In this episode I sit down with my friend Chris Skidmore — biodynamic craniosacral therapist, astrologer, holistic psychotherapist, and lover of myth. We explore the underworld as it shows up in men's lives: the places we avoid, the emotional depths we'd rather not descend into, and the myths that map those territories.

Chris talks about how myth gives shape to the unconscious, and how stories like the caterpillar's transformation mirror the initiations men go through when they're willing to slow down and feel what's actually moving inside them. We look at the fear and resistance most men have toward entering these darker states — depression, fear, despair — and how culture often rewards staying on the surface instead.

We also speak about ritual, guidance, and altered states as ways of navigating these passages. Chris shares some of his own experiences with ritual work and how it's helped him move through difficult transitions.

If you've felt a pull to something deeper, or sensed an emotional terrain you've been skirting around, this conversation is an invitation to turn toward it — and to discover what becomes possible when you do.

Connect with Chris online:

Website: https://onthesoulsterms.com/about-chris

Instagram: @on_the_souls_terms

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/on-the-souls-terms/id1560527739

Find more from James:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.jamesmattingley.com/

Instagram: @james.mattingley

Free polarity guide: https://mailchi.mp/jamesmattingley/av41397s0n