The Rest is Commentary with Shep Rosenman

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  • JUDAISM
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The Rest is Commentary is a podcast that explores connections through music, ancient wisdom, and conversations. Shep Rosenman is writing a song cycle inspired by the Psalms/Tehillim. In each episode, Shep offers one of his songs to a friend and they discuss whatever comes up, from the mundane to the sublime, the philosophical to the sophomoric, from dark and narrow places to wide open spaces of joy.

  1. 048: Learning to Dance Without You: A Conversation with Rosie Wolkind in Memory of Ivan Wolkind

    APR 17

    048: Learning to Dance Without You: A Conversation with Rosie Wolkind in Memory of Ivan Wolkind

    Grief isn’t just about what we’ve lost—it’s about how we choose to live after loss. In this episode, Shep Rosenman sits down with Rosie Wolkind to explore how loss can reshape a life with deeper meaning, empathy, and even joy. Through the lens of her father Ivan’s legacy—his kindness, wisdom, and community—Rosie shares how grief and gratitude can coexist, from everyday moments to life’s biggest milestones. This is a conversation inspired by the song, Here I Am, which itself was inspired by Psalm 30, about carrying love forward: building new traditions, honoring memory through action, and learning how sorrow can soften us instead of harden us. If you’ve ever wondered how to live more fully in the face of loss, this episode will stay with you.

    50 min

  2. APR 7

    047: Algorithms and Anti-Semitism: A Conversation with Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor and Eli Ovits

    When a songwriter sits with an ancient psalm, what happens when those words collide with the wild, unseen machinery of the internet? In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman brings together Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor, founder of CyberWell, and Eli Ovitz to talk about “Windstorms,” a song drawn from Psalm 64, and what it reveals about the power of language in the digital age.   Tal-Or traces her path from the world of law to building CyberWell, the first live, open database of online antisemitism, using data, AI, and trust-and-safety partnerships to push social platforms toward real accountability. She and Eli walk us through how algorithms, engagement incentives, and policy enforcement decisions can turn a single post into a storm—amplifying hate, distorting public debate, and spilling over into real-world harm.   From protests in Iran and the shadow of the IRGC to the long arc of movements across the Middle East, the conversation widens into a story about democracy, extremism, and how our digital public square is being shaped in real time. Along the way, our guests ask what it would take—for platforms, policymakers, and ordinary users—to build a healthier information ecosystem, rooted in better digital literacy, smarter regulation, and public support.   If you want to go deeper or get involved, you can learn more about CyberWell’s work at cyberwell.org.

    43 min

  3. MAR 25

    046: Perfectly Imperfect: A Conversation with Timmy Riordan

    What happens when a song breaks open — and something sacred spills out? In this deeply moving episode, Host Shep Rosenman sits down with singer-songwriter Timmy Riordan for a conversation that is as honest as it is inspiring. Together they explore the beautiful, messy, and profoundly human journey of creating music — from the spark of an idea to the courage it takes to share something truly personal with the world. Timmy opens up about his creative process, the challenge of living with imperfection, and the spiritual dimension of songwriting that connects ancient wisdom to the songs we write today. At the heart of the conversation is Little Bit O' Gold — a song rooted in the imagery of Psalm 80 — and the remarkable journey from sacred text to finished song. They explore how the Psalmist's cry for restoration and renewal becomes something utterly fresh and alive and how that ancient longing still echoes in our lives today.  We also get to hear Timmy play one of his original songs. Along the way, they dive into the Japanese art of Kintsugi — the idea that broken things repaired with gold are more beautiful for having been broken — as a powerful metaphor for what it means to be an artist and a human. Whether you're a songwriter, a music lover, or simply someone who has ever struggled to create something meaningful, this episode will leave you inspired to embrace your own imperfections — and find that little bit of gold hiding inside them. This episode is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Timmy's mom, Mary Beth "Smidge" (Superman)Riordan — may her memory be a blessing and an inspiration to all who hear it.

    50 min

  4. MAR 19

    045: Songs, Psalms, and the Sacred Art of Return: A Conversation with Rabbi Aaron Lerner

    What happens when ancient Torah meets modern melody with mindfulness as the bridge between them? In this episode, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Rabbi Aaron Lerner for a wide‑ranging, deeply human conversation at the crossroads of music, Jewish spirituality, and communal leadership. Anchored by Shep’s song “Magnets, Elevators, Ghosts," inspired by Psalm 97, the discussion opens a window into how sacred texts still spark creativity—and how songwriting can become a form of prayer. Together, Shep and Rabbi Lerner explore moments of divine inspiration, the vulnerability required to create honestly, and what it means to remain open—spiritually, emotionally, and communally—within Jewish life. They reflect on mindfulness as a core Jewish value, the power of blessings to awaken presence, and how art invites possibility where certainty falls short. The conversation also widens to leadership and responsibility: philanthropy through the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, navigating tension and empathy in communal roles, and showing up for the Jewish people in challenging times. Personal stories, spiritual insights, and creative process intertwine—revealing how tradition and modernity don’t compete, but collaborate. They also discuss the important influence of some of Aaron's teachers at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. Whether you’re a seeker, a songwriter, a community builder, or simply curious, this episode is an invitation—to listen more closely, to stay open, and to hear the divine resonance hidden in everyday life. 🎶✨

    1h 2m

  5. MAR 10

    044: The Arena of Action: A Conversation with Shoshana Bloom

    In this episode, Shep Rosenman and Shoshana Bloom dive into the making and meaning of “It’s About What You Do,” a song inspired by Psalm 82. Their conversation opens into a wider reflection on what it means to show up — as leaders, creators, and members of a community.   They explore the metaphor of the arena — a place of confrontation, courage, and shared discovery — and talk through the tensions between performing and supporting, perfection and presence. Through personal stories and honest insight, Shep and Shoshana unpack how ownership, empathy, and imperfect action shape the ways we lift one another and build collective life.   A rich and candid dialogue about stepping forward, enabling others, and finding purpose in the messy beauty of doing the work.

    1h 1m

  6. MAR 2

    043: Like, Totally Divine: A Special Purim Conversation with Noelle and Maya

    Get ready for a Purim party like no other! 🎭✨ In this Purim special, host Shep Rosenman shares his original song “Let’s Talk About Faith” and joins Maya and Noelle for a lively conversation that’s equal parts joy, curiosity, and spiritual wrestling. Together, they celebrate Purim’s spirit of courage and reversal while honoring the resilience of the women of Iran. Mixing serious theology with playful moments (yes, including a Valley Girl version of God), the trio dives into questions of faith, doubt, free will, and the afterlife, drawing on the Rambam’s (Maimonides's) 13 Principles of Faith, Torah teachings, and modern reflections on community and purpose. It’s an episode that turns uncertainty into opportunity—and reminds us that humor and holiness often share the same space. Whether you’re here to add some sparkle to your Purim celebration or to find inspiration in life’s big questions, this episode promises laughter, insight, and a reminder that choosing goodness is the most sacred act of all. Tune in, pour yourself a l’chaim, and let’s talk about faith.

    1 hr

  7. FEB 24

    042: Mandala and Melody: A Conversation with Emily Cheng

    Artist and scholar Emily Cheng joins host Shep Rosenman for a luminous conversation at the crossroads of art, music, and sacred text. From two of Emily's monumental 18‑foot paintings charting the meeting of Western and Eastern spiritual traditions to Shep's song “Unwrapping Heaven,” inspired by Psalm 104, Emily invites us into a world where brushstrokes, breath, and prayer intertwine.   Together, they explore the idea of the center — from mandalas to melody — and the tension between the grand and the granular, the cosmic and the intimate. Along the way, they reflect on translating scripture into art, the practice of service through creativity, and how grounding rituals — even a single mindful breath — can shape both spiritual and artistic life.   Plus: insights into Emily’s community development work with IIRR, the deep relationship between Taoist and Jewish teachings, and the process of editing a work until it finally feels alive.   This is an episode you won't want to miss!

    1 hr
  8. 041: Guilt & Groove: A Conversation with Jim Ehrich

    FEB 10

    041: Guilt & Groove: A Conversation with Jim Ehrich

    When podcast host, Shep Rosenman, turned to Psalm 38, its haunting honesty became the heartbeat of his song “Don’t Turn Away From Me.” In this conversation, Jim Ehrich joins Shep to unpack how guilt, vulnerability, and longing for connection can become pathways toward "teshuvah"—repentance and renewal—through music.   As the two explore the intersection of sacred text and songwriting, Jim opens up about his journey as a leukemia survivor, the transformative moment of facing illness while expecting his daughter, and how that experience reshaped his understanding of faith beyond religious boundaries. Together, they reflect on the healing power of creativity and how music can turn pain into purpose.

    50 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Rest is Commentary is a podcast that explores connections through music, ancient wisdom, and conversations. Shep Rosenman is writing a song cycle inspired by the Psalms/Tehillim. In each episode, Shep offers one of his songs to a friend and they discuss whatever comes up, from the mundane to the sublime, the philosophical to the sophomoric, from dark and narrow places to wide open spaces of joy.

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