What happens after you live through war, help create one of the internet’s most controversial documentaries, and spend years trying to rebuild your life? Korey Rowe joins Andy Coon for a candid conversation about the experiences that shaped him—and the life he is building now.
In Episode 17 of the Talent Freaks Podcast, Andy Coon talks with Korey Rowe, an Army veteran, filmmaker, producer, and co-owner of Otsego Media, about his journey from a difficult adolescence and military service after September 11 to the cultural impact of Loose Change, recovery, creative work, photography, and choosing a more intentional life.
Watch the full conversation for Korey’s perspective on military-to-civilian transition, the early internet era that made Loose Change a global phenomenon, the personal cost of public controversy, and the work of moving forward.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Korey Rowe is widely known for helping produce Loose Change with his longtime friend and creative partner, Dylan Avery. But this conversation looks beyond the film to the person behind it: a husband, father, filmmaker, business owner, veteran, and photographer whose life has moved through profound change.
Korey shares how he joined the U.S. Army shortly before September 11, 2001, deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, and later faced difficult decisions about his military future. He reflects on the origins and evolution of Loose Change during the early days of online video, the pressure and attention that came with its reach, and the personal challenges that followed.
IN THIS CONVERSATION
Andy and Korey discuss growing up in upstate New York, entering the Army as a young adult, and the emotional impact of returning from deployments. Korey talks about working with Dylan Avery to make and distribute Loose Change, building an audience through early internet communities, and navigating the project’s visibility and controversy.
They also explore Korey’s experiences with PTSD, addiction and recovery, his bipolar diagnosis and treatment, the role of therapy, and the importance of building a life around family, creative work, photography, and healthier boundaries. Korey also shares why landscape photography has become such a meaningful part of his life and what he hopes to create next.
If you are interested in documentary filmmaking, independent media, creative reinvention, personal recovery, military-to-civilian transition, or the human story behind a major internet-era cultural moment, this episode offers a candid perspective.
What part of Korey’s journey or outlook stayed with you most? Let us know in the comments.
GET KOREY ROWE’S BOOK
📘 The Soldier That Left: The Untold Story of Loose Change is available now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2K8B8QL
LEARN MORE ABOUT KOREY’S WORK
🎬 Otsego Media: https://www.otsegomedia.com/
WATCH ASTEROID
🎥 Asteroid — Korey and Dylan’s first film:
https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0O444X8BXSX8P0Q3ZO6RKK6SZ1?ref_=atv_sr_fle_c_sr52cdbe_pvsearchresults_1_1
CONNECT WITH HOST ANDY COON AND TALENT FREAKS
🌐 Website: https://www.talentfreaks.com/
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent.freaks
▶️ YouTube: @talentfreaks
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talent.freaks
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talent-freaks-podcast/id1796292842
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ELhgo3t9d4J2jT1V3dV70?si=c89a8c13991041a4
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
03:10 Growing Up in Upstate New York
05:25 Before September 11
07:11 September 11 at Basic Training
13:10 An 18-Year-Old in Afghanistan
17:00 Preparing to Invade Iraq
18:05 Questioning the Iraq War
23:03 Loss, Trauma, and a Breaking Point
24:24 How Loose Change Began
30:04 The Decision to Leave the Military
33:25 Living on the Run and Surrendering
37:19 Building Loose Change Online
52:04 The Rise and Legacy of Loose Change
1:04:52 PTSD, Addiction, and Recovery
1:13:50 Understanding Bipolar Disorder
1:20:46 Photography, Family, and a New Life
1:27:30 Closing Thoughts
