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
Listen to Episode 52:
The Physics and Biology of Extreme Performance
In this 52nd episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, the first episode of season 3, Joe, Nick, and Georgia are joined by author, Air Force engineer, and ultramarathoner Hayley Reese Chow to explore the physics and biology of extreme performance. They discuss what the human body can endure, where it breaks, and why we keep trying to push past the red line an…
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
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!
Future Events to Hang with the Crew:
Joe will be at 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
Exploring the science of love, connection, and relationships just in time for Valentine's Day.
What the Crew is Digging, Links, Resources, and Topics Mentioned in mini and/or full episode:
Science & Research
Decompression Sickness (The Bends) in Whales
Whales can get the bends despite lung-collapsing adaptations
Lung collapse mechanism: forces air into trachea, preventing nitrogen absorption
Oxygen stored in blood and muscles, not lungs
Evidence found in stranded whales: lesions, bone damage (especially sperm whales)
Caused by forced rapid ascents from human sonar/seismic surveys
D&D Satanic Panic of the 1980s
Cultural phenomenon referenced in Stranger Things Season 4
153-mile ultramarathon in Greece
Must be completed in 36 hours
Team relay ultramarathon events
Books Mentioned
Crossed (Matched book#2) by Ally Condie
Protagonist runs all night through dangerous Outer Provinces canyons to find Ky
Mirrors the ancient Greek Marathon run
The End of the World As We Know It (edited by Christopher Golden & Brian Keene)
Short story collection set in Stephen King’s The Stand universe
Explores connecting with emotional mindset
Using nervousness/anxiety to your advantage
Mental awareness and pushing through challenges
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Creative process and tapping into creativity
Keeping creative momentum flowing
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
Nick reading, Georgia recommended it.
Films & TV Shows
Stranger Things Season 5 (Netflix)
References D&D and 1980s nostalgia
“Conformity Gate” conspiracy theories about secret finale
Fallout (Prime Video)
RHR crew watching
Nope (Jordan Peele, 2022)
Nick just watched for first time
Sci-fi horror (unexpected genre for him)
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
Nick recommending to Joe
From creator of Gilmore Girls
Features Tony Hale
Discussed on Andy J. Pizza’s Creative Pep Talk podcast
Video Games
Cartoonish graphics, exploration game
Player fired from corporation, stuck in space
Gather materials to return to Earth
Nick currently playing
Really Bad Chess (mobile app)
Randomized piece setup based on rank
Joe playing to get back into chess
Forces strategic thinking outside traditional openings
Podcasts
Creative Pep Talk by Andy J. Pizza
Episode featuring creator of Sketch film
Discussed creative process
Board Games
Dark Tower (electronic game, 1981)
Joe still has and plays original Dark Tower game
Joe playing Dark Tower around 6 or 7 years old 
Georgia defeated the tower December 2025
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