Podcast
Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge
Hosted by Spencer Lodge · EN
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.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
#398 Katy Keenan, CEO of BCCD, on Rebuilding and Why Success in the UAE Takes Longer Than You Think
5d ago01:22:46Tap to summarizeKaty Keenan has turned the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai into one of the most respected business communities in the UAE 1,200 members across 29 sectors, a board that's now 50% women, record profits donated to charity, a 98% satisfaction rating, and a LinkedIn following that grew from 6,000 to nearly 33,000 with no marketing budget whatsoever. Just authentic storytelling, genuine relationships, and a woman who remembers every person she's ever met. Katy was bullied at school. She spent her Saturdays caring for severely disabled children. She's supported women escaping domestic violence, trailing spouses who've lost their professional identity, and menopausal women being quietly pushed out of the workforce. Her hairdresser told her at age seven: "No matter how happy you are, always have your own money." She's never forgotten it, and she tells her daughters the same thing. This is one of those conversations that moves between the boardroom and kitchen table, between hard business reality and the kind of honest human warmth you rarely get from a leader of her calibre. You get a masterclass on what it actually takes to build something real in Dubai and why the people who dismiss this city from afar are the ones who wouldn't have made it here anyway. Timestamps: 0:00 – Why Spencer hates networking and what the Chamber is actually for 2:22 – The secret sales team: how the Chamber coaches members who hate selling themselves 5:38 – Her first day: the numbers were dire, the board wasn't diverse, she nearly walked 7:25 – From 13% to 50% female board and why diversity has to be earned, not forced 9:26 – Speed networking with a 3–5 week wait list: what that tells you about Dubai right now 12:18 – The old boys' club conversation: gender events, merit, and the allies that actually helped 17:17 – Lifelong volunteering, the Rashid Centre, and where her empathy really comes from 21:17 – Hyper helping mode, setting boundaries, and why she remembers every single person 27:25 – From deficit to record profit: the turnaround, Covid calls, and 6,000 government surveys 33:09 – Zero marketing budget and the editorial approach that worked 34:22 – Exiting members for bad behaviour and why psychological safety is non-negotiable 37:17 – The biggest mistake UK businesses make when they arrive in the UAE 42:54 – What "Made in Dubai" means to her and why her children were essentially made here 49:11 – The Liberated Woman, trailing spouses, and why mature women are better hires 51:32 – The hairdresser's advice at age seven: "Always have your own money" 58:48 – How the Chamber could support Spencer's school-building charity model 1:02:00 – Bullying, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, and how being the outsider became her superpower 1:09:04 – Cranial sacral therapy, personal coaching, and a body "bracing for a car to hit you" 1:13:21 – UK media bashing Dubai and why the critics are the ones who wouldn't have made it anyway Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media:https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Katy Keenan on Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-keenan-b457794/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/british-chamber-dubai/posts/?feedView=all https://www.instagram.com/bccdubai?g=5 https://www.instagram.com/katykdxb/
Transcribe →#397: "It's Not If You'll Be Attacked, It's When" | Ossama, CEO of GBM on AI, Cyber War, and more
2w ago01:10:00Tap to summarizeOssama El Samadoni leads GBM, one of the most respected technology organisations in the region, with over 300 employees, triple-digit million dirham revenue, and clients across the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Russia. The disappointment that derailed his dream is exactly what built him. But this isn't a story about career pivots. It's a conversation that should make every business leader in this city sit up straight. Ossama has spent decades at the intersection of global technology and human vulnerability working with Dell, Oracle, HP, and IBM before taking the helm at GBM. He's seen cyber attacks quadruple during regional conflict. He's watched AI agents invent their own secret language when they detected they were being supervised. He's tracked state actors who wiped entire company systems without issuing a single delete command. And he's deeply worried that most leaders still don't understand what's already here. This is a rare conversation Ossama's first podcast and he gives everything. No corporate script. No polished PR lines. Just a trench fighter who trusts primary information over secondary noise, believes technology should serve human welfare not just profit, and will tell you plainly: it's not if you'll be attacked, it's when. Whether you're a founder, a CEO, or just someone trying to understand what AI is actually doing to our world this one will stay with you. Timestamps: 0:00 – "A podcast virgin" Osama's first ever appearance 0:09 – Employees feeding company data into ChatGPT: the risk nobody talks about 2:11 – How generative AI actually works and why bias is already baked in 5:38 – The moment two AI agents invented their own secret language to hide from their supervisor 13:34 – Cyber-attacks quadrupled during regional conflict and why every company is a target 19:21 – How a demo system became a state actor's entry point 22:21 – The KPMG case: an entire system wiped with zero delete commands 25:56 – Password hygiene, the 14-day rule, and why you must never open junk mail in Outlook 28:39 – How to spot AI snake oil salesmen and the two questions that cut through the noise 30:13 – Deepfakes are already here and why trust will return to the room 47:10 – Made in Egypt, polished in UAE and why Dubai is harder than it looks 57:32 – If he started again at 21: invest in human welfare, not hype 59:35 – Leading from the trenches and the multiplier effect of great leadership 1:04:50 – Quickfire: rogue AI, the one question every CEO should ask, and more Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Ossama El Samadoni on Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ossamae/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/gbm/ https://www.instagram.com/gbmmiddleeast/
Transcribe →#396: From 1 table to 112 Venues Across 26 Countries | Antonio Gonzalez, CEO of Dubai's Biggest Hospitality Group
3w ago01:16:08Tap to summarizeHe opened his first venue from a counter so small it could barely fit a table. No hotel background. No hospitality degree. Just restlessness, a borrowed chef, and a bet on Dubai. Twenty years later, he runs 112 venues across 26 countries, employs over 7,000 people worldwide, and is navigating one of the most uncertain periods this city has ever seen. In this episode, Spencer sits down with Antonio, founder and CEO of Sunset Hospitality Group, for one of the most grounded and honest conversations about business, crisis, and the enduring power of human connection. Antonio doesn't deal in corporate lines. He'll tell you that people were walking out of his restaurants mid-lunch on February 28th. That almost every day he asks himself "what the hell am I doing?" That the hardest part of running a business isn't competition or cash, it's the people decisions that feel unfair even when they're necessary. But he'll also tell you something that very few business leaders are willing to say right now: that Dubai cannot be replaced. That nobody he knows has left. That those who stay, adapt, and plan for every scenario will emerge stronger on the other side. Whether you're an entrepreneur wondering if now is the right time to invest, a leader trying to hold your team together through uncertainty, or someone who simply loves this city and wants to understand what's really happening on the ground, this conversation will stay with you. Timestamps: 0:00 – What is Sunset Hospitality and the Dubai origin story 1:34 – February 28th: customers walking out mid-lunch and the moment everything changed 3:00 – Shock, acceptance, and action: leading 7,000 people through the unknown 9:32 – Why Dubai cannot be replaced and an honest forecast for the next 12 months 12:20 – Almost nobody has left — what Antonio is actually seeing on the ground 15:30 – Why he got into hospitality and how it actually started 17:50 – His father's influence, ten years in corporate, and why restlessness drove everything 22:00 – Cash is king, hotels in the wrong countries, and surviving the Arab Spring 24:15 – The Dubai Mall counter, the Westin breakthrough, and riding the 2012 wave 28:00 – Transactional vs. experiential hospitality and why one will never be automated 32:30 – Acquisitions, imposter syndrome, and building without an industry background 37:00 – Quickfire: non-negotiables, advice for corporate escapees, and gut vs. data 40:15 – Would he invest in hospitality right now? 41:15 – Surrender is never an option: planning A, B, and C under uncertainty 42:00 – The hardest part of the crisis: letting good people go Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Antonio on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/antonio_gonzalez___/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniogonzalez-shg/ https://www.instagram.com/sunsethospitalitygroup/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunsethospitalitygroup/
Transcribe →#395: 45 Years, 7 Tech Waves & a $1.5 Billion IPO at 71 | Fayez Ibbini on Building Alpha Data, AI & Why Retirement is a Lie
4w ago01:13:19Tap to summarizeHe arrived in Abu Dhabi in 1981 when roads turned to soft sand and ceilings collapsed because villas were built with saltwater cement. He came for six months. He never left. Forty-five years later, he just took his company public at a $1.5 billion valuation and he's 71 years old with zero plans to stop. In this episode, Spencer sits down with Fayez Ibbini, founder of Alpha Data, one of the UAE's most enduring technology companies. From coding assembly language for the Kuwait Stock Exchange on 16-hour days, to pivoting from IBM mini-computers to PCs, to riding every wave from networking and the internet to cloud, mobile, big data, IoT and now AI. Fayez has been at the frontier of technology in this region for nearly half a century. But this isn't just a business story. It's a story about passion over comfort, about the cost of obsession, about what it really means to build something that outlasts you. He'll tell you that if you haven't started a business by 40, don't bother. That retirement was invented to push you out. That AI is not another wave - it's a tsunami. And that the most expensive lessons in business are almost always about people. Whether you're an entrepreneur at the start of your journey, a leader navigating the AI revolution, or someone who wonders what it looks like to still be curious and hungry at 71. This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about success, technology, and time. Timestamps: 00:00 – "A golden cage": why Fayez came for six months and stayed 45 years 01:28 – Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai and the mind-boggling speed of UAE transformation 06:34 – From electrical engineering to poultry imports to farming — finding what actually excites him 11:20 – Coding the Kuwait Stock Exchange in assembly language and the moment he realized talent has value 12:29 – His first client in the UAE: a video rental library, a 2,000-dirham cheque, and why he never cashed it 15:54 – Seeing every stand at CeBIT with a PC and making a decision that changed everything 17:17 – The seven waves of technology: mainframes to AI — and why AI is the tsunami, not the wave 21:36 – Why Alpha Data's greatest asset isn't talent — it's 2,200 relationships built on trust 23:00 – Life only makes sense in the rearview mirror: navigating the fog of action 26:00 – The three ingredients for success: passion, innate ability, and demand 28:00 – His controversial take: if you haven't started a business by 40, don't bother 29:24 – Why Fayez took Alpha Data public after 44 years — and the succession problem that forced his hand 34:00 – Deliberately leaving money on the table at IPO and why that was the smartest move 38:00 – The stock market chief's warning: "The sleepless nights start after the birth" 41:40 – Alpha Data's three core values: care for people, no red tape, and speed 45:15 – Overcoming introversion, shaking knees, and the demon in your brain that tries to protect you 50:00 – On giving back: why his model is teaching people to fish, not handing them fish 57:00 – AI compared to electricity: we are at the very start of it invading every aspect of our lives 1:00:25 – What AI can never replace: trust, the handshake, and the look in someone's eyes 1:02:40 – Quickfire: what money really means, the hardest decision he ever made, and a belief he's completely abandoned 1:04:24 – Why most people fail and his single biggest leadership lesson 1:09:11 – Why retirement is an invention of the industrial age — and what he's learning right now at 71 Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Fayez Ibbini on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/fayez-ibbini-28382717/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-data_2/ https://www.instagram.com/alphadatauae/
Transcribe →#394: "Technology Is NOT the Future of Education" - The CEO of 36 Schools, Alan Williamson on Education, Leadership & Sacrifice
Apr 2001:35:12Tap to summarizeHe grew up on a council housing estate in the Shetland Islands. His family were coal miners and civil servants. He had no connections, no privilege, and no clear path. Today, he runs one of the UAE's largest education groups — 36 schools, 36 nurseries, 50,000 students, and a publicly listed company worth over a billion dirhams. In this episode, Spencer sits down with Alan Williamson, CEO of Taaleem, for one of the most refreshingly honest conversations about education, leadership, and the cost of ambition. Alan doesn't sugarcoat anything. He'll tell you that technology is not the future of education. That exam should be deleted overnight. That his biggest leadership flaw is not listening. And that for all his professional success, the person he feels he's let down most is his whole family. From navigating a regional geopolitical crisis to making bold billion-dirham acquisitions, from the rugby field that gave him confidence to the boardroom decisions that kept him up at night, this is a conversation about what it really takes to lead at the highest level and what it quietly costs you. Whether you're a parent choosing a school, a leader questioning your own values, or someone who built everything from nothing and wonders if it was worth it, this episode will make you think. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introducing Alan and what makes him different from most CEOs 01:15 – What is Taaleem? 36 schools, 50,000 students, and a 21-year story 03:42 – How Dubai's inspection system turbocharges school quality like nowhere else in the world 07:53 – The international teacher recruitment crisis and why Dubai still wins 11:52 – How to actually choose the right school for your child in Dubai 17:48 – Are UAE school fees good value? The honest comparison with UK independent schools 22:22 – Leading through geopolitical crisis: sleepless nights, a billion-dirham bet, and staying calm 28:00 – Growth anxiety, M&A opportunities, and being the knight in shining armor 33:02 – Should schools be doing more to help struggling parents and entrepreneurs? 41:52 – Growing up on a council estate in Shetland: where his drive really came from 50:47 – Feeling like an outsider at university and how rugby changed everything 54:30 – The biggest sacrifice he made to be successful: missing family to referee international rugby 58:32 – Would he do it all the same way again? His most honest answer 01:01:13 – When his working-class values clashed with running a profit-driven company 01:05:21 – His most unpopular opinion: technology is NOT the future of education 01:09:06 – What great teachers actually do that most people forget 01:13:19 – How to prepare children for jobs that don't exist yet 01:16:49 – University vs. apprenticeships: why one path is not better than the other 01:18:39 – Quickfire: are exams outdated, what skill matters more than grades, and who should Spencer interview next? Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Alan Williamson on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/alanwilliamsonceo/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alandwilliamson/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/taaleem/
Transcribe →#393: "I Gave Myself Cancer" | Dave Catudal on Stress, Health & The Power of the Mind
Apr 1301:28:47Tap to summarizeThis episode explores the connection between mind and body, the truth about stress and illness, and why Dave believes: "You either make yourself sick… or you make yourself healthy." In this episode, Spencer sits down with Dave Catudal, a serial entrepreneur, health coach, and supplement formulator whose life has been shaped by loss, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of understanding the human body. After watching his younger brother battle leukemia for six years and losing his father to cancer at just 46, Dave's life took a destructive turn. However, those same experiences became the foundation of his mission: to understand how the body heals and why so many people fall ill in the first place. When Dave was diagnosed with cancer himself at 23, he wasn't shocked. He believed years of stress, trauma, and negative thinking had played a role in his illness. From hitting rock bottom in Los Angeles, living in a garage and sleeping on a massage table, to building multiple businesses in the health and wellness space, Dave's journey is a powerful story of transformation. In this conversation, Dave breaks down the fundamentals of health that many people overlook, including nervous system regulation, gut health, sleep, stress, and the hidden impact of modern lifestyles. Timestamps: 00:00 – How Dave believes he gave himself cancer 02:46 – His brother's leukemia, his father's death, and a family shaped by illness 05:30 – Remembering his father Pierre: the man behind the legend 08:05 – What actually causes cancer? The mind-body connection explained 09:26 – The most powerful memory of his father (a story you won't forget) 12:08 – Regret, absence, and channeling grief into becoming your best self 16:25 – What he would say to his father if he walked in today 17:12 – The manifestation trap: why fixating on outcomes holds you back 21:36 – Stress as the number one trigger of illness — the science explained 24:08 – Information overload vs. real health education 27:44 – Why belief systems can be the most powerful medicine 30:34 – The three pillars every modern human needs to get right 34:01 – Why are we living longer despite living worse? 36:26 – Sleep decoded: deep sleep vs. REM and why that extra hour changes everything 41:31 – REM Plus: the supplement built for the overstimulated modern human 44:17 – Dubai vs. LA vs. Montreal: where entrepreneurs actually thrive 48:04 – From landscaping at 19 to supplements in Dubai: the full entrepreneurial journey 52:18 – His most costly business failure and what it taught him 54:28 – For Us: the two-product system taking Dubai by storm 58:35 – How to build a brand with a vibe you cannot pay for 01:01:31 – The single most important pillar of health (and the free tool to fix it) 01:03:19 – Dave's three daily non-negotiables 01:04:17 – Rock bottom: sleeping on a massage table in West Hollywood 01:07:26 – What he wants to be remembered for 01:10:39 – Why he calls himself an entrepreneur, not a supplement guy 01:11:26 – Quickfire: the habits aging you fastest, what to ban from modern life, and more 01:15:57 – The time he spent five nights in jail 01:16:52 – Will today's kids live shorter lives? 01:20:25 – The power of tribe: why who you surround yourself with is everything 01:20:25 – Peptides explained: what they are, how they work, and when to use them 01:23:46 – The Coke Zero debate: is the dose really the poison? 01:25:37 – The meaning of life, in one word Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Dave Catudal on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/davecatudal/ https://www.instagram.com/davecatudal/ https://foruslife.com/
Transcribe →#392: From Radio to 130M Followers | Alex Hirschi aka supercarblondie on Building a Global Brand
Apr 601:37:43Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to build one of the most powerful personal brands in the world? In this episode, Spencer sits down with Alex Hirschi, known globally as Supercar Blondie, one of the most successful automotive content creators and entrepreneurs today. But behind the supercars and global audience of over 130 million followers is a very different story. From moving to Dubai in her early twenties with almost no money to struggling to afford meals while surrounded by luxury, Alex's journey is built on risk, resilience, and unexpected breakthroughs. What started as a side hobby filming cars while working in radio quickly turned into a global phenomenon when she discovered that raw, authentic content outperformed highly produced videos. Within a year of quitting her job, she had already built a multi-million audience. Today, her brand spans content, media, and business, including SBX Cars, a global luxury car auction platform that generated $15 million in its first year. But success didn't come without cost. In this conversation, Alex opens up about the realities behind the spotlight. From navigating the public breakdown of her 22-year relationship to battling Hashimoto's disease, anxiety, and depression, she shares what it really takes to rebuild both a business and yourself. Timestamps 00:00 – Introducing Alex Hirschi (Supercar Blondie) 03:05 – Moving to Dubai with no money and starting from scratch 07:20 – From radio presenter to filming cars on the side 11:15 – Why raw content outperformed high production 15:40 – Quitting her job and hitting 4 million followers 20:25 – Building a global brand and scaling a team worldwide 25:10 – The reality behind social media success 30:45 – Breaking into a male-dominated industry 36:20 – The rise of viral content and key turning points 42:55 – Launching SBX Cars and building a new business 48:30 – The pressure of success and personal sacrifice 54:10 – Navigating heartbreak and rebuilding after her relationship 59:35 – Mental health, burnout, and self-awareness 01:05:20 – Living with Hashimoto's disease 01:10:15 – Prioritising health and personal growth 01:15:40 – The future of her brand and business empire 01:20:05 – Lessons on resilience, authenticity, and starting again Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Alex Hirschi on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/alexhirschi https://www.instagram.com/sbxcars https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirschi-85694115/ https://www.instagram.com/supercarblondie https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSVUHI9rbbkXhvAXK-2uxA https://supercarblondie.com/
Transcribe →#391 From Nurse to CEO | Kimberly Pierce on Leadership, Healthcare & Building a Culture of Care
Mar 3001:07:30Tap to summarizeHow do you go from leaving school early to leading one of Dubai's top hospitals? In this episode, Spencer sits down with Kimberly Pierce, CEO of King's College Hospital Dubai, whose journey into leadership was anything but planned. From describing herself as a "bad girl at school" who left before finishing year ten to returning to night school to earn her qualifications and pursue nursing, Kimberly's story is one of resilience, grit, and purpose. Starting as a cardiac nurse in the UK and later rebuilding her career from scratch in Australia, she was repeatedly pushed into leadership roles by mentors who saw potential she didn't yet see in herself. Today, she leads one of the region's most respected hospitals but still considers herself a nurse at heart. In this conversation, Kimberly shares her approach to people-first leadership, why culture matters more than strategy, and how genuine care for staff directly impacts patient outcomes. From navigating crises like the Dubai floods to leading complex medical innovations and building high-performing teams, her leadership style is rooted in empathy, accountability and action. Timestamps 00:00 – From leaving school early to becoming a nurse 03:10 – Starting over and building a career in healthcare 06:20 – Mentors who pushed her into leadership 09:45 – From nurse to CEO: an unexpected journey 13:30 – Leading with empathy and building strong teams 17:10 – Why culture matters more than strategy 21:05 – Handling crises and leading during the Dubai floods 25:40 – The realities of leadership and decision-making 29:15 – Innovation in healthcare: AI, robotics, and patient care 33:50 – The competitive healthcare landscape in Dubai 38:20 – Attracting top global talent 42:10 – Women in leadership vs people empowerment 46:00 – Balancing pressure, responsibility, and resilience 50:25 – The future of healthcare and medical innovation 55:10 – Inspiring the next generation of nurses and leaders 58:30 – Defining legacy and impact Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Kimberley Pierce and King's College Hospital on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-pierce-56706361/ https://www.instagram.com/kingscollegehospitaldubai/ https://www.facebook.com/kingscollegehospitallondon
Transcribe →#390: From ADHD & Dyslexia to Building a Global Business | TheAquaman on Turning Struggles into Strength
Mar 2301:29:25Tap to summarizeWhat if the challenges you were given were actually your biggest advantage? In this episode, Spencer sits down with Ahmed Ben Chaibah, an entrepreneur who turned ADHD and dyslexia into the very traits that fueled his success. What many see as limitations, he learned to use as a competitive edge. From early struggles in school to building a business empire spanning 33 countries, Ahmed's journey is a story of resilience, persistence, and redefining what success looks like. This conversation goes beyond business. It explores the mindset required to keep going through rejection, the role of environment and opportunity in places like Dubai, and why discipline matters more than motivation when building something long-term. Ahmed shares lessons from failure, the importance of branding and location in scaling a business, and how social media has played a key role in expansion. He also reflects on purpose, giving back, and why true success is not just about wealth, but impact. Timestamps 00:00 – Overcoming ADHD, dyslexia, and early rejection 03:10 – Discovering entrepreneurship and first business steps 06:25 – Building a water park business across 33 countries 10:40 – Why Dubai creates unique opportunities for entrepreneurs 14:15 – Cultural mindset, government support, and business growth 18:30 – Breaking expectations and choosing a different path 22:05 – Lessons from failure and business setbacks 26:10 – The power of persistence and obsession 30:20 – Branding, location, and scaling a global business 34:45 – Leveraging social media for growth 39:10 – Navigating partnerships and challenges 43:50 – The emotional side of entrepreneurship 48:30 – Discipline vs motivation: what actually drives success 52:40 – The role of self-belief and mental resilience 57:15 – Giving back and building a purpose-driven life 1:02:30 – Why success is more than money 1:07:45 – Future trends in wellness and entrepreneurship 1:12:10 – Leaving a legacy and empowering the next generation Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Aquaman – Ahmed Ben Chaibah on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/theaquaman https://www.tiktok.com/@ahmedbenchaibah https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-ben-chaibah-6b48668/ https://www.youtube.com/@AhmedBenChaibah
Transcribe →#389: Inside Dubai's Most Prestigious School | Dubai College Headmaster Tomas Duckling on Education, Character & The Future of Learning
Mar 1601:09:34Tap to summarizeWhat should schools really be teaching the next generation? In this episode, Spencer sits down with Tomas Duckling, Headmaster of one of the most prestigious schools in the UAE, to explore the pressures shaping modern education, the role of parents in an increasingly competitive system, the impact of technology and AI on learning and why the future of education must focus on building good humans, not just high achievers. Tomas' path into education was unexpected. After travelling the world in his early twenties, he began working at a North London school supporting refugees and immigrant communities. What started as a temporary role quickly became a calling, launching an international career that took him from Brunei to Aiglon College in Switzerland, one of the world's most expensive schools. Now leading Dubai College, Tomas believes schools should focus on far more than exam results. His mission is to develop character, empathy, kindness, and leadership, preparing students not just for academic success but to become good humans who can make a meaningful impact on the world. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introducing Tomas Duckling and Dubai College 02:05 – The history of Dubai College and why it's so oversubscribed 04:15 – Removing the debenture system and creating merit-based admissions 07:12 – Tomas' unconventional journey into teaching 10:03 – From London classrooms to international schools in Brunei 13:48 – Teaching at Aiglon College in Switzerland 17:10 – How global experiences shaped his philosophy on education 21:02 – Why academic results alone are not enough 24:30 – The importance of character, kindness, and empathy in schools 27:18 – The pressures parents place on modern education 31:05 – Comparing the UK, European, and UAE education systems 34:12 – The future of learning in a world shaped by AI 38:20 – Why human skills will matter more than ever 42:45 – The Edge Curriculum: teaching empathy, design, and entrepreneurship 47:30 – Encouraging students to solve real-world problems 50:15 – Bullying, kindness, and creating positive school culture 54:40 – The role of sport, extracurriculars, and resilience 58:10 – The debate around homeschooling and social development 01:02:20 – Diversity and multicultural education in Dubai 01:05:15 – The real purpose of education in the 21st century Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076 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 Tomas Duckling on Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomas-duckling/ https://www.instagram.com/dubaicollege/
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