The Failed Experiment

Kyle Cowling

THE FAILED EXPERIMENT is a weekly podcast hosted by Southern California based DP/cinematographer, Kyle Cowling, along with a guest.


Each week, in his dining room, Kyle sits down with filmmakers, photographers, musicians, artists, athletes, and individuals from all walks of life to discuss everything from their journey of how they got to where they are today, their goals, accomplishments, failures, mental health, work/life balance and more.


TFE is an open and honest exploration in sincere conversation with a new guest each week, sharing laughs and stories to help us better understand the humanity in all of us.

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Episodes

31. Kyle Crabb - Filmmaker
Feb 20 2024
31. Kyle Crabb - Filmmaker
A Bakersfield, CA native, Kyle Crabb is a filmmaking within the motocross industry. Most recently, Kyle released his long form passion project on YouTube entitled, YOUNG BLOOD, which highlights the amateur motocross scene. It's a modern twist with old school sensibilities. Essentially, think a modern day version of Mini Warriors. In today's episode with Kyle, we dive into his years growing up in Bakersfield, CA, struggling with a speech impediment, how and why he got into filmmaking, cleaning pools, the mental and emotional battles he fought trying to figure out how to make a go at a career in the motocross industry, the inspiration for YOUNG BLOOD, getting away from the Instagram 9x16 trap, taking a chance on making a long form film, and so much more. This was a great conversation with an individual that decided to throw caution to the wind and make a long form piece. And, a long form piece that truly maybe the best thing done since the original Mini Warriors films of the late 1990s. If you haven't already, you can watch Kyle Crabb's film, YOUNG BLOOD, below and I hope all enjoy this conversation with somebody he took a chance on himself. The Failed Experiment on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFailedExperimentWatch YOUNG BLOOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUFYkqEQMMI&t=30sFollow Kyle Crabb on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcrabb223/Follow The Failed Experiment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
30. Corey Martin - L.A. County Firefighter
Feb 5 2024
30. Corey Martin - L.A. County Firefighter
Originally from the Thousand Oaks, CA area,  Corey Martin is a Los Angeles County firefighter who is married with two children. Corey grew up riding and racing motocross with aspirations of racing professionally. However, injuries hindered that goal and, eventually, he found his way to becoming the transport driver for the TLD/Red Bull racing team during their tenure with Honda and KTM.In today's episode, we dive into Corey's early years of racing motocross, the journey to becoming a transport driver for the TLD/Red Bull racing team, how and why he decided to transition into a career as a firefighter with L.A county, the mental health aspect of the job, some wild stories about fighting fires, dealing with a gang member shooting, and so much more. This was a rad conversation with a genuine human, and I am very thankful that Corey was so transparent in sharing his ebbs and flows within the fire service and navigating some challenging times because of the things he sees and deals with on a daily basis. I hope all with enjoy this conversation and walk away with some new perspectives about the fire service and Corey's story. The Failed Experiment on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFailedExperimentFollow Corey Martin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreyjustcruisin/?hl=enFollow The Failed Experiment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
27. Ryan Marcus - Filmmaker
Jan 15 2024
27. Ryan Marcus - Filmmaker
Ryan Marcus is an award-winning director, filmmaker, and editor based out of the Orange County, CA. Originally with ambitions of becoming a professional skateboarder, Ryan eventually found his way behind the camera and a job at the iconic 411 Video Magazine. After his tenure at 411, Ryan moved onto DVS where he was responsible for one of the most progressive and forward-thinking motocross commercial ever done in the sport entitled, DVS Flux, with the GEICO Honda team. Eventually, Ryan spent 10+ at Fox as the head of their video department, producing, directing, shooting, and editing projects such as Alway5 with Ryan Dungey, RISE ABOVE with Ken Roczen, Deadman Walking with Justin Mulford, and much more. Now, Ryan is heading up a new studio project at Skullcandy where they are giving back to creatives with a very unique (and free) creative space called Skullcandy Studios in Costa Mesa, CA. For all my creatives out there, this is a must listen. Ryan Marcus shares so many wonderful stories about his experiences in the skate and moto industries, his strengths and weaknesses, and so much more. Ryan is a true creative through and through and I hope all enjoy this conversation. Also, visit us on Patreon for a bonus episode with Ryan where we breakdown his project with Ryan Dungey, Split Decision, where he made Ryan Dungey's KTM 450 disappear while going through set of Supercross whoops. Yes, I am serious. The Failed Experiment on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFailedExperimentFollow Ryan Marcus on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbmarcus/?hl=en Ryan Marcus' Portfolio: https://www.ryanmarcus.com/Follow The Failed Experiment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
24. Jake Isaac - Factory TLD/Red Bull/GasGas Race Mechanic
Oct 9 2023
24. Jake Isaac - Factory TLD/Red Bull/GasGas Race Mechanic
From Whittier, CA, 21-year-old Jake Isaac is a professional Supercross and motocross race mechanic for the factory TLD/Red Bull/GasGas Racing team, spinning wrenches for Pierce Brown. Prior to landing his current job with TLD/Red Bull/GasGas, Isaac was working with Derek Drake on the small, satellite team, Bar-X Suzuki. In today's episode with Jake, we dive into his early years growing up in Whittier, CA, his flat track racing career winning junior national championships, how he discovered his love for working on motorcycles, a school project he did about the factory Kawasaki team, a hilarious story about an interview he had with Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Mitch Payton, how he finally got his opportunity as a race mechanic for Derek Drake, transitioning over to the TLD/Red Bull/GasGas team, and so much more. This was such a fun and insightful conversation with a very charismatic and outgoing human. Jake is very candid in sharing his perspective on life, the ebbs and flows of how he got to where he is today, and so much more. For anyone looking for a job in the dirt bike industry, especially how to become a factory race mechanic, this episode is for you. I hope all enjoy this one! Follow Jake Isaac on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeisaac16/The Failed Experiment on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFailedExperimentFollow The Failed Experiment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
21. Katie Hayes - Public School Educator
Sep 18 2023
21. Katie Hayes - Public School Educator
Born and raised in Seal Beach, CA, Katie Hayes is a public school teacher working in the Southern California school system with an emphasis in special education. She has been teaching for 10-years. Originally, she started teaching in private schools; however, she eventually transitioned into teaching in the public school system. In today’s episode with Katie, we dive into her childhood and what it was like growing up attending private school as a student, how and why she decided to become an educator, why she transitioned from private to public, the issues with the current education system, the cons of sending children home to do homework, the effects home life can have in the classroom for a student, the lack of resources in lower income communities, why not all children are made to be test takers, why she chose special ed, challenging parents, and much more. I am probably not suppose to openly say I have a favorite episode of the podcast. But, I will say that his particular episode, similarly to episode 16 with police lieutenant, Kelli Crigler, is up there as a top favorite for me. The topic of education in the United States is very interesting for me (especially since I was a shit student with learning disabilities), so to be able to sit down with Katie and dissect the “how’s” and “why’s” of the education system and all that she has to do day in and day out in the classroom was very interesting. And, Katie was very candid and open in sharing her 10-years of experience in the classroom. Support The Failed Experiment: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2156809/supporters/newFollow The Failed Experiment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
20. Ricki Bedenbaugh - Cinematographer
Sep 11 2023
20. Ricki Bedenbaugh - Cinematographer
Ricki Bedenbaugh is a professional cinematographer based in Southern California. Originally born in Tennessee before moving down to Florida, Ricki grew up in the skateboarding world with dreams of becoming a professional skater.While Ricki didn’t end up as a professional skater, he did end up as a professional cinematographer in the skate world. Ricki has been apart of some of the biggest skate parts in the industry, working at 411videomagazine, and is also responsible for shooting two of the biggest kickflips ever done in skateboarding: that of Dave Bachinsky at El Toro and Ryan Sheckler at the Costco Gap.We dive into all of this, plus Ricki’s transition out of skating and into the dirt bike world working for Fox Racing and shooting projects with Adam Cianciarulo, Josh Hansen, Ken Roczen, Hunter Lawrence, Jett Lawrence, along with the struggles of learning a new action sport that wasn’t skating, his new freelance career and working with Sony Cine on the new movie, Gran Turismo, to shoot the Sony Venice 2 with the Rialto 2 in action. This episode has a lot of rad stories, insights, and laughs about Ricki’s long and very impressive career behind the lens. And, it’s all thanks to the skateboard. This was a fun one and hope all enjoy!View Ricki’s portfolio: https://www.keeponpushin.com/Follow Ricki on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rickithedude?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==The Failed Experiment on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFailedExperimentFollow The Failed Experiment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
18. Stu Alfano - Art Director/Stills Photographer
Aug 28 2023
18. Stu Alfano - Art Director/Stills Photographer
Fun fact. After recording this episode with Stu Alfano, he was shortly thereafter promoted to Art Director at 100%. Maybe we need a part two with Stu to talk about the promotion and what the role of an art director entails? Not a bad idea. Anyways, I digress...Originally a North Carolina native, he eventually made his way out to Southern California (specifically San Diego, CA) to chase an internship opportunity with Nixon. After a summer of beach life in Encinitas, CA and interning at Nixon, Stu made his way back home before again making a full time move to San Diego, CA. This time, with only a one-way ticket, a duffle bag of clothes, and nothing else. Yes, it worked out for him.We dive into Stu's journey from the east coast to the Whale's Vagina of San Diego, CA (per Ron Burgundy), almost working for a skateboarding company before the opportunity at 100% came about, living on a couch, having no method of transportation, no clothes other then what was packed in his duffle bag, and how he made his dreams and passions a reality despite the struggles that laid in front of him. Stu is an incredibly talented designer (now art director), stills photographer, and one of the most low key humorous humans I have ever met. For all my creative friends out there, this is a wonderful listen about pursing your dreams and not giving up despite the lack of necessities in the moment. Follow Stu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stoo/?hl=enView Stu's portfolio: https://www.behance.net/stuart_alfanoSupport The Failed Experiment: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2156809/supporters/newFollow The Failed Experiment: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
17. Allie Keddie - Former Educator/Stills Photographer
Aug 21 2023
17. Allie Keddie - Former Educator/Stills Photographer
A Boston, MA  native, Allison Keddie is a former private school and public school educator. Working in the education system for six years, Allison’s emphasis was within the special ed area of education. However, after six years in the education system, she walked away from her career to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional stills photographer.In today’s episode with Allison, we dive into her journey to the education system, the good, bad, and ugly of that world, why she walked away from it to pursue a career as a creative, her passion for still photography, how being in the early stages of her photographic career is going, her accomplishments, goals, and struggles of living in the creative space amongst much more!It was a lot of fun to sit down with Allison and hear the journey and also her perspective of the creative space as she’s only been in it since 2019. I hope all enjoy her insights and, if you don’t already, give her a follow on Instagram and view her work. She’s got an incredible eye and a bright future ahead of herself.Follow Allison on Instagram: https://instagram.com/allisontulkphotography?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Visit Allison’s Portfolio: https://www.allisontulkphotography.com/Support The Failed Experiment: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2156809/supporters/newFollow The Failed Experiment: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/ Support the show
16. Kelli Crigler - Police Lieutenant
Aug 14 2023
16. Kelli Crigler - Police Lieutenant
Kelli Crigler is a Police Lieutenant working within the Southern California area. Kelli has been a police officer for 18-years; two of those years as an unsworn police officer aide. For almost the last four years of her career, she’s been the Police Lieutenant of her current department.This episode is a big one. We dive into everything from Kelli’s early years growing up, childhood trauma and removing her mom from her life, to how and why she became a police officer, and the struggles of women in law enforcement (especially one in command).We also dive deep into the poor light shined on law enforcement because of excessive use of force, the defunding of police departments, how officers can change their public perception, over populated prisons, community policing, budget cuts, and so much more.Regardless of your viewpoints on police officers and policing within the United States, I hope all will give this entire episode an unbiased listen to hear directly from an individual that has been on the front lines as a police officer for nearly 20-years. I wanted this episode to be as unbiased as possible and, hopefully, the questions and conversations had here can shed some perspective on policing and how both sides (civilians and officers) can improve the relationship and close the divide. Support The Failed Experiment: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2156809/supporters/newFollow The Failed Experiment: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/ Support the show
15. Kris Keefer - Athlete/Test Rider
Aug 7 2023
15. Kris Keefer - Athlete/Test Rider
A high desert rat from Hesperia, CA, Kris Keefer is a former professional Supercross and motocross racer who is now working as a full-time test rider in various capacities. At his company, Keefer Inc, he tests motorcycles and products within the dirt bike world and does editorial and video reviews for the consumer. He is also a  podcast host of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Keefer Tested podcast where he tests bikes, gear, accessories, and hard parts, as well as a test rider for different motorcycle manufactures where manufactures hire him to do private testing on not yet released dirt bikes to help the brand improve overall performance. In today's episode, Keefer dives into his formative years as a kid growing up in the high desert, being bullied at school, taking care of his ailing mother, how he got into riding and racing dirt bikes, not riding his first-ever Supercross race until he was 27-years old, leading the heat race at Anaheim 3 in 2004, mental health, how working for Yamaha Motor Co. destroyed his marriage, realizing it was time to walk away from his editorial roots at Dirt Rider, testing the Alta, the electric bike movement, our fandom of Tom DeLonge and Angels & Airwaves, and many laughs and off the rail stories. Keefer is one of the good guys in the dirt bike industry, and our conversation was illuminating, honest, genuine, and filled with insights and wonderful stories I hope all that are passionate about the motocross industry will enjoy. Follow Kris Keefer: https://www.instagram.com/kkeefer120/Visit His Web site: https://www.keeferinctesting.com/Listen to his podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rocky-mountain-atv-mc-keefer-tested/id1245516386The Failed Experiment on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFailedExperimentFollow The Failed Experiment: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
14. Mike Williamson - Gaffer
Jul 31 2023
14. Mike Williamson - Gaffer
Originally from Tucson, AZ, Mike Williamson is a gaffer/chief lighting technician (CLT) working in Hollywood, CA on commercials and music videos. After graduating from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Williamson made the move to Los Angeles, CA to pursue his dreams of working in the film industry. Since making the move, Williamson has worked with clients such as Apple, Captain Morgan USA, Urban Plates, Honda Motor Co, along with artists such as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Wiz Khalifa, and more. In my conversation with Williamson, we dive into his early years growing up in Tucson, AZ and wanting to get out of a city that had nothing going for it by way of filmmaking, how and why he fell in love with lighting and wanting to become a gaffer, the ebbs and flows of working as a freelance filmmaker, advice for up and coming gaffers, working with high level musicians and artists such as Lady Gaga and Tom Morello, the not so sexy business side of things when it comes to buying gear and doing your taxes, being a kind person, working on car commercials, having interests outside of work, and a whole host of other topics. This was a lot of fun and Mike is truly a good dude, working his ass off in Hollywood. Selfishly, I hope we are able to work together again soon because he brings good energy and a rad attitude to set, which is half the battle. Follow Mike Williamson: https://www.instagram.com/mikewilliamsoncinema/?hl=enView Mike’s  portfolio: https://www.sleeplessformat.com/Support The Failed Experiment: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2156809/supporters/newFollow The Failed Experiment: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show
12. Ryan Cooley - Account Director/Producer
Jul 17 2023
12. Ryan Cooley - Account Director/Producer
Originally from Glendora, CA, Ryan Cooley is an account director,  producer, and business owner of The Medium Creative Group, a creative agency specializing in still photography, video production, graphic design, Web design and more. Based in Costa Mesa, CA, Cooley and co-owner of the MCG, Luis Rodriguez works with clients such as Red Bull, Nike, American Honda, Toyota, Schwinn, Brixton, Cannondale, and more. However, before the MCG was birthed, Cooley got his start in the motocross industry working at TransWorld Motocross Magazine as associate editor and then managing editor from 2003 to 2008. Cooley, Garth Milan, and Luis worked together at TWMX, building the magazine into the most creatively iconic and powerful publications within the motocross world. The three of them eventually parted ways from TWMX to start The Medium Creative Group. And, Cooley shares the journey at TWMX and why and how the MCG came to fruition. For anyone in the creative world or looking to start their own agency, this is a great listen for you. Cooley candidly opens up about the trials and tribulations of operating and owning a small business in the state of California, keeping up with the trends, wearing many different hats on set, as well as diving into the early years of TWMX, his first-ever assignment for the magazine, and more.  Visit the MCG Portfolio: https://themediumcg.com/Follow the MCG: https://instagram.com/themediumcg?igshid=Y2IzZGU1MTFhOQ==Support The Failed Experiment: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2156809/supporters/newFollow The Failed Experiment: https://www.instagram.com/_thefailedexperiment/Follow Kyle Cowling: https://www.instagram.com/kylecowling/Support the show