Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge

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/

This week’s guest is a leader in Dubai’s property market and an entrepreneur who turned ambition into one of the region’s greatest real estate success stories.   Seventeen years ago Carl Allsopp, CEO of Allsopp & Allsopp, arrived in Dubai with little more than a dream and an unshakable drive to succeed. What started as a bold move to launch a real estate brokerage grew into the largest in the region - an achievement built on relentless hard work, smart strategy and a deep understanding of what it takes to win in one of the world’s most competitive markets.   But Carl’s story isn’t just about numbers. It’s about truth. In an era of online hype and quick wins, he shares the realities behind the headlines on why so many newcomers fail to make it in Dubai, the patience required to build a lasting career and the mindset young people need to truly succeed.   In this episode, Carl opens up about the lessons learned from nearly two decades of growth, the values that built his empire and the opportunities still waiting for those willing to put in the work.   Please welcome to the show, Carl Allsopp.     4:00 – Carl’s journey - His background and path into real estate. 09:32 – People & culture - Finding the right talent and overcoming growth challenges. 29:33 – AI in real estate: Speed, efficiency, and lead generation. Why people still buy from people. 37:41 – Smart strategies: Carl’s personal approach to buying property. 46:26 – Investment pitfalls: Tips for avoiding poor decisions in Dubai’s market. 52:49 – UK property market: Insights and comparisons to Dubai. 54:07 – Retirement in the UAE: Opportunities and considerations. 1:00:12 – First-time buyers: Guidance on purchasing your first property in the UAE.     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 Carl Allsopp on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-allsopp-allsoppandallsopp/ https://www.instagram.com/carlallsopp/?hl=en

From driving forklifts in his family’s warehouse to steering a billion-pound global business and captivating audiences as a Dragon on Dragons’ Den, this week’s guest, Tej Lalvani, is the meaning of entrepreneurial grit and innovation. As CEO of Vitabiotics, the UK’s largest vitamin company, Tej has expanded the brand to over 100 countries, turning products like Wellwoman, Perfectil, and Pregnacare into household names. However it hasn’t been a straightforward journey and he even shares how, as a child, Tej moved around so much with schools that he couldn’t do basic maths - proof that early setbacks don’t define long-term success. In this episode, Tej shares his journey from moving from India to the UK and adapting to a new culture, to working alongside his father and learning the lessons that helped build Vitabiotics into a global powerhouse. He reveals the true meaning of sales, what it really takes to be an entrepreneur and his path to becoming a Dragon - including what happens after the cameras stop rolling. Tej also explores the skills every founder needs, the three things a Dragon must hear before investing and why so many people are leaving the UK for Dubai now that he spends a lot of his time here. Whether you’re building your first business or pitching for investment, this conversation is packed with insights, candid stories and practical wisdom from one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs.   3:30 Moving from India to UK 15:00 Being an entrepreneur and what sales is really about 20:48 Becoming a Dragon 31:50 What happens once you invest on Dragons Den? 40:55 Knowing your skills and what value you can bring 47:30 Vitabiotics products and the challenges with longevity medicine and treatments 54:00 Dubai vs UK - Why are people leaving the UK for Dubai 1:07:00 What 3 things does a dragon need to hear to invest 1:11:40 First thing you need to do to be an entrepreneur   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 Tej Lalvani on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/tejlalvani https://x.com/TejLalvani https://www.linkedin.com/in/tej-lalvani-b7199b7/  

This weeks guest is Rachel Conlan, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange and blockchain ecosystem. With over two decades of experience in marketing, brand strategy and partnerships, she leads a global team driving Binance's mission to make crypto more accessible to millions worldwide. In this episode, Rachel shares her personal journey into the crypto space, how her passion for disruptive markets and the desire to solve problems shaped her career – Problems like financial exclusion for 1.7 billion unbanked people. We explore Binance’s values, why consistency matters and how she’s helped build a global community around finance. This conversation goes far beyond Binance. Rachel breaks down practical marketing insights that entrepreneurs and business owners of all sizes can apply to grow their companies and connect with audiences more effectively. From the power of storytelling, advocacy and affiliates to the frustrations of failed campaigns including the infamous “Binance Perfume” - she doesn’t shy away from real-world lessons.     3:35 – Simplifying and translating technology: focusing on relevance for everyday users 7:55 – Choosing the right exchange service 13:39 – Crafting the strategy for growth 23:23 – Educating through the Binance Academy 36:33 – Understanding the balance between marketing vs. sales 59:00 – The power of organic growth in digital strategy 1:06:26 – Lessons from a failed marketing campaign: “Binance Perfume”     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 Rachel Conlan on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelconlan/ https://www.instagram.com/rachelconlan https://x.com/RachelConlan  

This week’s guest is Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, a lifestyle medic, long-distance triathlete and UK Athletics Leader in Running Fitness whose philosophy centres on movement, community and nutrition.  He is also the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Lead for Lifestyle and Physical Activity, a clinical advisor to Swim England a holistic approach to physical, mental and social wellbeing.  Drawing on his own journey from a sedentary lifestyle to world class triathlete, he champions physical activity and nutrition as powerful tools for preventing and managing health conditions, sharing this message widely through public speaking, professional training and regular UK National TV appearances on Good Morning Britain & Steph’s Packed Lunch  In this episode, the conversation unpacks the complex and sometimes contradictory world of health, nutrition and weight management. It explores the rise in obesity across ethnicities even as physical activity increases and examines how the built environment shapes our wellbeing.  The episode also delves into the realities of weight-loss drugs, from side effects to research suggesting links to accelerated muscle ageing and reframes weight loss as a tool rather than a complete solution, highlighting the role of personalised guidance in achieving sustainable wellbeing.   04:50 – Obesity continues to rise despite increased physical activity (Dr. Haz explains) 10:46 – How conflicting advice leads to “paralysis by analysis” 19:50 – Understanding the “why” - reasons and desired outcomes 33:00 – Weight-loss drugs and their side effects – Is it cheating? 55:20 – Your relationship with food and the Six Pillars 1:10:03 – Why weight management and health coaching services matter beyond traditional healthcare     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 Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/irondoctorhaz https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussain-al-zubaidi-402b141a7/

This week’s guest is Ashley Cain, a former professional footballer turned TV personality, endurance athlete and advocate for children with cancer. The death of his daughter Azaylia from leukemia in 2021 inspired The Azaylia Foundation, through which he’s completed extreme endurance feats to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. More recently he has appeared and co-produced the BBC’s Into The Danger Zone which has received incredible feedback. He has welcomed two sons, Aliyas and Atlas, while continuing charity work and public engagement to further enhance the legacy of his late daughter, Azaylia In this episode, we follow Ashley Cain’s deeply personal journey from his daughter Azaylia’s leukemia diagnosis, remission and tragic relapse, to the profound impact she had on his life. Ashley reflects on being blessed to be her father, her incredible strength and his hope that she is looking down on him, proud of his efforts. He shares how raising awareness of childhood cancer, now the leading child killer in the UK has become his mission, leading to the creation of The Azaylia Foundation and extreme physical challenges in her honour. We explore how battling through these feats keeps him close to her, his experience of becoming a father again and navigating the mix of guilt, joy and love.   02:53 – Background on Ashley Cain and Azaylia’s leukemia journey 21:45 – The power of having a purpose 23:45 – Life after Azaylia’s passing 26:38 – Childhood cancer: the no.1 killer of children in the UK 29:42 – Ashley’s challenges in tribute to Azaylia 47:25 – Becoming a father again twice in 1 year 01:11:58 – Dealing with public criticism whilst focusing on his purpose   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 Ashley Cain on Social Media https://www.tiktok.com/@mrashleycain https://www.instagram.com/mrashleycain/