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Hello there, welcome to the Rabbit Hole of Research the Podcast. Our goal is to have fun learning science through the lens of science fiction and fantasy.
We are Jotham (Joe) Austin, II, a research scientist and author; Nick Elizalde, roaster of the coffee bean, entrepreneur and pop culture guru; and sometimes Georgia Geis (@atomic_number14), librarian, storyteller, and print maker. Episode Cover Art by Laina Joy !
So, What is this Rabbit Hole of Research Podcast?
It’s like playing a game of Telephone, where we will start in one place and let the conversation lead us down the winding scenic road exploring the science in science fiction, separating the facts from the Handwavium. We’ll have a little fun and you’ll learn a few facts you can use to impress your friends at a party or use as a conversation starter to go down your own rabbit holes.
It will not just be us rambling, fumbling and tumbling down the rabbit hole, but we will invite creators, thinkers and innovators on to talk about their research, creative process and join the lively conversation exploring the quirky science in fiction.
We know you have many choices of entertainment, so we will keep the episodes short, about the time it takes to drink a tasty beverage. So, please join us on this journey down the rabbit hole.
Play below (if on mobile click three-lined bar to expand episodes) or follow the Podcast at your favorite Podcast Provider or you can subscribe below to my newsletter and get email updates:
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You can always email (I do answer back), or follow me online for real time tracking. And keep reading to see what I read or listened to when I had time.

Our goal is to have fun learning science through the lens of science fiction, fantasy, and pop-culture. We will start in one place and let the conversation lead us down the winding scenic road exploring the science in science fiction, separating the facts from the Handwavium. We’ll have a little fun and you’ll learn a few facts you can use to impress your friends at a party or use as a conversation starter to go down your own rabbit holes.
In Episode 67: “The Mini,” Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 66: Saving Earth From Other Worldly Impact. The crew talks about, Episode 66 guest, Charles Blue’s First Light Con, the world’s first science and engineering fandom convention coming in 2027, Joe’s upcoming panel schedule at ConCarolinas in Charlotte (May 29th-31st), a correction from Nick about Bruce Willis, and a May 23rd DIY podcasting event at the Lake County Public Library. Joe shares a typewriter poem written for the show at the Final Girl Bar, and the crew plays back street interviews from The 5th annual MaiFest in Blue Island, IL where they asked the public the hard questions: Mars or lava tube?
In Science Holes, Joe discusses the history of fictional asteroid impacts all the way back to Dante’s Inferno, smart underwear tracking farts in real time, and a newly discovered fluid network that scientists are calling the interstitium. Nick talks about research that shows monkeys are eating mud to cope with tourist junk food, and the crew debates whether humans should do the same.
The crew closes out with what media they’ve been consuming: Widow’s Bay, For All Mankind, Daredevil: Born Again and the Punisher: The Last Kill, Nick is two episodes into Severance, Georgia is reading Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, Nick has been playing Borderlands 4 and Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and the crew suffers from a case of the Mandela Effect.
And don’t forget to wish Joe a Happy Birthday on May 21st!!
Check 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 Fiction
Future Events to Hang with the Crew:
Podcast Cross-Appearances
Joe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe Compton
The RHR crew on Ben Tanzer’s This podcast will change your life: episode three hundred seventy-nine
Events & Conventions:
Creative Arts Summit – DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd, 2026
ConCarolinas – Charlotte, NC (May 29–31, 2026 ) – Joe attending as Guest
Shore Leave 46 – Lancaster, PA (July 10-12, 2026)
Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Convention Center
Dragon Con – Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) – Joe attending as Professional
Upcoming Episodes
*The Mini will now be every other episode!
Episode 68 – Hive Mind: Plubris
Guest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)
Episode 70 – Nazca lines of Peru and crop circles
Guest: Lorena Salinas
Three Part Spider-Man Series to get ready for the new MCU Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Episode 72 – Spider-Man Villain Series 1: Lab Safety
Guest: Tera Lavoie, PhD
Episode 74 – Spider-Man Villain Series 2: Scorpion and the Other Chimeras
Guest: Erin C. Anthony
Episode 76 – Spider-Man Villain Series 3: What His Villains Reveal About Him
Guest: Comic YouTuber, Alex Hanes (@Hanes4Heroes)
It’s science for Weirdos
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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

