Stories grow through collaboration
Bodhi House Media works with filmmakers, writers, podcast creators, and educators to bring thoughtful stories to audiences. Through creative support, community connections, and public conversations, we help turn ideas into opportunities to learn.
Meet our artists and explore their work.
Meet Our Artists
Matthew Thornton
Matthew Thornton is a Texas-based filmmaker, former Texas history teacher, and founder and Creative Director of Griffyn.Co Productions. As host, producer, and editor of Lone Star Lore, he combines historical research with cinematic storytelling to bring Texas’s past to life.
Filmmaker & Podcast Host
Ryan Polanco
Ryan Polanco is an Austin-born filmmaker and founder of Sunrise Vista Media. He left his corporate career in 2017 to pursue filmmaking full time and established his production company in 2021. In 2024, he began collaborating with fellow producer Kyle Evaldson on narrative film projects, including Sedgwick County.
Film Director
Historian & Writer
Joleene Maddox Snider
Joleene Maddox Snider is a historian and author of Claiming Sunday: The Story of a Texas Slave Community. As the writer of Lone Star Lore, she brings historical research and thoughtful perspectives to the myths, truths, and untold stories of Texas.
Film Producer
Kyle Evaldson
Kyle Evaldson is a Santa Fe native whose filmmaking journey began with creating YouTube videos alongside his brothers and winning the Santa Fe Youth Film Festival in 2011. His experience spans short films, television, documentary work, and viral social media videos. He collaborates with Ryan Polanco on Sedgwick County.
How We Work Together
Every collaboration begins with a story and a shared purpose. Depending on the project, Bodhi House Media may provide mentorship, creative feedback, community connections, and fundraising support. Artists lead their creative work, while we help connect it with audiences through podcasts, films, workshops, and public events.
Featured project:
Lone Star Lore Podcast
Lone Star Lore explores the myths, truths, and untold stories of Texas through historical research, immersive narration, and cinematic sound. Hosted by Matthew Thornton and written by Joleene Maddox Snider, the podcast invites listeners to question familiar narratives and discover new perspectives on Texas’s past and present.
Let's talk about your work
If you are developing a story or educational media project and see a connection with BHM's mission, we would welcome a conversation about the idea and what collaboration could look like.