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.
What if the biggest barrier isn’t disability – but perception?
In this deeply moving episode of Wit + Grit, PJ and Andy sit down with Taylor Mackenzie, Special Olympics GB swimmer, gold medallist and athlete leader, alongside Laura Baxter MBE, CEO of Special Olympics Great Britain.
Taylor shares her remarkable journey – from a young girl who struggled to speak, to becoming a double gold medallist in Berlin and now preparing to attempt a Guinness World Record just months after major spinal surgery.
Laura explains why Special Olympics is about far more than medals. It’s about confidence, belonging, opportunity and challenging society’s assumptions about people with intellectual disabilities.
Together they explore leadership, resilience, inclusion and why success should sometimes be measured by friendship, courage and joy rather than trophies.
This isn’t simply a conversation about sport.
It’s a conversation about seeing people for who they are – and what becomes possible when we do.
Key Takeaways
People before labels
Special Olympics focuses on the person – not the disability.
Success looks different
Winning isn’t always measured by medals. Sometimes it’s confidence, friendship and simply showing up.
Courage changes everything
Taylor’s comeback after spinal surgery shows resilience in its purest form.
Inclusion starts with conversation
The biggest thing we can do is simply engage with people.
Challenge assumptions
Ability should always come before disability.
Different thinking is a strength
People with intellectual disabilities often bring unique perspectives that organisations desperately need.
Self-belief begins with someone believing in you
For Taylor, that started with her parents.
Legacy isn’t built after an event
It’s created years before through education, opportunity and changing perceptions.
Chapters List
00:00 Finding a Voice Through Special Olympics
01:03 Taylor’s Journey Into Swimming
04:21 Why Sport Creates Opportunity
06:46 National Games in Birmingham
09:38 The Origins of Special Olympics
10:44 The Athlete Oath: Be Brave in the Attempt
11:50 Community, Confidence and Friendship
13:34 Changing Perceptions Beyond Sport
19:05 Family Support and Taylor’s Berlin Golds
29:05 Recovery, Resilience and a World-Record Goal
32:30 What Athletes Teach Us About Success
34:56 Building a More Inclusive Future
40:08 Athlete Leadership and Advocacy
42:46 A Future World Games in Great Britain
45:48 Partnerships That Create Change
48:18 The Lasting Impact of the National Games
50:21 How to Support the National Games
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.