https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/on-the-fringe--6694787
onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Reach out to us with any questions, comments, or if you'd like to be a guest at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>enNews CommentaryCopyright On The Fringehttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/b64c633a2fa19331e0fba945f5b36ba5.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/on-the-fringe--6694787Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:06:56 +0000Dave and GavinOn The Fringeonthefringe.podcast1@gmail.comThis is the podcast you need to understand under-the-radar big events, major players, technologies, and places that need more light in our rapidly changing world. onthefringepodcast.substack.com
onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Reach out to us with any questions, comments, or if you'd like to be a guest at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>trueepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/indonesia-s-ambitious-program-to-feed-millions-of-kids-is-a-window-into-the-country--73177987 (00:00:38) The podcast starts
(00:03:11) Challenges of implementing the MBG Program
(00:05:49) Indonesia's quiet public health and nutrition crisis
(00:08:39) The ambitious goals of the MBG Program
(00:11:40) One of the biggest challenges--local differences in interpretation of standards
(00:17:15) Local frustration about the MBG Program and future implications

In this episode, Dave and Gav dive into the Makanan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), pronounced as ‘em-bay-gay’ program.

This program was launched by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in January 2025 to combat child malnutrition and spur economic development across the country.

As two Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in Indonesia, we analyze the country's current political and economic state through the program and what this means for Indonesia going forward.

Did we hit the mark, or are we totally out to lunch on this episode? Let us know with a message or a comment! Or, reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

We wouldn’t be here without the support of our longstanding supporters and our new listeners in our growing On the Fringe Community. Thank you, as always, for tuning in!

All the best from both of us--terima kasih, semoga sukses, dan hati-hati!

Dave + Gav

The Indonesian flag in the cover art is from Wikimedia and can be found here:]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73177987Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:06:54 +0000Dave and GavinIn this episode, Dave and Gav dive into the Makanan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), pronounced as ‘em-bay-gay’ program. This program was launched by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in January 2025 to combat child malnutrition and spur economic... (00:00:38) The podcast starts
(00:03:11) Challenges of implementing the MBG Program
(00:05:49) Indonesia's quiet public health and nutrition crisis
(00:08:39) The ambitious goals of the MBG Program
(00:11:40) One of the biggest challenges--local differences in interpretation of standards
(00:17:15) Local frustration about the MBG Program and future implications

In this episode, Dave and Gav dive into the Makanan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), pronounced as ‘em-bay-gay’ program.

This program was launched by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in January 2025 to combat child malnutrition and spur economic development across the country.

As two Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in Indonesia, we analyze the country's current political and economic state through the program and what this means for Indonesia going forward.

Did we hit the mark, or are we totally out to lunch on this episode? Let us know with a message or a comment! Or, reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

We wouldn’t be here without the support of our longstanding supporters and our new listeners in our growing On the Fringe Community. Thank you, as always, for tuning in!

All the best from both of us--terima kasih, semoga sukses, dan hati-hati!

Dave + Gav

The Indonesian flag in the cover art is from Wikimedia and can be found here:]]>1204indonesia-child-malnutrition,indonesia-corruption,indonesia-development,indonesia-future,indonesia-insight,indonesia-mbg,indonesia-school-lunch,makanan-bergizi-gratis,mbg-program,prabowo-indonesia,prabowo-subiantofalse56fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-sad-tale-about-backpackers-getting-caught-up-in-local-problems-in-southeast-asia--73089350
Fast forward a year and a half, and charges have been laid against the owner of the distillery…over a $1,000 and just about a month in the big house. Needless to say, many of the grieving families, are less than happy about this.

Meanwhile, the Laotian government has been relatively non-plussed. We talk about why this is exactly and the context surrounding this sad incident.

Would the Laotian government have taken a different action had the tourists been from different countries? Shoot us an email and let us know: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

Looking for more background info? We covered this WAAAAAY back in 2024 focusing on travel safety in Southeast Asia.

Thanks for listening and all the best from both of us,

Dave + Gav ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73089350Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:21:03 +0000Dave and GavinOn November 13th 2024, a tragedy occurred in Vang Vieng, Laos. Six tourists from four countries lost their lives from unknowingly drinking methanol at a popular backpackers’ hostel. Fast forward a year and a half, and charges have been laid against...
Fast forward a year and a half, and charges have been laid against the owner of the distillery…over a $1,000 and just about a month in the big house. Needless to say, many of the grieving families, are less than happy about this.

Meanwhile, the Laotian government has been relatively non-plussed. We talk about why this is exactly and the context surrounding this sad incident.

Would the Laotian government have taken a different action had the tourists been from different countries? Shoot us an email and let us know: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

Looking for more background info? We covered this WAAAAAY back in 2024 focusing on travel safety in Southeast Asia.

Thanks for listening and all the best from both of us,

Dave + Gav ]]>593backpacking-southeast-asia,laos,laos-methanol,laos-travel,methanol-poisoning,southeast-asia,southeast-asia-travel,travel-horror-story,travel-safety,vang-vieng-laosfalse55bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/voter-equality-is-underrated-the-state-of-open-primaries-in-the-united-states-feat-chad-peace--73028047 (00:00:46) Podcast Intro
(00:01:40) An overview on Proposition 14: California's Game-changing primary election measure
(00:04:37) The impact of Proposition 14 on California's political and election landscape
(00:08:23) A comparision and analysis of primaries in California vs. Texas
(00:12:19) National election trends and voter participation
(00:16:02) Ranked choice voting in open primaries
(00:19:00) An underlying problem in all primaries: Low voter turnout
(00:23:01) The disenfranchisement and frustration of the American voter
(00:28:35) The future: primaries and voter reforms

This week, Dave and Gavin, sit down with Chad Peace, the founder and President of IVC Media, and attorney for the IVP (Independent Voter Project).

Chad is a prominent lawyer and activist who was a key part of the effort to pass Proposition 14, a voter initiative that implemented an open primary system in California.

During the chat, Chad gives a look at the state of voting reform on the state level across the United States and how it is both a non-partisan and bi-partisan issue. Taking a look at the state of open primaries and ranked choice voting might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but it is an interesting insight in to a story that is generally covered in a simple and usually misleading way.

To learn more about Chad’s work and IVC Media, go to: https://independentvoterproject.org/

To learn more about Independent Voter News, go to ivn.us

Independent Voter News was ranked as having a “Center” rating on AllSides and as being “Least biased, having high credibility, and providing factual information,” according to Media Bias / Fact Check.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73028047Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:30:33 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Dave and Gavin, sit down with Chad Peace, the founder and President of IVC Media, and attorney for the IVP (Independent Voter Project). Chad is a prominent lawyer and activist who was a key part of the effort to pass Proposition 14, a... (00:00:46) Podcast Intro
(00:01:40) An overview on Proposition 14: California's Game-changing primary election measure
(00:04:37) The impact of Proposition 14 on California's political and election landscape
(00:08:23) A comparision and analysis of primaries in California vs. Texas
(00:12:19) National election trends and voter participation
(00:16:02) Ranked choice voting in open primaries
(00:19:00) An underlying problem in all primaries: Low voter turnout
(00:23:01) The disenfranchisement and frustration of the American voter
(00:28:35) The future: primaries and voter reforms

This week, Dave and Gavin, sit down with Chad Peace, the founder and President of IVC Media, and attorney for the IVP (Independent Voter Project).

Chad is a prominent lawyer and activist who was a key part of the effort to pass Proposition 14, a voter initiative that implemented an open primary system in California.

During the chat, Chad gives a look at the state of voting reform on the state level across the United States and how it is both a non-partisan and bi-partisan issue. Taking a look at the state of open primaries and ranked choice voting might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but it is an interesting insight in to a story that is generally covered in a simple and usually misleading way.

To learn more about Chad’s work and IVC Media, go to: https://independentvoterproject.org/

To learn more about Independent Voter News, go to ivn.us

Independent Voter News was ranked as having a “Center” rating on AllSides and as being “Least biased, having high credibility, and providing factual information,” according to Media Bias / Fact Check.]]>1820american-democracy,american-government,california-proposition-14,campaign-financing,election-reform,jungle-primary,open-primaries,political-polarization,primary-elections,voter-disenfranchisementfalse54fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/is-insider-trading-the-secret-ingredient-to-digital-success-on-the-music-charts--72967716
Again, on this episode we return to the subject of insider trading, manipulation, and straight-up wire fraud and the almost limitless horizon of opportunities, some legitimate, some less so, offered by prediction markets.

This is just another act on the Dark Side of Prediction Markets. And, there will likely be more to come, not only in terms of more episodes on this topic, but also of how everyday life is increasingly manipulated for profit.

If you enjoyed the episode or want to throw some rocks, click below. We always appreciate the love from our growing On the Fringe community. If you're like to shoot us a message, reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com 

All the best from both of us,

Dave + Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72967716Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:49:59 +0000Dave and GavinHow does “Earrings,” a 2024 indie sleeper by Malcom Todd that nobody had ever heard of make it to No. 1 on the Spotify charts in 2026? Whatever the case, Spotify had to issue a mea culpa after Kalshi pointed out that bots programmed by some bad actors...
Again, on this episode we return to the subject of insider trading, manipulation, and straight-up wire fraud and the almost limitless horizon of opportunities, some legitimate, some less so, offered by prediction markets.

This is just another act on the Dark Side of Prediction Markets. And, there will likely be more to come, not only in terms of more episodes on this topic, but also of how everyday life is increasingly manipulated for profit.

If you enjoyed the episode or want to throw some rocks, click below. We always appreciate the love from our growing On the Fringe community. If you're like to shoot us a message, reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com 

All the best from both of us,

Dave + Gav]]>560malcom-todd-earrings,market-manipulation-kalshi,prediction-markets-crime,spotify-kalshi,spotify-malcom-todd,spotify-no-1-song,spotify-number-1false53bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-gavin-and-spongebob-have-in-common-bonus-episode--72951025
You’ll also hear a tidbit about why a Korean Driver’s license is powerful, arguably more so than the Dear Leader himself.
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72951025Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:20:14 +0000Dave and GavinBefore we recorded our planned episode yesterday, we spontaneously jumped into talking about driving, Korea, and North Korea. And now, I know why Gavin has never suggested renting a car.  You’ll also hear a tidbit about why a Korean Driver’s license...
You’ll also hear a tidbit about why a Korean Driver’s license is powerful, arguably more so than the Dear Leader himself.
]]>673american-cant-drive,bonus-episode,international-drivers-license,korean-drivers-license,no-car-america,no-drivers-license,north-korea-drivers-license,spongebob-squarepants,spongebob-squarepants-drivefalse5bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/will-congress-solution-to-protect-american-kids-from-ai-slop-work--72856664 (00:00:52) Overview of two of the key pieces of legislation moving through Congress
(00:03:13) Commonalities between and implications of the bills
(00:07:08) Regulatory framework and enforcement (a major weakness)
(00:09:13) A key solution the bill lacks--digital literacy and edcuation
(00:10:20) Future considerations if the KIDS Act and the Safe Kids Act become law

This week on the pod, Dave and Gav get into it about the SAFE Kids Act and other pieces of legislation regarding AI chatbots, social media, and child safety which put the burden on companies and big tech.

As legislators around the world play catch-up with the social, economic, and legal implications of AI, we talk about how Constitutional rights may find themselves more in the crossfire—or in the crosshairs. 

This episode is part of our rolling coverage of developments involving AI and education.

We’ve covered whether a college degree is worth it and what the front lines of preparing for an AI future look like. It’s likely not where you’d think!

If you enjoyed the episode, shoot us a message, restack, and pass us some love and feedback. Please take a second to give us a quick star rating.

We sincerely appreciate all the growing support our On the Fringe community provides. 

All the best from both of us,

Dave and Gav

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72856664Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:51:49 +0000Dave and GavinThis week on the pod, Dave and Gav get into it about the SAFE Kids Act and other pieces of legislation regarding AI chatbots, social media, and child safety which put the burden on companies and big tech. As legislators around the world play catch-up... (00:00:52) Overview of two of the key pieces of legislation moving through Congress
(00:03:13) Commonalities between and implications of the bills
(00:07:08) Regulatory framework and enforcement (a major weakness)
(00:09:13) A key solution the bill lacks--digital literacy and edcuation
(00:10:20) Future considerations if the KIDS Act and the Safe Kids Act become law

This week on the pod, Dave and Gav get into it about the SAFE Kids Act and other pieces of legislation regarding AI chatbots, social media, and child safety which put the burden on companies and big tech.

As legislators around the world play catch-up with the social, economic, and legal implications of AI, we talk about how Constitutional rights may find themselves more in the crossfire—or in the crosshairs. 

This episode is part of our rolling coverage of developments involving AI and education.

We’ve covered whether a college degree is worth it and what the front lines of preparing for an AI future look like. It’s likely not where you’d think!

If you enjoyed the episode, shoot us a message, restack, and pass us some love and feedback. Please take a second to give us a quick star rating.

We sincerely appreciate all the growing support our On the Fringe community provides. 

All the best from both of us,

Dave and Gav

]]>854ai-legislation,ai-policy,ai-slop,artifical-intelligence,child-safety,deepfakes,digital-literacy-kids,digital-rights,future-of-ai,generative-ai,kids-act,online-safety,protect-kids-online,safe-kids-act,us-congressfalse52fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/we-came-we-trained-the-locals-we-got-the-hell-out-the-u-s-military-s-recent-mission-to-nigeria--72828642
The strategic aims apparently having been met, the US’s engagement, which began with a barrage of Tomahawks on Christmas Day last year, has been wrapped up. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has taken pains to highlight how information sharing between the two countries continues despite a physical withdrawal.

Does the withdrawal mean mission accomplished for the U.S.? For the Nigerians? Let us know what you think!

Here's our episode on why West Africa is falling to jihadists.

All the best from both of us,

Dave and Gavin

The AFRICOM Seal is from wikimedia and can be found here
The Nigerian Flag is from wikimedia and can be found here]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72828642Sun, 05 Jul 2026 17:17:24 +0000Dave and GavinFive months after the quiet announcement that American troops were being deployed in Nigeria to combat the local IS franchise, an even quieter announcement that the 200-ish deployment has already come to an end. The strategic aims apparently having...
The strategic aims apparently having been met, the US’s engagement, which began with a barrage of Tomahawks on Christmas Day last year, has been wrapped up. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has taken pains to highlight how information sharing between the two countries continues despite a physical withdrawal.

Does the withdrawal mean mission accomplished for the U.S.? For the Nigerians? Let us know what you think!

Here's our episode on why West Africa is falling to jihadists.

All the best from both of us,

Dave and Gavin

The AFRICOM Seal is from wikimedia and can be found here
The Nigerian Flag is from wikimedia and can be found here]]>523africom-nigeria,isis-west-africa,lake-chad-nigeria,nigeria-isis,strategic-engagement-nigeria,us-military-counterterrorism,us-military-short-deployment,us-nigeria-intelligence,us-nigeria-military-deployment,west-africa-fight-terrorismfalse5fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-big-thank-you-from-dave-and-gavin-as-we-come-up-on-2-years--72812049
We appreciate and enjoy your continued support—and we have more on the way!

All the best from both of us,

Dave + Gav ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72812049Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:27:59 +0000Dave and GavinHello, On the Fringe Community! Here’s a quick thank you message as we wrap up season.  We appreciate and enjoy your continued support—and we have more on the way! All the best from both of us, Dave + Gav 
We appreciate and enjoy your continued support—and we have more on the way!

All the best from both of us,

Dave + Gav ]]>299dave-bowling,gavin-lucky,thank-you-episodefalse4bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-mistaken-identity-it-s-all-in-the-name-on-the-fringe--72811860
In the last couple of years, there have been several other On the Fringe podcasts that have come out. For the first time in both our lives (Dave + Gavin), we are being confused for someone else—and to be honest, it’s kind of weird and funny for both of us. 

Since we set up On the Fringe 2 years ago, we’ve done this as a hobby and a labor of love. It’s fun for Gavin + I, and we are talking about taking the podcast more seriously going forward—i.e. having a clearer upload schedule, producing more exclusive content for subscribers and loyal listeners, and monetizing the show.

When we do decide to monetize the show, we will keep you all informed :)

And if you have any ideas that could help us to build our show going forward, they’re ALWAYS welcome. Shoot us a message or an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

All the best from both of us On the Fringe!

Dave and Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72811860Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:23:03 +0000Dave and GavinTwo people with uncommon names find out for the first time what it’s like having a common name + being confused for someone else. In the last couple of years, there have been several other On the Fringe podcasts that have come out. For the first time...
In the last couple of years, there have been several other On the Fringe podcasts that have come out. For the first time in both our lives (Dave + Gavin), we are being confused for someone else—and to be honest, it’s kind of weird and funny for both of us. 

Since we set up On the Fringe 2 years ago, we’ve done this as a hobby and a labor of love. It’s fun for Gavin + I, and we are talking about taking the podcast more seriously going forward—i.e. having a clearer upload schedule, producing more exclusive content for subscribers and loyal listeners, and monetizing the show.

When we do decide to monetize the show, we will keep you all informed :)

And if you have any ideas that could help us to build our show going forward, they’re ALWAYS welcome. Shoot us a message or an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

All the best from both of us On the Fringe!

Dave and Gav]]>527common-name,funny-story,identity-crisis,misidentification,mistaken-identity,name-taken,podcast-growth,podcast-identity,podcast-mistaken-identityfalse4bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bears-gone-wild-2--72706229
Dave and Gav discuss why the problem keeps getting worse, propose radical solutions (especially for Japan), and why Japanese politicians continue to struggle with their ursine neighbors.

What do you think Japan should do? Are they right on the money, or out to lunch like Yogi and Boo Boo digging thru a pic-a-nic basket? 

We covered the problem previously in Season 3. Here's a link to it. 

If you enjoyed the episode, drop us an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com and send a couple of stars our way. We sincerely appreciate our growing On the Fringe Community.

All the best from both of us, 

Dave and Gav ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72706229Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:05:44 +0000Dave and GavinIn this episode, Gav and Dave tackle the continuing problem of bear attacks in Japan by looking at a recent incident involving a smarter than average bear. As rural communities shrink and bears push into populated areas, especially in Tohoku, the...
Dave and Gav discuss why the problem keeps getting worse, propose radical solutions (especially for Japan), and why Japanese politicians continue to struggle with their ursine neighbors.

What do you think Japan should do? Are they right on the money, or out to lunch like Yogi and Boo Boo digging thru a pic-a-nic basket? 

We covered the problem previously in Season 3. Here's a link to it. 

If you enjoyed the episode, drop us an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com and send a couple of stars our way. We sincerely appreciate our growing On the Fringe Community.

All the best from both of us, 

Dave and Gav ]]>540bear-hunting,black-bear-attack,fukushima-iwate-akita-bear,japan,japan-bear-attacks,japan-bear-hunter,japan-bear-problem,japan-depopulation,rural-japan-depopulation,tohoku-bear-problem,tohoku-japanfalse430bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-bishnoi-gang-is-quietly-squeezing-canada--72639931
In this episode, Dave and Gav look at the rise of the irrepressible Bishnoi Gang in Canada and what it says about the continuing evolution of transnational crime. They trace how a gang rooted in northern India developed reach far beyond its home turf, and connect that story to scandals surrounding Cricket Canada, where allegations of corruption and questionable leadership have cast a shadow over the sport.

The result is an episode about the depressing ease with which institutions can be bent to serve interests they were never meant to protect and harm those they are intended to represent.

If you enjoyed the episode, please hit the subscribe button, send a few stars our way, and share the podcast with a friend. You can also reach out to us at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com 

Thank you, as always for listening to On the Fringe. We sincerely appreciate it!

All the best from both of us,

Dave and Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72639931Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:43:52 +0000Dave and GavinCanada’s in a sticky situation…and, it’s not from maple syrup! In this episode, Dave and Gav look at the rise of the irrepressible Bishnoi Gang in Canada and what it says about the continuing evolution of transnational crime. They trace how a gang...
In this episode, Dave and Gav look at the rise of the irrepressible Bishnoi Gang in Canada and what it says about the continuing evolution of transnational crime. They trace how a gang rooted in northern India developed reach far beyond its home turf, and connect that story to scandals surrounding Cricket Canada, where allegations of corruption and questionable leadership have cast a shadow over the sport.

The result is an episode about the depressing ease with which institutions can be bent to serve interests they were never meant to protect and harm those they are intended to represent.

If you enjoyed the episode, please hit the subscribe button, send a few stars our way, and share the podcast with a friend. You can also reach out to us at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com 

Thank you, as always for listening to On the Fringe. We sincerely appreciate it!

All the best from both of us,

Dave and Gav]]>959bishnoi-gang,bishnoy-gang,canada,canada-india-relations,canada-police-letter,cricket-canada,cricket-world-cup,crime-extortion,extortion-crisis,generational-shift-crime,india-crime,international-cricket,match-fixing-crime,organized-crime,professional-sports-betting,sam-kaneda,scandal,surry-bc,transnational-crime,true-crimetrue429fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/technology-in-sudan-s-civil-war-is-changing-modern-warfare--72528061
Listen in and learn why countries are increasingly turning to autonomous weapons on the battlefield, why the Sudanese Armed Forces are adopting drones, and what this may mean for future wars and military supply chains. 

Going deeper, will single suppliers be arming opposing sides, or will more autonomous weapons lead combat operations in the future? Will this trigger an arms race for more autonomous weaponry? What's your take?

Let us know at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin 

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72528061Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:06:36 +0000Dave and GavinIn recent weeks, autonomous Akıncı drones flown by the Sudanese Armed Forces (and likely the Ethiopians for the RSF) went head-to-head, marking the first recorded event of two autonomous weapons facing off. Both drones came from the same manufacturer,...
Listen in and learn why countries are increasingly turning to autonomous weapons on the battlefield, why the Sudanese Armed Forces are adopting drones, and what this may mean for future wars and military supply chains. 

Going deeper, will single suppliers be arming opposing sides, or will more autonomous weapons lead combat operations in the future? Will this trigger an arms race for more autonomous weaponry? What's your take?

Let us know at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin 

]]>513arms-race,asymetric-warfare,autonomous-weapons,bayraktar-akinci,east-africa,emerging-technology,ethiopia-sudan,ethiopia-sudan-uae,first-autonomous-drone-combat,future-war,future-warfare,geopolitics,military-innovation,military-readiness,russia-autonomous-weapons,sudan-civil-war,turkey-bayraktar,turkey-dronefalse427fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-terminator-age-has-begun--72492715Some countries are betting on it, while others are taking baby steps. 

We’ve got a short episode about what autonomous weapons are, what they do, and why they could be consequential to the future of war and humanity, much like other parts of the AI boom that we are living in.

Please do us a favor and give us a rating or drop a comment on Apple Podcasts if you enjoyed it. We love hearing from our audience!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav

If you'd like to join us On the Fringe, shoot us an email! onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72492715Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:00:27 +0000Dave and GavinWill algorithms be better decision makers than humans when it REALLY counts?  Some countries are betting on it, while others are taking baby steps.  We’ve got a short episode about what autonomous weapons are, what they do, and why they could be...Some countries are betting on it, while others are taking baby steps. 

We’ve got a short episode about what autonomous weapons are, what they do, and why they could be consequential to the future of war and humanity, much like other parts of the AI boom that we are living in.

Please do us a favor and give us a rating or drop a comment on Apple Podcasts if you enjoyed it. We love hearing from our audience!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav

If you'd like to join us On the Fringe, shoot us an email! onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>546aerial-warfare,ai-drone,algorithm-decision-making,autonomous-drone,autonomous-weapon,drone-warfare,future-of-humanity,future-weapons-war,human-capacity,russia-ukraine-war,sudan-ethiopia,terminatorfalse426fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-counterfeit-chinese-spy-ops-and-a-possible-future-view-of-america-feat-dr-ralph-defalco--72121756 (00:00:49) Introducing Dr. Ralph DeFalco III
(00:02:52) The Counterfeit: A geopolitical thriller as described by the author
(00:08:40) Crafting a realistic scenario and characters
(00:17:28) Layers of depth and meaning in the novel
(00:20:16) How things change: creeping normalcy
(00:26:13) Historical context, modern, and historic parallels
(00:32:05) Final thoughts and where to find out more about the book

A former intelligence professional provides an authentic look at intelligence operations and a potential dark future for the United States--in a gripping work of fiction. 

In this episode, Dave and Gav sit down with Dr. Ralph DeFalco, author of The Counterfeit, retired Naval Officer, and a national security operative with more than fifty years of experience, to talk about Chinese influence campaigns, economic coercion, and the blurry line between fiction and forecasting in the intelligence world.

The conversation explores how speculative fiction can function almost like strategic modeling, where imagined crises have a habit of becoming uncomfortably plausible a few years later. Dr. DeFalco talks about plotting a novel as a labour of love and how he drew from history to create a believable and authentic environment. On the Fringe also taps into how influence actually works in practice and why democracies continue to struggle to respond to slow-moving forms of pressure.

One thing I (Dave) forgot to mention in the interview is that I felt the book shines a light into Chinese society under the CCP, specifically about how the Chinese Communist Party secures the Chinese state, how Chinese intelligence operations are conducted, and how information is tightly controlled in China behind the great firewall.

If you’re hooked, here’s a link to bookshop.org to purchase the book.
(we make ZERO commission) 

As always, thanks as always for joining us On the Fringe and don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. 

All the best from both of us,
Gav and Dave]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72121756Sun, 07 Jun 2026 20:26:53 +0000Dave and GavinA former intelligence professional provides an authentic look at intelligence operations and a potential dark future for the United States--in a gripping work of fiction.  In this episode, Dave and Gav sit down with Dr. Ralph DeFalco, author of The... (00:00:49) Introducing Dr. Ralph DeFalco III
(00:02:52) The Counterfeit: A geopolitical thriller as described by the author
(00:08:40) Crafting a realistic scenario and characters
(00:17:28) Layers of depth and meaning in the novel
(00:20:16) How things change: creeping normalcy
(00:26:13) Historical context, modern, and historic parallels
(00:32:05) Final thoughts and where to find out more about the book

A former intelligence professional provides an authentic look at intelligence operations and a potential dark future for the United States--in a gripping work of fiction. 

In this episode, Dave and Gav sit down with Dr. Ralph DeFalco, author of The Counterfeit, retired Naval Officer, and a national security operative with more than fifty years of experience, to talk about Chinese influence campaigns, economic coercion, and the blurry line between fiction and forecasting in the intelligence world.

The conversation explores how speculative fiction can function almost like strategic modeling, where imagined crises have a habit of becoming uncomfortably plausible a few years later. Dr. DeFalco talks about plotting a novel as a labour of love and how he drew from history to create a believable and authentic environment. On the Fringe also taps into how influence actually works in practice and why democracies continue to struggle to respond to slow-moving forms of pressure.

One thing I (Dave) forgot to mention in the interview is that I felt the book shines a light into Chinese society under the CCP, specifically about how the Chinese Communist Party secures the Chinese state, how Chinese intelligence operations are conducted, and how information is tightly controlled in China behind the great firewall.

If you’re hooked, here’s a link to bookshop.org to purchase the book.
(we make ZERO commission) 

As always, thanks as always for joining us On the Fringe and don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share. 

All the best from both of us,
Gav and Dave]]>2118america-lose-war-china,ccp,chicago-democratic-convention,china-america-war,chinese-communist-party,corruption,dhs,dystopian-novel,future-america-china,intelligence-operations-china,naval-intelligence,police-state,ralph-defalco,spy-thriller-book,the-counterfeit,us-china-taiwan,us-china-warfalse425fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-prediction-market-legal-slugfest-between-states-and-the-feds-is-going-12-rounds--72360862
Why is it so important that the Feds are likely going to throw the book at him? It all comes down to regulation and who is in charge of prediction markets. 

What’s your take on the future of prediction markets? Will they be state, or federally regulated? If you enjoyed the episode, restack, share it, and let us know. We sincerely appreciate it!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav

If you have any insight for us, or would like to be a guest, shoot us a message at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72360862Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:52:30 +0000Dave and GavinIn recent days, a now former Google software engineer, Michele Spagnuolo, was arrested and charged by the Feds in New York for wire fraud, insider trading, and a laundry list of financial crimes for using information gained from his position to make...
Why is it so important that the Feds are likely going to throw the book at him? It all comes down to regulation and who is in charge of prediction markets. 

What’s your take on the future of prediction markets? Will they be state, or federally regulated? If you enjoyed the episode, restack, share it, and let us know. We sincerely appreciate it!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav

If you have any insight for us, or would like to be a guest, shoot us a message at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com ]]>724blockchain-arrest-suspect,circuit-court-decision,crypto-wallet,google-employee,insider-trading-arrest,insider-trading-polymarket,michele-spagnuolo,prediction-market-regulation,regulation-state-federal,supreme-court-decision,true-crimefalse424fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cia-doesn-t-have-a-big-enough-broom-for-the-gold-bar-dave-scandal--72265924 (00:05:32) The craziest part and biggest miss of the investigation
(00:08:25) Implications of the breach and why the FBI and IRS should leave no stone unturned

In this episode, Dave and Gavin dive into a wild tale, and what may be the biggest publicly acknowledged counterintelligence failure in the 21st century for the U.S. Government that could lead to serious repercussions. 

Former officer David “Gold Bar Dave” Rush, who allegedly worked in the agency’s Science and Technology Directorate, was recently arrested after fabricating his time sheets, and likely worse—hoarding 300 kilograms of gold bars from the agency for several months.

After his arrest, the FBI also discovered several million dollars in cash, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in luxury watches in his house. Moreover, it’s now been discovered that Rush had weaved an intricate web of lies that the agency and DoD (now the Department of War) had fallen for (or ignored) for over a decade, including lies about every credential he had for almost two decades. He had also joined the Senior Executive Service (SES) as one of the top civil servants in the U.S. Government.

Here is the affidavit outlining Rush’s charges.

If Rush’s charges are factually true and he is deemed to be guilty, these events point to critical missteps and tremendous failures that may lead to incredible damage to the United States once (if) the full story ever comes out, and, it should be a serious wakeup call for the U.S. intelligence community about how they vet officers working with some of the most sensitive information, in some of the most sensitive positions in the country. 

This is our take. Are we right on the money, or off by a long shot? 

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe--and leave us a star rating :)  If you'd like to join us on the show, reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

We sincerely appreciate your listenership, feedback, and our growing On the Fringe Community. 

All the best from both of us,

Dave and Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72265924Sun, 31 May 2026 20:49:29 +0000Dave and GavinIn this episode, Dave and Gavin dive into a wild tale, and what may be the biggest publicly acknowledged counterintelligence failure in the 21st century for the U.S. Government that could lead to serious repercussions.  Former officer David “Gold Bar... (00:05:32) The craziest part and biggest miss of the investigation
(00:08:25) Implications of the breach and why the FBI and IRS should leave no stone unturned

In this episode, Dave and Gavin dive into a wild tale, and what may be the biggest publicly acknowledged counterintelligence failure in the 21st century for the U.S. Government that could lead to serious repercussions. 

Former officer David “Gold Bar Dave” Rush, who allegedly worked in the agency’s Science and Technology Directorate, was recently arrested after fabricating his time sheets, and likely worse—hoarding 300 kilograms of gold bars from the agency for several months.

After his arrest, the FBI also discovered several million dollars in cash, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in luxury watches in his house. Moreover, it’s now been discovered that Rush had weaved an intricate web of lies that the agency and DoD (now the Department of War) had fallen for (or ignored) for over a decade, including lies about every credential he had for almost two decades. He had also joined the Senior Executive Service (SES) as one of the top civil servants in the U.S. Government.

Here is the affidavit outlining Rush’s charges.

If Rush’s charges are factually true and he is deemed to be guilty, these events point to critical missteps and tremendous failures that may lead to incredible damage to the United States once (if) the full story ever comes out, and, it should be a serious wakeup call for the U.S. intelligence community about how they vet officers working with some of the most sensitive information, in some of the most sensitive positions in the country. 

This is our take. Are we right on the money, or off by a long shot? 

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe--and leave us a star rating :)  If you'd like to join us on the show, reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

We sincerely appreciate your listenership, feedback, and our growing On the Fringe Community. 

All the best from both of us,

Dave and Gav]]>78840-million-gold,aldrich-ames,arrest-cia-officer,cia,computer-science,counterintelligence,credential-fabrication,david-rush-cia,diamonds-gold-money-laundering,gold-bar-cia,gold-bars,gold-bars-home,imposter-syndrome,intelligence-failure,intelligence-technology,intelligence-tradecraft,luxury-watches,science-tech-development,tradecraft,us-intelligencefalse423fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-slower-the-strait-of-hormuz-gets-the-faster-things-move-in-the-gulf--72154312 (00:01:11) Podcast Starts here: Barnacles are growing on ships
(00:05:37) Ramifications at the ballot box in November if shipping slows more
(00:08:34) Changes in regional dynamics in the last three months
(00:11:20) Existential issues for Pakistan--and Israel
(00:14:09) The Gulf will be hotter and more crowded than before February 28

While marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has slowed down in the last few months, (Barnacles!) things are moving fast in the Gulf. And these events may be a signal that Pax Americana is ending in the region. 

In this episode, Gav and Dave dig into the stagnant security environment in the Gulf, where stranded cargo ships collecting barnacles have become a symbol of a region stuck in limbo, with trade still moving but nobody feeling particularly good about it. This week’s conversation connects maritime insecurity and rising shipping costs to the growing role of Pakistan as a formal military partner for Gulf states that is trying to convince parties outside the region that it’s a neutral third-party mediator.

Dave and Gav also get into why negotiations keep going nowhere, talking on how the major players all want wildly differing outcomes and operate under political systems that reward displays of dominance and over the top claims more than compromise, leaving the region trapped in a crisis everyone claims to want resolved and nobody seems to want to settle.

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, like, comment, and leave us a quick 1 word review. We sincerely appreciate it!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72154312Mon, 25 May 2026 13:44:23 +0000Dave and GavinWhile marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has slowed down in the last few months, (Barnacles!) things are moving fast in the Gulf. And these events may be a signal that Pax Americana is ending in the region.  In this episode, Gav and Dave dig into... (00:01:11) Podcast Starts here: Barnacles are growing on ships
(00:05:37) Ramifications at the ballot box in November if shipping slows more
(00:08:34) Changes in regional dynamics in the last three months
(00:11:20) Existential issues for Pakistan--and Israel
(00:14:09) The Gulf will be hotter and more crowded than before February 28

While marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has slowed down in the last few months, (Barnacles!) things are moving fast in the Gulf. And these events may be a signal that Pax Americana is ending in the region. 

In this episode, Gav and Dave dig into the stagnant security environment in the Gulf, where stranded cargo ships collecting barnacles have become a symbol of a region stuck in limbo, with trade still moving but nobody feeling particularly good about it. This week’s conversation connects maritime insecurity and rising shipping costs to the growing role of Pakistan as a formal military partner for Gulf states that is trying to convince parties outside the region that it’s a neutral third-party mediator.

Dave and Gav also get into why negotiations keep going nowhere, talking on how the major players all want wildly differing outcomes and operate under political systems that reward displays of dominance and over the top claims more than compromise, leaving the region trapped in a crisis everyone claims to want resolved and nobody seems to want to settle.

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, like, comment, and leave us a quick 1 word review. We sincerely appreciate it!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav ]]>1337arabian-gulf,balance-of-power,barnacles,disruption,gulf,iran-disarm-nuclear,iran-war,israel-iran-war,lloyds-insurance,maritime-insecurity,pakistan-mediator-iran,persian-gulf,qatar-pakistan-mediator-iran,saudi-arabia,saudi-pakistan,strait-of-hormuz,trump-iran-war,turkey,uae,us-election-novemberfalse422fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rebuilding-democracy-from-the-ground-up-the-digital-democracy-project-feat-ramon-perez--72121432 (00:00:52) Introducing our guest, Ramon Perez and the Digital Democracy Project
(00:03:18) The motivation behind the Digital Democracy Project
(00:06:05) Gerrymandering, a major flaw in the current U.S. political system
(00:09:10) More gerrymandering leads to more political apathy
(00:11:57) Technology in democracy and electoral processes
(00:14:39) A growing crisis of trust in politics, leaders, and media
(00:17:26) AI as a cutting-edge tool for the masses to understand legislation
(00:23:22) The future of American democracy

Politics in the U.S. is a winner-take-all system. If there is no letting up as the country is becoming more polarized, how can voters still hold their elected officials accountable? There may be a solution! 

In this episode, Gav and Dave speak with Ramon Perez, AI technology executive and military veteran, from the Digital Democracy Project about the misaligned incentive structures shaping modern politics in America. Rather than treating misinformation or polarization as isolated failures, the discussion focuses on how platforms, lobbyists, media organizations, and representatives are rewarded for behavior that undermines trust and pushes the national discourse toward conflict.
The result is an environment where bad incentives become self-reinforcing, moderation becomes risky and systems built to increase engagement slowly start influencing how institutions govern themselves, an alarming foundation for public life.

But there’s hope—as long as we’re actively involved and actively participate in the process.

Go to https://vote.gov/ to register to vote if you haven’t!

To find out more about the Digital Democracy Project, go to: https://digitaldemocracyproject.org/
If you enjoyed the episode, like, comment, share, and subscribe with a friend. We sincerely appreciate it!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,
Dave and Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72121432Fri, 22 May 2026 22:26:47 +0000Dave and GavinPolitics in the U.S. is a winner-take-all system. If there is no letting up as the country is becoming more polarized, how can voters still hold their elected officials accountable? There may be a solution!  In this episode, Gav and Dave speak with... (00:00:52) Introducing our guest, Ramon Perez and the Digital Democracy Project
(00:03:18) The motivation behind the Digital Democracy Project
(00:06:05) Gerrymandering, a major flaw in the current U.S. political system
(00:09:10) More gerrymandering leads to more political apathy
(00:11:57) Technology in democracy and electoral processes
(00:14:39) A growing crisis of trust in politics, leaders, and media
(00:17:26) AI as a cutting-edge tool for the masses to understand legislation
(00:23:22) The future of American democracy

Politics in the U.S. is a winner-take-all system. If there is no letting up as the country is becoming more polarized, how can voters still hold their elected officials accountable? There may be a solution! 

In this episode, Gav and Dave speak with Ramon Perez, AI technology executive and military veteran, from the Digital Democracy Project about the misaligned incentive structures shaping modern politics in America. Rather than treating misinformation or polarization as isolated failures, the discussion focuses on how platforms, lobbyists, media organizations, and representatives are rewarded for behavior that undermines trust and pushes the national discourse toward conflict.
The result is an environment where bad incentives become self-reinforcing, moderation becomes risky and systems built to increase engagement slowly start influencing how institutions govern themselves, an alarming foundation for public life.

But there’s hope—as long as we’re actively involved and actively participate in the process.

Go to https://vote.gov/ to register to vote if you haven’t!

To find out more about the Digital Democracy Project, go to: https://digitaldemocracyproject.org/
If you enjoyed the episode, like, comment, share, and subscribe with a friend. We sincerely appreciate it!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,
Dave and Gav]]>1985accountability,ai-legislation,blockchain-voting,democracy,digital-democracy-project,digital-voting,florida,future-democracy,future-voting,gerrymandering,november-election,primary-election,redistricting,single-party-majority,special-election,us-elections,voter-apathy,voting-primaryfalse421fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-and-why-you-should-learn-a-foreign-language-feat-polyglot-david-ramos--72044276 (00:00:55) Podcast Starts
(00:02:00) How David started his language journey
(00:08:01) Using obstacles life throws at you as motivation for growth
(00:12:26) Gearing up to more difficult languages (Mandarin, Arabic, Korean)
(00:19:57) How to get started learning a language
(00:23:48) The long-term impact of learning a language for foreign travel

If you’re going abroad, moving abroad, want to build new personal relationships, or are looking to level up your life, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
In this episode, Gav and Dave sit down with David Ramos, a graduate of the Bush School of Government and Public Service who has turned language acquisition into what appears to be a competitive sport. David has 12 OPI certifications and picked up languages like Afrikaans and Swedish on a whim…and shares how you can do the same. The OPI is a foreign language interview exam that is used as a gold standard by the U.S. government, military, and private companies to test proficiency in a language. It's a tough exam to say the least! 
Drawing from their shared background in Peace Corps language training, Gav and Dave talk with David about how he got pulled into polyglottery in the first place, the psychology of learning fast, and what actually separates people who eventually become conversational from people who spend three years proudly knowing how to order coffee and ask where the bathroom is. The conversation also digs into identity and the ability to interact with the world through different ways of talking about it.
David can be contacted here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdramos7201/
If you enjoyed the episode, leave us a comment, subscribe, and share it with your friends. We always appreciate the support from our growing On the Fringe community. 
All the best from both of us,
Dave and Gavin

You can always contact us at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com Thanks again for listening! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72044276Tue, 19 May 2026 22:36:07 +0000Dave and GavinIf you’re going abroad, moving abroad, want to build new personal relationships, or are looking to level up your life, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. In this episode, Gav and Dave sit down with David Ramos, a graduate of the Bush... (00:00:55) Podcast Starts
(00:02:00) How David started his language journey
(00:08:01) Using obstacles life throws at you as motivation for growth
(00:12:26) Gearing up to more difficult languages (Mandarin, Arabic, Korean)
(00:19:57) How to get started learning a language
(00:23:48) The long-term impact of learning a language for foreign travel

If you’re going abroad, moving abroad, want to build new personal relationships, or are looking to level up your life, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
In this episode, Gav and Dave sit down with David Ramos, a graduate of the Bush School of Government and Public Service who has turned language acquisition into what appears to be a competitive sport. David has 12 OPI certifications and picked up languages like Afrikaans and Swedish on a whim…and shares how you can do the same. The OPI is a foreign language interview exam that is used as a gold standard by the U.S. government, military, and private companies to test proficiency in a language. It's a tough exam to say the least! 
Drawing from their shared background in Peace Corps language training, Gav and Dave talk with David about how he got pulled into polyglottery in the first place, the psychology of learning fast, and what actually separates people who eventually become conversational from people who spend three years proudly knowing how to order coffee and ask where the bathroom is. The conversation also digs into identity and the ability to interact with the world through different ways of talking about it.
David can be contacted here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdramos7201/
If you enjoyed the episode, leave us a comment, subscribe, and share it with your friends. We always appreciate the support from our growing On the Fringe community. 
All the best from both of us,
Dave and Gavin

You can always contact us at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com Thanks again for listening! ]]>1593build-relationships,foreign-language-hacking,how-to-learn-foreign-language,improve-your-life,language-hacker,learn-french,learn-spanish,opi-exam,oral-proficiency-interview,polyglot,sage-level-advice,self-discipline,speak-foreign-language,travel-abroad-languagefalse420fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gadgets-in-the-dragon-s-grip-china-s-control-over-critical-minerals-feat-tomasz-nadrowski--72014987Mineral Wars: China’s Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction. They dive into chokepoint theory, fragile supply chains and the disquieting reality that modern life is held together by a handful of minerals most people have never heard about until somebody threatens access to them.

The conversation digs into how China has built enormous leverage over rare earth processing over the last few decades, why everything from smartphones and EVs to missile guidance systems depends on materials pulled from contested supply networks, and how governments are suddenly rediscovering that globalization works wonderfully right up until one country controls the thing your entire economy needs to survive.

As always, thanks for listening! We really appreciate your listenership and the growing On the Fringe Community.  

Don't forget to check out Tomasz's excellent podcast, Tyranny Today. 
And also, his book Mineral War: China's Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction

If you enjoyed the podcast, shoot us a message: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com and leave us a review! 

All the best from both of us, 
Dave and Gav ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72014987Fri, 15 May 2026 12:33:54 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Dave and Gav sit down with Tomasz Nadrowski, author...Mineral Wars: China’s Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction. They dive into chokepoint theory, fragile supply chains and the disquieting reality that modern life is held together by a handful of minerals most people have never heard about until somebody threatens access to them.

The conversation digs into how China has built enormous leverage over rare earth processing over the last few decades, why everything from smartphones and EVs to missile guidance systems depends on materials pulled from contested supply networks, and how governments are suddenly rediscovering that globalization works wonderfully right up until one country controls the thing your entire economy needs to survive.

As always, thanks for listening! We really appreciate your listenership and the growing On the Fringe Community.  

Don't forget to check out Tomasz's excellent podcast, Tyranny Today. 
And also, his book Mineral War: China's Quest for Weapons of Mineral Destruction

If you enjoyed the podcast, shoot us a message: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com and leave us a review! 

All the best from both of us, 
Dave and Gav ]]>1870ai,big-tech,china,chokehold-theory,chokepoint-theory,critical-minerals,critical-resources,japan,malaysia,rare-earths,supply-chain,trump-xi-summitfalse420fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/pakistan-a-kingmaker-or-a-pawn-in-the-gulf-or-both--72000095
The result is a delicate balancing act where Gulf states want dependable partners and Pakistan wants Gulf money without becoming too dependent on any single patron, which, naturally, is the sort of arrangement that only stays stable—right up until it doesn’t.

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, comment, and share it with your friends. We can’t thank our growing audience enough for your support and wouldn’t be here without YOU. 

And I (Dave) made a boo-boo! The UAE called up a $3.5 billion payment from Pakistan that Saudi largely backstopped, not $4 billion. (no notes, sorry!)

If you'd like to throw a few rocks, send em Gav's way. He's always looking for a new pet rock: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com Rock on! 🤘]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72000095Thu, 14 May 2026 12:10:02 +0000Dave and GavinIn this episode, Gav and Dave break down how Pakistan has become a critical piece on the board in the competition between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. They focus especially on the millions of Pakistani migrant workers whose labor props...
The result is a delicate balancing act where Gulf states want dependable partners and Pakistan wants Gulf money without becoming too dependent on any single patron, which, naturally, is the sort of arrangement that only stays stable—right up until it doesn’t.

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, comment, and share it with your friends. We can’t thank our growing audience enough for your support and wouldn’t be here without YOU. 

And I (Dave) made a boo-boo! The UAE called up a $3.5 billion payment from Pakistan that Saudi largely backstopped, not $4 billion. (no notes, sorry!)

If you'd like to throw a few rocks, send em Gav's way. He's always looking for a new pet rock: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com Rock on! 🤘]]>624gulf-states,international-relations,nuclear-weapons,pakistan,pakistan-financing-debt,pakistani-deportation,pakistan-peacemaker-iran,pakistan-saudi-arabia-military,pakistan-saudi-military,pakistan-saudi-smda,pakistan-uae-relations,saudi-arabia,uae,uae-deportation,uae-india,uae-pakistan-debt-3-billionfalse419fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-uae-is-waking-up-to-a-new-world-while-saudi-hits-snooze--71969284
In this episode, Dave and Gav look at how the UAE has drifted away from the consensus politics of institutions like Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council in favor of a more transactional worldview that treats regional politics less like alliances and more like market positioning.

We’ll be unpacking how Abu Dhabi’s approach to trade, ports, normalization, proxy conflicts and investment strategy increasingly reflects a zero-sum mindset where influence is something to be accumulated before anyone else can.

We contrast this with Saudi Arabia, which has struggled to pull off the same pivot not because its leadership lacks ambition, but because the kingdom is burdened with a much larger population, heavier subsidy expectations, religious obligations, and geographic exposure that make it far harder to reinvent itself into the kind of nimble commercial state the UAE has spent years trying to become.

If you enjoyed the episode, do us a MASSIVE favor and share it, leave a comment, and tell your friends. Thank you for helping us grow the show. We wouldn’t be here without you!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav

If you'd like to join us on On the Fringe, or have any corrections for us, drop us a line! onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71969284Tue, 12 May 2026 04:26:25 +0000Dave and GavinOn May 1, the UAE left OPEC, the Organization of the Petrolium Exporting Countries. This wasn't a brash move; it was a highly calculated manouver during a critical window for the country's future.  In this episode, Dave and Gav look at how the UAE...
In this episode, Dave and Gav look at how the UAE has drifted away from the consensus politics of institutions like Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council in favor of a more transactional worldview that treats regional politics less like alliances and more like market positioning.

We’ll be unpacking how Abu Dhabi’s approach to trade, ports, normalization, proxy conflicts and investment strategy increasingly reflects a zero-sum mindset where influence is something to be accumulated before anyone else can.

We contrast this with Saudi Arabia, which has struggled to pull off the same pivot not because its leadership lacks ambition, but because the kingdom is burdened with a much larger population, heavier subsidy expectations, religious obligations, and geographic exposure that make it far harder to reinvent itself into the kind of nimble commercial state the UAE has spent years trying to become.

If you enjoyed the episode, do us a MASSIVE favor and share it, leave a comment, and tell your friends. Thank you for helping us grow the show. We wouldn’t be here without you!

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav

If you'd like to join us on On the Fringe, or have any corrections for us, drop us a line! onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>1022donald-trump-uae,dubai-financial-logistics,exit,gcc,gulf-states,international-institutions,international-politics,iran-war,may-1,oil-producing-state,opec,realism,saudi-arabia,trump,uae,zero-sum,zero-sum-gamefalse418fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mali-s-junta-is-short-on-time-fuel-and-control-feat-stuart-bolus--71848130 (00:00:55) The Ongoing Crisis in Mali
(00:03:40) Another major intelligence failure by the Junta
(00:06:51) The Roles of Foreign Powers in Mali
(00:14:08) AES to the rescue?
(00:15:48) Why the future looks dark for Mali's Junta
(00:21:34) Mali's civilians are being squeezed from both sides
(00:22:22) What is Mali's next move, and where does it lead?

Mali is on the edge. And the Sahel hangs in the balance. 

In this episode, with help from friend of the pod, Stuart Bolus, Gav and Dave dig into the April 25th attacks across Mali in which jihadist groups working in concert with Tuareg separatists attacked multiple cities, shut down key infrastructure, and killed the Malian Defense Minister and other key members of the ruling Junta.

These events highlight an increasingly uncomfortable situation where Mali, a critically important country in the geographical and cultural center of the region, increasingly looks and behaves like a state on the brink of total collapse. We talk about what this means for the region, why we believe that outside assistance will likely not be coming (not for the government anyways) and why we’d all be surprised if the Malian government lasts until the end of 2026. 

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave us a comment, send us an email, or better yet—subscribe for more. We love hearing from our On the Fringe community! 

onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

All the best from us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71848130Mon, 04 May 2026 12:40:13 +0000Dave and GavinMali is on the edge. And the Sahel hangs in the balance.  In this episode, with help from friend of the pod, Stuart Bolus, Gav and Dave dig into the April 25th attacks across Mali in which jihadist groups working in concert with Tuareg separatists... (00:00:55) The Ongoing Crisis in Mali
(00:03:40) Another major intelligence failure by the Junta
(00:06:51) The Roles of Foreign Powers in Mali
(00:14:08) AES to the rescue?
(00:15:48) Why the future looks dark for Mali's Junta
(00:21:34) Mali's civilians are being squeezed from both sides
(00:22:22) What is Mali's next move, and where does it lead?

Mali is on the edge. And the Sahel hangs in the balance. 

In this episode, with help from friend of the pod, Stuart Bolus, Gav and Dave dig into the April 25th attacks across Mali in which jihadist groups working in concert with Tuareg separatists attacked multiple cities, shut down key infrastructure, and killed the Malian Defense Minister and other key members of the ruling Junta.

These events highlight an increasingly uncomfortable situation where Mali, a critically important country in the geographical and cultural center of the region, increasingly looks and behaves like a state on the brink of total collapse. We talk about what this means for the region, why we believe that outside assistance will likely not be coming (not for the government anyways) and why we’d all be surprised if the Malian government lasts until the end of 2026. 

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave us a comment, send us an email, or better yet—subscribe for more. We love hearing from our On the Fringe community! 

onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

All the best from us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin]]>1579afrika-corps,burkina-faso,crisis,defense-minister-mali,ecowas,france,fuel-shortage,jihadists,jnim,junta,mali,russia-mali,state-collapse,tuareg-sepratists,west-africafalse417fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dark-side-of-prediction-markets--71731954
Then, the story gets serious. Jail time serious. 

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. 

With the way things are, will more events like these continue coming out? Your guess is as good as ours--and you can probably go bet on it!

Reach out to onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, and hit that like button if you enjoyed it! We're always glad to have you on On the Fringe!

Here are a few of our other episodes about predition markets:

AI is So 2025 if Prediction Markets Get Their Way

The Fog of War and Profiteering on Prediction Markets

All the best,

Dave and Gavin ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71731954Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:58:36 +0000Dave and GavinGav 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...
Then, the story gets serious. Jail time serious. 

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. 

With the way things are, will more events like these continue coming out? Your guess is as good as ours--and you can probably go bet on it!

Reach out to onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, and hit that like button if you enjoyed it! We're always glad to have you on On the Fringe!

Here are a few of our other episodes about predition markets:

AI is So 2025 if Prediction Markets Get Their Way

The Fog of War and Profiteering on Prediction Markets

All the best,

Dave and Gavin ]]>698arrest,betting-election,congressional-elections,corruption,gannon-ken-van-dyke,insider-trading,kalshi,maduro-capture,money-laundering,polymarket,prediction-markets,us-electionfalse416fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/is-higher-ed-worth-it-as-small-colleges-shut-down-dave-and-gavin-s-take--71468288What does this mean?

Gav and Dave are going back to college to explore how the financial crisis affecting higher education segues into a much larger (and arguably more important conversation) about how and why smaller colleges across the country are shutting their doors or taking emergency measures to stay open as enrollment in smaller schools drops. To put it metaphorically, schools are finding themselves in increasingly dire straits, and the Sultans of Swing are hitting their bottom lines. 

On those same lines, if a dollar today isn't nearly worth as much as a dollar in 1978, can you say the same for an "A"? 

If you enjoyed the episode, check out this one from season 2, going deeper into the crisis from an international student's perspective: Will an American education be worth it?

Also, we love hearing from our audience. Shoot us an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com. 

Our listenership has grown a LOT in the last few months and couldn't do it with out listeners like you. Please keep sharing it with your friends :) 

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,
Dave and Gavin 



]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71468288Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:23:36 +0000Dave and GavinAmericans and international students are losing confidence in higher education in the United States. What does this mean? Gav and Dave are going back to college to explore how the financial crisis affecting higher education segues into a much larger...What does this mean?

Gav and Dave are going back to college to explore how the financial crisis affecting higher education segues into a much larger (and arguably more important conversation) about how and why smaller colleges across the country are shutting their doors or taking emergency measures to stay open as enrollment in smaller schools drops. To put it metaphorically, schools are finding themselves in increasingly dire straits, and the Sultans of Swing are hitting their bottom lines. 

On those same lines, if a dollar today isn't nearly worth as much as a dollar in 1978, can you say the same for an "A"? 

If you enjoyed the episode, check out this one from season 2, going deeper into the crisis from an international student's perspective: Will an American education be worth it?

Also, we love hearing from our audience. Shoot us an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com. 

Our listenership has grown a LOT in the last few months and couldn't do it with out listeners like you. Please keep sharing it with your friends :) 

All the best from both of us On the Fringe,
Dave and Gavin 



]]>925american-education,best-colleges,class-of-2026,college-education,colleges-closing,college-worth-it,demographic-cliff,enrollment,enrollment-decline,higher-ed,higher-education,international-student,masters-degree,small-college,storytime,student-debt,worth-itfalse415fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/there-s-no-strait-answer-to-europe-s-jet-fuel-problem--71467610
Gav and Dave get their toes wet in jet fuel and try to answer this question. Over the last week, there has been real uncertainty over ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, and for European countries, whether they do or do not have enough jet fuel for the upcoming summer travel season. Listen and learn why the picture here is cloudy for flyers, and what airlines are doing about not getting a 'strait answer.'

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, or leave us a comment and a some stars. We always appreciate it.

All the best from both of us on On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav 
 ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71467610Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:55:14 +0000Dave and GavinWhat does closing off the Strait of Hormuz mean for flyers to/in Europe this summer? Gav and Dave get their toes wet in jet fuel and try to answer this question. Over the last week, there has been real uncertainty over ships transiting through the...
Gav and Dave get their toes wet in jet fuel and try to answer this question. Over the last week, there has been real uncertainty over ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, and for European countries, whether they do or do not have enough jet fuel for the upcoming summer travel season. Listen and learn why the picture here is cloudy for flyers, and what airlines are doing about not getting a 'strait answer.'

If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend, or leave us a comment and a some stars. We always appreciate it.

All the best from both of us on On the Fringe,

Dave and Gav 
 ]]>467airlines,asia,china,europe,iran-war,japan,jet-fuel,jet-fuel-shortage,korea,strait-of-hormuz,summer-travel,ticket-price,united-states-exportfalse414fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/trump-s-board-of-rest-in-peace--71276628
We trace how internal fractures, economic short-falls, and a complete inability to enforce its own mandates turned the Board of Peace from a conflict-dampening mechanism into another casualty of the current geopolitical moment.

Its collapse will ultimately cause more knock-on effects cutting through regional alignments and the already frayed idea that anyone at the top is actually planning anything.

Share your thoughts about this (or other events going on) with us at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

Thanks for listening and all the best from both of us here on On the Fringe,

Gav and Dave

For an in-depth dive into the Board of Peace, check out this episode: What if Peace was a literal country club?]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71276628Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:36:34 +0000Dave and GavinIn 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...
We trace how internal fractures, economic short-falls, and a complete inability to enforce its own mandates turned the Board of Peace from a conflict-dampening mechanism into another casualty of the current geopolitical moment.

Its collapse will ultimately cause more knock-on effects cutting through regional alignments and the already frayed idea that anyone at the top is actually planning anything.

Share your thoughts about this (or other events going on) with us at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

Thanks for listening and all the best from both of us here on On the Fringe,

Gav and Dave

For an in-depth dive into the Board of Peace, check out this episode: What if Peace was a literal country club?]]>517board-of-peace,donald-trump,gaza-rebuild,gaza-strip,indonesia,united-statesfalse413fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ai-is-so-2025-if-prediction-markets-get-their-way--71276313
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!

Here is our episode about how prediction markets have already impacted the US and Israeli conflict with Iran
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71276313Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:59:01 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Polymarket and Kalshi are going to court in California to sort 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...
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!

Here is our episode about how prediction markets have already impacted the US and Israeli conflict with Iran
]]>499appellate-court,california,commerce-clause,donald-trump-jr,federal-regulation,gambling,kalshi,lawsuit,polymarket,prediction-markets,regulation,states,supreme-courtfalse412fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-to-build-trust-in-a-world-doused-in-ai-slop-ft-braden-frame-coo-of-modern-cartographers--71072541
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, and 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 onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71072541Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:22:03 +0000Dave and GavinWhen 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...
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, and 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 onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>1812ai,ai-slop,austin,austin-tech,authentic-messaging,braden-frame,build-trust-online,crisis-communications,digital-literacy,high-stakes-messaging,modern-cartographers,public-safety-messaging,social-media,social-media-ai,trust-economyfalse410fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-war-that-s-going-on-yet-gets-almost-no-coverage--71125276
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 ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71125276Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:02:50 +0000Dave and GavinFor 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 Iran War and events in South Asia. We have been following it—and have...
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 ]]>750afghanistan,china,china-mediate,durand-line,india,pakistan,pakistani-taliban,qatar-turkey-mediate,taliban,united-states,urumqi,warfalse411fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/keep-the-faith-in-these-trying-times--71125005A 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


]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71125005Mon, 06 Apr 2026 03:24:56 +0000Dave and GavinA 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...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


]]>376christian,easter,eid-mubarak,faith,iran-war,israel,middle-east,passover,prayer,usfalse4bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fog-of-war-profiteering-on-prediction-markets--70841384
If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, or share. We truly appreciate it!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70841384Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:12:58 +0000Dave and GavinWith the ongoing Iran conflict, Dave and Gavin examine how millions of dollars are being wagered on strikes, leadership challenges, and ceasefires, turning war into a tradable asset for the masses. Learn how simple financial bets and gambling...
If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, or share. We truly appreciate it!]]>498artificial-intelligence,betting,corruption,disinformation,donald-trump,emanuel-fabian,gambling,israeli-journalist,kalshi,mainstream-media,misreport,nuclear-war,polymarket,prediction-market,russia-ukraine,trump-jr,trust-in-media,us-iran-war,war-profiteeringfalse4bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-wild-ride-through-the-balkans-from-tito-to-today--70818302
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. 

The conversation largely focuses on how historical memories, complex dynamics, and transcending nationalism shape all of these countries today.

Stay tuned to the end though. Leo dives into a key cultural nuance of the region that will help you better understand their mentality--especially when it comes to developing some of the world's greatest minds and athletes, including Nikola Tesla and Nikola Jokić.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share the podcast. We appreciate it!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70818302Sun, 22 Mar 2026 23:41:06 +0000Dave and GavinThis 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...
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. 

The conversation largely focuses on how historical memories, complex dynamics, and transcending nationalism shape all of these countries today.

Stay tuned to the end though. Leo dives into a key cultural nuance of the region that will help you better understand their mentality--especially when it comes to developing some of the world's greatest minds and athletes, including Nikola Tesla and Nikola Jokić.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share the podcast. We appreciate it!]]>2167balkans,basketball,belgrade,croatia-draft,inat,jokic,nba,nikola-tesla,non-aligned-movement,red-star,serbia,serbia-china,slovenia,tito,yugoslavia,yugoslavia-historyfalse49fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-west-africa-is-struggling-and-falling-to-jihadists--70529531 (00:00:37) The Current State of West Africa
(00:03:23) Big challenges in the Sahel Region
(00:06:09) The impact of jihadists on local West African communities
(00:09:04) Economic and security struggles
(00:11:52) The roles of foreign troops in West Africa
(00:16:42) Nigeria's ongoing leadership crisis
(00:17:59) The need for economics to play a lead role
(00:20:27) Signs of desperation across the region
(00:24:19) The current employment picture and harsh reality of the informal economy
(00:28:16) Shifting local aspirations toward far-off dreams
(00:29:24) How demographics are exacerbating these problems
(00:31:29) Fusing the disconnected segments across
(00:33:31) Industrial policy successes and failures in West Africa and Ghana
(00:35:35) The growing divide between elites and common people
(00:40:15) Cultural disconnect of elites in their own country
(00:42:46) Military leaders as change agents
(00:44:55) The path forward in West Africa is to look back

West Africa is in a tumultuous economic crisis that is fueling the spread of jihadism in the region. 

In this episode, Dave and Gavin talk to old friend of the pod, Stuart Bolus, about the state of West Africa and how it became so unstable. In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about the economic crisis underpinning the jihadi violence tearing the Sahel apart, the colonial problems that lead to this, and how that economic crisis coincides with larger social and demographic problems that will continue to make West Africa a region to watch for a long, long time. We also make light of the plight of the humble yam farmer, for which we apologize. 

Spreand and share our insight if you learned something. We sincerely appreciate it! 

For more of Stuart's insight, don't miss this episode about democracy in West Africa.
And, for more on one of the key leaders in the region, don't miss this episode about the man of the hour in West Africa.

The map of West Africa in the corner of the cover art was made by Sannita and is available here on Wikimedia. No changes were made. The yam in the corner of the cover art was made by Muktee1494 and is available here on Wikimedia. No changes were made. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70529531Sun, 08 Mar 2026 16:56:18 +0000Dave and GavinWest Africa is in a tumultuous economic crisis that is fueling the spread of jihadism in the region.  In this episode, Dave and Gavin talk to old friend of the pod, Stuart Bolus, about the state of West Africa and how it became so unstable. In this... (00:00:37) The Current State of West Africa
(00:03:23) Big challenges in the Sahel Region
(00:06:09) The impact of jihadists on local West African communities
(00:09:04) Economic and security struggles
(00:11:52) The roles of foreign troops in West Africa
(00:16:42) Nigeria's ongoing leadership crisis
(00:17:59) The need for economics to play a lead role
(00:20:27) Signs of desperation across the region
(00:24:19) The current employment picture and harsh reality of the informal economy
(00:28:16) Shifting local aspirations toward far-off dreams
(00:29:24) How demographics are exacerbating these problems
(00:31:29) Fusing the disconnected segments across
(00:33:31) Industrial policy successes and failures in West Africa and Ghana
(00:35:35) The growing divide between elites and common people
(00:40:15) Cultural disconnect of elites in their own country
(00:42:46) Military leaders as change agents
(00:44:55) The path forward in West Africa is to look back

West Africa is in a tumultuous economic crisis that is fueling the spread of jihadism in the region. 

In this episode, Dave and Gavin talk to old friend of the pod, Stuart Bolus, about the state of West Africa and how it became so unstable. In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about the economic crisis underpinning the jihadi violence tearing the Sahel apart, the colonial problems that lead to this, and how that economic crisis coincides with larger social and demographic problems that will continue to make West Africa a region to watch for a long, long time. We also make light of the plight of the humble yam farmer, for which we apologize. 

Spreand and share our insight if you learned something. We sincerely appreciate it! 

For more of Stuart's insight, don't miss this episode about democracy in West Africa.
And, for more on one of the key leaders in the region, don't miss this episode about the man of the hour in West Africa.

The map of West Africa in the corner of the cover art was made by Sannita and is available here on Wikimedia. No changes were made. The yam in the corner of the cover art was made by Muktee1494 and is available here on Wikimedia. No changes were made. ]]>2826africa-corps-russia,africa-economic-crisis,africa-terrorism,ecowas,ibrahim-traore,jihadism-west-africa,mali-russia,niger-airport,nigeria-boko-haram,nigeria-leadership,nigeria-terrorism,russia-west-africa,us-bombing-nigeria,west-africa,west-africa-terrorismfalse48fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-gulf-states-just-got-pushed-off-the-fence--70409829
In this episode, Gavin and Dave take a hard look at the region that is drifting into a conflict cycle that neither side fully controls. They talk about the security architecture of the individual GCC states, Tehran’s strategy of escalation and asymmetric warfare, and the affects of political and economic constraints in capitals like Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

We also dive into how limited disruption around the Strait of Hormuz reverberates throughout the global economy, and the ramifications will continue for a long, long time--and may even raise the likelihood of other conflicts in Asia.

If you enjoyed or found value in our analysis, share it and let us know! Thanks for joining us On the Fringe!

Dave and Gavin ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70409829Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:57:22 +0000Dave and GavinThe Gulf States (from east to west: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar UAE, Oman) are at the center of an accelerating confrontation between the US and Israel, and Iran.  In this episode, Gavin and Dave take a hard look at the region that is...
In this episode, Gavin and Dave take a hard look at the region that is drifting into a conflict cycle that neither side fully controls. They talk about the security architecture of the individual GCC states, Tehran’s strategy of escalation and asymmetric warfare, and the affects of political and economic constraints in capitals like Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

We also dive into how limited disruption around the Strait of Hormuz reverberates throughout the global economy, and the ramifications will continue for a long, long time--and may even raise the likelihood of other conflicts in Asia.

If you enjoyed or found value in our analysis, share it and let us know! Thanks for joining us On the Fringe!

Dave and Gavin ]]>1899asymetric-warefare-middle-east,bahrain-iran,gcc-gulf-states,great-power-competition,gulf-states-conflict-iran,gulf-states-neutral,iran-drone,iran-existential-conflict,iran-us-israel-war,revolutionary-guard-iran,strait-of-hormuz-oil-closed,uae-iran,uae-patriot-missiles,war-of-attrition-gulffalse47fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-4-episode-6-indonesia-gaza-and-rules-of-engagement--70355608 (00:00:32) Podcast Intro
(00:01:28) Overview of the Board of Peace Meeting in Washington
(00:04:00) What is the the ISF (International Stabilization Force) and who plans to join?
(00:06:40) This country backed out from sending troops
(00:08:05) The key missing ingredient to stability in Gaza
(00:10:27) Why is Indonesia stepping up?
(00:13:05) How we see the ISF coming together
(00:16:33) Thank you for listening!

The Board of Peace held its 2026 annual meeting in Washington, DC, gaining capital commitments and additional members. During the meeting, five member countries on the Board of Peace (Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan) have all pledged to send troops to the Gaza Strip.

In this episode, Gavin and Dave dive into why these countries intend to commit troops to the International Stabilization Force, their motivations for joining, and immediate challenges the peacekeeping force will face.

Most notably, we discuss why rules of engagement will be critical to the stability of Gaza, and why a general lack of transparency will likely handicap any real attempt to bring peace to Gaza.

Can these five countries, likely led by Indonesia achieve long lasting peace?

Let us know what you think! shoot us a message at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com 

Thanks for listening as always and all the best from us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70355608Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:04:05 +0000Dave and GavinThe Board of Peace held its 2026 annual meeting in Washington, DC, gaining capital commitments and additional members. During the meeting, five member countries on the Board of Peace (Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan) have all... (00:00:32) Podcast Intro
(00:01:28) Overview of the Board of Peace Meeting in Washington
(00:04:00) What is the the ISF (International Stabilization Force) and who plans to join?
(00:06:40) This country backed out from sending troops
(00:08:05) The key missing ingredient to stability in Gaza
(00:10:27) Why is Indonesia stepping up?
(00:13:05) How we see the ISF coming together
(00:16:33) Thank you for listening!

The Board of Peace held its 2026 annual meeting in Washington, DC, gaining capital commitments and additional members. During the meeting, five member countries on the Board of Peace (Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan) have all pledged to send troops to the Gaza Strip.

In this episode, Gavin and Dave dive into why these countries intend to commit troops to the International Stabilization Force, their motivations for joining, and immediate challenges the peacekeeping force will face.

Most notably, we discuss why rules of engagement will be critical to the stability of Gaza, and why a general lack of transparency will likely handicap any real attempt to bring peace to Gaza.

Can these five countries, likely led by Indonesia achieve long lasting peace?

Let us know what you think! shoot us a message at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com 

Thanks for listening as always and all the best from us On the Fringe,

Dave and Gavin ]]>1020board-of-peace-10-billion,board-of-peace-7-billion,board-of-peace-meeting,board-of-peace-members,board-of-peace-washington,gaza-isf,indonesia-army,indonesia-gaza-deploy,israel-palestine,jp-morgan-board-of-peace,trump-board-of-peacefalse43fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-south-korean-presidents-go-to-prison-from-the-blue-house-to-the-big-house--70255268 (00:00:35) A list of Korea's former Presidents
(00:02:05) Who is Yoon Suk Yeol?
(00:03:05) The reality of seeing what has happened to former presidents of South Korea
(00:04:54) The aftermath of another Korean President going to prison
(00:07:24) Major problems Korea's right has to solve to stay relevant
(00:08:59) Why Korea is unique today geopolitically
(00:11:31) Korea's defense, tech, and entertainment industries are stepping up
(00:13:47) Where we see Korea's future
(00:15:28) Thank you for listening

Why do so many former presidents of South Korea (Park Geun Hye, Lee Myeung Bak, and now Yoon Suk Yeol) leave the Blue House (청와대) under a cloud of investigation or prosecution? And, why is this cycle hard to break? 

In this bonus episode, Gavin and Dave analyze the pattern of presidential downfall in Korea. Geopolitical tension in the region, shifting security guarantees from the U.S., and a demographic crisis make the role of president less forgiving than in the past. Not to mention, millions of Korean citizens standing up for democracy. 

Currently, South Korea faces rising pressure from North Korea and China, increasing disengagement from the United States, and at the same time, a declining birthrate--now the lowest in the world. A shrinking population feeds cultural anxiety and creates a long-term security problem for a country that relies on conscription, and a consumption based economy. 

In turn, this means more strain on the military system and on public finances.

Will South Korea become more politically unstable? Will a swift change in demographics or technological improvements allow the country to keep pace? 

Let us know what you think, and follow On the Fringe for more under-the-radar stories about key people and events that are shaping our world. 

We certainly appreciate the support. Thanks and take care!

Dave and Gavin 

Here are our past episodes covering the topic from back in Season 1 (December 2024) about Yoon's initial declaration of martial law.

Here is part 2 of the initial aftermath.

Here is part 3 on Korea's Festering Crisis.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70255268Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:58:01 +0000Dave and GavinWhy do so many former presidents of South Korea (Park Geun Hye, Lee Myeung Bak, and now Yoon Suk Yeol) leave the Blue House (청와대) under a cloud of investigation or prosecution? And, why is this cycle hard to break?  In this bonus episode, Gavin and... (00:00:35) A list of Korea's former Presidents
(00:02:05) Who is Yoon Suk Yeol?
(00:03:05) The reality of seeing what has happened to former presidents of South Korea
(00:04:54) The aftermath of another Korean President going to prison
(00:07:24) Major problems Korea's right has to solve to stay relevant
(00:08:59) Why Korea is unique today geopolitically
(00:11:31) Korea's defense, tech, and entertainment industries are stepping up
(00:13:47) Where we see Korea's future
(00:15:28) Thank you for listening

Why do so many former presidents of South Korea (Park Geun Hye, Lee Myeung Bak, and now Yoon Suk Yeol) leave the Blue House (청와대) under a cloud of investigation or prosecution? And, why is this cycle hard to break? 

In this bonus episode, Gavin and Dave analyze the pattern of presidential downfall in Korea. Geopolitical tension in the region, shifting security guarantees from the U.S., and a demographic crisis make the role of president less forgiving than in the past. Not to mention, millions of Korean citizens standing up for democracy. 

Currently, South Korea faces rising pressure from North Korea and China, increasing disengagement from the United States, and at the same time, a declining birthrate--now the lowest in the world. A shrinking population feeds cultural anxiety and creates a long-term security problem for a country that relies on conscription, and a consumption based economy. 

In turn, this means more strain on the military system and on public finances.

Will South Korea become more politically unstable? Will a swift change in demographics or technological improvements allow the country to keep pace? 

Let us know what you think, and follow On the Fringe for more under-the-radar stories about key people and events that are shaping our world. 

We certainly appreciate the support. Thanks and take care!

Dave and Gavin 

Here are our past episodes covering the topic from back in Season 1 (December 2024) about Yoon's initial declaration of martial law.

Here is part 2 of the initial aftermath.

Here is part 3 on Korea's Festering Crisis.]]>950blue-house-south-korea,chaebol-technology-korea,cheong-wa-dae,korea-japan-china-relations,korea-youth-mobilize-politics,park-geun-hye-prison,south-korea-demographic-crisis,south-korea-ppp,south-korea-president-prison,south-korea-yoon-suk-yeolfalse4bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/would-soldiers-hope-for-a-war-if-they-could-become-instant-millionaires--70133921
These new multi-billion dollar markets seem to be incentivizing people to bet on anything. In this quick bonus, we take a quick dive into a story of two Israelis with military connections being charged this last week with misusing military secrets to put bets on strikes against Iran--and an ongoing investigation into $400,000 dollars that one lucky punter walked away with after the removal of Nicolas Maduro in January.

And, with impressive capital gains and political backing in all the right places, it doesn’t seem like something that governments or corporations will be able (or willing) to put a lid on any of this any time soon.

Leave us your best feedback, a comment, or your favorite emoji and we will get back to you. Thanks again for listening!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70133921Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:21:36 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Gav and Dave dive headlong into the weird, wonderful world of prediction markets; giant online betting platforms where you can put a wager on just about anything.  These new multi-billion dollar markets seem to be incentivizing people to...
These new multi-billion dollar markets seem to be incentivizing people to bet on anything. In this quick bonus, we take a quick dive into a story of two Israelis with military connections being charged this last week with misusing military secrets to put bets on strikes against Iran--and an ongoing investigation into $400,000 dollars that one lucky punter walked away with after the removal of Nicolas Maduro in January.

And, with impressive capital gains and political backing in all the right places, it doesn’t seem like something that governments or corporations will be able (or willing) to put a lid on any of this any time soon.

Leave us your best feedback, a comment, or your favorite emoji and we will get back to you. Thanks again for listening!]]>5449-billion-dollars,best-ai-model-bet,donald-trump-jr,iran-us-war-bet,israel-soldier-war-bet-iran,jesus-second-coming-bet,kalshi-polymarket,polymarket-bet-prediction,polymarket-free-groceries,prediciton-market-polymarket,prediciton-markets,trump-polymarket,what-is-polymarketfalse4bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-4-episode-5-things-are-heating-up-in-the-gulf-part-2--70015938
As it has played out, the UAE has backed, funded and supplied weapons and mercenaries to the RSF, one of the two competing factions in the Sudanese Civil War; the other faction, the Sudanese Armed Forces, are increasingly dependent on Egyptian and Turkish logistical support and defense platforms paid for with money from Riyadh.

In Somalia, this has manifested for Emirati support for Somaliland’s recognition of Israel and Saudi’s backing of the Federal government in Mogadishu (aided by Turkish F-16s and one of the largest military bases in Sub-Saharan Africa).

The increasingly fraught relations between the two countries shows no signs of course correcting any time soon….though the Board of Peace might conceivably play some role in whatever comes next.

Will the Board of Peace make its first big play and showcase its value? (It is $1 billion to join).

Let us know what you think and shoot us an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Dave and Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70015938Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:57:35 +0000Dave and GavinIn this episode, Gavin and Dave move the spotlight to Africa, where the Saudi–UAE rivalry is less than subtle and where a flare-up might have a major impact on your world. As it has played out, the UAE has backed, funded and supplied weapons and...
As it has played out, the UAE has backed, funded and supplied weapons and mercenaries to the RSF, one of the two competing factions in the Sudanese Civil War; the other faction, the Sudanese Armed Forces, are increasingly dependent on Egyptian and Turkish logistical support and defense platforms paid for with money from Riyadh.

In Somalia, this has manifested for Emirati support for Somaliland’s recognition of Israel and Saudi’s backing of the Federal government in Mogadishu (aided by Turkish F-16s and one of the largest military bases in Sub-Saharan Africa).

The increasingly fraught relations between the two countries shows no signs of course correcting any time soon….though the Board of Peace might conceivably play some role in whatever comes next.

Will the Board of Peace make its first big play and showcase its value? (It is $1 billion to join).

Let us know what you think and shoot us an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Dave and Gav]]>1716board-of-peace,emirati-drone,gulf-state-rivalry,horn-of-africa-uae,israel-somaliland,oil-trade-chokepoint,saudi-arabia-sudan,somalia-somaliland,turkey-f16,uae-saudi-relationship,us-iran-middle-east,war-middle-eastfalse45fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-4-episode-4-things-are-heating-up-in-the-gulf-part-1--70015541
What began as a strategic partnership, most visibly in Yemen after 2015, has evolved into a contest over leadership of the Gulf, influence in OPEC+, and control of trade routes. Saudi Arabia under MBS is repositioning itself as the political and economic heavyweight of the Middle East, pressuring multinationals to relocate regional headquarters to Riyadh and recalibrating its foreign policy outreach.

Meanwhile, the UAE has leveraged its port networks, financial hubs, and interventionist security policies to build influence from the Horn of Africa to the Eastern Mediterranean.This episode lays out how the two countries are increasingly tangled up in all the worst ways. Is this former close relationship a sign of more things to come in geopolitics, or just a quick flash in the pan?

Here's that episode about Colombians in Sudan from the archives. We feel like we've improved our delivery since then and hope you enjoy this classic from the vaults. :)

All the best,

Dave and Gav ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70015541Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:39:42 +0000Dave and GavinIn this episode Dave and Gav dig into the increasingly heated rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two monarchies that once moved in lockstep, but are now violently competing for regional dominance. What began as a strategic...
What began as a strategic partnership, most visibly in Yemen after 2015, has evolved into a contest over leadership of the Gulf, influence in OPEC+, and control of trade routes. Saudi Arabia under MBS is repositioning itself as the political and economic heavyweight of the Middle East, pressuring multinationals to relocate regional headquarters to Riyadh and recalibrating its foreign policy outreach.

Meanwhile, the UAE has leveraged its port networks, financial hubs, and interventionist security policies to build influence from the Horn of Africa to the Eastern Mediterranean.This episode lays out how the two countries are increasingly tangled up in all the worst ways. Is this former close relationship a sign of more things to come in geopolitics, or just a quick flash in the pan?

Here's that episode about Colombians in Sudan from the archives. We feel like we've improved our delivery since then and hope you enjoy this classic from the vaults. :)

All the best,

Dave and Gav ]]>1141africa-mercenaries,armed-conflict,gulf-states,horn-of-africa,israel-somalia,saudi-arabia,saudi-arabia-somalia,saudi-pakistan-turkey,saudi-uae-relations,saudi-yemen-uae,somalia,sudan,turkey-somalia-f16,turkey-sudan-drones,uaefalse44fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-casino-in-macau-cashing-in-on-a-golden-opportunity--69882262
A well-known hotel in Macau just ripped out its iconic showpiece as gold prices are at (nearly) record highs. Learn why this is happening and what this means going forward for the Special Administrative Region of China.

If you liked the short, let us know and smash that like button! We appreciate it. All the best from us on the Fringe!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69882262Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:55:02 +0000Dave and GavinThe Grand Emperor said it's the literal end of the golden road.  A well-known hotel in Macau just ripped out its iconic showpiece as gold prices are at (nearly) record highs. Learn why this is happening and what this means going forward for the...
A well-known hotel in Macau just ripped out its iconic showpiece as gold prices are at (nearly) record highs. Learn why this is happening and what this means going forward for the Special Administrative Region of China.

If you liked the short, let us know and smash that like button! We appreciate it. All the best from us on the Fringe!
]]>494$13-million,$5000,casino,china,cross-border-currency-restrict,gold-prices,grand-emperor,hotel,macau,money-laundering,organized-crime,record-gold-pricesfalse4bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-world-factbook-has-been-closed--69882258
Hey all! In this quick episode we explore what the end of the CIA World Factbook means for inquiring minds. If you enjoy the short episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe or share with your fellow trivia team or geo-bee all stars.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69882258Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:45:02 +0000Dave and GavinPrepping for the geography part trivia night just got a LOT harder and more cumbersome.  Hey all! In this quick episode we explore what the end of the CIA World Factbook means for inquiring minds. If you enjoy the short episode, don’t forget to like,...
Hey all! In this quick episode we explore what the end of the CIA World Factbook means for inquiring minds. If you enjoy the short episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe or share with your fellow trivia team or geo-bee all stars.]]>582ai-prompt,cia-world-factbook,critical-thinking,factual-information,general-information,geography,impartial,information-age,removed,trivia-night,world-geographyfalse4bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-4-episode-3-cleaning-house-in-cambodia-and-china--69813404
We are going back to a topic that we’ve followed since the beginning of On the Fringe—scam farms in Southeast Asia. Some of our first episodes covered these scam farms and organized crime in the region, including the wild tales of Alice Guo, former mayor of Banban in the Philppines.

These bad guys are using the latest technology, modern-day slavery, and cunning tactics to get you, the average citizen, to lose trust in society as well as your life savings.

Despite the recent crackdown (and Dave and Gavin’s reasoning as to specifically why RIGHT now), we think the problem will get worse. Learn how and why by listening to this episode—and share it with your loved ones, especially if they use social media or are not tech-savvy. 

If you’ve ever caught them in their sneaky traps, share your story and shoot us an email!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69813404Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:48:36 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We are going back to a topic that we’ve followed since the beginning of On the Fringe—scam farms in Southeast Asia. Some of our https://substack.com/@onthefringe1/note/p-154280797?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=52ogc9...
We are going back to a topic that we’ve followed since the beginning of On the Fringe—scam farms in Southeast Asia. Some of our first episodes covered these scam farms and organized crime in the region, including the wild tales of Alice Guo, former mayor of Banban in the Philppines.

These bad guys are using the latest technology, modern-day slavery, and cunning tactics to get you, the average citizen, to lose trust in society as well as your life savings.

Despite the recent crackdown (and Dave and Gavin’s reasoning as to specifically why RIGHT now), we think the problem will get worse. Learn how and why by listening to this episode—and share it with your loved ones, especially if they use social media or are not tech-savvy. 

If you’ve ever caught them in their sneaky traps, share your story and shoot us an email!]]>1671asean,cambodia,casino,china,cybersecurity,goldentriangle,heweidong,mingfamilyexecution,moneylaundering,myanmar,phishing,pigbutcheringscam,policescam,raid,scam,scam-farm,southeastasiascams,spearphishing,thailand,xijinpingfalse43fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-4-episode-2-what-if-peace-was-a-literal-country-club--69724103
Listen to learn what we think the first real test will be for Trump's new Board of Peace, and who will flying past. 

If you enjoyed the episode or learned something, pass it on, shoot us a message, and let us know. We are excited to be back and will be coming out with more on the way.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69724103Sun, 01 Feb 2026 18:41:40 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Dave and Gavin take a look into a new organization, that seems to be a real harbinger of things to come. Initially pitched as a ‘technocratic government’ for Gaza, the initial concept of an executive board has snowballed into an...
Listen to learn what we think the first real test will be for Trump's new Board of Peace, and who will flying past. 

If you enjoyed the episode or learned something, pass it on, shoot us a message, and let us know. We are excited to be back and will be coming out with more on the way.]]>1107board-of-peace,diplomacy,donald-trump,gaza-board,gaza-reconstruction,global-governance,international-cooperation,international-relations,middle-east,middle-powers,pay-to-play,peacebuilding,un-resolutionfalse42fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-4-episode-1-the-rule-of-fang-and-claw--69354149 (00:00:20) Podcast Starts -- The end of the International Order
(00:02:41) Implications of a new world dynamic
(00:05:45) What changes for middle / regional powers
(00:08:26) Au revoir to liberal institutionalism
(00:11:31) Uncertainty is the new name of the game

Hey all! We are kicking off season 4 much earlier than we’d thought. Why?

Early Saturday morning, the international rules-based order, or what was left of it, expired both painfully and suddenly with the removal of Nicolas Maduro (and his wife) from Caracas to New York City.

In this episode, we focus, not on the events of that early morning raid, but of its potential and actual ramifications for international relations. The idea that relations between states are governed by codified, internationally-accepted laws has been the main characteristic of relations between states over the last 75 years. It is no longer the case, and inter-state conflict is about to ramp up in a way that is both predictable and utterly impossible to foresee.

If you enjoyed the episode, shoot us a comment, give us some love, and let us know.

We appreciate it and will be back again soon!

Dave and Gavin]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69354149Thu, 08 Jan 2026 14:38:32 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We are kicking off season 4 much earlier than we’d thought. Why? Early Saturday morning, the international rules-based order, or what was left of it, expired both painfully and suddenly with the removal of Nicolas Maduro (and his wife) from... (00:00:20) Podcast Starts -- The end of the International Order
(00:02:41) Implications of a new world dynamic
(00:05:45) What changes for middle / regional powers
(00:08:26) Au revoir to liberal institutionalism
(00:11:31) Uncertainty is the new name of the game

Hey all! We are kicking off season 4 much earlier than we’d thought. Why?

Early Saturday morning, the international rules-based order, or what was left of it, expired both painfully and suddenly with the removal of Nicolas Maduro (and his wife) from Caracas to New York City.

In this episode, we focus, not on the events of that early morning raid, but of its potential and actual ramifications for international relations. The idea that relations between states are governed by codified, internationally-accepted laws has been the main characteristic of relations between states over the last 75 years. It is no longer the case, and inter-state conflict is about to ramp up in a way that is both predictable and utterly impossible to foresee.

If you enjoyed the episode, shoot us a comment, give us some love, and let us know.

We appreciate it and will be back again soon!

Dave and Gavin]]>901call-of-the-wild,end-of-the-world,ethiopia-somalia-somaliland,horn-africa-caucasus-asia,international-political-theory,international-relations,international-rule-based-order,jack-london-buck,law-of-club-and-fang,law-of-the-jungle,middle-power-conflict,middle-power-trap,putin-xi-trump-realism,raw-physical-power,realism-law-jungle,realism-liberalism,trump-us-un-leave,united-nations,united-states-venezuela,us-arrest-madurofalse41fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-massive-thank-you-from-dave-and-gavin--69264463
Gavin and I wish you all the best in your endeavors this year—and we would love to hear about them (and how we can help!)

We kicked On the Fringe off in the fall of 2024 and posted the first season on our Substack.  

Then, we added On the Fringe Podcast on Apple Podcast last January (2025) and have more support, downloads, and interest than we could have imagined. We wouldn’t be here without you guys and can’t thank you enough for your support and the thousands of hours you've listed to our show. We're still figuring all of this out, by the way!

Since we started Season 3 in August, We’ve doubled our listeners (and it’s not just Aunt Leena telling Aunt Nelda). We are seeing real listener growth with the show and will keep it going strong for Season 4. Shoot us a message here of your favorite episodes (or total busts) and topics that YOU want to hear more about. 

As we keep growing, we want to hear more from y’all! What do you like, what do you NOT like, and where can we get better to provide you a better listener experience. We’re going to keep unraveling geopolitical events and AI as we move forward into season 4, and will be coming at you with more in the coming weeks. 

Thanks again!

Dave and Gavin]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69264463Thu, 01 Jan 2026 04:55:52 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! Happy 2026! Gavin and I wish you all the best in your endeavors this year—and we would love to hear about them (and how we can help!) We kicked On the Fringe off in the fall of 2024 and posted the first season on...
Gavin and I wish you all the best in your endeavors this year—and we would love to hear about them (and how we can help!)

We kicked On the Fringe off in the fall of 2024 and posted the first season on our Substack.  

Then, we added On the Fringe Podcast on Apple Podcast last January (2025) and have more support, downloads, and interest than we could have imagined. We wouldn’t be here without you guys and can’t thank you enough for your support and the thousands of hours you've listed to our show. We're still figuring all of this out, by the way!

Since we started Season 3 in August, We’ve doubled our listeners (and it’s not just Aunt Leena telling Aunt Nelda). We are seeing real listener growth with the show and will keep it going strong for Season 4. Shoot us a message here of your favorite episodes (or total busts) and topics that YOU want to hear more about. 

As we keep growing, we want to hear more from y’all! What do you like, what do you NOT like, and where can we get better to provide you a better listener experience. We’re going to keep unraveling geopolitical events and AI as we move forward into season 4, and will be coming at you with more in the coming weeks. 

Thanks again!

Dave and Gavin]]>153ai,end-of-season,happy-new-year,podcast,thank-you-messagefalse3bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-a-chatgpt-christmas-miracle-or-straight-to-the-top-of-santa-s-naughty-list--69235627
I’m about as far as north as you can go, and depending on your viewpoint, OpenAI may be just as near the top of Santa’s naughty list next year. Or their bank account may start to climb to new heights too.

We’ve got a short bonus episode that’s been under the radar in the West, and front page news in India. OpenAI’s mobile version of ChatGPT, called ChatGPT Go, is now free in India for a full year for new subscribers. Gavin and I dive into potential reasons why this might be happening, and what the future may hold for the company and hundreds of millions of Indians (as well as other users worldwide) who take advantage of it and get hooked, for better or for worse.

If you like the episode, don’t forget to give us a like, comment, or subscribe. We truly appreciate it! And, if you think we’re totally off base here—call us out.

Thanks as always for listening, and have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Dave and Gavin]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69235627Mon, 29 Dec 2025 04:38:24 +0000Dave and GavinHello all, from over top of Baffin Island! I’m about as far as north as you can go, and depending on your viewpoint, OpenAI may be just as near the top of Santa’s naughty list next year. Or their bank account may start to climb to new heights too....
I’m about as far as north as you can go, and depending on your viewpoint, OpenAI may be just as near the top of Santa’s naughty list next year. Or their bank account may start to climb to new heights too.

We’ve got a short bonus episode that’s been under the radar in the West, and front page news in India. OpenAI’s mobile version of ChatGPT, called ChatGPT Go, is now free in India for a full year for new subscribers. Gavin and I dive into potential reasons why this might be happening, and what the future may hold for the company and hundreds of millions of Indians (as well as other users worldwide) who take advantage of it and get hooked, for better or for worse.

If you like the episode, don’t forget to give us a like, comment, or subscribe. We truly appreciate it! And, if you think we’re totally off base here—call us out.

Thanks as always for listening, and have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Dave and Gavin]]>653billions-in-losses,chatgpt-freemium-india,chat-gpt-go,chatgpt-go-free-india,chat-gpt-india,chatgpt-openai-softbank-nvidia,chatgpt-subscription,chatgpt-subscription-model,data-protection-laws,gemini-chatgpt-revenue,infrastructure-development,nvidia-stargate-openai,openai-stargate-indiafalse3bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-24-reno-pd-needs-lt-dangle-an-episode-about-blind-trust-in-ai-systems--69128652
This week on On the Fringe, Dave and Gavin yack about a recent incident in Reno, Nevada, where a man was misidentified by using AI technology. We jump into the uses and misuses of AI in the modern world, and what increased reliance of AI systems and technology without the human element leads society toward.

If you’re curious about our take on it, don’t miss this episode!

After you're done listening, here are some of our more recent episodes about AI. 

Season 3, Episode 21, On the Edge of Everything, with Practical AI CEO Derek Crager

Season 3, Episode 5: A Crash Course on GPTs, with John Otwell, a Software Engineer

Season 3, Episode 7: Questions anyone using AI needs to ask themselves, with John Otwell and Kevin Wong

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe. We truly appreciate it! Shoot us a message here.

Here's the video we referenced in the episode:
https://youtu.be/B9M4F_U1eEw?si=testFg29pvSixGE-

All the best, Dave and Gavin 

No AI was used in the recording of this episode, but it was used to make the image of the guy in the top right corner of the cover art. ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69128652Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:47:19 +0000Dave and GavinHey all!  This week on On the Fringe, Dave and Gavin yack about a recent incident in Reno, Nevada, where a man was misidentified by using AI technology. We jump into the uses and misuses of AI in the modern world, and what increased reliance of AI...
This week on On the Fringe, Dave and Gavin yack about a recent incident in Reno, Nevada, where a man was misidentified by using AI technology. We jump into the uses and misuses of AI in the modern world, and what increased reliance of AI systems and technology without the human element leads society toward.

If you’re curious about our take on it, don’t miss this episode!

After you're done listening, here are some of our more recent episodes about AI. 

Season 3, Episode 21, On the Edge of Everything, with Practical AI CEO Derek Crager

Season 3, Episode 5: A Crash Course on GPTs, with John Otwell, a Software Engineer

Season 3, Episode 7: Questions anyone using AI needs to ask themselves, with John Otwell and Kevin Wong

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe. We truly appreciate it! Shoot us a message here.

Here's the video we referenced in the episode:
https://youtu.be/B9M4F_U1eEw?si=testFg29pvSixGE-

All the best, Dave and Gavin 

No AI was used in the recording of this episode, but it was used to make the image of the guy in the top right corner of the cover art. ]]>894ai,artificial-intelligence,blind-trust-ai,dependence-on-technology,facial-recognition-casino,facial-recognition-technology,importance-critical-thinking,lack-of-critical-thinking,leadership,lt.-dangle-garcia,lt.-dangle-reno,misuse-of-ai,nevada-real-id,new-boot-goofin,peppermill-casino-reno,real-id-act,reno-911,reno-nevada-police,ruin-society-trust,wrongful-arrestfalse325fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-23-kyrgyzstan-land-of-mountains-mines-and-elections-featuring-joe-barnes--69042161 (00:00:21) Podcast Intro, travel, and upcoming elections in Kyrgyzstan
(00:04:23) The current political landscape and historical context
(00:12:26) Social media usage in elections in Kyrgyzstan
(00:16:23) the CSTO's Role in Central Asia
(00:20:46) Ethnic Tensions in the Fergana Valley
(00:25:21) Kyrgyzstan's relationship with China
(00:29:08) Kyrgyzstan's future and the long-term outlook

This week, Dave and Gav brought back Joe Barnes, friend of the pod and guest on our episode about neighboring Kazakhstan to talk about Kyrgyzstan. Joe dives into a deep backstory about the Kyrgyz Republic, and why the country has taken off economically in the last few years. One reason—it’s absolutely beautiful and an incredible value for your money.

We also discuss a brief modern history of the country (and region) and what has changed in Kyrgyz civil society and how important gold and mining are to the country. 

If you’ve got an inkling to explore Central Asia on foot or online, don’t miss this episode.

We love to hear from our listeners and fans. Leave us some feedback, your favorite emoji, or a rating. Take care and all the best from us On the Fringe!

Dave and Gav

Reach out to Joe on his website, X/Twitter, and see his articles for the Diplomat here.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69042161Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:12:15 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Dave and Gav brought back Joe Barnes, friend of the pod and guest on our https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/season-3-episode-2-kazakhstan-from-30-000-feet-featuring/id1768653644?i=1000721690064 to talk about Kyrgyzstan. Joe dives into a... (00:00:21) Podcast Intro, travel, and upcoming elections in Kyrgyzstan
(00:04:23) The current political landscape and historical context
(00:12:26) Social media usage in elections in Kyrgyzstan
(00:16:23) the CSTO's Role in Central Asia
(00:20:46) Ethnic Tensions in the Fergana Valley
(00:25:21) Kyrgyzstan's relationship with China
(00:29:08) Kyrgyzstan's future and the long-term outlook

This week, Dave and Gav brought back Joe Barnes, friend of the pod and guest on our episode about neighboring Kazakhstan to talk about Kyrgyzstan. Joe dives into a deep backstory about the Kyrgyz Republic, and why the country has taken off economically in the last few years. One reason—it’s absolutely beautiful and an incredible value for your money.

We also discuss a brief modern history of the country (and region) and what has changed in Kyrgyz civil society and how important gold and mining are to the country. 

If you’ve got an inkling to explore Central Asia on foot or online, don’t miss this episode.

We love to hear from our listeners and fans. Leave us some feedback, your favorite emoji, or a rating. Take care and all the best from us On the Fringe!

Dave and Gav

Reach out to Joe on his website, X/Twitter, and see his articles for the Diplomat here.]]>2070bakiyev,central-asia,civil-society-kyrgyzstan,csto-bishkek,democracy,democracy-kyrgyzstan,fergana-valley,japarov,kyrgyzstan,kyrgyzstan-china-bri,kyrgyzstan-elections-november,kyrgyzstan-kazakhstan,travel-kyrgyzstan,where-is-kyrgyzstanfalse324fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-a-tale-of-two-airstrikes--69001572 (00:02:33) The airstrike in Benin

Two unexpected turns of events and two growing regional powers are stepping up. 

Hey all! We’ve got a quick episode for you and two events we will likely be covering in our next season in greater depth.

In the first part, Dave and Gav talk about what’s going on between Thailand and Cambodia.

In the second part, Gavin goes on a tear and gets to the bottom of a murky situation in Benin, a country critical to the regional stability of West Africa. 

As always, thanks for listening and joining us On the Fringe! If you enjoyed the episode, let us know here. 

All the best,

Dave and Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69001572Fri, 12 Dec 2025 02:47:15 +0000Dave and GavinTwo unexpected turns of events and two growing regional powers are stepping up.  Hey all! We’ve got a quick episode for you and two events we will likely be covering in our next season in greater depth. In the first part, Dave and Gav talk about... (00:02:33) The airstrike in Benin

Two unexpected turns of events and two growing regional powers are stepping up. 

Hey all! We’ve got a quick episode for you and two events we will likely be covering in our next season in greater depth.

In the first part, Dave and Gav talk about what’s going on between Thailand and Cambodia.

In the second part, Gavin goes on a tear and gets to the bottom of a murky situation in Benin, a country critical to the regional stability of West Africa. 

As always, thanks for listening and joining us On the Fringe! If you enjoyed the episode, let us know here. 

All the best,

Dave and Gav]]>833benin-coup-de-etat,boko-haram,ecowas-benin,f-16-bombing,france-benin,france-west-africa,nigeria-bombing,nigeria-fight-terrorism,nigeria-terrorism,regional-instability,royal-thai-air-force,show-of-force,thailand-cambodia-bomb,thailand-cambodia-war,west-africafalse3bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-22-indigone-an-epic-meltdown-for-india-s-biggest-airline--68931696
Over the last couple of weeks, IndiGo, India’s largest airline has suffered from major operational setbacks. We’re diving into the most recent one that caused the airline to cancel thousands of flights in the last week as well as why these events may have occurred.

If you’re interested in India, don’t miss this episode—and if you’re flying to or within India, we wish you the best in getting to your destination and feel for those who are "Moody in Mumbai” or “Desperate in Delhi.”

If you enjoy it, share it and give us some feedback—positive or negative. We always appreciate it!

Thanks always for the support and take care,

Dave and Gavin]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68931696Sun, 07 Dec 2025 19:26:15 +0000Dave and GavinHey all!  Over the last couple of weeks, IndiGo, India’s largest airline has suffered from major operational setbacks. We’re diving into the most recent one that caused the airline to cancel thousands of flights in the last week as well as why these...
Over the last couple of weeks, IndiGo, India’s largest airline has suffered from major operational setbacks. We’re diving into the most recent one that caused the airline to cancel thousands of flights in the last week as well as why these events may have occurred.

If you’re interested in India, don’t miss this episode—and if you’re flying to or within India, we wish you the best in getting to your destination and feel for those who are "Moody in Mumbai” or “Desperate in Delhi.”

If you enjoy it, share it and give us some feedback—positive or negative. We always appreciate it!

Thanks always for the support and take care,

Dave and Gavin]]>1122airbus-a320,air-india,bangalore-airport,flying,flying-indigo-airlines,india-busy-airport,india-cancelled-flight,india-duopoly,india-economy-reforms,india-largest-airline,india-law-pilot-rest,indigo,indigo-meltdown,meltdown,pieter-elbers,pieter-elbers-apology,pilot-crew-rest,stranded-passengers,stuck-airport,travel-indiafalse323fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-21-on-the-edge-of-everything-the-future-of-ai-with-derek-crager-ceo-of-practical-ai--68882278 (00:00:23) Intro
(00:01:05) How we met Derek Crager
(00:01:43) Interview starts--How did Derek discover the power of AI
(00:04:37) Human first AI
(00:07:23) AI's role in developing critical thinking + to help make better decisions
(00:10:14) Human first AI in Education
(00:18:00) AI's use to empower students in the classroom
(00:19:56) How to learn something new, with or without AI
(00:24:57) AI mentorship can help you to dig deeper
(00:26:56) The AI world of the future
(00:28:56) AI as an engagement tool and the "secret sauce"
(00:33:07) Fiction as the anchor of creativity
(00:34:52) Derek's upcoming book, "Human First AI"

This week, Dave and Gav talk with Derek ‘DC’ Crager, the CEO of Practical AI.

Derek is at the forefront of building what he describes as ‘human-first’ AI and makes the pitch that AI has to be tailored to human needs.

We talk about the uses and misuses of AI technology, where it could make a real difference in people’s lives, and not only for improving productivity.

If you’re curious about future technology and the impact on life as we know it, don’t miss this episode.

For more information about Derek’s company Practical AI and Pocket Mentor click below. 
https://www.practicalai.app/

Derek also provided the first chapter of his book, “Human First AI,” available below. https://www.humanfirstai.net/]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68882278Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:51:02 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Dave and Gav talk with Derek ‘DC’ Crager, the CEO of Practical AI. Derek is at the forefront of building what he describes as ‘human-first’ AI and makes the pitch that AI has to be tailored to human needs. We talk about the uses and... (00:00:23) Intro
(00:01:05) How we met Derek Crager
(00:01:43) Interview starts--How did Derek discover the power of AI
(00:04:37) Human first AI
(00:07:23) AI's role in developing critical thinking + to help make better decisions
(00:10:14) Human first AI in Education
(00:18:00) AI's use to empower students in the classroom
(00:19:56) How to learn something new, with or without AI
(00:24:57) AI mentorship can help you to dig deeper
(00:26:56) The AI world of the future
(00:28:56) AI as an engagement tool and the "secret sauce"
(00:33:07) Fiction as the anchor of creativity
(00:34:52) Derek's upcoming book, "Human First AI"

This week, Dave and Gav talk with Derek ‘DC’ Crager, the CEO of Practical AI.

Derek is at the forefront of building what he describes as ‘human-first’ AI and makes the pitch that AI has to be tailored to human needs.

We talk about the uses and misuses of AI technology, where it could make a real difference in people’s lives, and not only for improving productivity.

If you’re curious about future technology and the impact on life as we know it, don’t miss this episode.

For more information about Derek’s company Practical AI and Pocket Mentor click below. 
https://www.practicalai.app/

Derek also provided the first chapter of his book, “Human First AI,” available below. https://www.humanfirstai.net/]]>2224ai-classroom,ai-education,ai-empowers-students,ai-mentor,ai-productivity,ai-role-classroom,ai-world,artificial-intelligence,autism,develop-critical-thinking,download-brain,forgetting-curve,human-first-ai,pocket-mentor,practical-ai,special-needs-students,think-outside-the-boxfalse321fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-20-why-the-state-of-african-democracy-matters-featuring-stuart-bolus--68797872 (00:00:20) Podcast Intro
(00:01:09) One of the West's biggest problems with West Africa
(00:04:51) Why West Africa doesn't reflect the countries that colonized it, notably France
(00:07:50) How this affects the countries' political systems
(00:11:10) What democracy often looks like in West Africa
(00:15:03) Benefits to a two-party system like in the U.S. and Ghana
(00:18:53) Political systems and the need for institutions
(00:24:14) Another key metric to the foundation of democracy
(00:25:09) How elections and votes are tallied
(00:30:22) A major roadblock for local African political movements
(00:37:19) Riding off into the sunset
(00:38:23) Gambia's interesting electoral system
(00:40:29) Gavin's tale about the Nigerian Legislative Assembly
(00:43:52) Democracy is affordable, but comes at a high price
(00:46:16) Closing

We've brought back Stuart Bolus from last season to talk about the state of African democracy. He was a guest on episode episode back in Season 2 about the man of the hour in Burkina Faso.

You’ll learn what African Democracy looks like, why it is fragile, and how it differs from country to country, along with local insight, including how illiterates can vote and serve as National Assembly members in one country. 

Shoot us a message, leave us a comment, or send us your favorite emoji if you enjoyed the ep! We love hearing from our On the Fringe community.

Thanks as always for checking us out On the Fringe!

All the best,

Dave and Gavin 

The colorful flag map of Africa in the corner of our podcast art is from Wikimedia and was made by WwJLaik and can be found here:]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68797872Sat, 29 Nov 2025 14:56:57 +0000Dave and GavinWe've brought back Stuart Bolus from last season to talk about the state of African democracy. He was a guest on episode episode back in Season 2 about... (00:00:20) Podcast Intro
(00:01:09) One of the West's biggest problems with West Africa
(00:04:51) Why West Africa doesn't reflect the countries that colonized it, notably France
(00:07:50) How this affects the countries' political systems
(00:11:10) What democracy often looks like in West Africa
(00:15:03) Benefits to a two-party system like in the U.S. and Ghana
(00:18:53) Political systems and the need for institutions
(00:24:14) Another key metric to the foundation of democracy
(00:25:09) How elections and votes are tallied
(00:30:22) A major roadblock for local African political movements
(00:37:19) Riding off into the sunset
(00:38:23) Gambia's interesting electoral system
(00:40:29) Gavin's tale about the Nigerian Legislative Assembly
(00:43:52) Democracy is affordable, but comes at a high price
(00:46:16) Closing

We've brought back Stuart Bolus from last season to talk about the state of African democracy. He was a guest on episode episode back in Season 2 about the man of the hour in Burkina Faso.

You’ll learn what African Democracy looks like, why it is fragile, and how it differs from country to country, along with local insight, including how illiterates can vote and serve as National Assembly members in one country. 

Shoot us a message, leave us a comment, or send us your favorite emoji if you enjoyed the ep! We love hearing from our On the Fringe community.

Thanks as always for checking us out On the Fringe!

All the best,

Dave and Gavin 

The colorful flag map of Africa in the corner of our podcast art is from Wikimedia and was made by WwJLaik and can be found here:]]>2811african-presidential-elections,cameroon-president,coup-d'etat,democracy,disinformation,elections,guinea-bisseau,illiterate-voting,niger,nigeria,paul-biya,president-obasanjo,russia,tanzania,terrorism-west-africa,voting,west-africafalse320fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-american-women-have-a-problem-with-america--68756042
Share below or shoot us an email about what you think means and if we’re off base here. We’d love to hear your opinions.

As always, thanks for listening and joining us On the Fringe.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone else in the States!

Dave and Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68756042Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:24:12 +0000Dave and GavinFor this bonus episode, Gav and Dave talk about a real interesting response to a recent Gallup poll in which 40% of American women between the ages of 15-44 declared their interest in leaving the United States permanently. If this doesn’t cause you...
Share below or shoot us an email about what you think means and if we’re off base here. We’d love to hear your opinions.

As always, thanks for listening and joining us On the Fringe.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone else in the States!

Dave and Gav]]>764age-15-to-44,america,american-women,canada,career-woman,equality,gallup-poll,glass-ceiling,healthcare,ideal-country,japan,leave-america,new-zealand,prosperity,reproductive-rights,start-a-family,survey,women,women-want-leave-america,young-motherfalse3bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-19-the-twisting-and-turning-tales-of-alice-guo--68707465 (00:00:20) Podcast Starts
(00:00:55) Introduction about Alice Guo
(00:04:40) How Alice got caught
(00:06:19) Alice's wild getaway through Southeast Asia
(00:08:02) key details that the media misses in this story
(00:10:40) Big changes in Philippine politics
(00:14:50) Big shifts in the Philippines' posture
(00:18:11) Closing

This week, Gav and Dave return to one of the first stories we covered here on On the Fringe, the story of Alice Guo, one-time mayor of Bamban in the northern Philippines, erstwhile inmate in the Filipino prison system.

We dive into the bare bones of who she is, how she wound up as mayor, and why she just got sentenced to life in prison, along with diving into how this informs larger narratives playing out in Southeast Asia.

We made a couple of small booboos.

POGO stands for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, not organizations 
Alice did not live iat the compound, but she was the FBO for a company, Baofu Land Development Corporation, that owned it. 

For the very SERIOUS allegations that She Zhejiang and Alice worked for the MSS: 

She Zhejiang disclosed during an interview to al Jazeera that he worked for the MSS. And, She had information that Alice was also connected. (same video, about 16:42)

We can't confirm if what She said is true or not—pun intended.
 

Thanks for listening and leave us a comment, like, or share the word. We appreciate it!

All the best from On the Fringe,
Dave and Gav

After you’ve listened, here's that past episode about Alice.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68707465Sun, 23 Nov 2025 17:56:34 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Gav and Dave return to one of the first stories we covered here on On the Fringe, the story of Alice Guo, one-time mayor of Bamban in the northern Philippines, erstwhile inmate in the Filipino prison system. We dive into the bare bones of... (00:00:20) Podcast Starts
(00:00:55) Introduction about Alice Guo
(00:04:40) How Alice got caught
(00:06:19) Alice's wild getaway through Southeast Asia
(00:08:02) key details that the media misses in this story
(00:10:40) Big changes in Philippine politics
(00:14:50) Big shifts in the Philippines' posture
(00:18:11) Closing

This week, Gav and Dave return to one of the first stories we covered here on On the Fringe, the story of Alice Guo, one-time mayor of Bamban in the northern Philippines, erstwhile inmate in the Filipino prison system.

We dive into the bare bones of who she is, how she wound up as mayor, and why she just got sentenced to life in prison, along with diving into how this informs larger narratives playing out in Southeast Asia.

We made a couple of small booboos.

POGO stands for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, not organizations 
Alice did not live iat the compound, but she was the FBO for a company, Baofu Land Development Corporation, that owned it. 

For the very SERIOUS allegations that She Zhejiang and Alice worked for the MSS: 

She Zhejiang disclosed during an interview to al Jazeera that he worked for the MSS. And, She had information that Alice was also connected. (same video, about 16:42)

We can't confirm if what She said is true or not—pun intended.
 

Thanks for listening and leave us a comment, like, or share the word. We appreciate it!

All the best from On the Fringe,
Dave and Gav

After you’ve listened, here's that past episode about Alice.]]>1166alice-guo,bamban-philippines,chinese-spy,human-trafficking,mayor,mss,offshore-gaming,pogo,she-zhejiangfalse319fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-episode-one-bear-of-a-problem-in-japan-that-the-japanese-can-t-just-grin-and-bear--68658039
Wild bears are causing whole areas of Japan to be declared no-go zones for civilians, and even the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are being called into assist in keeping people and bears at a safe distance.

We’re diving into why exactly this is becoming an issue and why Japan’s ongoing struggle with a rapidly aging and decreasing population is playing a key role in this whole issue. 

As always, thanks for bearing with us! Reach out to onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com with any comments and we’ll get back to you.

Also, I said Akita and Iwate are “provinces.” They are prefectures (県）すみません！

All the best,

Dave and Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68658039Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:55:05 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Gav and Dave talk about a major issue facing Japan, rampaging bears. Wild bears are causing whole areas of Japan to be declared no-go zones for civilians, and even the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are being called into assist in keeping...
Wild bears are causing whole areas of Japan to be declared no-go zones for civilians, and even the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are being called into assist in keeping people and bears at a safe distance.

We’re diving into why exactly this is becoming an issue and why Japan’s ongoing struggle with a rapidly aging and decreasing population is playing a key role in this whole issue. 

As always, thanks for bearing with us! Reach out to onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com with any comments and we’ll get back to you.

Also, I said Akita and Iwate are “provinces.” They are prefectures (県）すみません！

All the best,

Dave and Gav]]>440false3bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-17-courtship-on-the-king-s-court--68592559
This week, the Thai King visited Xi Jinping, and Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the President of Syria, visited the White House. In BOTH meetings, the media is not including key details that you have to recognize to understand what is really happening.

We dipped our toes into what we think is going on behind the scenes. Listen in and find out what you are missing.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, share, or reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

We appreciate it and couldn’t keep growing without you!

All the best from us on On the Fringe,

Dave + Gav]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68592559Sun, 16 Nov 2025 19:38:05 +0000Dave and GavinHey all!  This week, the Thai King visited Xi Jinping, and Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the President of Syria, visited the White House. In BOTH meetings, the media is not including key details that you have to recognize to understand what is really happening....
This week, the Thai King visited Xi Jinping, and Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the President of Syria, visited the White House. In BOTH meetings, the media is not including key details that you have to recognize to understand what is really happening.

We dipped our toes into what we think is going on behind the scenes. Listen in and find out what you are missing.

If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, share, or reach out at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

We appreciate it and couldn’t keep growing without you!

All the best from us on On the Fringe,

Dave + Gav]]>873abu-bakr-al-baghdadi,china-thailand-state-visit,east-turkestan-movement,pr-campaign,smooth-operator,state-visit,syria-us,terrorism,trump-sharaa-meeting,xinjiang,xi-thai-kingfalse318fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-16-horatiu-wants-to-go-to-prison--68487938onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com—No tin foil hat required!This Substack is reader and listener-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:178438504Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:21:26 +0000Dave and GavinTwo shadowy Russians flew to the United Arab Emirates to free Horatiu Potra, a Romanian security expert and ex-French Foreign Legionnaire, out of a Dubai jail after he was arrested in September. Rather than fly to Russia—as he almost did—Potra has...onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com—No tin foil hat required!This Substack is reader and listener-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>818false317fullhttps://onthefringepodcast.substack.com/p/season-3-episode-15-bamako-on-the
Bamako is a city running out of time. With little fuel, the city is entering an existential crisis as neighboring countries and major powers realize the ruling military junta’s days may be numbered, as does Gavin.

Whatever comes after though will likely be worse as this region continues to spiral. For more on what is happening in this part of the world, don’t miss a few of our other episodes.

Last week, we covered the kidnapping of a Christian missionary and pilot in neighboring Niger—in broad daylight. This will give you insight into what is going on on the ground, along with our quick episode about this neighboring country you don’t want to visit right now.

As always, thanks for your support and for listening--and don't forget to subscribe or leave us a review. We truly appreciate it!

Dave and Gavin  ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68389639Sun, 02 Nov 2025 18:59:42 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! This week, we are taking you back to West Africa and building on our last episode about a growing jihadist influence in this corner of the world. Bamako is a city running out of time. With little fuel, the city is entering an existential...
Bamako is a city running out of time. With little fuel, the city is entering an existential crisis as neighboring countries and major powers realize the ruling military junta’s days may be numbered, as does Gavin.

Whatever comes after though will likely be worse as this region continues to spiral. For more on what is happening in this part of the world, don’t miss a few of our other episodes.

Last week, we covered the kidnapping of a Christian missionary and pilot in neighboring Niger—in broad daylight. This will give you insight into what is going on on the ground, along with our quick episode about this neighboring country you don’t want to visit right now.

As always, thanks for your support and for listening--and don't forget to subscribe or leave us a review. We truly appreciate it!

Dave and Gavin  ]]>890al-qaeda-affiliate,american-kidnapped-niger,bamako,bamako-mali,dangerous-region-world,evacuate-immediately,extremism-sahel-africa,government-collapse,humanitarian-crisis,jnim,junta,kidnapping-niger,lack-of-fuel,mali,mali-capital-surrounded,missionary-kidnapped,refugee-crisis,surrounded-by-jihadists,violent-extremismfalse315fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/this-is-one-country-you-don-t-want-to-visit-right-now--68355593here, courtesy of julesdhl on Reddit. (thank you, Stuart!)
We’ve got a short, spontaneous (and timely!) bonus episode! 

This time, Gav and Dave yak and spitball about a map comparing different foreign ministry’s threat assessments of Burkina Faso, a small but critically important country in West Africa. They all bear bad news, but they’re all just a little bit different.

We talk about what this means, and what it portends for the country of upright men.

To hear more about Burkina Faso, check out this episode: The Man of the Hour in West Africa, featuring Stuart.

If you like this style of episode, let us know!

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68355593Thu, 30 Oct 2025 22:54:02 +0000Dave and GavinThe full travel advisory map can be found https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/1l3ypiq/burkina_faso_travel_advisory_maps_comparison/ (thank you, Stuart!) We’ve got a short, spontaneous (and timely!) bonus episode!  This time, Gav and Dave yak...here, courtesy of julesdhl on Reddit. (thank you, Stuart!)
We’ve got a short, spontaneous (and timely!) bonus episode! 

This time, Gav and Dave yak and spitball about a map comparing different foreign ministry’s threat assessments of Burkina Faso, a small but critically important country in West Africa. They all bear bad news, but they’re all just a little bit different.

We talk about what this means, and what it portends for the country of upright men.

To hear more about Burkina Faso, check out this episode: The Man of the Hour in West Africa, featuring Stuart.

If you like this style of episode, let us know!

]]>490burkina-faso,china,dangerous,don't-travel,high-risk-travel,instability,isis-west-africa,islamic-terrorism,ministry-of-foreign-affairs,ouaga,ouagadougou,red,state-department,threat-level-red,travel-advisory,travel-advisory-state,united-states,west-africafalse3bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/this-is-a-country-you-don-t-want-to-visit-now--68355985here, courtesy of julesdhl on Reddit. Thank you, Stuart!We’ve got a short, spontaneous (and timely!) bonus episode! This time, Gav and Dave yak and spitball about a map comparing different foreign ministry’s threat assessments of Burkina Faso, a small but critically important country in West Africa. They all bear bad news, but they’re all just a little bit different. We talk about what this means, and what it portends for the country of upright men. To hear more about Burkina Faso, check out this episode: The Man of the Hour in West Africa, featuring Stuart. If you like this style of episode, let us know! shoot us an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.comThanks as always for listening,Dave and Gav

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:177610331Thu, 30 Oct 2025 22:38:12 +0000Dave and GavinOur map can be found https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/1l3ypiq/burkina_faso_travel_advisory_maps_comparison/ Thank you, Stuart!We’ve got a short, spontaneous (and timely!) bonus episode! This time, Gav and Dave yak and spitball about a map...here, courtesy of julesdhl on Reddit. Thank you, Stuart!We’ve got a short, spontaneous (and timely!) bonus episode! This time, Gav and Dave yak and spitball about a map comparing different foreign ministry’s threat assessments of Burkina Faso, a small but critically important country in West Africa. They all bear bad news, but they’re all just a little bit different. We talk about what this means, and what it portends for the country of upright men. To hear more about Burkina Faso, check out this episode: The Man of the Hour in West Africa, featuring Stuart. If you like this style of episode, let us know! shoot us an email at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.comThanks as always for listening,Dave and Gav

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>490false3bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-14-a-christian-missionary-was-kidnapped-in-the-heart-of-niger-s-capital--68287180
Since October 21, Niger has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Just 100 yards from the Presidential Palace in Niamey, the country’s capital, Kevin Rideout, an American missionary and bush pilot was kidnapped by jihadist terrorists and is currently being held for ransom. Our hearts, thoughts, and sincerest prayers go out to Kevin, his family, and his congregation. 

What does this event mean for the country and the United States (and Americans in Niger) at a critical time for the country? Listen in and find out. 

For more background on West Africa, don't miss our episode with Stuart.
Season 2, Episode 42: The Man of the Hour in West Africa

If you enjoyed the episode, please don’t forget to follow, like, comment, or subscribe to On the Fringe. We sincerely appreciate it!

The flag of Niger was created by verdy_p and can be found here:]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68287180Sun, 26 Oct 2025 18:08:02 +0000Dave and GavinOn this episode, Gavin takes a stroll down memory lane and talks in depth about Niger, a key country in the Sahel region of West Africa. Since October 21, Niger has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Just 100 yards from the Presidential...
Since October 21, Niger has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Just 100 yards from the Presidential Palace in Niamey, the country’s capital, Kevin Rideout, an American missionary and bush pilot was kidnapped by jihadist terrorists and is currently being held for ransom. Our hearts, thoughts, and sincerest prayers go out to Kevin, his family, and his congregation. 

What does this event mean for the country and the United States (and Americans in Niger) at a critical time for the country? Listen in and find out. 

For more background on West Africa, don't miss our episode with Stuart.
Season 2, Episode 42: The Man of the Hour in West Africa

If you enjoyed the episode, please don’t forget to follow, like, comment, or subscribe to On the Fringe. We sincerely appreciate it!

The flag of Niger was created by verdy_p and can be found here:]]>1174american-kidnapped-abroad,american-missionary,bush-pilot,christian,dont-travel,evangelical-christian-target,instability,kevin-rideout,kidnapped-broad-daylight,kidnapped-by-jihadists,mali,missionary,niamey,niger,presidential-palace,sincerest-thoughts-and-prayers,state-department,terrorists,travel-warning,west-africafalse315fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-14-a-christian-missionary-was-kidnapped-in-the-heart-of-niger-s-capital--68287376verdy_p and can be found here:

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:177194587Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:54:34 +0000Dave and GavinOn this episode, Gavin takes a stroll down memory lane and talks in depth about Niger, a key country in the Sahel region of West Africa. Since October 21, Niger has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Just 100 yards from the Presidential...verdy_p and can be found here:

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1174false315fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-13-why-is-gen-z-rising-up-worldwide-no-really--68227454
We look into how the death of political economic institutions (accelerated by the emergence of AI, amongst other things) is currently creating a social environment where large classes of the population increasingly feel that they have nothing to lose but their chains.

If you haven’t listened to it yet, don’t miss our previous episode, Season 3, Episode 12: the Front Lines of the AI Future featuring Sherman Tylawsky, an expert on civics.

As always, thanks a million for your support! We wouldn’t be here without you.

Reach out with any comments, questions, or fan mail: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

And don't forget to subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts. We truly appreciate it! 

All the best from On the Fringe,
Gav and Dave]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68227454Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:25:27 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Gav and Dave dive into the Gen Z protests/revolutions/unrest that is currently unfolding across the world and analyze some of the driving factors to this transformative moment that mainstream media is missing and not covering. We look into...
We look into how the death of political economic institutions (accelerated by the emergence of AI, amongst other things) is currently creating a social environment where large classes of the population increasingly feel that they have nothing to lose but their chains.

If you haven’t listened to it yet, don’t miss our previous episode, Season 3, Episode 12: the Front Lines of the AI Future featuring Sherman Tylawsky, an expert on civics.

As always, thanks a million for your support! We wouldn’t be here without you.

Reach out with any comments, questions, or fan mail: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

And don't forget to subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts. We truly appreciate it! 

All the best from On the Fringe,
Gav and Dave]]>1025ai,artificial-intelligence,death-of-institutions,economic-insecurity,fear,gen-z,gen-z-protest,good-governance,indonesia-riots-september-2025,madagascar-coup,madagascar-president,nepal-riots-september-2025,no-future,no-kings,no-water-no-power,philippines-protest-corruption,standard-of-livingfalse314fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-13-why-is-gen-z-revolting-worldwide-no-really--68227759Season 3, Episode 12: the Front Lines of the AI Future featuring Sherman Tylawsky, an expert on civics. As always, thanks a million for your support! We wouldn’t be here without you. Reach out with any comments, questions, or fan mail: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.comAll the best from On the Fringe,Gav and Dave

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:176739329Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:57:36 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, Gav and Dave dive into the Gen Z protests/revolutions/unrest that are currently unfolding across the world and analyze some of the driving factors to this transformative moment that the mainstream media may be missing out on. We also look...Season 3, Episode 12: the Front Lines of the AI Future featuring Sherman Tylawsky, an expert on civics. As always, thanks a million for your support! We wouldn’t be here without you. Reach out with any comments, questions, or fan mail: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.comAll the best from On the Fringe,Gav and Dave

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1025false314fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-12-the-front-lines-of-the-ai-future-featuring-sherman-tylawsky--68159591
We have an awesome chat today with Sherman Tylawsky, a PhD candidate at the University of Alabama, and Founder of the George Washington Institute.

Sherman is an expert on civics and the Founding Fathers, and the Host of Friends and Fellow Citizens, a podcast you need to check out if you’re interested in the foundation that built America (it’s linked below).

Human to human relationships and shared values have been at the crux of every major human achievement since the dawn of time, and were pivotal to pulling the United States together as a young nation—and keeping it together at times of crisis. 

As AI becomes more common in our everyday lives, how does the United States keep these values relevant in a less-human future? Listen and hear from an expert. Hope you enjoy our chat, and leave us a message or comment to join in!

Thanks a million,

Dave, Gavin, and Sherman]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68159591Thu, 16 Oct 2025 13:08:13 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We have an awesome chat today with Sherman Tylawsky, a PhD candidate at the University of Alabama, and Founder of the George Washington Institute. Sherman is an expert on civics and the Founding Fathers, and the Host of Friends and Fellow...
We have an awesome chat today with Sherman Tylawsky, a PhD candidate at the University of Alabama, and Founder of the George Washington Institute.

Sherman is an expert on civics and the Founding Fathers, and the Host of Friends and Fellow Citizens, a podcast you need to check out if you’re interested in the foundation that built America (it’s linked below).

Human to human relationships and shared values have been at the crux of every major human achievement since the dawn of time, and were pivotal to pulling the United States together as a young nation—and keeping it together at times of crisis. 

As AI becomes more common in our everyday lives, how does the United States keep these values relevant in a less-human future? Listen and hear from an expert. Hope you enjoy our chat, and leave us a message or comment to join in!

Thanks a million,

Dave, Gavin, and Sherman]]>2596agency,ai,ai-future,american-institutions,artificial-intelligence,build-relationships,civics,classroom,common-future,education-policy,future-of-education,george-washington,module,national-identity,positive-role-model,public-schools,schools,shared-destiny,teacher,the-front-linefalse313fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-11-how-the-ccp-communist-part-of-china-fights-crime-in-the-golden-triangle--68108986 (00:00:20) Podcast Starts
(00:02:25) Why these scam farms are in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia
(00:03:25) Why the Chinese Communist Party cracked down
(00:06:19) An overview of the main players
(00:10:07) Why is the Chinese government cracking down now?
(00:11:50) Will China begin to crack down more?
(00:13:41) Why these scam farms just won't go away
(00:14:21) How you fall into their trap

Hey all! This episode piggybacks off our last episode, Season 3, Episode 10: How Scam farms are crippling Thailand’s tourism industry.

In episode 11, Dave and Gav return to the Golden Triangle to talk about an unlucky (crime) family. 
Recently, members of the Ming Organized Crime Group have been sentenced to death in the People’s Republic of China. Among the long list of crimes, their biggest sin was running one of the regions biggest scam centers…and one that made most of its money targeting Chinese citizens, both as forced labor in the scam farms and as victims. 

We hash over the continued geopolitical mess caused by the rise of the scam farm economy in mainland Southeast Asia, cover how it isn’t going away anytime soon, and end with a warning.If you liked the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, or share.

Shoot us a message at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

Thanks and take care!

Dave and Gavin

The photo of the 18th National CCP Congress is from Wikimedia and can be accessed here:]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68108986Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:32:51 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! This episode piggybacks off our last episode, Season 3, Episode 10: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/season-3-episode-10-how-scam-farms-in-southeast-asia/id1768653644?i=1000730870467 In episode 11, Dave and Gav return to the Golden... (00:00:20) Podcast Starts
(00:02:25) Why these scam farms are in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia
(00:03:25) Why the Chinese Communist Party cracked down
(00:06:19) An overview of the main players
(00:10:07) Why is the Chinese government cracking down now?
(00:11:50) Will China begin to crack down more?
(00:13:41) Why these scam farms just won't go away
(00:14:21) How you fall into their trap

Hey all! This episode piggybacks off our last episode, Season 3, Episode 10: How Scam farms are crippling Thailand’s tourism industry.

In episode 11, Dave and Gav return to the Golden Triangle to talk about an unlucky (crime) family. 
Recently, members of the Ming Organized Crime Group have been sentenced to death in the People’s Republic of China. Among the long list of crimes, their biggest sin was running one of the regions biggest scam centers…and one that made most of its money targeting Chinese citizens, both as forced labor in the scam farms and as victims. 

We hash over the continued geopolitical mess caused by the rise of the scam farm economy in mainland Southeast Asia, cover how it isn’t going away anytime soon, and end with a warning.If you liked the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, or share.

Shoot us a message at onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

Thanks and take care!

Dave and Gavin

The photo of the 18th National CCP Congress is from Wikimedia and can be accessed here:]]>964bri-initiative,cambodia,ccp,china,chinese-communist-party,crackdown,death-penalty,golden-triangle,laos,ming-family,ming-xuechang,myanmar,organized-crime,pig-butchering,pig-butchering-scam,scam-farms,thailand,thailand-tourism-decline,wan-kuok-koi,zhao-weifalse312fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-10-how-scam-farms-in-southeast-asia-are-crippling-thailand-s-tourism-industry--68066319 (00:00:20) Intro
(00:01:39) Thailand's big hit post-COVID
(00:03:10) Thailand five years ago (in 2020) versus now (in 2025)
(00:05:45) The number of visitors before COVID
(00:06:35) Thailand's upstart competitor in the region
(00:07:38) One reason Thailand is struggling
(00:08:38) How Thailand's image is being hurt by its neighbors
(00:11:46) What the legalization of Cannabis did to Thailand's tourism industry
(00:15:23) How Thailand's reputation is affected--even if it is not true
(00:16:34) Thailand's top 10 nationalities of visiting tourists
(00:18:29) Will Thailand legalize gambling and look for another silver bullet?
(00:20:17) Why their silver bullets may not work
(00:22:53) Will foreign tourists keep coming to Thailand?
(00:26:17) Thailand's biggest problem in the region
(00:27:55) Why we are covering these scam farms On the Fringe

Hey all! On this episode we look at Thailand, the former juggernaut of tourism in Southeast Asia.

Thailand is a country much loved here on On the Fringe, but lately it has struggled with a key sector in its economy, tourism. 

Whether it’s because of COVID, being in a rough neighborhood, or mixed messaging on key legislation, Thailand has been having a rough time staying competitive in the cut-throat world of global tourism.

This week, Gav and Dave hash out the tourism industry in Thailand, where it’s at, and where it’s going. If you’ve never been to Thailand and want to learn more about the country, or want to understand what is causing people to not visit, don’t miss this episode. 

We’ve done several other podcasts on the Golden Triangle. Listen to them here:

Season 2, Episode 3: Pig Farming in the Golden Triangle

Season 2, Episode 25: It's all coming down]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68066319Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:29:49 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! On this episode we look at Thailand, the former juggernaut of tourism in Southeast Asia. Thailand is a country much loved here on On the Fringe, but lately it has struggled with a key sector in its economy, tourism.  Whether it’s because of... (00:00:20) Intro
(00:01:39) Thailand's big hit post-COVID
(00:03:10) Thailand five years ago (in 2020) versus now (in 2025)
(00:05:45) The number of visitors before COVID
(00:06:35) Thailand's upstart competitor in the region
(00:07:38) One reason Thailand is struggling
(00:08:38) How Thailand's image is being hurt by its neighbors
(00:11:46) What the legalization of Cannabis did to Thailand's tourism industry
(00:15:23) How Thailand's reputation is affected--even if it is not true
(00:16:34) Thailand's top 10 nationalities of visiting tourists
(00:18:29) Will Thailand legalize gambling and look for another silver bullet?
(00:20:17) Why their silver bullets may not work
(00:22:53) Will foreign tourists keep coming to Thailand?
(00:26:17) Thailand's biggest problem in the region
(00:27:55) Why we are covering these scam farms On the Fringe

Hey all! On this episode we look at Thailand, the former juggernaut of tourism in Southeast Asia.

Thailand is a country much loved here on On the Fringe, but lately it has struggled with a key sector in its economy, tourism. 

Whether it’s because of COVID, being in a rough neighborhood, or mixed messaging on key legislation, Thailand has been having a rough time staying competitive in the cut-throat world of global tourism.

This week, Gav and Dave hash out the tourism industry in Thailand, where it’s at, and where it’s going. If you’ve never been to Thailand and want to learn more about the country, or want to understand what is causing people to not visit, don’t miss this episode. 

We’ve done several other podcasts on the Golden Triangle. Listen to them here:

Season 2, Episode 3: Pig Farming in the Golden Triangle

Season 2, Episode 25: It's all coming down]]>1833bangkok,china,china-organized-crime,gambling-legal-thailand,how-thailand-recover-tourism,marijuana-legal-thailand,ming-family-execution,money-laundering,scam-farms-cambodia-myanmar,thailand,thailand-dangerous,thailand-economic-recovery,thailand-tourism-decline,thailand-visitor-data-2025,top-nationalities-to-thailand,tourism-spending-decline,vietnamfalse311fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-10-a-deep-dive-on-the-numbers-how-scam-farms-in-southeast-asia-are-crippling-thailand-s-tourism-industry--68065226Season 2, Episode 3: Pig Farming in the Golden Triangle (what this scam called Pig Farming is)Season 2, Episode 25: It’s all coming down (the 7.7 earthquake + initial recovery in Myanmar in March 2025) The Flag of Thailand is from Wikimedia commons.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:175632218Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:51:44 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! On this episode we look at Thailand, the former juggernaut of tourism in Southeast Asia. Thailand is a country much loved here on On the Fringe, but lately it has struggled with a key sector in its economy, tourism. Whether it’s because of...Season 2, Episode 3: Pig Farming in the Golden Triangle (what this scam called Pig Farming is)Season 2, Episode 25: It’s all coming down (the 7.7 earthquake + initial recovery in Myanmar in March 2025) The Flag of Thailand is from Wikimedia commons.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1833false311fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/living-abroad-episode-8-how-to-not-have-a-bad-hair-day-in-a-foreign-country--67934008onthefringepodcast.substack.com

This episode is subscribers only. To listen and get access to an exclusive series, type your email below. Hey all! In this episode, you get a laugh at our expense, and hopefully some helpful advice on how to manage getting your haircut in a foreign country, especially when you have to navigate doing it a foreign language.Listen to how you can avoid gett…]]>substack:post:174791547Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:46:56 +0000Dave and GavinThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7 This episode is subscribers only. To listen and get access to an exclusive series, type your email below....onthefringepodcast.substack.com

This episode is subscribers only. To listen and get access to an exclusive series, type your email below. Hey all! In this episode, you get a laugh at our expense, and hopefully some helpful advice on how to manage getting your haircut in a foreign country, especially when you have to navigate doing it a foreign language.Listen to how you can avoid gett…]]>68truebonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-9-what-you-need-to-know-about-nepal-s-youth-movement--67933239
In this podcast, we cover the recent protests in Nepal, and dive into what is really going on behind the scenes in the heart of South Asia. 

Nepal might be far off the radar for most people, but for On the Fringe, it’s front and center. Listen to hear what Nepali youth in Kathmandu are fighting for, what drove them to a boiling point, and why they got off Discord and decided to set their world on fire—literally. 

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

We sincerely appreciate it and couldn’t be growing at the rate without YOU!

Thanks a million,

Dave + Gavin

The flag of Nepal on our cover is from Wikimedia and can be accessed here.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67933239Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:17:31 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! Apologies for taking a couple of extra days to get this one out—it’s worth the wait, though!! In this podcast, we cover the recent protests in Nepal, and dive into what is really going on behind the scenes in the heart of South Asia.  Nepal...
In this podcast, we cover the recent protests in Nepal, and dive into what is really going on behind the scenes in the heart of South Asia. 

Nepal might be far off the radar for most people, but for On the Fringe, it’s front and center. Listen to hear what Nepali youth in Kathmandu are fighting for, what drove them to a boiling point, and why they got off Discord and decided to set their world on fire—literally. 

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

We sincerely appreciate it and couldn’t be growing at the rate without YOU!

Thanks a million,

Dave + Gavin

The flag of Nepal on our cover is from Wikimedia and can be accessed here.]]>681accountability,anti-corruption,burning,democracy,demonstrations,discord,economy,elections,female,gen-z,kathmandu,leader,maoists,nepal,nepotism,protests,riots,streets,transparency,youthtrue310fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-8-we-don-t-need-no-education-we-don-t-need-impulse-control--67808438 (00:00:48) Podcast Starts
(00:01:25) Guidance counselors are being replaced
(00:13:30) The slow, painful decline of US public schools

Hey all! This week we’re tackling a BIG issue that you do not want to miss—the use of AI as a counseling service in public schools in the United States.

If you are or know an educator, policy maker, or work with schools, share this episode with them.

Both of us (Gavin and Dave) have years of experience as educators in different countries and share our genuine fears and concerns with news that U.S. public schools will lean more on AI chatbots to fill in for human counselors.

Yes, Mr. Mackey might be getting fired soon for real. And it may not be a good thing, m’kay. 

With future budget cuts coming, and students’ performance declining, will AI soon be replacing teachers too at the dizzying pace that it has replaced going to Google for answers? And, in the very human search for a quick fix, and the ubiquity of AI steamrolling its way into our world, are we creating bigger or unsurmountable problems down the road that we aren't considering? 

Leave us a 1-word review, drop in the comments how you feel, and thanks for listening!


The small bot in the corner is from freepik.com, can be found here, and was crcreated by upklyak]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67808438Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:42:33 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! This week we’re tackling a BIG issue that you do not want to miss—the use of AI as a counseling service in public schools in the United States. If you are or know an educator, policy maker, or work with schools, share this episode with them.... (00:00:48) Podcast Starts
(00:01:25) Guidance counselors are being replaced
(00:13:30) The slow, painful decline of US public schools

Hey all! This week we’re tackling a BIG issue that you do not want to miss—the use of AI as a counseling service in public schools in the United States.

If you are or know an educator, policy maker, or work with schools, share this episode with them.

Both of us (Gavin and Dave) have years of experience as educators in different countries and share our genuine fears and concerns with news that U.S. public schools will lean more on AI chatbots to fill in for human counselors.

Yes, Mr. Mackey might be getting fired soon for real. And it may not be a good thing, m’kay. 

With future budget cuts coming, and students’ performance declining, will AI soon be replacing teachers too at the dizzying pace that it has replaced going to Google for answers? And, in the very human search for a quick fix, and the ubiquity of AI steamrolling its way into our world, are we creating bigger or unsurmountable problems down the road that we aren't considering? 

Leave us a 1-word review, drop in the comments how you feel, and thanks for listening!


The small bot in the corner is from freepik.com, can be found here, and was crcreated by upklyak]]>1696ai,alaska,algorithm,budget,charter,chatbots,civics,counselors,education,essa,humanize,impulse,newyork,public,replace,schools,students,teachers,tests,texasfalse39fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-7-questions-that-anyone-using-ai-needs-to-ask-themselves-featuring-john-otwell-and-kevin-wong--67754446 (00:01:00) Is AI different from other forms of new technology?
(00:06:14) A real-life case of Chat GPT going off the rails
(00:08:50) AI's Security Flaws
(00:18:00) The Silver Bullet?
(00:23:01) What does AI-produced work vs. Human-produced work mean?
(00:33:00) What can AI NEVER replace?
(00:38:00) Can we retrain and fix AI?
(00:41:00) Is AI just a compulsive liar?
(00:45:01) Where does the AI Path ultimately lead the human race?

This week, we’re back at it with another wide-ranging conversation on AI and its effects in our lives. John Otwell Returns to the pod, and he’s joined by Kevin Wong, a seasoned educator and an old friend from Peace Corps. Together, they bring different perspectives to the discussion, balancing curiosity and skepticism as we unpack what more AI integration means for education, society, and how we navigate change.

We begin with the sensational, push past the hubbub, and focus our chat on how AI is already radically changing the workplace and classrooms, and more broadly how people interact with one another.

Our chat goes more philosophical as we explore wider implications of living with constantly evolving technologies in our lives. How do we maintain agency when systems can anticipate our needs and influence our choices?

This question isn’t just abstract—it should be at the forefront of every kitchen table in the world right now. It’s the bread and butter of our chat, and it’s a conversation you don’t want to miss.

We love to hear from our audience. Shoot us a message through substack, or send us an email: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67754446Sun, 14 Sep 2025 17:21:06 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, we’re back at it with another wide-ranging conversation on AI and its effects in our lives. John Otwell Returns to the pod, and he’s joined by Kevin Wong, a seasoned educator and an old friend from Peace Corps. Together, they bring... (00:01:00) Is AI different from other forms of new technology?
(00:06:14) A real-life case of Chat GPT going off the rails
(00:08:50) AI's Security Flaws
(00:18:00) The Silver Bullet?
(00:23:01) What does AI-produced work vs. Human-produced work mean?
(00:33:00) What can AI NEVER replace?
(00:38:00) Can we retrain and fix AI?
(00:41:00) Is AI just a compulsive liar?
(00:45:01) Where does the AI Path ultimately lead the human race?

This week, we’re back at it with another wide-ranging conversation on AI and its effects in our lives. John Otwell Returns to the pod, and he’s joined by Kevin Wong, a seasoned educator and an old friend from Peace Corps. Together, they bring different perspectives to the discussion, balancing curiosity and skepticism as we unpack what more AI integration means for education, society, and how we navigate change.

We begin with the sensational, push past the hubbub, and focus our chat on how AI is already radically changing the workplace and classrooms, and more broadly how people interact with one another.

Our chat goes more philosophical as we explore wider implications of living with constantly evolving technologies in our lives. How do we maintain agency when systems can anticipate our needs and influence our choices?

This question isn’t just abstract—it should be at the forefront of every kitchen table in the world right now. It’s the bread and butter of our chat, and it’s a conversation you don’t want to miss.

We love to hear from our audience. Shoot us a message through substack, or send us an email: onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>2874ai,algorithm,bot,chatgpt,education,educators,ethics,expert,future,gemini,hallucination,human,interview,public,questions,retraining,safety,security,training,workplacetrue38fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-6-part-2-a-disaster-in-afghanistan--67690721
We curl up next to our Ouija boards and slap on our thinking caps (we will never tell you if they’re made out of tin foil though!) and dive into the implications of giving aid, the unique moral hazard in this situation of coming to the aid of local Afghans when they need it most, and what might come out of this messy situation.

If you are watching the region, don’t miss this episode that ties together a LOT of things that your usual diet of news and media misses.

If you want to tell us about your dog, or tell us we’re right on the money, missed something or are totally off base, shoot us a message, and don't forget to review. 

The map of Afghanistan in is from Wikimedia, and was created by The Map Lurker.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67690721Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:18:46 +0000Dave and GavinHere is part 2 of the episode. We curl up next to our Ouija boards and slap on our thinking caps (we will never tell you if they’re made out of tin foil though!) and dive into the implications of giving aid, the unique moral hazard in this situation...
We curl up next to our Ouija boards and slap on our thinking caps (we will never tell you if they’re made out of tin foil though!) and dive into the implications of giving aid, the unique moral hazard in this situation of coming to the aid of local Afghans when they need it most, and what might come out of this messy situation.

If you are watching the region, don’t miss this episode that ties together a LOT of things that your usual diet of news and media misses.

If you want to tell us about your dog, or tell us we’re right on the money, missed something or are totally off base, shoot us a message, and don't forget to review. 

The map of Afghanistan in is from Wikimedia, and was created by The Map Lurker.]]>1104afghanistan,aid,analysis,disbursement,earthquake,haqqani,moralhazard,recovery,repercussions,talibanfalse37fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-6-part-1-a-disaster-in-afghanistan--67690612
We are doubling down on Afghanistan this week.

Part 1 (this part) is about what foreign aid is. If you’ve watched what is happening in the news you have maybe seen the words “commitment” “disbursement” “multilateral” and “bilateral” in the news when countries and NGOs are talking about relief packages.

We go into the basic logistics of how aid is organized in a terrible situation, who is involved (and who isn’t) in helping Afghanistan recover from the earthquake and what they are doing.

Last week, we talked about a $540 million Chinese investment into Afghanistan gone wrong.
Listen to it here to get up to speed.

And, don’t miss part 2, where we talk about the implications, moral hazards, and a few hypotheticals in there as well!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67690612Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:10:29 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We have broken up this episode into two parts. We are doubling down on Afghanistan this week. Part 1 (this part) is about what foreign aid is. If you’ve watched what is happening in the news you have maybe seen the words “commitment”...
We are doubling down on Afghanistan this week.

Part 1 (this part) is about what foreign aid is. If you’ve watched what is happening in the news you have maybe seen the words “commitment” “disbursement” “multilateral” and “bilateral” in the news when countries and NGOs are talking about relief packages.

We go into the basic logistics of how aid is organized in a terrible situation, who is involved (and who isn’t) in helping Afghanistan recover from the earthquake and what they are doing.

Last week, we talked about a $540 million Chinese investment into Afghanistan gone wrong.
Listen to it here to get up to speed.

And, don’t miss part 2, where we talk about the implications, moral hazards, and a few hypotheticals in there as well!]]>1095afghanistan,china,disbursement,earthquake,foreignaid,haqqani,jalalabad,qatar,recognition,recovery,taliban,trump,un,unitedstates,who,womenfalse36fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-business-taliban-style--67639949
We recorded this before the earthquake struck, and we will definitely be keeping the country on our radar, even though it’s gone off the front pages.

This quick pod takes you through a story that’s flown under the radar between China and Afghanistan—and it will very likely complicate the recovery of this massive earthquake. Listen to learn how and why.If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to subscribe!

And, shoot us a question, leave a comment, share the pod, or drop us a message!

Season 2, Episode 18: Xi's got eyes on you!

Thank you!

onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67639949Fri, 05 Sep 2025 02:21:35 +0000Dave and GavinFirst and foremost, we feel dearly for the poor Afghanis who are now recovering after a 6.0 earthquake that hit east of Jalalabad. Thousands have died and more have been displaced, and from what we can see, help is very slow or nonexistent. We...
We recorded this before the earthquake struck, and we will definitely be keeping the country on our radar, even though it’s gone off the front pages.

This quick pod takes you through a story that’s flown under the radar between China and Afghanistan—and it will very likely complicate the recovery of this massive earthquake. Listen to learn how and why.If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to subscribe!

And, shoot us a question, leave a comment, share the pod, or drop us a message!

Season 2, Episode 18: Xi's got eyes on you!

Thank you!

onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com]]>657afghanistan,cameras,china,eastturkestan,economy,fdi,foreigndirectinvestment,hardpower,hostagediplomacy,kabul,mining,nationalsecurity,oil,prc,taliban,us,uyghur,wangyi,xijinping,xinjiangfalse3bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/travel-abroad-7-the-state-of-spirit-air-title-b--67586424
If you’re subscribed, you can listen to this whenever you want, wherever you want :)

If you haven’t, you’ve only got 48 hours from now. 

The link is below. Thanks for listening! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67586424Tue, 02 Sep 2025 02:01:37 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We have a quick episode for anyone who is curious about the airline industry, and in particular, Spirit Airlines. If you’re subscribed, you can listen to this whenever you want, wherever you want :) If you haven’t, you’ve only got 48 hours...
If you’re subscribed, you can listen to this whenever you want, wherever you want :)

If you haven’t, you’ve only got 48 hours from now. 

The link is below. Thanks for listening! ]]>961falsebonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/living-abroad-7-air-travel-in-the-united-states-title-a--67587855
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:172525040Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:27:00 +0000Dave and GavinWe have a quick episode for anyone who is curious about the airline industry, and in particular, Spirit Airlines. If you’re subscribed, you can listen to this whenever you want, wherever you want :) If you haven’t, you’ve only got 48 hours from now....
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>961falsebonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-biggest-story-that-everyone-missed-last-week--67586276
Taylor Swift is getting married!!

Some jerk stole a hat that was supposed to be given to a kid at the US Open.

Arch Manning had a rough first half against Ohio State.

There’s also something that you’ve likely missed, even if you’ve been reading the news every day—it hasn’t been covered really ANYWHERE except for local social media.

That’s why we’re here. 

In the last week, Indonesia has gone through incredible turmoil. A country that stretches from the UK to Kazakhstan has been rocked by protests. Buildings have burned. A delivery man was hit by a police truck—which promptly took off—and locals chased it on their motorcycles with sticks. And that wasn't even the spark that ignited of these events. 

Listen to learn how and why this chaos started, and please keep Indonesia in your thoughts and prayers.

Untuk teman-teman kita di Indonesia, hati-hati. Kami memikirkan tentang kalian, dan kalian selalu ada di hati kami.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67586276Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:43:17 +0000Dave and GavinOMG! There’s been a TON going on lately. Taylor Swift is getting married!! Some jerk stole a hat that was supposed to be given to a kid at the US Open. Arch Manning had a rough first half against Ohio State. There’s also something that you’ve...
Taylor Swift is getting married!!

Some jerk stole a hat that was supposed to be given to a kid at the US Open.

Arch Manning had a rough first half against Ohio State.

There’s also something that you’ve likely missed, even if you’ve been reading the news every day—it hasn’t been covered really ANYWHERE except for local social media.

That’s why we’re here. 

In the last week, Indonesia has gone through incredible turmoil. A country that stretches from the UK to Kazakhstan has been rocked by protests. Buildings have burned. A delivery man was hit by a police truck—which promptly took off—and locals chased it on their motorcycles with sticks. And that wasn't even the spark that ignited of these events. 

Listen to learn how and why this chaos started, and please keep Indonesia in your thoughts and prayers.

Untuk teman-teman kita di Indonesia, hati-hati. Kami memikirkan tentang kalian, dan kalian selalu ada di hati kami.]]>304brimob,chaos,death,demo,dpr-ri,driver,gojek,grab,hati-hati,indonesia,jakarta,jakartapusat,korban,makassar,pengemudi,polisi,protests,surabaya,worldnewsfalsebonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-short-message-about-indonesia--67586160
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:172522753Mon, 01 Sep 2025 22:50:21 +0000Dave and GavinOMG! There’s been a TON going on lately. Taylor Swift is getting married!! Some jerk stole a hat that was supposed to be given to a kid at the US Open. Arch Manning had a rough first half against Ohio State. There’s also something that you’ve likely...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>304falsebonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-5-a-crash-course-on-gpts-and-ai-featuring-john-otwell--67518519 (00:01:03) Background about John and a few caveats
(00:05:18) The Technical Part starts
(00:17:18) AI Gone Wild
(00:25:08) What happens to people who are constantly exposed to AI
(00:32:58) Differences in American and Chinese companies when it comes to AI development
(00:47:00) We're getting more philosophical
(00:47:20) Where is AI taking the human race?
(00:52:00) Who will the robots replace?
(00:57:07) Workin' for the bot
(00:58:40) AI and legal liability
(01:03:30) Bots and missile defense
(01:09:09) What bots WON'T replace

This week, we’re talking to another old friend, John Otwell, a software engineer and fellow RPCV, (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) about AI. We thought this was going to be a talk about physical infrastructure and geopolitical struggle and instead it got quite metaphysical quite fast.

John knows his stuff and clearly explains what a GPT is and what it does using the human brain as a basis. If you don’t know what a neural network is, how how the brain works, he’s got you covered.

He decided to come to Indonesia with Peace Corps rather than attend medical school, and his knowledge of the human brain, cognition, and tech mesh perfectly to give you the first of many pods we will have with him in this philosophical “no man’s land.” (it’s not human after all!)

We talk about the essential mystery at the core of human behavior, and the sort of curious ethical questions that float to the surface as more and more things get AI thrown at them.

The Robots are already here—in our heads, screens, and our cars. Where else will they be in the near future? Listen in for one-of-a-kind insight from someone who may be putting them there, or on your screen!

If you enjoyed the episode, like, comment, subscribe, and share—and let us know! 

onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

The small bot in the corner is from freepik.com, can be found here, and was crcreated by upklyak]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67518519Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:03:48 +0000Dave and GavinThis week, we’re talking to another old friend, John Otwell, a software engineer and fellow RPCV, (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) about AI. We thought this was going to be a talk about physical infrastructure and geopolitical struggle and instead it... (00:01:03) Background about John and a few caveats
(00:05:18) The Technical Part starts
(00:17:18) AI Gone Wild
(00:25:08) What happens to people who are constantly exposed to AI
(00:32:58) Differences in American and Chinese companies when it comes to AI development
(00:47:00) We're getting more philosophical
(00:47:20) Where is AI taking the human race?
(00:52:00) Who will the robots replace?
(00:57:07) Workin' for the bot
(00:58:40) AI and legal liability
(01:03:30) Bots and missile defense
(01:09:09) What bots WON'T replace

This week, we’re talking to another old friend, John Otwell, a software engineer and fellow RPCV, (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) about AI. We thought this was going to be a talk about physical infrastructure and geopolitical struggle and instead it got quite metaphysical quite fast.

John knows his stuff and clearly explains what a GPT is and what it does using the human brain as a basis. If you don’t know what a neural network is, how how the brain works, he’s got you covered.

He decided to come to Indonesia with Peace Corps rather than attend medical school, and his knowledge of the human brain, cognition, and tech mesh perfectly to give you the first of many pods we will have with him in this philosophical “no man’s land.” (it’s not human after all!)

We talk about the essential mystery at the core of human behavior, and the sort of curious ethical questions that float to the surface as more and more things get AI thrown at them.

The Robots are already here—in our heads, screens, and our cars. Where else will they be in the near future? Listen in for one-of-a-kind insight from someone who may be putting them there, or on your screen!

If you enjoyed the episode, like, comment, subscribe, and share—and let us know! 

onthefringe.podcast1@gmail.com

The small bot in the corner is from freepik.com, can be found here, and was crcreated by upklyak]]>4458ai,bots,chat,chatgpt,china,claude,closed,deepseek,generativeai,gpt,meta,models,neuralnetwork,open,openai,overview,pattern,radiology,system,usfalse34fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-4-the-center-of-asia-s-maritime-universe--67463448
In this part of the world, “sharing is caring” has as much bearing as “if wishes were fishes.” Then again, this could be a red herring. 

Listen in to get an overview about what happened last week, and potentially what’s to come.If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share, especially if you have a pet macaw and can teach him to say “On the Fringe.”

Thanks for listening!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67463448Thu, 21 Aug 2025 03:37:51 +0000Dave and GavinThis episode covers a recent “run-in” (of sorts) around the Spratly Islands, some of the most contested (and lonely) islands in the world. In this part of the world, “sharing is caring” has as much bearing as “if wishes were fishes.” Then again, this...
In this part of the world, “sharing is caring” has as much bearing as “if wishes were fishes.” Then again, this could be a red herring. 

Listen in to get an overview about what happened last week, and potentially what’s to come.If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share, especially if you have a pet macaw and can teach him to say “On the Fringe.”

Thanks for listening!]]>929china,coastguard,collision,crash,guilin,islands,luzon,navy,philippines,plan,resupply,sea,south,spratlyfalse34fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-3-a-bird-s-eye-view-of-bolivia-and-its-upcoming-presidential-election--67404589
Don’t miss this fascinating and educational conversation about a country that doesn’t get enough time in the spotlight.

This week, our special guest this week is Joseph Bouchard, a Canadian journalist and academic who specializes in Latin America. Joseph has been covering and researching Bolivia and Latin America for several years and has been published in The Diplomat, the Brazilian Report, Monga Bay, the Rio Times, and Global Americans.

In our talk (recorded about a month ago), we talk about the Bolivian election as well as the role of critical minerals in the Bolivian economy, the importance of the 2019 coup in understanding current attitudes among the Bolivian electorate, and the messy legacy of the MAS, the party that has ruled for the last twenty-odd years.

Thanks for listening, and please don’t forget to like, comment or subscribe!

Joseph can be contacted at:
LinkedIn
Twitter/X]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67404589Sun, 17 Aug 2025 18:47:07 +0000Dave and GavinBolivia is at a turning point. Which direction will it go?  Don’t miss this fascinating and educational conversation about a country that doesn’t get enough time in the spotlight. This week, our special guest this week is Joseph Bouchard, a Canadian...
Don’t miss this fascinating and educational conversation about a country that doesn’t get enough time in the spotlight.

This week, our special guest this week is Joseph Bouchard, a Canadian journalist and academic who specializes in Latin America. Joseph has been covering and researching Bolivia and Latin America for several years and has been published in The Diplomat, the Brazilian Report, Monga Bay, the Rio Times, and Global Americans.

In our talk (recorded about a month ago), we talk about the Bolivian election as well as the role of critical minerals in the Bolivian economy, the importance of the 2019 coup in understanding current attitudes among the Bolivian electorate, and the messy legacy of the MAS, the party that has ruled for the last twenty-odd years.

Thanks for listening, and please don’t forget to like, comment or subscribe!

Joseph can be contacted at:
LinkedIn
Twitter/X]]>2368bolivia,centrist,china,democracy,doriamedina,election,energy,indiginous,lapaz,leader,left,lithium,mas,miami,mining,morales,president,right,undecided,votefalse33fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-2-kazakhstan-from-30-000-feet-featuring-joe-barnes--67323333
This week we have a special guest, journalist and author Joe Barnes, currently based in Kazakhstan, who chats with us about the significance of Central Asia, it’s geopolitical evolution since the collapse of the USSR and his upcoming book. Joe, who has the distinction of being one of the few (if not only) journalists to visit all fifteen post-Soviet republics post-Ukraine, will give you a really in-depth look at the various currents and geopolitical forces shaping the region today and tomorrow. 

Reach out to Joe on his website, X/Twitter, and see his articles for the Diplomat here.The Kazakh Flag is from Wikimedia and can be found here]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67323333Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:23:43 +0000Dave and GavinIf you have any interest in this most interesting of regions, lying along the historical Silk Road trade route, this episode is well worth a listen. This week we have a special guest, journalist and author Joe Barnes, currently based in Kazakhstan,...
This week we have a special guest, journalist and author Joe Barnes, currently based in Kazakhstan, who chats with us about the significance of Central Asia, it’s geopolitical evolution since the collapse of the USSR and his upcoming book. Joe, who has the distinction of being one of the few (if not only) journalists to visit all fifteen post-Soviet republics post-Ukraine, will give you a really in-depth look at the various currents and geopolitical forces shaping the region today and tomorrow. 

Reach out to Joe on his website, X/Twitter, and see his articles for the Diplomat here.The Kazakh Flag is from Wikimedia and can be found here]]>2743ai,bri,centralasia,china,eurasia,europe,india,interview,joelucbarnes,kazakhstan,kyrgyzstan,language,overview,russia,russian,sanctions,sovietunion,trade,ussr,uzbekistanfalse32fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-episode-1-the-bungle-in-the-jungle--67286072
Last season, (Season 2, Episode 38) we made a prediction about ongoing events in the DRC involving the Congolese government, the US government, the Rwandan government, and rare earth minerals. We thought it was SOLID gold. It wasn’t even pyrite. 

Listen in as we call ourselves out and talk about the futures of these neighboring countries, and the US possibly at the center of them. 

If you like the episode, please give us a like, write a review, share it, and let us know. And if you don’t, please do too!

Thanks and take care and welcome back to On the Fringe!

Dave and Gavin
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67286072Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:31:22 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We are kicking off Season 3 with an episode about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (the DRC) a country that not only is at the heart of Africa, it may be at the heart of our AI future.  Last season,...
Last season, (Season 2, Episode 38) we made a prediction about ongoing events in the DRC involving the Congolese government, the US government, the Rwandan government, and rare earth minerals. We thought it was SOLID gold. It wasn’t even pyrite. 

Listen in as we call ourselves out and talk about the futures of these neighboring countries, and the US possibly at the center of them. 

If you like the episode, please give us a like, write a review, share it, and let us know. And if you don’t, please do too!

Thanks and take care and welcome back to On the Fringe!

Dave and Gavin
]]>1846ai,batteries,cobalt,congo,drc,gold,investment,mining,rubio,state,thiel,trump,tungsten,wartrue31fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-you-can-expect-in-season-3--67115296https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67115296Fri, 25 Jul 2025 18:31:29 +0000Dave and GavinWe've got one year under our belt, have learned a lot and still have more to learn, and a lot more waxing to do. Listen to hear a bit of our backstory, what we've covered, and what you can expect from On the Fringe in Season 3. 210false3trailerhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-3-starts-soon-here-s-a-teaser--67113471Accessed here.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:169148706Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:39:38 +0000Dave and GavinHere is a preview of our first episode dropping soon in season 3. We’ve revamped and touched up a few parts of the podcast to make it both more entertaining—and more informative. All content is 100% by us and for you, and don’t forget to pass it on!...Accessed here.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>232false31fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-42-the-man-of-the-hour-in-west-africa--67113473
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:165112039Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! Before we get into it, we’d like to say thank you to ALL of our listeners, subscribers, and fans in the On the Fringe community on Substack and across the world. We started season 2 with a brand new channel, 0 listens and 0 subscribers; now...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1551false242fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-41-operation-spider-s-web-zelenskyy-s-ace-or-his-high-card--67113477
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:165100229Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:25:45 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve got a REALLY quick (and unplanned) episode that we weren’t planning on doing—but Ukraine’s recent actions are well worth doing one. Ukraine recently took out several Russian long range bombers and aircraft with coordinated drone attacks...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1160false241fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/living-abroad-episode-5-going-in-reverse--67113475onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Hey Subbies! We’ve got another episode out about living abroad and going through reverse culture shock. It’s part of the drill; and it’s probably the HARDEST part of going home. This one is subscribers only, click below if you want the full version (and it’s free to subscribe too!) It doesn’t matter if you’ve remade yours…]]>substack:post:164956579Tue, 03 Jun 2025 12:07:20 +0000Dave and GavinThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7 Hey Subbies! We’ve got another episode out about living abroad and going through reverse culture shock....onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Hey Subbies! We’ve got another episode out about living abroad and going through reverse culture shock. It’s part of the drill; and it’s probably the HARDEST part of going home. This one is subscribers only, click below if you want the full version (and it’s free to subscribe too!) It doesn’t matter if you’ve remade yours…]]>109false35bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/living-abroad-don-t-do-this-at-the-airport--67113478
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:164954273Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:34:28 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We originally wanted to make this episode subscribers only—but it’s SO IMPORTANT (and since many people are traveling this summer), we’ve made it public for now. Don’t do what I did—and what I’m doing. Learn about what happens when/if you...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>815false36bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-40-will-an-american-education-be-worth-it--67113474Season 2, Episode 39: As Harvard goes, so goes US.International education is BIG business in the United States. We have over 1 million international students in the country now—but in the future, they may not come. Tune in to hear what this means for the country and America’s future (and the future of other countries).If you liked it, please hit that subscribe button—and write us a one word review (thumb’s up or thumb’s down is ok!)—and pass the pod on to a friend or someone you like. If not, let us know one thing that we can do better, and we will make it happen.Thanks for joining us On the Fringe. We sincerely appreciate your support-especially in Bahrain where we're climbing the charts!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:164951820Sun, 01 Jun 2025 18:51:07 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve hit the big four-oh (40) in season 2! We've got another episode following up on last week’s pod, https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com/p/season-2-episode-39-as-harvard-goes?r=52ogc9.International education is BIG business in the...Season 2, Episode 39: As Harvard goes, so goes US.International education is BIG business in the United States. We have over 1 million international students in the country now—but in the future, they may not come. Tune in to hear what this means for the country and America’s future (and the future of other countries).If you liked it, please hit that subscribe button—and write us a one word review (thumb’s up or thumb’s down is ok!)—and pass the pod on to a friend or someone you like. If not, let us know one thing that we can do better, and we will make it happen.Thanks for joining us On the Fringe. We sincerely appreciate your support-especially in Bahrain where we're climbing the charts!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1085false240fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-39-as-harvard-goes-so-goes-us--67113495
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:164420943Sun, 25 May 2025 16:53:36 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! If you haven’t yet, please tap that subscribe button below. Gavin and I are both passionate about education—cumulatively we have decades of experience teaching students that have aspired to not only study in the U.S. but at some of America’s...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1178false239fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-38-we-re-tearing-through-the-declaration--67113489Rebels WITH a Cause Season 2, Episode 13: Congo RevisitedSeason 2, Episode 14: Paul Kagame (the President of Rwanda)Season 2: Episode 15: Congo the ThirdIf you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to click subscribe. Share, Comment, and give us some feedback on what we can do better. Thanks for joining us On the Fringe! On the Fringe is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, type your email below. We won’t spam or sell it!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:164190908Thu, 22 May 2025 20:43:46 +0000Dave and GavinHello Substack! We’ve got a double episode dropping today. We recorded one last week about the U.S.’s recent efforts to bring peace to the heart of Africa’s Great Lakes Region (Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, (DRC) and Burundi).We’ve talked...Rebels WITH a Cause Season 2, Episode 13: Congo RevisitedSeason 2, Episode 14: Paul Kagame (the President of Rwanda)Season 2: Episode 15: Congo the ThirdIf you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to click subscribe. Share, Comment, and give us some feedback on what we can do better. Thanks for joining us On the Fringe! On the Fringe is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, type your email below. We won’t spam or sell it!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>537false238fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-37-trump-did-what--67113483Season 2, Episode 33 — An update on Syria after al-AssadSeason 2, Episode 1 — The Turkestan Islamic Party If you haven’t yet, like, comment, and subscribe. And THANK YOU for listening to us On The FringeDave and Gavin

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:163874315Thu, 22 May 2025 20:01:00 +0000Dave and GavinAfter we recorded this, I had a very random thought…sanctions in Syria have a lot in common with my pants back in middle school…someone would come by and drop them when I’d least expect it. (I admit it’s a cheeky and tasteless comparison!)On a serious...Season 2, Episode 33 — An update on Syria after al-AssadSeason 2, Episode 1 — The Turkestan Islamic Party If you haven’t yet, like, comment, and subscribe. And THANK YOU for listening to us On The FringeDave and Gavin

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>529false237fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/living-abroad-episode-5-a-cautionary-tale--67113481
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:164104821Wed, 21 May 2025 19:27:48 +0000Dave and GavinIf you plan to travel abroad, don’t miss this episode. Most people who get in trouble abroad do so because they didn’t do their homework. Before you visit or move to another country, check the local import and export laws, ESPECIALLY if you are...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>845true35bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-36-deepfakes-are-throwing-deep--67113507episode last week, “Bamboozled by Bots!” In this episode, Gavin and I talk about how AI is being used as a weapon in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. It’s not the AI that came out in 2022; it’s much more cutthroat and cunning—and has already swept up millions. Learn how and why this weapon of war is being used against the masses and how you can protect yourself and spot/listen for key info that likely makes a source fake or untrustworthy. If you enjoyed the episode, like, comment, subscribe, and share!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:163869004Sun, 18 May 2025 20:12:27 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve got a new episode piggybacking off our https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com/p/season-2-episode-35-bamboozled-by In this episode, Gavin and I talk about how AI is being used as a weapon in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. It’s...episode last week, “Bamboozled by Bots!” In this episode, Gavin and I talk about how AI is being used as a weapon in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. It’s not the AI that came out in 2022; it’s much more cutthroat and cunning—and has already swept up millions. Learn how and why this weapon of war is being used against the masses and how you can protect yourself and spot/listen for key info that likely makes a source fake or untrustworthy. If you enjoyed the episode, like, comment, subscribe, and share!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>739false236fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-35-bamboozled-by-bots--67113485
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:163401255Mon, 12 May 2025 15:15:45 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve got ANOTHER 100% organic new episode. We’re talking more about AI and some ways you can protect yourself when you’re looking for information online. Here’s a similar video to the one that I saw before (the thumbnail is the same, but...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>863true235fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-to-meet-people-in-a-foreign-country--67113503onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Hey all! We’ve got another subscribers’ only episode out. All you’ve gotta do is click the button below and its yours for the listening! Gavin and I go into depth about who you’re going to meet abroad, how to meet them, and how to MAYBE even get a free drink. We’re sharing stories and insight about how to meet people (primarily other expats and English …]]>substack:post:163275003Sat, 10 May 2025 14:56:11 +0000Dave and GavinThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7 Hey all! We’ve got another subscribers’ only episode out. All you’ve gotta do is click the button below...onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Hey all! We’ve got another subscribers’ only episode out. All you’ve gotta do is click the button below and its yours for the listening! Gavin and I go into depth about who you’re going to meet abroad, how to meet them, and how to MAYBE even get a free drink. We’re sharing stories and insight about how to meet people (primarily other expats and English …]]>72true34bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-34-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-our-new-ai-overlords--67113508
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:162945900Tue, 06 May 2025 03:29:31 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We have a new episode today that we didn’t intend to record—it just happened and it’s 100% organic! Leave us some comments and feedback, and don’t forget to like or subscribe. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1048false234fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-33-tears-and-bullets--67113480first episode from Season 2. In the last few months, Hayat Tharir al-Sham (HTS, the terrorist group leading Syria) has pushed to consolidate power. Listen in on what has been happening and what we think will likely continue to happen in this unstable part of the world. Leave us a comment or any feedback—good or bad. We appreciate it!!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:162695726Sun, 04 May 2025 12:40:00 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! For this episode, we are revisiting Syria after Asaad. We covered this topic back in our https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com/p/season-2-episode-1-the-turkestan. In the last few months, Hayat Tharir al-Sham (HTS, the terrorist group...first episode from Season 2. In the last few months, Hayat Tharir al-Sham (HTS, the terrorist group leading Syria) has pushed to consolidate power. Listen in on what has been happening and what we think will likely continue to happen in this unstable part of the world. Leave us a comment or any feedback—good or bad. We appreciate it!!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>901false233fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-32-canada-chooses-carney--67113523
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:162694599Fri, 02 May 2025 14:13:58 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! America’s big hat has just chosen a new leader to lead the country. About 3 months ago, this election victory would have been a sheer impossibility based on the polling numbers. Listen as we dive into the results and what this means for the...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>749false232fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-to-travel-abroad-episode-3--67113514onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Hey all! We are trying something different today. We started a Subscribers Only podcast a few weeks back about going, living, and studying abroad (in addition to our regular On the Fringe pod, which won’t change)Subscribers get the whole episode—non subscribers get a sample. If you’d like the whole thing, click the button below, follow the instructions,…]]>substack:post:162291635Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:42:25 +0000Dave and GavinThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7 Hey all! We are trying something different today. We started a Subscribers Only podcast a few weeks back...onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Hey all! We are trying something different today. We started a Subscribers Only podcast a few weeks back about going, living, and studying abroad (in addition to our regular On the Fringe pod, which won’t change)Subscribers get the whole episode—non subscribers get a sample. If you’d like the whole thing, click the button below, follow the instructions,…]]>197true33bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-30-one-spark-in-kashmir--67113511
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:162289708Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:09:03 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve got a major story that is not really being talked about in depth in the West— a story that could change our lives very quickly—and be a turning point for future conflicts in the world. Earlier this week, a terrorist attack in the...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1053false230fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-29-thai-d-up-in-bangkok--67113491
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:162209405Sat, 26 Apr 2025 16:56:40 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve got an episode today on the Land of Smiles. If you’re planning to visit Thailand or want to know more about what not to do while there, this episode is for you. For more travel advice and newsworthy events that SHOULD be making the cut,...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1055false229fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/living-abroad-episode-2-the-admin-episode--67113584onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Hey subscribers! We’ve got the second episode of how to move/live/study abroad hot off the press! (And a new intro too that I couldn’t wait to show Gavin—click play and and you’ll see what I mean).If you haven’t subscribed—do so here. We’re going through ALL of the most important things you’ll need to arrange before you go. * Passport * Visas * Finances* Commun…]]>substack:post:161700088Sat, 19 Apr 2025 21:50:56 +0000Dave and GavinThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7 Hey subscribers! We’ve got the second episode of how to move/live/study abroad hot off the press! (And a...onthefringepodcast.substack.com

Hey subscribers! We’ve got the second episode of how to move/live/study abroad hot off the press! (And a new intro too that I couldn’t wait to show Gavin—click play and and you’ll see what I mean).If you haven’t subscribed—do so here. We’re going through ALL of the most important things you’ll need to arrange before you go. * Passport * Visas * Finances* Commun…]]>1560false32bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/living-abroad-episode-1-why-d-you-buy-the-ticket--67113582
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:161339448Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:41:00 +0000Dave and GavinHey Substack! Grab yourself a drink and sit down at our table. Everyone’s welcome!We are starting a subscribers only podcast series about living abroad. We want to help you THRIVE in a new environment whether you’re going on sabbatical, study abroad,...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1754false31bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-28-money-talks--67113581
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:161255342Sun, 13 Apr 2025 20:47:15 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve got a quick episode up and are starting a NEW series for subscribers only. Our first episode will be coming out soon and you won’t want to miss it. Add your email below to get it!Episode 28 continues on with what we covered last week;...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>353false228fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-27-what-the-hell-is-dsca--67113515
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:160749788Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:44:00 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve got a BIG episode out today. As you listen, remember the phrase ‘follow the money.’If you are following U.S. Foreign Policy this is an episode you cannot miss. Gavin and I are going to walk you through one of the most important—and...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>911false227fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-26-go-directly-to-jail-don-t-collect-1-million-followers--67113531
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:160748916Mon, 07 Apr 2025 01:32:23 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! On this episode, you’ll learn what you can’t do in India and Australia—as a foreigner or local! If you enjoyed the episode, like, comment, subscribe, and share it! And as always, thanks for listening. This is a public episode. If you'd...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>783false226fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-25-it-s-all-coming-down--67113518
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:160303115Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:19:05 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the millions affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar, Thailand, India, China, and the rest of South + Southeast Asia.We’ve got a big episode today about the massive 7.7 earthquake...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>631false225fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-24-something-s-brewing-in-ethiopia--67113509
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:160042735Fri, 28 Mar 2025 04:04:30 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! Thank you to ALL of you for your support for our pod. We’ve crossed the 1,000 downloads mark and REALLY appreciate all of your listenership and feedback. Please give us more so we can do better. If you haven’t yet, click the subscribe button...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>526false224fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-23-the-big-punching-bag--67113577
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:159796568Tue, 25 Mar 2025 01:45:08 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! On tap today we have an episode about Canada and why Canada is taking hits from all angles and corners of the world, and what they are going to do about it.Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe and please SHARE. Share it with your friends,...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>754false223fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-22-i-sense-a-pattern-here--67113488
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:159385138Wed, 19 Mar 2025 02:52:25 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’ve got another episode hot off the press—This time, we are talking about another NATO member (a smaller one) that has been having significant problems with holding a government over the past few years. The government has collapsed three...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>693false222fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-21-off-to-the-glue-factory--67113513
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:159106824Sat, 15 Mar 2025 02:04:33 +0000Dave and GavinHello all! Today, we are filling you in about a major upcoming development in Southeast Asia. This is an episode you don’t want to miss and is a saga we have been — and will continue to follow for the foreseeable future. This is a public episode....
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1289false221fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-20-poland-s-big-announcements--67113482
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:158742848Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:38:00 +0000Dave and GavinPoland has made some big announcements in the last week. Listen into to find out what they are and how they are likely to change the military framework of Europe and NATO. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. We really appreciate...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>707false220fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-19-things-are-falling-in-korea--67113568
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:158742266Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:30:00 +0000Dave and GavinYou’ll learn something about Korea that few people outside of Korea know about in less than 10 minutes. Last week, a couple of South Korean KF-16 pilots dropped 8 bombs on civilians. Listen to find out who got bombed, and what these people were doing...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>517false219fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-18-xi-s-got-eyes-on-you--67113487
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:158741838Mon, 10 Mar 2025 01:17:13 +0000Dave and GavinHello all! This is a quick episode about Afghanistan, a highly underreported topic today. Listen and find out why the Chinese want in, the Taliban want China, and what this means for the world. Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to like, comment,...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>244false218fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-17-unintended-consequences-of-peace-in-ukraine--67113533
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:158575924Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:07:02 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! Here’s a hearty On the Fringe welcome to our new subscribers! If you haven’t yet, subscribe now!This week, we are talking about the war in Ukraine from a different angle—not about what the US, Ukraine, and Russia (and other countries) are...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>952false217fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-16-great-game-great-lakes--67113570
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:158300891Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:13:40 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We are trying something new again—we have a short teaser for our main episode this week about the war in Ukraine. At first glance, you might think we are nuts..but we are On the Fringe. Come back later this week and have a listen once it...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>293false216fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-15-congo-the-third--67113528listen to this episode.This is our third episode on Congo so far—and at this rate, we may be doing many more. Listen as Gavin and I dive more into the situation and how it is continuing to fall apart piece by piece and pull the entire region down with it. This is largely a SITREP (situational report) hitting the key points that you need to know. If we missed anything, please let us know! Thanks for listening, and if you haven’t please like, comment, share, or subscribe :) we appreciate it!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:158012445Thu, 27 Feb 2025 04:18:38 +0000Dave and GavinHello all! If you’re a bit lost on why the situation is falling apart in Congo, https://open.substack.com/pub/onthefringepodcast/p/season-2-episode-14-paul-kagame?r=52ogc9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueThis is our...listen to this episode.This is our third episode on Congo so far—and at this rate, we may be doing many more. Listen as Gavin and I dive more into the situation and how it is continuing to fall apart piece by piece and pull the entire region down with it. This is largely a SITREP (situational report) hitting the key points that you need to know. If we missed anything, please let us know! Thanks for listening, and if you haven’t please like, comment, share, or subscribe :) we appreciate it!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1093false215fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-14-paul-kagame--67113574
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:158009006Thu, 27 Feb 2025 03:59:22 +0000Dave and GavinHello all! On this new episode we have a biography about Paul Kagame, the current (and four-term) President of Rwanda. If you’ve been keeping up with African news over the last decades his name will ring a bell…and if you haven’t, you’re going to be...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>669false214fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-12b-the-future-of-education--67113572Listen to Episode 12a (the first take on this) hereWe recorded an episode twice and are releasing BOTH of them on basically the same subject: the future of education and how AI is making the current structure of educational system obsolete. The admin guy and the head of curriculum development at most schools probably wouldn’t like this episode very much, but they really do have a monumental challenge on their hands. If you don’t work in education, listen in to hear what we think needs to be done to start solving this growing worldwide crisis and how AI will continue to impact another major part of society. It aint gonna be easy, and for millions, it won’t be pretty. On the Fringe is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, don’t forget to subscribe below.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:157320533Thu, 20 Feb 2025 22:41:00 +0000Dave and GavinThis is a first for us— https://onthefringepodcast.substack.com/publish/post/157319063We recorded an episode twice and are releasing BOTH of them on basically the same subject: the future of education and how AI is making the current structure of...Listen to Episode 12a (the first take on this) hereWe recorded an episode twice and are releasing BOTH of them on basically the same subject: the future of education and how AI is making the current structure of educational system obsolete. The admin guy and the head of curriculum development at most schools probably wouldn’t like this episode very much, but they really do have a monumental challenge on their hands. If you don’t work in education, listen in to hear what we think needs to be done to start solving this growing worldwide crisis and how AI will continue to impact another major part of society. It aint gonna be easy, and for millions, it won’t be pretty. On the Fringe is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, don’t forget to subscribe below.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1164true213fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-12a-the-future-of-education--67113494
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:157319063Thu, 20 Feb 2025 22:40:00 +0000Dave and GavinThis is a first for us—We recorded an episode twice and are releasing BOTH of them on basically the same subject: the future of education and how AI is making the current structure of educational system obsolete. The admin guy and the head of...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1287true212fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-13-congo-revisited--67113540
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:157317751Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:11:27 +0000Dave and GavinThis week me and Dave talk about the increasingly desperate situation out in the East of Congo, as Rwandan-backed forces take another stunningly important piece of territory, in this case, Bukavu, a city of two million resting right across the lake...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1601false214fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-11-russian-desert-adventures--67113500
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:157033131Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:25:29 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We’re working on a new cover for the podcast. Leave us a comment and any feedback on ideas—we’d really appreciate it!On this episode, we dive into Rosatom and Russia’s goal to gain control over worldwide uranium supplies (and future...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1815false211fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/special-episode-1-new-album-cover--67113493
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:156862772Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:52:23 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We have made our first special episode—this one is open to all, but future ones will be subscribers only. Don’t miss out and click the link below! We are looking to make some new, real cover art for the podcast (and dropping the AI place...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>301true212bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-10-the-future-ai-and-small-modular-reactors--67113526
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:156647056Fri, 07 Feb 2025 03:01:29 +0000Dave and GavinThis week me and Dave talk about the future of nuclear engineering— SMRs, or Small Modular Reactors, which are increasingly being touted as solution to the energy consumption issues (and the carbon production issues) inherent in keeping AI running at...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1142false210fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-episode-9-rebels-with-a-cause--67113541
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:156330375Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:01:00 +0000Dave and GavinIn this episode, you will learn about how AI, rare earth elements, the President of one of the smallest countries in Africa, and a Congolese rebel group led by a man with a snow white beard can and will affect your daily life if he gets his way…and I...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1857true29fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-8-the-things-cocaine-kingpins-do-for-love--67113535
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:155786837Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:27:00 +0000Dave and GavinIf you need a Shock to the system, today we’ve got a double episode coming out! Thanks to his wife’s Instagram posts, one of Latin America’s biggest cocaine kingpins was caught in Europe on vacation and swiftly extradited to the United States. Listen...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>610true28fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-7-sit-in-the-corner-and-shut-up--67113520Here’s the other part of this double dose of On the FringeIn today’s second, out-there episode, we feature a (likely former) Portuguese lawmaker who thought he could use his immunity to steal checked baggage and hawk the contents for almost nothing. This is one of the most bizarre stories we had heard of and had to share it with you.Winter sucks, and if you know of anyone who may be having a serious case of the winter blues, reach out and see how they’re doing. And if you’re feeling down, go talk to a trusted fellow human. (friend, counselor, clergy). Both your reputation and future are far to precious to throw away for something you’d find at the supermarket or your favorite discount store. Thanks for listening! Hope you enjoyed the episode :) Subscribe for more.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:155789000Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:26:00 +0000Dave and Gavinhttps://open.substack.com/pub/onthefringepodcast/p/season-2-episode-8a-the-things-cocaine?r=52ogc9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueIn today’s second, out-there episode, we feature a (likely former) Portuguese...Here’s the other part of this double dose of On the FringeIn today’s second, out-there episode, we feature a (likely former) Portuguese lawmaker who thought he could use his immunity to steal checked baggage and hawk the contents for almost nothing. This is one of the most bizarre stories we had heard of and had to share it with you.Winter sucks, and if you know of anyone who may be having a serious case of the winter blues, reach out and see how they’re doing. And if you’re feeling down, go talk to a trusted fellow human. (friend, counselor, clergy). Both your reputation and future are far to precious to throw away for something you’d find at the supermarket or your favorite discount store. Thanks for listening! Hope you enjoyed the episode :) Subscribe for more.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>787true27fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-6-fighters-in-far-off-dark-corners--67113543episode on the Golden Triangle, especially with regards to human trafficking. Increasingly, Colombians with combat experience are being targeted and forced to fight after taking what they think are jobs as security guards, protective detail for VIPs, or protecting oil infrastructure in Dubai or the Gulf. Listen and find out more and what we believe may happen if the war in Ukraine suddenly ends. Leave us a comment, share, or better yet—subscribe. Thanks for listening! On the Fringe is a listener-supported publication. To receive new podcasts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. We appreciate it!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:155783506Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:22:00 +0000Dave and GavinHello all! A warm welcome to all of our new subscribers On the Fringe! We are excited to keep delivering content that will keep you informed and entertained. We have another episode somewhat tying back to our Season 2...episode on the Golden Triangle, especially with regards to human trafficking. Increasingly, Colombians with combat experience are being targeted and forced to fight after taking what they think are jobs as security guards, protective detail for VIPs, or protecting oil infrastructure in Dubai or the Gulf. Listen and find out more and what we believe may happen if the war in Ukraine suddenly ends. Leave us a comment, share, or better yet—subscribe. Thanks for listening! On the Fringe is a listener-supported publication. To receive new podcasts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. We appreciate it!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1190true26fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-5-chat-gpt-plans-a-vacation--67113555
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:155780668Sun, 26 Jan 2025 19:49:12 +0000Dave and GavinA big warm hello and Welcome to On the Fringe to our new subscribers! We’re excited to have you join us out here. If you haven’t done so, click below to sign up and not miss out on future episodes! This was one of the most entertaining episodes we’ve...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1185true25fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-4-operation-jetway--67113496little trust in Uncle Sam.You might be shocked, startled, and frustrated by listening to this episode—and with good reason. Leave your comments below.Here’s the report I referenced:Here’s part of the video that I referenced:On the Fringe is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:155196642Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:06:00 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We have our 4th episode out of Season 2. If you haven’t done so yet, please take 5 seconds to like, comment, and subscribe to our podcast. We’re listener supported and REALLY love making these; give us some feedback on what we can do...little trust in Uncle Sam.You might be shocked, startled, and frustrated by listening to this episode—and with good reason. Leave your comments below.Here’s the report I referenced:Here’s part of the video that I referenced:On the Fringe is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>989true24fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-3-pig-farming-in-the-golden-triangle--67113557Season 1, Episode 3: Transnational Crime in Southeast Asia, Part 1Season 1, Episode 4: Transnational Crime in Southeast Asia, Part 2

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:155027800Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:51:57 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! On this episode of On the Fringe, Gavin and I go DEEP into scam farms in the Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia. Scams have been around since the beginning of time, and will not go away soon; and AI technology is making them much more...Season 1, Episode 3: Transnational Crime in Southeast Asia, Part 1Season 1, Episode 4: Transnational Crime in Southeast Asia, Part 2

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1381true23fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-2-korea-s-festering-crisis--67113536
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:154555209Fri, 10 Jan 2025 18:30:14 +0000Dave and GavinHello all! 안녕하세요 여러분! We have our second episode of Season 2. (Little secret: this is actually the first one we recorded for the season)Kicking this off, our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones in the Jeju Air plane crash in Jeolla...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>869false22fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-1-the-turkestan-islamic-party-in-syria--67113539
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:154274959Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:23:26 +0000Dave and GavinPlease click the link below and subscribe to our new Podcast Channel. Hello Friends! Happy New Year! We have put together a new Substack specifically for the Podcast. Gavin and I are coming out strong with an episode on the Turkestan Islamic Party in...
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1091falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-2-episode-1-the-turkestan-islamic-party-in-syria--67113542
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:154210414Sun, 05 Jan 2025 19:22:46 +0000Dave and GavinHello Friends! Happy New Year! We have put together a new Substack specifically for the Podcast. Gavin and I are coming out strong with an episode on the Turkestan Islamic Party in Syria and what much of the world can expect from these guys in the...
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1091false21fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sliced-n-diced-15-vietnam-s-anti-corruption-push--67113499
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:153691727Fri, 27 Dec 2024 21:55:26 +0000Dave and GavinHello, all! Episode 15 (it's really episode 18 in the order we published) is our final Sliced n’ Diced for the year. We will be coming back in January with more to help you get the lowdown on something going on in the far-off corners of the earth or...
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>765falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/on-the-fringe-11-syria-part-2--67113532Click here for part one

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:153425476Fri, 20 Dec 2024 19:34:50 +0000Dave and GavinHey all! We have a second episode providing you some background + analysis about what is currently going on in Syria. The situation there is RAPIDLY changing within the country, and I’m not a Syria expert—so take everything here with a grain of salt....Click here for part one

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>1609falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sliced-n-diced-17-from-florida-with-love--67113545
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:153162719Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:47:00 +0000Dave and GavinOn the Fringe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.I know that Australia is a bit of a circus, but come on! A Florida woman was charged, tried, and found guilty this...
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>607falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sliced-n-diced-16-korea-part-2--67113502Part 1 is here.In the last two + weeks, South Korea and the Korean people have worked hard to protect their democracy that they fought for since the end of the Korean War (and well before it!) Listen in to what is sure to be one of the biggest and most important political events of the year, and one that will be written about in political science textbooks for decades. On the Fringe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thanks for listening to the Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:153161636Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000Dave and GavinHi all! This is Part 2 of what is transpiring in South Korea. https://davescapades.substack.com/p/on-the-fringe-14-yoon-declares-martial?utm_source=substack&utm_content=feed%3Arecommended%3Acopy_link.In the last two + weeks, South Korea and the...Part 1 is here.In the last two + weeks, South Korea and the Korean people have worked hard to protect their democracy that they fought for since the end of the Korean War (and well before it!) Listen in to what is sure to be one of the biggest and most important political events of the year, and one that will be written about in political science textbooks for decades. On the Fringe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thanks for listening to the Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>737falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sliced-n-diced-14-yoon-declares-martial-law-part-1--67113529
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:153150713Sun, 15 Dec 2024 07:15:06 +0000Dave and GavinApparently, he's a heavy drinker.....could be anyone, right? For the first time since 1980, Korea’s President has declared Martial Law and taken matters into his own hands to protect the country from Shadowy Forces from North Korea. Although martial...
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>897falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sliced-n-diced-13-greenland--67113505
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:152821185Thu, 12 Dec 2024 01:37:00 +0000Dave and GavinUpdate: OOPS! I’d attached Syria again—got it fixed now. Fancy getting Nuuk'd next summer? It will likely be easier than ever thanks to the capital city’s new airport. Greenland + Denmark are encouraging tourism to the island to strengthen the local...
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davescapades.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>substack:post:152798685Sun, 08 Dec 2024 16:45:14 +0000Dave and GavinSubscribe below—we will have another Syria episode coming soon!Hey all! Gav + I kicked around a Syria episode for a while. We’d planned to do one on Syria this week, but the events of the last 12? 24? 48? hours the Middle East have sent the country...
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onthefringepodcast.substack.com/subscribe]]>2698falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sliced-n-diced-12-cairo-airport-woes--67113544Episode 5 and Episode 6 — deep dives into Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Here’s the original blog post!Thanks for subscribing to the podcast!

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