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 232 Annabel Streets 04/16/2025

Ep 232 Annabel Streets In episode 232 Jo's special guest is Annabel Streets (who also writes as Annabel Abbs), who is a writer, researcher and avid walker. She talks about her latest book 'The Walking Cure' and how different landscapes we walk in affect us. 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 the beech tree (Latin name Fagus Sylvatica) and Faith reveals why it is one of her favourite trees. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/36167810

Ep 231 Science Fiction Books & Films: Jules Verne 04/09/2025

Ep 231 Science Fiction Books & Films: Jules Verne Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast in episode 231, to talk about science fiction cinema. They continue their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and in the penultimate part focus on Jules Verne. Films discussed include '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea', 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth' and 'In Search Of The Castaways'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/36058985

Ep 230 Anna Mazzola & 'Notes On A Drowning' 04/02/2025

Ep 230 Anna Mazzola & 'Notes On A Drowning' In episode 230 Jo welcomes back Anna Mazzola who writes historical crime fiction and modern legal thrillers. She discusses her latest book 'Notes On A Drowning' which she's written under the name Anna Sharpe, which is a legal and political page turner. Anna talks about her influences and her two female protagonists. Jo also visits the Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in London, to find out about the plant cinchona, and how it is used in medicine. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35973145

Ep 229 Shalina Patel 03/26/2025

Ep 229 Shalina Patel Jo concludes her celebration of Women's History Month in episode 229. Her special guest is Shalina Patel, who is a history teacher and the author of the book 'The History Lessons'. She talks about her passion for her subject, including telling hidden histories. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, to find out about Lucile Bell, who was married to John Moore, and without her the museum may not exist. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35862830

Ep 228 Celebrating Spring with Dee Atkins-Greig & Faith Douglas 03/19/2025

Ep 228 Celebrating Spring with Dee Atkins-Greig & Faith Douglas Jo welcomes back Dee Atkins-Greig in episode 228. Dee is a maths & meteorology tutor and a certified coach. At the start of astronomical Spring, she talks to Jo about various weather topics, including snowflakes, clouds, and weather map symbols. Plus for Women's History Month Dee nominates one woman significant in meteorology. Jo also continues her series on the A-Z of Plants with Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy. They focus on echinacea and why it has important medicinal properties. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35768005

Ep 227 Claire Carroll 03/12/2025

Ep 227 Claire Carroll In episode 227 Jo's special guest is Claire Carroll, a photographer who specialises in wildlife, children's portraits and ultra modern buildings. She talks about her passion for photography, including a recent exhibition and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House to find out the story behind a recent acquisition for the museum - a piano that dates to the time composer Gustav Holst was growing up in the house. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35646075

Ep 226 Carol Ann Lloyd 03/05/2025

Ep 226 Carol Ann Lloyd Jo 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: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35534490

Ep 225 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Exercise 02/26/2025

Ep 225 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Exercise In episode 225 Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell to myth bust stories and topics relating to neuroscience. Emma is a Reader at Cardiff University and a science communicator. Jo and Emma talk about a little blue dot, the 'lizard brain' and the impact exercise has on our brains. Plus, Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy and curator at Thorp Perrow Arboretum returns to the podcast. Jo and Faith continue the new series on the A-Z of plants, with something many think of as a weed - the dandelion. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35429500

Ep 224 Science Fiction Books & Films: Edgar Rice Burroughs 02/19/2025

Ep 224 Science Fiction Books & Films: Edgar Rice Burroughs Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast in episode 224, to talk about science fiction cinema. They continue their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and this time focus on Edgar Rice Burroughs. Films discussed include 'The Land That Time Forgot', At The Earth's Core' and 'The People That Time Forgot'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35318045

Ep 223 Stefan Gates & 'Loveology' 02/12/2025

Ep 223 Stefan Gates & 'Loveology' In episode 223 Jo welcomes back Stefan Gates, who is a gastronaut, writer, science communicator and presenter. He talks about his new book 'Loveology: The Explicit and Extraordinary Truth About Love, Sex & Relationships', although the conversation stays on the right side of decent! Topics discussed include the science behind flirting techniques, online dating profiles & why wearing red can make you more attractive. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, to talk about birds that mate for life, in particular the magpie. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35227230

Ep 222 Dr Kathryn Harkup & 'Superspy Science' 02/05/2025

Ep 222 Dr Kathryn Harkup & 'Superspy Science' Jo's special guest in episode 222 is Dr Kathryn Harkup, who trained as a chemist and now writes about and communicates science stories. She talks to Jo about her book 'Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond', which includes discussions on gold, diamonds, space and volcano lairs! Jo also visits the Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in London, to find out why arsenic was used by pharmacists in the past. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35154355

Ep 221 Prof Adam Zeman 01/29/2025

Ep 221 Prof Adam Zeman In episode 221 Jo's special guest is neurologist Prof Adam Zeman, who is an Honorary Professor of Neurology at the University of Exeter Medical School and Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Adam talks about his latest book 'The Shape of Things Unseen: A New Science of Imagination', including why and how we dream and the parts of the brain involved in imagination. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, to talk about a type of hibernation called torpor and why badgers can go into this state. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/35054345

Ep 220 Whitecross Manor 01/22/2025

Ep 220 Whitecross Manor Jo brings you a special edition in episode 220, on location in the Forest of Dean. She learns about the history of Whitecross Manor near Lydney, which has links to Sir Francis Drake and was destroyed in the English Civil War. Her guide is historian Dr Roger Deeks who tells her about the people and the place and why modern archaeologists are interested in it. Plus Jo meets a woman who has a sword in her family that is believed to be from Whitecross Manor. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34946010

Ep 219 Dr Elaine Kasket 01/15/2025

Ep 219 Dr Elaine Kasket In episode 219 Jo's special guest is Dr Elaine Kasket, who is a counselling and cyber psychologist, as well as an author. Elaine talks about her work, including her latest book 'Reset: Rethinking Your Digital World for a Happier Life'. Topics discussed include privacy online, surveillance technology and the digital afterlife. Plus, Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy and curator at Thorp Perrow Arboretum returns to the podcast. Jo and Faith continue the new series on the A-Z of plants, with the calendula, otherwise known as the marigold. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34858450

Ep 218 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Hibernation 01/08/2025

Ep 218 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Hibernation Jo's special guest in episode 218 is Prof Adam Hart, who is professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Adam returns to myth bust and this time its hibernation, looking at what animals do it, why and how they do it, different kinds of hibernation, and how things like climate change are affecting it. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to learn about the hedgehog, one of the mammals in the UK that goes into full hibernation. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34758445

Ep 217 Science Fiction Films 2024 01/01/2025

Ep 217 Science Fiction Films 2024 In the first episode of 2025 (ep 217), Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast. They reveal their top ten science fiction films from 2024 and guests and listeners share their favourites too. Jeff and Graham also look ahead to what we can enjoy at the cinema when it comes to science fiction in 2025. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34672050

Ep 216 The Christmas Special 2024: Dr Tracy Borman OBE & Gareth Russell 12/18/2024

Ep 216 The Christmas Special 2024: Dr Tracy Borman OBE & Gareth Russell It's the Christmas Special 2024, and in episode 216 Jo welcomes back Dr Tracy Borman OBE and Gareth Russell, who are both historians, authors and broadcasters. They reflect on 2024, look ahead to their new book releases in 2025, talk about Tudor Christmases and their own festive traditions. Faith Douglas, author of The Nature Remedy and curator at Thorp Perrow Arboretum also returns to the podcast. Jo and Faith continue the new series on the A-Z of plants, with the birch tree. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34494915

Ep 215 Paul Anthony Jones 12/11/2024

Ep 215 Paul Anthony Jones Jo's special guest in episode 215 is Paul Anthony Jones, a linguist and author. He talks about his passion for obscure words, his books including his latest 'A Winter Dictionary' and he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to discuss two books by John Moore which reflect the winter season - 'Come Rain, Come Shine' and 'A Pocketful Of Acorns'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34374420

Ep 214 Dee Atkins-Greig & How Storms Are Named 12/04/2024

Ep 214 Dee Atkins-Greig & How Storms Are Named In episode 214 of the podcast Jo welcomes back Dee Atkins-Greig, who is a maths & meteorology tutor. She talks to Jo about various weather topics, including frost, freezing fog and how storms get their names in the UK. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to discuss the book by John Moore 'Season Of The Year' and how the writer observed the weather. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34216050

Ep 213 Lucy Jane Santos & 'Chain Reactions' 11/27/2024

Ep 213 Lucy Jane Santos & 'Chain Reactions' Jo's special guest in episode 213 is Lucy Jane Santos, who returns to the podcast. Lucy is a freelance historian and consultant, examining the crossroads of health, wellness & beauty with science and technology. She talks about her latest book 'Chain Reactions: A Hopeful History of Uranium', which includes stories about Las Vegas, Atomic Cocktails and X-Ray Skirts. Plus she reveals her latest project and how it links to Marilyn Monroe. Jo also chats to one of the team from Wakefield Museums and Castles, to find out the story of an influential school textbook. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34169995

Ep 212 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Smell & Memories 11/20/2024

Ep 212 Dr Emma Yhnell Myth Busting Smell & Memories In episode 212 Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell to myth bust stories and topics relating to neuroscience. Emma is a Reader at Cardiff University and a science communicator. Jo and Emma talk about how AI could help people living with dementia, bear brain surgery and why smell and memories are so closely linked e.g. when it comes to pumpkin spice. Jo is also joined by Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator and public engagement trainer from Glasgow. He returns with another story from the Periodic Table and this time it's all about atoms. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/34021587

Ep 211 Dr Darren Freebury-Jones 11/13/2024

Ep 211 Dr Darren Freebury-Jones Jo's special guest in episode 211 is Dr Darren Freebury-Jones, who is the author of a number of a books about Shakespeare and his contemporaries. He talks about his work, in particular his latest book 'Shakespeare's Borrowed Feathers', about the early modern playwrights who shaped the Bard. Plus he answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the physic garden at Amersham Museum, to meet director and pharmacy historian Briony Hudson. Briony talks about a book called 'A Modern Herbal'. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33906297

Ep 210 Science Fiction Books & Films: Stephen King 11/06/2024

Ep 210 Science Fiction Books & Films: Stephen King In episode 210 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast to talk about science fiction cinema. They continue their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and this time focus on Stephen King. Films discussed include 'The Running Man' and 'The Mist', as well as TV series like 'The Stand'. Listeners and guests share some of their favourite science fiction films inspired by the books of Stephen King, including Paul Scott. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33819610

Ep 209 Lynne Peeples 10/30/2024

Ep 209 Lynne Peeples Jo's special guest in episode 209 is Lynne Peeples, a science journalist based in Seattle. Lynne is the author of the book 'The Inner Clock' and talks to Jo about our circadian rhythms and the impact of food, sleep and light on them. Lynne talks about her research, including ten days in a bunker, and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Museum in the Park in Stroud, to learn the story behind a clock which tells us about Stroud Time and Railway Time. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33675882

Ep 208 Anna Mazzola 10/23/2024

Ep 208 Anna Mazzola In episode 208 Jo's special guest is writer Anna Mazzola, who talks about her career as a lawyer as well as her books, including her latest historical crime thriller 'The Book Of Secrets'. She also talks about her next project - a modern legal thriller - and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the physic garden at Amersham Museum, to meet director and pharmacy historian Briony Hudson. Briony talks about a special box pharmacy students would have used to learn about certain plants in the past. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33585017

Ep 207 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Anthropomorphism 10/16/2024

Ep 207 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Anthropomorphism Jo's special guest in episode 207 is Prof Adam Hart, who is professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Adam is back to myth bust a topic and this time its anthropomorphising animals, which is when we imbue them with human qualities. He looks at why we favour some animals to others and the pros and cons of anthropomorphism. Jo also visits the John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury to learn about otters and why they are good predators. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33487917

Ep 206 Dr Meganne Christian 10/09/2024

Ep 206 Dr Meganne Christian Episode 206 of the podcast is Jo's 4 year anniversary and it's also World Space Week. Jo's special guest is Dr Meganne Christian who is Commercial Exploration Lead at the UK Space Agency and a Reserve Astronaut for the European Space Agency. She talks about her life and career, including becoming part of the astronaut corps, her time in Antarctica and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also has a highlight from the 2024 Cheltenham Science Festival - talking to aerospace engineer and baker Andrew Smyth about baking, engineering and space. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33388487

Ep 205 Dr Penelope Campling 10/02/2024

Ep 205 Dr Penelope Campling Jo's special guest in episode 205 is Dr Penelope Campling, a consultant psychiatrist, who worked in the field for over 40 years. She talks about her career including what we can learn from therapeutic communities. She also discusses her book 'On The Brink: Stories of Harm & Healing from a Lifetime in Psychiatry', and she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits Gloucestershire Archives and learns about records relating to female patients who were at the Horton Road Asylum in the 19th century. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33287197

Ep 204 Science Fiction Books & Films: HG Wells 09/25/2024

Ep 204 Science Fiction Books & Films: HG Wells In episode 204 Jo welcomes back Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from At The Flicks podcast to talk about science fiction cinema. They continue their series looking at the work of authors turned into films and this time focus on HG Wells. Films discussed include 'War of the Worlds', 'The Invisible Man' and 'The Time Machine'. Listeners and guests share some of their favourite films inspired by the books of HG Wells, including John Putley. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33192182

Ep 203 Holst 150th Anniversary 09/18/2024

Ep 203 Holst 150th Anniversary Jo brings you a special edition in episode 203, on location at the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham. She marks the 150th anniversary since the birth of composer Gustav Holst with curator Laura Kinnear. They talk about his life and work, including The Planets and learn about the Digital Kiosk in the museum. Plus Jo has a highlight from the Cheltenham Science Festival. She talks to professor of mathematics Prof Marcus Du Sautoy, astrophysicist Dr Hannah Wakeford and composer Robert Laidlow about their event combining maths, music and space. Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet. Jo's website: /episode/index/show/jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse/id/33111152

Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

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