The Mini: Spider-man Villains

About this episode

In Episode 77: The Mini, Joe, Nick, and Georgia recap Episode 76: Spider-Man: What His Villains Reveal About Him— the third and final part of their Spider-Man villain series featuring guest Alex Hanes of the YouTube channel Hanes for Heroes (@Hanes4Heros).

The crew briefly revisits the episode, speculates about which villains might show up in the new MCU Spider-Man: Brand New Day film, and Joe adds a thought that Captain America might have the closest hero origin story and moral struggles to Spider-Man’s. Georgia gives her opinion about Spider-Man’s most memorable moment is the Iron Man embrace in Infinity War.

In the Science Holes, Joe talks about:

A NYTimes report about ChatGPT near-fatal health advice lawsuit.

The idea of prediction betting on drug trial results and FDA decisions.

Connecting Doc Ock’s tentacle arms to real brain-machine interface research and a new study revealing how individual neurons build sentences one word at a time.

And at the buzzer, Joe sneaks in the SpudCell — the first fully synthetic artificial cell that can feed, grow, and divide. And Georgia thinks conspiracy.

Georgia discusses the axolotl, whose skin mucus shows early promise against drug-resistant bacteria and cancer cells.

Nick backs up his campfire claims with actual research showing fire lowers blood pressure and reduces stress — a teaser for Episode 78’s dive into the science of nature.

In the Media Holes:

The crew discusses the media they have been digging: Maximum Pleasure, Trying, Obsession, My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris, Pimp My Airship by Maurice Broaddus, and Palworld’s 1.0 update. Joe and Georgia also talks about the author event at Bucket O’Blood in Avondale with eight horror authors.

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 78 - Briar East Woods - Urban Deforestation

Guest: Anne Sedlacek

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

Guest: B.L.Mostyn

Episode 82: Climate Change and Data Centers

Returning Guest David Pincus PhD (episode 13 climate change and episode 39 on Johnny Storm)

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. And to see all the content (studio images and artwork) subscribe to the Rabbit Hole of Research newsletter!

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

Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe