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