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Wit + Grit

Wit + Grit

By: PJ Ellis and Andy Dawson
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About this listen

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.Copyright 2025 PJ Ellis and Andy Dawson Career Success Economics Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Pursuing Passions and Fresh Perspectives from Young Entrepreneurs: Abbi Evans & Rhiannon Fry
    Nov 24 2025

    In this episode, two young entrepreneurs, Rhiannon Fry and Abbi Evans, share their journeys of building businesses in their teens.

    They discuss the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience, and the role of education in preparing for real-world experiences.

    The conversation also touches on the influence of family and mentors, the significance of social media in modern business, and the value of taking risks and pursuing passions.

    Bring it on.

    Keywords

    entrepreneurship, resilience, social media, education, young founders, business challenges, mentorship, risk-taking, personal growth, modern business

    Takeaways

    • Building a business at any age requires courage and creativity.
    • Resilience is key to overcoming daily challenges in entrepreneurship.
    • Education often lacks practical life skills needed for business.
    • Social media is a powerful tool for modern businesses.
    • Taking risks can lead to significant personal and professional growth.
    • Mentorship and family support are crucial for young entrepreneurs.
    • Balancing sports and business can be challenging but rewarding.
    • Networking and real-world experiences are invaluable for growth.
    • Young entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and tech-savviness.
    • Pursuing passions can lead to fulfilling and successful careers.

    Sound bites

    Building a business in your 20s requires courage.

    Resilience is key to overcoming challenges.

    Education lacks practical life skills for business.

    Social media is a powerful tool for business.

    Taking risks leads to personal growth.

    Mentorship is crucial for young entrepreneurs.

    Balancing sports and business is rewarding.

    Networking is invaluable for growth.

    Young entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives.

    Pursuing passions leads to success.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Young Founders' Journeys

    03:30 Navigating Business in Your 20s

    06:09 The Importance of Life Skills in Education

    08:54 Resilience and Motivation in Entrepreneurship

    11:09 Finding Your Niche in Business

    13:57 Inspiration and Role Models

    16:54 Marketing Strategies for Young Entrepreneurs

    19:31 Wow Moments and Progress in Business

    26:56 Celebrating Small Wins

    27:48 The Journey of Continuous Growth

    29:21 Dream Clients and Projects

    32:41 The Importance of Networking

    35:18 Advice for the Next Generation

    38:22 Parenting in a Digital Age

    40:54 Reflections on Personal Growth

    44:38 The Role of Screen Time Limits

    48:47 Overcoming Procrastination

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    50 mins
  • Dig One Hole, Dig It Deep: The Man Commercial Protection Story
    Nov 18 2025

    Summary

    In this episode, Iain McCallister, CEO of Man Commercial Protection, shares his journey of building a successful security business.

    He emphasises the importance of focusing on one thing and doing it well, as encapsulated in his mantra, 'Dig one hole, dig it deep.'

    Iain discusses the challenges and triumphs of leading a company through acquisitions, maintaining a strong company culture, and the role of technology in the security industry.

    Takeaways


    • Leadership under pressure is about staying calm and focused.
    • Building a business requires digging one hole and digging it deep.
    • Company culture is crucial for long-term success.
    • Technology plays a significant role in modern security.
    • Acquisitions are challenging but necessary for growth.
    • Trust is the most important asset in business.
    • Consistency and discipline are key to success.
    • Investing in people leads to company growth.
    • Communication is vital in large organisations.
    • There is no end game; always strive for more.

    Keywords


    Iain McCallister, Man Commercial Protection, security business, leadership, company culture, technology, acquisitions

    Chapter List

    00:00:38

    Introduction to Iain McCallister and Man Commercial Protection

    00:01:10

    Leadership Under Pressure

    00:02:44

    Growth and Acquisitions

    00:05:47

    The Beginnings: From School to Security

    00:07:06

    Lessons in Discipline and Consistency

    00:09:48

    Challenges and Defining Moments

    00:11:40

    The Philosophy of No End Game

    00:14:24

    Building a Strong Company Culture

    00:17:34

    The Evolution of the Security Industry

    00:19:17

    Embracing Technology and AI

    00:22:48

    High-Profile Events and Trust

    00:24:23

    Measuring Success and KPIs

    00:27:01

    The Importance of Truth and Trust

    00:29:03

    Developing Talent and Confidence

    00:31:16

    Staying Focused and Moving Forward



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    34 mins
  • Catch Up Session: Lessons from Episodes 7 - 11
    Nov 11 2025

    **Summary**

    In this episode, PJ and Andy reflect on episodes 7 through 11, discussing themes of resilience, opportunity, and self-belief.

    They highlight conversations with guests Paul Faulkner, Latoyah Thompson, Sam Dell, Richard Parker, Sharon Bell and Katey Martin, exploring topics such as the importance of storytelling, networking, and embracing change.

    The episode also touches on the power of mentorship, the role of music in education, and the significance of empathy and unity in personal and professional growth.

    Keywords


    resilience, opportunity, self-belief, storytelling, networking, mentorship, music education, empathy, unity


    Takeaways

    • Resilience and opportunity are key themes across episodes.
    • Storytelling is crucial for personal and professional growth.
    • Networking can open unexpected doors and opportunities.
    • Mentorship benefits both the mentor and the mentee.
    • Music education enhances teamwork and confidence.
    • Empathy and unity are vital in building strong relationships.
    • Embracing change leads to personal and professional growth.
    • Self-belief is essential in overcoming challenges.
    • Taking action is more impactful than overthinking.
    • Diverse experiences contribute to a richer life.


    Chapters


    00:00 Exploring Resilience and Opportunity

    06:52 The Power of Storytelling and Personal Connections

    13:45 Networking: Building Relationships for Success

    20:24 Collaboration and Mentorship in Growth

    24:34 Embracing Change and Curiosity in Careers

    27:14 The Importance of Music in Childhood

    27:35 Resilience and Agility in Learning

    28:18 The Power of Storytelling and Empathy

    30:17 Embracing Opportunities and Overcoming Fear

    32:47 Lessons from Law Enforcement and Leadership

    35:08 Empathy and Effective Communication

    37:24 Modeling Behavior in Parenting

    38:44 Navigating Conversations with Care

    41:20 Unity and the Importance of Being Seen

    43:20 Creating Opportunities Through Connection

    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
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