Gav and Dave wade back into the increasingly unhinged world of prediction markets, starting with how Kalshi ended up fining and banning a handful of American politicians for betting on their own elections, which sounds small until you realize it’s basically insider trading with campaign posters.

Then, they pivot to the much less subtle case of a U.S. military operator getting arrested after allegedly pulling in over $400,000 on Polymarket by betting on the capture of Nicolás Maduro using classified information.

Are there more cases like this coming soon? Let us know what you think!

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Gav and Dave

Gav and Dave go back to college! This week, the guys talk about the financial crisis affecting higher education across the U.S., which segues into a much larger conversation about how and why higher education has gotten into dire straits, where the Sultans of Swing are hitting their enrollment numbers—and more importantly, their bottom lines.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t skimp on the comments and share it with a friend. Or, leave us a message. We always appreicate it!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin

Gav and Dave get their toes wet in jet fuel, the least glamorous substance floating around the global economy (maybe next to guano), and follow how price swings and current supply hiccups linked to the current shenanigans in the Strait of Hormuz are keeping airlines in a state of unease where ticket prices jump, routes quietly disappear, and everyone insists this is a normal behavior for a supposedly stale industry.

If you enjoyed the episode (or if we made a mistake and you want to call us out), leave us a comment, send us a comment—or an email.

We really appreciate your listenership and couldn’t be growing as fast as we are without YOU. Please, if you enjoyed it or learned something, send it to a friend.

Thanks from both of us On the Fringe,

Gav and Dave

In this episode of On The Fringe, Gav and Dave dig into the sudden collapse of the Board of Peace, because nothing says “stable international order” like an institution quietly disappearing mid-crisis.

We trace how internal fractures, economic short-falls, and a complete inability to enforce its own mandates turned what was supposed to be a conflict-dampening mechanism into just another casualty of the current geopolitical moment.

There will be knock-on effects cutting through regional alignments and the already frayed idea that anyone at the top is actually planning anything.

Does the Board of Peace have a chance despite being on life support? Let us know what you think!

Here’s a hot tip on the next big thing—prediction markets!

This week, Polymarket and Kalshi are going to court in California to find out whether or not the federal government or individual states have jurisdiction over them….and Donald Trump Jr. (a prominent investor/advisor to both and an actual board member of Kalshi) finds out whether or not he’s hit the jackpot.

This ruling will affect national security concerns, sports, celebrities, elections, and other events, big and small, worldwide. How do governments try to figure out how to regulate betting on whether the sun comes up tomorrow? We don’t know—and if you have any ideas, shoot us an email!

As always, thanks for listening! All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Gav and Dave

On the Fringe is supported by readers and listeners like you. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. We appreciate it!

When you see something online, do you honestly think it is genuine or has your best interest at heart?

In this episode, Dave and Gavin talk with Braden Frame, COO of Modern Cartographers based out of Austin. Braden is a medically retired firefighter and expert digital literacy educator who helps communities across the country stay safe and improve communication, among other things. In the chat, we navigate the landscape of how social media has changed in the last few years and can be leveraged to strengthen campaigns and communities.

We also dive into how we as average users of the internet can make a difference in our lives when we use AI positively as a tool to find solutions, not as the solution.

We end the podcast with a reminder from Braden that you don't want to miss.

www.moderncartographers.com

Meet Braden here

If you'd like to join us On the Fringe, shoot us an email at [email protected]

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On the Fringe is listener supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. We sincerely appreciate it!

The podcast, title, and description weren’t AI generated.

For roughly 6 weeks, Afghanistan and Pakistan have been fighting a hot war that has received very little coverage. Yet the ongoing conflict is impacting (and being impacted by) the Middle East and South Asia. We have been following it—and have even made episodes about it that we planned to release—but shelved them because they were stale by the release date.

This is a quick update about the last few weeks (and before) in that part of the world, two main causes of the war, and who is stepping up to quell the fighting.

If you learned something, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. We really appreciate it!

Take care from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin

A belated Eid Mubarak, Happy Easter, and Happy Passover to all. The last three weeks have come at a very sensitive time for hundreds of millions of people in the Middle East. Despite all of the differences, many still find faith as a cornerstone of their lives, especially when all looks lost.

Regardless of what you believe, let’s all keep hope close and remember the night is darkest just before dawn.

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin

Dave and Gav take apart the rise of prediction markets during wartime, where financial bets and gambling compulsions are on a collision with real-world violence…and reality.

With the ongoing Iran conflict, they examine how millions of dollars are being wagered on strikes, leadership challenges, and ceasefires, turning war into a tradable asset for the masses.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, or share. We truly appreciate it!

This week, Gav and Dave, joined by guest Leo Andolsek take a wide-angle view of the Balkans. Leo cuts through the noise in modern media to unpack the layered history, cultures, and persistent tensions of this fascinating corner of Europe.

Our chat connects the past and present in plain terms, winding through the rise and collapse of Yugoslavia and tiptoeing past the fault lines that still define relations between its successor states. Expect a focus on how historical memories, complex dynamics, and transcending nationalism shape all of these countries today.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share the podcast. We appreciate it!

The map of the Balkans in the top right corner was made by ImStevan and can be found on Wikimedia here: