For many years, in overlapping professional incarnations, he radically altered notions of what could be done and how it could be effectively achieved - from developing the then landmark Alcohol & Drug Studies programs at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to developing and revamping many related health and social service related programs in academic and clinical settings, business and government, and in multiple judicial and correctional systems. Much of this overlapped with his initial work in the worlds of media, beginning first as a screenwriter whose dabbling almost launched several television series, a movie or two, and of course put the whole issue of media trends up for review with an HBO project that has come back to life under a different name (see HBO Addendum, and Social & Media Advocacy). 

From 1999 and on, he repeatedly broke new ground and opened up new possibilities as The Story Coach / thestorycoach.com with new steps and standards for divining, defining, and giving birth to artistically, commercially, and socially successful media. Attendees of his presentations, workshops, and seminars, routinely leave with whole new sets of unexpected abilities and altered notions of what is possible in their lives, work, and careers and how to achieve it. 

Rather than teach the mechanics or analysis of story, or offer up angles on nonsensical "secrets" to success, these events quite simply walked attendees through the real creative and commercial stages of divining, defining and developing story within the contexts of a changing media industry in a changing world. Attendees leave with a transformed feel for what is possible and radically transformed understanding of how to speak to the contributions and needs of the myriad players in involved - whether it be for developing film projects, corporate missions, or reshaping their own lives and careers as story or strategic scenarios in the making. All of this is even more powerfully embodied his own writing and project development, as well as in his consulting work and writing for hire.

With the rejuvenation of Wind & Thunder Productions as a media development entity and umbrella for tandem documentary work and research/activist endeavors, Dr. Horton brings together his diverse interests to return to his own writing and producing as he also brings the discussions of story and media to new platforms and cross disciplinary dialogues. In so doing, he also helps the use of story and media to the world at large by translating their applications and possibilities to entire armies of social entrepreneurs and change agents whose own success and influence subsequently can be enhanced many times over.