James Lawley, founder of the YouTube channel Gent Z and the website gent-z.com, joined Dan Proft on Chicago’s Morning Answer to discuss his growing influence among Gen Z men seeking guidance on traditional values, personal style, and social confidence in an increasingly disconnected world.
Lawley, who was born in Alabama but raised in England, brings a transatlantic perspective to his work, blending British formality with American pragmatism. He describes Gent Z as a platform that teaches young men how to be “classically masculine”—an ethos inspired by the likes of Cary Grant and Sean Connery. But rather than pushing a return to suits and ties, Lawley emphasizes integrity, communication skills, self-discipline, and respect for oneself and others.
His message is finding a sizable audience. What began as a niche idea has exploded into a movement: Gent Z garners over two million views a month on YouTube and ten million monthly views on Instagram. Lawley was recently profiled in The Wall Street Journal and featured on Fox News.
During the interview, Lawley and Proft discussed what’s driving the disconnect among Gen Z men, from awkward phone habits to a broader lack of social confidence. Lawley pointed to the COVID-19 lockdowns as a critical factor that stunted social development, along with the absence of strong male role models and traditional family structures.
One of his most talked-about videos is a guide on how to go to a bar alone—a concept that seems foreign, even daunting, to many in his generation. Lawley says simply walking into a bar, dressing well, and initiating conversations is now a skill that needs to be taught from scratch.
He also advocates for a more well-rounded life. Lawley encourages his followers to be “Renaissance men,” integrating physical fitness, intellectual growth, and creative pursuits. He recommends reading classics like Marcus Aurelius and Ernest Hemingway, exploring the arts, and developing a personal code of conduct.
The conversation also touched on how Gent Z fits into a media landscape often dominated by more polarizing figures. While Lawley didn’t create his brand as a direct counter to figures like Andrew Tate, he acknowledges that young men searching for answers are often caught between extremes—either being told to embrace hyper-aggression or total vulnerability. He offers what he describes as a middle path: confidence without arrogance, strength without cruelty, and purpose without pretension.
Although much of the content is relevant to dating, Lawley insists that the goal is deeper than romantic success. Many of his followers are already married or have families. For them, Gent Z provides a framework for becoming better husbands, fathers, and leaders in their communities.
What sets Lawley apart is that he speaks to his audience as a peer. At just 28 years old, he’s not offering paternalistic advice but rather sharing the lessons he’s learning in real time. That authenticity appears to resonate—especially in a generation still figuring out how to navigate adulthood in a culture that no longer provides clear blueprints.
In a world where life can be lived entirely online, James Lawley is encouraging young men to step outside, shake hands, look people in the eye, and become the kind of person others admire—not just for how they look, but for how they carry themselves.