The International Risk Podcast

Today on we’re diving headfirst into a threat vector that’s been hiding in plain sight: the toxic, metastasising digital subcultures, that are radicalising young men globally and fuelling a new wave of misogynistic violence. Hear the discussion about the risk of these online ideologies, the struggle of categorising, early warning signs, and how to combat this ideology!Dr. Allysa Czerwinsky (she/her) is a Research Fellow in AI Trust and Security and PhD Candidate at the University of Manchester. Her research explores how male supremacism and misogynist extremism manifest in digital environments, accounting for the complex interplays between technology, harm, and violence. Her doctoral work traces the narratives present in stories shared to several incel-focused forums, uncovering how these stories help legitimise harm and provide additional knowledge about potential pathways into and out of inceldom. Alongside this, she’s interested in ethical approaches to conducting research in public-facing online spaces, and adopts a reflexive intersectional feminist praxis in her work.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

In this episode of the International Risk Podcast, we turn our focus to the South Caucasus, where Armenia stands at a critical geopolitical juncture. Our guest is Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the American University of Armenia and a leading voice on regional security and Armenian foreign policy.Dr. Ter-Matevosyan offers a compelling analysis of Armenia’s post-2020 political landscape, the complexities of its relationship with Azerbaijan, and the challenges of negotiating peace amid uncertainty. We explore how domestic expectations, historical narratives, and external pressures intersect in shaping Armenia’s strategic choices.What are the risks of a fragile peace process? How are regional and global actors influencing the outcome? And what does the future hold for a country navigating between tradition, reform, and realpolitik?Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan is an Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the American University of Armenia and a leading scholar on Turkish foreign policy, regional security, and post-Soviet politics. He has advised government agencies, published extensively on nationalism and regional dynamics, and brings deep, evidence-based analysis to some of the most pressing questions about Armenia’s place in an increasingly multipolar world.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

Today we discuss the New Scramble for Africa! Dominic and Ian Linden dive into the differences between the ‘new’ scramble for Africa and the ‘old’ scramble of Africa, how strong the US influence is and whether it is currently weakening - or not, the economic opportunities offered by foreign investments, and much more!Professor Ian Linden formerly taught at the School of Oriental & African Studies in London and is a visiting Professor at St Mary's University, Strawberry Hill, London. He worked for the Swedish Government in the 1980s liaising with the African National Congress in apartheid South Africa.  A past director of the Catholic Institute for International Relations where he first worked on the southern Africa desk, he was awarded an Order of St Michael and St George for his work for human rights in 2000. His research for the former- British Government Department for International Development, DfID, has been on faith and development with special emphasis on Muslim approaches to development in West Africa, and for the Commonwealth Foundation on multi-faith programmes in the Commonwealth. He has written books on conflict in Zimbabwe and Rwanda and his latest book Global Catholicism provides an historical analysis of the political impact of the Catholic Church.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Jason Costain, one of the UK’s leading fraud strategists and the founder of Javloc, a specialist consultancy in financial crime prevention.In this deep-dive episode, they examine the accelerating threat landscape shaped by fraud, artificial intelligence, and the unintended consequences of digital innovation. From real-time payment systems and synthetic identities to the manipulation of consumer psychology and the exploitation of cryptocurrency hype, this conversation uncovers the critical vulnerabilities facing both individuals and institutions.Jason shares hard-won insights from three decades at the forefront of fraud detection and response, including his work building and leading fraud defence teams at NatWest Group. The episode also explores how financial institutions can move beyond reactive measures by embedding biometric security, adaptive limits, and customer training into their fraud strategy — all while dismantling siloed thinking between UX, payments, and risk teams.Jason Costain is the founder of Javloc, and previously served as Head of Fraud Strategy and Relationship Management at NatWest Group. His work has shaped fraud defence systems across the UK banking sector, with a focus on AI, scam prevention, big data, and behavioural risk.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

Today we’ll dive into the often-overlooked realities of how women and girls experience armed conflict! Whether women are the victims, combatants, or leaders in peace-building. From the risks of gender-based violence and the underrepresentation of women in disarmament efforts to the long-term socio-economic impacts of the global arms trade, this conversation is both urgent and essential.Stay with us as we unpack these risks and the intersection of security, gender, and global policy with Anna Provan.Anna Provan is the Peace and Security Programme Manager at the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (CFFP). She has a proven track record of research, writing, public engagement, and capacity-building on the gendered and humanitarian impacts of weapons use and transfer, as well as the wider implications of conflict and militarisation for the pursuit of gender justice and equality. She works on a diverse range of issues related to gender-responsive arms control and disarmament, the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, feminist peacebuilding, cybersecurity, and AI. In 2024, Anna was recognised as an Emerging Expert by The Forum on the Arms Trade.Prior to joining CFFP, Anna worked with the ‘Next Generation Democracy’ programme at the World Leadership Alliance in Madrid and as a UN Online Volunteer, providing research and editorial support to the Tanzania Development Trust and Education Watch Pakistan. She has undergraduate degree in International Relations from The University of Edinburgh and an MSc in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London (UCL).The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

This week, Dominic Bowen welcomes Dr. Shan Nair to The International Risk Podcast for an insightful discussion on navigating international business expansion amid shifting geopolitical and economic landscapes. Together, they explore how regulatory frameworks, tariffs, and evolving trade policies impact global business strategies. Dr. Nair shares his expertise on mitigating risks, seizing opportunities in international markets, and the increasing role of compliance and strategic foresight for CEOs and CFOs.Dr. Shan Nair is a renowned entrepreneur and management consultant specialising in international business expansion. He has worked with major companies, including Tesla Motors, and pioneered business support services for firms entering new markets. With a background in nuclear engineering and decades of experience advising multinational corporations, Dr. Nair provides a nuanced perspective on economic trends, the role of AI in finance, and the future of global business strategy.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

Today Dominic hosts Meadhbh Park! They discuss RedPill versus BlackPill and what the differences and common conceptions are. Moreover, they dive into reasons young men might fall into the manosphere and incel groups, and Meadhbh talks about her new book Blackpilled: Masculinity, Media and Incels which has come out recently!Meadhbh Park is a researcher and practitioner focused on the manosphere – the loose network of online communities that promote rigid views on gender roles and misogyny – specifically in relation to young people. Her work spans multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany and the United States, where she has contributed to research on groups such as incels and the Proud Boys. She has delivered projects to schools, teachers, Countering Violent Extremism practitioners, law enforcement, government departments and other stakeholders. Her research has been published in academic books and online outlets such as Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET). Her recent book, Blackpilled: Masculinity, Media and Incels brings a clear and easily accessible understanding of the worldview of incels, featuring interviews with incels and how these narratives can also be found in mainstream media messaging. Meadhbh seeks to deepen our understanding of young men drawn into extremist ideologies, with a focus on finding practical solutions to help them move away from these harmful belief systems. Her insights have been featured on the BBC, SXSW EDU, The Guardian, The New Statesman, PoliticsJoe and the New Zealand Listener.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

This episode Dominic is back with guest Ali Fowle to discuss the recent earthquake and the ongoing resistance in Myanmar. They discuss how the earthquake has impacted the war, whether foreign aid has been helpful so far, how the military operates, how people continue living during the war, what we can learn from the resistance now that democracy is declining worldwide, military brainwashing, and much more!Ali Fowle is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist focused on international news and current affairs. She specialises in long form investigative journalism for broadcast, often working in remote and hostile environments. Ali focuses mostly on conflict, human rights and civil disobedience in the Asia Pacific region where she was based between 2008-2021 and has worked extensively on stories about extractive industries, illicit trade and trafficking, surveillance, justice and press freedom. Ali’s work has won multiple global media prizes. In 2022 she was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Journalism for her coverage of the Myanmar coup. The same year she won several other awards including a Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism and a Sigma Award for an investigation into surveillance, interrogation and torture in Myanmar. Her documentary “Myanmar: State of Fear” was added to the Shadid curriculum for ethical journalism as an example of “complex and outstanding ethical-decision making”. In 2018 she was part of the BBC team which received a Peabody Award for coverage of the Plight of the Rohingya. Finally, Ali has worked as a correspondent, self-shooting PD and a video journalist producing work for the world’s leading international media organisations including the BBC, Al Jazeera, CNA, CNN, SBS and NBC.Ali has been on the podcast previously, listen to Episode 202 to hear the preview to this episode!The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on Tell us what you liked!

This week on The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen is joined by Michael Sheldrick to unpack the far-reaching consequences of global aid cuts and the future of international development. Together, they explore the real-world impact of the proposed USAID reductions, including disruptions to programs like PEPFAR, and the ripple effects on health systems, livelihoods, and vulnerable communities around the world. The conversation touches on how philanthropy, remittances, and advocacy can step in where traditional funding falls short, and how storytelling and strategic reframing are essential to keep aid relevant in today’s political and security landscape. From funding independent media in Ukraine to promoting workforce development in emerging economies, this episode is a timely reflection on how aid can mitigate global risks and create shared value.Michael Sheldrick  is a policy entrepreneur, author and a driving force behind the efforts of Global Citizen to end extreme poverty and build climate resilience. As a Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact, and Government Affairs Officer, he has mobilized over $43 billion in support for healthcare, education and climate from governments, businesses, and foundations. The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

This week, Dominic Bowen welcomes Muraly Srinarayanathas to The International Risk Podcast for a compelling discussion on the balance between global integration and local adaptation in today’s business landscape. Together, they explore how understanding cultural differences can enhance business strategy, why companies sometimes overlook local environments, and the risks and opportunities of embracing multiculturalism in an increasingly interconnected world.Muraly Srinarayanathas is the author of Between Borders, Beyond Boundaries: Strategies for Authentic Business Engagement in an Interconnected World, is a global strategist and serial entrepreneur. He is co-founder and executive chairman of 369 Global, a conglomerate involved in skills training and workforce development, media and communications, and global market facilitation. He also founded 3 Magazine, a luxury lifestyle and business publication that focuses on celebrating Canada’s growing and diverse population. Srinarayanathas has more than 25 years of experience working in international markets across North America, Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors who need more than headlines. Each week, Dominic Bowen cuts through the noise to bring you unfiltered insights on emerging risks, geopolitics, international relations flashpoints, boardroom blind spots, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies from the people who have been there, done it, and shaped outcomes at the highest levels.Dominic's 25 years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them. Whether he is speaking with intelligence operatives, CEOs, political advisors, or analysts, Dominic helps leaders gain competitive advantage through these conversations.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!