My guest today is Matthew Stillman, a dear friend who has been obsessed with how modern humans fit into an ancient world since, forever.He has a wildly eclectic background, from highlighting the connection between food and culture as a programming executive on the Food Network. He co-produced an acclaimed documentary on The End of Poverty.  He even created a traditional skincare company, called Primal Derma, delivered from his home in Harlem, New York.I first met Matthew as a scholar in the Orphan Wisdom School with Stephen Jenkinson, and we have spent many hours wondering about many things, from love, to poetry, and beyond.In our conversation today however, he shares about his upbringing in the world’s most mystical bookstore. He tells the tale of sitting at the feet of Robert Bly in the time just before his book Iron John would ignite the mythopoetic men’s movement. Matthew also speaks of the divine presence in the art of improv comedy, and the rules that govern finite and infinite games.And finally, he shares the ancient myth of Phaethon and being undone by his own awakening into fatherhood.Support this podcast http://patreon.com/ianmackJoin the network http://themythicmasculine.com/network Get full access to The Mythic Masculine at themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe