In this episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, hosts Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by writer Maud Lavin to discuss her first novel, 'Mermaids and Lazy Activists.' The novel centers around the magic and environmental significance of Lake Michigan, exploring themes of climate anxiety, feminist resistance, and local ecology through the experiences of a mermaid and her human friend. Maud delves into her inspiration for the novel, her love for Lake Michigan, and her efforts to infuse humor into environmental activism. The episode also touches on various scientific aspects of water, pollution, and the mythical lore of freshwater mermaids, while highlighting the importance of environmental consciousness and the joy of preserving natural resources.
Links for Maud Lavin
Maud’s Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_Lavin
Event: Seminary Co-op Bookstore – Hyde Park, Chicago, IL
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Nonprofit: FLOW (For Love of Water)
Maud Lavin’s Books mentioned in episode
Swim Lessons, poetry (Tulipwood Books)
Mermaids and Lazy Activists: A Lake Michigan Tales, novel (From Beyond Press)
Check out what the RHR crew is creating:
Joe:
Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!
Essay by Joe: From Beyond Press: Specific Knowledge: Jotham Austin, II, PhD on Transformations in Fiction
Chicago Writers Association Podcast: Talkin’ Science Fiction with Joe Austin
It’s Science for Weirdos
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We want to Hear From You (leave a comment):
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by environmental issues—and responded with humor, art, or satire? Tell us about your version of “lazy activism.”
What mythological or pop culture figure do you associate with water? (Mermaids? Swamp Thing? Aquaman? Something unexpected?)
What’s your favorite lake, river, or body of water—and how has it shaped your relationship with nature? Share a story, memory, or photo.
If water had memory, what would it remember about you? Speculative answers encouraged.
Future Episodes & Events
Episodes:
Episode 45 – Ghosts/Graveyard (Recorded at the Horror House, Avondale, Chicago)
Guests: Moses and Vinny (Co-owners of Horror House, Avondale, Chicago)
The team explores hauntings, graveyard aesthetics, and the sociocultural afterlife
of ghost stories. Nick will be testing out a Ouija board during the episode—we’ll see what answers come through.
Episode 46 – Slashers (Recorded at Reed’s Local, Avondale, Chicago)
Guests: Jesse Andrus (Slasher Sauces) and Melissa (Co-owner of Reed’s)
Blades and booze collide as the crew unpacks the legacy of slasher films—from
80s VHS carnage to modern horror meta-commentary—live from a local bar with some spicy hot sauce.
Episode 47 – Who Goes There? The Thing and The Shape of Paranoia
Guests: Todd Thyberg (Angel Bomb) and Bill Halliar
A deep-dive into the horror of isolation, distrust, and shapeshifting terror through
the lens of The Thing. Expect philosophical chills.
Events:
Nothing Scheduled.
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Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!
Show Notes & Fun facts
Lake Michigan once had a mythical river: In Maud’s novel, the mermaid Evelyn swims from Lake Michigan through an imaginary river that connects to the Hudson. This blending of geography and myth is a recurring literary device that reshapes how we see our local environments.
“Lazy Activism” isn’t apathy—it’s resistance through alternative modes: Maud unpacks how satire, art, and daily joy (yes, even muffins!) can be acts of care and defiance when traditional activism feels inaccessible or overwhelming.
The Great Lakes are a massive freshwater system under stress: We touch on nutrient runoff, invasive species, and microplastic pollution—and how water “memory” and metaphor can make the science feel more intimate.
Maud supports the nonprofit FLOW (For Love of Water): The group works to protect the Great Lakes as a public trust—link below if you want to dive deeper.
Listen to The Deep: This American Life commissioned an original song, “The Deep,” from the hip-hop group clppng, featuring actor and Hamilton performer Daveed Diggs. The song is based on the underwater mythology of the 90s Detroit electro band Drexciya.
Diana of the Dunes – real-life historical figure and eco-symbol
Books, Media, and References from the Episode
Fiction & Books
Rolling in the Deep & Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (Speculative mermaid horror)
The Deep by Rivers Solomon (based on concept by clppng)
Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill (robot apocalypse sci-fi novel)
Films Mentioned
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Welcome to the Rabbit Hole of Research
Intro to the episode’s theme: water, storytelling, and speculative eco-fiction.
00:32 – Meet Our Special Guest: Maud Lavin
Maud joins the hosts and introduces the idea of “lazy activism.”
00:54 – Diving into the Novel: Mermaids and Lazy Activists
Overview of the novel’s premise and Lake Michigan’s central role.
02:24 – Exploring Water and Environmental Themes
The group discusses water as both scientific substance and metaphor.
04:19 – Mermaids, Activism, and Humor
Maud explains how satire, muffins, and mermaids resist eco-doom fatigue.
06:10 – The Lore of Freshwater Mermaids
A look at global freshwater mermaid myths and their emotional weight.
12:02 – Environmental Memory and Cultural Connections
They explore how personal and cultural narratives shape environmental consciousness.
19:18 – Mermaid Biology and World-Building
Speculative anatomy: gills, spines, gender, and underwater breath-holding.
28:15 – Diving into Mermaid World Building
How creating a mythic aquatic world invites readers into climate thought experiments.
29:06 – Exploring the Depths of Lake Michigan
Maud shares her own connection to the lake as site of memory, love, and action.
30:28 – The Great Lakes: A Vital Resource
A scientific aside on the Great Lakes as a crucial and vulnerable water system.
31:20 – Environmental Efforts and Challenges
The hosts and Maud touch on activism, burnout, and restoration initiatives.
34:19 – The Beauty and Mystery of Lake Michigan
From mist to microplastics: what makes the lake haunting and worth saving.
39:43 – Invasive Species and Their Impact
Maud and the hosts discuss zebra mussels, and ecological balance.
40:46 – The Importance of Water Conservation
A call to rethink everyday interactions with water and natural resources.
46:46 – Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts
Closing reflections, book recs, and a plug for Maud’s October 29th event Seminary Co-op Bookstore – Hyde Park, Chicago, IL).
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