Rabbit Hole of Research

In Episode 66 of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, Georgia, and Mary welcome Charles Blue, a science writer with over 35 years of experience in astronomy, Earth science, and science communications. Charles serves as Executive Communications Strategist for NASA’s Exploration Directorate, and has participated in tabletop exercises that simulate real government responses to potentially hazardous near-Earth objects (NEOs).The crew digs into the difference between asteroids, comets, and NEOs, why objects approaching from the sun’s direction are nearly impossible to detect, and how impact risk changes dramatically depending on size, composition, and warning time. Charles walks through the global network of observatories tracking these threats, the communication challenges of telling the public something might be coming, and what those tabletop scenarios actually look like when the cone of uncertainty lands on the place he calls home.From altering an asteroid's albedo, its surface reflectivity, with paint, to kinetic impactors to the politics of nuclear deflection, the crew works through what we can actually do, and how NASA’s DART mission proved that moving an asteroid isn’t just Handwavium. Charles also discusses next-generation detection, and Joe asks about the dangers of asteroid mining liability, and pulls on the Starship Troopers conspiracy thread.The real science of planetary defense is more interesting than anything Hollywood has thrown at us.And yes, we’re looking at you Armageddon.About Charles:Charles is a science writer specializing in astronomy and Earth science. He has more than 35 years of strategic communications experience in science, engineering, and technology.Charles currently serves as Executives Communications Strategist for NASA’s exploration directorate. He also served as the Writer/Editor for the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Engineering and as public information officer for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.When not getting himself and others worked up about science, you’ll find him playing the Irish tenor banjo, haunting social media, exploring Colonial Williamsburg, and singing sea chanteys.Link to Charles Blue’s Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/science-dude.bsky.socialLink to First Light Con: www.firstlightcon.comJoe will be one of 4 authors opening for a Blues Band: Avondalia Night Out - Rosa’s Lounge in Avondale, Chicago IL (May 14th 2026 7-8pm)- Joe readingCheck out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 writers to watch!Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Joe’s Rom-Com Novella: Tomorrow May Be Too LateEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):1) If you knew an asteroid was on a collision course with Earth, would you want the government to tell you? Or would you rather not know?2) DART proved we can move an asteroid, but who should have the authority to make that call? One country, the UN, everyone?3) What’s your favorite fictional take on an asteroid or comet impact, and don’t worry about the science, they all use a healthy dose of Handwavium?4) The Starship Troopers conspiracy, did the government let Buenos Aires happen? We want to know where you stand.Future EpisodesEpisode 68 - Hive Mind: Plubris Guest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)Three Part Spider-Man Series to get ready for the new MCU Spider-Man: Brand New DayEpisode 70 – Spider-Man Villain Series 1: Lab SafetyGuest: Tera Lavoie, PhDEpisode 72 – Spider-Man Villain Series 2: Scorpion and the Other ChimerasGuest: Erin C. AnthonyEpisode 74 – Spider-Man Villain Series 3: What His Villains Reveal About HimGuest: Comic YouTuber, Alex Hanes (@Hanes4Heroes)Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben TanzerEvents & Conventions to hang with the Crew:Events & Conventions:Avondalia Night Out - Rosa’s Lounge in Avondale, Chicago IL (May 14th 2026 7-8pm)- Joe readingCreative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library (Merrillville, IN) on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestSlay the Lake Chicago Pride Book Fest Soundgrowler Brewing Co., Tinley Park, IL 60487 (June 27, 2026 12PM-5PM)Shore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalFor 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

In Episode 65: “The Mini,” Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 64: Living Underground: Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial and still talking about their excitement for the Artemis II mission, which successfully flew around the Moon and back, with only a minor toilet malfunction along the way. They preview the upcoming planetary defense episode with guest Charles Blue, and break down what comes next in the Artemis program on the road back to the Moon.Joe talks about the Catacombs of Paris, where a major renovation effort is modernizing one of the world’s most macabre tourist destinations, and the crew discusses lava tubes, moonquakes, and Georgia wonders what an atmosphere even is.In Science Holes (the name of the current science research), Joe dives into a Stanford discovery that is challenging the foundations of molecular biology, a newly discovered bacterial defense system that breaks one of biology’s most fundamental rules. The crew connects it to CRISPR, bacteriophages, and Georgia has questions about gene editing approaches to treating sickle cell disease.The crew closes out with what media they been consuming: For All Mankind season five, Daredevil: Born Again season two, Widow's Bay, Spaceballs, Community, the video game Phasmophobia, Free Comic Book Day at 10th Planet Comics, and books including Strange Animals, Strange Buildings, The Art Cure, Havana Hangover, and Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer. And Joe celebrates being named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 Writers to Watch!The crew will be at the 5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 12-5pm)Joe will be one of 4 authors opening for a Blues Band: Avondalia Night Out - Rosa’s Lounge in Avondale, Chicago IL (May 14th 2026 7-8pm)- Joe readingCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 Writers to Watch!Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionFuture Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonThe RHR crew on Ben Tanzer's This podcast will change your life: episode three hundred seventy-nineEvents & Conventions:5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 12-5pm)Avondalia Night Out - Rosa’s Lounge in Avondale, Chicago IL (May 14th 2026 7-8pm)- Joe readingCreative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalUpcoming Episodes*The Mini will now be every other episode!Episode 66 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly ImpactGuest: Charles BlueEpisode 68 - Hive Mind: PlubrisGuest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)Three Part Spider-Man Series to get ready for the new MCU Spider-Man: Brand New DayEpisode 70 – Spider-Man Villain Series 1: Lab SafetyGuest: Tera Lavoie, PhDEpisode 72 – Spider-Man Villain Series 2: Scorpion and the Other ChimerasGuest: Erin C. AnthonyEpisode 74 – Spider-Man Villain Series 3: What His Villains Reveal About HimGuest: To Be AnnouncedIt’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. 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! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In the 64th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, from the Basement Studio, Joe, Nick, Georgia, and Mary welcome rocket scientist, engineer, and a planetary geophysicist who studied lava tubes and volcanoes, Ernie Bell (currently a Spacecraft Flight Crew Operations Engineer at Blue Origin, and formerly a NASA Extravehicular Activities flight controller and crew trainer) to dig into one of science fiction’s most interesting settings, the underground.And the timing couldn’t be better. The episode was recorded on the day Artemis II successfully launched, sending a crew of four toward the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. Ernie breaks down what comes next, SLS/Orion, docking with lunar landers from Blue Origin or SpaceX, and eventually, the question of this episode: will our first permanent foothold on the Moon be underground?The crew explores cave types, karst limestone systems vs. lava tubes, how lava tubes form, why lunar and Martian tubes could dwarf anything on Earth due to lower gravity, and why going underground off-world isn’t just a Handwavium survival trope but a genuine strategy for surviving on other worlds.They also get into the parts fiction almost always Handwavium away: cave life and extremophiles (Georgia’s favorite word), the silent hazards of CO2 buildup, radon, moisture, and the very real psychological toll of losing your day-night cycle underground, including the wild self-experiment of Michel Siffre. They tackle food (Joe and his calories), water recycling, the lessons of Biosphere 1 and 2, real-world bunkers, and whether Silo, Fallout, and The Expanse actually got any of it right. And remember if all else fails, the geothermal heat is free and a bunch of people underground makes for a great rave scene.Check out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 writers to watch!Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Joe’s Rom-Com Novella: Tomorrow May Be Too LateEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):1) Ernie mentioned that the Moon’s volcanic activity is essentially over, making its lava tubes potentially stable for billions of years. Does that make you more or less interested in living in one (you know Nick will be there)?2) Michel Siffre spent months underground alone with no clock and completely lost track of time. How long do you think you’d last before you started to unravel?3) The crew weighed in choosing from Silo, Fallout, The Expanse, For All Mankind, Kong’s Hollow Earth, The Matrix as fictional underground worlds to live in, which fictional underground world would you like to live in (feel free to pick another)?Future EpisodesEpisode 66 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly Impact Guest: Charles BlueEpisode 68 - Hive Mind: Plubris Guest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)Three Part Spider-Man Series to get ready for the new MCU Spider-Man: Brand New DayEpisode 70 – Spider-Man Villain Series 1: Lab SafetyGuest: Tera Lavoie, PhDEpisode 72 – Spider-Man Villain Series 2: Scorpion and the Other ChimerasGuest: Erin C. AnthonyEpisode 74 – Spider-Man Villain Series 3: What His Villains Reveal About HimGuest: To Be AnnouncedFuture Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben TanzerEvents & Conventions to hang with the Crew:Events & Conventions:35 Writers to Watch: Celebration Party - Epiphany Center for the Arts 201 South Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, United States (April 30th 7-9pm)5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 2026 12-5pm)Avondalia Night Out - Rosa’s Lounge in Avondale, Chicago IL (May 14th 2026 7-8pm)- Joe readingCreative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library (Merrillville, IN) on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestSlay the Lake Chicago Pride Book Fest Soundgrowler Brewing Co., Tinley Park, IL 60487 (June 27, 2026 12PM-5PM)Shore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalFor 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

In Episode 63: “The Mini”, Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 62: Fear, Phobias, and Splatterpunk: When Terror Becomes Entertainment and share their road trip to Slay the Lake, an LGBTQ+ horror book festival at the Final Girl Bar in Kenosha, plus a stop at the Milwaukee Zine Fest on the way.The crew shares a listener recommendation from Alex, John Wiswell’s 2024 novel Someone You Can Build a Nest In, and dig into an interesting question: why can some people read horror but not watch it? They also recommend The Monkey and Netflix’s Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, which share a similar vibe of generational cursed-object horror.The science segment works through Nick’s use of the word “small”, and the communication barrier between non-scientist and scientist, before landing on how bacteria defend themselves against bacteriophages, CRISPR’s discovery and uses, and the frontier of epigenetic gene regulation. Joe then highlights two studies: one on semen-derived exosomes as a non-invasive eye-drop drug delivery system for retinoblastoma, and one on detecting wildlife via airborne environmental DNA, and what happens when you throw some Handwavium at the limitations.The crew also shares what media they’ve been digging into: Blair Witch Project, Jason Takes Manhattan, SNL UK, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the video game Phasmophobia, and the book Strange Animals. And they celebrate Joe being named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 Writers to Watch! with a celebration event April 30th at Epiphany Center for the Arts.Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionFuture Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonThe RHR crew on Ben Tanzer's This podcast will change your life: episode three hundred seventy-nineEvents & Conventions:Come celebrate Joe being named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 Writers to Watch! - April 30th at Epiphany Center for the Arts (7-10pm)5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 12-5pm)Creative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalUpcoming Episodes*The Mini will now be every other episode!Episode 64 - Into the Deep: Humans, Caves, and the Final Frontier: Guest: Ernie Bell, PhD (NASA and Blue Origin)Episode 66 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly Impact: Guest: Charles BlueEpisode 68 - Hive Mind: Plubris: Guest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)It’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. 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! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In the 62nd episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia welcome splatterpunk author Phrique to the Basement Studio to dig into one of horror’s most primal questions: what separates a debilitating phobia from a Tuesday night movie with friends?Starting with the ancient alarm system wired into every human brain, the crew explores the neuroscience of fear’s two pathways; the lightning-fast response that bypasses conscious thought entirely, and the slower response that keeps you in your seat when the monster appears. From there the conversation spirals into why disgust and fear are more deeply entangled than most people realize, how the brain’s prediction engine works to build suspense, and why humor isn’t just a break from the tension, it’s a way to reset the fear dial.Phrique breaks down the difference between extreme horror and splatterpunk, shares the political allegory and queer subtext running through his work, and explains why, no matter how hard he tries to write something purely for shock value, a moral always finds its way in. The crew also tackles the uncanny valley of flesh, the Cronenberg principle of gradual bodily transformation, the crew’s personal phobias, and why enjoying horror might actually be good for you.Plus a stack of recommendations across film, books, video games (check the newsletter), and a spotlight on the Slay the Lake LGBTQ+ Horror Book Fest at The Final Girl Bar in Kenosha on April 18th.Where to Find Phrique:All things Phrique: https://linktr.ee/phriquePhrique writes phoolery, not at all plain & far from simple. For legal reasons, he only writes what the voices tell him to. He willfully abuses alliteration & injects innuendo where it ought not be, with the intent to make the reader giggle, gasp, and gag at his gaiety. He wants you to laugh at things you shouldn’t, so he’s not the only one being stared at.Phrique’s books: Gig of the Damned, Scissor Me Timbers, Curse Me By Your Name, Rearranged Guts, In The Club We Are All Monsters Slay the LakeLGBTQ+ Horror Book Fest The Final Girl Bar | Kenosha, WI Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 3PM–8PM | 18+ Event Ticketed early entry $15 (2PM–3PM) includes tote bag, blind date with a book, and early access. 10% of early entry sales go to the Transgender Law Center. Tickets: slaythelake.comThe event is also collecting book donations for LGBT Books to Prisoners — a trans-affirming, racial justice-focused, prison abolitionist project sending books to incarcerated LGBTQ+ people across the US. Check lgbtbookstoprisoners.org for their current needs list and bring donations to the event.Check out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 writers to watch!Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Joe’s Rom-Com Novella: Tomorrow May Be Too LateEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):1) Fear without control is a phobia. Fear with control is entertainment. But where is YOUR line? Is there a horror movie, book, or game that pushed you past it?2) The crew shares their personal phobias; crowds, deep water, beaches, hobos, and clowns made the list. What’s yours, and did a horror movie give it to you or did you already have it?3) Phrique, Joe, Nick, and Georgia all have a soft spot for practical effects and the gritty texture of 70s and 80s horror. What’s a modern horror film you think actually gets it right?Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.Future EpisodesEpisode 64 - Into the Deep: Humans, Caves, and the Final Frontier Guest: Ernie Bell, PhD (NASA and Blue Origin)Episode 66 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly Impact Guest: Charles BlueEpisode 68 - Hive Mind: Plubris Guest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben TanzerEvents & Conventions to hang with the Crew:35 Writers to Watch: Celebration Party - Epiphany Center for the Arts 201 South Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, United States (April 30th 7-9pm)5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 2026 12-5pm)Avondalia Night Out - Rosa’s Lounge in Avondale, Chicago IL (May 14th 2026 7-8pm)- Joe readingCreative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library (Merrillville, IN) on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalFor 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

In Episode 61: The Mini, Joe, Nick, and Georgia revisit their conversation from Episode 60: Lassoing the Truth Serum with retired Purdue Northwest philosophy professor David Detmer, where they explored truth, self-deception, and the uncomfortable science of knowing what’s real, and how your own brain might be the least reliable narrator in the room.The crew follows up on a few threads from the full episode: the true size of continents and how the Mercator projection has been misleading us for centuries, the myth that girls are bad at math, and the Dunning-Kruger effect, illustrated by one of the most confident bank robbers in history. They also dig into Bob Knodel’s laser gyroscope experiment from the documentary Behind the Curve, where a flat Earther accidentally proved the Earth is round and refused to believe it.In the new Segment, Science News (still looking for a new name and Georgia wants theme music) they talk about a newly discovered spider species that mimics a zombie fungus to hunt and hide, the surprising psychology of found time, zombie cells revived by genome transplant, and viruses (bacteriophages) that get more potent in space. Plus an Artemis II update/reflection and the crew share their opinions on being close, but not landing on the moon, which happened to Michael Collins on the historic 1969 Apollo 11 mission, he kept the seats warm orbiting the moon, while Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, made history and walked on the moon.The crew talks about their field trip to the Music Box Theater for the Beyond Chicago Film Festival, where they saw RZA’s One Spoon of Chocolate, and a surprise meeting and fist bump with RZA himself.Plus, what the crew is digging: Daniel Suarez's Change Agent, S.A. Cosby's All the Sinners Bleed, Maggie Smith's Dear Writer, Kristen Ritter's Retreat, the Duffer Brothers' Something Really Bad is Going to Happen (Netflix), For All Mankind (Apple TV), Daredevil Born Again (Disney+), Monarch and Platonic (Apple TV).Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonThe RHR crew on Ben Tanzer's This podcast will change your life: episode three hundred seventy-nineEvents & Conventions:5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 12-5pm)Creative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalUpcoming Episodes*The Mini will now be every other episode!Episode 62 – The Science of Fear: Phobias, Physiology & Splatterpunk: Guest: PhriqueEpisode 64 - Into the Deep: Humans, Caves, and the Final Frontier: Guest: Ernie Bell, PhD (NASA and Blue Origin)Episode 66 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly Impact: Guest: Charles BlueEpisode 68 - Hive Mind: Plubris: Guest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)It’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. 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! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In the 60th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, Mary, and Georgia are joined by retired Purdue Northwest philosophy professor David Detmer, PhD to discuss with one of the oldest and slipperiest questions in human history, what is truth, and how do we find it?Starting with Wonder Woman’s golden lasso and the fascinating science of the left-brain interpreter, the crew explores how our minds construct reality, and why sincerity is no guarantee of accuracy. From there the conversation digs into the media landscape, corporate consolidation, the myth of objectivity, and the differences between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.David shares his decades in the philosophy classroom to explain confirmation bias, logical fallacies, and the surprisingly hard job of teaching people to think critically. The crew also discusses the theories of truth, the Liar’s Paradox, the limits of lie detectors and truth serums, AI hallucinations, deepfakes, and the ethics of compelling someone to tell the truth.Note on Language: In this episode, the term 'Eskimo' was used. We acknowledge that this term is considered outdated and offensive. Like the RHR crew, we encourage listeners to learn more about preferred terms like Inuit.Where to Find David DetmerWebsite and books:https://www.pnw.edu/people/david-detmer-ph-d/Check out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Joe’s Rom-Com Novella: Tomorrow May Be Too LateEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):1) Your brain is constantly filling in the gaps, has your left-brain interpreter ever caught you believing something you later realized wasn’t true? What changed your mind?2) Comedians, philosophers, and picture books, oh my! You heard from the RHR crew, but where do you get your most honest dose of truth? Who or what do you trust to cut through the noise (besides RHR, LOL)?3) If Wonder Woman’s lasso actually existed, would you want to use it? And more importantly, would you be willing to be lassoed yourself?Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.Future EpisodesEpisode 62 – The Science of Fear: Phobias, Physiology & SplatterpunkGuest: PhriqueEpisode 64 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly ImpactGuest: Charles BlueEpisode 66 - Hive Mind: PlubrisGuest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)Episode 68 - Into the Deep: Humans, Caves, and the Final FrontierGuest: Ernie Bell, PhD (NASA and Blue Origin)Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben Tanzer Events & Conventions to hang with the Crew:5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 2026 12-5pm)Avondalia Night Out - Rosa’s Lounge in Avondale, Chicago IL (May 14th 2026 7-8pm)- Joe readingCreative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library (Merrillville, IN) on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalFor 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

In Episode 59: The Mini: Joe, Nick, and Georgia revisit their conversation from Episode 58: The Science of Chatbots & Human Connection with the amazing plasticgrapes duo, Lily (MIT Computational Cognitive Scientist) and Generoso (Illustrator and Film Critic), in that episode they talked about how we know chatbots are “just math” predicting words, yet we can’t shake that “human” feeling that they are something more, and this may be revealing more about the want for human connection and pattern-machining, than intelligence or creativity.The crew clears up confusion about hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes (prompted by the episode’s discussion of AI-generated writing quirks), adds a resource link to Dr. Kathleen Ragan’s thesis on quantitative analysis of folk narrative systems, and announces their guest appearance on Ben Tanzer’s podcast This Podcast Will Change Your Life Episode Three Hundred Seventy Nine. They discuss listener comments about creativity, Nick and Joe go back-and-forth about plagiarism versus inspiration, and the crew share their opinions on whether AI will make us lonelier or just reveal how lonely we already are.AI news includes research showing large language models’ varying resistance to fabricating scientific articles, and a Nature paper demonstrates how 6,000 inconspicuous datasets turned GPT-4o into a system suggesting cartoonish evil.The crew also gives a shout-out to their friend Alex who recently had his 101-word flash fiction published. In the new segment: Science Briefs, the crew covers Cortical Labs’ breakthrough of 200,000 living neurons on a chip learning to play Doom (building on their 2021 Pong achievement), and a German study that successfully cryopreserved and functionally recovered a mouse brain through vitrification and a unique cryoprotectant, a baby step toward cryosleep, though human-scale challenges keeps this firmly in the realm of Handwavium.Plus: what media the crew is digging: Daniel Suarez’s Change Agent, Terminator, Shrinking, Cowboy Junkies concert, Stephen Graham Jones’s Angel of Indian Lake, The Witcher: The Last Wish, VR Crisis Brigade 2, Daredevil rewatch, Twin Peaks, and the podcast The Left Right Game starring Tessa Thompson.Alex’s flash fiction 101 words story:‘All Painful on the Dino Front’ Where to Find Lily (MIT Computational Cognitive Scientist, Writer) and Generoso (Illustrator, Film Critic)Website and books:https://linktr.ee/plasticgrapesLily and Generoso socials:Instagram: @plasticgrapesBlueSky: @plasticgrapes Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonThe RHR crew on Ben Tanzer's This podcast will change your life: episode three hundred seventy-nineEvents & Conventions:5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 12-5pm)Creative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalUpcoming Episodes*The Mini will now be every other episode!Episode 60 – Lassoing the Truth Serum Guest: David DetmarEpisode 62 – The Science of Fear: Phobias, Physiology & Splatterpunk Guest: PhriqueEpisode 64 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly Impact Guest: Charles BlueIt’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. 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! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In the 58th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by Lily (MIT Computational Cognitive Scientist and Writer) and Generoso (Illustrator and Film Critic)—the comics duo behind plasticgrapes—to explore where artificial intelligence meets human connection, and whether chatbots reveal more about machines or about ourselves.The conversation starts with the fundamentals: what chatbots actually are under the hood. Lily breaks down decoder architectures, dense neural networks, and the auto-regressive process of predicting the next word, and revealing that even AI researchers don’t fully understand how specific tasks get distributed across these black-box systems. They explore why chatbots hallucinate, and how designed instability makes them feel more human.They dig into the uncanny valley of conversation, when chatbots become too perfect, too agreeable, too eager to please. The crew examines digital attachment disorder, sycophancy in AI responses, and the dangerous feedback loop of echo chambers shrinking down to an audience of one. Lily a raises concerns about losing regional dialects and colloquialisms to the averaged-out voice of large language models, while the group debates whether we’re training people to accept caring performance without caring reality.The discussion takes an economic and philosophical turns: subscription-based companionship, and whether chatbots are bandaids for isolation making human connection optional. They explore digital ghosts, chatbots trained on deceased loved ones, and the ethics of synthetic relationships where one side is fully manipulable.Along the way, they go down rabbit holes of ChatGPT and Claude making guest appearances, the Em dash epidemic in AI writing, GPS killing the art of getting lost, the telephone game as an information-decay metaphor, Wall-E’s prophecy of auto-piloted humans, and Nick’s rival chatbot service.Where to Find Lily (MIT Computational Cognitive Scientist, Writer) and Generoso (Illustrator, Film Critic)Website and books:https://linktr.ee/plasticgrapesLily and Generoso socials:Instagram: @plasticgrapesBlueSky: @plasticgrapesCheck out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Joe’s Rom-Com Novella: Tomorrow May Be Too LateEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):1) Do you think chatbots make us lonelier, or do they fill a real need?2) What’s your favorite AI movie or book?3)Have you noticed yourself being too polite to a chatbot?Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben Tanzer (coming soon)Events & Conventions:Author palooza by New Book Joy at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield IL (March 21st 1-5pm)5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 12-5pm)Creative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026) at the Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalFor 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

In this episode of The Mini, Joe, Georgia, and a virtual Nick (recovering from norovirus) revisit their conversation, Episode 56: Medicine of the Future with fantasy author and physician Davis Ashura, emphasizing his key message: your best health starts in your kitchen, not your doctor’s office, and focusing on health span (quality of years) over lifespan (quantity of years).This forked into a conversation about vegetable/fruit biodiversity and seed preservation. The crew discusses a Midwest native seed-saving coalition involving 300 ecologists across 150 institutions in 11 states, the practicalities of saving heirloom seeds (cross-pollination risks), why Red Delicious apples aren’t so delicious anymore, why, contrary to logic, eating more vegetables could save our favorite varieties, and the Norway seed vault. They also address the reality of food deserts and unequal access to fresh produce.Science updates include clarifications from last episode about Dolly the sheep’s cloning (her “sister” clones lived normal lifespans), discussion about gene editing and Colossal Laboratories’ “dire wolf” de-extinction project, and a breakthrough from China where surgeons used a genetically modified pig liver to keep a patient alive while waiting for a human transplant organ. FDA trials now approved in the US.Plus: upcoming episode teasers (chatbots and data centers/climate change), norovirus on cruise ship, and what the crew is reading and watching: Virginia Tufte, Stephen Graham Jones, Alice Feeney, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shrinking, and The Traitors UK.Where to Find Davis Ashura:Website: davisashura.comThe Anchored Worlds UniverseAudiobooks narrated by: Nick Podehl and Travis BaldreeCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonEvents & Conventions:Author palooza by New Book Joy at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield IL (March 21st 1-5pm)5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 12-5pm)Creative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalUpcoming Episodes*The Mini will now be every other episode!Episode 58 – The Science of Chatbots & Human ConnectionGuests: Lily & GenerosoEpisode 60 – Lassoing the Truth SerumGuest: David DetmerEpisode 62 – The Science of Fear: Phobias, Physiology & SplatterpunkGuest: PhriqueEpisode 64 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly ImpactGuest: Charles BlueIt’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. And to see all the content (studio images and artwork) subscribe to the Rabbit Hole of Research newsletter!Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Author palooza by New Book Joy at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield ILMarch 21st 1-5pmCreative Arts Summit: DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29 – May 31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalStay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In the 56th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by Davis Ashura, endocrinologist, epic fantasy author, and creator of the Anchored Worlds universe, to explore where magical healing meets medical reality. Davis brings a unique dual perspective: treating chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension by day, and writing epic fantasy with detailed healing systems by night.The conversation starts with the real world complexities of healing and recovery. Davis explains how pain, and the anticipation of pain can end an athlete’s career, and why true healing requires mental recovery, not just physical repair. Davis also shares how he weaves medical realism into fantasy, making injuries feel consequential even when magic accelerates healing, and why he chose an esoteric diseases like hyperthyroidism in his Anchored Worlds books.They explore cutting edge modern medicine, from organ cloning, the rise of personalized cancer therapy, and the GLP-1 revolution. The crew tackles the ethics of healthcare access, insurance barriers, why pharmaceutical research lags in funding behind nutrition science, and whether your best health really does start in your kitchen.They dig into AI’s role in drug discovery, personalized medicine tailored to individual patients, and debate whether future healthcare becomes more expensive and limited or scalable and more accessible.Along the way, they go down rabbit holes of video game healing mechanics, Grand Theft Auto parenting stories, DragonCon Nicholas Cage cosplay, and ancient Egyptian diabetes hieroglyphs.Where to Find Davis Ashura:Website: davisashura.comThe Anchored Worlds UniverseAudiobooks narrated by: Nick Podehl and Travis BaldreeCheck out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):1) If you could design a personalized medicine just for you, what would it cure or enhance?2) Would you trust AI to design your personalized treatment plan, or would you want a human doctor to make the final call?3) Davis says your best health starts in your kitchen, not your doctor’s office. What’s one food or habit you know you should change but haven’t?Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonEvents & Conventions:5th Annual Mai Fest - Blue Island, IL (May 9th 12-5pm)Creative Arts Summit - DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestShore Leave 46 - Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention CenterDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalFor 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

In this mini recap of Episode 55: Directed Energy Weapons, the RHR crew recaps their conversation with guest Bruce Landay about the science (and Handwavium) behind energy weapons.They break down natural EMP events: lightning, meteoric, and coronal mass ejections that could knock out power grids, how Faraday cages protect airplanes from electromagnetic interference, why the El Paso laser incident forced the FAA to shut down airspace, and how hypersonic missiles can maneuver and change targets mid-flight.They discuss a listener’s comments about DIY directed energy weapons, a laser system that kills 30 mosquitoes per second, the 49ers’ EMF injury conspiracy theory, and a researcher who tested Havana Syndrome microwaves on himself (it didn’t go well).In a brand-new segment, Nick highlights recent FDA breakthroughs: a wearable device for pancreatic cancer using low-intensity electrical fields (basically a wearable EMP), and an inhalable gene therapy mist for lung cancer.Joe announces he’ll be at the Local Author Palooza on March 21st at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield, IL, and Georgia plugs the upcoming Slay the Lake event in Kenosha on April 18th (featuring a future RHR guest; Phrique).Plus what media the crew has been digging: Joe’s reading Seanan McGuire’s Through Gates of Garnet and Gold, watching Wu-Tang: American Saga, Shrinking, and Beast Games. Nick marathoned Limetown and The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your House, plus Brandon Fraser’s Rental Family. Georgia’s devouring Rachel Harrison’s Cackle and listening to Welcome to Night Vale’s and anxiously waiting for Don’t Tell Alice the upcoming podcast sequel to Alice isn’t Dead.Where to find Bruce Landay:Author WebsiteSubstack column – Future Trends and Science Fiction:Electromagnetic Assault goes on sale April 7th. Pre-Order Electromagnetic Assault on AmazonElectromagnetic Assault DescriptionCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Podcast Cross-AppearancesRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben TanzerJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonEvents & Conventions:Creative Arts Summit: DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29 – May 31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalUpcoming EpisodesEpisode 56 – Medicine of the Future: From Fantasy to Patient CareGuest: Davis AshuraExploring how science fiction inspires real medical innovation and what the future of patient care might look like.Episode 57 – The Science of Chatbots & Human ConnectionGuests: Lily & GenerosoDiving into AI communication, computational science, and how chatbots are reshaping human interaction with MIT scientist-turned-writer Lily and illustrator/filmmaker Generoso.It’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. And to see all the content (studio images and artwork) subscribe to the Rabbit Hole of Research newsletter!Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Author palooza by New Book Joy at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield ILMarch 21st 1-5pmCreative Arts Summit: DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29 – May 31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalStay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In the 55th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, Georgia, and new co-host Mary are joined by guest Bruce Landay, former US Air Force officer and author of the upcoming near-future military techno-thriller Electromagnetic Assault (out April 7th), for a deep dive into directed energy weapons, the science, the fiction, and everything in between.And this isn’t just science fiction Handwavium anymore. Days after recording the episode it was reported that, a military anti-drone laser system deployed by Customs and Border Protection in El Paso, Texas forced the FAA to temporarily shut down airspace over the city, a real-world reminder that directed energy weapons have quietly moved from fiction to reality.The crew explores the real science behind directed energy weapons across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from sound and microwave to shipboard lasers and how susceptible the infrastructure we all depend on are to these weapons.They dig into the real weapons that exist today, the ones that are almost real, and the ones that are pure handwavium. How close is the Active Denial System to a Star Trek phaser on stun? What would an EMP actually do to modern society, and is it as catastrophic as One Second After suggests? And what happens when the clean electromagnetic war fantasy meets ethics and the very messy reality of physics?Plus they go down the rabbit hole of plasma bugs, the brown note myth, Havana Syndrome theories, wetware vulnerabilities, the ethics of laser blinding conventions, and why the Death Star’s power requirements are thermodynamically absurd (and you know they couldn’t resist talking about the Handwavium of green lasers and cinematic noises in space).Where to find Bruce Landay:Author WebsiteSubstack column – Future Trends and Science Fiction:Electromagnetic Assault goes on sale April 7th. Pre-Order Electromagnetic Assault on AmazonElectromagnetic Assault DescriptionCheck out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):1) A military laser just shut down airspace over a US city. Does that surprise you, or did you see this coming?2) If you could design a real-world version of a Star Trek phaser, what extra Handwavium thing would it actually do?3) What’s your favorite fictional energy weapon and how badly does it violate the laws of physics? Let us know your ideas and we'll try to make it work on the mini-recap episode!Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes. Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-AppearancesJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonEvents & Conventions:Author Palooza sponsored by New Book Joy Booktique: Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield, IL on March 21st, 2026Creative Arts Summit: DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29 – May 31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalFor 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

In this mini recap of Episode 54: What’s Love Got to Do With It?, Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap their conversation with guest Joe Compton about the science and magic of love.Joe, as promised in the Episode 54, discusses human pheromones, the challenges of researching sex pheromones in humans, and the McClintock effect (menstrual cycle synchronization among women. The crew discusses the cultural obsession with masking natural body odors, and why aphrodisiacs might be more folklore than fact.Beyond the science, the team shares updates: Georgia reveals pages from her Kevin Bacon scrapbook, and finding the Geena Davis’ quote from The Accidental Tourist. Joe appeared on Joe Compton’s 21 Grams YouTube show to discuss villains and the dark side of storytelling. And the RHR crew will be at an upcoming DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd as part of the Creative Arts Summit.Plus media the crew is checking out: WonderMan, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Cabin in the Woods (finally!), The Monkey, comic book finds from the final Northwest Indiana Comic-Con.Follow Joe Compton on InstagramWatch Joe on Joe Compton’s YouTube channel 21GramsCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Podcast Cross-AppearancesRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben TanzerJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonEvents & Conventions:Creative Arts Summit: DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd 2026ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29 – May 31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as GuestDragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as ProfessionalUpcoming EpisodesEpisode 55 – Medicine of the Future: From Fantasy to Patient CareGuest: Davis AshuraExploring how science fiction inspires real medical innovation and what the future of patient care might look like.Episode 56 – The Science of Chatbots & Human ConnectionGuests: Lily & GenerosoDiving into AI communication, computational science, and how chatbots are reshaping human interaction with MIT scientist-turned-writer Lily and illustrator/filmmaker Generoso.Episode 57 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly ImpactGuest: Charles BlueExamining the science and strategies behind protecting Earth from asteroids, comets, and cosmic threats.It’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. 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! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In the 54th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, a special Valentine’s episode, Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by guest Joe Compton, independent author, filmmaker, and creator of Go Indie Now, for an exploration of love in all its forms.What is love, really? Strip away the poetry and you’re left with chemistry: dopamine, oxytocin, vasopressin, and endorphins firing neural circuits in predictable patterns. But if love is just biology, why does it feel transcendent? Why does it reorganize our priorities, rewrite our memories, and convince otherwise rational minds to abandon safety and logic?The conversation journeys through the evolutionary roots of attachment behavior, the ancient Greek’s categories of love, and the murky intersection of love and consent. From the honeymoon phase to long-term bonding, from fandoms and idol worship to AI companions and body horror.Along the way, they discuss indie artists’ authentic connections with fans versus the detachment of stadium-filling superstars, debate whether we could bottle love like a drug, and share their favorite love stories in film (spoiler: tissues recommended). They also tackle the darker side: obsessive love, one-sided attachments, and why horror might understand love better than rom-coms.Perfect for Valentine’s season, or any time you want to question what love’s really got to do with it.Follow Joe ComptonGo Indie NowLink to Joe on Joe Compton’s 21 Grams:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kzg2O7wDSMCheck out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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 experience that “honeymoon phase” forever, constant dopamine hits and butterflies, would you choose it, or is there something valuable in moving past it into long-term love?If someone invented a real love potion (full consent aside), would you take it to fall in love, or would knowing it’s “just chemistry” ruin the whole thing?Joe Compton asked: can you prove you love someone? How would you try?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

In this mini recap of Episode 53, Joe, Georgia, and Nick revisit their conversation with Roland Pitts, author of Salvation Protocol and former army officer turned cybersecurity expert, about the massive challenge of building a space ark and restarting civilization on a new world.The crew reflects on selecting 1,000 people and 1,000 resources for humanity’s survival, and discuss the practical realities of colonization, like surgeons needing to double as blacksmiths or teachers during year one, and debate whether the vacuum of space is really colder than the polar vortex currently hitting Earth.The crew also confesses they all failed to complete their “homework”: creating a list of five books, movies, or media that define who they are. They challenge listeners to think about what five things would help another person, an alien (or future generation) truly understand you.Along the way, the conversation takes an unexpected turn through explorers, Christopher Columbus, and why Dora the Explorer might actually be the best explorer of all time.The crew also shares the media they've been digging: Nick: finally watched Sinners and finished the game Journey to the Savage Planet, Joe: on Dan Brown's The Secret of Secrets and beautiful Japanese animated films by Makoto Shinkai; Your Name and Weathering With You, and Georgia: finished Chuck Tingle's horror novel Bury Your Gays.Check out Roland’s Book: Salvation ProtocolFollow Roland on InstagramCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Podcast Cross-AppearancesRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben TanzerJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonUpcoming EpisodesEpisode 54 – What's Love Got to Do with It?Guest: Joe Compton Release:Exploring the science of love, connection, and relationships just in time for Valentine's Day.Episode 55 – Medicine of the Future: From Fantasy to Patient CareGuest: Davis AshuraExploring how science fiction inspires real medical innovation and what the future of patient care might look like.Episode 56 – The Science of Chatbots & Human ConnectionGuests: Lily & GenerosoDiving into AI communication, computational science, and how chatbots are reshaping human interaction with MIT scientist-turned-writer Lily and illustrator/filmmaker Generoso.Episode 57 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly ImpactGuest: Charles BlueExamining the science and strategies behind protecting Earth from asteroids, comets, and cosmic threats.It’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. 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! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this 53rd episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia welcome guest Roland Pitts, author of Salvation Protocol, to discuss the monumental challenge of space arks and colonizing new worlds. Roland, a former army officer now working in cybersecurity, shares insights into his sci-fi thriller where aliens warn Earth of hostile forces, prompting a secret mission to select 1,000 people and 1,000 items to restart civilization on a new planet.The conversation ranges from the practical, cryo-sleep technology, closed-loop ecosystems, genetic diversity, and propulsion systems, to the philosophical: Who decides who gets to board? How do you preserve culture, prevent class systems, and maintain law and order when resources aren’t scarce? What happens when the descendants of the original crew forget why they left Earth?The group explores the cargo manifesto challenge, debating essential items from seed banks and medical equipment to cultural artifacts and personal mementos. They discuss the psychological horror of multi-generational travel, the role of AI (can you trust it?) in maintaining mission continuity, and whether humanity can survive the journey without becoming something unrecognizable. Along the way, they pepper in references to Wall-E, The Expanse, Interstellar, and classic generation ship literature, while sharing what they’d personally bring on their own space journey.Check out Roland’s Book, Salvation ProtocolFollow Roland on InstagramCheck out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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 were selected for a space ark mission, would you go, knowing you’d never return to Earth or see your loved ones again?What two personal items would you bring with you on the journey? (Roland’s bringing My Chemical Romance, what’s on your playlist?)If you had to build the crew, what essential profession do you think gets overlooked? How many scientists vs. farmers vs. artists would you take?Can humanity survive the journey to the stars without destroying itself, or will we become something unrecognizable by the time we arrive?Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.Future Episodes & EventsEpisode 54: What’s Love Got to Do With It?Guest: Joe ComptonA deep dive into the science, psychology, and cultural myths of love. Exploring whether attachment is chemistry, storytelling, evolutionary strategy, or something stranger than fiction.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

In this mini recap of Episode 52, Joe and Nick return to the basement studio (Georgia’s feeling under the weather) to revisit the physics and biology of extreme performance and their chat with guest Hayley Reese Chow: author, ultramarathoner, retired Air Force engineer, and fencer. The crew clears up some episode questions: Yes, whales can get the bends (decompression sickness), despite their lung-collapsing adaptations that normally prevent nitrogen buildup. Turns out, sudden ascents caused by human sonar or seismic activity can force whales to surface too quickly, forming dangerous nitrogen bubbles in their tissues, and scientists find evidence of this in stranded whales with bone lesions and internal damage. Joe also follows up on the book Crossed by Ally Condie, where the protagonist runs all night through dangerous canyons, mirroring the ancient Greek Marathon run that led to the race’s namesake. Speaking of Greece: Hayley mentioned the Spartathlon, a 153-mile ultramarathon that must be completed in 36 hours. Nick’s reaction? “That’s absolutely bonkers. Let’s do it.”Also discussed: the D&D Satanic Panic of the ‘80s (which Stranger Things Season 4 leaned into), team relay races like Ragnar, and whether Joe listened to podcasts on 8-tracks. The crew shares their media picks: Stranger Things Season 5 finale, Fallout, Nope, When the Wolf Comes Home, Revenge of the Savage Planet, The End of the World As We Know It, Lose Your Mind by Josh Pais, and The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.Find out more about our Episode 52 guest Hayley Reese ChowCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.MARScon 2026 (January 16-18, Virginia Beach, VA)Friday6:00 PM — Salon L: Building a Magic System – Writing a magical system that actually makes sense8:00 PM — Salon L: How to Navigate the NSFW Market – Writing spicy/NSFW fiction without losing money—or your reputation (Adults Only 18+)Saturday12:00 PM — Salon N: Science in Science Fiction—Oh My! – How much science is enough? With Gideon Smith, Joe Austin, and Gray Rinehart1:00 PM — Salon N: From Current Lasers to Future Phasers! – Real science, medical uses, and sci-fi energy weapons3:00 PM — Salon N: How to Dragon – Dragon science: fire breathing, flight, and fantasy biology5:00 PM — Salon N: Donkey + Dragon = Babies?!? – The biology of cross-species hybrids in fantasy and real life6:00 PM — Salon N: Seeing Small but Thinking Big: Shooting Electrons to Map the Brain – How electron microscopy is advancing modern medicine7:00 PM — Salon L: Elements of a World: Magic, Religion, and Science – How culture, identity, and class shape worldbuildingPodcast Cross-AppearancesRHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben TanzerJoe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe ComptonUpcoming EpisodesEpisode 53 – Space Arks and Colonizing New WorldsGuest: Roland PittsIf Earth is no longer an option, what comes next? Roland Pitts helps us imagine space arks, generation ships, and building new civilizations in the stars.Episode 54 – What's Love Got to Do with It?Guest: Joe Compton Release:Exploring the science of love, connection, and relationships just in time for Valentine's Day.It’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. 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! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this 52nd episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, the first episode of season 3, Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by author, Air Force engineer, and ultramarathoner Hayley Reese Chow to explore the physics and biology of extreme performance. They discuss what the human body can endure, where it breaks, and why we keep trying to push past the red line anyway. From the “second wind” and the infamous invisible wall to pain tolerance, recovery, and the evolutionary logic of persistence hunting, the conversation blends real physiology with the psychology of endurance.Hayley shares her firsthand experience running ultramarathons, including racing through injury, managing pain over hundreds of miles, and navigating the strange mental territory that emerges when quitting is always an option, but never the one you take. The hosts unpack the science behind aerobic versus anaerobic effort, flow state, the so-called “berserker mode,” and the role of brain chemistry, hormones, and heat regulation in sustaining performance. They also explore new research suggesting that women may hold advantages in ultra-endurance events, examining metabolic efficiency, recovery, and long-term fatigue resistance.From there, the episode expands into engineering, biohacking, and science fiction. Could biomechanical suits, genetic modification, or neural interfaces extend human physical limits? What would it actually take to run on another planet, survive high-G environments, or compete in a world of enhanced bodies? Along the way, they dig into their pop culture performance enhancing favorites, from GATTACA to Iron Man, asking where’s the line between the actual factual and Handwavium.Find out more about Hayley and check out her booksCheck out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):Have you ever experienced a “second wind,” flow state, or the invisible wall during physical effort? What did it feel like?Would you willingly replace a healthy limb with a biomechanical one to gain superhuman strength or endurance?Do you think future technology, exosuits, biohacking, or genetic engineering, should be used to enhance human performance, or are some limits worth keeping?And in fiction: which story best captures extreme physical endurance for you?Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.Future Episodes & EventsSeason 3Episode 53: Space Arks and Colonizing New WorldsGuest: Roland PittsIf Earth is no longer an option, what comes next? Roland Pitts helps us imagine space arks, generation ships, and building new civilizations in the stars.Episode 54: What’s Love Got to Do With It?Guest: Joe ComptonA deep dive into the science, psychology, and cultural myths of love. Exploring whether attachment is chemistry, storytelling, evolutionary strategy, or something stranger than fiction.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

In this Season 2 recap, the Rabbit Hole of Research crew rings in the New Year from the Basement Studio while looking back on the ideas, guests, and moments that defined Episodes 26–50. The conversation ranges from a deep dive into the Die Hard Christmas movie debate—tracing it back to Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever—to favorite episodes like The Heart of a Superhero, Perception vs. Perspective, Godzilla and the Kaiju Genre, and The Thing. Along the way, they reflect on behind-the-scenes moments, Nick's name flub, and corrects Joe!The crew also shares Season 2 stats and milestones, including more than 13,000 downloads, and listeners spanning six continents (Come on Antartica friends). They give thanks to supporters and subscribers, highlight standout listener feedback, and tease thank-you gifts, possible live events in the Chicagoland area, and appearances at conventions. The episode wraps with favorite moments, gratitude for collaborators and artists, and a look ahead to Season 3—featuring new thematic series on Spider-Man villains, lab safety in fiction, and a multi-episode Doomsday run—before closing out with a New Year’s countdown and a toast to what’s next.Thank You to all the listeners and guests that have gone down some holes with us!Season 2 listener shout-outs: Alex, Terry G, Lily and GenerosoPaid subscriber Season 2 thank-you gifts (letterpress posters, zines, stickers)—Go subscribe on Substack!Joe will be at MarsCon (Virginia Beach) January 16th-18thCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’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. 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!Upcoming EpisodesSeason 3Episode 52 – The Physics and Biology of Extreme PerformanceGuest: Hayley ChowHow far can the human body really go? Hayley Chow joins the crew to explore endurance, adaptation, and the edge of physical performance.Episode 53 – Space Arks and Colonizing New WorldsGuest: Roland PittsIf Earth is no longer an option, what comes next? Roland Pitts helps us imagine space arks, generation ships, and building new civilizations in the stars.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this lively Season 2 finale of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by returning guest Mary Schons and first-time guest Kathryn “Kat” Sterbenc to do two things at once: look back at a season spent separating science from handwavium—and finally tackle the perennial holiday argument, Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?Over the course of Season 2, the show explored science through the lens of fiction, asking how fast is too fast, what happens when time misbehaves, and what it looks like when ecosystems, societies, and technologies buckle under pressure. From noir to kaiju, superheroes to slashers, stretched bodies to stressed systems, every episode dug into the real science beneath the stories we love.As the season closes, that same lens turns toward Christmas movies, stories that look comforting on the surface, but are almost always about pressure: people forced together, deadlines that can’t move, and systems pushed to their limits right when everything is supposed to feel magical.The conversation starts with the crew sampling the worlds second strongest beer (Snake Venom) and swings widely, from It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone to Trading Places, The Thing, and of course Die Hard, as Kat lays out her criteria for what makes a “true” Christmas movie and Mary pushes back with thoughtful counterarguments. Along the way, the group explores holiday mythology, redemption arcs, cultural tradition, and even the science behind Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch’s heart, and the biology of immortal holiday figures.Part season recap, part holiday debate, and part festive rabbit hole, this episode unwraps what makes stories endure—whether they’re built to loop every December or just held together by a little Christmas magic.Stay Safe, Stay Curious, and Merry Christmas you Filthy Animals!Check out what the RHR crew is creatingJoe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Joe’s Sci-fi physiological thriller Novel: Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else?Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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):What’s your personal definition of a Christmas movie?What’s your favorite Christmas movie?Is Die Hard a Christmas movie… or just an action movie wearing holiday bling?Are there movies you only watch in December that technically “shouldn’t” count?What holiday science, myths, or pop-culture traditions should we dig into next season?Future Episodes & EventsEpisodes:Season 3Episode 52 – The Physics and Biology of Extreme PerformanceGuest: Hayley ChowHow far can the human body really go? Hayley Chow joins the crew to explore endurance, adaptation, and the edge of physical performance.Episode 53 – Space Arks and Colonizing New WorldsGuest: Roland PittsIf Earth is no longer an option, what comes next? Roland Pitts helps us imagine space arks, generation ships, and building new civilizations in the stars.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

In this mini recap of Episode 50, Joe, Georgia, and Nick revisit the chaos, science, and fuzzy destruction of Gremlins, Joe Dante’s 1984 holiday horror-comedy produced by Steven Spielberg. They unpack the speculative biology of the Mogwai one more time, diving into the infamous three rules: no bright light, no water, and never feed after midnight—especially not raw chicken.The crew adds fresh layers of science to the discussion: the real-life Turritopsis dohrnii immortal jellyfish challenges biology’s one-way street, birth to death, by reverting from adulthood back to a juvenile form. They clear up misquotes, too, turns out Ben Franklin never said anything about beer being purer than water. Chris Guzman may now own that line. Joe finally remembers which sequel he thought was better than the original (Superman II), Georgia nominates “you can’t have a pet caterpillar” as a t-shirt, and Nick offers a time paradox for the ages: “Time has not been around all that time.”Also discussed: E.T.’s grown-up mischief parody from Legends of Tomorrow. The crew gives their media recommendations: Stranger Things, Skate Story, The End of the World As We Know It, Lose Your Mind, Gilmore Girls, and Abbott Elementary.Just one full episodes and one mini remain in season 2: Get ready to close out with some holiday fun and silliness!Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’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. 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!Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: Mary (a return guest) and KatGrab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.Season 3Episode 52 – The Physics and Biology of Extreme PerformanceGuest: Hayley ChowHow far can the human body really go? Hayley Chow joins the crew to explore endurance, adaptation, and the edge of physical performance.Episode 53 – Space Arks and Colonizing New WorldsGuest: Roland PittsIf Earth is no longer an option, what comes next? Roland Pitts helps us imagine space arks, generation ships, and building new civilizations in the stars.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia team up with special guest Chris Guzman to unwrap one of the weirdest holiday phenomena in film history: Gremlins (1984). What starts as a gift from a Chinatown curio shop turns into a full-blown creature-feature apocalypse—and the team wants to know: how do the rules actually work?They break down the film’s infamous care instructions—no bright light, no water, and never feed them after midnight—through the lens of speculative biology, behavioral science, and evolutionary design. Could water-triggered replication be real? Why is sunlight instantly fatal? Is “after midnight” a biologically meaningful category—or a deliberate psychological trap?From there, the conversation spirals outward into the strange wartime origins of gremlins as invisible mechanical saboteurs, and how those mythic figures got reinvented as furry weapons of mass suburban chaos in the 1980s. They discuss the influence of E.T., Cold War bioweapon fears, chaotic creature logic, and the idea that the Mogwai may have been designed to test humanity’s ability to follow instructions—or fail spectacularly trying.Naturally, they also dive into the age-old debate: is Gremlins a Christmas movie? Whether you see it as holiday horror, anti-consumerist satire, or a dark fable about pet ownership gone wrong, this episode explores what it means to take rules seriously—and what happens when you don’t.Links:Chris Guzman @theboxinggloveartistCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe AustinEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’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):Do you remember your first time watching Gremlins? Did it feel like a horror film, a comedy, or something else entirely?Could Gremlins realistically function as a biotech weapon?Which movie creature has the weirdest biological logic, Xenomorphs, Tribbles, or something else, that we should talk about on the RHR Podcast?Future Episodes & EventsEpisodes:Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: Mary (a return guest) and KatGrab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.Season 3Episode 52 – The Physics and Biology of Extreme PerformanceGuest: Hayley ChowHow far can the human body really go? Hayley Chow joins the crew to explore endurance, adaptation, and the edge of physical performance.Episode 53 – Space Arks and Colonizing New WorldsGuest: Roland PittsIf Earth is no longer an option, what comes next? Roland Pitts helps us imagine space arks, generation ships, and building new civilizations in the stars.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

In this mini recap of Episode 49, Joe, Nick, and Georgia return to the wild intersection of cardiac science and superhero world-building, revisiting their conversation with bioengineer Rengasayee “Sai” Veeraraghavan. They also clean up a few nerdy misfires from the full episode, including the adrenal-versus-pituitary mix-up and the moment Joe accidentally described the origins of life using a term that actually refers to radioactive decay. That detour opens the door to panspermia, radiopanspermia, and exogenesis.The crew shares the media they’ve been consuming—from Stranger Things prep episodes to rewatching Blade Runner, Rick Therrio’s graphic novels, Superman (2025), and Nick’s slow, steady descent through Gilmore Girls. With only two episodes left in the season, Gremlins science, and a pajama-party holiday debate recap episode, they look forward to the start of Season 3.Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’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. 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!Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday ScienceGuest: Chris GuzmanA festive foray into chaos theory, creature features, and the secret science behind cinematic holiday mayhem.Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: ???Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia team up with special guest Rengasayee “Sai” Veeraraghavan, professor of biomedical engineering at The Ohio State University and head of a nano-cardiology lab, to ask a deceptively simple question: what kind of heart would a superhero have? Starting from the nanoscale structure of heart cells and the way electrical signals orchestrate each beat, Sai walks us through how real hearts move blood, adapt to stress, and sometimes fail under emotional and physical overload.From there, the crew jumps straight into comics and sci-fi: what would it really take for the Flash’s heart to keep up with super speed, or for Superman’s alien physiology to survive our gravity and atmosphere? Could Iron Man’s arc reactor and shrapnel-magnet setup possibly work, and what do LVADs and artificial hearts tell us about the limits of human engineering? Along the way they detour into stress cardiomyopathy (“broken heart syndrome”), octopus and whale hearts, Doctor Who’s two-heart anatomy, the Grinch’s cardiomyopathy-level heart growth, and why some villains literally stash their hearts outside their bodies.They also dig into the symbolism that’s haunted us for millennia: why we put love, courage, and evil in the “heart,” how myths and fairytales turned the heart into a vessel for souls and power, and why the cartoon heart shape looks nothing like the anatomical organ. The episode closes with nerdy joy—Batman, Kingdom Hearts, Davy Jones’ chest, Spider-Man’s spider senses—and a surprising real-world twist: how COVID can trigger heart arrhythmias through the immune system, not the virus itself.Links:Rengasayee “Sai” Veeraraghavan, PhD — Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Ohio State UniversityCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe AustinEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’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):Which fictional character has your favorite “weird heart”: two hearts, missing hearts, mechanical hearts, cosmic hearts, etc?What superhero (or villain) clearly needs a heart upgrade based on the science we discussed?What heart-related myths, stories, or characters should we explore in a future episode (Besides Sai’s favorite: Batman)?Future Episodes & EventsEpisodes:Episode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday ScienceGuest: Chris GuzmanA festive foray into chaos theory, creature features, and the secret science behind cinematic holiday mayhem.Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: ???Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.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

In this mini recap of Episode 48, Nick, Georgia, and Joe reflect on the themes of perception and perspective that shaped their conversation with Katie from the DC Punk Archive. They revisit how shifting realities, sensory limits, and narrative framing influence what we believe is true. They discuss the listener-suggested film, Inception, and its infamous spinning top. The discussion turns toward real-world implications, from the disorienting landscapes of Alzheimer’s and dementia to the tension between truth and comfort when someone’s perception no longer aligns with shared reality.Drawing inspiration from the Creative Pep Talk podcast, the crew unpacks the difference between distress and eustress, exploring how mindset and framing can turn pressure into motivation or overwhelm. They also connect these ideas to scientific research, where breakthroughs often come from shifting vantage points or letting non-experts ask unexpected questions. The episode wraps with each host sharing the movies, books, shows, and games they’ve been consuming. From alien-invasion dramas and Stephen King to classic video games.Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’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. 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!Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 49 – The Heart of a SuperheroGuest: Rengasayee (Sai) VeeraraghavanWe crack open the anatomy of heroism—how courage, biology, and myth shape our modern superheroes.Episode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday ScienceGuest: Chris GuzmanA festive foray into chaos theory, creature features, and the secret science behind cinematic holiday mayhem.Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: ???Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia joined by librarian Katie Lichtle-Mullenix from the DC Punk Archive for a deep dive into the strange, slippery territory between perception and perspective. Together, they untangle how the brain builds its own version of reality. Asking what we truly “see” versus what we merely believe we see.From optical illusions and VR experiments to The Sixth Sense, The Matrix, and the time-bending logic of Kurt Vonnegut, the crew explores how filmmakers, authors, and neuroscientists alike play with the boundaries of sensory experience. Along the way, they discuss predictive coding, AI conversation quirks, and even headphone simulations that recreate the auditory hallucinations of schizophrenia, and many other ways our minds can deceive us.Part psychology, part philosophy, this episode examines how perception and perspective shape not only storytelling but our very sense of self. When every sight, sound, and belief is filtered through expectation, can we ever trust our own minds, or is your brain lying to you?Links:Katie’s DC Punk Archive (Instagram hub):https://www.instagram.com/dcpunkarchiveHarlem Shake (Meme):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tgZWzG4548Kathleen Ragan – academic research:https://www.kathleenragan.com/academic-researchThatcher illusion overview (open-access paper):https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4298288/Article on the Allan Brooks / chatbot delusion story:https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/chatgpt-led-a-man-into-300-hour-delusional-spiral-making-him-believe-he-s-a-real-life-superhero-101754893695487.htmlHellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (background on psychosis portrayal):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellblade%3A_Senua%27s_SacrificeCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe AustinEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’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):Have you ever realized your brain filled in a detail that wasn’t really there: like a sound, color, or memory that changed when you looked closer?Which movie, book, or game most perfectly captures the feeling of not knowing what’s real?Do you think technology, AI, VR, or social media, has changed how we perceive reality or how we interpret it?If you could experience the world through someone else’s senses for one day, whose perspective would you choose, and why?Future Episodes & EventsEpisodes:Episode 49 – The Heart of a SuperheroGuest: Rengasayee (Sai) VeeraraghavanWe crack open the anatomy of heroism—how courage, biology, and myth shape our modern superheroes.Episode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday ScienceGuest: Chris GuzmanA festive foray into chaos theory, creature features, and the secret science behind cinematic holiday mayhem.Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: ???Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.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

In this mini recap of Episode 46: Slashers, we crawl back through masks, myths, and the psychology of fear—revisiting our night at Reed’s Local with Jesse and Alana from Slasher Sauces and Melissa from Reed’s. From Avondale barstools to basement banter, we trace the science behind serial killers and why their numbers have fallen since the blood-soaked heyday of the 1980s.Along the way, we unravel the strange relationship between horror and humanity: why predators fascinate us, how cameras and algorithms now watch the watchers, and whether a creature like the Predator counts as a slasher—or just the ultimate hunter. We answer listener questions about Prey and Us, share what we’ve been watching, and peek ahead to the paranoia of The Thing. It’s part science, part cinema, and part curiosity about why fear still feels so good.Links from Reed’s and Slasher SaucesSlasher Sauces InstagramReed’s Local WebpageReed’s Local InstagramReed’s Local October Events—Go pick up a copy of the Reed’s Zine!Links for Horror HouseHORROR HOUSE WEBSITEHORROR HOUSE EVENTS ON FACEBOOKCONNECT WITH HORROR HOUSE ON INSTAGRAMCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe Austin: Part 1Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe Austin: Part 2Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Georgia:Printmaking Class at Promise You ArtHouse on November 11th. Click here for Details or scan the QR code in image to register!It’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. 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 Events:Joe will be reading November 1st at Printer’s Row Wine, Chicago, IL at 2pm. 6 writers, 10 minutes each, with intermission wine bar open, poetry and prose.Guild Literary Complex is presenting a Halloween-ish event featuring seven Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories authors: Jotham Austin II, Bendi Barrett, Tina Jenkins Bell, Priya Chand, Aleco Julius, Sahar Mustafah, and K.A. Roy. That’s almost 37% of the lineup. We’ll have copies of the book available for purchase.November 1, 5:30pmExperimental Station6100 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago, IL 60637Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg and Bill HalliarA deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.Episode 48 – Perception vs. PerspectiveGuest: Katie Lichte-MullenixIs your brain lying to you? An exploration of perception, illusion, and how the mind constructs reality.Episode 49 – The Heart of a SuperheroGuest: Rengasayee (Sai) VeeraraghavanWe crack open the anatomy of heroism—how courage, biology, and myth shape our modern superheroes.Episode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday ScienceGuest: Chris GuzmanA festive foray into chaos theory, creature features, and the secret science behind cinematic holiday mayhem.Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: ???Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

This episode of Rabbit Hole of Research finds hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia joined by Todd Thyberg and Bill Halliar for a deep freeze descent into the paranoid world of The Thing. Together, they dissect the tangled origins of this iconic alien menace—tracing its evolution from John W. Campbell’s 1938 novella Who Goes There?, through 1951’s The Thing from Another World, to John Carpenter’s bleak 1982 masterpiece and its 2011 prequel.But this isn’t just film history. The crew drills into the speculative biology of The Thing itself: Could such a creature exist? What does it mean to mimic life so perfectly it erases identity? And how many Big Macs would it take to replicate a human from scratch? Along the way, they ponder the philosophical terror of losing the boundary between self and other, question whether The Thing ever left Antarctica, and even ask: What if it infected a Predator?Part biology, part film theory, part sci-fi mindbender, this episode explores how The Thing has become cinema’s ultimate metaphor for contagion, trust, and the horror of not knowing who—or what—you really are.Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe AustinEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Georgia:Printmaking Class at Promise You ArtHouse on November 11th. Click here for Details or scan the QR code in image to register!It’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):Who was The Thing at the end of Carpenter’s 1982 film?Was it MacReady? Childs? Neither? Both?If you could infect any alien species or fictional universe with The Thing—who would it be, and why?What would you do if you were stranded at Outpost 31 and suspected someone was The Thing?Would you isolate yourself? Run tests? Burn the whole place down? If The Thing infected a real-world organism—animal, fungus, microbe—which would be the worst-case scenario for Earth?Go wild: think ants, octopuses, mycelial networks… or even humans with influencer accounts.Future Episodes & EventsEpisode 48 – Perception vs. PerspectiveGuest: Katie Lichte-MullenixIs your brain lying to you? An exploration of perception, illusion, and how the mind constructs reality.Episode 49 – The Heart of a SuperheroGuest: Rengasayee (Sai) VeeraraghavanWe crack open the anatomy of heroism—how courage, biology, and myth shape our modern superheroes.Episode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday ScienceGuest: Chris GuzmanA festive foray into chaos theory, creature features, and the secret science behind cinematic holiday mayhem.Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: Whoever wants to celebrate two great seasons!Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and cinematic science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.Events:Joe will be reading with 5 other story tellers at the Printer’s Row Wine Shop and Bar on November 1st.2pm-4pmJoe will be reading with other story tellers at the Experimental Station in Hyde Park on November 1st.5:30-8pmFor 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

In this mini recap of Episode 46: Slashers, we crawl back through masks, myths, and the psychology of fear—revisiting our night at Reed’s Local with Jesse and Alana from Slasher Sauces and Melissa from Reed’s. From Avondale barstools to basement banter, we trace the science behind serial killers and why their numbers have fallen since the blood-soaked heyday of the 1980s.Along the way, we unravel the strange relationship between horror and humanity: why predators fascinate us, how cameras and algorithms now watch the watchers, and whether a creature like the Predator counts as a slasher—or just the ultimate hunter. We answer listener questions about Prey and Us, share what we’ve been watching, and peek ahead to the paranoia of The Thing. It’s part science, part cinema, and part curiosity about why fear still feels so good.Links from Reed’s and Slasher SaucesSlasher Sauces InstagramReed’s Local WebpageReed’s Local InstagramReed’s Local October Events—Go pick up a copy of the Reed’s Zine!Links for Horror HouseHORROR HOUSE WEBSITEHORROR HOUSE EVENTS ON FACEBOOKCONNECT WITH HORROR HOUSE ON INSTAGRAMCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe Austin: Part 1Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe Austin: Part 2Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Georgia:Printmaking Class at Promise You ArtHouse on November 11th. Click here for Details or scan the QR code in image to register!It’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. 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 Events:Joe will be reading November 1st at Printer’s Row Wine, Chicago, IL at 2pm. 6 writers, 10 minutes each, with intermission wine bar open, poetry and prose.Guild Literary Complex is presenting a Halloween-ish event featuring seven Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories authors: Jotham Austin II, Bendi Barrett, Tina Jenkins Bell, Priya Chand, Aleco Julius, Sahar Mustafah, and K.A. Roy. That’s almost 37% of the lineup. We’ll have copies of the book available for purchase.November 1, 5:30pmExperimental Station6100 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago, IL 60637Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg and Bill HalliarA deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.Episode 48 – Perception vs. PerspectiveGuest: Katie Lichte-MullenixIs your brain lying to you? An exploration of perception, illusion, and how the mind constructs reality.Episode 49 – The Heart of a SuperheroGuest: Rengasayee (Sai) VeeraraghavanWe crack open the anatomy of heroism—how courage, biology, and myth shape our modern superheroes.Episode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday ScienceGuest: Chris GuzmanA festive foray into chaos theory, creature features, and the secret science behind cinematic holiday mayhem.Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: ???Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

Recorded live at Reed’s Local in Avondale, Chicago, this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research finds hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia joined by Jesse and Alana from Slasher Sauces—a boutique hot sauce brand—and Melissa, co-owner of Reed’s Local. Together they carve into the slasher film genre, tracing its bloodline from early cinematic roots to modern reinventions. The crew explores the psychology of fear, predator–prey instincts, and the science behind why we love to be scared. They wander through the genre’s evolution—from cult classics to global influences and tech-age terror—while swapping favorite slashers and horror stories over drinks and heat. Equal parts film theory, folklore, and fiery humor, this episode celebrates how slashers slice through culture, science, and spice alike.Links from Reed’s and Slasher SaucesCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe AustinEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Georgia:Printmaking Class at Promise You ArtHouse on November 11th. Click here for Details or scan the QR code in image to register!It’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):Which slasher still stalks your dreams?What was your favorite slasher kill?Who is your favorite Final Girl or Boy?What’s your favorite slasher movie/book?Future Episodes & EventsEpisode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg (Angel Bomb) and Bill HalliarA deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.Episode 48 – Perception vs. PerspectiveGuest: Katie Lichte-MullenixIs your brain lying to you? An exploration of perception, illusion, and how the mind constructs reality.Episode 49 – The Heart of a SuperheroGuest: Rengasayee (Sai) VeeraraghavanWe crack open the anatomy of heroism—how courage, biology, and myth shape our modern superheroes.Episode 50 – Gremlins and Holiday ScienceGuest: Chris GuzmanA festive foray into chaos theory, creature features, and the secret science behind cinematic holiday mayhem.Episode 51 – Season 2 Recap: PJs and Holiday MoviesGuests: Whoever wants to celebrate two great seasons!Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and cinematic science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.Events:Joe will be reading with 5 other story tellers at the Printer’s Row Wine Shop and Bar on November 1st.2pm-4pmJoe will be reading with other story tellers at the Experimental Station in Hyde Park on November 1st.5:30-8pmFor 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

In this mini recap of Episode 45: Ghosts and Graveyards, we return to Chicago’s Horror House with Moses and Vinny to revisit a conversation that wandered through haunted spaces, spectral science, and the psychology of belief. We unpack the weird intersections of folklore and neuroscience—from sleep paralysis and sleepwalking killers to crows that teach each other faces and the surprising genetics we share with bananas.Along the way, we revisit our favorite ghost stories and friendly spirits—Casper and Gus, Poltergeist and Event Horizon—and add fresh notes on epigenetics, inherited memory, and why cats might just see what we can’t. It’s a cozy, curious séance of an episode: part fact-check, part ghost story, and part love letter to the strange science of what haunts us.Links for Horror HouseHORROR HOUSE WEBSITEHORROR HOUSE EVENTS ON FACEBOOKCONNECT WITH HORROR HOUSE ON INSTAGRAMCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe Austin: Part 1Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe Austin: Part 2Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.Georgia:Printmaking Class at Promise You ArtHouse on November 11th. Click here for DetailsIt’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. 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!Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 46 – Slashers (Recorded at Reeds Local, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Jesse Andrus (Slasher Sauces) and Melissa (Co-owner of Reeds)Blades and booze collide as the crew unpacks the legacy of slasher films—from 80s VHS carnage to modern horror meta-commentary—live from a local bar with some spicy hot sauce.Episode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg and Bill HalliarA deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this special October episode, the Rabbit Hole of Research crew takes the show on the road to Chicago’s Horror House. Joined by co-owners Moses and Vinny, the conversation drifts through ghosts, graveyards, and the supernatural, blending personal stories with science, folklore, and a dash of pop culture.From sleep paralysis and memory to cats staring into the void, from reincarnation theories to favorite ghost movies, the crew explores how cultures imagine the dead and why graveyards loom so large in horror and storytelling. The episode closes with upcoming Horror House events and a look ahead at future haunted adventures. Equal parts eerie and enlightening, this one celebrates October with science, speculation, and spooky fun.And check the Episode 45: Substack newsletter for a ghostly list of movies by the RHR crew, Moses and Vinny, to get your month of horror off to a spooky start.Links for Horror HouseHORROR HOUSE WEBSITEHORROR HOUSE EVENTS ON FACEBOOKCONNECT WITH HORROR HOUSE ON INSTAGRAMCheck out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe AustinEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’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):Do you believe in ghosts?Have you ever had a strange experience in a graveyard, house, pub, or maybe your cat stared into the darkness like it saw something you couldn’t?Do you have a favorite ghost movie or story?Future Episodes & EventsEpisode 46 – Slashers (Recorded at Reed’s Local, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Jesse Andrus (Slasher Sauces) and Melissa (Co-owner of Reed’s)Blades and booze collide as the crew unpacks the legacy of slasher films. From 80s VHS carnage to modern horror meta-commentaryEpisode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg (Angel Bomb) and Bill HalliarA deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.Episode 48 – Perception vs. PerspectiveGuest: Katie Lichte-MullenixIs your brain lying to you? An exploration of perception, illusion, and how the mind constructs reality.Events:Joe will be reading with 5 other story tellers at the Printer’s Row Wine Shop and Bar on November 1st.2pm-4pmJoe will be reading with other story tellers at the Experimental Station in Hyde Park on November 1st.5:30-8pmFor 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

In this mini recap of Episode 44: Lake Michigan, Life, Mermaids, and Everything in Between, we reflect on our conversation with guest Maud Lavin, author of Mermaids and Lazy Activists. We dive back into the waters of Lake Michigan to revisit a tale of eco-mythical mermaids, climate anxiety, and feminist satire—with humor, awe, and a lot of water love.From speculative biology and freshwater mermaid lore to solar punk optimism and kinky bifurcated tails, we paddle through highlights and side tangents, including Pixar’s Luca, Ro Salarian’s adult aquatic comics, and the joys of lazy Sundays near Lake Michigan. We also shout out community events like CAKE (Chicago Alternative Comics Expo), spotlight other podcasts we’re loving, and celebrate crossing 10,000 downloads!Links for Maud LavinEvent: Seminary Co-op Bookstore – Hyde Park, Chicago, ILWednesday, October 29, 2025 – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PMNonprofit: FLOW (For Love of Water)Swim Lessons, poetry (Tulipwood Books)Mermaids and Lazy Activists: A Lake Michigan Tales, novel (From Beyond Press)Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe AustinEssay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionIt’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. 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!Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 45 – Ghosts/Graveyard (Recorded in the Horror House, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Moses and Vinny (Co-owners of Horror House)The team explores hauntings, graveyard aesthetics, and the sociocultural afterlife of ghost stories.Episode 46 – Slashers (Recorded at Reeds Local, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Jesse Andrus (Slasher Sauces) and Melissa (Co-owner of Reeds)Blades and booze collide as the crew unpacks the legacy of slasher films—from 80s VHS carnage to modern horror meta-commentary—live from a local bar with some spicy hot sauce.Episode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg and Bill HalliarA deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by writer Maud Lavin to discuss her first novel, 'Mermaids and Lazy Activists.' The novel centers around the magic and environmental significance of Lake Michigan, exploring themes of climate anxiety, feminist resistance, and local ecology through the experiences of a mermaid and her human friend. Maud delves into her inspiration for the novel, her love for Lake Michigan, and her efforts to infuse humor into environmental activism. The episode also touches on various scientific aspects of water, pollution, and the mythical lore of freshwater mermaids, while highlighting the importance of environmental consciousness and the joy of preserving natural resources.Links for Maud LavinBook: Mermaids and Lazy Activists: A Lake Michigan TaleMaud’s Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_LavinEvent: Seminary Co-op Bookstore – Hyde Park, Chicago, ILWednesday, October 29, 2025 – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PMNonprofit: FLOW (For Love of Water)Maud Lavin’s Books mentioned in episodeSwim Lessons, poetry (Tulipwood Books)Mermaids and Lazy Activists: A Lake Michigan Tales, novel (From Beyond Press)Check out what the RHR crew is creating:Joe:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in FictionChicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe AustinIt’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):Have you ever felt overwhelmed by environmental issues—and responded with humor, art, or satire? Tell us about your version of “lazy activism.”What mythological or pop culture figure do you associate with water? (Mermaids? Swamp Thing? Aquaman? Something unexpected?)What’s your favorite lake, river, or body of water—and how has it shaped your relationship with nature?Share a story, memory, or photo.If water had memory, what would it remember about you? Speculative answers encouraged.Future Episodes & EventsEpisode 45 – Ghosts/Graveyard (Recorded at the Horror House, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Moses and Vinny (Co-owners of Horror House, Avondale, Chicago)The team explores hauntings, graveyard aesthetics, and the sociocultural afterlife of ghost stories.Episode 46 – Slashers (Recorded at Reed’s Local, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Jesse Andrus (Slasher Sauces) and Melissa (Co-owner of Reed’s)Blades and booze collide as the crew unpacks the legacy of slasher films—from 80s VHS carnage to modern horror meta-commentary—live from a local bar with some spicy hot sauce.Episode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg (Angel Bomb) and Bill HalliarA deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.For more stuff (Images, Episode Highlights, events, etc), subscribe to our Substack newsletter!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

In mini episode 43.1 of Rabbit Hole of Research, the team gathers in the Basement Studio to reflect on Episode 43: Swarms, featuring researcher Josh Fisher. From biblical locusts to Hitchcock’s The Birds, the crew revisits some of the most captivating—and creepy—moments from the full episode.Listener Alex’s questions spark new discussion on pop culture swarms, biblical ants, and the ethics of swarm-sized DragonCon crowds. Georgia returns with fresh takes on giant cinematic ticks and shawarma preferences, while Nick questions whether he actually witnessed a real-life dragonfly swarm—or hallucinated it entirely.The conversation drifts into media the crew has been digesting, video game Hollow Knight: Silksong, balancing horror movies with Gilmore Girls decompression. Other pop culture cameos include The Frogs, Batman, Home Alone 2, and HighTown, plus book recommendations like The End of the World As We Know It, set in Stephen King’s The Stand universe.Also Check out: “Specific Knowledge: Transformation” at From Beyond PressRead HereJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’s science for weirdos.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 Events:Reading Event November 1st at Printer’s Row Wine. More details coming soon.Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 44 – “H20MG: Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in Between”Guest: Maud LavinDive into the science, stories, and cultural mythology surrounding Lake Michigan. Expect currents of ecological history, shipwrecks, and shoreline social commentary.Episode 45 – Ghosts/Graveyard (Recorded in the Horror House, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Moses and Vinny (Co-owners of Horror House)The team explores hauntings, graveyard aesthetics, and the sociocultural afterlife of ghost stories. Nick will be testing out a Ouija board during the episode—we’ll see what answers come through.Episode 46 – Slashers (Recorded at Reeds Local, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Jesse Andrus (Slasher Sauces) and Melissa (Co-owner of Reeds)Blades and booze collide as the crew unpacks the legacy of slasher films—from 80s VHS carnage to modern horror meta-commentary—live from a local bar with some spicy hot sauce.Episode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg and Bill HalliarA deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, we’re joined by researcher Josh Fisher to explore the captivating, creepy, and sometimes comical world of animal swarms. From biblical plagues and Hitchcock’s The Birds to surprisingly vindictive crows, we dive deep into the science, psychology, and symbolism behind swarming behavior. We look at how swarms have appeared across history, religion, fiction, and film, uncovering the patterns that unite everything from buzzing bees to coordinated chaos in horror cinema. It’s a mix of science, storytelling, and a touch of speculation, all flying at you in this episode’s swirling dive into the natural world.And don’t forget to 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):Have you ever had a run-in with a swarm—whether birds, bees, ants, or even crowds of people?What’s your favorite fictional depiction of a swarm from books, movies, or gamesDid this episode change how you think about animal group behavior?Are you afraid of a goose on the loose?Future Episodes & EventsEpisodes:EP44: H20MG: Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in BetweenReleases September 17Cultural critic and writer Maud Lavin joins us to explore Lake Michigan as biome, metaphor, and muse. We dive into the intersections of ecology, identity, politics, memory, and myth.EP45-47: Three exciting episodes planned for our October month of Horror!Events:Nothing Scheduled.For more stuff (Images, Episode Highlights, events, etc), subscribe to our Substack newsletter!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

In mini episode 42.1 of Rabbit Hole of Research, the team is hanging out in the Basement Studio to unpack the themes and questions raised in Episode 42: Broken Futures with author Ben Tanzer. They revisit Ben’s novel Orphans, reflecting on dystopian visions, the psychological toll of modern life, and the blurred line between human and machine. Inspired by listener Alex’s comments, they explore cloning, forced leisure, and shifting generational perspectives on labor and identity.The conversation expands into science fiction and cultural critiques—from AI replacing six-figure jobs to televised classrooms in Gary, Indiana. Pop culture cameos include Twilight Zone, The Stand, and Ed Emberley’s latest. Book recs and movie picks round out the episode, along with teasers for upcoming shows, events, and Joe’s Dragon Con schedule.Also Check out: “Specific Knowledge: Transformation” at From Beyond PressRead HereJoe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.It’s science for weirdos.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 Events:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories – Book Release PartyAugust 27, 6:00 PM – Comfort Station Logan Square, 2579 N. Milwaukee Ave., ChicagoA celebration of the new anthology Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories, featuring live readings by over 10 authors, including Joe. The evening includes an all-Chicago DJ set by Plastic Crimewave, followed by an 8:00 PM screening of the German silent film Journey into the Night with a live score by Ira Glass (band).Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/761531809703016/Order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories AnthologyDragon Con 2025 – August 28–September 1, Atlanta, GAJoe appears as an Attending Professional with five events:Aug 29, 10:00 AM – Did a Wizard Do It? The Physics of High Fantasy (L401-L403, Marriott)Aug 29, 1:00 PM – Sinners: The Devil at the Door (Centennial I, Hyatt)Aug 30, 11:30 AM - Fandom Fusion: Where Classroom Meets Imagination! (Hanover AB, Hyatt)Aug 30, 1:00 PM – Reading Session: Jotham R. Austin, II (Marietta, Hyatt)Aug 31, 7:00 PM – Pantsing or Plotting? (Embassy AB, Hyatt)Sept 1, 10:00 AM – Enchanting Realms: Black Voices in Fantasy! (Hanover AB, Hyatt)Upcoming EpisodesEP43: Animal Swarms (Sep 3) with science communicator Josh FisherEP44: H20MG – Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in Between (Sep 17) with author and activist Maud LavinEP45–47: October Month of HorrorA trilogy of chilling episodes celebrating horror in literature, film, and culture. Expect field trips, spooky themes, and special guests.For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by special guest Ben Tanzer — author, podcaster, professor, and master of narratives that unsettle the ordinary. Together, they plunge into the speculative depths of Tanzer’s novel Orphans, exploring themes of broken futures, technological trauma, and the evolving human condition.The conversation ranges from clones and robots replacing human labor, to the haunting promise of forced leisure in an economy without purpose. With rich references to classic sci-fi literature, Twilight Zone episodes, and philosophical quandaries about identity, dignity, and obsolescence, this episode challenges listeners to rethink the very foundation of what makes us human.Plus: a look into Ben’s forthcoming memoir After Hours, and a surprise crossover announcement involving his podcast, This Podcast Will Change Your Life.More about our Guest:Ben Tanzer is an Emmy‑award–winning writer, coach, creative strategist, podcaster, and lecturer with over two decades of experience helping storytellers — including authors, nonprofits, and small businesses — find their voice. His award‑winning works span genres: from the science‑fiction novel Orphans to essay collections like Lost in Space and Be Cool, the short‑story collection Upstate, the recent novel The Missing, and his memoir After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema. Ben also hosts the long‑running podcast This Podcast Will Change Your Life. He teaches at Lake Forest College in Chicago and is deeply involved in both the literary and creative communities. Learn more at tanzerben.com.And don’t forget to 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):What are your favorite examples of broken futures in sci-fi?Have you ever felt like technology was replacing something fundamentally human in your own life or work?Future Episodes:EP43: Animal SwarmsReleases September 3Swarm behavior, emergent intelligence, and the biology of the collective—science communicator Josh Fisher joins us to explore the strange genius of animals that move as one.EP44: H20MG: Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in BetweenReleases September 17Cultural critic and writer Maud Lavin joins us to explore Lake Michigan as biome, metaphor, and muse. We dive into the intersections of ecology, identity, politics, memory, and myth.EP45-47: Three exciting episodes planned for our October month of Horror!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 DragonCon 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

In mini episode 41.1 of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia reunite to unpack the time-twisting conversations from Episode 41: Crimes in Time with author Lee Matthew Goldberg. They revisit the ideas behind Goldberg’s books Miles in Time and Time Fixers, and respond to listener Alex’s questions about time travel rules in Tenet, standout sequels like Terminator 2 and The Dark Knight, and the intriguing “pedestrian paradox.” The crew dives into the Novikov self-consistency principle, swaps pop culture references from Donnie Darko to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and shares book recommendations like Oona Out of Order and Sea of Tranquility. Joe also spotlight upcoming events, including the Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories release party and his Dragon Con appearances.It’s science for weirdos.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 Events:Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories – Book Release PartyAugust 27, 6:00 PM – Comfort Station Logan Square, 2579 N. Milwaukee Ave., ChicagoA celebration of the new anthology Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories, featuring live readings by over 10 authors, including Joe. The evening includes an all-Chicago DJ set by Plastic Crimewave, followed by an 8:00 PM screening of the German silent film Journey into the Night with a live score by Ira Glass (band).Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/761531809703016/Order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology Dragon Con 2025 – August 28–September 1, Atlanta, GAJoe appears as an Attending Professional with five events:Aug 29, 10:00 AM – Did a Wizard Do It? The Physics of High Fantasy (L401-L403, Marriott)Aug 29, 1:00 PM – Sinners: The Devil at the Door (Centennial I, Hyatt)Aug 30, 1:00 PM – Reading Session: Jotham R. Austin, II (Marietta, Hyatt)Aug 31, 7:00 PM – Pantsing or Plotting? (Embassy AB, Hyatt)Sept 1, 10:00 AM – Enchanting Realms: Black Voices in Fantasy! (Hanover AB, Hyatt)Upcoming EpisodesEP42: Broken Futures – Trauma and the Human Condition (Aug 20) with author Ben TanzerEP43: Animal Swarms (Sep 3) with science communicator Josh FisherEP44: H20MG – Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in Between (Sep 17) with author and activist Maud LavinFor more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter and never miss out on the extra fun! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

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

In this mini recap of Episode 40: Mr Fantastic and Stretching, the Rabbit Hole of Research crew — return to the basement studio to stretch out the implications of our Fantastic Four series finale on Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic. Hosts Joe, Georgia, and Nick revisit the most mind-bending moments from Episode 40 and riff on the handwavium, elasticity, and bio-speculation behind one of Marvel’s most fascinating mutations. From real-life freakshow “Rubber Man” Clarence H. Alexander” to calorie math and the physics of Reed’s parachute trick, we connect pop culture, speculative biology, and a little cinematic critique. Plus, we offer a spoiler-free (and later spoiler-filled) take on the newest Fantastic Four film. Did the movie deliver on the stretchy science? Let’s just say… Reed went the distance.Missed the full Fantastic Four science series? Catch up here before you hit the theater:EP37: Sue Storm and Invisibility — With Nick UlanowskiEP38: Ben Grimm and The Thing About Skin — With Jonathan MaberryEP39: Johnny Storm and Spontaneous Combustion — With Dr. David PincusEP40: Mr. Fantastic and Stretching — With Dr. Maria Dowell, MDIt’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:EP41: Crimes Through Time (Aug 6) — With author Lee Matthew GoldbergEP42: Broken Futures: Trauma and the Human Condition (Aug 20) — With Ben TanzerEP43: Animal Swarms (Sep 3) — With science communicator Josh FisherEP44: H20MG: Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in Between (Sep 17) — With Maud LavinEvents:Joe 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

In Episode 40 of Rabbit Hole of Research, we conclude our Fantastic Four series by stretching the limits of biology—literally. With special guest Maria Dowell, MD, pediatrician at Laurie Children’s Hospital and faculty at Northwestern, we explore the anatomy, biomechanics, and energy demands behind Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic. From the physics of skin elasticity to the implausibility of flexible bones, we unravel what it would take for a human body to elongate, reshape, and rebound like a superhero. We also examine insect proteins like resilin, speculate on non-Newtonian extracellular matrices, and calculate how many Big Macs it would take to fuel a full-body stretch. It’s elasticity, evolution, and extreme biology—taken to comic book extremes. Catch up on the rest of the Fantastic Four series before you go see the movie:EP37: InvisibilityWhat does it take—biologically—for a human to vanish? Is invisibility an evolutionary leap, a physics hack, or a glitch in perception? Guest: Writer and cultural critic Nick Ulanowski.EP38: Ben Grimm and The Thing About SkinNYT bestselling author Jonathan Maberry joins us to explore the handwavium, biology, and symbolism behind strong skin—from the Thing’s rocky dermis to memory tattoos and the scars that shape identity.EP39: Johnny Storm and Spontaneous CombustionWe torch the handwavium behind Marvel’s hottest character—Johnny Storm, the Human Torch. Dr. David Pincus of the University of Chicago explores how biology might survive a “Flame On!”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 have one superpower from the Fantastic Four, which would you choose—and why?What’s your theory for how Reed Richards avoids ripping his skin or dislocating joints?Should comics even bother with scientific explanations for superpowers—or just embrace the weird?Future Episodes & EventsEP41: Crimes Through TimeReleases August 6Author Lee Matthew Goldberg joins us for a time-twisting dive into memory, criminal psychology, and speculative storytelling. EP42: Broken Futures: Trauma and the Human ConditionReleases August 20Author Ben Tanzer joins us to examine how trauma reshapes the mind, the body, and our imagined futures.EP43: Animal SwarmsReleases September 3Swarm behavior, emergent intelligence, and the biology of the collective—science communicator Josh Fisher joins us to explore the strange genius of animals that move as one.EP44: H20MG: Lake Michigan, Life, and Everything in BetweenReleases September 17Cultural critic and writer Maud Lavin joins us to explore Lake Michigan as biome, metaphor, and muse. We dive into the intersections of ecology, identity, politics, memory, and myth.Events:Live Q&A Event: Joe will be doing a book club Q&A at Reed’s Local on July 29 for Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else by Jotham Austin II. Event details hereDragon Con: Joe will appear as an Attending Professional at Dragon Con in Atlanta from August 28 – September 1. Join him for panels, shop talk, and rabbit holes galore.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

In Episode 39.1, the mini recap of Episode 39: Johnny Storm and Spontaneous Combustion, the Rabbit Hole of Research crew — Joe, Nick, and Georgia — return to the flames of Johnny Storm and explore the biological plausibility of Marvel’s Human Torch. With highlights from the main episode featuring Dr. David Pincus (University of Chicago), they revisit ideas like spontaneous combustion, dehydration mitigation, phase-separated stress responses, and the role of extremophiles in extreme heat survival. Along the way, they ask hard-hitting questions like: Can you be a vegetarian superhero? How many Big Macs does it take to fuel flame flight? And what makes an extremophile extreme? It’s science, laughter, glands, ooze — and a teaser of the final Fantastic Four member Reed Richards, and what the crew is watching, reading, and playing.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. 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

In Episode 39 of Rabbit Hole of Research, we continue our Fantastic Four series by diving into the blazing mystery of Johnny Storm — the Human Torch. With special guest David Pincus, PhD, from the University of Chicago, we explore what it would actually take for a human body to control fire. From cellular phase separation and stress granules to speculative metabolic engineering and combustion-safe skin, this episode fuses myth, science, and superpowers into one intense bio-speculative ride. We also break down flame-based flight mechanics, immune responses to internal combustion, and why Johnny Storm’s immunity to sunburn might be the biggest cellular flex in comics.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!The Scientist Article Featuring Joe: How Speculative Fiction Expands Scientific HorizonsCheck out David’s research at the University of ChicagoScience 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):What do you think is the real-world upper limit of human heat resistance?If you could bioengineer one fire-related ability into yourself, what would it be — and why?Johnny Storm doesn’t sunburn. What other human vulnerabilities should superheroes evolve beyond?Future Episodes & EventsEp 40: Reed Richards and the Limits of the Body – A deep dive into stretching, elasticity, adaptability, and the mental/physical implications of extreme flexibility in comics and biology. Featuring special guest Dr. Maria Dowell, MD, pediatric pulmonologist at NorthwesternLive Q&A Event: Joe will be doing a book club Q&A at Reed’s Local on July 29 for Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else by Jotham Austin II. Event details hereDragon Con: Joe will appear as an Attending Professional at Dragon Con in Atlanta from August 28 – September 1. Join him for panels, shop talk, and rabbit holes galore.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

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

In Episode 38 of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia continue their Fantastic Four series with a deep dive into Ben Grimm a.k.a. The Thing—a character defined by the transformation of his body into a rocky, nearly indestructible form. They’re joined by NYT bestselling author Jonathan Maberry, who brings a unique lens to the discussion as they explore characters with strange or strong skin, including his own tattooed investigator Monk Addison.From the speculative science of scar tissue and bulletproof dermis to real-world experiments, body horror, and ancient myths of invulnerability, this episode examines skin as a battleground of trauma, memory, and mutation. Whether you’re into biometal snails, Luke Cage’s mental and skin toughness, or folkloric heroes dipped in dragon blood, this episode blends pop culture, science, and horror in unforgettable ways.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!The Scientist Article Featuring Joe: How Speculative Fiction Expands Scientific HorizonsVisit Jonathan Maberry at:Official Website: www.jonathanmaberry.comExplore his full body of work, appearances, and writing updates.Book Catalog:Browse Jonathan’s entire bibliography of horror, thrillers, sci-fi, comics, and YA.➤ See all booksBooks Featured or Referenced in This Episode:Glimpse – A surreal horror-thriller about a woman slipping between realities through the crack in her vision—and the terrifying secrets on the other side.Ink – A supernatural thriller where stolen memories live on through skin.Joe Ledger Series – Techno-thrillers blending biowarfare, covert ops, and monster science.Rot & Ruin – Award-winning YA zombie saga with heart, survival, and legacy.V-Wars – A shared-world vampire outbreak series adapted by Netflix.Nekrotek Novels – A dark fusion of science fiction and horror where necrotic technology powers reanimated soldiers, weaponized corpses, and post-human warfare under corporate-military control.Comics & Graphic Novels:Jonathan has written extensively in both prose and comics. Notable titles include:Rot & Ruin: Warrior Smart (IDW)V‑Wars graphic series (IDW)Marvel Universe vs. The Punisher, vs. Wolverine, vs. The Avengers (Marvel)Marvel Zombies Return (Wolverine issue)2009–2011 Black Panther arcs: Doomwar, Power, Klaw’s of the PantherCaptain America: Hail Hydra and Punisher: Naked KillsMasterclasses & Writing Workshops:Learn directly from Jonathan through live and recorded workshops covering craft, genre, and publishing.➤ Sign up hereIt’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 design your own “strong skin” power, what would it protect you from—and what would it cost?What’s your favorite tough-skinned character across comics, mythology, or folklore?Could emotional trauma literally reshape your body? Should superpowers reflect scars?Would you volunteer for a real-world version of Luke Cage’s experiment if it meant near-invulnerability?Future Episodes & EventsEp 39: When the Torch Burns Out – Fire powers, metabolic cost, and legacy trauma with pyrokinesis. Featuring special guest Dr. David Pincus, research scientist at University of Chicago specializing in evolutionary stress responses—particularly heat and environmental adaptation.Ep 40: Reed Richards and the Limits of the Body – A deep dive into stretching, elasticity, adaptability, and the mental/physical implications of extreme flexibility in comics and biology. Featuring special guest Dr. Maria Dowell, MD, pediatric pulmonologist at NorthwesternLive Q&A Event: Joe will be doing a book club Q&A at Reed’s Local on July 29 for Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else by Jotham Austin II. Event details hereDragon Con: Joe will appear as an Attending Professional at Dragon Con in Atlanta from August 28 – September 1. Join him for panels, shop talk, and rabbit holes galore.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

In Episode 37.1 of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia revisit the big ideas from Episode 37, where they dove into the biology, physics, and storytelling around Sue Storm, Marvel’s Invisible Woman. They discuss how her power evolved alongside her character—from passive background figure to powerhouse protector—and unpack the deeper implications of invisibility as both a superpower and a metaphor.They also take a detour into comic history with a look at Invisible Scarlet O’Neil (1940), one of the earliest female superheroes to wield the power of stealth, and how her depiction reflects mid-century gender norms. Then it’s off to the Creative Arts Summit, where fans shared their favorite Fantastic Four members and the powers they’d want for themselves—from stretch-enhanced snacking to fiery chaos.This mini is packed with thoughtful extras: gender-coded powers, the practicality of invisibility, and who in pop culture really deserves the title of “strongest member.” All that, plus what we’re watching (Department Q, North of North, We Were Liars) and what’s next in the Fantastic Four deep dive.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. 38 (June 25): Ben Grimm “The Thing”: Strong Skin — featuring NYT bestselling author, Jonathan MaberryEp. 39 (July 9): Johnny Storm “The Human Torch”: Human Combustion — with Dr. David Pincus, returning guestEp. 40 (July 23): Reed Richards “Mr. Fantastic”: Stretching and Biophysics — with Dr. Maria Dowell, MD, Northwestern UniversityFor 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

In Episode 37 of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by writer and cultural critic Nick Ulanowski to kick off their Fantastic Four series with a deep dive into one of the most mysterious superpowers in comics: invisibility. Centering on Sue Storm—the Invisible Woman—they explore the speculative biology, comic book origins, and strange science behind what it would take for a human to vanish from sight.From chameleon chromatophores to light-bending metamaterials, they unravel what makes invisibility work across nature, fiction, and theoretical physics. The conversation touches on early mythological artifacts like the Helm of Hades and the Ring of Gyges, jumps into the metabolic cost of photonic cloaking (spoiler: it’s wild), and even explores infant psychology and the observer effect.Visit Nick Ulanowski at:Substack: https://starvingauthor.substack.comBooks: https://starvingauthorpress.etsy.comIt’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):What comic, myth, or sci-fi invisibility story stuck with you the most?Could invisibility ever work biologically in a human-sized organism?Which is cooler—full-spectrum cloaking or psychic perceptual stealth?Is Sue Storm underutilized as a science fiction concept?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

In this mini companion to Episode 36: Loki, Satire and Chaos, the Rabbit Hole of Research team offers a fast-paced recap of their conversation with author Kurt Baumeister, whose novel Twilight of the Gods reimagines Loki as a postmodern, ethically ambiguous figure. They revisit themes of mythology, chaos, and satire, explore AI as a digital trickster, and add new pop culture figures to their growing pantheon of modern Lokis—including Gwenpool, Jinx from Arcane, and Harley Quinn. The crew also field a listener question on where to start with Doctor Doom and share what they’re watching and reading—from The Rehearsal to Overgrowth by Mira Grant. Plus, they tease their Fantastic Four science series leading up to the MCU reboot. It’s a quick trip down a very chaotic mini-hole.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. 37 (June 11): Sue Storm-Richards: Invisibility — with comic critic Nick UlanowskiEp. 38 (June 25): Ben Grimm “The Thing”: Strong Skin — featuring NYT bestselling author, Jonathan MaberryEp. 39 (July 9): Johnny Storm “The Human Torch”: Human Combustion — with Dr. David Pincus, returning guestEp. 40 (July 23): Reed Richards “Mr. Fantastic”: Stretching and Biophysics — with Dr. Maria Dowell, MD, Northwestern UniversityFor 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