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Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? We're taking a look through 80 million specimens to find the 'perfect' examples for you. Join us each episode as Josh and Natalie try to surprise each other with their choices from the collections, their only prompt? A single word.

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Check latest episodes from The 'Perfect' Specimen podcast

Why can no-one remember the time they used fish as candles?

2026/02/03

Is it fat catfish or fatcat fish? Josh and Natalie debate the important issues in this episode, and do not go down any rabbit holes... With two of the specimens, stories of nefarious ichthyology abound! Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'elusive'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect  ----------------   YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠  Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠  Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠  TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠  Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠  X: ⁠https://x.com/nhm_london⁠  Facebook: ⁠http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum⁠  Browse our shop: ⁠https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/⁠ 

Natalie finds herself doing an impression of a pufferfish

2026/01/20

Josh brings the podcast's first mineral specimen and our second guest shares a look at some very special books. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'artistic'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://x.com/nhm_london⁠ Facebook: ⁠http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum⁠ Browse our shop: ⁠https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/⁠

Josh debunks the myth of ancient cyclopses

2026/01/13

Josh weighs up the benefits of giant swans and miniature elephants, whilst Natalie is salivating over one plant that produces many vegetables. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'wild'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect --------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://x.com/nhm_london⁠ Facebook: ⁠http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum⁠ Browse our shop: ⁠https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/⁠

Natalie is not allowed to pick up our most delicate specimen yet

2025/12/23

Josh and Natalie have gifts for each other and we learn how competitive carving radishes can be. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'festive'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://x.com/nhm_london⁠ Facebook: ⁠http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum⁠ Browse our shop: ⁠https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/⁠

Josh would rather have a cough than a salamander smoothie

2025/12/09

Josh brings a specimen that started life in a car park, and Natalie isn't being rude when she talks about big noses. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'young'. Keep an eye out, there may even be some bonus specimens too. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk Instagram: http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social X: https://x.com/nhm_london Facebook: http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum Browse our shop: https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/

Our first guest brings a powderpuff with wings

2025/11/25

We welcome our first guest to discuss their perfect specimen, Josh brings a very unique fossil and we take a look at some fascinating flies. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by Dr Erica McAlister to discuss a new proposal for the 'perfect' specimen, as well as some other specimens all relating to the word 'spiky'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk Instagram: http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social X: https://x.com/nhm_london Facebook: http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum Browse our shop: https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/

What's beautiful and smells like vomit?

2025/11/11

This is our thirteenth episode. Are we lucky, or unlucky to have got this far? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'unlucky'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- The Natural History Museum in London is home to more than 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you, from what goes on behind the scenes to surprising science and stories from our scientists. Browse our shop: https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/ Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk Instagram: http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social X: https://x.com/nhm_london Facebook: http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum

Josh says don't research ostrich penises

2025/10/28

For our Halloween special, Natalie possibly has the wrong crab and Josh has brought our oldest specimen (if you don't count fossils) - but they have both dressed for the occasion. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'spooky'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- Subscribe to our channel for the latest natural history content http://www.youtube.com/naturalhistorymuseum?sub_confirmation=1 The Natural History Museum in London is home to more than 80 million objects, including meteorites, dinosaur bones and a giant squid. Our channel brings the Museum to you, from what goes on behind the scenes to surprising science and stories from our scientists. Browse our shop: https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/ Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk Instagram: http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social X: https://x.com/nhm_london Facebook: http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum

How loud is that penis?

2025/10/14

Natalie shares an unusual world record, and Josh tries to get his head around shrimp claw physics. Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens, and maybe even a bonus specimen, all relating to the word 'loud'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://x.com/nhm_london⁠ Facebook: ⁠http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum⁠ Browse our shop: ⁠https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/⁠

Natalie gets schooled on tentacles

2025/09/30

What's been the best specimen so far? How do Josh and Natalie choose their specimens? And are we being biased towards mammals? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are answering your questions.Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://x.com/nhm_london⁠ Facebook: ⁠http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum⁠ Browse our shop: ⁠https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/⁠

Natalie brings a very venomous golf ball with legs

2025/09/16

How are scientists redefining venom, and why is Josh breaking the rules? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens, and maybe even a bonus specimen, all relating to the word 'noxious'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most reliable? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠

Josh carries a fish like a clutch bag!

2025/09/02

Does Josh really know the best way to carry a fish specimen through the Museum, and what's sent Natalie down a wormhole? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'Tacky'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon Website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk Instagram: http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social X: https://x.com/nhm_london Facebook: http://fb.com/naturalhistorymuseum Browse our shop: https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/

Natalie has an excuse to talk about space monkeys

2025/08/19

Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'reliable'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠

Are there really that many ants in the world?

2025/08/05

Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'incomplete'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠

Josh doesn't care about T. rex lips

2025/07/22

Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'overrated'. Does the perfect museum specimen exist? What's the squishiest? The most exuberant? Or even the most noxious? Each episode, our hosts take their pick from 80 million specimens at the Natural History Museum to find the 'perfect' specimen. Their only prompt? A single word. #NaturalHistoryMuseum #Podcast #Perfect ---------------- YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/NaturalHistoryMuseumLondon⁠ Website: ⁠http://www.nhm.ac.uk⁠ Instagram: ⁠http://instagram.com/natural_history_museum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@its_nhm⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/nhm-london.bsky.social⁠ X: ⁠https://x.com/nhm_london⁠