Alan Katz carried a devastating secret for 45 years — even from himself. At 14, he was sexually abused twice by the religious director of his synagogue. The trauma buried itself deep, quietly poisoning his confidence, self-worth, and ability to connect with others… until it nearly cost him his life.
In this powerful conversation, Alan shares how he confronted his past, survived a near-suicide, and rebuilt his life through radical honesty, storytelling, and creativity — including his time as the creative mind behind HBO’s Tales from the Crypt.
We talk about:
✔️ How trauma hides in plain sight — even from the person living it
✔️ The moment everything came rushing back
✔️ The power of telling your story without shame
✔️ What Hollywood horror taught him about justice
✔️ How owning your “bullshit” can set you free
✔️ Why storytelling might be the most powerful tool for healing
⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses sexual abuse, trauma, and suicide. Please listen with care.
How to connect:
https://costardandtouchstone.com/
🎙️ Want better interviews?
Learn how to create conversations people actually remember
👉 https://tiffanierichards.com
☕ Free Podcast Interview Playbook
Questions that turn interviews into real conversations
👉 https://tiffanierichards.com/work-with-me
🎙️ Follow the Podcast
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeconnectionspodcast/
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@truecrimeconnections
📘 Self-Exploration Journal
👉 https://a.co/d/05f5fRLb