Over the course of his writing and producing career, Alan Katz has written movies and TV shows like HBO's iconic Tales From The Crypt. Entertainment Weekly called the first season of his "The How NOT To Make A Movie Podcast" the "Best Film Podcast of 2022". He realized at that point that he'd become the thing he always wanted to be when he grew up: a podcaster.

Website, LinkedIn, Patreon

NOTE: My conversation with Alan was so extensive that I have chosen to publish only the most important people, agencies, and entertainment in these show notes.

William Morris Agency

Gilbert Adler, Director, Producer

HBO productions Gil and Alan worked on: Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight, Bordello of Blood

Joel Silver, Producer

Walter Hill, Producer, Writer, Director

Robert Zemeckis, Producer, Director

Richard Donner, Director, Producer, Actor

Kevin Yagher, Special Effects makeup

John Kassir, voice of the Crypt Keeper

William (Bill) Gaines, EC Comics, Mad (Magazine)

Lauren Shuler Donner, Producer, Actor

The Outer Limits (1995 - 2002)

“Dads from the Crypt”, podcast

Entertainment Weekly

“How NOT to Make a Movie”, podcast with Alan Katz

“The Donor” by Costard & Touchstone Productions, Inc.

“The Hall Closet” podcast, Hallcloset.com, Costard & Touchstone Productions, Inc.

“Sage Wellness Within” podcast with Dr. Andrea Thorpe

Karen L. Moran, Story-Power episode 111, October 9, 2024, Book, Forever Tourmaline

Barry Josephson, an Executive Producer of Bones

TCM, (Turner Classic Movies)

Singing in the Rain, Donald O’Connor

Coming podcasts, *A Secret War” with Manilla Chan, “Just the Photographer”, with David Swanson

Nancy Norbeck has been singing almost since birth, and she wrote her first story when she was in fourth grade. She is a Master Certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach who knows everyone is creative, including those who insist they’re not. Her podcast, Follow Your Curiosity, inspires listeners by exploring guests’ creative journeys and offering insights into the creative process. She lives in New Jersey and loves to travel, especially via a good book. For more information on current projects, the podcast and coaching opportunities, please visit fycurosity.com or follow her on Instagram and TikTok @fycuriosity or Twitter @fycuriositypod.

Get unstuck with my Creative Tune-Up, which helps anyone who's blocked at any stage of their process reconnect with their creative energy. And check out the Follow Your Curiosity podcast for more inspiration and insights!

X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, The Spark Substack

Follow Your Curiosity, Creative Pep Talk

Make Bad Art course

Alan Katz, Hollywood writer and novelist, Story-Power guest May 7, 2025

Classic Cinema with the Sage Sisters

Prolific Writers Life

9 Ways a Theatre Degree Trumps a Business Degree Repost of original post September 13, 2013

The Silver Child, Nancy Norbeck

Rahna Reiko Rizzuto

Rachel Pollack, Science Fiction, Comic book writer

The Space Between Time, Lucinda Sage-Midgorden

Nancy’s newsletter The Spark on Substack

Doctor. Who, (1963 - 1989) Multiple movies and relaunch in (2005 - present)

xkcd Webcomic, (2005) Randall Munroe

The Year of Yes, Shanda Rhimes

Yes Man (2008) Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschnel, Bradley Cooper

Sage Woman Chronicles, Lucinda Sage-Midgorden blog and website

Amy Suto began her career as a Hollywood TV writer before hitting the road and becoming a digital nomad and freelance writer, which was the subject of her nonfiction book Six-Figure Freelance Writer: A Holistic Guide on Finding Freedom in Freelancing. The Nomad Detective: Volume I is Amy’s debut work of fiction, and marks the start of the book series following Detective Violet Chase. Amy runs a Substack newsletter called From the Desk of Amy Suto about how to carve your path as a working writer. When she's not writing, Amy travels the world and works remotely from cafes in Cusco, Peru—or is misplacing her AirPods in Lisbon, Portugal. You can learn more about Amy at: AmySuto.com.

X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Amy’s Website

Amy's books, Six-Figure Freelance Writer, The Nomad Detective

The Dead Rock Stars, Jay Watson and Kyle Wiltshire

Amy’s Substack newsletter, “From the Desk of Amy Suto

Cusco, Peru, The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Madeira Island, Portugal the city of Ponta do Sol

Afytos, Greece, Peninsula of Kassandreia

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing

Vellum Software

Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Author, Agatha Christie

Wondercraft.ai

Classic Cinema with the Sage Sisters, on YouTube

Substack, Beehiiv

Constance “Ahuva Batya” Scharff, PhD is an internationally recognized speaker and author on the topics of addiction and trauma recovery, the psychological impacts of climate change, and women’s mental health. She is the founder of and principal investigator for the Institute for Complementary and Indigenous Mental Health Research. Dr. Scharff is a passionate advocate for decolonizing mental healthcare and incorporating indigenous practices and ontologies into healthcare services, as well as radical social transformation to lessen the impacts of climate change. Dr. Scharff is a recent recipient of St. Lawrence University's Sol Feinstone Humanitarian Award, honoring her service to and advocacy for those suffering from mental illness, trauma, and addiction. She’s also a member of The Explorers Club, an homage to her efforts to improve mental health and wellbeing in communities worldwide. Her most recent research project, a year-long, seven nation exploration of “everyday bravery” is titled, "A Year of Living Bravely," and will be available as a book in 2026.

Twitter: LinkedIn: TikTok: Instagram: Facebook: Website

Rock to Recovery: Music as a Catalyst for Human Transformation, Dr. Constance Scharff

The Path to God’s Promise, Ahuva Batya Scharff

Ending Addiction for Good, Dr. Constance Scharff

Somatic Therapy

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

The Little Prince, Antoine De Saint-Exupéry, Richard Howard (Translator)

The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

Dante’s Inferno, Dante Alighieri, Gustave Doré (Illustrator), Henry Francis Cary (Translator)

Medea, Euripides, Rex Warner (Translator)

Hamlet, William Shakespeare

Luke Skywalker, Star Wars

Now, Voyager, (1942) Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper

Meeting God at Midnight, Ahuva Batya Scharff

The Red Tent, TV Mini-series (2014)

The Matrix, (1999), Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving

Margaret Atwood, Author, Maddaddam Trilogy

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, Gabor Maté, MD

Story-Power guest, Dave Dahl Ep. 1, (7/22/2020 Ep. 27 (7/21/2021)

Heath Ledger, Actor

Rella B's transformation from a career-focused adult to a passionate advocate for the magic of childhood has resonated with countless families worldwide. Her belief that work and play should be inseparable companions has shaped her mission to provide young readers with captivating tales that not only entertain but also instill valuable life lessons. Rella B's stories are a reflection of her dedication to nurturing the spirit of curiosity, courage, and self-belief in children. Through her enchanting narratives, she invites children to venture on adventures where they can conquer fears, celebrate diversity, and embrace the power of their own imaginations. Rella B's journey reminds us all that there's no age limit on dreaming, exploring, and discovering the joy in everyday moments.

Rella B.’s website, Podcast: Reading with Rella B, Rella B Books on YouTube

Rella B Amazon Author Page

Some of her books:

If Shapes Could Talk

Mama I Got A Dollar!

If Shapes Could Eat

Activity Book

Shapes Activity Book

Rella B’s Favorites

junie b. jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, The first of 28 in the series by Barbara Park.

This Book is a Mistake, Ron Keres

This Book is Perfect, Ron Keres

This post was recorded in June 2024.

Lindsay Law has produced scores of television plays, dozens of films, in addition to a pair of productions on Broadway. Many of these works have been nominated for Emmys, Tonys, and Oscars. He was the Executive Producer for the PBS drama series, AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE from 1981 to 1995. He was the President of Fox Searchlight Pictures from 1995 to 2000. He lives in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The Orphan From Shepherd’s Keep is his first novel.

You can read more about him on his website—lindsaylaw.net. If you enjoyed this book and the time you spent with these characters, help spread the word on-line, at your local bookshop, and directly with your friends. The author would enjoy hearing about your experience while reading this book and invites you to ask any questions you may have about this story and his story.

Website, Instagram

The Orphan From Shepherd’s Keep, Lindsay Law

Lindsay’s newest book: Without Him launches in December 2025. It traces the lives of two half-brothers— one a preacher and the other a star tennis player.

PBS American Playhouse (1981 - 1995)

“Classic Cinema with the Sage Sisters” on YouTube

Fox Searchlight Pictures, Now Searchlight Pictures (Owned by Disney)

American Playwrights, Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow was Enough, Ntozake Shange

PBS Masterpiece Theatre

PBS American Masters

Longtime Companion (1989) Craig Lucas, Screenwriter

Paradise Lost, Clifford Odets

Plays mentioned by William Shakespeare The Taming of the Shrew,Broadway Theatre Archive, (1975), The Taming of the Shrew, (1967) Measure for Measure, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Plays by Lanford Wilson, The Rimers of Eldridge, Fifth of July, The Mound Builders

Movies produced by Lindsay Law, The Full Monty (1997), Boys Don’t Cry, (1999), Waking Ned Divine, (1998) A Midsummer Night’s Dream, (1999)

Dune: Part Two, (2024)

CBS News Sunday Morning (1979 - )

Amazon Publishing

Smashwords e-book sales

LinkedIn social media platform for business

MDIV graduate, I am a panentheist, but also author (my books were recently acquired by George R.R. Martin's bookstore in Santa Fe), Screenwriter, Producer & Podcaster. A believer in humanity, I use my words in diverse ways to encourage us to be better in this world, but am especially drawn to defending our shared environments.

Having grown up overseas (in both Guyana, South America as well as Lahore, Pakistan) it was only later that I understood that my childhood has dramatically shaped me in ways that I did not expect. They even have a Wiki entry for kids like me, "Third Culture Kids" and let me tell you, I fit it to a "T!" My childhood was informed by the Islamic call to prayer and my education at the American School had me playing with kids from all over the world of every color, creed and religion.

When one grows up like this, is it any wonder that the world becomes enchanted? That other humans become enchanted? I am endlessly thrilled with meeting other people and getting to know who they are and what makes them tick. I find that developing relationships and building respectful community, as well as joy-filled community is essential to my being happy.

I live an enchanted life and besides for being a "creative" and author, I also have an animated series on YouTube called "Murder of 2," about two crows who sit on a line and observe humanity, as well as multiple other projects I'm working on right now.

I am a panentheist, who believes that Spirit or Energy or God/Goddess exists in all I can see and not see, and that magic and miracles are real and potent. This is the gist of my podcast, Byte Sized Blessings, where I interview people of all kinds asking them about powerful moments in their lives, ones that changed them forever.

I walked the Camino in 2013 and that is a story in itself...I believe in adventure, in joy, in feeding my heart with belief in other people and that eventually we will create the communities and spaces that will heal and include everyone. (at least everyone that wants to be included, because, boundaries!)

Website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube

Kirsten’s books: A Tail of Two Rabbits, The Nuts Guts, Boom Chicka Meow Meow. Go to her website to find out how to purchase these books.

Chris didn’t look like an Aboriginal adolescent as he set off from Belfast on his café racing Moto Guzzi. But it was the same motivation that drove him to set off on a journey of self-discovery. But when the Iranian revolution stopped the planned 10,000-mile motorcycle road trip to Australia, he ends high in the Andes, 50-odd thousand miles later, before returning to Belfast.

Going the Wrong Way. A ‘coming of age’ road trip like no other.

Chris is now riding to Australia, on the same Moto Guzzi Le Mans, 42 years after his first attempt.

Book reviews

Chris leaves the Belfast Troubles behind and creates his own trouble. It’s a wild ride but Chris tells a cracking yarn that will keep you going to the bitter-sweet end.

Ted Simon, Author, Jupiter’s Travels

What a gem of a book. The journey Chris described was vivid, raw, and humorous. It takes the reader back to more innocent times, before technology shrank the world, and motorcycling adventures became stage managed.

A truly awesome read – an engaging, raw, honest and absolutely enthralling adventure!

As an adolescent troubled by the Belfast (IRA) “Troubles” of the 70’s, Chris strikes out on a worldwide voyage of self-discovery and brings the reader with him to share the experiences.

Since the Stone Age, the Walkabout has been an Aboriginal rite of passage. When adolescent boys wander aimlessly through the bush on a journey with no particular destination, to make the spiritual transition from boy to man.

It’s a time for self-assessment and deep thought, to learn about himself without the influence of his elders, friends, or family. It’s a physical and psychological journey.

Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube

Going the Wrong Way, Chris Donaldson