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
  • S1E11 Sober Role Model

    S1E11 Sober Role Model
    Jun 10 2026

    THE BLURB: My friend Diane is something of a sober role model. She's been sober since June 1980 when a ife of alcohol abuse and transporting drugs suddenly crashed in on Diane. She landed in rehab – her first stint there. But, to her absolute surprise, she experienced something profoundly spiritual that completely changed her world.

    She discovered a completely new way to live. Sobriety. In this episode, Diane will share not only her story, but her deep passion for volunteering and helping others overcome their addictions and live their best possible lives.


    SHOW NOTES

    For more great podcasts, please check out Costard & Touchstone.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    52 mins
  • S1E10 Shia Blakeny

    S1E10 Shia Blakeny
    Jun 3 2026

    THE BLURB: Shia Blakeny works at the intersection of mental health, addiction and human development – and what happens when that intersection gets complicated.

    To that end, Shia has built programs that challenge traditional models of treatment. As CEO of Recover Integrity and cofounder of Antedote Lab, he develops experiential and relational approaches to recovery that are grounded in what Shia calls “right relationships” instead of rigid ideology. His work integrates psychology, spirituality, and culture to rethink how people heal, grow, and live. As someone who’s benefited from what Shia’s done, I can tell you: his work works.


    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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    43 mins
  • 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
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