In episode 256 Jo is joined by Dr Joanne Baker, a former astrophysicist and now writer. She is also Chief Opinion Editor at Nature. She chats to Jo about her passion for space, the research she has done and her new book 'Starwatchers: A History of Discovery in the Night Sky'. Plus she answers the Quick Six.

Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with Dr Shelia Kanani MBE. Shelia is a planetary scientist, author and EDI specialist. She talks about her children's book 'Can You Get Music on the Moon?'

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

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

Jo's special guest in episode 255 is historian and author Mark Turnbull, who specialises in the 17th century. He talks about his passion for this period and his latest book 'Prince Rupert of the Rhine: King Charles I's Cavalier Commander'. Plus he answers the Quick Six.

Jo also visits the Grant Museum of Zoology at UCL to find out the story of the echidna and why the one in the collection isn't entirely accurate.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

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

In episode 254 Jo's special guest is Dr Nicola Clark, senior lecturer at Chichester University, Tudor historian and author. She talks about her passion for this period of history and in particular discusses her recent book 'The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens'. 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've reached the letter L and it's the lentil plant which has many benefits.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

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

Jo celebrates the 5 year anniversary of the podcast in episode 253 and she welcomes back two familiar voices. Jo reflects back on five years of the Quick Six feature, by exploring the favourite smells guests have chosen. She does this with sensory scientist and philosopher Prof Barry Smith who is the Director of the Centre for the Study of the Senses at the University of London. Smells discussed include freshly cut grass, baked bread, coffee, the sea air, rose and petrichor.

Jo is also joined by Dr Jamie Gallagher, who is a science communicator, public engagement trainer and chemist. In 'Periodically with Jamie' they explore stories from the Periodic Table, and this time look at TV shows that feature it on the walls such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Star Trek, but which get it right and which get it very wrong?

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

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

In episode 252 Jo welcomes back playwright Lou Beckett, who this time takes part in Jo's new series where a guest shares their Top Ten Theatre shows. Her choices include 'Hamilton', 'Death Of A Salesman' and a Shakespeare comedy.

Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham to find out why a piece of embroidery helps to tell the story of the Cheltenham Female Orphan Asylum, that was close to where the museum now stands.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

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

Jo's special guest in episode 251 is Dr Mike Esbester, senior lecturer in history at the University of Portsmouth. Mike talks about his passion for railway history and his research into railway accidents and how they tell a social history. They also talk about the Railway 200 anniversary and he answers the Quick Six.

Plus Jo 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 K and it's the Katsura tree, which is famous for Autumn colour.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

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

In a milestone episode 250 Jo welcomes back Dr Meganne Christian who a reserve astronaut with the European Space Agency and Senior Exploration Manager (Commercial) at the UK Space Agency. She talks about some recent space stories and shares with Jo her experiences of having the first phase of her astronaut training, including getting her flight suit.

Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with astronomer Prof Chris Lintott, one of the presenters of 'The Sky At Night'. They discuss the past, present and future of astronomy, including an exciting new telescope.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

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

Jo welcomes back Dr Emma Yhnell, who is a Reader in neuroscience at Cardiff University and a science communicator. She returns to myth bust biomedical and brain based science, including the effect of heat on the brain, benefits of gardening and how useful daily targets in things like exercise and water are.

Jo also has a highlight from the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival - a chat with marine biologist and writer Dr Helen Scales, who talks about her recent books including 'What The Wild Sea Can Be'.

Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant.

Music licensed from Purple Planet.

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