When you hear the word risk, do you immediately think danger, loss, or threat?

In this episode, we flip the script and take a deep dive into the real meaning of risk—and how your perception of it is silently influencing your decisions, leadership, energy, and opportunities. Using a systems thinking lens, Dr. Denaige McDonnell walks you through a powerful reframe of risk as neutral data, not emotional drama—and explains why understanding your personal risk lens is one of the most strategic moves you can make.

Whether you're managing a business, a family, a big decision, or your own mental bandwidth—this episode will give you the tools to stop spinning and start leading.

What risk actually is (and what it isn’t)

Why upside risk matters just as much as downside risk

The 5 truths about risk no one teaches you

How personal context and bias shape your risk tolerance

A guided 5-step risk mapping exercise across 9 life domains

How to use risk awareness to make more aligned decisions

Why confidence and clarity start with perception, not planning