Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe

In episode 264 Jo is joined by Jeff Downes and Graham O'Dwyer from the At The Flicks podcast, who return to talk about science fiction. They continue their new series on the A-Z of science fiction cinema, with the letter B.  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 B include black holes and B Movies, plus films like Back To The Future and Blade Runner and the TV show Babylon Five.       Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/ 

Jo's special guest in her first edition of 2026, episode 263, is Dr Camilla Stokholm. Camilla is a lifestyle medicine doctor and the author of 'What Your Doctor Eats'. She talks about the importance of our microbiome, why eating 30 different plant foods a week is good for it, her own health journey and 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 O - a plant with lots of health benefits - the olive tree.      Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/ 

In episode 262 Jo welcomes back James Mayhew who is a children's author and illustrator. He takes part in Jo's new series where a guest chooses their Top Ten Theatre shows. His choices include some opera, ballet and musicals like Chicago.  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 N and it's something with a festive connection - the Nandina domestica.      Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/ 

Jo'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/ 

In episode 260 Jo is joined by Dr Nicola Tallis who is an author and historian of the Tudor period. She talks about her passion for history, some of the women she has written about and her latest book 'Young Elizabeth', which is about the dramatic early life of Queen Elizabeth I. Plus she answers the Quick Six. Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham to find out the story of a gramophone that belonged to the Holst family, which plays one of The Planets.    Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/