The Cosmic Shed

Welcome back to The Cosmic Shed! In this episode, host Andrew is thrilled to bring you a fascinating interview with Fabrice Schnoller, an engineer, biologist, and filmmaker known for his exploration of ocean life and the study of dolphin and whale communication.

Fabrice joins Andrew after they met at the Wild Screen Festival in Bristol, where Fabrice's film "Valdimir: Conversation with a Spy Whale" captivated audiences with the story of Valdimir, the charismatic beluga whale. Andrew and Fabrice discuss the complexities of animal communication, the philosophical questions it raises, and the potential implications of unlocking these mysteries.

Fabrice Schnoller in the wild.

Fabrice also delves into his unique approach to studying whales, including the innovative use of technology and the challenges of marine research. He shares some fascinating stories of the eperiences he and his fellow researchers have had with whales and dolphines and we discuss the emotional connections between humans and whales, as well as the broader significance of understanding these majestic creatures.

Hvaldimir spyhopping to inspect a boat...or is he looking at the people on it?

Join us for this fascinating conversation that bridges science, storytelling, and the quest for deeper connections with the natural world.

show notes
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

Planet Earth III is the latest and greatest installment in the BBC's landmark Natural History series and we are joined by three of the people behind this stunning new television event.

Abi Lees is the Director of the Forests episodes

Producer/Director Abigail Lees, Assistant Producer Georgie Ward and Junior Production Manager Georgie Collingwood join Andrew and Steve to talk the making of, and our deep love of, Planet Earth 3.

Georgina Collingwood is a Junior Porduction Manager of Planet Earth III

As the shed is currently a little worse for wear, this podcast was recorded on a 117 year old Dutch Barge in Bristol Harbour.

Georgina Ward is the Assistant Producer of the Coasts and Extremes episodes

Just what does go into making such an amazing series? Download and listen or simply press play on this page to find out now.

show notes

Planet Earth III is here
We did 2 episodes on Planet Earth II - The Science and The Producers
You can find our episode on Blue Planet II here
Our episode on Seven Worlds One Planet is here
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

Screens of Matter is a cinema development project, specialising in screening science fiction films. The long-term aim of the company is to secure permanent premises in Bristol (UK), to build on venue capacity in the city. The project also aims to attract and support neurodiverse audiences by testing ideas to create more inclusive cinema environments. 

Founder/Producer | Emmeline Rodman

Emmeline is a Bristol based producer who currently works in the charity and education sectors. She is an experienced events manager and lectures in events management and design. She is proudly neurodiverse, diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. Science fiction films provide her with a place of solace from these conditions. 

Programme advisor | Owen Van Spall

Owen is a London based film programmer for a major arts venue. He has worked in a variety of cinemas for nearly a decade, from pop-up events to community projects across the UK. He is a film history postgraduate and has also worked in the comic book publishing industry.  

Their launch event is a double bill of Judge Dredd films.

To get your tickets and find our more visit www.screensofmatter.com

show notes

The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

Daniel Huertas is a Natural History and conservation filmmaker with Studio Silverback who has worked on films and projects including Our Planet and the Earthshot Prize.

In this episode of The Cosmic Shed, Daniel joins Andrew to discuss his work including the fascinating films Our Planet Our Business and Our Planet Too Big to Fail. Films which take the environmental and conservation message to the heart of the decision makers who have such an impact on our home.

Download and listen now.

show notes

You can find out more about Studio Silverback here
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

Lizzie Daly is a wildlife biologist, wildlife filmmaker and conservation filmmaker who is currently on our screens on The One Show and will be hosting many lovely panels and events at Wildscreen Festival in Bristol and online 10-14 October 2022.

Andrew and Lizzie at Cheltenham Science Festival

Lizzie first joined Andrew for the Cosmic Shed for our episode exploring the Spirit of Apollo but was talking to Andrew as they arranged something rather interesting which will be taking place at Wildscreen this year. Listen to this episode to find out more.

Lizzie and the Giant Barrel Jellyfish

show notes

Lizzie can also be heard on our Spirit of Apollo episode
Lizzie mentions the 27s orca pod an d The Celtic Deep
The Territory from Dogwoof is here
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

ESA Astronaut Tim Peake joins us to discuss the wonderful new Pixar film Lightyear.

Ben Wheatley reports back from the Leicester Square Premiere at Cineworld...which he shared with Taika Waitiki and Chris Evans among others.

Tim Peake speaks to Ben Wheatley for The Cosmic Shed podcast

"While spending years attempting to return home, marooned Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear encounters an army of ruthless robots commanded by Zurg who are attempting to steal his fuel source."

Lightyear is in cinemas from July 17th in the UK and we recommend you find yourself a screening as soon as you can but feel free to listen to this episode of The Cosmic Shed podcast before you do as it is spoiler free.

show notes

The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

Mary Anning Rocks was born when 11 year old, fossil mad, Evie Swire asked her mother, ‘Why isn’t there a statue to Mary mummy?’ Well now there is.

Crowds flock to see the unveiling of the Mary Anning Statue in Lyme Regis

We're big fans of Mary Anning Rocks here at The Cosmic Shed so when they invited us to the unveiling of the statue of Mary Anning in Lyme Regis we jumped at the chance.

Dr Hannah Little reports back from the event for The Cosmic Shed.

show notes

You can support Mary Anning Rocks here
You can listen to our episode with Kate Winslet and Anya from Mary Anning Rocks here
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

Ilan Eshkeri's Space Station Earth with Tim Peake comes to the Royal Albert Hall on May 15th 2022. Ilan joins our Andrew to talk about this stunning new live event which promises to take audiences on a film and audio journey to see Earth and Space through the eyes of astronauts on the International Space Station.

Tim Peake joins Ilan Eshkeri for Space Station Earth in May 2022

As well as talking about Space Station Earth, Ilan and Andrew discuss Ilan's other work which includes winning a BAFTA for his narrative score for Ghost of Tsushima, scoring films like Stardust and Still Alice and his most recent work for the BBC Natural History Unit, A Perfect Planet.

Award winning composer Ilan Eshkeri 

Sit back, relax (once you've got your tickets) and listen as Ilan Eshkeri comes to The Cosmic Shed podcast.

show notes
Ilan Eshkeri has a website here
Space Station Earth has a website here
You can view the trailer here
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

The Cosmic Shed has hosted some fairly big names over the years from Tim Peake and Nichelle Nichols to Benedict Cumberbatch and Alice Roberts but right now, the shed is housing a litter of hedgehogs.

Those hedgehogs have been filmed for BBC's Winter Watch by Dr. Jack Richardson and Jack joins Andrew to talk all about how he took that lovely footage of them.

Dr Jack Richardson on set

You'll also hear about how the shed became home for these wonderful little hedgehogs and hear from the woman who almost single-handedly made it possible; Claudia Bonney.

Tufty - one of the Hedgehogs currently residing under The Cosmic Shed.

Prickles down, relax and listen now.

show notes

Claudia Bonney is a contemporary artist and hedgehog lover.
Dr Jack Richardson has a vimeo account where you can see more of his work.
You can see some of the trail cam footage of the hedgehogs here
Andrew is a Lecturer at UWE Bristol
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

In this episode, recorded at Bristol Con 2021, our Hannah chats to a host of wonderful science fiction authors. We'll let you listen to find out exactly who. It feels more like a Bristol Con that way - you're never quite sure who you'll bump into.

Hannah at Bristol Con 2021

One thing we will tell you though is that you'll hear from Arthur C. Clarke award-winning author Adrian Tchaikovsky.

Download and listen now.

show notes
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

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
You can get tickets to Robin's next variety show here
Hannah is a Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at UWE Bristol
Bookhaus is an independent bookshop in Bristol
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

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 Miles (Girl of the Wild) @safari_smiles on Instagram

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...

Rosie and colleagues hard at work @safari_smiles on Instagram

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
Apply to study Science Communication at UWE Bristol here 
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

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

Big topics in the new series from Jim Al-Khalili

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.

Jim Al-Khalili and Andrew at Cheltenham Science Festival

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
Andrew met Jim at Cheltenham Science Festival to talk Sun Fall
Get your copy of Sun Fall by Jim Al-Khalili here
Magellan TV is a streaming service for documentaries
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

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.

Professor Vint's books explore science fiction from some fascinating angles

Download to your favourite podcast app and listen now.

show notes
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast

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). 

Samantha Baines and her books with a spacey theme

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
You can hear our episode with Marina Sirtis here
The Cosmic Shed is part of the Stimulus Network
You can subscribe to The Cosmic Shed podcast