🎧 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

🎧 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

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

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

‘Painful to hear!’ How podcasts’ rush to video is turning them into dreadful listens

Wishing a very Happy Christmas to all friends, family, followers, listeners to JDBU & any radio outings & those I work with or meet at events 🎄✨

🎧 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

🎧 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

🎧 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

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

🎧 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

🎧 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

🕵🏼‍♀️ 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/...

🎧 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

🎤 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!

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 😂

🎧 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

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 ❤️

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

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

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...

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

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

🎧 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

🎧 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

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

🎧 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

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!

#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!

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

A belated #SaturdayStyle - wearing a new silver sparkly dress, shrug & shoes to celebrate my Birthday with friends 🩶🩷

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.

🎉 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

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

Good Morning & welcome to marvellous marmalade Monday Promise yourself you'll stop overthinking. Just for today, let things flow.

#saturdaystyle wearing a blue lace dress with white butterflies on to host an event this afternoon

🎃 My October Events: Today - hosting an event at Little Malvern Priory Tomorrow 2 events at Cuckfield Book Festival To come - Wells Festival of Literature, Dorchester Literary Festival & Cirencester History Festival jodurrant.co.uk

EXCITING NEWS! This year I’ve had the pleasure of presenting & editing ‘The Life & Times of Catherine Drew’ podcast for @readingtheforest.bsky.social l- it was great to go on this journey with Roger Deeks and to speak to brilliant guests about the poet. Out now! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

#ICYMI this week Railway Work, Life & Death project co-lead Mike featured on Jo Durrant's Beautiful Universe podcast! @joannadurrant.bsky.social Have a listen & find out more about #Railway200, as well as the project - & plenty more! 👇 bsky.app/profile/joan...

Lots of fun to join @joannadurrant.bsky.social for this - as ever, it goes in directions we'd not anticipated, and is better for it! 👇

🎧 Ep 251 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 Dr Mike Esbester @rwldproject.bsky.social discusses railway history & accidents, #Railway200 & Quick Six 🍁 Faith Douglas A-Z plants - the Katsura tree 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

📻 In case you missed it… there’s three days left to catch up on my show on BBC Glos from Bank Holiday Monday, including the latest on the phone box being turned into a museum in the Forest of Dean www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Enjoyed a lovely few days at @budlitfest.bsky.social chairing for the first time - three varied events with @helenscales.bsky.social @annesebba.bsky.social & Sue Prideaux. Thank you for inviting me & to the team for making me so welcome. Lovely to see familiar faces too. Hope I’ll get to return 🙏🏻

Looking forward to interviewing @helenscales.bsky.social at the @budlitfest.bsky.social tomorrow - talking about the ocean by the sea!

Enjoyed a brilliant night last night in conversation with @kermodemovie.bsky.social & @nelsonjenny.bsky.social at @monmouthsavoy.bsky.social for @rossiterbooks.bsky.social - all about movie music!

📆 It’s going to be a busy September! @rossiterbooks.bsky.social - @kermodemovie.bsky.social & @nelsonjenny.bsky.social Glos Hist Fest includes @helencarr.bsky.social @fawazgerges.bsky.social Budleigh Salterton Lit Fest includes @helenscales.bsky.social Chelsea Hist Fest - Dr Daniel Swift

🎉🎧 It’s Ep 250 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast on Weds! 🤩 @astromeganne.bsky.social returns & talks about astronaut training 🔭 @chrislintott.bsky.social talks past & future of astronomy at Chelt Sci Fest 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎧 Ep 249 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out now: 🤩 @emmayhnell.bsky.social myth busts effects of heat on the brain & benefits of gardening 🌊 @helenscales.bsky.social chats at Chelt Sci Fest about ocean 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

🎧 Ep 249 of Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe podcast is out Weds: 🤩 @emmayhnell.bsky.social myth busts effects of heat on the brain & benefits of gardening 🌊 @helenscales.bsky.social chats at Chelt Sci Fest about ocean 📲 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/j... 💻 jodurrantsbeautifuluniverse.libsyn.com

Happy September! Author events at Rossiter Books this month @kermodemovie.bsky.social @nelsonjenny.bsky.social on 11th Monmouth with @joannadurrant.bsky.social and Clare Balding 16th Monmouth & 17th Hereford Check out the rest of the autumn calendar here: shorturl.at/yBL6B @ticketsource.com