DMF Episode 299 — Writer and Producer Alan Katz (Part 12): "Are You Ignoring Your Mental Health? My Near-Death Experience Will Shock You!"

Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re exploring how Alan Katz starts his day — and how his routines have transformed his life.Alan begins each morning with intention, sketching out his schedule on paper — everything from podcast interviews to sound editing and writing his deeply personal book, How to Live B*****t Free.* The book was born from his struggles with mental health and the realization that he once came dangerously close to taking his own life. Through that journey, Alan discovered a powerful truth: the only person he can truly change is himself.By confronting his own “b******t,” as he calls it, Alan found a peace he never thought possible. He describes walking through life in a perpetual state of bliss, grounded by structure, mindfulness, and creative purpose. His nighttime ritual — cleaning his genius pipe — is part of his cannabis routine, which he views as both reflective and restorative.Tennis has also become a meditative outlet for him, a way to stay fully present without the burden of competition. In recent years, Alan has turned his curiosity toward meditation, particularly Transcendental Meditation, as he continues to explore consciousness and inner calm. (Alan does use a curse word because its the title of his book so that word is uncensored for that word.)00:00:01 - Introduction00:00:12 - Daily Routine00:00:51 - Current Projects00:01:22 - Personal Journey00:02:33 - Life Philosophy00:02:52 - Purpose and Podcasting00:04:18 - Nighttime Routine00:05:51 - Meditation and Tennis00:08:19 - Transcendental Meditation00:08:54 - Consciousness and Information00:12:01 - Physical Fitness and Reading00:12:35 - Current Reading for Work00:15:51 - Opinions on Character Development00:16:10 - Music Preferences00:16:29 - Influences on Children's Music Taste00:17:35 - Current TV Shows00:17:52 - Contact Information00:18:26 - Closing RemarksCheck out his other podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-how-not-to-make-a-movie-podcast/id1616014436⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0441623/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-how-not-to-make-a-movie-podcast/id1616014436⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thedonorpodcast.com/