry, and in particular his involvement in the films 'Inception' and 'Interstellar', which he won Academy Awards for. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory, which is around an hour away from Perth in Western Australia. She chats to Chief Astronomer Rick Tonello about the hands on science at the centre and hopes for it to become a dark sky site. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30651383

Ep 179 Dr Kathryn Harkup & 'The Secret Lives of Molecules' 03/27/2024

Ep 179 Dr Kathryn Harkup & 'The Secret Lives of Molecules' In episode 179 Jo welcomes back Dr Kathryn Harkup, who trained as a chemist and now writes about and communicates science stories. She talks to Jo about her recent book 'The Secret Lives of Molecules', including coffee, tea, naps and how to avoid zombies! Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. He returns to share another story from the Periodic Table, and this time it's an element that's essential to the human body but also takes us to the Moon. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30108053

Ep 178 Dee Atkins-Greig 03/20/2024

Ep 178 Dee Atkins-Greig Jo's special guest in episode 178 is Dee Atkins-Greig who is a maths and meteorology tutor. Dee talks about her career as a weather forecaster, first in the Royal Navy and later on television. She talks about her passion for her subject, including why clouds have certain names, and she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the Grant Museum in London, which is part of UCL, and has recently reopened after a refurbishment. She learns the story of two horseshoe crabs in the collection. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30096798

Ep 177 Dr Helen Fry & 'Women In Intelligence' 03/13/2024

Ep 177 Dr Helen Fry & 'Women In Intelligence' In episode 177 Jo welcomes back Dr Helen Fry, who is a historian and the author of a number of books that focus on intelligence and espionage, in particular during the First and Second World Wars. Helen joins Jo during Women's History Month to talk about her latest book 'Women In Intelligence', in which she has uncovered some incredible stories and hidden histories. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham and finds out the story behind a manuscript which Gustav Holst gifted to one woman who gave him a lot of support. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30096003

Ep 176 Dr Suzy Lishman 03/06/2024

Ep 176 Dr Suzy Lishman It's the start of Women's History Month and Jo's special guest in episode 176 is Dr Suzy Lishman CBE. Suzy is a consultant histopathologist and a medical examiner and talks to Jo about her passion for this area. She also discusses her public engagement work, including her 'Living Autopsy' demonstration. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum in London to find out why a crocodile used to be the symbol of pharmacy. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30006098

'Mars: The Red Mirror' at ArtScience Museum 03/05/2024

'Mars: The Red Mirror' at ArtScience Museum In a special bonus mini edition of the podcast, Jo visits ArtScience Museum in Singapore to see the exhibition 'Mars: The Red Mirror'. She talks to Honor Harger who is Vice President and Artistic & Executive Lead for ArtScience Museum. She is also Vice President for Attractions at Marina Bay Sands, which is where the museum is based. The exhibition is split into three sections which looks at 12,000 years of history of the red planet, how Mars was viewed in the 20th century and asks questions around the idea of moving to Mars. Honor will be the special guest in episode 181. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30217488

Ep 175 Science Fiction Prequels 02/28/2024

Ep 175 Science Fiction Prequels In episode 175 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, to explore science fiction cinema. This time they shine the spotlight on prequels, including discussions on the prequels to Alien, Planet of the Apes, X-Men and Star Wars. Plus science journalist and writer Sue Nelson, and video game and graphic novel writer and editor Corey Brotherson share their favourite sci-fi prequels. Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/30006183

Ep 174 Prof Barry Smith Sound and Food 02/21/2024

Ep 174 Prof Barry Smith Sound and Food Jo welcomes back philosopher and sensory scientist Professor Barry Smith in episode 174. He is from the Centre for the Study of the Senses at the University of London and talks about his latest research, how sound plays a part in our enjoyment of food and he has some tips for super tasters like Jo. Jo also chats to one of the team from Wakefield Museums and Castles, to find out the story of a coffee set found in Castleford, and why the person who designed it was so influential. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29930328

Ep 173 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Love 02/14/2024

Ep 173 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Love In episode 173 Dr Emma Yhnell returns to myth bust stories and topics relating to neuroscience. Emma is a senior lecturer at Cardiff University and a science communicator. Jo and Emma discuss how motion capture is being used in medicine, the impact of handwriting on the brain, and the subject of love, hormones and neurotransmitters. Jo also visits a new museum on the podcast - the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham. 2024 is the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Gustav Holst and Jo finds out the story behind a piano he composed some of The Planets on. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29892048

Ep 172 John Gilbey 02/07/2024

Ep 172 John Gilbey Jo's special guest in episode 172 is writer and photographer John Gilbey. He talks about his background in environmental research, writing for the Country Diary column in the Guardian newspaper and about his own book 'Country Diary Wales'. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find out the story behind one of John Moore's most popular books 'The Season Of The Year'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29787908

Ep 171 Dhara Patel 01/31/2024

Ep 171 Dhara Patel In episode 171 Jo is joined by Dhara Patel, Space Expert at the National Space Centre in Leicester. She talks about her career and passion for space, as well as the 20th anniversary of the Beagle 2 Mars Lander and why it's so significant for the UK. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Dhara also puts an item into Jo's virtual museum, which is a scale model of Beagle 2 at the National Space Centre. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29705763

Ep 170 Dr Tracy Borman 01/24/2024

Ep 170 Dr Tracy Borman Jo's special guest in a milestone episode 170 is Dr Tracy Borman, who is an author, historian and joint Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces. She talks to Jo about her career, passion for history and her books including 'Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I'. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find out the story behind two chamber pots, which would have been used in Tudor times. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29583478

Ep 169 Emma Pears 01/17/2024

Ep 169 Emma Pears In episode 169 Jo is joined by Emma Pears, who is an author, songwriter and entrepreneur, and has written the book 'What Does It Matter?'. Emma talks to Jo about her career and explains her philosophy of how we can all live with less stress and more joy. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. He returns to share another story from the Periodic Table, and this time it's a very colourful element. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29511653

Ep 168 Paul Rincon Space Stories Including Sub-Neptunes 01/10/2024

Ep 168 Paul Rincon Space Stories Including Sub-Neptunes Jo welcomes back science writer Paul Rincon in episode 168. Paul is commissioning editor for science and technology at The Conversation, and returns to discuss space stories that have been in the news recently. Topics include the latest on the Osiris-Rex mission that returned from asteroid Bennu, Starship, sub-Neptunes and space debris. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out why there are over 100 photograph albums in the collection, relating to the Gloucestershire Railway Carriage and Wagon Works. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29409768

Ep 167 Science Fiction Films 2023 01/03/2024

Ep 167 Science Fiction Films 2023 In the first episode of 2024 (167), Jo is joined once more by Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, to explore science fiction cinema. In this edition they review sci-fi films and TV shows from 2023, including some prequels, sequels and movies that focus on artificial intelligence. They also look ahead to what we can enjoy in the next 12 months and science journalist Paul Rincon reveals which science fiction films he's planning to watch in 2024. Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29315373

Ep 166 Multiverse Movies 12/27/2023

Ep 166 Multiverse Movies In episode 166 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes & Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks, to explore science fiction cinema. They focus on films that have the themes of alternate realities and parallel universes, including Back To The Future 1 & 2, Source Code, Groundhog Day, Sliding Doors and Everything Everywhere All At Once. Plus science journalist Paul Rincon shares some of his favourite multiverse movies. Presented, produced and edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29220613

Ep 165 Winter Special With Faith Douglas 12/20/2023

Ep 165 Winter Special With Faith Douglas For the Christmas Special 2023 Jo welcomes back Faith Douglas, who is the author of The Nature Remedy and the curator of Thorp Perrow Arboretum. They conclude their series celebrating each season, and focus on Winter. They talk about folklore associated with the Winter Solstice, what we can be doing in the garden, how to embrace this time of year, Christmas trees and how Faith celebrates the festive season. Plus Jo visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find out what a Tudor Christmas was like, including the kissing bough and other greenery that would have decorated the home. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29156793

Ep 164 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Rewiring Your Brain 12/13/2023

Ep 164 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Rewiring Your Brain In episode 164 Dr Emma Yhnell returns to myth bust stories and topics relating to neuroscience. Emma is a senior lecturer at Cardiff University and a science communicator. Jo and Emma discuss the possibility of the use of AI in brain surgery, whether you can rewire your brain and how to reduce stress at Christmas. Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. He returns to share another story from the Periodic Table, and this time it's one of the most abundant elements on Earth. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/29027618

Ep 163 Mark Thompson Sleep & Stargazing 12/06/2023

Ep 163 Mark Thompson Sleep & Stargazing Jo welcomes back Mark Thompson in episode 163. Mark is an astronomy, science & sleep broadcaster and author. He tells Jo how a challenge over two years ago has led to a passion for communicating why sleep is so important for our health. Mark also talks about his new podcast and theatre show, tells us what we can enjoy looking at in the night sky this winter and why he loves Christmas so much. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find out about a nocturnal creature - the UK's largest bat. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/28947463

Ep 162 Lyndsey Fineran 11/29/2023

Ep 162 Lyndsey Fineran In episode 162 Jo's special guest is Lyndsey Fineran, who is the Artistic Director of the Auckland Writers Festival | Waituhi O Tāmaki. She talks about her love of books and travel, the ten plus years she worked at Cheltenham Literature Festival and why she recently moved to New Zealand for her new role. Plus she answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also finds out the story of a hoard of coins found in Pontefract Museum in Yorkshire. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/28816018

Ep 161 Dr Katerina Kaouri 11/22/2023

Ep 161 Dr Katerina Kaouri Jo's special guest in episode 161 is Dr Katerina Kaouri, who is Associate Professor at the School of Mathematics at Cardiff University and also Director for Impact & Engagement at the department. She talks about mathematical modelling and how it can be applied to real life challenges, like sonic booms and biology. She also shares her passion for science communication and how she has incorporated animation into it. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Museum in London, to find out about the part poisons played in pharmacy history and the connection between one particular poison and sport. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/28737893

Ep 160 Gareth Russell 11/15/2023

Ep 160 Gareth Russell In a milestone episode 160, Jo's special guest is Gareth Russell, who is a historian, author and broadcaster. He talks about his passion for his subject and his books including 'The Palace' which tells the story of Hampton Court Palace. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to find out what items would have been used for dining in Tudor times. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/28644228

Ep 159 Rachel Marks 11/08/2023

Ep 159 Rachel Marks Jo's special guest in episode 159 is writer Rachel Marks from Stroud, who talks about her novels, including her latest book 'One December Day'. She also discusses her narrative style and inspiration behind her work. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud, where she finds out the story of part of a dinosaur, which it turns out isn't what people originally thought it was. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/28548878

Ep 158 Dr Jonny Brooks-Bartlett Myth Busting Generative AI 11/01/2023

Ep 158 Dr Jonny Brooks-Bartlett Myth Busting Generative AI In episode 158 Jo welcomes back Dr Jonny Brooks-Bartlett, who is a senior machine learning engineer at Spotify, to do some more myth busting. He discusses topics relating to data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, including generative AI, applications of AI in human biology and the Digital Services Act. Jo also visits the museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in London for the first time, and finds out the story behind throat pastilles of the past that would be surprising to us today. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/28479278

Ep 157 Alom Shaha with 'Why Don't Things Fall Up' 10/25/2023

Ep 157 Alom Shaha with 'Why Don't Things Fall Up' Jo's special guest in episode 157 is Alom Shaha, who is a science teacher, dad and writer. He returns to the podcast to talk about his latest book 'Why Don't Things Fall Up', which answers science questions like why the sky is blue and if we really are all made of stars. Jo also welcomes back Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. He returns to share another story from the Periodic Table, and this time it's the heaviest element that can be made inside a star. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/28414838

Ep 156 Dr Simon Fryer 10/18/2023

Ep 156 Dr Simon Fryer In episode 156 Jo's special guest is Dr Simon Fryer, who is a senior lecturer in sport and exercise physiology at the University of Gloucestershire. He talks about how a love of climbing led him into this career and discusses some of his research, especially into sedentary behaviour. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives to find out the story of steamships built in Brimscombe, near Stroud. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/28315031

Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

TOPICS