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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 this 53rd episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, and Georgia welcome guest Roland Pitts, author of Salvation Protocol, to discuss the monumental challenge of space arks and colonizing new worlds. Roland, a former army officer now working in cybersecurity, shares insights into his sci-fi thriller where aliens warn Earth of hostile forces, prompting a secret mission to select 1,000 people and 1,000 items to restart civilization on a new planet.
The conversation ranges from the practical, cryo-sleep technology, closed-loop ecosystems, genetic diversity, and propulsion systems, to the philosophical: Who decides who gets to board? How do you preserve culture, prevent class systems, and maintain law and order when resources aren’t scarce? What happens when the descendants of the original crew forget why they left Earth?
The group explores the cargo manifesto challenge, debating essential items from seed banks and medical equipment to cultural artifacts and personal mementos. They discuss the psychological horror of multi-generational travel, the role of AI (can you trust it?) in maintaining mission continuity, and whether humanity can survive the journey without becoming something unrecognizable. Along the way, they pepper in references to Wall-E, The Expanse, Interstellar, and classic generation ship literature, while sharing what they’d personally bring on their own space journey.
Check out Roland’s Book, Salvation Protocol
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 54: What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Guest: Joe Compton
A deep dive into the science, psychology, and cultural myths of love. Exploring whether attachment is chemistry, storytelling, evolutionary strategy, or something stranger than fiction.
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