Rabbit Hole of Research Podcast Por Jotham Austin II PhD Nick Elizalde and Georgia Geis arte de portada

Rabbit Hole of Research

Rabbit Hole of Research

De: Jotham Austin II PhD Nick Elizalde and Georgia Geis
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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.

jothamaustin.substack.comJotham Austin, II PhD Ciencia Ciencia Ficción
Episodios
  • 46.1: Slashing Slashers

    46.1: Slashing Slashers
    Oct 22 2025
    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
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    15 m
  • EP 46: Slashers

    EP 46: Slashers
    Oct 15 2025
    Recorded live at Reed’s Local in Avondale, Chicago, this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research finds hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia joined by Jesse and Alana from Slasher Sauces—a boutique hot sauce brand—and Melissa, co-owner of Reed’s Local. Together they carve into the slasher film genre, tracing its bloodline from early cinematic roots to modern reinventions. The crew explores the psychology of fear, predator–prey instincts, and the science behind why we love to be scared. They wander through the genre’s evolution—from cult classics to global influences and tech-age terror—while swapping favorite slashers and horror stories over drinks and heat. Equal parts film theory, folklore, and fiery humor, this episode celebrates how slashers slice through culture, science, and spice alike.Links from Reed’s and Slasher SaucesCheck 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 AustinEssay 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. Leave a Comment. And for email alerts sign-up for the Substack newsletter and never miss an episode, exciting updates or the bonus images we talk about on the episodes.We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):Which slasher still stalks your dreams?What was your favorite slasher kill?Who is your favorite Final Girl or Boy?What’s your favorite slasher movie/book?Future Episodes & EventsEpisode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of ParanoiaGuests: Todd Thyberg (Angel Bomb) 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: Whoever wants to celebrate two great seasons!Grab your pajamas and join the crew as we toast two seasons of curiosity, chaos, and cinematic science—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 3.Events:Joe will be reading with 5 other story tellers at the Printer’s Row Wine Shop and Bar on November 1st.2pm-4pmJoe will be reading with other story tellers at the Experimental Station in Hyde Park on November 1st.5:30-8pmFor more stuff (Images, Episode Highlights, Notes and Fun Facts, events, etc), subscribe to our Substack newsletter!Join Rabbit Hole of Research on Discord: https://discord.gg/2nnmKgguFVDon’t forget to give us 5 stars or a like! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 h y 2 m
  • 45.1: Ghosts Revisited

    45.1: Ghosts Revisited
    Oct 8 2025
    In this mini recap of Episode 45: Ghosts and Graveyards, we return to Chicago’s Horror House with Moses and Vinny to revisit a conversation that wandered through haunted spaces, spectral science, and the psychology of belief. We unpack the weird intersections of folklore and neuroscience—from sleep paralysis and sleepwalking killers to crows that teach each other faces and the surprising genetics we share with bananas.Along the way, we revisit our favorite ghost stories and friendly spirits—Casper and Gus, Poltergeist and Event Horizon—and add fresh notes on epigenetics, inherited memory, and why cats might just see what we can’t. It’s a cozy, curious séance of an episode: part fact-check, part ghost story, and part love letter to the strange science of what haunts us.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 DetailsIt’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!Upcoming EpisodesEpisode 46 – Slashers (Recorded at Reeds Local, Avondale, Chicago)Guests: Jesse Andrus (Slasher Sauces) and Melissa (Co-owner of Reeds)Blades and booze collide as the crew unpacks the legacy of slasher films—from 80s VHS carnage to modern horror meta-commentary—live from a local bar with some spicy hot sauce.Episode 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.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
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    10 m
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