Jo Durrant
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joannadurrant.bsky.social
Jo Durrant
@joannadurrant.bsky.social
🎧🎙 Award-winning presenter: Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast (independent - arts/science) | Event host | Podcaster | Broadcaster | Love theatre, history, space

🌐 https://jodurrant.co.uk/

🌐 https://jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com/
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👋🏻 Hello friends! 🦋 I’m a broadcaster, podcaster & event host. I went freelance a year ago after 20 years at the BBC.

I now combine radio work with being an on stage interviewer at festivals & events.

I my spare time I make my award-winning arts & science podcast Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe.
🎧 Ep 259 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @adamhartscience.bsky.social myth busts extinction & de-extinction

🦤 We also visit @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social to learn about a famous extinct bird

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
🕵🏼‍♀️ I had the chance to visit the King’s Bastion in Gloucester. It’s rarely opened up but I got to chat with @andyrpglevum.bsky.social & Amy Washington @museumofgloucester.bsky.social about the history beneath our feet.

🎧 Listen to BBC Sounds Secret Gloucestershire: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
November 23, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🎧 Ep 258 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out:

🤩 @charliecreed.bsky.social talks about career & book The Cats Tales, about feline folklore & fairy tales!

🦠 Faith Douglas has A-Z of Plants & it’s M for Moss

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:34 AM
🎤 Last night I enjoyed being in conversation with Rick Stein at the Parabola Arts Centre in Cheltenham for @rossiterbooks.bsky.social - we spoke about his first Christmas cookery book & some of his festive memories & traditions. Lovely audience too!
November 15, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Today I returned to @harvingtonhall.bsky.social - more details soon! I couldn’t resist buying my own Little Humphrey teddy & my day was made when I was reunited with the real life cat who I met while hosting the History Fest in July 🐱🐾

And yes I did dress like a tuxedo cat especially 😂
November 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
🎧 Ep 257 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out today:

🤩 Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social new series: A-Z of Sci-Fi cinema. “A” inc aliens, AI & asteroids

🍿 Suggestions inc @muttleybloke.bsky.social

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:59 AM
It’s been two years since I left my full time staff job at the BBC, after 20 years, to go freelance. It was a big leap of faith & it’s taken a lot of hard work, tenacity & determination to make a success of my new freelance career. I’m so proud of what I have achieved & glad that I did take a risk ❤️
November 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
A belated #FashionFriday wearing a red tea dress with white flowers, red cardigan & my favourite red shoes - on stage at @stroudbookfestival.bsky.social last night
November 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Remember remember the fifth of November 💥 Back in July I had the pleasure of chairing a panel exploding the myths of the Gunpowder Plot with @elegantfowl.bsky.social @misswalsingham.bsky.social Prof Stephen Alford and @enortonhistory.bsky.social at @harvingtonhall.bsky.social History Festival
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Jo Durrant
Rick Stein's latest book is another beauty!
Filled with recipes and memories it is a wonderful festive treat.

Join us for an evening with Rick in #Cheltenham on Friday 14th November 7pm for what promises to be a great evening!

@joannadurrant.bsky.social

www.ticketsource.co.uk/rossiterbook...
November 5, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Enjoyed a brilliant evening on Friday at @cirenhistoryfest.bsky.social on Halloween, in conversation with Charlie & Daisy May Cooper about their new series Nightwatch. It was such a fun evening and a sell out! Thanks for asking me!

Photos (1-3): @paulawhitcher.bsky.social & B&W photo: Olivia Dale
November 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
My November events:

🦆 Sat 1st: FW Harvey Panel inc @stewartcarswell.co.uk @jasonfod.bsky.social

🕵🏼‍♀️ Fri 7th: @mandy-mjrobotham.bsky.social & Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall at @stroudbookfestival.bsky.social

🍽️ Fri 14th: Rick Stein @rossiterbooks.bsky.social

🎤 Tues 25th: Talk at Ribston

jodurrant.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 9:15 AM
🎧 Ep 255 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @1642author.bsky.social talks about passion for 17th century history, Prince Rupert & Quick Six

🐾 Story of echidna at @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:13 PM
🎧 Ep 255 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @1642author.bsky.social talks about passion for 17th century history, Prince Rupert & Quick Six

🐾 Story of echidna at @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe
Arts Podcast · Updated weekly · 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.
podcasts.apple.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:50 AM
I’m looking forward to recording the start of a brand new series for Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast with Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social - our A-Z of science fiction cinema. What are your fav films, people, themes beginning with A?

@muttleybloke.bsky.social
October 25, 2025 at 8:28 AM
🎧 Ep 254 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @nikkiclark86.bsky.social on being a Tudor historian, her book The Waiting Game & Quick Six

🫘 Faith Douglas is back with A-Z of plants - the lentil

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Had a brilliant afternoon at Wells Festival of Literature in conversation with @ginarippon.bsky.social about her book ‘The Lost Girls of Autism’. Fantastic audience and a very welcoming festival. Thank you for asking me back!
October 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
#FashionFriday was actually taken on my Birthday on Sunday! One of my autumn dresses, black lace and a leather jacket I’ve had since I was 17!
October 17, 2025 at 8:19 PM
It was lovely to have a chat with Dame Jacqueline Wilson at Cheltenham Literature Festival about her latest book and revisiting characters from her much loved children’s books. Hear with @jonysmith.bsky.social on his BBC Glos Breakfast Show 6-10am

@paddytracey.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 6:06 PM
A belated #SaturdayStyle - wearing a new silver sparkly dress, shrug & shoes to celebrate my Birthday with friends 🩶🩷
October 13, 2025 at 8:37 AM
A couple of weeks ago I had a lovely time at Chelsea History Festival doing 2 in conversation events: First with Dr Daniel Swift on his book The Dream Factory & then with @nicolatallis.bsky.social on her book Young Elizabeth.
October 11, 2025 at 9:42 AM
🎉 My 5 year anniversary of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast, ep 253 is out now!

🤩 @barrycsmith.bsky.social on favourite smells of my Quick Six guests!

🧪 @jamiebgall.co.uk on Periodic Table in TV shows

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
My 5 year anniversary, ep 253 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @barrycsmith.bsky.social on favourite smells of my Quick Six guests!

🧪 @jamiebgall.co.uk on about Periodic Table in TV shows

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Jo Durrant
Good Morning & welcome to marvellous marmalade Monday

Promise yourself you'll stop overthinking. Just for today, let things flow.
October 6, 2025 at 6:03 AM
#saturdaystyle wearing a blue lace dress with white butterflies on to host an event this afternoon
October 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM