On "Onward," Thaddeus sits down with artists, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders — people who have faced challenges, embraced transformation, and found their own paths of joy.

Drawing from his own journey of recovery and renewal, Thaddeus creates a space for authentic conversations about creativity, spirituality, and the courage to keep going. From fellow filmmakers and artists to entrepreneurs and thought leaders, each guest shares insights on navigating life's complexities while staying true to their purpose.

Whether discussing the creative process, exploring themes of redemption and resilience, or simply sharing stories of human connection, "Onward" offers listeners a dose of inspiration and practical wisdom for their own journeys.

Field Notes is where the stories behind the films unfold at their own pace — essays on the creative process, meditations on the intersection of faith and art, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the filmmaker's journey.

From production diaries that reveal the unglamorous truth of documentary filmmaking to philosophical musings on why we tell stories in the first place, these dispatches offer readers a more intimate look at the thoughts and experiences that shape the work.

Each field note is crafted with the same intentionality brought to every frame of film — because sometimes the most important stories need more than a soundbite, and the most valuable insights come from sitting with an idea long enough to see where it leads.

Thaddeus D. Matula is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning director working across documentary and scripted film and television. He has directed for ESPN, the NFL, BBC, PBS, and The GRAMMYs. At the heart of his work lies a simple yet profound mission: to be a lens for truth and light, telling stories about the spiritual journey through the human experience.

Matula's journey in filmmaking began during his college years when his science fiction short film, "The Dreamer," gained international acclaim. Produced during his sophomore year, the film was broadcast nationally on PBS and received accolades at film festivals worldwide. This early narrative work established the foundation for a career dedicated to finding the human truth within every story.

He is perhaps best known for directing the Peabody Award-winning 2010 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "Pony Excess," which examines the notorious football scandal at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. The film debuted as ESPN's most-watched documentary premiere — 2.52 million viewers and a 1.8 Nielsen rating — and was later celebrated by Texas Monthly as one of the "Ten Best Documentaries about Texas." As Matula reflects, "I take the sacred trust between filmmaker and viewer seriously" — a commitment evident in every frame.

In 2014, Matula collaborated again with ESPN to direct "Brian and the Boz," an Emmy-winning father-son story about Brian Bosworth, the controversial star linebacker from the University of Oklahoma and the Seattle Seahawks. The film exemplified his approach to storytelling: finding redemption and resilience even in the most complex narratives. It played a significant role in reshaping Bosworth's public image and contributed to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Matula's commitment to impactful storytelling extends beyond sports. He partnered with the NFL to create two seasons of "Indivisible with Nate Boyer," a documentary series exploring civil liberties. His passion for conservation has led him to produce documentaries focusing on species and habitat preservation, primarily in the Caribbean and Central America. Notable among these is a BBC-released documentary that helped save the critically endangered Jamaican Iguana, celebrated with an installation at the British Museum of Natural History in October 2022.

In 2022, Matula executive produced "Castro's Daughter," the true-life story of Fidel Castro's exiled daughter, Alina Fernández, written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Nilo Cruz. In 2023 he toured the festival circuit with the documentary "Into the Spotlight," about an original musical performed by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities — a project that embodies his belief in finding light in every human story.

"Revolution's Daughter" — a portrait of identity, belonging, and the weight of personal revolution — had its World Premiere at the Miami Film Festival in April 2026, where it was Awarded Laurels for Achievement in Documentary. In June it opened New Zealand's Doc Edge Festival in Auckland with a sold-out Opening Night international premiere, and it opens the festival's Wellington run on July 15, 2026. Matula is also directing "20K," a collaboration with former Major Leaguers about the four pitchers who achieved 20-strikeout games in Major League Baseball.

This year marks a homecoming of sorts as Matula returns to scripted filmmaking with "Zero Mile," an end-of-human-extinction-event warrior's journey, followed by "Fair Park," a modern noir thriller set in Dallas. In 2026, he is scheduled to direct a feature-length adaptation of his 1999 short film "The Dreamer" — coming full circle on his "path of joy."

Thaddeus Matula serves as President & Chief Cinemagician of Double Life Films, a company he founded with fellow dreamers in 1999. Through it all, his guiding philosophy remains constant: to be of service through storytelling, ensuring that others may see the light that exists in every human experience.