In Episode 81: The Mini: Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 80: Magic — Power and Its Costs with author B.L. Mostyn, talk about the storm that swept through Chicagoland causing a 10-day power outage, and Joe fanboying at Fan Expo Chicago — where John Carpenter, Kurt Russell, and Keith David were all in the building for a The Thing reunion.

In Science Holes, the power outage sent Nick down a rabbit hole about the US electrical grid, and could the whole country go dark. Joe talks about the complex and ethical challenges of studying octopus neuroscience, and the science of 3D bioprinted skin for burn trauma victims.

In the Media Holes, Joe is reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Georgia just finished the graphic novel My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris, Nick rewatched some classics and started the Marvel RPG Midnight Suns, and Joe and Georgia dive into the Handwavium of The Last House.

Upcoming events: Joe has a live Zoom reading event on release day: free link in the show notes. And Dragon Con is right around the corner: Joe’s full panel schedule below.

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Order the Touch of Noir 2027 Wall Calendar by Jim and Georgia—

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

Words // Friends Aug 26th at 7pm CST:

Joe will be reading with four other authors on a Zoom hangout. Register now!

Check out what the RHR crew is creating:

Joe:

Named by the Guild Literary Complex as one of the 35 Writers to Watch!

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

Future Events to Hang with the Crew:

Podcast Cross-Appearances

Joe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe Compton

The RHR crew on Ben Tanzer's This podcast will change your life: episode three hundred seventy-nine

Events & Conventions:

Words // Friends Aug 26th at 7pm CST:

Joe will be reading with four other authors on a Zoom hangout. Register now!

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

Upcoming Episodes

*The Mini is every other episode!

Episode 82: Climate Change and Data Centers

Guest David Pincus PhD

Episode 84: ET

Guest: Chris Guzman (@theboxinggloveartist)

Episode 86: Disability in Horror

Guest: Grace Daly (Bram Stoker nominee)

It’s science for Weirdos

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Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next Rabbit Hole. Love Y'all!

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