Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

Joanna Durrant
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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.

  1. Ep 241 Rebecca Styles

    8 HR AGO

    Ep 241 Rebecca Styles

    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.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/

    1h 13m
  2. Ep 240 Dr Chris Laoutaris (Shakespeare's Women) & Tim Peake

    1 JUL

    Ep 240 Dr Chris Laoutaris (Shakespeare's Women) & Tim Peake

    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, curiosity, his upcoming tour and a possible return to space.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/

    1h 36m
  3. Ep 239 Paul Anthony Jones & Summer Words

    24 JUN

    Ep 239 Paul Anthony Jones & Summer Words

    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 website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/

    1h 24m
  4. Ep 238 Science Fiction Books & Films: Ray Bradbury

    28 MAY

    Ep 238 Science Fiction Books & Films: Ray Bradbury

    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: https://jodurrant.co.uk/

    1h 21m
  5. Ep 237 Helen Jukes

    21 MAY

    Ep 237 Helen Jukes

    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: https://jodurrant.co.uk/

    1h 2m
  6. Ep 236 Mark Thompson Space Business

    14 MAY

    Ep 236 Mark Thompson Space Business

    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: https://jodurrant.co.uk/

    1h 5m
  7. Ep 235 Kate Werran

    7 MAY

    Ep 235 Kate Werran

    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. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/

    1h 26m
  8. Ep 234 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Marine Life

    30 APR

    Ep 234 Prof Adam Hart Myth Busting Marine Life

    In episode 234 Jo welcomes back Prof Adam Hart, who is professor of science communication at the University of Gloucestershire. Adam busts myths about marine life including bioluminescence, coral, seahorses, octopuses and dolphins.  Jo also has a highlight from the 2024 Cheltenham Science Festival - her chat with Prof Mark Miodownik & Prof Andrea Sella, about gases, microplastics, heat pumps and sweets.      Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/

    1h 12m
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About

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.

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