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The Mechanic

The Mechanic

Written 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
  • S1E14 Mister Hollywood
    Jul 1 2026

    IN THIS EPISODE My buddy Craig Darian might as well go by the name "Mister Hollywood". He has his talented hands in many different places. His Occidental studios have a ton of stages and production facilities here in Los Angeles, his production company – Tricor – has made movies with people like De Niro, Anthony Hopkins and Kathy Bates. He’s also a movie distributor. Like I said, he works various sides of the business – and works them brilliantly. I first met Craig socially – early to mid 1990’s – through some mutual entertainment executives and we hit it off immediately. He’s smart, he knows everything about movies and his business acumen is through the roof and beyond. I think you’ll like him a lot – maybe even as much as I do.


    SHOW NOTES

    If you're enjoying this podcast, pleasel check out our other podcast at Costard & Touchstone. Your next podcast obsession is just a click away!



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

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    27 mins
  • S1E13 The Restaurateur
    Jun 24 2026

    THE BLURB: Owning and running restaurants has been my friend Michael Levine's family business going on three generations now. Over the course of my show biz career, I had hundreds of meals at Monty's, the Levine family's restaurant in the Westwood area of Los Angelels with clients and friends. Years of standing, greeting customers - and servicing their craziness with a smile - has made Michael unrelentingly positive. Bon appetit!


    SHOW NOTES

    If you enjoy this podcast, please check out the rest of our lineup at Costard & Touchstone. Your next favorite podcast is only a click away!




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

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • S1E12 Paging Dr. Scott
    Jun 17 2026

    THE BLURB: Addiction medicine didn’t always exist. The good news: not only does it now exist, but it’s got my friend Dr. Courtney Scott as one of its distinguished leaders.

    With over a decade of experience, Dr. Scott is the medical director for more than 25 detox, residential and outpatient substance use disorder – SUD – treatment centers across multiple states. His clinical approach seamlessly integrates addiction medicine with internal and emergency medicine to deliver comperehensive, trauma-informed and medically sound care. In real, practical terms – having been a patient in various emergency rooms while staggeringly intoxicated – what that means is quite simple: Dr. Scott cares deeply about his patients as human beings first and foremost. The individualized detox protocols he’s developed have saved lives. Mine included.


    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
    31 mins
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