Jo brings you a special edition in episode 203, on location at the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham. She marks the 150th anniversary since the birth of composer Gustav Holst with curator Laura Kinnear. They talk about his life and work, including The Planets and learn about the Digital Kiosk in the museum.  Plus Jo has a highlight from the Cheltenham Science Festival. She talks to professor of mathematics Prof Marcus Du Sautoy, astrophysicist Dr Hannah Wakeford and composer Robert Laidlow about their event combining maths, music and space.        Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.   Jo's website: https://jodurrant.co.uk/ 

In episode 185 Jo's special guest is photographer Jack Boskett, from Tewkesbury. He talks about his career, including how his love of railways led to royal photography. Plus he answers Jo's Quick Six.  Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham and finds out the story behind a painting of relatives of Gustav Holst.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.

In episode 177 Jo welcomes back Dr Helen Fry, who is a historian and the author of a number of books that focus on intelligence and espionage, in particular during the First and Second World Wars. Helen joins Jo during Women's History Month to talk about her latest book 'Women In Intelligence', in which she has uncovered some incredible stories and hidden histories.  Jo also visits the Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham and finds out the story behind a manuscript which Gustav Holst gifted to one woman who gave him a lot of support.     Presented, produced & edited by Jo Durrant. Music licensed from Purple Planet.

Air Date 4/2/2022 Today we take a look at the current iteration of the cynical culture wars being waged by conservative Republicans against LGBTQ kids for political gain. The current wave of anti-trans and anti-gay legislation sprouting across the country is not about protecting kids and is absolutely nothing new. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email [email protected]  Transcript Join our Discord community! (What's Discord?) BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) Check out Democracy Decoded where you get your podcasts! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Andy Greenberg - Longform - Air Date 12-11-19 Andy Greenberg is a senior writer for Wired. His new book is Sandworm. “I kind of knew I was never going to get access to Sandworm, which is the title of the book - so it was all about drawing a picture around this invisible monster.” Ch. 2: How America’s gas got hacked - Today, Explained - Air Date 5-12-21 The largest-known ransomware attack on American energy infrastructure is driving up gas prices and creating shortages. Wired's Lily Hay Newman says Colonial Pipeline might be a turning point for cybersecurity. Ch. 3: Is Russia at War with the West? Part 1 - The Inquiry - Air Date 11-21-18 There are currently a number of serious allegations made in the West against Russia. They include the attempted murder of the former spy Sergei Skripal on British soil; interference in the 2016 US election; the hacking of the American electricity grid. Ch. 4: How prepared is the U.S. to fend off cyber warfare? Better at offense than defense, author says - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 8-6-18 Sanger joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the threats and realities, how the U.S. wages cyber warfare, and how prepared the U.S. is to stop attacks. Ch. 5: Is Russia at War with the West? Part 2 - The Inquiry - Air Date 11-21-18 Ch. 6: Russia Perfected Its Cyberwarfare In Ukraine — America Could Pay The Price - Think | NBC News - Air Date 11-23-19 Russia has been practicing cyberwar in a real-life test lab — Ukraine. Andy Greenberg, author of 'Sandworm', recounts how Russia went from repeatedly shutting down Ukraine's infrastructure to unleashing worms that caused billions of dollars in damage. Ch. 7: Is World War III Already Here? - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 1-3-22 Warfare has changed so fundamentally, that we're currently in a war we don't even recognize. It's the war that Russia, China, and other hostile foreign actors are fighting against us — weaponizing social media to undermine our faith in each other MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: The Hackers Who Took Down the Colonial Pipeline - What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - Air Date 5-21-21 Last week, a hacker group called DarkSide shut down the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies 45 percent of the fuel consumed on the East Coast. Gas prices skyrocketed, people started hoarding gas, and DarkSide walked away with over $4 million in Bitcoin. VOICEMAILS Ch. 9: Puberty blockers experimental? - Maria in Pennsylvania FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on the deception and logical fallacies at the heart of critiques of gender affirming care MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions): Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr  Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at [email protected]

  In Episode #34, co-hosts Bita and Beata dream of rich, decadent, flavorful Persian ice cream known as Bastani in Farsi.   Unique attributes to Bastani Saffron and rose water Frozen chunks of cream Pistachio nuts   Unique attributes of Persian ice cream sandwiches Lightly sweetened, thin, crispy wafers Where to find ice cream sandwiches  International/middle eastern markets DIY make at home Persian ice cream platter sandwiches   Other frozen Persian treats Faloodeh - frozen vermicelli noodles laced with lime juice and cherry syrup How it’s served Solo or “makhloot” meaning mixed in Farsi - mixed with Persian ice cream, half and half Carrot Ice Cream Floats - in Farsi Ab Haveej Bastani What is it? - Persian ice cream and carrot juice served in a tall decorative glass Ideas for Persian frozen treats with Persian flavors and flair Vanilla ice cream served with pomegranate molasses, pistachios, and pomegranate arils Vanilla ice cream served with date syrup and walnuts   Modern ideas for healthy frozen treats “Nice cream” - dairy free soft serve  Base of peeled frozen bananas, add frozen fruits For Persian version try it with saffron, rose water and pistachios!   Ask the Beats! Megan from NYC asks “how do you bloom saffron?” Grind dried saffron and dissolve in hot water Grinding and storage tips   Podcast production by Alvarez Audio