46.1: Slashing Slashers

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