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
  • EP 38: Fantastic 4 series: Ben Grimm and The Thing About Skin

    EP 38: Fantastic 4 series: Ben Grimm and The Thing About Skin
    Jun 25 2025
    In Episode 38 of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia continue their Fantastic Four series with a deep dive into Ben Grimm a.k.a. The Thing—a character defined by the transformation of his body into a rocky, nearly indestructible form. They’re joined by NYT bestselling author Jonathan Maberry, who brings a unique lens to the discussion as they explore characters with strange or strong skin, including his own tattooed investigator Monk Addison.From the speculative science of scar tissue and bulletproof dermis to real-world experiments, body horror, and ancient myths of invulnerability, this episode examines skin as a battleground of trauma, memory, and mutation. Whether you’re into biometal snails, Luke Cage’s mental and skin toughness, or folkloric heroes dipped in dragon blood, this episode blends pop culture, science, and horror in unforgettable ways.It’s science, it’s fiction, it’s science for weirdos.And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!The Scientist Article Featuring Joe: How Speculative Fiction Expands Scientific HorizonsVisit Jonathan Maberry at:Official Website: www.jonathanmaberry.comExplore his full body of work, appearances, and writing updates.Book Catalog:Browse Jonathan’s entire bibliography of horror, thrillers, sci-fi, comics, and YA.➤ See all booksBooks Featured or Referenced in This Episode:Glimpse – A surreal horror-thriller about a woman slipping between realities through the crack in her vision—and the terrifying secrets on the other side.Ink – A supernatural thriller where stolen memories live on through skin.Joe Ledger Series – Techno-thrillers blending biowarfare, covert ops, and monster science.Rot & Ruin – Award-winning YA zombie saga with heart, survival, and legacy.V-Wars – A shared-world vampire outbreak series adapted by Netflix.Nekrotek Novels – A dark fusion of science fiction and horror where necrotic technology powers reanimated soldiers, weaponized corpses, and post-human warfare under corporate-military control.Comics & Graphic Novels:Jonathan has written extensively in both prose and comics. Notable titles include:Rot & Ruin: Warrior Smart (IDW)V‑Wars graphic series (IDW)Marvel Universe vs. The Punisher, vs. Wolverine, vs. The Avengers (Marvel)Marvel Zombies Return (Wolverine issue)2009–2011 Black Panther arcs: Doomwar, Power, Klaw’s of the PantherCaptain America: Hail Hydra and Punisher: Naked KillsMasterclasses & Writing Workshops:Learn directly from Jonathan through live and recorded workshops covering craft, genre, and publishing.➤ Sign up hereIt’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):If you could design your own “strong skin” power, what would it protect you from—and what would it cost?What’s your favorite tough-skinned character across comics, mythology, or folklore?Could emotional trauma literally reshape your body? Should superpowers reflect scars?Would you volunteer for a real-world version of Luke Cage’s experiment if it meant near-invulnerability?Future Episodes & EventsEp 39: When the Torch Burns Out – Fire powers, metabolic cost, and legacy trauma with pyrokinesis. Featuring special guest Dr. David Pincus, research scientist at University of Chicago specializing in evolutionary stress responses—particularly heat and environmental adaptation.Ep 40: Reed Richards and the Limits of the Body – A deep dive into stretching, elasticity, adaptability, and the mental/physical implications of extreme flexibility in comics and biology. Featuring special guest Dr. Maria Dowell, MD, pediatric pulmonologist at NorthwesternLive Q&A Event: Joe will be doing a book club Q&A at Reed’s Local on July 29 for Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else by Jotham Austin II. Event details hereDragon Con: Joe will appear as an Attending Professional at Dragon Con in Atlanta from August 28 – September 1. Join him for panels, shop talk, and rabbit holes galore.For 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 5 m
  • 37.1: The mini recap: Exploring Invisibility

    37.1: The mini recap: Exploring Invisibility
    Jun 18 2025

    In Episode 37.1 of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia revisit the big ideas from Episode 37, where they dove into the biology, physics, and storytelling around Sue Storm, Marvel’s Invisible Woman. They discuss how her power evolved alongside her character—from passive background figure to powerhouse protector—and unpack the deeper implications of invisibility as both a superpower and a metaphor.

    They also take a detour into comic history with a look at Invisible Scarlet O’Neil (1940), one of the earliest female superheroes to wield the power of stealth, and how her depiction reflects mid-century gender norms. Then it’s off to the Creative Arts Summit, where fans shared their favorite Fantastic Four members and the powers they’d want for themselves—from stretch-enhanced snacking to fiery chaos.

    This mini is packed with thoughtful extras: gender-coded powers, the practicality of invisibility, and who in pop culture really deserves the title of “strongest member.” All that, plus what we’re watching (Department Q, North of North, We Were Liars) and what’s next in the Fantastic Four deep dive.

    It’s science, it’s fiction, it’s science for weirdos.

    And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!

    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!

    Future Episodes & Events:

    Fantastic Four Science Series (Episodes 37–40) – Leading up to the MCU Fantastic Four movie (releasing July 25, 2025):

    Ep. 38 (June 25): Ben Grimm “The Thing”: Strong Skin — featuring NYT bestselling author, Jonathan Maberry

    Ep. 39 (July 9): Johnny Storm “The Human Torch”: Human Combustion — with Dr. David Pincus, returning guest

    Ep. 40 (July 23): Reed Richards “Mr. Fantastic”: Stretching and Biophysics — with Dr. Maria Dowell, MD, Northwestern University

    For more episode stuff (images, show notes, links, and more science for weirdos) visit and subscribe to our Substack newsletter!



    Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe
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    17 m
  • EP 37: Fantastic 4 series: Invisibility

    EP 37: Fantastic 4 series: Invisibility
    Jun 11 2025

    In Episode 37 of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by writer and cultural critic Nick Ulanowski to kick off their Fantastic Four series with a deep dive into one of the most mysterious superpowers in comics: invisibility. Centering on Sue Storm—the Invisible Woman—they explore the speculative biology, comic book origins, and strange science behind what it would take for a human to vanish from sight.

    From chameleon chromatophores to light-bending metamaterials, they unravel what makes invisibility work across nature, fiction, and theoretical physics. The conversation touches on early mythological artifacts like the Helm of Hades and the Ring of Gyges, jumps into the metabolic cost of photonic cloaking (spoiler: it’s wild), and even explores infant psychology and the observer effect.

    Visit Nick Ulanowski at:

    Substack: https://starvingauthor.substack.com

    Books: https://starvingauthorpress.etsy.com

    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. 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):

    What comic, myth, or sci-fi invisibility story stuck with you the most?

    Could invisibility ever work biologically in a human-sized organism?

    Which is cooler—full-spectrum cloaking or psychic perceptual stealth?

    Is Sue Storm underutilized as a science fiction concept?

    For 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/2nnmKgguFV

    Don’t forget to give us 5 stars or a like!



    Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe
    Más Menos
    57 m
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