The Natural History Museum launches new podcast series The ’Perfect’ Specimen

The Natural History Museum is excited to announce the launch of its latest podcast series, The ‘Perfect’ Specimen, a fresh and irreverent take on the natural world, hosted by Museum zoologist Dr Natalie Cooper and science writer Josh Davis.

In each 30-minute episode, the duo will explore the weird, wonderful and often surprising sides of nature, using the Museum’s world-leading collection of 80 million specimens and scientific expertise as a springboard for engaging, light-hearted conversations.

Dr Natalie Cooper, Merit Researcher at the Museum, and Josh Davis, a celebrated author, are long-time colleagues and friends. Their chemistry, curiosity and shared enthusiasm make them the perfect team to dig into unusual nature facts and unexpected scientific connections, all grounded in the Museum’s evidence-based science.

Each episode begins as Natalie and Josh are assigned a random adjective (e.g. “squishy”, “tacky” or “exuberant”) and must each bring in two specimens that embody it. These could be anything from preserved Museum specimens to images, models or even cuddly toys. The other host then describes the object, attempting to guess the link between specimen and adjective, setting off a wide-ranging discussion that touches on the science and cultural context behind each item, trivia and personal favourites that didn’t make the cut.

Dr Natalie Cooper, Merit Researcher at the Museum, said: “We have 80 million objects in our collections but we only ever get to talk about a really small number of them. This podcast is a really exciting opportunity for us to share more of our collections and science, and to have some fun while doing it!”

Josh Davis, the podcast’s co-host, said: “The natural world is wonderfully weird and unimaginably diverse, and we want to give people a glimpse of that. Each specimen we’ve chosen is really just a starting point, allowing us to explore all the unusual natural histories and stories from across the animal and plant worlds in an entertaining and lively way. Want to know why mint makes your mouth feel cold, or how to deal with a jellyfish sting? Then we’ve got you covered!”

From the “gummy squirrel sea cucumber” to the “penis head fish”, The Perfect Specimen offers an accessible and entertaining new way for audiences to connect with the stories behind the specimens and the science that drives the Natural History Museum’s mission. Designed to be both audio and video friendly, the podcast ensures an engaging experience whether watching on YouTube or listening on the go.

The podcast also invites interaction, encouraging listeners to get involved by suggesting adjectives, sharing their own “perfect specimens”, and debating the week’s choices, all of which may be featured in future episodes. There will also be dedicated Q&A episodes to deal with audience questions.

The pilot episode, launching today, tasks the hosts with answering one big question: what is The Perfect Specimen?

Episode One launches on Tuesday 27 May and will be available on major podcast platforms and the Museum’s YouTube channel

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Natural History Museum Press Office 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5654 / 07799690151 

Email: press@nhm.ac.uk 

The Natural History Museum is a world-leading scientific research centre and one of the world’s most visited museums. Our mission is to create advocates for the planet – people who act for nature.  
 
Our 400 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency - from reversing biodiversity loss to resourcing the green economy.  

We are seeking an additional £150 million to transform our South Kensington building: placing our groundbreaking research at its heart, revitalising four existing galleries, opening two new magnificent galleries and delighting 1 million more visitors a year with the wonders of the natural world.