{"podcast":{"title":"Made in Dubai with Spencer Lodge","slug":"made-in-dubai-with-spencer-lodge-1158354","podcast_index_feed_id":1158354,"rss_url":"https://spencerlodge.libsyn.com/rss","website_url":"https://spencerlodge.tv/","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/0/c/3/a/0c3a03e060af42aad959afa2a1bf1c87/podcast_artwork.png","author":"Spencer Lodge","episode_count":407,"summary":"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…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-13T10:19:15.992091+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/made-in-dubai-with-spencer-lodge-1158354"},"episode":{"title":"#394: \"Technology Is NOT the Future of Education\" - The CEO of 36 Schools, Alan Williamson on Education, Leadership & Sacrifice","slug":"394-technology-is-not-the-future-of-education-the-ceo-of-36-schools-alan-williamson-on-education-leadership-sacrifice","published_at":"2026-04-20T09:41:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/made-in-dubai-with-spencer-lodge-1158354/394-technology-is-not-the-future-of-education-the-ceo-of-36-schools-alan-williamson-on-education-leadership-sacrifice","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/made-in-dubai-with-spencer-lodge-1158354","url":"https://spencerlodge.libsyn.com/394technology-is-not-the-future-of-education-the-ceo-of-36-schools-inalanwilliamsonon-education-leadership-sacrifice","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/spencerlodge/Full_Audio_-_Alan_Williamson_-_Made_in_Dubai-.mp3?dest-id=974060","summary":"He 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 – Lea…","meta_description":"He 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 n…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":5712,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/made-in-dubai-with-spencer-lodge-1158354/episodes/394-technology-is-not-the-future-of-education-the-ceo-of-36-schools-alan-williamson-on-education-leadership-sacrifice/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/made-in-dubai-with-spencer-lodge-1158354/394-technology-is-not-the-future-of-education-the-ceo-of-36-schools-alan-williamson-on-education-leadership-sacrifice.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}