In this mini recap of Episode 55: Directed Energy Weapons, the RHR crew recaps their conversation with guest Bruce Landay about the science (and Handwavium) behind energy weapons.
They break down natural EMP events: lightning, meteoric, and coronal mass ejections that could knock out power grids, how Faraday cages protect airplanes from electromagnetic interference, why the El Paso laser incident forced the FAA to shut down airspace, and how hypersonic missiles can maneuver and change targets mid-flight.
They discuss a listener’s comments about DIY directed energy weapons, a laser system that kills 30 mosquitoes per second, the 49ers’ EMF injury conspiracy theory, and a researcher who tested Havana Syndrome microwaves on himself (it didn’t go well).
In a brand-new segment, Nick highlights recent FDA breakthroughs: a wearable device for pancreatic cancer using low-intensity electrical fields (basically a wearable EMP), and an inhalable gene therapy mist for lung cancer.
Joe announces he’ll be at the Local Author Palooza on March 21st at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield, IL, and Georgia plugs the upcoming Slay the Lake event in Kenosha on April 18th (featuring a future RHR guest; Phrique).
Plus what media the crew has been digging: Joe’s reading Seanan McGuire’s Through Gates of Garnet and Gold, watching Wu-Tang: American Saga, Shrinking, and Beast Games. Nick marathoned Limetown and The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your House, plus Brandon Fraser’s Rental Family. Georgia’s devouring Rachel Harrison’s Cackle and listening to Welcome to Night Vale’s and anxiously waiting for Don’t Tell Alice the upcoming podcast sequel to Alice isn’t Dead.
Where to find Bruce Landay:
Substack column – Future Trends and Science Fiction:
Electromagnetic Assault goes on sale April 7th. Pre-Order Electromagnetic Assault on Amazon
Listen to Episode 55:
Energy Directed Weapons: Who Turned Off the Lights?
In the 55th episode of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, Georgia, and new co-host Mary are joined by guest Bruce Landay, former US Air Force officer and author of the upcoming near-future military techno-thriller Electromagnetic Assault (out April 7th-pre order now), for a deep dive into directed energy weapons, the science, the fiction, and everythin…
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:
Podcast Cross-Appearances
RHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben Tanzer
Events & Conventions:
Author palooza by New Book Joy at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield IL
March 21st 1-5pm
Creative Arts Summit: DIY Podcast Workshop at Lake County Public Library on May 23rd 2026
ConCarolinas - Charlotte, NC (May 29 – May 31, 2026 ) - Joe attending as Guest
Dragon Con - Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as Professional
Upcoming Episodes
Episode 56 – Medicine of the Future: From Fantasy to Patient Care
Guest: Davis Ashura
Exploring how science fiction inspires real medical innovation and what the future of patient care might look like.
Episode 57 – The Science of Chatbots & Human Connection
Guests: Lily & Generoso
Diving into AI communication, computational science, and how chatbots are reshaping human interaction with MIT scientist-turned-writer Lily and illustrator/filmmaker Generoso.
What the Crew is Digging, Links, Resources, and Topics Mentioned in mini and/or full episode:
Guest Information:
Bruce Landay – Former US Air Force officer, author of near-future military techno-thrillers
Electromagnetic Assault (releases April 7th) – Amazon
Author Website: brucelanday.com
Substack Column: Future Trends and Science Fiction
Bruce’s Upcoming Events:
Speaker at Lakefly Writers Conference (Oshkosh, WI) – May 1st
Book signing at Lakefly Book Fair (Oshkosh, WI) – May 2nd
Let’s Just Write! Chicago Writers Association Conference – June 20th
Real-World DEW Technology:
El Paso Laser Incident – Military anti-drone laser closes airspace (CNN Article)
FDA Approves Optune Pax for Pancreatic Cancer (February 12, 2026) – Wearable device using low-intensity alternating electrical fields
FDA Fast-Tracks Inhalable Gene Therapy for Lung Cancer – Modified herpes virus delivering immune-stimulating proteins
Photon Matri – Laser-based mosquito killer ($500-700, kills 30 bugs/second using LiDAR technology)
Researcher Tests Havana Syndrome Microwaves on Self (2024) – Did not go well
49ers EMF Injury Conspiracy – Viral theory linking electrical substation to soft tissue injuries
Technology & Defense Systems:
Faraday Cage – Conductive enclosure blocking electromagnetic fields (used in airplanes)
Hypersonic Weapons – Fly faster than Mach 5, can maneuver and change targets mid-flight
Neutron Bombs (Enhanced Radiation Weapons) – Maximize radiation while minimizing blast damage
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) – Uses laser light like radar uses radio waves
Laser Pointers – Output power >5 milliwatts can cause permanent retinal damage
Books Mentioned:
One Second After by William Forstchen (also One Year After and The Final Day trilogy)
Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire (Wayward Children #11)
Dear Writer by Maggie Smith
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
Limetown by Cote Smith
The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives In Your House (Welcome to Nightvale)
TV Shows & Films Mentioned:
Star Trek: The Next Generation – “Relics” (Season 6, Episode 4) – Scotty in transporter buffer
Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu)
Shrinking (Apple TV+)
Beast Games (Amazon)
Rental Family (Brandon Fraser film)
Podcasts & Audio:
Welcome to Nightvale
Alice Isn’t Dead (returning as Don’t Tell Alice in April 2026)
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