Episode 277: Skyrocketing gold prices: 2025 geopolitical risks and trends

In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Dr. Moshe Lander discuss the recent spike in gold prices in $ per ounce, which is unprecedented. 

Find out more about what pushes gold trends, from uncertain geopolitical trends to Trump’s threats on tariffs, and an overall mistrust in governments and institutions worldwide. The conversation also addresses the psychological aspect of the trust in gold as a secure investment coming from humanity’s social and economic history, and central banks’ reserves, although Dominic and Moshe examine the risks of such high trust in limited goods whose value depends on demand and decision-makers. 

Dr. Moshe Lander is a Canadian economist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at Concordia University, where he has taught since 2013, and a sessional instructor at Dalhousie University. Before joining academia full-time, he served as Senior Economist with the Government of Alberta from 2003 to 2007. His fields of expertise include public economics, international trade and finance, economic policy, and the economics of sports, gaming, and gambling. Beyond academia, Dr. Lander is a well-known media commentator who frequently appears across Canadian television, radio, print, and online platforms to discuss economic, business, and policy developments. Renowned for his engaging and accessible style, he has been recognized multiple times as Concordia’s Newsmaker of the Month, most recently in March 2025, for his sharp analysis of issues such as anti-tariff campaigns and the fiscal impact of carbon tax reforms.

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.

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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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction and fun facts about guest
• 0:00 A forecasted future: Trump's legacy and broken economies
• 1:48 Gold’s record-high prices: a historically valuable asset in an unstable world.
• 5:00 The end of free trade?
• 6:38 Could gold and cryptocurrencies one day equalise in terms of global investment worth?
• 12:30 Gold: an asset to a portfolio, not the main actor
• 15:00 The cyclacality of the world and "irrational exuberance": a lack of experts to deal with what's coming
• 19:00 Our guest advises more free trade, not less
• 21:00 An example of efficient foreign affairs focus: Scandinavian countries
• 24:30 Emerging markets and the shift away from the U.S.
• 27:10 A forecasted future: Trump's legacy and dying economies
• 29:50 The erosion of trust in our institutions and the refuge in Gold as a 'safe haven'
• 32:30 Let us pay attention to democratic datasets and move towards transparency