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So, What is this Rabbit Hole of Research Podcast?
Hello there, welcome to the Rabbit Hole of Research Podcast. Our goal is to have fun learning science through the lens of science fiction and fantasy.
It’s like listening to a panel at your favorite Comic Con, where we will start in one place and let the conversation lead us down the winding scenic road exploring science, fantasy, horror, and pop-culture. 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 join the lively conversation exploring the quirky science in fiction.
We are Jotham (Joe) Austin, II, a research scientist and author; Nick Elizalde, roaster of the coffee bean, entrepreneur and pop culture guru; Georgia Geis (@atomic_number14), librarian, storyteller, and print maker, and Mary Schons (Librarian).
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 79: The Mini, Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 78: Briar East Woods and Urban Deforestation, featuring guests Anne and TJ of the Save Briar East Woods organization. The crew ties up a few loose ends mentioned on the episode: where does Indiana Dunes rank among national parks, a listener comment about daylighting a buried creek in the Dunes, Alex’s 101-word story, and the ‘70s animal horror environmental movies.
Joe quickly covers three Science Holes that caught his eye: a game that lets you try your hand at terraform Mars, sperm whales that have accents (I see you Dory), and what’s a rock. And Nick gets serious with a PSA on science funding.
And we skip the Media Holes and jump right into Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the story, the team-ups, the Handwavium, why it might be the most Spider-Man comic movie yet and the top 5 MCU movie. (We give a warning before we chat, so we don’t accidentally spoil anything).
Check out and support: Save Briar East Woods
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Order the Touch of Noir 2027 Wall Calendar by Jim and Georgia—
12 months of all-original art by Jim and Georgia; pre-orders open now, with mailing expected in September
Words // Friends Aug 26th at 7pm CST:
Joe will be reading with four other authors on a Zoom hangout. Register now!
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:
Words // Friends Aug 26th at 7pm CST:
Joe will be reading with four other authors on a Zoom hangout. Register now!
Dragon Con – Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) – Joe attending as Professional
Upcoming Episodes
*The Mini is every other episode!
Episode 78 – Briar East Woods – Urban Deforestation
Guest: Anne Sedlacek
Episode 80: Magic: the Power and Cost of Magic Systems
Guest: B.L.Mostyn
Episode 82: Climate Change and Data Centers
Returning Guest David Pincus PhD (episode 13 climate change and episode 39 on Johnny Storm)
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!
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