In this mini recap of Episode 52, Joe and Nick return to the basement studio (Georgia’s feeling under the weather) to revisit the physics and biology of extreme performance and their chat with guest Hayley Reese Chow: author, ultramarathoner, retired Air Force engineer, and fencer.
The crew clears up some episode questions: Yes, whales can get the bends (decompression sickness), despite their lung-collapsing adaptations that normally prevent nitrogen buildup. Turns out, sudden ascents caused by human sonar or seismic activity can force whales to surface too quickly, forming dangerous nitrogen bubbles in their tissues, and scientists find evidence of this in stranded whales with bone lesions and internal damage. Joe also follows up on the book Crossed by Ally Condie, where the protagonist runs all night through dangerous canyons, mirroring the ancient Greek Marathon run that led to the race’s namesake. Speaking of Greece: Hayley mentioned the Spartathlon, a 153-mile ultramarathon that must be completed in 36 hours. Nick’s reaction? “That’s absolutely bonkers. Let’s do it.”
Also discussed: the D&D Satanic Panic of the ‘80s (which Stranger Things Season 4 leaned into), team relay races like Ragnar, and whether Joe listened to podcasts on 8-tracks. The crew shares their media picks: Stranger Things Season 5 finale, Fallout, Nope, When the Wolf Comes Home, Revenge of the Savage Planet, The End of the World As We Know It, Lose Your Mind by Josh Pais, and The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.
Find out more about our Episode 52 guest Hayley Reese Chow
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
Joe explores how many calories it would take to transform into monsters across sci-fi and horror—think 222 Big Macs and tubs of Cherry Garcia.
MARScon 2026 (January 16-18, Virginia Beach, VA)
Friday
6:00 PM — Salon L: Building a Magic System – Writing a magical system that actually makes sense
8:00 PM — Salon L: How to Navigate the NSFW Market – Writing spicy/NSFW fiction without losing money—or your reputation (Adults Only 18+)
Saturday
12:00 PM — Salon N: Science in Science Fiction—Oh My! – How much science is enough? With Gideon Smith, Joe Austin, and Gray Rinehart
1:00 PM — Salon N: From Current Lasers to Future Phasers! – Real science, medical uses, and sci-fi energy weapons
3:00 PM — Salon N: How to Dragon – Dragon science: fire breathing, flight, and fantasy biology
5:00 PM — Salon N: Donkey + Dragon = Babies?!? – The biology of cross-species hybrids in fantasy and real life
6:00 PM — Salon N: Seeing Small but Thinking Big: Shooting Electrons to Map the Brain – How electron microscopy is advancing modern medicine
7:00 PM — Salon L: Elements of a World: Magic, Religion, and Science – How culture, identity, and class shape worldbuilding
Podcast Cross-Appearances
RHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben Tanzer
Joe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe Compton
Upcoming Episodes
Episode 53 – Space Arks and Colonizing New Worlds
Guest: Roland Pitts
If Earth is no longer an option, what comes next? Roland Pitts helps us imagine space arks, generation ships, and building new civilizations in the stars.
Episode 54 – What's Love Got to Do with It?
Guest: Joe Compton Release:
Exploring the science of love, connection, and relationships just in time for Valentine's Day.
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!
