Unscripted with Spencer Lodge

Imagine escaping a cult that your father runs and then building a 7-figure business? That’s exactly what Julia McCoy did. Julia’s incredible story was told for the first-time last year in her memoir “Women Rising” where she detailed the abuse and depression she experienced as a child, and how writing became her escape. Julia began writing blogs for money, and when she saved enough money to escape, she took her chance. Julia is now a serial entrepreneur, author, and an advocate of creating exceptional content. In 2021, she successfully exited her 7-figure agency, Express Writers. Today, she leads The Content Hacker, where she equips people with real-life content skills. Julia also ghostwrites, consults, and publishes her own books. Julia joins the show today to discuss what life was like in a cult, her daring escape, her incredible business success, and the rise of content creation since the pandemic. Episode Notes Julia discusses the sale of her first company Express Writers. [2:49] The next focus for Julia after selling her business is reflected on. [9:59] Content creation and writing is discussed. [13:49] Julia discusses her latest book – Skip the Degree, Save the Tuition. [17:22] Growing up in a cult is described. [19:15] The specifics of the cult and Julia’s family are touched on. [23:56] Julia reflects on her relationship with religion and faith. [28:55] The relationship Julia had with her father and the healing she underwent is detailed. [36:33] Other cults and religions are discussed. [39:42] Religions and culture’s impact on the lives of individuals is explained [46:03] Julia touches on the global work she does with her business Content Hacker. [49:33] Julia explains what she teaches and what people can learn from her at Content Hacker. [52:10]  

This might just be one of my favourite episodes ever! This week I am joined by the incredible John Assaraf - a Behavioural Neuroscience Researcher who has built 5 multimillion-dollar companies, written two New York Times bestselling books and has been featured in 8 movies. Today, he is founder and CEO of NeuroGym, a company dedicated to using the most advanced technologies and evidence-based brain training methods to help individuals unleash their fullest potential and maximize their results. His latest bestselling book Innercise: The New Science to Unlock Your Brain’s Hidden Power, helps individuals recognize and release the mental and emotional blocks that prevents them from achieving their life’s biggest goals and dreams. He shares the important role that our minds play when chasing our dreams, how we can overcome fears, and the actions we need to take to rewire our minds for success. Show Notes: John explains his company NeuroGym and his process of innercise. [1:56] John tells the listeners about himself and the development of innercise. [4:14] Navigating the brain is discussed. [13:16] John explains the neuroscience behind decisions. [22:28] The impact of the questions we ask and language we use is examined. [29:05] Three things that hold people back are detailed. [32:03] How to move past the fear of failure and rejection is noted. [37:53] John reflects on how a process makes change easier. [43:54] The process to become a student of John’s is detailed. [50:45] Using our brains to achieve goals is touched on. [54:45] Join John on October 23rd at 8pm GST / 9am PT for a FREE webinar on changing your brain to change your income. Register here to take part.

If you want to fast forward your wealth and achieve your financial goals faster than you ever thought possible, then this episode is for you! My guest today is Robert Rolih, the author of "The Million Dollar Decision”, investor, and public speaker. After trusting banks and advisors with his hard-earned money, Robert lost it all and embarked on a journey to gain financial sense. Since then he has built a resilient investment portfolio that makes his money work for him, and has made it his mission to share all he’s learned about investing. In this episode, Robert discusses the key misunderstandings people have about money and investing, how financial knowledge can help you invest better and achieve your goals, and he shares the lessons he teaches his clients on investing and crypto. Register for a FREE 90-minute Masterclass with Robert, in partnership with Najahi, on October 26th at 8:00 PM UAE / 6:00 PM CET / 5:00 PM UK. In this session you will learn simple, easy to understand solutions that can fast forward your financial success!

Many listeners were fascinated by an earlier episode about China’s illegal organ harvesting, so I wanted to dig a bit deeper into the organ trade, and speak with Dr Seán Columb – the author of “Trading Life: Organ Trafficking, Illicit Networks, and Exploitation.” Dr Columb is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Liverpool and a research advocate for trafficking survivors. His book examines how the organ trade fits into the anti-trafficking framework, its link to organised crime, and the wider political economy. In this episode, Dr Columb shares the motivations behind organ trafficking, the demand for healthy kidneys, and how illegally harvested organs are transported across borders.  “Trading Life: Organ Trafficking, Illicit Networks, and Exploitation” is available to purchase at https://www.combinedacademic.co.uk/9781503612556/trading-life/ Use discount code CSV2020TL to receive 30% off.

Carla Stephens is a Bravo TV personality, producer, entrepreneur, and one of just a few celebrities who use their platform to fight human trafficking. While providing support through her church to local strip clubs, Carla discovered that many of the women were there not by choice, but by force. Since then, Carla created the Stop Trafficking Mission Funding to help sex-trafficking victims overcome the struggles of escaping. She joins the show to discuss how sex trafficking happens every day, the causes that prevent real change, and the work she is doing to advocate for and support victims.

Born in Kuwait to Palestinian refugee parents, Mostafa Salameh planned to become a hotel manager, not a mountain climber. But after having a vivid dream in 2004 of himself reciting the call to prayer from the world’s highest peak, Mostafa followed his calling and became the first Jordanian to climb Mount Everest in 2008. That same year he was knighted by King Abdullah II of Jordan. Today, he is one of only 16 people to ever climb the Seven Summits and conquer the ‘Explorers Grand Slam.’ He is an Explorer, Inspirational Speaker, Fundraiser and Author, having published his first book titled ‘Dreams of a Refugee’. Mostafa joins the show to discuss his journey and his belief that anything is possible.

Dame Evelyn Glennie is the first solo percussionist in history to sustain a full-time career despite being profoundly deaf since the age of 12. As a composer for film, theatre and television, she is a double GRAMMY award-winner and BAFTA nominee who has performed with the greatest orchestras, conductors, and artists in the world. Evelyn was awarded an OBE in 1993 and was awarded the Polar Music Prize, the Companion of Honour, and was recently named as the new chancellor of Robert Gordon University. Evelyn’s book “Listen Well” helps people enhance their relationship with listening to create lives that are more vivid and meaningful. Today, Evelyn joins the show to discuss how you can listen better to enhance communication and social cohesion.

Ethan Gutmann is a Human Rights Investigator, best known for his investigations into forced organ harvesting in China. Based on interviews with senior police officials and Chinese doctors who have killed prisoners on the operating table, Ethan has testified that the number of people killed for organs is upwards of 100,000 people. He is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, the acclaimed author of “The Slaughter”, and a co-author of a 2016 investigative report which examined the transplant programs of hundreds of hospitals in China. Ethan shares details about the organ trade in China, organ tourism, and explains how we can educate ourselves to advocate more for this issue.

The #FreeBritney movement has brought attention to Britney Spears’13-year-long conservatorship battle and has raised questions about what conservatorships are, why they are necessary and who they benefit. In this episode I am joined by Scott E. Rahn, a Los Angeles attorney specialising in conservatorships. Scott explains Britney Spears’ unique situation, the difficult legal problems she’s faced, and how all sorts of people find themselves entangled in conservatorship nightmares. Note: this episode was recorded prior to Britney’s father announcing on August 12th that he would step down as her conservator.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. That day, 3,000 lives were lost when hijackers flew two airplanes into both the North and South Towers. Today’s guest, Joseph Dittmar, was on the 105th floor of the South Tower when the plane hit. Miraculously, he was one of the few who made it out alive that day. Joseph joins us to share his story and how the tragic events of that day unfolded around him.