Wit + Grit

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=1f1ac64638d64364Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/wit-grit/id1823013285TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@dan_the_pikInstagram - 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 / tagsJoel 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 leadershipChapters List00:01 Introduction to Resilience and Rebellion00:24 Identifying Potential in Entrepreneurs02:36 The Journey of Joel Blake, OBE07:13 Turning Adversity into Fuel12:17 Family Legacy and Personal Struggles14:11 The Importance of Authenticity21:24 Thinking Like a Rebel in a Suit26:03 The Importance of Belonging vs Inclusion28:43 Courage in Uncertain Times30:17 Opportunities and Challenges in Business34:22 The Weight of Recognition and Legacy37:55 Navigating Parenthood and Vulnerability46:09 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 TakeawaysPeople before labelsSpecial Olympics focuses on the person - not the disability.Success looks differentWinning isn't always measured by medals. Sometimes it's confidence, friendship and simply showing up.Courage changes everythingTaylor's comeback after spinal surgery shows resilience in its purest form.Inclusion starts with conversationThe biggest thing we can do is simply engage with people.Challenge assumptionsAbility should always come before disability.Different thinking is a strengthPeople with intellectual disabilities often bring unique perspectives that organisations desperately need.Self-belief begins with someone believing in youFor Taylor, that started with her parents.Legacy isn't built after an eventIt's created years before through education, opportunity and changing perceptions.Chapters List00:00 Finding a Voice Through Special Olympics01:03 Taylor’s Journey Into Swimming04:21 Why Sport Creates Opportunity06:46 National Games in Birmingham09:38 The Origins of Special Olympics10:44 The Athlete Oath: Be Brave in the Attempt11:50 Community, Confidence and Friendship13:34 Changing Perceptions Beyond Sport19:05 Family Support and Taylor’s Berlin Golds29:05 Recovery, Resilience and a World-Record Goal32:30 What Athletes Teach Us About Success34:56 Building a More Inclusive Future40:08 Athlete Leadership and Advocacy42:46 A Future World Games in Great Britain45:48 Partnerships That Create Change48:18 The Lasting Impact of the National Games50:21 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 takeawaysBirmingham 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 List00:00 Birmingham's Investment Potential01:48 Natalie's Journey into the Workforce08:11 The Importance of Personal Branding11:01 Encouraging Young Voices14:04 Navigating Challenges in a New Role16:59 Creating Inclusive Spaces for Young People19:11 Empowering Others Through Sponsorship20:11 The Role of AI in Business21:27 Youth Perspectives on Urban Development22:53 Bridging the Gap Between Generations24:16 Birmingham's Brand and Identity26:08 The Importance of Mentoring and Coaching27:32 Envisioning Birmingham in 203529:09 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.KeywordsDamian 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 managementChapters00:00 Understanding Neurodiversity: A Personal Journey07:16 Transforming Leadership Through Self-Awareness13:12 Preparing the Next Generation for the Workforce20:09 Harnessing AI for Future Opportunities21:19 The Power of AI as a Capability22:58 Understanding Energy Costs and Their Complexity25:30 AI's Impact on Leadership and Management28:53 The Pinnacle Moment: Self-Awareness in Leadership31:13 Advice for Young Professionals and Future Aspirations