Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge

In this conversation, Lousin Mehrabi sits down with Spencer Lodge for an open and reflective discussion that goes beyond surface-level success. Through thoughtful questioning, Lousin encourages Spencer to open up about the gap between external achievement and internal fulfillment and how family expectations, particularly his relationship with his father, shaped his drive and self-perception. Spencer reflects on navigating rejection, pressure, and self-doubt, and how resilience, forgiveness, and self-awareness helped him redefine success on his own terms. The conversation also explores the impact of parenting, gratitude, and meaningful connection on personal growth. Spencer shares lessons from his journey in sales, life in Dubai, and using success as a platform for purpose through charity work and storytelling, including a documentary focused on resilience and human impact. A grounded, honest exchange about turning pressure into progress and ambition into something that truly matters. 00:00 The Illusion of Success 02:54 The Weight of Expectations 06:09 The Burden of Shame 08:59 The Struggle with Self-Perception 12:00 The Relentless Pursuit of Achievement 15:05 The Challenge of Connection 18:10 The Impact of Family Dynamics 20:57 The Journey of Forgiveness 24:05 The Role of Parenting 27:10 The Power of Resilience 30:03 The Path to Financial Success 32:57 The Fear of Rejection 45:42 The Numbers Game of Rejection 48:10 Learning the Sales Process 54:51 The Journey Through Different Countries 57:39 Life in Dubai: A Personal Perspective 01:00:13 Helping Others: The Power of Charity 01:08:30 The Documentary: A Story of Resilience 01:13:42 The Inner Struggle: Balancing Success and Responsibility 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.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Lousin Mehrabi on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/lousinmehrabi https://www.youtube.com/@lousinmehrabi https://www.linkedin.com/in/lousin-mehrabi

Charlie Mullins is a deeply contradictory and complex figure - from a deprived council-estate childhood in south London to founding a plumbing empire, cashing out for £148 million and remaking himself as a global-living, politically outspoken tycoon. He embodies both the grit of old-school trades and the excesses of modern wealth. His post-sale life is marked by public provocation - from giant anti-Brexit signs to incendiary social media posts, and threats to relocate his wealth abroad which are now in force as he is here to get his residency. His journey offers a potent lens: success, escape, conflict, and reinvention, but also tension, moral ambiguity. He is confrontational, outspoken and a political provocateur. 2:40 – Charlie's childhood 6:03 – Plumber apprenticeship 09:56 – Bill, the man Charlie looked up to 17:28 – The importance of apprenticeships 20:22 – Success is simple 21:58 – Nearly going bankrupt 25:34 – Selling for 148 million 26:19 – Charlie's regrets 32:17 – People pay for quality 40:53 – London is unsafe 45:16 – The importance of having a job 50:08 – Coming to Dubai 54:15 – Favorite things about Dubai 57:31 – Youngsters don't have a future in the UK 1:02:53 – An opinion that would break the internet 1:04:43 – Harshest truth about success 1:07:25 – Charlie's message to Bill 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.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Charlie Mullins on Social Media https://www.charliemullinsobe.com/ https://www.instagram.com/charliem_obe https://x.com/CharlieM_OBE/

This episode isn't about motivation. It's about perspective. Cyrus Rustom shares the moments that reshaped how he sees life — from joining the Marines at 16 to escape chaos at home, to surviving an accident he was certain he wouldn't live through, to rebuilding everything afterward. We talk about business failures, discipline myths, opening a company one week before Covid shut the world down and why real risk isn't danger — it's waiting for certainty that never comes. This conversation isn't polished or performative. It's about identity, loss, belonging, and what changes when you realise time isn't guaranteed. Some decisions aren't heroic. They're survival. 3:31 – Learning What Not to Do 5:28 – The Biggest Mistakes 09:35 – The Discipline Lie 12:37 – The Start of Boxica 14:32 - Worst Timing Possible 16:12 – Making People Feel Welcome at The Gym 24:05 – Entrepreneurship 24:52 – What is Success? 36:27 - I Joined the Marines at 16 39:35 – The World of the Marines 54:44 - Crushed Between Two Vehicles 1:01:42 - Perspective Saved Me 1:05:27 - Leaving Was Lonely 1:07:42 - I Wouldn't Change What Happened 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 Cyrus Rustom on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/coachcyrus/ https://www.instagram.com/boxica/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrus-rustom-350a7098/?originalSubdomain=ae

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

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/

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

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/

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/

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/