In Episode 86 of the Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Georgia, and Mary (Nick had an emergency) are joined by Bram Stoker-nominated horror-comedy writer Grace Daly to dig into one of horror's oldest and laziest shortcuts: the different body as a signal of danger, evil, or tragedy. From ableist tropes and chronic invisible illness to eugenics, pregnancy horror, and the potential and ethics of gene editing, we explore what storytelling gets right, what it gets wrong and that a different body means danger. And don’t worry, Nick will be back next episode! Where to find Grace Daly: www.GraceDalyAuthor.com Order The Scald-Crow (Bram Stoker-nominated debut) Grace’s upcoming books The Star of Kilnaely (pronounced ‘kill-nay-lee’) - A fantasy/comedy novella set in a fantasy version in of the American Midwest, told in short stories inspired by both American and Irish folk music and tales, The Star of Kilnaely explores the beauty found in local ecology, community, and legends. Perfect for fans of The Princess Bride or Terry Pratchett. You just might find you live closer to Kilnaely, and to magic, than you think. Releasing November 17, 2026. Escapist Fiction (Pre-order Now) - Ostensibly about an alien hivemind that overtakes people’s bodies when they become too involved in the escapist media they are consuming, Escapist Fiction is an adult pick-a-path style novel with increased intensity: not only will you make choices, but you will be asked to solve puzzles, smear food on the pages, decorate paper dolls, stab the book, rip the book in half, and more! Ideal for fans of tabletop role-playing games, Black Mirror, video games like The Stanley Parable and Doki Doki Literature Club, and, of course, the classic Choose Your Own Adventure series. Releasing with Agita Publishing on February 16, 2027. Jim and Georgia's Touch of Noir 2027 Wall Calendar — 12 months of all-original art by Jim and Georgia; orders open now, with mailing expected in September 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. Leave a Comment. And for email alerts sign-up for the Substack newsletter and never miss an episode, exciting updates or the bonus images we talk about on the episodes. We discussed these questions on the episode and now want to Hear From You (leave a comment): Do you have a favorite horror film or book that you think gets disability representation right or spectacularly wrong? Has a chronic illness, injury, or disability, temporary or permanent, ever changed the way you experience or think about horror? If gene editing could edit out a condition that caused you intense pain but also reshaped who you are, would you do it? Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes. Future Episodes Episode 88: Crazies Recorded at Reed’s Local with Melissa and Luc Episode 90: Witch Please Guest: Bill Halliar (@skeletongue) Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-Appearances Joe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe Compton RHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben Tanzer Events & Conventions to hang with the Crew: Joe: Art show Ultrastructure: Science is Fun, with Carol Estes at Promise You Art House in Highland IN, October 10th, 10-3pm Family Day: Seeing the Invisible World to Build a New One; in conjunction with the fall exhibition: teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity, at the Smart Museum of Art In Hyde Park, IL, Nov 14th, 11-3pm Art and Science lecture about Zombies: Dec 10th Georgia: The inaugural 4th Street Print Fest at Chesterton Art Center, Saturday, October 3, from 1–4 PM For more stuff (Images, Episode Highlights, Notes and Fun Facts, events, etc), subscribe to our Substack newsletter! Join Rabbit Hole of Research on Discord: https://discord.gg/2nnmKgguFV Don’t forget to give us 5 stars or a like! Get full access to The Rabbit Hole of Research at jothamaustin.substack.com/subscribe
