In Episode 75: The Mini, Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 74: Scorpion and the Other Chimeras — part two of their Spider-Man villain series featuring guest Erin C. Anthony, evolutionary ecologist and middle school science teacher — and dig into a few things that didn’t make it into the full episode.

Joe explain what organoids are, tiny, self-organizing 3D tissue cultures grown from stem cells that can mimic actual human organs, and why they are important in biomedical research. Including what happened when they sent some into space on the Artemis II mission.

Georgia wants to know more about the explosive diarrhea outbreak, caused by the microorganism Cyclospora cayetanensis, spreading across 31 states. What you should know about the parasite, and how to avoid catching it.

Joe goes down the science hole of CRISPR and epigenetics. Scientists are now targeting the chemical markers that sit on top of DNA, turning genes on and off without editing the genetic sequence directly. Plus: gut bacteria have a population-level survival trick that might change how we think about evolution.

The episode wraps with the crew going down the Media hole. Kirk Douglas in the 1951 noir Ace in the Hole, T. Kingfisher’s parasitic horror novel Wolf Worm, Maurice Broaddus’s steampunk Afro-SF Pimp My Airship, Beronda L. Montgomery’s When Trees Testify, Watch Dogs 2, Widows Bay, and Return to Silent Hill. Joe talks about his time at Shore Leave 46, and a shoutout from Friends of the Podcast, Alex with a GTA III trench coat wiki, and Liorean Doodles art work.

July 15th is the last day: Pre-Order: Touch of Noir 2027 Wall Calendar —

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

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:

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

Upcoming Episodes

*The Mini is every other episode!

Episode 76 – Spider-Man Villains Part 3: What His Villains Reveal About Him

Guest: Comic YouTuber, Alex Hanes (@Hanes4Heroes)

Episode 78 - Briar East Woods - Urban Deforestation

Guest: Anne Sedlacek

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

Guest: B.L.Mostyn

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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