The Gentleman's Take

James Lawley
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Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 9min

#21 - Why old-school bodybuilders looked so damn good - Golden Era Bookworm

<p><strong>Dr. Juan Carlos Cassano</strong> is a fitness historian and clinical scientist who runs the YouTube channel <strong>Golden Era Bookworm</strong>. He was a key researcher for the Netflix documentary <em>Arnold</em> and is a renowned expert on all Golden Era bodybuilders, including Schwarzenegger, Tom Platz, and Mike Mentzer.</p><p><em>Expect to learn:</em></p><ul> <li>What Golden Era bodybuilders did differently to look so good</li> <li>The daily routine of Arnold Schwarzenegger at Gold's Gym</li> <li>The surprising link between bodybuilding and being a gentleman</li></ul><p><strong>Timestamps:</strong></p><ul> <li><a href="#t=0">00:00 – Why men are still fascinated by the Golden Era physique</a></li> <li><a href="#t=70">01:10 – The art and aesthetics of bodybuilding as human sculpture</a></li> <li><a href="#t=140">02:20 – Joe Weider: the salesman who turned bodybuilding into a dream</a></li> <li><a href="#t=260">04:20 – From outcasts to icons: how Weider built a new empire</a></li> <li><a href="#t=360">06:00 – Selling the California fantasy — muscles, girls, and freedom</a></li> <li><a href="#t=460">07:40 – Arnold’s arrival and how Weider spotted his star potential</a></li> <li><a href="#t=600">10:00 – The reality behind the dream: life at Gold’s Gym in the ’60s</a></li> <li><a href="#t=720">12:00 – What set Arnold apart from other lifters of his time</a></li> <li><a href="#t=940">15:40 – Inside Arnold’s daily routine and training cycles</a></li> <li><a href="#t=1230">20:30 – Diet in the Golden Era: real food, few supplements</a></li> <li><a href="#t=1460">24:20 – Early steroid use and how it evolved across decades</a></li> <li><a href="#t=1980">33:00 – Why physiques looked better then: training, food, and mindset</a></li> <li><a href="#t=2400">40:00 – The lost camaraderie of old gyms vs. isolation today</a></li> <li><a href="#t=2540">42:20 – How the image of bodybuilding has changed since the ’80s</a></li> <li><a href="#t=2820">47:00 – Hyper-masculinity, Hollywood physiques, and lost gentlemanly values</a></li> <li><a href="#t=3360">56:00 – Unreal expectations in the age of social media</a></li> <li><a href="#t=3480">58:00 – The birth of Golden Era Bookworm: from childhood fascination to YouTube historian</a></li> <li><a href="#t=3960">1:06:00 – Hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from Arnold’s apartment</a></li></ul><p><strong>Want to learn how you can use social media to build a life of freedom, status, and financial success?</strong><br>👉🏻 <a href="http://bit.ly/3KsuE4Q" target="_blank">Watch this free training here</a></p><p><strong>Enjoying this podcast?</strong> Then you'll love the Gentleman's Digest – a weekly newsletter of reflections, recommendations, and challenges personally written by James and sent to your inbox every Sunday.</p><p>👉 <a href="https://mailchi.mp/gent-z/q6eh1wuyqc" target="_blank">Become a reader here</a></p>
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8 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 33min

#20 - How Women Really Want You to Dress - Will Wade

Will Wade, a men's style influencer known for his viral fashion stunts, shares insights on how to elevate men's fashion. He reveals the surprising effort women prefer in men's attire, moving away from 'lazy fashion.' Wade recounts the hilarious logistics of running a marathon in a tuxedo and discusses why casual coffee dates fall short. He also offers tips on building a sharp wardrobe on any budget and shares his modern dating preferences, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful outings.
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12 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 24min

#19 - How to be a strong male role model - Ryan Michler

Ryan Michler, founder of Order of Man and leader of the Iron Council, shares insights on fatherhood and being a male role model. He dives into the importance of setting measurable goals for personal growth and the value of asking kids for feedback on parenting. Ryan discusses co-parenting after divorce, emphasizing adaptability and intentionality in spending time with children. He also advocates for men to mentor boys outside their families, highlighting the power of community involvement and emotional safety in parenting.
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22 snips
Sep 14, 2025 • 58min

#18 - Are you a gentledork? - Tanner Guzy

Join Tanner Guzy, a men's style consultant and single dad of seven, as he explores the deep connections between personal style, confidence, and attraction. He candidly discusses the struggles men face with modern dating, especially post-divorce, while highlighting the importance of authenticity in personal expression. Expect insights on how to compliment women without being creepy, the role of vulnerability in masculinity, and balancing family life with professional pursuits. Tanner advocates for genuine connections beyond dating apps, making this an engaging listen for all.
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Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 28min

#17 - How to network with ultra-wealthy people - Ren Thompson

Ren Thompson, a private jeweler and President of the Chicago Jewelers Association, shares his journey of building a successful business catering to high-net-worth individuals. He emphasizes the importance of authentic networking and the art of creating luxurious experiences. Ren discusses navigating dating with non-negotiables, the contrasts in business culture between Miami and Chicago, and effective strategies for entrepreneurial growth. His insights on balancing personal and professional life alongside personal anecdotes make for an engaging conversation.
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Sep 10, 2025 • 48min

#16 - Singles event host reveals exactly how women want to be approached - Ashley Coates

Ashley Coates, a host for Thursday dating events and TikTok influencer, shares her insights on modern dating. She discusses the transition from dating apps to in-person events, emphasizing the comfort and authenticity they offer. Ashley reveals how to use personal style to create great first impressions and highlights the importance of genuine interactions. She also dives into the differences in dating cultures between Chicago and LA, and how social dynamics play a crucial role in making connections in real life.
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5 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 29min

#15 - Ralph Lauren Model Shares Lessons on Looksmaxxing, Discipline, and Alcohol - James Granstrom

James Granstrom, a seasoned male model and executive wellness coach, shares captivating insights from nearly 30 years in the industry. He reflects on his journey from banking to modeling, the pressures of achieving the ideal physique, and the importance of self-discipline. Granstrom emphasizes the significance of simplicity in fashion and personal branding while navigating the realities of the modeling world. He discusses holistic well-being, balancing personal relationships, and the quest for vitality and joy in life, especially after a near-fatal crash led to a transformative shift in his values.
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Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 17min

#14 The Evolutionary Psychology of What Women Really Want - Macken Murphy

Macken Murphy, an evolutionary psychology researcher and PhD candidate, discusses the surprising truths about what women actually desire in relationships. He debunks the myth of the macho ideal, revealing that balanced masculinity often wins out over extreme traits. They dive into how attractiveness shifts with age, the impact of hobbies like artistry on mate value, and the diminishing returns of wealth in attraction. Macken also highlights how personality can trump looks, and how certain historical factors can predict relationship stability.
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Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 23min

#13 Dimitry Toukhcher - Clothes and the culture war

Dimitry Toukhcher, CEO of LGFG Fashion House and designer for clients like Jordan Peterson, dives deep into the world of fashion and personal expression. He discusses how clothing serves as a vehicle for self-identity and social commentary. The conversation touches on tailoring as an art form, societal biases against fashion choice, and the powerful influence of dress on perception in professional settings. Dimitry also reflects on cultural differences in ambition and the evolving nature of masculinity and personal branding in a fast-changing world.
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8 snips
Jan 31, 2025 • 1h 30min

#12 Dr. Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel - What Red Pill Gets Wrong About Attraction

Join leading psychologists Dr. Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel as they dissect modern dating dynamics. They tackle the significance of scent in attraction and the disparity between stated and revealed preferences, revealing surprising truths about what people truly desire. The conversation highlights flexibility in romantic preferences, the influence of dating apps, and how societal norms shape perceptions of love. They also critique cinematic portrayals of desire, emphasizing the evolving understanding of relationships in contemporary culture.

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