#389: Inside Dubai's Most Prestigious School | Dubai College Headmaster Tomas Duckling on Education, Character & The Future of Learning

How 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 

  What 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 

What 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/  

Modern medicine has achieved incredible breakthroughs. But what happens when someone challenges the entire system?  In this episode, Spencer sits down with Barbara O'Neill, one of the most talked-about and polarizing figures in the global wellness space. Loved by many and criticized by others, Barbara has built a massive following by encouraging people to question mainstream health advice and explore natural approaches to healing.  Barbara shares her perspectives on topics that continue to spark discussion around the world. From the body's ability to heal itself, to diet, detoxification, gut health, pregnancy nutrition, and why she believes many people misunderstand the role of modern health care.  This episode explores the thinking behind her views on PTSD, COVID-era health policies, folic acid, fasting, colon cleansing, and hormonal health. Whether you agree with her or not, her perspective has sparked millions of conversations across the wellness world.    Timestamps : 00:00 – Introducing Barbara O'Neill and why she sparks global debate 03:15 – Escaping a violent marriage with six children 08:40 – The turning point that led her into psychiatric nursing 12:05 – Observing the limits of conventional treatment 16:30 – The belief that the body can heal itself 20:10 – Why she encourages people to question mainstream health advice 24:20 – Childhood environment and long-term health 28:15 – Diet, gut health, and disease prevention 33:40 – Her views on PTSD and emotional trauma 38:05 – COVID-era policies and public health debates 43:10 – Detoxification, fasting, and colon cleansing 48:20 – Coffee enemas and natural detox practices 52:40 – Pregnancy nutrition and the folic acid discussion 57:30 – Hormones, aging, and natural balance 01:02:40 – Longevity and modern lifestyle diseases 01:07:15 – Are doctors extending life or extending sickness?    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 Barbara O'Neill on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/realbarbaraoneill/  https://www.facebook.com/realbarbaraoneill/   https://www.tiktok.com/@realbarbaraoneill  https://officialbarbaraoneill.com/  https://www.instagram.com/empowerliving.global/   

Cancer is not a foreign invader. It is a failure of defense.  In this episode, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, surgeon, scientist, inventor and one of the most influential figures in modern medicine, lays out a radical idea: your body already knows how to defeat cancer. The question is whether we are activating it… or suppressing it.  Born in apartheid South Africa and driven by what he calls a duty to fight for the underdog, Dr. Soon-Shiong went from performing complex surgeries in Los Angeles to inventing Abraxane, a breakthrough nanoparticle chemotherapy now used worldwide. But he believes chemotherapy was only chapter one, Chapter two is immunity.  He breaks down the role of the 450 million year old Natural Killer cell and why it may be the missing piece in cancer prevention, then dives into IL-15, once ranked the most promising molecule to cure cancer and now approved in 33 countries, with new ground in lung cancer treatment in Saudi Arabia.  Dr. Soon-Shiong also shares his warning of a coming "pandemic of cancer," the controversy around COVID vaccine development, the overlooked $10 blood test hidden inside routine labs that predicts mortality risk, and how camel nanobodies, AI and robotics may democratize treatments that once cost $1 million.  If you care about longevity, cancer prevention, or the future of medicine, this episode matters.    Timestamps:  00:00 – First impressions of the Middle East and the crisis of trust  08:17 – What cancer really is and the role of the Natural Killer cell  14:08 – The warning: a possible pandemic of cancer in young people  16:47 – The T-cell COVID vaccine controversy  24:40 – IL-15: ranked the #1 molecule to cure cancer  29:07 – Breaking news: approvals in 33 countries and Saudi Arabia  31:06 – Immunity, aging, and the link to longevity  37:53 – The $10 blood test hidden in plain sight for 30 years  39:28 – Why camels and sharks don't get cancer  44:32 – From apartheid South Africa to billionaire inventor  48:13 – Turning $1 million CAR-T therapy into a $25,000 robotic solution  50:33 – Why the Middle East could lead the next biotech revolution    Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media:  https://www.instagram.com/madeindubaipodcast/?hl=en  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/  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586194260076    Follow Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong on Social Media:  https://x.com/DrPatrick

  Success looks impressive. Impact feels different.  In this episode, Fadie Musallet shares his transformation from a troubled youth in Miami to a purpose-driven entrepreneur and philanthropist in Dubai. This is not just a business story. It is a story about redemption, faith, resilience, and choosing to build a legacy that serves others.  This conversation explores what really shapes a man. The losses that humble you. The rejection that sharpens you. The family roots that anchor you when success tries to pull you off course.  At the heart of this episode is impact. The founding of The Giving Family charity, feeding thousands during Ramadan, and the philosophy he calls "passive blessings over passive income." In a world obsessed with scale and status, Fadie challenges the audience to ask a harder question: What are you building that will outlive you?    Timestamps: 00:05 – From wild youth in Miami to purposeful giving  03:13 – The power of kindness and leaving a legacy  08:43 – Lessons learned through loss and resilience  11:37 – Palestinian roots, love, and identity  18:13 – Moving to Dubai and starting over  23:54 – Building a medical distribution and brokering business  33:18 – Mastering networks, handling rejection, and closing deals  43:02 – Behind the scenes of Dubai Bling  58:25 – Launching FadieCakes and the business of desserts  1:04:50 – Founding The Giving Family and feeding communities  1:11:56 – Making volunteering part of everyday life  1:14:50 – Ramadan beyond fasting  1:23:18 – Regrets, growth, and defining success  1:25:32 – Passive blessings over passive income  1:28:26 – The challenges of fundraising in Dubai  1:29:41 – How you can help feed those in need    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 Fadie Musallet on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/fadiee     

Trauma changes you. For some, it becomes a weight that never lifts. For others, it becomes a catalyst. In this episode, Dr. Gian Power shares the deeply personal story that shaped his life and leadership journey. From childhood shyness and quiet ambition to navigating the devastating and unresolved murder of his father, this conversation explores how unimaginable loss can redefine purpose. Dr. Gian reflects on loyalty, trust, justice, and the emotional toll of public tragedy. He speaks candidly about grief, identity, and the difficult process of rebuilding while carrying unanswered questions. Beyond the personal story, this episode dives into the future of leadership. In a world rapidly shaped by AI and automation, Dr. Gian explains why human skills, storytelling, emotional intelligence, and authentic connection are becoming more valuable than ever. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, purpose-driven leadership, and the responsibility leaders have to build workplaces that are not just productive, but deeply human. A raw and thoughtful discussion on adversity, performance, culture, and what it truly means to lead with strength and compassion.   Timestamps: 00:00 – Turning trauma into a catalyst for leadership 02:18 – Early years: childhood, identity, and ambition 10:15 – The disappearance and murder that changed everything 18:29 – Media scrutiny and the search for truth 25:30 – Processing grief and navigating unresolved trauma 30:50 – Rebuilding through purpose and community 38:00 – Storytelling as a leadership superpower 45:19 – Returning to the corporate world with a new lens 52:41 – AI, automation, and the rise of human skills 1:14:00 – Kindness, fairness, and vulnerability in leadership 1:07:42 – Building resilient, high-performance cultures 1:15:29 – The resilience mindset in an AI-driven future 1:20:20 – Final reflections: connection, purpose, and impact   Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers    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 Dr. Gian Power on Social Media: https://gianpower.com/ https://www.instagram.com/gianpower  https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCp2VTK7cLAuJw8-u_PTreRw  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianpower  

  Hypnosis is often misunderstood and dismissed as performance or placebo.   In this conversation, Ebrahim Turner, widely known as the "billionaire hypnotist," breaks down what hypnosis really is and why it has become one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional transformation.   From rewiring habits and addressing deep-rooted trauma to improving performance in business and high-pressure environments like Dubai, Ebrahim explains how the subconscious mind quietly shapes our behavior, decisions, and emotional responses.   This episode explores why lasting change doesn't come from motivation alone, how trauma shows up in unexpected ways and why vulnerability is often the gateway to real confidence and success.   A raw, practical conversation about anxiety, identity, perception, and what happens when external success no longer masks internal struggle.  Timestamps 00:00 – The journey into hypnosis 02:11 – What hypnosis really is (and isn't) 04:36 – Suggestibility and the subconscious mind 08:26 – Success rates, expectations, and lasting change 10:54 – Skepticism around hypnosis 12:10 – Trust and safety in the process 15:08 – Working with high performers and billionaires 18:11 – Rapid Transformational Therapy explained 20:06 – Habits, patterns, and subconscious programming 23:34 – ADHD, trauma, and emotional roots 25:36 – Identifying the real core issue 30:08 – Using hypnosis in business and leadership 33:02 – The emotional reality of sales 37:05 – Fragility, resilience, and pressure 38:36 – Identity, self-image, and performance 41:07 – Discomfort, vulnerability, and growth 45:06 – Anxiety and imposter syndrome 52:46 – Revisiting trauma and emotional release 01:07:11 – Breath, awareness, and perspective shifts 01:09:08 – Visualizing success and changing perception 01:11:52 – Fear, confidence, and self-belief 01:14:51 – Transformational moments and breakthroughs 01:18:03 – Understanding emotional responses 01:21:57 – Social pressure, expectations, and comparison 01:25:53 – Finding calm in a fast-paced world 01:29:47 – Redefining success and growth 01:33:46 – The future of hypnosis and mindset work    Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers    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 Ebrahim Turner on Social Media  https://www.instagram.com/ebrahim/  https://www.facebook.com/ebrahimturner/   https://www.youtube.com/@ebrahim.turner  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebrahimturner/   go.ebrahimturner.com/o     

  In this conversation, Lousin Mehrabi sits down with Spencer Lodge for an open and reflective discussion that goes beyond surface-level success. Through thoughtful questioning, Lousin encourages Spencer to open up about the gap between external achievement and internal fulfillment and how family expectations, particularly his relationship with his father, shaped his drive and self-perception.  Spencer reflects on navigating rejection, pressure, and self-doubt, and how resilience, forgiveness, and self-awareness helped him redefine success on his own terms. The conversation also explores the impact of parenting, gratitude, and meaningful connection on personal growth. Spencer shares lessons from his journey in sales, life in Dubai, and using success as a platform for purpose through charity work and storytelling, including a documentary focused on resilience and human impact. A grounded, honest exchange about turning pressure into progress and ambition into something that truly matters.     00:00 The Illusion of Success  02:54 The Weight of Expectations  06:09 The Burden of Shame  08:59 The Struggle with Self-Perception  12:00 The Relentless Pursuit of Achievement  15:05 The Challenge of Connection  18:10 The Impact of Family Dynamics  20:57 The Journey of Forgiveness  24:05 The Role of Parenting  27:10 The Power of Resilience  30:03 The Path to Financial Success  32:57 The Fear of Rejection  45:42 The Numbers Game of Rejection  48:10 Learning the Sales Process  54:51 The Journey Through Different Countries  57:39 Life in Dubai: A Personal Perspective  01:00:13 Helping Others: The Power of Charity  01:08:30 The Documentary: A Story of Resilience  01:13:42 The Inner Struggle: Balancing Success and Responsibility    Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers    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 Lousin Mehrabi on Social Media  https://www.instagram.com/lousinmehrabi   https://www.youtube.com/@lousinmehrabi   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lousin-mehrabi    

Charlie Mullins is a deeply contradictory and complex figure - from a deprived council-estate childhood in south London to founding a plumbing empire, cashing out for £148 million and remaking himself as a global-living, politically outspoken tycoon. He embodies both the grit of old-school trades and the excesses of modern wealth. His post-sale life is marked by public provocation - from giant anti-Brexit signs to incendiary social media posts, and threats to relocate his wealth abroad which are now in force as he is here to get his residency. His journey offers a potent lens: success, escape, conflict, and reinvention, but also tension, moral ambiguity. He is confrontational, outspoken and a political provocateur.   2:40 – Charlie's childhood 6:03 – Plumber apprenticeship 09:56 – Bill, the man Charlie looked up to 17:28 – The importance of apprenticeships 20:22 – Success is simple 21:58 – Nearly going bankrupt 25:34 – Selling for 148 million 26:19 – Charlie's regrets 32:17 – People pay for quality 40:53 – London is unsafe 45:16 – The importance of having a job 50:08 – Coming to Dubai 54:15 – Favorite things about Dubai 57:31 – Youngsters don't have a future in the UK 1:02:53 – An opinion that would break the internet 1:04:43 – Harshest truth about success 1:07:25 – Charlie's message to Bill   Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers   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 Charlie Mullins on Social Media https://www.charliemullinsobe.com/ https://www.instagram.com/charliem_obe https://x.com/CharlieM_OBE/