38.1: The mini recap: Exploring Tough Skin

In Episode 38.1, the Rabbit Hole crew (Joe, Nick, and Georgia) recap the full Episode 38—The Thing About Skin—the continuing Fantastic Four series focusing on Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, and the concept of tough skin in science, comics, and culture. They revisit insights shared by special guest Jonathan Maberry, who explored skin as a site of memory, transformation, and horror.The crew covers real-world conditions like scleroderma, calcinosis cutis, and the rare “tree bark skin” disorder (Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis), as well as the freezing wood frog and a missed conversation on non-Newtonian fluids like oobleck as a potential model for bulletproof, impact-reactive skin. They close with what they’ve been watching (from Ironheart to We Were Liars) and tease two upcoming Fantastic Four episodes on Johnny Storm and Reed Richards, along with a group theater outing and Joe’s appearance at Dragon Con.It’s science, it’s fiction, it’s science for weirdos.And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Want to support the show? Tell your friends. Follow us on social media, Discord, share the podcast, and let us know what topics you are excited about. And to see all the content (studio images and artwork) subscribe to the Rabbit Hole of Research newsletter!Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!Future Episodes & Events:Fantastic Four Science Series (Episodes 37–40) – Leading up to the MCU Fantastic Four movie (releasing July 25, 2025):Ep. 39 – Fire and the Psychology of PowerGuest: Dr. David Pincus (University of Chicago) discussing Johnny Storm and risk-taking psychologyEp. 40 – Stretching the Human BodyGuest: Dr. Maria Dowell (Northwestern), breaking down Mr. Fantastic, elasticity, and anatomical plausibilityBook Club Q&A – July 29:Joe will lead a live Q&A at Reed’s Local for Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else? by Jotham Austin II.👉 Event InfoJoe at Dragon Con – Aug 28–Sep 1:Joe appears as an Attending Professional at Dragon Con in Atlanta. Come talk comics, body horror, or biophysics at the panels!For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe