In Episode 78 of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, Georgia, and Mary welcome guests Anne Sedlacek and TJ Gaertig of Save Briar East Woods to explore the 32-acre dune forest in Hammond, Indiana.

Briar East is the last sliver of a 4,700-year-old sand ridge, an urban forest sitting just south of steel mills and oil refineries, and it's doing the work of soaking up the stormwater that would otherwise be in somebody's basement.

The crew talks about how UChicago's Henry Cowles invented ecology on these very dunes, what Marc Berman's walk-in-the-park research says about nature and your brain, why fiction keeps casting tree defenders like Poison Ivy as the villain, and what the forest might actually say if we could learn to speak tree.

Jim and Georgia's Touch of Noir 2027 Wall Calendar —

12 months of all-original art by Jim and Georgia; orders open now, with mailing expected in September

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 discussed these questions on the episode and now want to Hear From You (leave a comment):

What’s a movie, show, or comic that villainizes nature, and did you catch it while watching?

Is there a patch of woods, a park, or a green space that anchors you to where you live? What would you lose if it were gone?

When’s the last time you were really out in nature, phone away? Did you feel the difference?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.

Future Episodes

Episode 80: Magic: the Power and Cost of Magic Systems

Guest: B.L.Mostyn

Episode 82: Climate Change and Data Centers

Guest: David Pincus, PhD

Episode 84: ET

Guest: Chris Guzman (@theboxinggloveartist)

Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-Appearances

Joe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe Compton

RHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben Tanzer

Events & Conventions to hang with the Crew:

Events & Conventions:

Dragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as Professional

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