Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge

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/

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

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/

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

This weeks guest, Karl Mohan, is a seasoned fintech and crypto executive, currently serving as General Manager for APAC and MEA and Global Head of Banking Partnerships at Crypto.com. With over two decades of experience across traditional finance and emerging technologies, Karl is known for bridging the gap between banking and blockchain innovation. Passionate about financial inclusion and responsible crypto adoption, he advocates for regulation that supports innovation, security, and trust, helping Crypto.com make cryptocurrency accessible to everyone. In this episode, we explore how technology and regulation are shaping the future of finance, with a focus on the rapid evolution of crypto and digital payments. We discuss why Dubai has emerged as a leading hub for the industry, comparing its regulatory landscape with more democratic societies. We also look at the growing integration of crypto with traditional banking and consider the global shift toward cashless societies. 06:19 – New technologies changing the way we pay and invest 11:25 – The evolution of technology and the role of regulation 14:40 – Why Dubai has become one of the leading crypto financial centres 22:18 – The risks of crypto and how regulation and security are improving trust and confidence 34:57 – The Crypto.com x Trump Media deal and its impact on direct and indirect crypto investment 46:34 – The future of cash, societal behaviours, and the role of crypto 52:26 – Pros and cons of a cashless society and the rise of alternative payment systems 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 Karl Mohan on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlmohan

This week's guest is Mo Vlogs, social media personality who has made a name for himself as one of Dubai's most prominent YouTubers and vloggers. Renowned for his daily vlogs, Mo offers viewers a window into the opulent lifestyle the city is known for, from luxury cars and high-end real estate to exclusive events and behind-the-scenes glimpses of Dubai's fast-paced culture. In this episode, Mo Vlogs sits down to share his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Dubai's most recognizedYouTubers. He reflects on the importance of enjoying what you do, the impact of social media and mobile technology, and how AI is shaping creativity. Mo opens up about his biggest financial mistakes, the mindset needed to excel, and the excuses people make that hold them back. He also talks about the power of self-reflection, staying consistent in your work, handling critics, and what the future holds for Mo Vlogs and his content. 02:10 – How Mo started out 15:11 – The role of AI in video 22:45 – The start of creating something rewarding 45:50 – Doing the work: Applying yourself and being consistent 59:38 – Dealing with the haters: It only hurts when you start to believe 01:04:00 – The future for Mo Vlogs 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 Mo Vlogs on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/movlogs/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mo_vlogs?lang=en

This week's guest is Firas Al Msaddi, the founder and owner of fäm Properties, Dubai's most technologically advanced real estate company and a multidimensional force shaping the future of the city's property market. A Syrian-born entrepreneur and author, Firas has redefined what it means to lead in real estate, combining deep market expertise with data, proptech, and integrity-driven leadership. From trading shoes as a child in Homs to building one of the region's most trusted real estate platforms, his journey reflects relentless grit and visionary execution. In this episode, Firas Al Msaddi joins Spencer to share the mindset and principles behind building one of Dubai's most successful real estate empires. He opens up about the values of hard work, trust and creating lasting client relationships, explaining why money naturally follows value. Firas breaks down the true skill behind effective selling, reflects on his best and worst investments, and discusses why Dubai continues to attract ambitious people from around the world. He also offers a compelling vision forthe city's future, one defined by innovation, transparency, and unstoppable ambition 01:07 – Backstory: Firas Al Msaddi 11:31 – Buying into his philosophy 19:36 – Outperforming the competition by delivering more value to clients 30:37 – The younger generation and shortcuts: Mastering your trade takes time 35:54 – The sales process: Two schools of thought - commission-driven vs product-focused 48:30 –The future of Dubai (long-term vision) 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 Firas Al Msaddi on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/firas_al_msaddi/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/firas-al-msaddi/?originalSubdomain=ae

This weeks guest is Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi Developments, the real estate arm of the Azizi Group in Dubai, where he also serves as Vice Chairman. Educated in the U.S. with a bachelor's from the University of Tulsa and an MBA from Suffolk University, he later established ventures in Germany before returning to Dubai to lead Azizi Developments, founded in 2007. Under his leadership, the company has delivered thousands of homes across prime locations like MBR City, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Healthcare City, becoming one of the city's leading developers. Named among Forbes Middle East's "Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders" (2024) and credited with driving the firm to win "Middle East Property Developer of the Year" (2023), Azizi is recognised for a leadership style that emphasizes customer focus, transparency, and innovation. In this episode, Farhad Azizi, billionaire CEO of Azizi Developments, shares his remarkable journey from his upbringing in Afghanistan and Dubai to studying in the United States and building one of the UAE's most successful real estate empires. The conversation explores both the challenges and opportunities of working within a family business, his experience taking over and driving the company's growth, and the personal changes he made following the passing of his sister. Azizi reflects on life's hardest lessons, the balance between wealth and fulfilment and his views on leadership, legacy and the role of innovation, AI and technology in shaping the future of real estate. He also opens up about his greatest accomplishments, biggest mistakes and whether his success could have been achieved outside Dubai. 2:10 – Farhad's backstory: from his birthplace Afghanistan to attending university in Tulsa, USA 12:50 – Working in the family business 32:58 – What money can't buy: life's hardest lesson 56:02 – From humble beginnings 58:42 – Burj Azizi: building the second tallest building in the world 1:13:13 – Quick fire questions 1:18:05 – Innovations in real estate, technology and AI, adapting to younger buying habits 1:28:52 – Trends damaging Dubai's reputation Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp 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 Farhad Azizi on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadazizi/?originalSubdomain=ae https://www.instagram.com/farhadaziziofficial/

This week's guest is Omar "OT" Tom, a double kidney transplant recipient and inspirational athlete who won gold in the 200m sprint for Team UAE at the World Transplant Games Despite being born with serious kidney conditions, he has used sport as a way to celebrate life, defy expectations and show that organ recipients can not only survive but thrive. In this powerful episode, Omar shares his journey from the first signs of kidney problems to life after two transplants. He reflects on the symptoms that changed his childhood, the realities of surgery and recovery and what it meant to accept that life might never be "normal." Omar opens up about his close bond with his father, the painful experience of kidney rejection and the emotional weight of feeling like a failure. Yet his story takes a transformative turn as he discovers strength through fitness, ultimately competing and winning gold at the World Transplant Games. With honesty and hope, Omar delivers a message that organ recipients can thrive, inspiring listeners with his resilience, gratitude and determination to celebrate life after transplantation. 4:02 – Omar's early symptoms and diagnosis 15:00 – The journey to finding a donor 24:30 – The donor and their relationship 29:05 – Facing kidney rejection 48:00 – Staying healthy after transplantation 1:12:24 – Lessons from being a gold medalist Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp 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 Omar Tom on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/otofficial/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/otofficial/

This week's guest is Elie Khouri, a Lebanese-French businessman, entrepreneur, art patron and media leader. Best known as the founder and chairman of Vivium, a Dubai-based single-family office. A driving force in the communications industry, he has served as chairman of Omnicom Media Group for the Middle East and North Africa since 2019, following a successful 13-year tenure as CEO. Beyond his corporate achievements, Khouri is widely recognized for his support of contemporary art and entrepreneurship and has gained further visibility as an investor on Shark Tank, where he backs innovative ideas and emerging businesses. Today, his focus is on growing his family office, generating long-term wealth and driving a transition toward alternative investing. In this episode, we explore Elie's journey as an entrepreneur and investor, with his experience on Shark Tank Dubai and his approach to evaluating businesses. The discussion covers the skill of sales, the role of social media, and lessons from his time at Omnicom, as well as the challenges of leading across cultures, finding talent and the values shaped by his upbringing. Elie also shares perspectives on inspiration, mental health and AI as a growth enabler, before reflecting on building a family office, investing in start-ups and the qualities that define true entrepreneurship. Please welcome to the show, Elie Khouri. 1:26 – Elie on Shark Tank Dubai and evaluating the quality of businesses 9:15 – The role of social media in sales 12:00 – Elie on Omnicom 16:29 – The challenge of running a successful business across different cultures 23:24 – Elie's inspiration 28:40 – The rise of mental health issues 32:45 – The role of AI as an enabler 38:51 Investing in start-ups (some hugely successful, others failures) 53:45 – What success means to Elie 1:01:01 – Failure as a driver of growth 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 Elie Khouri on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliekhouri/