The Cosmic Shed

Robin Ince is quite well known for something called The Infinite Monkey Cage and something else called The Cosmic Shambles. As such, we were rather delighted to welcome him to The Cosmic Shed. Robin joins Hannah and Steve to talk about his new book The Importance of Being Interested.

Robin Ince and Hannah in Bookhaus for The Cosmic Shed

This episode of The Cosmic Shed podcast was recorded at Bookhaus, an independent bookshop in Bristol. Robin was in conversation with our Hannah.

The book is a delight and so too is this conversation. Download and listen now.

show notes

You can buy Robin's book here

Rosie Miles is truly the Girl of the Wild and her first book tells some of the stories of the last 10 years of her life working with wild animals in Africa. We read of encounters with snakes, big cats, elephants and so much more in this riveting book and Rosie joins Andrew for this episode of The Cosmic Shed.

Rosie and Andrew met several years ago when Rosie was studying science communication at UWE Bristol and the book is just the latest in Rosie's adventures. In this episode, you will hear about a potential second book which we all believe needs to become a reality...

You can buy the book here and, while you wait for it to arrive, you can listen to this spoiler free episode of The Cosmic Shed.

show notes

Buy Girl of the Wild: Misadventures in the African Bush here

Jim Al-Khalili returns to The Cosmic Shed to talk about his new series which launches today on Magellan TV.

Jim is the Distinguished Chair of Theoretical Physics at the University of Surrey, broadcaster, novelist and Vice-President of Humanists, UK. He's also making his third appearance on The Cosmic Shed as he joins Andrew to talk about the new series and all things life and physics.

Download to your favourite podcast app and listen now. Then pop over to Magellan TV and watch the new series from Jim.

show notes

Jim Al-Khalili featured in our Jurassic World episode back in 2015

Sherryl Vint is Professor of Science Fiction Media Studies at University of California, Riverside and the author of Bodies of Tomorrow, Animal Alterity, and Science Fiction- A Guide for the Perplexed. Don't worry. You don't have to be perplexed to enjoy it. Professor Vint joins Andrew to talk all things science fiction in this episode of The Cosmic Shed podcast.

Download to your favourite podcast app and listen now.

show notes

Samantha Baines joins Andrew for this episode of The Cosmic Shed and has a new book out called The Night the Moon Went Out. She's also an award-winning comedian, actress, broadcaster, hearing aid wearer and the author of Harriet Versus the Galaxy. As an actress, Samantha has appeared in Netflix’s The Crown, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness or Magic Mike Live (directed by Channing Tatum). 

You can also hear Samantha on BBC Radio London, BBC Radio Kent, Virgin Radio, hosting Q and A's at the BFI or hosting her award nominated podcast The Divorce Social.

In this episode of The Cosmic Shed, Samantha and Andrew discuss a host of things including The Crown (does anyone know if Prince Andrew appears in it?), Sound of Metal starring Riz Ahmed and, of course, The Night The Moon Went Out which you can buy here.

show notes

Samantha and Andrew are also on the Physics World Stories podcast

Catriona Silvey is an author whose new book Meet Me in Another Life has been optioned for a new film starring Gal Gadot...even before the book came out... Catriona joins Dr. Hannah Little for this episode of The Cosmic Shed.

Gal (left) will produce and star in the film of the novel by Catriona's (right) 

Meet Me in Another Life is a story of love and connection in every possible form that will captivate fans of Stuart Turton, Claire North, and Audrey Niffenegger. Gal Gadot says it is "Beautifully explored and deeply complex".

The book is released on July 8th 2021. You can get it here but you can listen to Catriona right now on this episode. Download to your favourite podcast app or simply press play.

show notes

Kate Winslet plays legendary fossil hunter Mary Anning in Ammonite, the new film (in cinemas now) from Francis Lee, the director of God's Own Country. For this episode, Kate Winslet makes her debut on The Cosmic Shed podcast and we are also joined by Anya Pearson of Mary Anning Rocks.

Mary Anning Rocks is the hugely successful campaign to get a statue of Mary Anning in Lyme Regis, where she made her name finding all those wonderful fossils. It was started by Evie Swire three years ago and Evie's mum Anya joins us to discuss the film and tell us all about the wonderful campaign.

Evie and Anya from Mary Anning Rocks

Download to your favourite podcast app or simply press play.

show notes

You can support Mary Anning Rocks here

We're joined by Andy Weir to talk about his latest, and quite possibly greatest (so far) novel Project Hail Mary. One lone astronaut holds the future of humanity in his hands. If you've read it, you know what happens next. Either way, download and listen now to this interview with, friend of The Cosmic Shed podcast, Andy Weir.

There are some spoilers later in the episode so do feel free to read the book first. You won't regret it and you can buy it from all good book shops including here.

show notes

Project Hail Mary is published by Penguin Random House

May the Fourth be with you. It's Star Wars Day and we have something of a special guest for you today. You'll have to listen to find out who it is.

This episode is all about Chaos Walking, the new film starring Daisy Ridley, who you may know as Rey from Star Wars.

We've got a surprise guest for you this May 4th...

Andrew, Steve, Tushna and Russell are joined by Hannah Little, a senior lecturer at UWE Bristol with a PhD in linguistics. In the film, everyone can hear all the men's thoughts and conversation in the podcast swiftly moves to discuss the science behind such ideas. Ti also pops in to tell us about the chaos of making Chaos Walking.

The film also stars Spiderman himself, Tom Holland, and is based on the books by Patrick Ness. Download and listen now and find out who that surprise guest is this May 4th...

show notes

Seaspiracy is, sadly, not about Seas Piracy but about an alleged conspiracy in the fisheries sector which is trying to conceal the damage done to our oceans by fisheries. It's available on Netflix and is a film by Ali Tabrizi, following on from Cowspiracy.

Andrew is joined in "the shed" by Marine Cusa, Natalie Dyer, Emma Brisdion and Russell Arnott to discuss the film, the science of the film and the film making practices employed. Just how much can we trust it?

Scientists involved in the protection of our oceans, even those interviewed for the film have spoken out against the film's accuracy. 

Marine has dived even deeper into the science in her two part YouTube review of Seaspiracy which we urge you all to watch here but, before you do, download and listen to this episode of The Cosmic Shed podcast.

show notes

You can follow Marine, Natalie, Emma and Russell on Twitter.