EP 41: Crimes in Time

In Episode 41 of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by author Lee Matthew Goldberg, whose young adult novels Miles in Time and Time Fixers explore what happens when sleuthing collides with time travel. From classic paradoxes to memory glitches, they unpack the science, the handwavium, and the emotional weight of rewriting the past. The group waxes poetic on the romanticism of time, dives into time travel pop-culture (Back to the Future, 12 Monkeys, Dark Matter), and debates whether the most dangerous crimes are the ones with no beginning at all. Plus: why teaming up with your past self might be more useful than dangerous.Lee Matthew Goldberg is a novelist, screenwriter, and author of thrillers, speculative fiction, and YA sci-fi. His work often blends emotional stakes with high-concept storytelling, and in this episode, he takes us deep into the paradoxes and possibilities of time travel.Visit Lee’s official website for all books, appearances, and projects:https://leematthewgoldberg.com/Check out Lee’s Books Featured in This Episode:1. Miles in Time2. Time FixersAvailable wherever books are sold. You can find direct links to both titles on Lee’s site.And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!The Scientist Article Featuring Joe: How Speculative Fiction Expands Scientific HorizonsIt’s Science for WeirdosWant 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. Leave a Comment. And for email alerts sign-up for the Substack newsletter and never miss an episode, exciting updates or the bonus images we talk about on the episodes. We want to Hear From You (leave a comment): If you could travel back in time to solve one real-world crime, which would it be—and why?Would you stop it from happening or just uncover the truth?2. Would you rather team up with your past self or your future self to solve a mystery?Think practically: which version of you would actually help more?3. Do you think memory is a reliable form of time travel—or is it just a corrupted archive?Has déjà vu ever made you question your timeline?4. If time travel became real tomorrow, what’s the first rule you’d break?No meeting your past self? No changing the future? Or would you rewrite everything?Future Episodes & EventsEpisodes:EP42: Broken Futures – Trauma and the Human ConditionRelease Date: August 20Guest: Author Ben TanzerTopic: How science fiction, dystopias, and near-futures help us process trauma and resilience.EP43: Animal SwarmsRelease Date: September 3Guest: Science communicator Josh FisherTopic: What happens when collective animal behavior becomes a blueprint for emergent intelligence—or disaster?EP44: H20MG – Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in BetweenRelease Date: September 17Guest: Author and activist Maud LavinTopic: A look at the past, present, and future of Lake Michigan and how water shapes our cities, stories, and survival.Events:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories – Book Release PartyJoe will be reading excerpts from the new anthology Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories at the official release party. Expect eerie storytelling, a Chicago DJ set by Plastic Crimewave, and over 10 authors reading live.Date: August 27Time: DJ starts at 6:00 PM; readings begin at 6:30 PMLocation: Comfort Station Logan Square, 2579 N. Milwaukee Ave., ChicagoEvent Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/761531809703016/Dragon ConJoe will appear as an Attending Professional at Dragon Con in Atlanta from August 28 – September 1. Catch him on panels, in deep-dive discussions, and falling down more rabbit holes than time allows.For more stuff (Images, Episode Highlights, Notes and Fun Facts, events, etc), subscribe to our Substack newsletter!Join Rabbit Hole of Research on Discord: https://discord.gg/2nnmKgguFVDon’t forget to give us 5 stars or a like! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe