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.
As our government moves towards restricting social media access for young people, the debate has shifted from whether there is a problem to what we do about it.
In this episode, we sit down with Abi Edmunds, founder of Social Media Resilience, to explore the realities of growing up online and the skills young people need to navigate an increasingly complex digital world.
From social media bans and online safety to AI-generated content, misinformation and emotional resilience, Abi shares what she’s learning from thousands of conversations in classrooms across the UK.
Most importantly, she explains why banning technology alone won’t solve the problem. and why critical thinking, community and open conversations may be our best defence.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, employer or simply trying to make sense of modern life online, this is a conversation that matters.
Key takeaways
The social media ban is the start of a solution, not the solution itself.
Young people don’t need more lectures. They need more conversations.
Social media isn’t just scrolling. It’s community, identity, friendship and belonging.
The most important digital skill may be critical thinking.
We’re about as good at spotting AI content as flipping a coin.
Online resilience starts with one simple habit: pause.
Children often understand the technology better than adults. Adults need to understand the environment better than children.
If we remove one platform, young people will find another. The underlying need for connection remains.
Parents don’t need all the answers. They need better conversations.
The future belongs to people who can question what they see, not just consume it.
Keywords
Social Media Resilience, Abi Edmunds, Online Safety, Digital Wellbeing, Critical Thinking, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Misinformation, Disinformation, Social Media Ban, Online Harm, Parenting, Education, Future Skills, Mental Health, Emotional Resilience, Young People, Schools, Technology, Digital Literacy, Media Literacy, Social Media, TikTok, Instagram, Algorithms, Wit + Grit Podcast
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and episode overview
00:36 Social media restrictions for youth: insights and challenges
01:34 Australian social media trial: what worked and what didn’t
02:54 Introducing Social Media Resilience: mission and impact
04:46 Parents’ concerns and the importance of resilience education
05:42 The evolving online landscape and youth behavior
07:18 Classroom conversations and engaging young learners
09:29 Building critical thinking skills and online literacy
10:18 The influence of tech companies and behavioral design
11:55 Society, democracy, and the power of algorithms
12:24 Misconceptions about social media among parents
13:38 Hope and opportunities in social media use
14:39 Curriculum design for online critical thinking
17:02 Role of schools and teachers in online safety education
18:31 Success stories and classroom breakthroughs
19:30 Practical tips for parents: grayscale and digital habits
20:14 Teaching critical thinking in a world of AI and deepfakes
21:05 Spotting AI-generated content: challenges and techniques
21:45 The future of media and AI in society
22:28 Personal social media habits and professional boundaries
23:17 Advice for young adults on social media awareness
24:04 Encouraging offline communities and healthy social habits
25:00 The upcoming Screen Smart Parents newsletter
26:27 Closing remarks and key takeaways
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.