Three years ago, I had the privilege of sharing the astonishing story of Nick Yarris. Little did I know, that our conversation would impact me the way it did. In 1982, at just 21, Nick was wrongfully convicted of murder he did not commit, and spent a mind-numbing 22 years on death row in Pennsylvania. His fate would have been sealed forever, was it not for his thirst for knowledge, which led him to devour many books and discover DNA testing in an article. He became the first death row prisoner to seek and insist on DNA testing, which ultimately revealed and proved his innocence. In this episode, I have the privilege of not only welcoming Nick back on the podcast for the third time, but also meeting him face-to-face for the first time ever. His remarkable story moves me every time I hear it, and I know it will do the same for you. During our conversation, we revisit the moment Nick’s life changed by being sentenced to death, his traumatising prison memories, how he discovered a way to prove his innocence and his encouraging message to everyone. Despite all of the setbacks and injustices he faced, Nick remains one of the kindest people I know and will always be a dear friend. Tune in now for a conversation like no other.

Discussion points: 

16:13 About Nick’s background18:14 Where his trauma began24:37 The moment that completely changed Nick’s life32:48 Traumatising memories from being in prison37:42 More info about the murder trial46:11 How he escaped custody55:16 Turning himself back in to the police1:00:32 The moment he discovered DNA testing1:07:37 Police and injustice1:26:12 What being tortured taught him1:30:35 What makes him believe in God1:36:27 Nick’s message to everyone

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Nick Yarrishttps://www.instagram.com/nickyarris/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-yarris-9439578b

What you see is what you get with Sara Davies MBE – multi-millionaire, business mogul and now a TV sensation. But besides her remarkable accolades, Sara is one of the most down to earth celebrities you will ever meet, and exactly the relatable person she portrays on social media. Continuing my London Series, I recently caught up with Sara - a good friend and someone I have massive respect for. Sara found a goldmine in crafting. Having started her career in Crafting, Sara quickly learnt that the key to selling was to tap into people’s emotions, relatability and lifestyles. This led her to create Crafter’s Companion, a global crafting retailer that has taken the world by storm. During this fascinating conversation, Sara discusses her entrepreneurial journey, shares key lessons and tips, talks about her experiences filming Strictly Come Dancing and Dragon’s Den, thoughtful reflections on mental health, and why it’s so important for her to stay true to herself. Tune in for an epic conversation between two friends and successful entrepreneurs, and learn from our insights on life, business, and mental health. This episode is packed with valuable tips that will inspire you to achieve greatness, while being authentically yourself.

Discussion points: 

02:45 Why Crafting? 06:57 The size of the Crafting industry 08:24 Sara’s Competitors 12:44 Sara’s Customer demographic 19:00 Things at business Sara’s not good at23:30 What Sara looks for when recruiting33:00 Reflections on mental health43:00 The impact of exercise on mental health 50:33 BBC Dragon’s Den - “The one that got away”53:26 Her favourite startup 55:15 Sara’s approach to social media 58:30 Upcoming projects

Show Sponsors:

Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoter https://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

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Spencer Lodge 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/ 

Sara Davies MBEhttps://www.instagram.com/saradaviescc/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/SaraDaviesCC/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-davies-mbe-7406854/

Imagine this: It’s 1939, you’re five years old and World War II has just begun. Together with your sister, you’re forced onto a train departing Vienna with thousands of other children, to escape unthinkable horror. You arrive in London as a refugee and orphan, riddled with fear and uncertainty – unsure where life will take you next. This is the start of Dame Stephanie Shirley’s story – one of the world’s greatest tech entrepreneurs who went on to build a 3-billion-dollar empire. Continuing our exclusive series in London for The Spencer Lodge Podcast, Dame Stephanie shares her incredible journey, which led her to become one of the world's most esteemed technology pioneers. In this episode, we delve into her extraordinary life journey, her entrepreneurial success, her definition of happiness, and much more. This conversation has the power to transform your life and change your perspective on hardship and rejection. Tune in now and get ready to be inspired by one of the most extraordinary women in the world. If you’d like to learn more about Dame Stephanie Shirley’s story, I highly recommend you read her book, Let It Go. By ordering through the link below, every penny of your donation goes straight to Autistica, the UK’s largest research charity. Check it out: https://www.steveshirley.com/let-it-go/

Discussion points: 

04:16 More about Dame Stephanie Shirley18:08 What sparked her entrepreneurial journey22:02 Why she chose a computing career30:22 Dame Stephanie’s definition of happiness37:48 How autism played a role in her life42:52 The people that inspire her44:17 Why salespeople are frowned upon49:09 How she handled resistance

Show Sponsors:

Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoter https://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

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Dame Stephanie Shirleyhttps://www.instagram.com/damestephanie_/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/DameStephanie/

It’s finally here, folks: The Spencer Lodge Podcast goes to the United Kingdom! Kickstarting this exclusive series is a fascinating interview with none other than Netflix documentary sensation, Raphael Rowe – the host of the award-winning documentary, Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons. From Prisoner to Presenter, Raphael Rowe shares his heart-wrenching story and goes into the gruesome details of his 12-years behind bars, after being convicted for a murder he did not commit. Throughout this episode, Raphael talks about the prison system, why certain people end up in prison, and why prisoners need more compassion. Raphael also takes us through the most traumatic time of his life, sharing the impact his time in prison had on him and his family, how he recovered his life after being released, and how he became a Netflix documentary star. Tune in to listen to Raphael’s story, learn more about his foundation and discover what really goes on in the world’s toughest prisons.

Discussion points: 

03:15 Reliving Raphael’s trauma 05:30 Does poverty lead to criminality?06:30 Why people end up in prison08:00 Types of prisoners09:35 About Raphael18:50 The campaign Raphael’s release25:05 The impact it had on his family35:55 Life after prison49:00 Why prisoners need compassion52:00 About Raphael’s Netflix show, Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons01:03:05 About the Raphael Rowe Foundation

Show Sponsors:

Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoter https://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

Socials:

Spencer Lodge 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/ 

Raphael Rowe

https://www.instagram.com/raphaelrowe/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/raphael.rowe.756/ https://uk.linkedin.com/in/raphael-rowe

There are no apt words to describe Matthias Mende, except that he’s simply one-of-a-kind. Entrepreneur, Visionary, and Innovator – Matthias lives in the future and in this episode, we sit down to discuss the world as it is today and what tactics businesses can employ to foster customer loyalty, engagement and positive word of mouth. With Web3 slowly, but surely changing the game for how organisations operate, Matthias and his soon-to-launch blockchain startup, Bonuz, are bridging the gap between consumers and brands through gamification and couponing. Throughout this episode, we touch on the challenges of starting a business, the remarkable mindset of the Rulers of the UAE, current social movements and the risk of too much ‘wokeness’ in society. If you want to learn more from a free-thinking entrepreneur who is redefining how brands and customers interact with one another, then hit the play button and let’s jump straight in!

Discussion points: 

03:31 About Matthias14:30 Starting a social media agency20:30 Dubai’s ‘Can Do!’ mindset24:55 Current social movements32:45 Is ‘wokeness’ causing further divide?46:45 About Bonuz Market

Show Sponsors:

Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoter https://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

Socials:

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Matthias Mendehttps://www.instagram.com/mende/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/mendematthias/

Today’s guest is a very special one - Join me in welcoming Joe Woodhouse, one of my good mates and someone I’ve had the honour of working very closely with. In this captivating conversation, we explore Joe’s dynamic career path and the pivotal moments that shaped his life. Joe’s story takes a personal turn as he opens up about the immense pain and suffering he endured, from the devastating loss of his mother to the emotional rollercoaster of undergoing multiple rounds of IVF with his wife, Laura. Determined to turn his life around, Joe embarked on a journey to lose weight and start living a healthier lifestyle. Along the way, he also discovered a passion for content creation, revolutionising his approach to social media and skyrocketing his following and success. Prepare to be encouraged and inspired as we learn more about Joe’s remarkable story - the journey he’s been on and the pain he has suffered along the way. Grab a cup of tea and tune in now to gain valuable insights from Joe's story.

Discussion points: 

02:09 What Joe does for a living04:15 IVF journey11:53 How IVF affected Joe and his wife’s relationship13:07 Joe’s health journey21:36 About his upbringing29:07 Joe’s experience in content creation38:29 How he comes up with creative ideas45:31 Joe’s definition of a happy and successful life48:40 Financial responsibility in schools

Show Sponsors:

Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoter https://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

Socials:

Spencer Lodge 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/ 

Joe Woodhousehttps://www.instagram.com/joe_familywealth101/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/familywealth101/ https://www.youtube.com/@familywealth1015 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodhouse-familywealth101/

Prepare for an inspiring story of transformation as we uncover the remarkable journey of Scott Harrison, a man who went from a life of indulgence to becoming a force of change. After a decade immersed in the nightclub scene, Scott reached a breaking point, declaring spiritual, emotional, and moral bankruptcy. His life took a profound turn when he spent two years aboard a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of dirty water. This experience led him on a mission that would change the lives of millions. As the founder and CEO of Charity Water, a non-profit organisation, Scott has dedicated himself to bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. To date, Charity Water has raised an astounding $750 million, funding nearly 121,000 water projects in 29 countries.

During our conversation we explore the importance of clean drinking water, dealing with corruption in charity work and the biggest lesson he has learnt through this incredible journey. Folks, listening to this episode will leave you feeling motivated and determined to make a difference in the world – so tune in now!

Discussion points: 

02:20 Scott’s story15:10 Leveraging past career experience to his advantage21:13 The challenges he faced building up his company, ‘Charity Water’24:13 Importance of clean drinking water29:56 How Scott deals with corruption in charity37:34 Creative marketing ideas for charities42:12 Scott’s experience working with governments44:19 His biggest lesson learnt

Show Sponsors:

Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoter https://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

Socials:

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Scott Harrisonhttps://www.instagram.com/scottharrison/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/scottharrisoncw/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottharrison1/

This week's guest is a regular guy who built a successful business but went bankrupt at 27 because he didn't know how to manage his cash flow. Instead of moping around and being depressed, he started all over again, taking all the lessons he learnt, and is now more successful than ever before. Folks, meet Matt Haycox - a fearless serial entrepreneur who turned his life around. Overleveraged, disheartened, and bankrupt, Matt could have easily thrown in the towel. But against all odds, he not only rebuilt his life but also went on to create an empire. Starting from rock bottom, he built a massively successful company, Funding Guru - a financial services provider and adviser that assists companies in finding funding options that support their growth and financial stability. From borrower to lender, operator to advisor, Matt's journey to the top is truly admirable. Join me on this episode and be inspired by how you too can turn your failures into massive successes.

Discussion points: 

02:23 Matt’s business journey13:56 Matt’s bankruptcy nightmare25:15 His story from bankruptcy to success28:41 About Matt’s company, “Funding Guru”39:10 Where he finds funding for lending money

Show Sponsors:

Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoter https://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

Socials:

Spencer Lodge 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/ 

Matt Haycoxhttps://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/TheMattHaycoxShow/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthaycox/ https://www.youtube.com/@MattHaycox

Starting a business is not for the faint of heart, and for many SME founders, securing funding is a challenge. Countless startup founders face difficulties when it comes to obtaining capital, often leading them to give away a significant portion of their equity in exchange for investment. However, today's guest is here to revolutionise the game and help you avoid making these mistakes. Join me as we delve into the inspiring world of Saba Yussouf – a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of Invisi Smart Technologies, a forward-thinking company at the forefront of infection prevention technology. Having earned a degree in Advanced Econometrics from CASS Business School, and with an impressive career at Ernst & Young, Saba has a wealth of insights to share. She is a force to be reckoned with – so you’ll want to grab a seat and listen to what she has to say.

Discussion points: 

04:30 Saba’s family background12:44 Saba’s first professional job 26:23 The impact of Saba’s work28:13 Her most meaningful project32:40 How Saba serves her clients41:53 Dealing with corruption in business46:24 A deep-dive into Invisi Smart

Show Sponsors:

Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoter https://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

Socials:

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Saba Yussoufhttps://instagram.com/sabayussouf?igshid=Y2IzZGU1MTFhOQ== https://www.linkedin.com/in/saba-yussouf-484104231/

Welcome to another captivating episode of The Spencer Lodge Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, and fascinating personal stories. In this episode, I have the privilege of chatting with Daniel Priestley, a visionary serial entrepreneur and bestselling author of six books on business and leadership. Having started his entrepreneurial journey with absolutely nothing, Daniel's personal story is one of resilience and determination, and is sure to leave you inspired. As the co-founder and CEO of Dent Global, one of the premier business accelerators for entrepreneurs and leaders globally, Daniel has empowered countless individuals to break free from mediocrity and leave their mark on the world. Tune in to hear Daniel's unique insights on building your online platform, how AI will change business, and the secrets to crafting content that solves your ideal clients' problems. If you’re in business, this is a must-watch episode. So, grab your headphones and prepare for an epic conversation. Discussion points: 02:05 Why people give up on starting a business 07:22 Introduction to Daniel 17:40 Thoughts on employment and self-employment 27:57 Is it too late to build your online profiles? 29:47 How AI will change business 45:17 Pursuing your passion versus pursuing what works 51:40 Daniel’s passion for sales marketing 1:04:35 Crafting content that solves problems Show Sponsors Najahi Events: The UAE’s leading event promoterhttps://www.instagram.com/najahievents/?hl=en  

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Daniel Priestley

https://www.instagram.com/danielpriestley/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpriestley/