Wit + Grit

Why does one person's content stop you mid-scroll while someone else posts the exact same thing and nobody blinks?

Welcome back to Wit and Grit with hosts PJ and Andy!

Each month on Wit+Grit, we explore a different theme as part of our growing curriculum of human skills. Skills that help us communicate, connect, build confidence and navigate whatever life throws at us.

And this month's theme is STORYTELLING.

Because the thing that makes a piece of content land is almost never the subject. It is the person behind it.

So joining PJ and Andy today is Laura, the creator behind Bite Your Brum, who has spent nearly ten years telling Birmingham's food stories to her ever growing audience.

Laura started Bite Your Brum after a night at a food festival, slightly tipsy and wondering why nobody was talking about the places she loved. Ten years on she has gone from agency copywriter to full-time freelance, backing herself with a year of savings and no safety net.

Together, Andy, PJ and Laura explore why most content gets ignored, what actually makes people care, how hospitality and pub work teach you more about communication than any course, and the unglamorous side of going freelance: saying no, picking your clients and learning to talk about money.

Tune in for honest advice on building an audience, a crash course in food storytelling, and the five crisps that are apparently the key to Laura's heart.

🎧 Listen to the FULL EPISODE & follow us on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/66UlqMvfgoP5rrcOVlHZvy

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/wit-grit/id1823013285

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@witandgritpodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/witandgritpodcast

Connect with Laura Below:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/biteyourbrum

Why does speaking in front of a crowd sometimes feel like a life-or-death situation?

Welcome to the debut episode of the new and improved Wit and Grit podcast with hosts PJ and Andy!

We're kicking off our new-look podcast with a brilliant guest, plenty of laughs and one of the most important human skills of all: STORYTELLING.

Each month on Wit+Grit, we explore a different theme as part of our growing curriculum of human skills.

Skills that help us communicate, connect, build confidence and navigate whatever life throws at us. And this month's theme is STORYTELLING.

Because whether you're presenting to hundreds of people, speaking up in a meeting or simply trying to get your point across, how you tell your story matters.

Joining PJ Ellis and Andy Dawson is Dave James, speaker coach, stand-up comedian and founder of Speaking Without Freaking.

Together, we explore why public speaking can feel so terrifying, how to manage those nerves and what it really takes to connect with an audience.

Tune in for laugh-out-loud improv, practical stage hacks, and raw advice on owning your voice!

🎧 Listen to the FULL EPISODE & follow us on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/66UlqMvfgoP5rrcOVlHZvy?si=1f1ac64638d64364

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/wit-grit/id1823013285

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@dan_the_pik

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/witandgritpodcast/

Connect with Dave James Below:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamdavejames/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamdavejames/

What does it really mean to be a rebel in a suit?

In this episode of Wit + Grit, PJ and Andy sit down with Birmingham entrepreneur and business leader Joel Blake OBE for a powerful conversation about resilience, courage, authenticity and challenging the status quo.

Joel shares the extraordinary story of the moment, aged 15, that changed the direction of his life, and how the lessons from those early years have shaped the entrepreneur, father and leader he is today.

From being unexpectedly pushed out of a business he helped build, to creating a category-defining fintech platform from Birmingham, Joel talks candidly about what resilience actually looks like when you're deep in the trenches - not the polished version we often hear about.

The conversation explores why the people who speak least can sometimes have the most to offer, why inclusion is a genuine competitive advantage, the danger of thinking you're in control when everything is going well, and why entrepreneurs need the courage to find their micro-niche.

Joel also opens up about fatherhood, vulnerability, masculinity and the difficult art of allowing your children to face challenges without immediately stepping in to rescue them.

And, of course, we discover the guilty pleasure behind one of Birmingham's sharpest business minds: Skittles.

An honest conversation about success, setbacks, identity, family and having the courage to be the rebel in the suit.

Key takeaways

* Be the rebel in the suit.

* Look beyond the loudest voice.

* Know your core values - and stick to them.

* Resilience isn’t a slogan.

* Success doesn’t necessarily mean control.

* Find your micro-niche.

* Inclusion is a competitive advantage.

* Authenticity matters more than titles.

* Embrace vulnerability.

* Sometimes parenting means stepping back.

Keywords / tags

Joel Blake OBE, Rebel in a Suit, Wit and Grit, Wit & Grit Podcast, PJ Ellis, Andy Dawson, entrepreneurship, entrepreneur podcast, business leadership, leadership, resilience, grit, courage, authenticity, vulnerability, emotional intelligence, soft skills, human skills, inclusion, diversity and inclusion, belonging, business growth, fintech, GFA Exchange, private credit, Birmingham business, Birmingham entrepreneur, West Midlands, business failure, overcoming adversity, challenging the status quo, disruptive thinking, micro niche, entrepreneurship UK, startup founder, fatherhood, masculinity, male role models, personal development, core values, business mindset, purpose, inclusive leadership

Chapters List

00:01 Introduction to Resilience and Rebellion

00:24 Identifying Potential in Entrepreneurs

02:36 The Journey of Joel Blake, OBE

07:13 Turning Adversity into Fuel

12:17 Family Legacy and Personal Struggles

14:11 The Importance of Authenticity

21:24 Thinking Like a Rebel in a Suit

26:03 The Importance of Belonging vs Inclusion

28:43 Courage in Uncertain Times

30:17 Opportunities and Challenges in Business

34:22 The Weight of Recognition and Legacy

37:55 Navigating Parenthood and Vulnerability

46:09 Quickfire Insights and Reflections

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

What kind of Birmingham do we want to be living in 20 years from now - and are we backing ourselves strongly enough to create it?

In Episode 43 of Wit + Grit we are joined by Natalie King for a wide-ranging conversation about Birmingham’s identity, investment, talent and future.

Natalie explains why successful city-building cannot be measured only by attracting major businesses. The strongest cities also protect their culture, character and sense of place - creating somewhere people genuinely want to live, work and spend time.

She reflects on beginning her career with Marketing Birmingham, turning an internship into a permanent role within two weeks, and the energy, curiosity and willingness to get involved that helped shape her career.

The conversation also explores personal branding, confidence, vulnerability, coaching and the importance of bringing young people into rooms where decisions are made. Natalie argues that listening is not enough: young people need access, ownership and genuine opportunities to influence what happens next.

From AI and psychological safety to civic pride and the future of Birmingham, this is a hopeful conversation about backing talent, asking better questions and creating a city that is ambitious without losing its heart and soul.

Key takeaways

Birmingham has the track record to win major investment, but the type of investment matters as much as the amount.

Culture, talent, hospitality and quality of life are central to attracting people and businesses.

Cities should be designed around the lives people want to lead - not simply around buildings and corporate investment.

Confidence grows when people repeatedly prove to themselves that they can do difficult things.

Personal branding is really about understanding what opportunities people should immediately associate with you.

Young people often underestimate the value of their perspective and the power of asking good questions.

Bringing emerging talent into important rooms creates learning, confidence and better decision-making.

Inclusion means giving younger colleagues ownership - not inviting them merely to observe or take notes.

Vulnerability and honest conversations help create psychological safety at work.

AI is most effective when it supports, rather than replaces, human judgement, empathy and connection.

Birmingham needs to stop retreating into self-deprecation and become more confident in telling its own story.

Mentors and coaches help people identify possibilities they cannot see while immersed in day-to-day work.

The Birmingham of 2035 should be better connected, less car-dependent and full of meaningful opportunities for local talent.

If we want young people to shape the future, we must give them access, platforms and the power to influence real decisions.

Chapters List

00:00 Birmingham's Investment Potential

01:48 Natalie's Journey into the Workforce

08:11 The Importance of Personal Branding

11:01 Encouraging Young Voices

14:04 Navigating Challenges in a New Role

16:59 Creating Inclusive Spaces for Young People

19:11 Empowering Others Through Sponsorship

20:11 The Role of AI in Business

21:27 Youth Perspectives on Urban Development

22:53 Bridging the Gap Between Generations

24:16 Birmingham's Brand and Identity

26:08 The Importance of Mentoring and Coaching

27:32 Envisioning Birmingham in 2035

29:09 Reflections on Leadership and Community

What happens when you spend decades building a successful career before finally understanding how your mind really works?

In this episode of Wit + Grit, leadership consultant and soon-to-be-published-author Damian Kirk shares the life-changing impact of receiving an ADHD and dyslexia diagnosis at the age of 51. What followed wasn’t limitation, it was liberation.

Together, we explore why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership, why we’re making work far more complicated than it needs to be, and what businesses can do to create environments where people genuinely thrive.

From accountability over hierarchy, to AI, coaching, preparing young people for work and designing organisations for success, this is an honest conversation about leading with authenticity and building workplaces that bring out the best in people.

Whether you’re a leader, a parent, a mentor or simply someone trying to understand yourself a little better, this episode is packed with practical insights you’ll take away long after the conversation ends.

Sometimes the biggest breakthrough isn’t changing your career. It’s finally understanding yourself.

Key Takeaways

* Self-awareness is one of the greatest leadership advantages you’ll ever develop.

* A diagnosis doesn’t define you - it helps you understand your strengths.

* Different thinking isn’t a weakness; it can become your greatest asset.

* Great leaders create space for others to succeed rather than having all the answers.

* Simplicity beats complexity in almost every organisation.

* Accountability creates ownership; hierarchy often creates barriers.

* AI won’t replace great leaders - but it may expose poor ones.

* Coaching is one of the most valuable life skills anyone can learn.

* Young people need more real-world experience, mentors and opportunities to explore.

* Success rarely happens by accident - it is designed.

Keywords

Damian Kirk, ADHD, Dyslexia, ADHD diagnosis, neurodiversity, leadership podcast, leadership development, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, coaching, accountability, organisational culture, AI in business, future of work, workplace leadership, business transformation, leadership consultant, career development, mentoring, Wit and Grit podcast, young people, work experience, success by design, leadership mindset, authentic leadership, business growth, employee engagement, change management

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Neurodiversity: A Personal Journey

07:16 Transforming Leadership Through Self-Awareness

13:12 Preparing the Next Generation for the Workforce

20:09 Harnessing AI for Future Opportunities

21:19 The Power of AI as a Capability

22:58 Understanding Energy Costs and Their Complexity

25:30 AI's Impact on Leadership and Management

28:53 The Pinnacle Moment: Self-Awareness in Leadership

31:13 Advice for Young Professionals and Future Aspirations

Gabriel Imevbore joins us to share his journey from growing up in Erdington, Birmingham, experiencing family breakdown and homelessness at 19, to becoming the youngest trustee in YMCA Heart of England’s 180-year history.

In this good-old-heart-to-heart conversation, Gabriel talks about ambition, faith, entrepreneurship, Birmingham, fatherhood, opportunity, social mobility and why your circumstances may shape your opening chapter - but they don’t have to write the ending.

Key takeaways

Your story is shaped by what you choose to do next.

Young people need opportunity, not judgement.

Birmingham has huge entrepreneurial talent that needs backing.

Leaders must stay close to the ground level.

Parents should respect the inspiration behind a child’s dreams.

Unconventional thinkers need space to thrive.

Success is health, family, purpose and giving back.

Representation matters - but so does opening doors for others.

Gabriel Imevbore, Wit and Grit, Birmingham, YMCA, homelessness, entrepreneurship, social mobility, young leaders, resilience, Birmingham business, opportunity, youth employment, leadership, community, personal story, Future Faces, National Grid, UpStride, AI, fatherhood, purpose, ambition.

00:00 Gabriel's Early Life and Ambitions

01:36 Challenges and Turning Points

03:57 The Role of Education and Mentorship

07:27 Finding Opportunities and Building a Network

10:14 Community Impact and Giving Back

11:51 Leadership and Ground-Level Engagement

14:49 Pathways to Progress and Social Mobility

16:09 Reflections on Talent Recognition and Future Aspirations

16:38 Bridging Generational Gaps

21:24 Entrepreneurial Journey and Community Impact

23:18 Personal Growth and Family Dynamics

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

In this episode, we sit down with workplace futurist Stuart Evans to explore AI, robotics, the future of work and what it all means for young people.

From agentic AI and humanoid robots to university debt, entry-level jobs, adaptability and the future of human skills, this is a conversation about what happens when work changes faster than our old systems can keep up.

Stuart challenges the idea that young people should simply follow the same paths as previous generations and argues that the most valuable future skills may not be technical at all - but deeply human.

Key takeaways

* Work is shifting from a place you go to something you do.

* AI assistants are only the start; agentic AI is the real shift.

* Repeatable tasks will increasingly move away from humans.

* Young people may be inheriting outdated career advice.

* Degrees won’t always be the best route to meaningful work.

* Adaptability may be the most important future skill.

* Humans tolerate human failure more easily than tech failure.

* Generation Alpha may redefine what work and success mean.

* The future may need fewer traditional jobs, but more human value.

* The big question is how humans and technology work together.

Keywords

AI, future of work, agentic AI, workplace futurist, Stuart Evans, human skills, adaptability, Generation Alpha, robotics, humanoid robots, young people, careers, education, university, employability, automation, leadership, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, technology, work culture, Wit + Grit.

Chapters List

00:00 The Future of Work: A New Landscape

03:07 AI and Its Impact on Employment

05:42 Humanoid Robotics: The Next Frontier

08:21 The Changing Perception of AI

10:52 Education and the Skills Gap

13:21 The Role of Adaptability in the Future

16:01 Redefining Success for Future Generations

18:24 The Shift in Work Dynamics

20:50 Community and Career Identity

23:38 The Future of Work: A Choice, Not a Necessity

29:30 Understanding Generation Alpha: Digital Natives and Their World

32:48 Education in the Age of AI: Preparing for the Future

35:21 Navigating Career Paths: Embracing Adaptability

37:35 The Ethics of AI: Data Centers and Autonomous Weapons

39:40 Neuralink and the Future of Human Enhancement

41:01 The Metaverse: Reality vs. Virtual Experience

43:11 The Future of Work: A Blended Human-Digital Workforce

In this episode, PJ and Andy reflect on Jess Dunn’s week of work experience with Wit + Grit, what it revealed about young people, confidence, opportunity and the future of work.

From students struggling to secure placements, to AI anxiety, skills shortages, third sector pressure and the need for businesses to “press go”, this is a conversation about moving beyond roundtables and into action.

Let's do this.

Key takeaways

* Young people are more anxious about the future than many adults realise.

* Work experience expectations are often far too low.

* Businesses can make a huge impact by simply opening the door.

* AI is creating both opportunity and fear for the next generation.

* Human skills like critical thinking will matter more than ever.

* The third sector is already doing vital work but often lacks resource.

* We need better infrastructure connecting young people, schools, charities and businesses.

Keywords

Wit + Grit, work experience, young people, future of work, AI, Microsoft Work Trends, Birmingham, skills shortage, employability, third sector, social mobility, opportunity, critical thinking, youth employment, business leadership, placements.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Mentorship and Youth Empowerment

02:15 Challenges in Youth Employment and Future Anxiety

05:20 The Role of AI in Shaping Future Careers

06:35 Creating Opportunities Through Collaboration

08:48 The Importance of Human Skills in the AI Era

11:57 Navigating the New Normal in a Changing World

21:41 The Power of Reading and Inspiration

22:24 Daily Habits and Small Efforts

24:17 Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation

25:52 Addressing the Skills Shortage Debate

30:03 Engaging the Community for Change

31:18 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

36:30 outro1.mp3