The Mechanic cover art

The Mechanic

The Mechanic

By: Nick Mechanic & Alan Katz
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THE BLURB: "Mechanic" may be his last name, but all Nick Mechanic knows about cars is that he likes driving really nice ones. Nick was an audacious, young turk Hollywood agent who made all kinds of movie and TV deals for actors, writers, directors and producers. He also made drug deals - and turned up on the radar of three different police departments. Nick fell from grace and ended up in prison and then rehab. Eventually Nick got disgusted enough with himself to change things - and to not merely attempt to recover but to succeed at it. That's what THE MECHANIC is about - outrageous, true behind-the-scenes tales of Hollywood excess and deal-making, wretched excess, drug-dealing and addiction, and a rousing, uplifting story of personal rebirth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan Katz Art Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • S1E9 Kiriakou, John Kiriakou

    S1E9 Kiriakou, John Kiriakou
    May 27 2026

    THE BLURB: My friend John Kiriakou might just be the best known spy in the whole world. A former CIA officer, during america's war on terror, John led the counter-terrorism force that captured Abu Zubaydah, the man we thought was the Number 3 at Al Qaeda. When John learned later that we had tortured Abu Zubaydah, he ratted out the CIA's illegal torture program and spent 23 months in federal prison for having done the right thing.



    SHOW NOTES

    If you enjoy this podcast, please check out our other podcasts at Costard & Touchstone Productions!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr
  • S1E8 The Steady Hand

    S1E8 The Steady Hand
    May 20 2026

    THE BLURB: Finding the right drug counselor or sober/therapeutic companion can make a huge difference in whether or not an addict conquers their addiction. My friend Phil Hamburger isn't merely a good substance abuse professional, he's a great one. You'll hear what makes him so special - how he helped Nick - and how his life experience and professional experience have made him the go-to guy when the NHL or MLS want to help players with substabnce abuse and their behavioral health.


    SHOW NOTES

    If you enjoy this podcast, please check out our other podcasts at Costard & Touchstone Productions!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • S1E7 Are You A Thought Addict?

    S1E7 Are You A Thought Addict?
    May 13 2026

    THE BLURB: Addiction Recovery Specialist Lance Wright goes way beyond the normal models of addiction treatment. Lance founded his company Life Over Addiction to help people understand that addiction isn't simply a substance problem. His approach invites addicts to think differently about their addictions with tremendous results. As most addicts can tell you, how they think about themselves and their addiction is part of their addiction.



    SHOW NOTES

    If you enjoy this podcast, please check out our other podcasts at Costard & Touchstone Productions!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
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