From Market Movers to Mythic Shadows: Elections, Lawsuits, and Adult Paranormal Worlds (Ep. 207)

Tonight I broadcast live from the Asylum Studios in Eagle Pass, Texas for a two-guest show that dug deep into the real-world impact of prediction markets and the grit of adult paranormal fantasy.

In hour one, I sat down with Christopher Gerlacher of Prediction News to unpack how platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket translate breaking legal decisions, debates, and early vote trends into market odds in real time. We explored why markets can be a sharper “nowcast” than polls, how the CFTC and states are colliding over the definition of “gaming,” the rise of sports contracts, and why responsible trading safeguards may be the industry’s sleeper issue. Chris also shared insights from the 2022 midterms, the mechanics of live odds swings, and what campaigns are really watching on election night.

In hour two, author and former Army officer Richard Spegal joined me to talk about building unapologetically adult paranormal worlds. We discussed his Eternal Nights prequel duology and Wolves and Ravens trilogy—stories that lean into moral risk, psychological fallout, and brutally real characters. Richard opened up about writing combat-realistic scenes, exploring faith and suicide with care, the challenge of celestial-lore without alienating readers, and why he centers committed partnerships over YA-style love triangles. His next book wraps the Wolves and Ravens arc soon, and I’ll have him back to dive deep once it’s out.

Guests:
Christopher Gerlacher
https://predictionnews.com

Richard Spegel
https://richardspegal.com/

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