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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 83: The Mini, Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 82: Data Centers: Are We Really Blowing Up the Planet for AI Slop and Porn? with confirmed, three-peat returning guest and Friend of the Pod, David Pincus, PhD. The crew follows up on the CoreWeave/Hammond deal, corrects the Tempe Town Lake numbers, and it’s way more than Joe thought. Georgia talks about discovering a massive data center in downtown Chicago. In Science Holes, Joe discusses the fire amoeba and Nvidia claims to reduce data center water use to near zero. Plus the crew takes you down the Media Hole of what they have been watching, reading, and playing.
Subscribe to the Rabbit Hole of Research newsletter for more updates and awesomeness.
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 with Sara: Replay on YouTube
Jump to Joe’s Reading (But you should listen to all the amazing authors)
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?
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:
Joe:
Maud’s READINGS at Printer’s Row Wine on Sep 19th 2-4pm
Art show Ultrastructure: Science is Fun, with Carol Estes at Promise You Art House in Highland IN, October 10th, 10-3pm
Family Day: Seeing the Invisible World to Build a New One; in conjunction with the fall exhibition: teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity, at the Smart Museum of Art In Hyde Park, IL, Nov 14th, 11-3pm
Art and Science lecture about Zombies: Dec 10th
Georgia:
The inaugural 4th Street Print Fest at Chesterton Art Center on Saturday, October 3, from 1–4 PM
Upcoming Episodes
*The Mini is every other episode!
Episode 84: ET
Guest: Chris Guzman (@theboxinggloveartist)
Episode 86: Disability in Horror
Guest: Grace Daly (Bram Stoker nominee)
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!
Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe

