The International Risk Podcast Episode 305: Lessons Learned 2025 - Part Two with Melanie and Dominic
In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Melanie Meimoun discuss how organizations can move beyond static risk registers to leveraging risk intelligence as a true strategic advantage, from decentralizing decision-making to preparing for multiple possible futures rather than trying to predict the next crisis.
Find out more about why gold prices have surged to record highs, how central banks are using gold as a geopolitical hedge, and what this reveals about anxiety, sovereignty, and declining trust in global financial systems.
The conversation also addresses the K-shaped economy, what it really means to be “on the right side” of it, and the concrete leadership behaviors that separate those who thrive in volatility from those who merely survive -including clarity on risk appetite, forward-looking indicators, and practicing leadership at every level.
Finally, they explore memory, justice, and global insecurity — from Srebrenica and the limits of international protection, to the resurgence of extremist violence and the uncomfortable truth about how hatred, fragmentation, and collective fear continue to shape world events.
Melanie Meimoun is an International Relations and Communication Specialist working for the International Risk Podcast. Recently graduated from a Master's in International Public Policy at University College London, where she researched forced migration memory through the case of Tunisian Jews, she leverages a background in Politics and Philosophy at three different universities -Paris, London, and Madrid- to assess International Risk, and stay up to date on Global affairs.
The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.
The International Risk Podcast is sponsored by Conducttr, a realistic crisis exercise platform. Conducttr offers crisis exercising software for corporates, consultants, humanitarian, and defence & security clients. Visit Conducttr to learn more.
Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.
The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.
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