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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 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 Fiction
Joe 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-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:
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, 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 62 – The Science of Fear: Phobias, Physiology & Splatterpunk: Guest: Phrique
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 Blue
Episode 68 – Hive Mind: Plubris: Guest: Wes Thorn (returning guest — Simulation Hypothesis episode)
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!
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