Jo Durrant

👋🏻 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 302 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 Musician Will Lawton talks about career & his work as a music therapist 😴 I talk about sleep with Stephanie Romiszewski at Chelt Science Fest 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

Very much looking forward to recording the first full-length podcast episode drawing from my current book project SHAKESPEARE AND PANTO! with the incomparable @jodurrant.co.uk later in the week.

🎧 Ep 301 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 Dr Meganne Christian on astronaut training, space stories & her new job 🎞️ Story from exhibition at Holst Victorian House on Holst’s movie star brother 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

Doing prep for a new recording of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast with Jeff & Graham of @attheflicks.bsky.social - our A-Z of sci-fi cinema letter E: ET, Ex Machina, Escape from New York etc. What films/people/themes would you choose? @coreybrotherson.bsky.social @davidbflower.bsky.social

🎧 Ep 300 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out: 🤩 @adamhartscience.bsky.social @emmayhnell.bsky.social @attheflicks.bsky.social @metchick.bsky.social @nicolatallis.bsky.social @barrycsmith.bsky.social @jamiebgall.co.uk @coreybrotherson.bsky.social @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social & more!

🎧 Ep 300 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out on Weds: 🤩 I have lots of returning guests inc: @coreybrotherson.bsky.social @jamiebgall.co.uk @emmayhnell.bsky.social @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social @nicolatallis.bsky.social @metchick.bsky.social @adamhartscience.bsky.social

Ep 299 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out: 🤩 It’s a special recorded on stage at Gloucester History Festival with @drjaninaramirez.bsky.social & @andyrpglevum.bsky.social 🏛️ Historians on podcast 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎤 My October Events: 📚 Cuckfield Book Fest Juliet Nicholson Prof Tim Spector OBE Louisa Treger & Lottie Moggach 📖 Canterbury Festival: Mary Portas OBE Alex Preston & Antonia Senior 📕 Wells Festival of Literature: @rebeccasealwriter.bsky.social Cathy Rentzenbrink jodurrant.co.uk

A fun podcast made during the Gloucester History Festival

🎧 Ep 299 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 It’s recorded on stage at Gloucester History Festival with @drjaninaramirez.bsky.social & @andyrpglevum.bsky.social 🏛️ Historians on podcast in past 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎧 Ep 298 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social return & we review The End of Oak Street 🏡 Ahead of my next event at Museum in the Park I visit new exhibition 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎤 Had the most fabulous week at Glos Hist Fest chairing 8 events, including a live recording of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast. Great conversations with @davidolusoga.bsky.social @rentravailer.bsky.social @drjaninaramirez.bsky.social @andyrpglevum.bsky.social @turiking.bsky.social & more!

My September events!

🎧 Ep 297 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out on Weds: 🤩 Luke Sherlock talks about book Forgotten Churches, book shop + Quick Six 🌳 Faith Douglas has our A-Z of plants & it’s a tall ancient tree for W  📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎧 Ep 296 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 Crime scene co-ordinator Jo Ward talks about career & book Every Contact Leaves A Trace 😷 My chat with crime scene cleaner Ben Giles at Chelt SciFest  📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎤 Yesterday was the final event in the 2026 Our Beautiful Universe series at The Museum in the Park where I was in conversation with @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social about the women of the Wars of the Roses. It was another sell out and lovely comments after. Looking forward to 2027 already!

🎤 This weekend I enjoyed being part of the History Book Festival at @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social, opening the festival in conversation with @enortonhistory.bsky.social and then at lunchtime talking to @househistorian.bsky.social - nice to meet other speakers and felt really welcomed by the team.

🎤 After @enortonhistory.bsky.social @rwldproject.bsky.social @kate-werran.bsky.social @charliecreed.bsky.social & more at Museum in the Park there’s one event left: Sat 29 August I talk to @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social about the women of the Wars of the Roses museuminthepark.org.uk/our-beautifu...

🎧 Ep 295 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out on Weds: 🤩 Jackie Kabler talks about her latest thriller Run For Your Life 🚂 Story of new object at Museum in the Park that links to Stroud’s railway heritage 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

All ready to open the Southwark Cathedral History Book Festival in conversation with @jodurrant.co.uk on Women Who Ruled the World @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social #womenwhoruledtheworld #reigningqueen #femaleking #southwarkcathedral

🎧 Ep 294 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe is out now: 🤩 Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social on sci-fi film remakes inc War of the Worlds & The Day the Earth Stood Still 🍿Choices inc @coreybrotherson.bsky.social 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

Out today! ⬇️ @attheflicks.bsky.social @coreybrotherson.bsky.social @pauldscott.bsky.social @davidbflower.bsky.social

🎧 Ep 294 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social on sci-fi remakes inc War of the Worlds & The Omega Man 🍿Guests inc @coreybrotherson.bsky.social with theirs 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

Just under a week to go! I’m in conversation with @jodurrant.co.uk on Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy at the Southwark Cathedral History Book Festival @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social Tickets here: cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/whats-on/220... #womenwhoruledtheworld

Having fun preparing for my event at History Book Festival at @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social on Sat 22 August! I'll be talking with @jodurrant.co.uk about researching history of houses & discussing a few London houses I've researched over the years 😀 Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southwark-...

🎧 Ep 293 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out on Weds: 🤩 @adamhartscience.bsky.social is myth busting & it’s the subject of ecotourism  🌱 Faith Douglas has our A-Z of plants & it’s a fragrant shrub for V  📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

I'm excited to be at the History Book Festival at @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social on Sat 22 August!! 😀 It will be an amazing day of events & I'll be appearing with @jodurrant.co.uk at 12:30pm talking about #househistories I'd love to see you there! 😊Tickets at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southwark-...

🎧 Ep 292 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now: 🤩 @lucyjanesantos.bsky.social on book Nobody’s Perfect: The Making Of Some Like It Hot 👟 Science of a short walk with Prof Amanda Daley at Chelt Sci Fest 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

Looking forward to appearing at the History Book Festival at Southwark Cathedral with @jodurrant.co.uk on the 22nd! 😄

🎧 Ep 292 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 @lucyjanesantos.bsky.social on book Nobody’s Perfect: The Making Of Some Like It Hot 👟 Science of short walk with Prof Amanda Daley at Chelt Sci Fest 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎤 My August events: 🔍 1st: Phil Downing on secrets of @harvingtonhall.bsky.social at Museum in Park 🚜 15th: Film panel 👸🏼🏠 22nd: @enortonhistory.bsky.social & @househistorian.bsky.social at @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social 🌹 29th: @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social at Museum in Park jodurrant.co.uk

🎤 Highlights of @harvingtonhall.bsky.social History Festival which I hosted for the 3rd time & did an in conversation with @drmirandakaufmann.bsky.social Lovely to see many historian friends inc @enortonhistory.bsky.social @tracyborman.bsky.social @nicolatallis.bsky.social Until next year!

🎤 I’m delighted to be speaking at this year’s History Book Festival at Southwark Cathedral! I’m going to be in conversation with @enortonhistory.bsky.social at 10am & @househistorian.bsky.social at 12.30pm. And I hope I meet Hodge the cat 🐱 Tickets available: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/southwark-...

🎧 Ep 291 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 Eileen G’Sell talks about her career & her book on the history and culture of lipstick 💄 🌱 I find out story of moss collectors at Museum in the Park 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

An honour to speak at @harvingtonhall.bsky.social this morning, giving the opening speech at their History Festival. I spoke about Women Who Ruled the World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy. Thanks to @jodurrant.co.uk who is hosting the festival #harvingtonhall #womenwhoruledtheworld #reigningqueen

I am excited to be heading to @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social on 22 August for the History Book Festival!! 😀 I will be in conversation with @jodurrant.co.uk talking about London houses and #househistories! Grab your tickets now 😄 cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/whats-on/220...

Check the interview out on our YouTube channel... www.youtube.com/channel/UC8C...

🎧 Ep 289 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out on Weds: 🤩 Jack Boskett chooses his top 10 pieces of theatre & there’s a good musical selection 🌳 Faith Douglas has our A-Z of plants and what tree is for U? 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

My next episode of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast with Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social is on remakes - so watching I Am Legend (The Omega Man). Others include The Day The Earth Stood Still & War of the Worlds. Any thoughts? @davidbflower.bsky.social @coreybrotherson.bsky.social

🎧 Ep 288 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now: 🤩 Jeff & Graham @attheflicks.bsky.social return & we go to cinema & review Disclosure Day 🦕 My chat with Jon Chase at Chelt Sci Fest on Jurassic Science 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎤 I enjoyed another lovely conversation yesterday at the Museum in the Park with @charliecreed.bsky.social about folklore & fairytales relating to cats! Next 01/08: Phil Downing with secrets of @harvingtonhall.bsky.social 29/08: @anniegarthwaite.bsky.social on women of the Wars of the Roses

🎧 Ep 287 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now: 🤩 Jenny Wicks talks about life in theatre, summer show & Quick Six 🌋 My chat with Emma Young at 2026 Chelt Science Fest including volcanoes 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

I'm really looking forward to speaking with @jodurrant.co.uk at Stroud's Museum in the Park this Saturday (July 4), where we'll discuss the role cats have played in fairy tales and folklore. I believe there are a few tickets left! #jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse #cats #fairytales #folklore #stroud

🎧 Ep 287 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out on Weds: 🤩 Jenny Wicks talks about her life in theatre + answers Quick Six 🌋 My chat with science journalist Emma Young at Chelt Science Fest inc volcanoes!  📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎤 Enjoyed a brilliant night on stage last night in conversation with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin about her memoir Starchild, which is such an inspiring story. This was for @rossiterbooks.bsky.social at The Blake Theatre, Monmouth and we had a wonderfully appreciative audience ✨

🎧 Ep 286 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now: 🤩 Dr Daniel Swift returns to choose his Top 10 Theatre pieces 🫚 Faith Douglas is back with our A-Z of plants & T is for turmeric 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎧 Ep 286 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out on Weds: 🤩 Dr Daniel Swift returns to choose his Top 10 Theatre pieces  🫚 Faith Douglas is back with our A-Z of plants & T is for tumeric  📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎤 We’re over half way through the new series of events at the Museum in the Park with last time a sold out event with Luke Sherlock! On Sat 4th July at 2pm @charliecreed.bsky.social will be talking about folklore & fairytales of cats - a few tickets left! museuminthepark.org.uk/our-beautifu...

🎧 Ep 285 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now, 2026 Chelt Sci Fest special: 🤩 Guests including: @juleshoward.bsky.social @sarahbearchell.bsky.social @turiking.bsky.social @russellarnott.bsky.social @markmiodownik.bsky.social & more! 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com