Raw and Refined: The Gentlemen’s Hour cover art

Raw and Refined: The Gentlemen’s Hour

Raw and Refined: The Gentlemen’s Hour

Written by: Card Holloway and Kelley
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Raw & Refined. Three lifelong friends, Greg, John, and Richard, have been building each other up since 1982. Now they bring that same brotherhood to the mic. Raw and Refined: The Gentlemen's Hour is a frank, wide-ranging conversation for middle-aged Black men navigating health, wealth, identity, and purpose in America. From hypertension and diabetes to fatherhood, financial literacy, and the weight of legacy, these Brothers go deep on the issues that matter most. No performance. No posturing. Just real talk from three men who have done the work and lived the life.Card, Holloway and Kelley Music Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Check Your Circle: How to Spot a Frenemy - and Be a Better Friend

    Check Your Circle: How to Spot a Frenemy - and Be a Better Friend
    May 19 2026
    In this episode of Raw and Refined: The Gentlemen’s Hour, Rich, Greg, and John take an honest look at one of the most uncomfortable relationship dynamics adults face: the frenemy.
    Inspired by the thought-provoking article from The Atlantic, “How to Spot a Frenemy—and Be a Real Friend,” the fellas break down the difference between genuine friendship and relationships built on competition, jealousy, manipulation, and hidden resentment. From workplace politics and social circles to long-term friendships and personal insecurities, the conversation explores how frenemies can quietly impact our peace, confidence, health, and emotional well-being.
    The episode examines the three major types of frenemies—the competitive frenemy, the two-faced frenemy, and the manipulative frenemy—while also tackling the deeper and more difficult question: Have we ever been guilty of those same behaviors ourselves?
    This is a thoughtful, relatable, and reflective conversation about loyalty, trust, accountability, emotional maturity, and what true friendship looks like as Black men navigate life, leadership, family, career, and aging.
    If you’ve ever questioned someone’s intentions—or your own—this episode will challenge you to think differently about the people you keep close and the kind of friend you choose to be.

    This episode is brought to you by Holver Travel www.holvertravel.com

    Thank you from Raw and Refined. Please like, comment, subscribe and share with men who might benefit from this episode or this podcast!

    You can check out the video of this episode on our YouTube channel.

    This episode is brought to you by Holver Travel
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    59 mins
  • From Bruce Lee to T'Challa: Martial Arts, Masculinity and Myths from Grasshopper to Grandmaster

    From Bruce Lee to T'Challa: Martial Arts, Masculinity and Myths from Grasshopper to Grandmaster
    Apr 28 2026
    What did martial arts films really teach us—and how much of it actually holds up today?
    In this episode of Raw and Refined: The Gentleman’s Hour, we take a deep dive into the influence of martial arts films on how Black men of our generation came to understand discipline, masculinity, identity, and power. From the impact of Bruce Lee and cult classics like The Five Deadly Venoms, to the cultural bridge created by Wu-Tang Clan, we explore how these influences shaped not just what we watched—but who we became.
    We also reflect on something often overlooked: how these films created real moments of connection and bonding between young Black men—shared experiences that helped shape friendships, competition, and identity.
    With John bringing the perspective of a 6th degree Black Sash in Shaolin Kung Fu, we challenge the gap between Hollywood myth and real-world discipline—what the movies got right, what they got wrong, and what it actually takes to grow from “Grasshopper” to “Grandmaster.”
    This isn’t just a conversation about martial arts.
    It’s a conversation about growth, brotherhood, and truth.

    🔑 In This Episode:
    Martial arts films and Black masculinity
    Discipline vs performance
    The influence of Wu-Tang Clan on identity and culture
    Brotherhood, bonding, and shared experiences
    Myth vs reality in martial arts training
    Then vs now: how media shapes connection

    martial arts movies, Bruce Lee, Black Panther TChalla, Wu Tang Clan, kung fu movies 80s, martial arts and masculinity, black men and identity, discipline and masculinity, kung fu theater nostalgia, Five Deadly Venoms, martial arts philosophy, hip hop and martial arts, Wu Tang kung fu influence, brotherhood and masculinity, black culture and media, martial arts realism vs movies, John Wick fighting realism, martial arts training vs movies, Raw and Refined podcast, black male podcast, masculinity discussion, cultural identity black men, 90s kung fu movies, martial arts influence on hip hop, Shaolin kung fu training

    Thank you from Raw and Refined. Please like, comment, subscribe and share with men who might benefit from this episode or this podcast!

    You can check out the video of this episode on our YouTube channel.

    This episode is brought to you by Holver Travel
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Raised in the 80s: From Rubik's Cube to House Music and Hip Hop

    Raised in the 80s: From Rubik's Cube to House Music and Hip Hop
    Mar 28 2026
    What was it really like growing up in the 1980s?

    In this episode of Raw & Refined: The Gentleman’s Hour, Rich, John, and Greg take a journey back through the decade that shaped them—breaking it into three defining stages: elementary school (1980–1982), high school (1982–1986), and college (1986–1989).

    From Saturday morning cartoons and the Rubik’s Cube to the explosion of hip hop, the birth of Chicago house music, and the cultural impact of MTV, the conversation explores the music, movies, fashion, and everyday experiences that defined the era. The hosts reflect on iconic television shows like The Cosby Show, the influence of soap operas like General Hospital, and the emergence of stars like Denzel Washington on St. Elsewhere.

    They also revisit the rituals of the time—recording songs off the radio, crafting the perfect answering machine message, spending hours at the arcade, and hoping your favorite movie was still available at Blockbuster.

    More than just a nostalgic look back, this episode explores how the 1980s helped shape identity, community, and manhood for a generation of Black men.

    Thank you from Raw and Refined. Please like, comment, subscribe and share with men who might benefit from this episode or this podcast!

    You can check out the video of this episode on our YouTube channel.

    This episode is brought to you by Holver Travel
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 20 mins
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