Jo Durrant
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jodurrant.co.uk
Jo Durrant
@jodurrant.co.uk
610 followers 320 following 410 posts
🎧🎙 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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Jo Durrant @jodurrant.co.uk · Nov 16
👋🏻 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.
Jo’s headshot - on a stool, wearing a black leather jacket and black dress with stars on Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast artwork Jo sitting in a radio studio behind the microphone, wearing headphones Jo on stage in conversation, with a microphone in front of her. She is sitting in a chair holding a clipboard. She wears a white and red dress, red cardigan and red shoes
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 Ep 263 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now:

🤩 Dr Camilla Stokholm has tips for a healthy 2026 in her book What Your Doctor Eats & Quick Six 

🫒 Faith Douglas has our A-Z of plants - O is for olive

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:36 PM
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 Ep 263 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 Dr Camilla Stokholm has tips for a healthy 2026, her book What Your Doctor Eats & Quick Six

🫒 Faith Douglas has our A-Z of plants - O is for olive

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:53 PM
jodurrant.co.uk
2025 Recap:

🎤 Did 60 in conversation events, hostings & talks including at my old school

🎙️ Celebrated 5 years of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast

🎧 Worked on several audio projects & did lots of radio

❤️ Visited new places & spent time with family & friends
December 31, 2025 at 5:16 PM
jodurrant.co.uk
In 2025 I read 51 books! This is just a selection pictured! Mostly for in conversation events or Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast. And rarely just for pleasure!

@annamazz.bsky.social @maxjtelford.bsky.social @susiedentwords.bsky.social @christopheredge.bsky.social @marianne-brown.bsky.social
December 28, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Reposted by Jo Durrant
theguardian.com
‘Painful to hear!’ How podcasts’ rush to video is turning them into dreadful listens
‘Painful to hear!’ How podcasts’ rush to video is turning them into dreadful listens
From Joe Marler’s visual-only stunts to the incomprehensible shuffling sounds Steven Bartlett recently subjected headphone users to, dodgy audio experiences are on the rise
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:22 AM
jodurrant.co.uk
Wishing a very Happy Christmas to all friends, family, followers, listeners to JDBU & any radio outings & those I work with or meet at events 🎄✨
Jo sits in front of a decorated Christmas tree
December 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 Ep 262 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now, the final one of 2025:

🤩 James Mayhew returns & chooses his Top 10 Theatre shows

🍃 Faith Douglas has our A-Z of plants - N is a popular evergreen

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast artwork Jo and James chat (split screen) Faith and Jo chat (split screen) The plant Nandina Domestica which has green leaves with a tinge of red
December 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 Ep 261 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now:

🤩 @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social on women of Wars of the Roses in her novel Cecily & Quick Six

⚗️ @jamiebgall.co.uk on why names of elements can be complex

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast artwork Annie and Jo chat Jo and Jamie chat The Periodic Table
December 14, 2025 at 11:35 AM
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 Ep 261 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social on women of Wars of the Roses, her novel Cecily & Quick Six

⚗️ @jamiebgall.co.uk on why names of elements can be complex

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:57 AM
jodurrant.co.uk
Looking forward to recording the next ep on A-Z of sci-fi cinema with Jeff & Graham of @attheflicks.bsky.social for Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast.

It’s the letter B & I’ve watched Back To The Future trilogy!

What are your fav films/themes/people?

@muttleybloke.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 Ep 260 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds:

🤩 @nicolatallis.bsky.social talks about women from history she’s written about inc Young Elizabeth

💿 Story of gramaphone at Holst Victorian House

📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j...

💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:14 AM
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 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
jodurrant.co.uk
🕵🏼‍♀️ 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
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 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
jodurrant.co.uk
🎤 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!
Rick and Jo on stage Rick and Jo in conversation Rick and Jo in conversation Rick and Jo in conversation
November 15, 2025 at 12:13 PM
jodurrant.co.uk
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 😂
Jo wears a white lace dress and black cardigan and holds a black and white cat teddy in the Harvington Hall gift shop Jo and Little Humphrey - tuxedo cat with a fluffy tail - on wooden floorboards Jo and Little Humphrey - tuxedo cat with a fluffy tail - on wooden floorboards Little Humphrey - a fluffy tuxedo cat - being held
November 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 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
jodurrant.co.uk
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 ❤️
Jo on stage at Harvington History Festival, wearing a red dress and white cardigan, sitting down interviewing Jo on stage at Gloucester History Festival, wearing a black dress with gold stars and gold shrug, sitting down interviewing Jo in her home studio with headphones on and space backdrop, wearing a white top and blue cardigan Jo in the studio at BBC Radio Gloucestershire with headphones on and microphone in front of her, wearing a blue dress with small white harts on and a blue denim jacket with a TARDIS pin badge on
November 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
jodurrant.co.uk
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
Jo wears a red dress, cardigan and shoes, sitting on stage in a stripy chair and with a red rug on the floor Jo wears a red dress with white flowers on, red cardigan and a poppy on
November 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
jodurrant.co.uk
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
Pete, Nadine, Stephen, Elizabeth and Jo on stage Jo on stage
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Jo Durrant
rossiterbooks.bsky.social
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
jodurrant.co.uk
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
Charlie, Jo and Daisy on stage Jo on stage laughing Daisy, Charlie and Jo in conversation on stage Jo, Charlie and Daisy on stage, taken from wings. Black and white image
November 2, 2025 at 10:25 AM
jodurrant.co.uk
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
A list of events in November and image of Jo in top right corner, purple background
November 1, 2025 at 9:15 AM
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 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
jodurrant.co.uk
🎧 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