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.
Summary
In this episode, former England international rugby player Luther Burrell shares his journey from professional sports to philanthropy, discussing identity, race, and mental wellbeing.
He reflects on his transition from elite sports, the challenges of finding purpose post-retirement, and the importance of networking and community impact.
Luther emphasises the power of honesty, resilience, and creating positive change through his foundation.
Keywords
Luther Burrell, rugby, identity, race, mental wellbeing, philanthropy, transition, networking, community impact, resilience
Takeaways
- Good people will find good people.
- Throw mud at the wall until the good thing sticks.
- Be honest with yourself.
- No one is coming to you with a magic wand.
- Those that you meet on the way up, you’ll meet on the way back down.
- Power of deconstructing yourself.
- Always have a no dickhead policy, but stress test this ASAP.
- The importance of breathing.
- Focus on the controllables.
- A problem shared is a problem halved.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Luther Burrell
03:15 Life After Professional Sport
08:30 Survival Mode: The Transition Challenge
15:11 Asking for Help: Breaking Down Barriers
21:06 What Do I Have to Offer?
30:22 Building High-Performing Teams
32:56 Building a Culture of Accountability
34:48 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
37:30 Navigating Racism in Sports
42:28 The Impact of Philanthropy and Community Work
50:23 Transformative Power of Sport
57:04 Inspiring the Next Generation
Disclaimer
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