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
May 3, 2021 • 47min
#137: Online Grooming Victim Alicia Kozakiewicz On Being Kidnapped By A Paedophile
At 13 years old, Alicia Kozakiewicz was groomed by a 38-year-old man in an internet chat room. He was pretending to be a boy the same age as Alicia. After almost a year of online conversations, he lured her into meeting him in person. He abducted and sexually assaulted her, broadcasting the abuse online for other predators to see. Three days later, Alicia was rescued by FBI agents. Now, Alicia is the founder of The Alicia Project, which raises awareness of internet safety, online child predators and abductions. She is also an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, internet safety expert, and missing persons advocate. In this episode, we discuss the horrific moment that Alicia was abducted and the unimaginable events that followed, as well as Alicia's current work in advocating for internet safety and education. Please be warned that this episode explores extremely sensitive topics around child abuse.
Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 25min
#136: International Cocaine Trafficker Pieter Tritton On Surviving The World's Toughest Prisons
Pieter Tritton, also known as 'Posh Pete', is an ex-drug trafficker who has spent almost a decade in the most dangerous prisons in South America. He isn't what you'd imagine when you think of a typical drug dealer though; Pieter grew up in the middle-class area of Gloucestershire in the UK and studied Archaeology at Cardiff University. It was at University that his drug dealing started to take off. He soon became involved in international drug trafficking and was making hundreds of thousands of pounds from the 'business', selling high quality cocaine in enormous amounts. He was an inconspicuous drug kingpin, until he was arrested in Ecuador in 2005 and entered the hardcore world of South American prisons. He was released in 2015 and has vowed to never return to a life of crime. In this episode, we discuss his experience behind bars, witnessing multiple murders in prison, and fighting to survive amongst violent prison gang warfare.
Apr 19, 2021 • 1h 1min
#135: Sales Legend Tom Hopkins On Becoming A Fearless Salesperson
Tom Hopkins is a sales training legend, having become a millionaire at the age of 27 after selling 365 properties in one year. Since then, he has trained sales champions around the world with his "how-to" books and top-rated training programmes. Tom has taught millions of people the sales strategies needed to skyrocket their income, increase opportunities and deliver continued results. By focusing on practical tips and helping salespeople overcome common fears, his avid followers have sold more than they ever imagined. In this episode, Tom explains what it takes to become a success in the world of sales, drawing on his most challenging experiences, his biggest wins, and the simple tactics that will help salespeople overcome the fear of failure.
Apr 12, 2021 • 1h 10min
#134: Jewel Thief Larry Lawton On His Biggest Heist & Becoming A Cop
Larry Lawton served 11 years in some of the toughest prisons in America for stealing over $18M in diamonds. But since then, he's also become the only ex-con in US history to be sworn in as an honorary police officer! He is also the only ex-con to ever be recognized by the United States Congress for helping young people and law enforcement agencies with The Reality Check Program he founded. Larry is the author of Gangster Redemption: How America's Most Notorious Jewel Robber Got Rich, Got Caught, and Got His Life Back on Track, a book that chronicles his life and his experiences behind bars. In this episode, Larry gives an eye-opening account of the American penal system. He shares how his experiences in prison pushed him to work on prison reform which eventually led him to being named an honorary police officer. Larry's smart and brutally honest approach makes for an educational and interesting episode that is bound to keep you hooked!
Apr 5, 2021 • 54min
#133: Polar Explorer Ann Daniels On Extreme Expeditions
Enduring temperatures as low as -53°C, walking more than 3,000 miles on ice, and swimming through arctic waters are some pretty unbelievable exploits. But today's guest - record-breaking Polar Explorer Ann Daniels - has made these seemingly impossible feats a reality! In 2002, Ann became the first woman in history to ski to the North and South Poles as part of all-female teams. She has sledge-hauled over 4,000 miles, completing over 10 polar expeditions and surviving over 400 days on the ice. She's been named one of the "Top 20 Great British Adventurers of all time" and described as "living proof that humans really can reach new peaks". During the episode, Ann talks about finding her purpose in life, the harsh realities of completing expeditions in some of the most inhospitable environments on the planet, having triplets, and what it means to overcome fear and hard times.
Mar 29, 2021 • 60min
#132: Business Strategist Kerwin Rae On Branding & Generating Sales
This week I am joined by the most unstoppable guy in Australia - the awesome business strategist and human performance specialist, Kerwin Rae. Kerwin has studied and observed the psychology of influence for over a decade and is a leading authority on influencing human behaviour and how it relates to sales, marketing, and personal transformation. Bringing his signature high-energy to the conversation, we discuss the practical tactics and strategies he believes are essential for people to become successful entrepreneurs and more resilient human beings. Having worked with leaders in almost every industry and developed business growth methods that produce real results, Kerwin is just the guy to share his unique insight on becoming unstoppable.
Mar 15, 2021 • 54min
#131: Photojournalist Hazel Thompson On Sex Trafficking & Child Slavery In India
Trigger Warning: this episode talks about sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and slavery. 12 million people have watched the documentary "Caged until Broken: Life for Mumbai Prostitutes" - a series where one woman goes undercover to give voices to women who have been silenced, hidden, and exploited as human commodities. Every year, NGOs estimate that between 12,000 to 50,000 children are trafficked into India alone, and that does not include domestic trafficking within the country. This is a worldwide issue that is often overlooked. I am privileged to be speaking with the creator of that documentary, Hazel Thompson. She is a photojournalist and filmmaker who has shed light on a dark and hidden sub-culture of slavery and sex trafficking for almost two decades. Her book, "Taken" has highlighted the experiences of young girls forced into prostitution. Her work on social justice and human rights is widespread and essential to awareness for these women, children, and their stories. In this episode, Hazel shares her experiences of investigating the red-light district Kamathipura, in Mumbai, India. She touches on the stories of women and young girls who have been exploited in the sex industry, and the larger global implications that go unknown to people every day.
Mar 8, 2021 • 58min
#130: Britain's Most Ruthless Gangster Stephen Gillen On Life In Prison
My guest this week is known as 'Belfast's Slumdog Millionaire' and is one of Britain's most notorious gangsters. Having spent 23 years as a career criminal and serving 15 years behind bars as a category 'A' prisoner, Stephen Gillen has since transformed his life and is now a successful media entrepreneur, global coach and has dedicated his life to improving the lives of others. Recently nominated for a SUNHAK International Peace Prize in May 2020, Stephen is now involved with the production of an upcoming film that will document his experiences and transformation with the aim to inspire others and prove that anyone can find their purpose, despite any circumstance.
Feb 25, 2021 • 1h 6min
#129: Network Marketing Legend Eric Worre On Succeeding In Multi-Level Marketing
My guest this week is the King of Network Marketing, Eric Worre. As president of his $200M company, Network Marketing Pro, and author of the best-selling book "Go Pro: 7 Steps to Becoming a Networking Marketing Professional", Eric teaches millions of people around the world how to be successful in the world of multi-level marketing. In this episode, Eric addresses the negative perceptions of Network Marketing, the most common challenges multi-level marketers face, and shares his advice for those who want to thrive in the industry.
Feb 17, 2021 • 59min
#128: Quadruple Amputee Alex Lewis On Surviving A Flesh-Eating Bug
I am joined this week by an outstanding gentleman whose story I am sure will inspire you to respond differently to life's challenges, both big and small. At the age of 34 following 14 days of 'man-flu' symptoms, Alex Lewis' life changed forever. After being admitted to an Intensive Care Unit, Alex was diagnosed with Strep A, leading to septicaemia, which prompted doctors to give him just hours to live or a 3% chance of survival. Remarkably Alex survived, but his illness resulted in the amputation of all four limbs and an experimental surgery to reconstruct his lips and nose. Alex's story was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary "The Extraordinary case of Alex Lewis", and received wide attention in the media. Despite his seemingly terrifying and somewhat harrowing experience, Alex has used his hardship to challenge his limits and break the barriers of his disability, completing some of the most exhilarating and extreme physical challenges that were deemed impossible for an amputee. Emphasising the importance of gratitude, the power of a positive mindset and the desire to progress despite any circumstance, Alex shares how he now lives a life that he never imagined possible.
