Todd Thistle
I am the Owner / Director of Thistle Chiropractic + Sports Clinic in Portland, Oregon, a published children’s book author, and the creative force behind the wildly successful children’s stories podcast, “The Story Corner with Bear”. I was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan but grew up on the beaches of San Diego, California.
When I turned 16 and earned my driver’s license, in a world before cell phones, I would need to leave handwritten notes for my parents as to my whereabouts and this is when the storytelling seed began to grow. Fanciful tales were often found on those Post-It notes, stuck to the sliding glass door leading to the backyard and my parents have kept a few of those notes to this day.
I went on to earn a BA degree in English from Southern Methodist University and subsequently was at a crossroads to pursue either of my two lifelong passions – writing or health. The siren song of a livable wage beckoned and in 2007, I graduated with a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon and have been a practicing sports Chiropractor ever since. However, a consistent and unbreakable thread has woven itself throughout my life – storytelling. I wrote a fairytale story for my wife as my way to propose marriage, and I have told bedtime stories to my 4 sons since the day they were born, which led to the creation of The Story Corner with Bear podcast.
I love stories. I love to read them, because the turning of that first page is the opening of a door and I love writing them, because then I get to create the world beyond that door. The possibilities are only bound by your imagination. You can go anywhere and do anything in stories.
When Tom brought the idea to me of a publishing company that was accessible to everyone and would lower the barriers to getting the best books published, I was hooked. I am absolutely over the moon to be a part of a company that will give every author a chance to set their book free to the world.
Favorite barnyard animal: Horse
Tom Lehrich
Tom Lehrich is a founder of Red Barn and CEO of Balenca Venture Capital.
He is a children’s book author for the series “The Adventures of Backpacker Billy and Shave”, a series on adventure and wildlife for young readers. A graduate of Boston University and a member of the alumni group, Tom was recently featured in the Boston University’s Bostonia Magazine for his volunteer activities.
He enjoys writing on transport topics and is published widely, including one of the first articles covering navigational technologies for unmanned aerial systems.
Favorite barnyard animal: Barn owl
Red Barn Illustrators
Brody Cohen
Brody has a passion for creating and teaches painting and art. He has illustrated children’s books and cover designs for a broad range of books. Brody works with authors from around the world to produce vivid art.
Hannah Hamilton
I’ve often had the opportunity to stick my hand in the cookie jar and creatively work for others, aside from working my full-time job. My work has seen the world from a national level, spread across entire walls of local businesses, set on family room mantles, and found hidden in the pages of children’s books. With this gift of creativity, it is my greatest pleasure, not just that I can create something enjoyable to the eye, but that I get to experience the joy in sharing it. My practice is not specified by one medium or style as I enjoy exploring them all.