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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 the 54th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, a special Valentine’s episode, Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by guest Joe Compton, independent author, filmmaker, and creator of Go Indie Now, for an exploration of love in all its forms.
What is love, really? Strip away the poetry and you’re left with chemistry: dopamine, oxytocin, vasopressin, and endorphins firing neural circuits in predictable patterns. But if love is just biology, why does it feel transcendent? Why does it reorganize our priorities, rewrite our memories, and convince otherwise rational minds to abandon safety and logic?
The conversation journeys through the evolutionary roots of attachment behavior, the ancient Greek’s categories of love, and the murky intersection of love and consent. From the honeymoon phase to long-term bonding, from fandoms and idol worship to AI companions and body horror.
Along the way, they discuss indie artists’ authentic connections with fans versus the detachment of stadium-filling superstars, debate whether we could bottle love like a drug, and share their favorite love stories in film (spoiler: tissues recommended). They also tackle the darker side: obsessive love, one-sided attachments, and why horror might understand love better than rom-coms.
Perfect for Valentine’s season, or any time you want to question what love’s really got to do with it.
Follow Joe Compton
Link to Joe on Joe Compton’s 21 Grams:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kzg2O7wDSM
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
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):
If you were selected for a space ark mission, would you go, knowing you’d never return to Earth or see your loved ones again?
What two personal items would you bring with you on the journey? (Roland’s bringing My Chemical Romance, what’s on your playlist?)
If you had to build the crew, what essential profession do you think gets overlooked? How many scientists vs. farmers vs. artists would you take?
Can humanity survive the journey to the stars without destroying itself, or will we become something unrecognizable by the time we arrive?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.
Future Episodes & Events
Episode 55 – Medicine of the Future: From Fantasy to Patient Care
Guest: Davis Ashura
Exploring how science fiction inspires real medical innovation and what the future of patient care might look like.
Episode 56 – The Science of Chatbots & Human Connection
Guests: Lily & Generoso
Diving into AI communication, computational science, and how chatbots are reshaping human interaction with MIT scientist-turned-writer Lily and illustrator/filmmaker Generoso.
Episode 57 – Planetary Defense: Saving Earth from Other Worldly Impact
Guest: Charles Blue
Examining the science and strategies behind protecting Earth from asteroids, comets, and cosmic threats.
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