

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 19, 2025 • 1h 4min
#346: Mobility Is the New Currency, and This Man Helped Thousands of People Access It
Think a second passport is about avoiding tax? For millions of people, it's about something far more basic: freedom of movement. In this episode, Armand Arton, founder and CEO of Arton Capital and one of the world's most influential voices in global citizenship and investment migration, shares his journey. From growing up in communist Bulgaria with a passport that limited his every move, to building this business that has helped nearly 20,000 people gain mobility and security, has been deeply personal. He also unpacks how governments shape these programmes, what most people get wrong about residency and citizenship by investment, and why mobility is becoming a new form of wealth in a rapidly shifting world. 06:10 – Growing up in Bulgaria with a "bad passport" 13:31 – How Armand entered the investment migration space 20:20 – The global landscape of citizenship by investment 32:16 – Advising governments and shaping policy 36:33 – Building credibility through human capital 46:23 – What drives Armand to keep going 51:27 – Working with governments as an entrepreneur 56:26 – Giving back through the Global Citizen Forum 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 Mediahttps://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 Armand Arton on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/armandarton/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/armandarton/?originalSubdomain=ae

May 12, 2025 • 52min
#345: How to Future-Proof Your Business with AI the Right Way
Your employees are already using AI, and you probably don't even know it. But the problem is, they could be unknowingly leaking confidential company information. If you're a business owner, this should concern you, or at the very least, pique your interest. In this episode, AI expert and founder of Tyde.AI, Isabella Williamson, unpacks what business owners need to know about adopting AI the right way. From driving productivity to avoiding costly security risks, Isabella shares the real-world strategies companies are using today. Make sure to listen – the success of your business depends on how you use AI. 05:22 – What AI is and why it matters 08:23 – The fear of AI 14:26 – Business use cases for AI 22:30 – Gaining a competitive edge with AI 31:25 – Three AI questions every CEO must ask 40:26 – What every business owner needs to know about AI 48:51 – ROI on AI training 52:23 – Building custom AI solutions without coding 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 Mediahttps://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 Isabella Williamson on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/isabellawilliamson?originalSubdomain=ae https://www.instagram.com/isabellaluisawilliamson/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575647225610 https://x.com/isabellatek?lang=ar

May 5, 2025 • 56min
#344: The High Cost of Loneliness and What Leaders Can Do About It
We're in the middle of a social connection crisis. Call it what you like, loneliness, isolation, disconnection, it's becoming one of the most urgent issues of our time. In the U.S. alone, the cost of loneliness to businesses is estimated at $154 billion. And that figure is only going to grow unless we start addressing it. Our guest on the show today is Simone Heng, a global keynote speaker and expert on human connection. In this episode, she breaks down the root of the problem, the real cost of disconnection, and the simple steps leaders can take to build more connected teams and healthier business cultures. 02:30 – The social connection crisis 09:40 – Understanding asynchronous communication 16:30 – The data around loneliness 25:28 – A US$154 billion problem in the USA alone 30:17 – Are expats more lonely? 44:48 – What can business owners do to fight loneliness? 47:30 – The three rules of rapport 51:15 – How to make a genuine connection 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 Mediahttps://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 Simone Heng on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/simoneheng/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-heng-speaker https://www.facebook.com/simonehengofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/@SimoneHengSpeaking https://www.tiktok.com/@simoneheng?lang=en

Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 26min
#343: AI Won't Replace You. But the Person Using It Now, Will.
AI is already changing the way we sell, scale, and show up in business. But most people are still playing catch-up. In this episode, entrepreneur and AI strategist John Lee breaks down the mindset shift every business owner, sales leader, and entrepreneur needs to make right now. Because the real power of AI isn't in the tech, it's in how you use it to multiply what you already do well. Whether it's automating follow-ups, training your team faster, generating leads while you sleep, or scaling your personal brand, AI isn't here to replace you. It's here to amplify you. 05:33 – What AI actually is (explained simply) 12:30 – How AI is being used right now 18:01 – Game-changing business use cases 28:17 – Social media's shift: Followers vs. saves 39:17 – How John uses AI to run his business 46:12 – Rethinking fear: Why AI isn't the enemy 54:12 – AI in sales: From lead gen to live coaching 1:03:03 – Setting up AI systems inside companies 1:22:36 – The real risks of AI and what's coming next 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 Mediahttps://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 John Lee on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/john_lee_official/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvLpL7r5IF_ijOJ9xrAfxxg

Apr 21, 2025 • 45min
#342: The Gold Strategy You've Never Heard of but Should Be Using
Most people think gold just sits in a vault, safe, static, and gathering dust… But Mark Pey, Head of Strategic Relationships at Monetary Metals, is on a mission to redefine how we think about gold. In today's world of volatile markets, vanishing trust in fiat currency, and overhyped digital assets, gold is the most powerful, underused tool for wealth generation. Whether you've overlooked gold entirely or assumed it was only for central banks and doomsday preppers, this episode will change everything you thought you knew about the world's oldest form of money. 09:37 – Why people avoid investing in gold 13:51 – Understanding asset classes 24:18 – The natural qualities of gold 29:20 – Turning gold into cash 43:41 – Paralysed by too much information? 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 Mediahttps://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 Mark Pey on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-b-pey-873833/?originalSubdomain=ae

Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 3min
#341: Kris Fade on How He Built His Career and Making It Big in Dubai
Kris Fade is the voice behind the region's #1 radio show, a star of Netflix's Dubai Bling, and the founder of the health and wellness brand Fade Fit. But he didn't just wake up famous. Kris's success is the result of relentless hustle, smart decisions, and an unshakable belief in himself. From launching a brand-new radio show in Dubai to building a multimillion-dollar business, and leveraging the global spotlight of Dubai Bling, Kris shares the real story behind his rise. This conversation dives deep into legacy, personal branding, and what it really takes to build an empire from the ground up. 02:30 – Growing up in Sydney11:44 – Building a radio empire in Dubai 14:48 – From afternoons to prime time20:00 – The power of human connection27:30 – The birth of Fade Fit41:43 – Inside Dubai Bling49:02 – Staying motivated after success 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 Mediahttps://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 Kris Fade on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/krisfade/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@krisfade https://www.facebook.com/KrisFadeOfficial/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-fade-10447b27/?originalSubdomain=ae

Apr 7, 2025 • 49min
#340: Dubai Real Estate Explained with One of the City's Top Property Experts
Dubai's real estate market is booming, but are you asking the right questions before investing? In this week's episode, I sit down with Sonia Waters, Head of Sales at AYS Developers, to talk all things real estate – escrow accounts, how the market is evolving, and what makes Dubai such a hotspot for investors. I'm also proud to officially welcome AYS Developers as the new title sponsor of the show. They're more than just a top-tier luxury property developer brand. They're a company that genuinely cares and reinvests their profits to fund meaningful initiatives. It's rare to find a brand that truly leads with the heart, and that's exactly why this partnership feels right. If you're serious about investing in Dubai property, this is the episode you can't afford to skip. 05:57 - More about AYS Developers 10:56 - AYS Developers' project on Dubai Islands 18:03 - How the law protects international investors 26:09 - Steps to choosing the right developer 28:31 - How to choose a trusted brokerage 30:35 - Sonia's impact at AYS 34:14 – More about AYS' full property management service 36:33 - Sonia's journey into real estate 41:10 - What's next for AYS 49:35 - Sonia's personal charity work 53:43 - What to know about off-plan investing 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 Mediahttps://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 Sonia Waters on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/soniawaters/

Mar 31, 2025 • 51min
#339: Rob Lake on America's Got Talent, Magic & Building a Global Empire
What does it take to turn a childhood dream into a global career AND make Adele disappear along the way? Rob Lake, one of the world's most celebrated illusionists and finalist of America's Got Talent, has done just that. But beyond the magic, Rob is also an entrepreneur who's built a successful empire around his craft. From discovering his calling at 10 to winning the prestigious Merlin Award, performing on the biggest stages, and pulling off jaw-dropping illusions, this is a story of creative brilliance, business strategy, and relentless determination. 02:52 – Performing illusions amplifies parts of your personality 05:22 – Rob's first encounter with magic 10:09 – The dark side of the industry 16:00 – His first moment of success 19:00 – Behind the scenes of America's Got Talent 24:10 – What it means to follow your dreams 29:19 – Mentors, reflection, and life beyond the stage 31:10 – Magic as a business and the leadership lessons 38:00 – How do you keep evolving? 42:15 – Where Rob finds his inspiration 46:25 – Why giving back matters Show Sponsors: 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 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 Mediahttps://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 Rob Lake on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/roblakemagic/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/company/roblakemagic https://www.youtube.com/roblakemagic

Mar 24, 2025 • 1h
#338: Jonathan Holmes on Why Employee Churn is Costing You Millions
What's the real cost of a bad hire, and how do you build a future-proof team in a fast-changing world? Jonathan Holmes, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) at Korn Ferry, one of the largest executive search and human capital consulting firms in the world, has spent decades helping businesses make the right hiring decisions and build stronger teams. His perspective on business leadership, talent strategy, and career success is second to none. In this episode, he unpacks what it takes to stay ahead in today's talent game, why employee churn is draining millions, and how job seekers can truly stand out. 26:20 – The cost of not investing enough to keep the right people30:47 – How to future-proof your business37:19 – Does DEI help or hurt businesses? Show Sponsors: 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 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 Mediahttps://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 Jonathan Holmes on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-r-holmes/ https://x.com/jmsholmes

Mar 17, 2025 • 35min
#337: How to Walk Away from what No Longer Serves You with Najwa Zebian
The scariest thing isn't change, it's never changing at all. So why do we resist it? Najwa Zebian – poet, author, and advocate – has built a global following by confronting life's hardest truths: Why we stay in toxic relationships, Why walking away feels impossible, and Why we struggle to truly own our worth. In this episode, she opens up about loss, identity, and rebuilding life on her own terms. If you've ever felt trapped or afraid to move forward, this conversation will change the way you see yourself, and your future. A special thank you to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for making this interview possible. 14:23 – The emotional traps that keep people stuck 20:30 – The struggle of showing up as your real self 26:40 – Navigating life between two cultures 31:11 – Forgiveness is a constant commitment Show Sponsors: 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 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 Mediahttps://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 Najwa Zebian on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/najwazebian/ https://www.facebook.com/najwazebian1/ https://www.youtube.com/najwazebian https://www.tiktok.com/@najwazebian


