

Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge
Spencer Lodge
Formerly the Unscripted Podcast with Spencer Lodge
Join Spencer Lodge as he connects with the most fascinating personalities in Dubai. A city that rose from the desert sands to become one of the most ambitious, innovative and inspiring places on Earth. Behind its glittering skyline are people with stories just as extraordinary - pioneers, dreamers and doers who dared to turn bold visions into reality.
Made in Dubai is where those stories are told. Hosted by Spencer Lodge, each episode is a front-row seat to conversations with the people shaping the UAE's future — from business leaders and record-breakers to cultural icons and creative disruptors.
But this isn't just about their success. It's about the journey - the risks they took, the challenges they faced and the moments that defined them. It's about the unique magic of Dubai: a place where ambition meets opportunity, where cultures from around the world collide to create something truly special and where anything feels possible.
Whether you're an entrepreneur searching for your next big move, someone curious about life in the UAE or simply in need of inspiration, Made in Dubai is your invitation to step inside this vibrant city and meet the people who make it remarkable.
If it was made in Dubai, you'll hear it here.
Join Spencer Lodge as he connects with the most fascinating personalities in Dubai. A city that rose from the desert sands to become one of the most ambitious, innovative and inspiring places on Earth. Behind its glittering skyline are people with stories just as extraordinary - pioneers, dreamers and doers who dared to turn bold visions into reality.
Made in Dubai is where those stories are told. Hosted by Spencer Lodge, each episode is a front-row seat to conversations with the people shaping the UAE's future — from business leaders and record-breakers to cultural icons and creative disruptors.
But this isn't just about their success. It's about the journey - the risks they took, the challenges they faced and the moments that defined them. It's about the unique magic of Dubai: a place where ambition meets opportunity, where cultures from around the world collide to create something truly special and where anything feels possible.
Whether you're an entrepreneur searching for your next big move, someone curious about life in the UAE or simply in need of inspiration, Made in Dubai is your invitation to step inside this vibrant city and meet the people who make it remarkable.
If it was made in Dubai, you'll hear it here.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 12, 2026 • 47min
#380: Creators Are Losing Millions And This Tech Could Fix It
From buying Bitcoin at $66 to tokenizing gas fields. In this episode, Sebastian Huth reveals the hidden lessons most people miss about crypto, tokenization, real estate and creator economy. Learn why leaving your crypto on exchanges is a huge risk, why infrastructure beats hype every time and how tokenization is about to change the way we own almost everything, including real estate and even energy. Don't miss the shocking stats about creators losing millions on streaming platforms and how Air channel could be the next game-changer. 2:59 Buying Bitcoin at 66.99$ 6:35 Crypto is only the tip of the iceberg 7:32 How to tokenize a property 10:24 How to buy tokens 12:13 Why choose tokenization over the traditional way 15:51 You can tokenize anything 18:07 The process broken down 20:15 The importance of creating your own wallet 24:25 Air: Artificial Intelligence Radio 29:10 Content creators don't make enough money from traditional platforms 37:34 Redefining the audio space Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Sebastian Huth on Social Media https://www.sebastian-huth.com/en/contact

Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 4min
#379: From Global DJ to Penniless in Dubai: Peter Doyle's Unbelievable Comeback
Peter Doyle's life proves that success isn't a straight line and that sometimes, losing everything is the beginning of becoming who you're meant to be. From the worlds' top DJ booths and global stages to sleeping in the back of a Toyota Yaris in Dubai when things got really tough, Peter opens up about the highs, the lows and the moments that nearly broke him. With no passport, no money and no one coming to save him, he was forced to dig deeper than ever before. What followed was a complete reinvention; one built on discipline, faith and relentless self-belief. This is a raw, honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, and why it's never too late to start again. 2:30 - 6:30 The curious kid 6:32 – 14:27 From kid DJ to global opener 14:28 – 20:40 DJ-ing or the family? 20:41 – 29:03 Started a new life at 38 29:04 – 32:35 From DJ to asset management 32:36 – 44:33 Penniless in Dubai 44:34 – 1:04:10 The turning point Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Peter Doyle on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/petedoyle.co.uk https://www.tiktok.com/@consultgroupworldwide https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterdoyle-cgw/ https://www.youtube.com/@consultgroupworldwide https://www.facebook.com/consultgroupworldwide/

Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 44min
#378: Me 'v' Me
This episode takes a look back on 2025 and lifts the lid on Spencer's journey so far as a long form content creator, podcaster, entrepreneur and incredible storyteller. In this episode Spencer speaks from the heart about the big names along the way and the impact of his show on his life, and the guests around him, including what doesn't show up on the highlight reel. From nearly quitting the show (more than once), to falling asleep mid-recording, to losing a full episode forever, Spencer opens up to us about the real emotional and operational reality of building a long-form meaningful podcast. Raj pulls back the curtain on how Episode 100 was secretly produced as a surprise, why the show pivoted from chasing big names to telling human stories and holding worthwhile conversations, to how "success" can still feel unachieved even when things look great from the outside. Raj and Spencer talk about redefining success as impact, kindness and consistency, the internal "me vs me" mindset and the moments that proved the show genuinely mattered — including an email from a listener that changed everything... This is a behind-the-scenes conversation about: 2:30 - 5:58 The story behind the podcast 5:58 – 27:26 how Episode 100 was secretly produced as a surprise 27:26 – 49:39 The impact my guests have had on me 49:40 – 1:00:10 From Spencer Lodge podcast to Made in Dubai 1:00:10 – 1:13:10 Dubai's impact on spencer 1:13:10 – 1:17:00 Fear of failure 1:17:00 – 1:23:27 Falling asleep during a recording 1:23:27 – 1:25:00 2026 goals 1:25:00 – 1:44:28 Kindness isn't my superpower Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Raj Kotecha on Social Media https://www.youtube.com/rajkotecha https://www.instagram.com/rajkotecha/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajkotecha/?originalSubdomain=ae https://open.spotify.com/show/3RDJUu5Cv16q9XXgsKAeny?si=f2475432a80d4402&nd=1&dlsi=9eb65a03b26d41dc

Dec 22, 2025 • 57min
#377: Why Hollywood Celebrities Fly to Dr. Adeel – The Truth Revealed

Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 12min
#376: Dubai's Real Estate Bubble? Sam McCone Predicts What Happens Next.
This week's guest is Sam MCone, a lifelong Dubai resident and the visionary founder of McCone Properties. Having moved to Dubai at the age of two, Sam has a unique, ground-level perspective on the city's meteoric rise from a quiet trading post to a global powerhouse. His journey in real estate began as an agent, but his innate, level-headed resilience led him to build his own successful brokerage over the past 13 years. In this deeply personal episode, Sam opens up about the tough lessons learned from transitioning from being a tennis ace as a youth, to a top salesperson then to becoming a business owner. He shares invaluable insights on finding a niche in a saturated market of 9,000 brokerages and the uncomfortable but vital role of social media in building a brand. Beyond business, Sam gives a raw and honest account of his complex relationship with his past as a tennis academy student, the challenges that shaped him, and how it contrasts with his current extreme physical challenges, including his upcoming attempt to run 200km in 24 hours to raise 1 million AED for The Sparkle Foundation in Malawi. 01:40 - Growing Up with Dubai 05:30 - An Honest Audit of Dubai's Pros & Cons 09:53 - The Coming Real Estate Correction 17:29 - From Salesman to CEO 23:20 - Carving a Niche in a Crowded Market 42:12 – Running 200 KM in 24 hrs 45:01 – The Past Trauma 48:01 - Parenting Through the Lens of Past Trauma 56:40 - The Story Behind the 200km Run and self-worth Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Sam McCone on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/sam.mccone/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mccone-7b750435/?originalSubdomain=ae https://www.tiktok.com/@mccone_properties https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-A0gljutHXS7MbZO6jldkQ https://www.facebook.com/mcconeproperties/

Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 1min
#375: Losing Everything, Running Further: Nico De Corato's Untold Dubai Story
Join us on Made in Dubai as we sit down with Nico de Corato, an ultra-endurance athlete, entrepreneur who is passionate about the UAE. From ultra-marathons and mountain biking to freediving, jet skiing, and desert adventures, Nico's story spans resilience, discipline, and pushing beyond limits. In this episode, Nico shares: How he moved from Naples to Dubai and mindset behind his training ultra marathons, 200 km races and achieving the Dubai Sports Challenge Why sports are a lifestyle, not just a hobby, and that lessons from the unseen moments alone in the desert have made him who is today How setbacks and challenges can be used a positive motivator to set even great goals, even when no one was supporting him and thought he was seriously unwell (TBC) Perfect for anyone interested in Dubai, extreme sports, ultramarathons, personal growth, and balancing life and extreme challenges while making a home in Dubai. This episode is a deep dive into the life of someone who truly lives without limits. Tune in, get inspired, and discover what it really takes to conquer Dubai – on a mountain bike or alone in the desert. 03:30 – From Napoli to Dubai 09:10 – When everything that can go wrong, goes wrong 10:57 – Nico's health problems 13:31 – Nico breaking his sternum 16:20 – Coming to Dubai in 2004 17:11— Solo triathlon for the 49th UAE National Day 20:48 – 200 KM solo run 21:52 – Nico's mom passing away & honouring her 23:16 - Nico having no support when he first moved to Dubai 30:07 – Nico's mindset and discipline 42:45- Why do people hate Dubai? 48:56 – Nico's way of encouraging people to run 51:41: Nico's first run Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Nico de Corato on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/nicodecorato/ https://www.youtube.com/c/nicodecorato https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicodecorato/?originalSubdomain=ae https://www.facebook.com/nicodecorato/

Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 11min
#374: Chris Hemsworth, Big Ideas & Bayut: Sahar Khan on Building an Iconic Brand
This week's guest is Sahar Khan, the dynamic Head of Marketing at Bayut. A foundational member of the team, Sahar joined Bayut in 2014 as one of its first sales employees and has been instrumental in building the brand into the UAE's leading property portal. With a innate passion for creative, out-of-the-box marketing since childhood, she has spearheaded some of the company's most iconic campaigns, including the landmark partnership with Chris Hemsworth. In this episode, Sahar takes us through her incredible journey from a salesperson in a small startup to leading marketing for a household name. She shares invaluable insights on building a brand in a unique market like the UAE, the evolution of her marketing strategies, and the delicate balance between sales and marketing teams. Sahar also opens about her leadership philosophy, the importance of staying true to one's principles, and how maintaining a clear mind through fitness is crucial to her success. 2:41 - Humble Beginnings at Bayut 4:04 - A Marketer from the Start 5:55 - Marketing in the UAE: A Unique Playbook 8:45 - Sales vs. Marketing: The Eternal Friction 11:55 - From Underdog to Market Leader 13:27 – Working with Chris Hemsworth 20:00 - Solving Industry Problems: Content and Verification 30:13 - Live Events vs. Digital Marketing Measuring the intangible impact of live events like the iconic B3 launch and the clear metrics of digital campaigns. 36:57 – Dubai's booming real estate market 42:51 - Where Big Ideas Come From 52:15 - Giving Back: More Than Money 55:10 - A Personal Conversation on Principles and Pain 1:08:09 - Starting Over: Lessons for Bayut 2.0 Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Sahar Khan on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/saharkdxb/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahar-khan-9127958a/

Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 4min
#373: From Bullied Kid to Global Leader: Sebastian Bates' Warrior Academy Story
Sebastian Bates is a British entrepreneur, author, and martial artist best known as the founder of the Warrior Academy, a Dubai-based organisation dedicated to developing children's confidence, focus, and resilience through martial arts. With over 25 years of experience and a background in professional martial arts and extreme sports. He is the best-selling author of The Warrior Method and Not a Victim, host of the Warrior Academy Podcast, and founder of the Bates Foundation and the "Not A Victim" anti-bullying campaign, initiatives that reflect his commitment to empowering young people and fostering positive character growth worldwide. In this episode, Sebastian dives deep into the journey behind founding the Warrior Academy and the powerful mission driving its global impact. He discusses how early life challenges and experiences with bullying shaped his vision for empowering children through character development and martial arts. Listeners will hear insights on transforming victim mentality into resilience, the psychology behind bullying, and how celebrating a child as a victim can unintentionally disempower them. Sebastian also explains the Warrior Academy's unique approach to measuring the "3Cs"— Confidence, Conduct, and Concentration and why focusing on the lowest "C" drives transformational growth. The episode highlights inspiring testimonials from over 50,000 children who've been through the academy, explores the impact of the Bates Foundation across Eastern Africa, and reflects on how charity work and purpose-driven entrepreneurship can redefine personal and professional success. 02:53 – Sebastian's backstory and why he founded the Warrior Academy 10:20 – Turning testing times into success: using challenges as motivation for growth 14:46 – Symptoms of a victim mentality and practical steps to overcome it 20:56 – Building the Warrior Academy 40:08 – Understanding why bullying occurs and how to support bullies 42:34 – The Bates Foundation: the purpose behind it 56:50 – What drives Sebastian: finding purpose through meaningful impact 59:10 – The role of Dubai in accelerating the commercial growth of the business Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Sebastian Bates on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/seb.bates/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-bates-4b70412b/ https://www.facebook.com/sebastianbates https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV4Ow_9hgRWxW0LvQhwbbtA https://open.spotify.com/show/1Z6jdkn6vUMIh2agYRddk5

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 17min
#372: Creators, Brands, and AI: The New Rules of Influencer Marketing with Danny Agg
This week's guest is Danny Agg, who leads Zodiac Global with a clear vision for growth, innovation, and excellence, serves as CEO overseeing the company's strategic direction, partnerships, and overall talent strategy. In this episode, Danny dives deep into the evolving world of talent management and influencer marketing. The conversation highlights the critical role of trust in building authentic brands and explores how creators can craft universal content that resonates across audiences and platforms. Listeners gain practical insights on how to get started as a creator and develop multiple revenue streams. The discussion also examines the rapid growth of the global creator economy and looks ahead to the rising influence of AI-driven creators. 03:40 – Zodiac Global: Talent Management & Influencer Marketing 08:10 – Selective Talent: Choosing the Right Creators 17:06 - Growing an Organic Audience Today 21:23 – How Content Resonates Globally 23:13 – How Creators Make Money 27:45 – How to Build Your Own Product 34:35 – Getting Started as a Creator 46:00 – AI Influencers: What's the Future? 57:50 – Danny Agg's Journey into the Creator Space & Personal Story Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Danny Agg on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/dannyagg_/ https://www.instagram.com/zodiacglobalgroup/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-agg-62245bbb/

Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 6min
#371: Overnourished, Overwhelmed, and Underserved: Rethinking Health with Dr. Nas Al Jafari
This week's guest is Dr. Nas Al Jafari, a leading Functional Medicine physician and founder of DNA Health in Dubai, renowned for his science-driven, holistic approach to health and wellness. With a focus on uncovering and addressing the root causes of chronic conditions, Dr. Al Jafari integrates the latest medical research with personalised care to help patients achieve optimal well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to take charge of their health, he emphasises the importance of nutrition, lifestyle interventions, and integrative therapies. His expertise has earned him a reputation as one of the region's most trusted voices in functional and preventative medicine. In this episode, we explore Dr. Nas Al Jafari's personal journey into Functional Medicine and his approach to addressing the root causes of chronic conditions. He discusses lifestyle, longevity, and preventative health, as well as the evolving challenges of trust in modern healthcare. Dr. Al Jafari shares insights on overnutrition, hormonal optimisation, and emerging therapies such as exosomes and peptides. He also reflects on lessons learned from building his clinic, the four pillars of health, and his experiences practising in Dubai — offering a unique perspective on optimising well-being and transforming healthcare outcomes. 2:40 – Dr. Nas Al Jafari's Backstory 5:40 – Lifestyle, Longevity, and Functional Medicine 19:10 – COVID-19 as a Catalyst for Change 20:19 – The True Meaning of Longevity 28:28 – Championing Preventative Health 40:53 – The Impact of Being Overnourished 49:54 – DNA Health & Wellness Clinics: Lessons Learned 54:20 – Practicing in Dubai: Challenges and Opportunities Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Dr. Nas on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/dr_nas_wellness/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasr-al-jafari-072a4626/?originalSubdomain=ae


