

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

Jul 19, 2021 • 55min
#147: Being Hopeful In Your Darkest Days With Michael Crossland
Michael Crossland has been a fighter since birth, defying the odds of surviving not only a rare form of life-threatening cancer, but being the sole survivor of a horrific cancer drug trial. Having spent nearly a quarter of his life in hospital being told what he would never be able to do, he has learned to live in the moment and be grateful for all that he has. Today, Michael is Australia's most popular public speaker and the bestselling author of "Everything Will Be Okay." In this episode, Michael shares details from his cancer journey, the importance of strong family bonds, and how faith and spirituality helped him develop resilience.

Jul 12, 2021 • 53min
#146: What You Don't Know About Social Media Privacy Settings & Algorithms with AI Expert Dr. Jen Golbeck
Have you ever spoken to a friend about something, only to see an ad appear on your phone for that exact same thing? Today's guest, Dr. Jen Golbeck explains why this is… Dr Golbeck is an associate professor in the Information Science department at the University of Maryland, and a computer scientist specialising in media surveillance, information security and artificial intelligence. Through TED Talks, her informative TikTok channel and her university course 'How to Become an Influencer', Dr. Golbeck educates people on the best ways to interact with technology, social media and personal information in the digital world. Jen joins the show today to discuss the positive and negative impacts of social media, the dangers of using our smart devices, and the tricks you can use to boost your engagement on social media platforms.

Jul 5, 2021 • 60min
#145: Crypto Billionaire MetaKovan On Buying $69 Million Digital NFT Art
I am grateful to be speaking with MetaKovan, the bitcoin billionaire who spent a record US$69.3 million worth of cryptocurrency on a piece of digital art! MetaKovan is the founder and financer of Metapurse, an NFT production studio and the largest NFT Fund in the world. He is also a blockchain entrepreneur, coder and angel investor. Get ready to hear about his humble upbringing in South India, his views on crypto investing, what it's like being a crypto billionaire, his views on money and why he invested so much into NFT art.

Jun 28, 2021 • 35min
#144: Viral TikTok Star MurphsLife On Using Social Media To Change Lives
My guest this week is Aaron Murphy – known on Instagram and TikTok as simply @MurphsLife. Aaron is best known for sharing heart-warming videos that go viral every week, showcasing himself and his team providing direct relief to people they meet in places like Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. Not only do Aaron and his team provide immediate relief in the form of money, food, shelter and medical treatments - they also give employment opportunities and self-sustaining businesses to those in need. Incredibly…social media makes it all possible as followers of @MurphsLife make regular contributions to keep the charity running. Get ready to hear about Aaron's mission to help the less fortunate, and how YOU can help too!

Jun 15, 2021 • 1h 10min
#143: Escaping Iraq & Beating The Odds - The Brave Story of Awfa Mustafa
Awfa Mustafa is the Founder & CEO of Najahi Events. For the first time ever, Awfa shares the incredible story of her escape from Iraq and how it turned her into the leader and business woman she is today. She details the incredible strength of her father and how his integrity led her to take risks to escape Iraq and begin a life dedicated to her family and those around her. Awfa's inspiring story explains why she is so dedicated to providing accessible education to the world. In todays episode, she discusses her family's story, her business journey and Najahi's online learning platform, iKew.

Jun 7, 2021 • 56min
#142: The Secret To Scaling Your Business With Nick Bradley
Nick Bradley is a renowned entrepreneur, investor and business mentor who has built, bought and sold 22 business with a combined valuation of over 5 billion dollars! He is a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs all over the globe, and is highly experienced with increasing business value through acquisition. On todays show, Nick shares his secrets for scaling your business! We cover how to determine the value of a company, the importance of networking for capital gain, using acquisition as a business strategy, and how mentorship can benefit your business.

May 31, 2021 • 1h 4min
#141: Cryptocurrency Expert Joshua Riddett On Crypto Mining & Blockchain Technology
Joshua Riddett is the founder and Managing Director of Easy Crypto Hunter. He is a cryptocurrency and blockchain technology expert, advising investors, governments and the public about the basics of making money by mining cryptocurrency. Joshua discusses the basics of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, how he makes money for his clients by mining cryptocurrency and the importance of education in this fast-moving environment.

May 24, 2021 • 49min
#140: Solving Mysterious Crimes With Former UK Murder Detective Paul Maleary
For over 30 years Paul Maleary worked as a Detective for the Essex Police Force, investigating countless criminal cases, including horrific murders, bringing justice to victims and their families. On today's show, Paul will be discussing the evolution of police work, the current state of law enforcement, famous cases he has worked on, and his beliefs about human nature and community service.

May 17, 2021 • 40min
#139: Bus Crash Survivor Kaleb Dahlgren On Escaping Death & Overcoming Trauma
Healing from trauma requires strength, resilience and determination. Kaleb Dahlgren, a Canadian ex-hockey player and author, embodies all of these traits, and you'll find out why in this episode. In 2018, Kaleb was on a bus with his team following a hockey game in Saskatchewan, Canada, when their bus collided with a truck. Kaleb survived the accident, but it resulted in the tragic deaths of 16 of his hockey teammates and left another 13 people injured. Kaleb experienced amnesia following the crash, and suffered from a major brain injury that still affects him. Kaleb has documented his experiences of the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash and healing from trauma and grief in his book, "Crossroads". Leaning on the lessons he learnt about grief, healing and resiliency, Kaleb strives to help others to overcome difficult times through his book. On today's episode, Kaleb will discuss the horrific crash that changed his life. He will also talk about the miracle of being alive, living for those who have passed, and the importance of finding the right perspective on the path to healing.

May 10, 2021 • 50min
#138: Underwater Explorer Jill Heinerth On Assessing Risk & Facing Fear
Not many people have the courage to go swimming in the ocean, even fewer are brave enough to dive into its depths for science. Today's guest, Jill Heinerth is an underwater explorer, filmmaker, author, and avid speaker regarding the conservation of water and the planet. She has led hundreds of expeditions that have advanced scientific and geographic knowledge of the ocean. Jill is an incredible woman who braves life or death situations in order to educate, motivate and further climate conservation on our planet. She was the first person to explore the inside of iceberg caves, and she has detailed her work on National Geographic, BBC, and the Discovery Channel. On today's episode, Jill discusses her adventurous life, the risks involved and the lessons she has learnt along the way. She also details the importance of climate conservation and education, so people will begin to work towards bettering the environment.


