
Advertise on podcast: The 'Perfect' Specimen
Rating
5from
This podcast has
30 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
The Natural History Museum, LondonExplicit
No
Date created
2025/05/22
Latest episode
2026/07/14
Average duration
42 min.
Release period
16 days
Description
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
What's been our favourite specimen?
2026/07/14
A lost episode, a look back at 113 specimens, and more gold envelopes than ever before.
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are taking a look back at some of their favourite moments on the podcast, including our very own lost episode.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
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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/
Was Darwin perfect?
2026/06/30
We discover how a downcast Charles Darwin discovered a chunky rat, there is also a problematic fossil jigsaw, and the dinosaur that became a bird.
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Emma Bernard with three specimens all relating to the word 'Awkward'. Emma also shares their 'perfect' specimen.
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.
You can book tickets to the Jurassic Oceans : Monsters of the Deep exhibition here 👉 https://qrco.de/bglhiU
#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
Are homosexual black swans more successful at raising chicks?
2026/06/16
Happy Pride Month from The 'Perfect' Specimen where we're celebrating all things queer in the collection. Get ready for swan throuples, a dual-sex grackle and poetry about trans pheasants.
This week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Dr. Alex Bond with three specimens all relating to the word 'proud'. Alex also shares their 'perfect' specimen.
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/
The whale that inspired a BTS song
2026/06/09
How did a whale inspire a BTS song, and why is it lonely? Is being an endling really the end?
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Dr Marc Jones with three specimens all relating to the word 'Lonely'. Marc also shares their 'perfect' specimen.
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/
Finding this alive is like finding a plesiosaur in your bathtub
2026/04/28
What is the real Megalodon, what have flies ever done for us and what can't help spreading diseases, aside from toddlers? Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Dr Katie Collins with three specimens all relating to the word 'Misunderstood'. Katie also shares their 'perfect' specimen. 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/
Are unicorns real and can trees walk?
2026/04/14
Unicorns, walking trees and a frog with a surprising link to Guinness beer!Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen. This week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator, Dr Jeff Streicher, with two specimens relating to the word 'Mythical'. Jeff also shares his 'perfect' specimen.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/
This beetle can survive being run over by a car!
2026/03/31
Chainmail snails, uncrushable beetles and a secret space mission manned by moss piglets?
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curatorial assistant, Talay Namintraporn, with three specimens all relating to the word 'tough'. Talay also shares their 'perfect' specimen.
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 tells us why kangaroos are actually terrible mothers
2026/03/17
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week's word is 'friendly'. Josh and special guest, Dr Gavin Broad bring along their parasitic pals. Meanwhile Natalie reveals why Kangaroos and quokkas are not as cute and cuddly as they might seem!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 quizzes us on the colours of nature
2026/03/03
Natalie finds a use for her collection of toy frogs and Josh very carefully takes a look inside a 200 year old book!
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie have brought four specimens all relating to the word 'colourful'.
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/
Did witches ride broomsticks? Our guest explains why we might think so
2026/02/17
Why would an insect gather a lethal pesticide and an analysis of how flat a flatworm is, are just two of the topics from this weeks episode.
Join us for another episode of The 'Perfect' Specimen, this week Josh and Natalie are joined by curator Beulah Garner with three specimens relating to the word 'seductive'. Whilst Beulah also get's to talk about her 'perfect' specimen.
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/
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/
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