Running the world’s busiest airport isn’t for the faint-hearted. It demands bold vision, relentless strategy, and the grit to tackle high-stakes challenges day in, day out. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths knows this better than anyone. In this episode of Unscripted with Spencer Lodge, Paul gives us a front-row seat to the realities of leading in the aviation industry, sharing the strategies that keep Dubai Airports ahead of the curve and his ambitious vision for the future of air travel. ...

Donna Benton came to Dubai with just $3,000 and a bold idea. Fast forward, and that idea became The Entertainer, a billion-dollar brand that transformed how people save on dining, leisure, and travel across 15 countries, all while contributing over $1.3 billion a year to Dubai’s economy. But Donna’s story isn’t your average entrepreneurial journey. She’s a fiercely driven businesswoman and an investment powerhouse, and now she’s returned to The Entertainer to skyrocket the brand to new...

Paul Mallee is a leader in luxury travel and hospitality and the Founder of Maison Privee, a short-term rental company redefining vacation experiences in the UAE and beyond. With a career spanning roles like Chairman of Bus Éireann, Head of Corporate Strategy at Etihad, and consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton, Paul has a knack for spotting opportunities others miss. In this episode, he shares his journey from his family’s hospitality business in Ireland to scaling a startup in a highly...

Born with a rare birth defect called Hanhart Syndrome, Nick Santonastasso has defied all odds. The rare condition left him with no legs and just one arm, setting him up for a lifetime of unimaginable physical challenges. But his unstoppable mindset has turned him into a powerhouse. As a bodybuilder, global keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Nick has trained over a million people on life and business psychology. At just 26, he has shared stages with giants like The Rock and Ed...

Most folks underestimate the power of subscription-based business models – but Courtney Black is living proof they can transform entire industries. Meet the powerhouse fitness trainer, multi-million-pound serial entrepreneur, and two-time 'Sunday Times' bestselling author who's taken the UK fitness scene by storm. With her app and a community of over 80,000 members, she’s made fitness accessible, affordable, and engaging for a global audience of over a million. Tune in as Courtney reveals...

In the face of challenges, you have two choices: accept defeat or learn and rise stronger. Dariush Soudi chose the latter, embracing his ‘gladiator’ mindset. As the founder of ARENA Capital and the Gladiator Summit, he has navigated over 40 years of business challenges, losing and gaining millions along the way. Even in the toughest times, he remained optimistic, ultimately earning him the title of Gulf News’ ‘Entrepreneur of the Year.’ Tune in as Dariush shares powerful insights on...

Cracking London’s luxury real estate market is no small feat, but Daniel Daggers, aka ‘Mr. Super Prime’ – has not only mastered it but built a billion-dollar empire from scratch. As the host of Buying London and the visionary behind DDRE, he’s sold over £5 billion worth of properties and is well-versed in the ins and outs of this elite industry. Starting his journey at just 17, Daniel now unlocks the world’s most exclusive homes for the ultra-wealthy, establishing his status as the go-to...

Cracking London’s luxury real estate market is no small feat, but Daniel Daggers, aka ‘Mr. Super Prime’ – has not only mastered it but built a billion-dollar empire from scratch. As the host of Buying London and the visionary behind DDRE, he’s sold over £5 billion worth of properties and is well-versed in the ins and outs of this elite industry. Starting his journey at just 17, Daniel now unlocks the world’s most exclusive homes for the ultra-wealthy, establishing his status as the go-to...

90% of the podcasts never go beyond the 7th episode. The reason? Launching is easy – committing isn’t. Meet James Burtt, founder of Phonic Media, a results-driven agency that's mastered the art of content marketing and brand building. Having launched 179 podcasts for top brands, businesses, and celebrities like BMW, Xbox, and Alex Murphy, his strategic approach has generated millions in revenue, proving that content is king. In this episode, James shares the cheat codes – why going...

Securing a UAE Golden Visa is now simpler than ever with IOPn’s token investment approach. Join Mojtaba Asadian, the visionary founder of IOPn, a pioneering Web3 ecosystem shaping the future of decentralised technology. With strong ties to the UAE’s economy, Mojtaba reveals how IOPn offers the most affordable and innovative path to a 10-year residency. By taking IOPn tokens, you not only obtain a Golden Visa but also unlock a three-year free trade licence, comprehensive health insurance, and...

While the world was gripped with fear during the 2008 financial crisis, he was busy building the UAE’s largest real estate brokerage from the ground up.  Meet Lewis Allsopp, the Chairman of Allsopp & Allsopp, who started his brokerage in the midst of a recession with just four employees and grew it into an empire with over 650 employees, including 420 agents. In this conversation, Lewis shares his journey from the early days of intense pressure to leading a powerhouse in real estate. He...

What does it take, to become the number one company in your industry? In this episode, Neil Petch – the founder and chairman of Virtuzone – answers this and delivers essential advice every entrepreneur needs to hear. Virtuzone, the UAE’s leading company formation firm, has helped more than 70,000 entrepreneurs from 180 countries establish their businesses in the UAE. If anyone knows the secrets to successful startups, it’s Neil Petch. Expect unscripted advice on entrepreneurship, tips for...

If you’ve been tuning into the hit TV reality show ‘Million Dollar Listing UAE,’ then you’re not alone. This high-stakes drama is smashing viewership records, offering an exclusive look into the glamorous real estate market of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Meet Ben Bandari, the mastermind behind the phenomenon. A Canadian-born real estate titan, Ben faced rejection for four and a half years trying to bring his vision to life, transforming from a top 1% broker in the UAE to starring in this TV...

You own your data, but let’s face it — you’re not in control. Now, what if you could flip the script and make your data work for you? Meet Michael Clark, Vice President of Global Digital Transformation at Mastercard, and a leading data futurist with over twenty years of experience shaping the data industry. Top companies rely on his expertise to stay ahead in the data game, and now he’s here to reveal how you can do the same. In this episode, we break down how companies are cashing in on...

Imagine being on the brink of signing a professional sports contract, when one night changes everything. This is the story of Yannick Rebsamen – an aspiring professional footballer whose dream career was tragically cut short when he lost both of his legs at age 23 in a terrible accident. But he didn’t let that stop him. Grateful for his life, he launched an e-commerce business just one week after the accident. Today, Yannick runs a multi-million-dollar company, driven by his resilient...

Cheap corporate medical insurance is a pitfall, often leaving employees vulnerable and uncovered. Sometimes this is intentional to save money, but other times employers just don’t know any better. Meet Sonny Ridgewell, Managing Director of Beneple, a cloud-based HR software providing a comprehensive suite of insurance broking, consulting, wellness, and business solutions to clients worldwide. As a leading expert in employee healthcare and benefits with over 10 years experience working in UAE...

Securing a groundbreaking $3.9 billion deal with Wynn Resorts and recording over 1.13 million visitors in Ras Al Khaimah, Raki Phillips is the mastermind who is helping the UAE’s tourism sector shatter records.  As a natural risk-taker and the CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), Raki boasts an impressive background with Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont Hotels. He’s named one of Forbes Middle East’s ‘Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders’ and ‘Businessperson of the Year’...

The World Economic Forum warns that gender pay parity won’t be achieved until 2277 — an undeniable and shocking reality. To address this, I’m speaking with Emma Burdett, Founder & CEO of WILD: Saudi Arabia’s first and only women’s network, championing growth, leadership, and empowerment for women. As a UN advisory board member in Saudi Arabia and SDG5 Ambassador, Emma brings her expertise in media, public speaking, and executive coaching to drive real change. In this episode, we delve...

Dating apps can be overwhelming, with many people growing tired of the repetitive swiping. But for the ultra-wealthy seeking love, there's a solution: Christiana Maxion, founder and CEO of Maxion, Dubai’s top matchmaker for high-net-worth individuals.  With a database of over 40,000 singles worldwide, Christiana expertly matches people based on their specific preferences and lifestyles. Her matchmaking service, priced between $65,000 and $250,000, offers unlimited personalised assistance and...

Do you want to generate loads of opportunities for your business online? Today’s episode is an absolute MUST for anyone serious about building a business! Daniel Priestley, a visionary serial entrepreneur and bestselling author breaks down how to build a B2B business from scratch, master client conversions, and dominate LinkedIn with a clear, step-by-step guide to success. As the founder of Dent Global, an award-winning entrepreneur accelerator, and the co-founder of ScoreApp, an AI platform...

Do you want to generate loads of opportunities for your business online? Today’s episode is an absolute MUST-WATCH for anyone serious about building a business! Daniel Priestley, a visionary serial entrepreneur and bestselling author breaks down how to build a B2B business from scratch, master client conversions, and dominate LinkedIn with a clear, step-by-step guide to success. As the founder of Dent Global, an award-winning entrepreneur accelerator, and the co-founder of ScoreApp, an AI...

Personal branding is more than a buzzword – it’s the way to establish yourself and drive business results. Yet many people don't know how to get started or have a fear of oversharing, so they simply don’t take the steps to being more visible. That's where the incredible Maha Abouelenein comes in. She is a strategic communications powerhouse and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience, and the CEO and founder of Digital and Savvy, a leading global communications consulting firm. Named...

It’s the 300th episode of "Unscripted With Spencer Lodge" and I’m thrilled to have British adventurer Ant Middleton joining me in the studio for a very special recording. Renowned for his extreme adventures and mental resilience, Ant is someone I’ve wanted to have on the show for a very long time! From joining the UK's elite forces at 16 to becoming the chief instructor on ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins,’ his story is nothing short of extraordinary. He starred in hit shows like ‘Mutiny,’ and ‘Extreme...

They say that no one leaves a war without scars, and this week’s guest can attest to that. Get ready to be shaken to your core by the story you're about to hear. Meet Lurata Lyon, who, at just 17, became a victim of human trafficking and an organ-harvesting gang during the split of former Yugoslavia. Held captive in a dark, tiny room for six months, she endured solitary confinement, abuse, beatings, being raped daily and experienced constant fear for her life. After an intense rescue, she was...