Dr. Juan Carlos Cassano is a fitness historian and clinical scientist who runs the YouTube channel Golden Era Bookworm. He was a key researcher for the Netflix documentary Arnold and is a renowned expert on all Golden Era bodybuilders, including Schwarzenegger, Tom Platz, and Mike Mentzer.

Expect to learn:

• What Golden Era bodybuilders did differently to look so good
• The daily routine of Arnold Schwarzenegger at Gold's Gym
• The surprising link between bodybuilding and being a gentleman

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Why men are still fascinated by the Golden Era physique
• 01:10 – The art and aesthetics of bodybuilding as human sculpture
• 02:20 – Joe Weider: the salesman who turned bodybuilding into a dream
• 04:20 – From outcasts to icons: how Weider built a new empire
• 06:00 – Selling the California fantasy — muscles, girls, and freedom
• 07:40 – Arnold’s arrival and how Weider spotted his star potential
• 10:00 – The reality behind the dream: life at Gold’s Gym in the ’60s
• 12:00 – What set Arnold apart from other lifters of his time
• 15:40 – Inside Arnold’s daily routine and training cycles
• 20:30 – Diet in the Golden Era: real food, few supplements
• 24:20 – Early steroid use and how it evolved across decades
• 33:00 – Why physiques looked better then: training, food, and mindset
• 40:00 – The lost camaraderie of old gyms vs. isolation today
• 42:20 – How the image of bodybuilding has changed since the ’80s
• 47:00 – Hyper-masculinity, Hollywood physiques, and lost gentlemanly values
• 56:00 – Unreal expectations in the age of social media
• 58:00 – The birth of Golden Era Bookworm: from childhood fascination to YouTube historian
• 1:06:00 – Hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from Arnold’s apartment

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Will Wade is a men's style influencer with a following of over 1 million across Instagram and TikTok. Known for his sharp fashion and model looks, he has inspired men across the world to start dressing better.

Will met James in Chicago after running the Chicago Marathon in a full tuxedo as a viral stunt.

Expect to learn:

• What it's like running a marathon in a full tuxedo
• How women really want you to dress
• Why coffee is not a date

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Running a marathon in a tuxedo
• 06:08 – How women actually want men to dress (and why “lazy fashion” ruined standards)
• 13:03 – Building a sharp wardrobe on any budget
• 19:13 – Dating standards, first dates, and meeting his girlfriend offline

Enjoying this podcast? 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.

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Ryan Michler is the founder of Order of Man – an online movement that teaches men how to protect, provide, and preside using timeless principles of masculinity applied to the realities of modern life. He is the leader of the Iron Council – a men's group with over 1,000 members worldwide.

In this episode, James asks Ryan about his journey from a financial planner to a leader of men, dating after divorce as a single father of four, and practical tips on how men can be role models to young boys today.

Expect to learn:

• How to turn the goal of “being a better man/dad” into measurable actions
• The important difference between discipline vs. systems that lock healthy habits in
• What it's like to build a movement of men from scratch

• 00:00 – Finally Connecting: From the UK Countryside to Utah
• 02:00 – Father–Son Trips and the Value of Shared Experiences
• 03:45 – Choosing America and the Spirit of Individualism
• 07:15 – How Order of Man Accidentally Took Off
• 08:30 – Turning a Side Project into a Movement
• 09:40 – Building the Iron Council and Its Early Days
• 11:00 – Making “Becoming a Better Man” Tangible
• 13:00 – Asking Kids How You’re Doing as a Father
• 22:30 – Co-Parenting After Divorce and Showing Up Fully
• 27:00 – Raising Daughters, Emotional Regulation, and Triggers
• 28:30 – What It’s Really Like to Have Four Kids
• 33:30 – Why Kids Need Other Kids (Not Just Parents)
• 34:30 – How to Be a Male Role Model for Boys Who Aren’t Yours
• 41:40 – Where to Raise a Family: Rural Roots, City Trips
• 45:00 – Why Big Cities Can Drain the Soul
• 47:00 – Sophistication vs. Culture (and Why Culture Wins)
• 58:00 – Dating Again in Your 40s (and Why It’s Easier)
• 1:01:30 – Casual Dating, Boundaries, and Honesty
• 1:13:30 – The Habits Men Struggle With Most (and Why They Escape)
• 1:14:50 – Phones, Social Media, and Setting Boundaries for Kids
• 1:16:30 – Parenting with Systems: Phones Off at 10 p.m.
• 1:20:00 – What Ryan’s Son Thinks of Order of Man
• 1:22:00 – Wrapping Up: Building With Depth, Raising the Next Generation

Tanner Guzy is a men's style consultant who helps guys understand the link between clothing and status, power, and confidence.

James and Tanner also delve into the topic of dating, as Tanner navigates his post-divorce life as a single dad of seven children, while discussing his controversial take on male vulnerability.

Expect to learn:

• The biggest problems men struggle with in style
• How to compliment a woman's outfit (in a way that's not creepy)
• How to create an authentic personal style
• The realities of dating post-divorce
• How Tanner handles being a single dad with 7 kids

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Living in Salt Lake City
• 02:52 Men's struggles with style
• 06:09 'Gentledorks' and masculinity
• 08:54 How much is style coaching?
• 11:56 Balancing work and personal life as a solo entrepreneur
• 15:01 Dating post-divorce as a single dad of seven
• 18:04 Non-Negotiables in relationships
• 21:09 The Role of style in attraction and dating
• 24:02 Finding your authentic style
• 26:53 Grooming and personal presentation
• 29:59 Men shouldn't be vulnerable?

Enjoying this podcast? 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.

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Ren Thompson is a private jeweler, President of Chicago Jewelers Association, and a good personal friend of James.

Having built his business from the ground up and establishing a client-base of high net-worth individuals, Ren has valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, networking, and branding for anyone interested in business.

Expect to learn:

• How to network and do business with high net worth individuals
• A high value man's dating strategy
• Doing business in Miami vs Chicago
• How to grow and learn in your 20s
• And much, much more

Timestamps:

• 00:00 The Cigar Journey Begins
• 02:59 Me Time: The Ritual of Smoking
• 06:06 Life Expectancy and Lifestyle Choices
• 08:59 Non-Negotiables in Relationships
• 11:48 Communication: The Key to Relationships
• 15:09 Dating for Marriage vs. Experience
• 17:50 The Path to Entrepreneurship
• 20:49 Building a Jewelry Brand
• 24:01 Creating a Luxurious Experience
• 26:57 Networking with High Net Worth Individuals
• 29:57 The Future of Jewelry
• 47:23 The Evolving Jewelry Market
• 51:01 Personal Style and Jewelry Choices
• 52:58 Dining Experiences and Social Etiquette
• 01:01:12 Service Standards in Restaurants
• 01:07:39 Navigating Life Without a Car
• 01:10:18 Balancing Work and Personal Life
• 01:22:53 Setting Business Goals for the Future

Enjoying this podcast? 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.

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Ashley Coates is a host for Thursday dating events, which brings together young single people in real life around the world.

If you've ever wondered how to overcome social anxiety and nerves when talking to women in person, how to make your weirdness a strength, or which city in the US has the best dating scene, Ashley is your girl.

Expect to learn:

• How to master social confidence even in overwhelming situations

• How to make your authenticity your most attractive trait

• Why connection is more important than just checking boxes

• And much, much more

Timestamps:

00:00 The Dynamics of Modern Dating

02:55 In-Person Events vs. Dating Apps

06:06 Creating Comfortable Environments for Connection

08:52 Common Mistakes in Dating Events

11:55 Understanding Attraction and Connection

14:59 The Dating Marketplace: Value and Connection

17:56 Strategies for Meeting People in Real Life

20:58 Navigating Social Interactions and Approaches

25:29 Navigating Dating Apps: The Art of Openers

28:04 The Challenges of Online Dating

29:47 Crafting an Engaging Dating Profile

31:35 The Importance of Authenticity in Profiles

32:51 The Role of Visual Presentation

35:06 Instagram vs. TikTok for Dating

37:23 Comparing Dating Cultures: Chicago vs. LA

44:14 Dressing for Success in Dating

Enjoying this podcast? 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.

👉 Become a reader here

Want to meet like-minded men and improve with a group of gentlemen who push you to be better?

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James Granstrom is a male model and executive wellness coach with nearly 30 years of experience modeling for top brands including Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and Orlebar Brown.

If you've ever wondered what life is really like as a male model, how to develop a lean, aesthetic physique, and the biggest mistakes high-performing men make when it comes to their wellbeing, James is the best person to listen to.

Timestamps:

Enjoying this podcast? 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.

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Macken Murphy is an evolutionary psychology researcher, PhD candidate, writer and podcaster who studies human attraction, mate choice and relationship dynamics.

If you’ve ever wondered what women actually prefer (versus what men think they prefer), why certain signals like artistry or status turn her on, or where having bigger muscles and more money stop paying off, Macken is one of the sharpest voices to listen to.

Expect to learn:

- Why James Bond is a male fantasy more than a female blueprint

- How men consistently overestimate the ideal level of masculinity

- The real thresholds where personality beats looks

- How age shifts preferences for beards and grooming

- The green flags that predict long-term stability beyond body count, such as how family history and education correlate with divorce risk

- And much more...

Timestamps:

00:00 – Is James Bond actually attractive to women?

01:59 – Men’s misconceptions about “ideal” masculinity

03:53 – Muscles, beards & facial masculinity: finding the sweet spot

05:35 – How muscular is “most attractive” in real life?

08:27 – Niche looks: fewer rivals, stronger appeal

11:48 – Age effects: why younger women prefer clean-shaven

13:06 – Boxing vs guitar: hobbies that signal mate value

16:00 – Artistry as a mating signal (peacocks & pop stars)

19:40 – Fame, status, and exposure effects

20:05 – Wealth & hypergamy: where returns diminish

22:44 – Thresholds: when personality beats looks

27:43 – Assortative mating: dating within your “league”

30:00 – Dating up short-term vs long-term commitment

33:39 – Should men “lower standards”? Social stability debate

35:52 – Ferrari analogy: recalibrating expectations

37:04 – Two anxieties: situationships & “I’m not the Ferrari”

39:52 – Body count discourse and what it really signals

49:33 – Never being dumped: selectivity & ethics in dating

54:36 – What sparks romantic love beyond looks & money

57:38 – Men underestimate women’s ambition/education

1:00:35 – Why successful people pair with successful people

1:03:29 – Green flags for marriage success (beyond body count)

1:04:31 – Family history & the heritability of divorce

1:08:25 – Do higher-earning men divorce less—and why?

1:11:19 – Why couples often “look alike”

1:14:52 – Where to follow Macken

1:16:04 – Book rec: When Men Behave Badly

Enjoying this podcast? 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

Become a reader here 👉 https://mailchi.mp/gent-z/q6eh1wuyqc

Want to meet like-minded men and improve with a group of gentlemen who push you to be better? Join the Gentleman's Institution, James' private community, for just $1 today 👉 https://www.gent-z.com/

Dimitry Toukhcher is the man behind Jordan Peterson's infamous suits and the CEO of LGFG Fashion House, which also boasts Ozzy Osborne, Alice Cooper, and Michael Franzese as clients.Dimitry emphasizes the fun and personal expression in tailoring while addressing the counter-cultural aspects of dressing well in today's society. Gent Z and Dimitry explore the intricate relationship between style, self-perception, and societal expectations.https://www.gent-z.com/Follow Gent Z on socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/james.gentz/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gent.z.stylePlaylist of music used in my videos - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0xy67ttXN7bL2VaSkOUujHTimestamps:00:00 The Journey to Dressing Jordan Peterson02:58 Sales Tactics and Competitive Advantages05:54 Meritocracy and Personal Growth09:02 Transforming Jordan's Style11:50 The Art of Tailoring and Personal Expression14:49 Dressing for Success and Personal Branding17:48 Counter-Culture and Fashion Renaissance29:17 The Influence of Fabric and Affluence32:46 Navigating Professional Dress Codes35:23 Creating Your Own Path37:40 The Changing Relationship with Suits40:00 Dressing for Success and Self-Perception41:59 Masculine and Feminine Aesthetics46:06 The Impact of Dress on Perception49:21 Air Travel Fashion and First Class55:16 Cultural Differences in Attitudes Towards Success56:34 Cultural Reflections: A Journey Through the US58:53 Fatherhood and the Transition to Manhood01:02:42 The Importance of Resilience and Outlasting Challenges01:05:00 The Power of Self-Talk and Manifestation01:11:08 The Role of Environment in Goal Achievement01:12:17 Fashion and Identity in Leadership01:16:32 The Message Behind Attire: Cufflinks and Power Dynamics01:20:31 The Importance of Presentation in Professional Settings01:21:51 Exploring Formal Attire: Turtlenecks and Beyond01:23:40 Clothing as a Reflection of Aspiration01:24:06 Building a Personal Brand in the Digital Age01:25:45 The Evolution of a Content Creator01:27:20 Networking and Opportunities in the Fashion Industry01:29:39 Ambitions of Growth: Aiming for the Top01:31:14 Creating Compelling Narratives Around Fashion01:33:30 Collaborative Opportunities and Future Endeavors

Dr. Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel are two of America's most prominent psychologists studying mate preferences and romantic relationships.