Wit + Grit
Wit + Grit
Podcast Description
We’re PJ Ellis and Andy Dawson - two dads, two mates, and two fellas who’ve spent our lives working across business, law, education, charity, and media.
Between us, we've made a lot of mistakes, asked a lot of questions, and raised kids who are about to walk into a world of work that’s nothing like the one we grew up in.
That’s why we started Wit + Grit - a space for real, human conversations about what it takes to thrive in a world full of AI, constant pressure, and curated perfection.
This podcast is about the skills you can’t Google.
Things like confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, how to fail well, how to bounce back, how to speak up, and how to listen.
We’re not here to give perfect advice. We’re here to ask better questions.
How do we prepare our kids for jobs that don’t exist yet?
How do we connect generations in a divided, digital world?
What makes someone truly employable in 2025 and beyond?
Each episode, we’ll chat with educators, grads, parents, leaders, misfits, mentors, and all-round brilliant people who’ve lived through the stuff that doesn’t come with a textbook.
🎧 Segments include:
“Stuff You Can’t Google” - Real-world lessons that only experience (or failure) teaches you.
“The Infinite Workday” - Honest chats about burnout, boundaries, and life beyond the 9 to 5.
“Wit Picks” - Quick-fire recommendations from our guests on books, habits, tools or people that’ve made a difference.
“What We Wish We Knew” – Our guests reflect on what they’d tell their 18-year-old selves.
If you’re a parent, a young person starting out, an old-head or experienced leader, or just someone trying to figure out how to be more human in a world full of noise - this one’s for you.
Follow us, subscribe, and let’s have the conversations that matter - with a bit of humour, a lot of honesty, and absolutely no corporate jargon.
🧠 Connect with us:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/107731497/
LinkedIn: PJ Ellis & Andy Dawson
This isn’t just a podcast.
It’s a movement to bring back the human stuff - the wit, the grit, and the graft - in a world obsessed with speed and shortcuts.
Let’s get into it.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes related to emotional intelligence, resilience, and the skills essential for navigating a rapidly changing world. Episodes delve into topics like the challenges of raising children in a digital age, the impact of AI on the workplace, and personal experiences addressing issues such as burnout and interpersonal communication, with examples like conversations on organizational ethics and strategies for preparing kids for future jobs.
We’re PJ Ellis and Andy Dawson – two dads, two mates, who’ve spent our lives working across business, law, education, charity, and media.
Between us, we’ve made a lot of mistakes, asked a lot of questions, and raised kids who are about to walk into a world of work that’s nothing like the one we grew up in.
That’s why we started Wit + Grit – a space for real, human conversations about what it takes to thrive in a world full of AI, constant pressure, and curated perfection.
This podcast is about the skills you can’t Google.
Things like confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, how to fail well, how to bounce back, how to speak up, and how to listen.
We’re not here to give perfect advice. We’re here to ask better questions.
How do we prepare our kids for jobs that don’t exist yet?
How do we connect generations in a divided, digital world?
What makes someone truly employable in 2025 and beyond?
Each episode, we’ll chat with educators, grads, parents, leaders, misfits, mentors, and all-round brilliant people who’ve lived through the stuff that doesn’t come with a textbook.
If you’re a parent, a young person starting out, an old-head or experienced leader, or just someone trying to figure out how to be more human in a world full of noise – this one’s for you.
Follow us, subscribe, and let’s have the conversations that matter – with a bit of humour, a lot of honesty, and absolutely no corporate jargon.
You can connect with us at:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/107731497/
LinkedIn: PJ Ellis & Andy Dawson
Let’s get into it.
After 28 episodes, a live event, and a growing Wit + Grit community, we sit down for a proper catch-up.
This one is honest, reflective and full of the stuff that sits behind the scenes – what we’ve learned, what’s surprised us, what we’re building, and why Wit + Grit is starting to feel like something much bigger than a podcast.
We talk about opportunity, identity, grief, ambition, structure, startup energy, and the importance of creating real conversations in a noisy world.
If you’ve ever started something, doubted yourself, or wondered whether to just press go, this one’s for you. Bring it on.
Key Takeaways
Press go first, learn later.
Opportunity changes everything.
You don’t need all the answers to start.
Identity matters.
Human connection is becoming more valuable, not less.
Structure matters when things start working.
Community compounds.
Success looks different now.
Keywords
Wit and Grit, PJ Ellis, Andy Dawson, Birmingham podcast, business podcast UK, human skills, opportunity, personal growth, startup journey, live testing, podcast alumni, community building, leadership, resilience, identity, grief, ambition, entrepreneurship, confidence, AI and identity, young people, future of work, Birmingham business, talent pipeline, real conversations
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Peaky Blinders Premiere
02:44 The Growth of the Podcast and Its Impact
05:21 Personal Journeys and Backgrounds
07:49 Lessons Learned and Insights from the Podcast
10:13 Opportunities and Future Directions
12:51 The Importance of Structure and Discipline
15:31 Looking Ahead: Technology and Growth
18:26 Ambition and Growth in Podcasting
20:32 Creating Opportunities for Young People
22:08 Navigating Challenges in Today’s World
24:33 The Impact of Technology on Youth
27:42 Finding Balance in a Chaotic World
31:18 Measuring Success and Impact
Disclaimer
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