The Rest is Commentary with Shep Rosenman

What does a Hollywood producer have in common with a doctor? For Lloyd Segan, both work as “doctors of the spirit.” He joins host Shep Rosenman to talk about two Psalm-inspired songs, the hopeful “Jacarandas in the Spring” and the darker “Do Not Destroy.” They also get into Jewish numerology, Leonard Cohen’s poetry, and how Segan went from outsider to community leader through small acts of kindness and creativity.

What do we do with our tears? This week on The Rest is Commentary, Shep Rosenman talks with Mary “Mandie” Davis, founder of Worthy of Love. The conversation was inspired by Shep’s song “Tears,” which grew out of Psalm 56. Every month for 13 years, Mandie’s nonprofit has thrown birthday celebrations for unhoused families in Los Angeles, built on one belief: no one has to earn their worth.

Mandie and Shep talk about music as a way to heal, tears as sacred expression, and how rituals like mikvah and prayer bring comfort. They also get into the power of nam...

What does an ancient prayer have to say to a songwriter today? Host Shep Rosenman sits down with singer-songwriter David Coile to explore “Listen Up!”, a song inspired by Psalm 86. Their conversation moves from Psalms to Spinoza to Parmenides and Heraclitus, taking on free will, sacrifice, and the hard truth that hope only means something when set against its opposite.

They also get into the craft: co-writing with Liz Hanellin, writing against the clock, giving and taking critique, the musical choices that shape a track, and how time in nature keeps a creative life grounded. The result is a...

Asking for help is human. Figuring out how to show up for one another is the harder part.

Shep Rosenman sits down with Lee Rosenbaum for a candid, wide-ranging exchange about holding multiple identities, including being Black and Jewish, and what happens when the promise of solidarity collides with the realities of polarization and antisemitism. Drawing on personal family stories, civil-rights roots, and legal and cultural perspectives, they ask what empathy demands of us, especially when it’s hardest to offer.

Along the way, they find room for humor, joy, and the sacred possibilities of ev...

What do we save when we may never come home? Shep Rosenman sits down with Allison Lee to explore how a deeply personal song he wrote with Liz Hanellin in the shadow of the January 2025 Palisades fires, became an urgent warning about extremism.

They discuss the choices that shaped the song. Their conversation moves through evacuation, memory, and inheritance: Torah scrolls, prayer books, wedding contracts, family photographs, and the irreplaceable things we reach for when time runs out.

Together, Shep and Allison examine Psalm 83 as both prophecy and warning, the seductive appeal of certainty and...

Composer and touch-guitar innovator Jim Wright joins Shep Rosenman for a wide-ranging conversation inspired by “Come Out and Play,” Shep’s song drawn from Psalm 34. Jim follows the song's invitation into questions of creativity, character, faith, and the surprising places meaning can emerge.

Jim started exploring touch-guitar in 1978, developing tunings and techniques that allow him to tap electric bass and guitar parts simultaneously—an approach that has made him a distinctive voice among devotees of the instrument. His work spans popular music, alternative rock, and jazz, and can be found at on Bandcamp and Youtube.com.

In thi...

Rabbi Leon Wiener-Dow, CEO and Director of Beit Midrash for Kolot, and host Shep Rosenman explore “All You Children,” a song inspired by Psalm 65, in a conversation about hope as a daily practice, the healing power of being truly heard and seen, and the challenge of holding on to redemption when war makes the present feel so harsh. They reflect on love, empathy, halacha as lived experience, and the ongoing work of building a better future in the middle of conflict. Psalm 65 frames Gd as the One who hears prayer and answers with hope, which makes it a strong anch...

If you’ve ever wanted to hear Torah, music, and prayer collide in a way that feels deeply human and unexpectedly moving, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, Rabba Yaffa Epstein and host Shep Rosenman unpack the rich layers of the song Morning Prayer #1 through the lens of Jewish thought. Together, they wrestle with gratitude, darkness, intention, and the power of showing up authentically—even when life feels heavy. What emerges is a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful prayer begins before the words - in the choice to wake up, look inward, and...

Unlock a fresh perspective on mistakes, forgiveness, and genuine connection in this conversation with Rabbi Hannah Jensen, inspired by Host Shep Rosenman’s song “Worth Decanting” (from Psalm 25).  Shep Rabbi Jensen challenge common views of failure—whether in faith, relationships, or inner life—and show how embracing our flaws can deepen growth and connection.

They explore how our fixation on errors limiting compassion and trust, and offer practical tools for navigating conflict: giving the benefit of the doubt, respecting boundaries, and practicing vulnerability without oversharing.

Rabbi Jensen reflects candidly on keeping relationships authentic amid digital exposure an...

In this intimate and wide-ranging conversation, Shep sits with playwright and educator Amy Guterson to explore “Stay,” a song inspired by Psalm 31, and the mysterious places where jazz, mysticism, and creativity meet.

Amy shares the path that led her to Hasidus and Kabbalah, her founding of Tzohar Seminary, and the way improvisation and art can open us to spiritual connection.

Together, they wrestle with what it means to embrace the unknown, hold paradox, and find trust and gratitude even after trauma. It’s a moving conversation about music, faith, and becoming a vessel for light.

Ready to discover how celebrating others can transform your life, your community, and even your performance under pressure? In this electrifying episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Barbara Edelston-Peterson—sports psychologist, acclaimed author, 10-time Xterra world champion, and founder of the Whole Champion Foundation—for a deeply inspiring conversation about the ancient Jewish practice of kvelling, the power of authentic passion, and how community shapes a life of meaning.  

Barbara shares the story of her extraordinary athletic journey, a life-changing injury that forced her to refocus on purpose and service, and her g...

What if a warlike psalm could become a song of empathetic resistance? Director Stephen Hopkins and host Shep Rosenman discuss "Time to Act" inspired by Psalm 76 and how the song flips aggression into care, using David Bowie–style electro-punk energy to confront injustice while honoring the people caught in it. The anchor idea—“Is God Asleep?”—turns divine wrath into human responsibility.

Expect bold talking: how religion is weaponized vs. how cross-spiritual ethics can heal; why the real test of a government is whether it allows protest; and why the world seems to regress in misogyny, racism, and homoph...

Uncover how love, faith, and community collide in this deep, honest conversation with Naomi Langer Voss and Shep Rosenman.
Through Psalm 6 and the song it inspired Shep to write, “Have Mercy, Loretta,” they explore doubt, devotion, and whether our relationship with God is personal—or built through community and action. From the rhythms of Jewish prayer to practices like keeping kosher, they reframe spirituality as something lived daily: a mix of ritual, responsibility, and connection.

Naomi also shares her work building creative, purpose-driven communities through ARC Scholars and her architecture studio. This episode invites you to rethin...

Episode 50 of The Rest is Commentary isn’t just a milestone—it’s a deep dive into what really makes music come alive. Jazz guitarist and composer Jon Madof joins us for a conversation that goes far beyond chops and technique, exploring the tension between control and surrender, and how that very struggle can unlock your truest creative voice.

Through stories from his path in avant-garde jazz and Jewish musical expression, Jon opens up about the spiritual undercurrent of his work—where discipline meets intuition, and where something greater than the self begins to guide the music. This isn...

Raymond Simonson, founding CEO of JW3 in London, joins us for a powerful conversation about what happens when music, protest, and community collide.

At the heart of this episode is Fire Drill Fridays, a song born out of Limmud North America's eFestival during COVID—written collaboratively and shaped by the real stories of participants navigating isolation, uncertainty, and hope. From that starting point, the conversation opens into something much bigger: how collective creativity becomes a form of resistance.

We explore the emotional force of protest imagery—starting with Jane Fonda’s arrest to other symbolic acts—a...

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 tra...

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...

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 w...

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...

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...

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 teac...

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 groun...

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 pow...

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, Avram Mandell—founder of Tzedek America—joins host Shep Rosenman for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about empathy, community, and the healing power of story and song. Through memories of New York City playgrounds, transformative civil rights journeys, and meaningful encounters across borders and on Skid Row, Avram reflects on how human connection can turn personal pain into strength and shared understanding.

Inspired by the song “Waiting” (drawn from Psalm 89) by Liz Hanellin and Shep Rosenman, this episode invites listeners to explore how storytelling and music can bridge divides...

What happens when ancient psalms meet modern songwriting? In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Dr. Sarah Bunin Benor to talk about “Into the Wow” — a song they wrote inspired by Psalm 118 that turns timeless text into fresh musical and spiritual expression.  

Together, they explore what it means to find community at the heart of Judaism, to experience awe beyond traditional God-language, and to discover rituals that make everyday life feel sacred. Sarah reflects on her personal recovery, reimagines prayer through a human-centered lens, and shows how joy, creativity, and connect...

This week's guest on The Rest is Commentary is Rabbi Steve Greenberg, founding director of Eshel, an organization that supports LGBTQ+ and their families in the Orthodox community.  Steve and host Shep Rosenman to dive into the song “Like Sailors”—a piece inspired by Psalm 148 and co-written by Shep and Liz Hanellin. Their conversation blends music, theology, and wonder, exploring what it means to stand in awe of creation and to see prayer as joining a vast cosmic chorus of praise.  

The discussion widens into a moving exploration of moral responsibility: how we shape a world worthy of future...

What does it mean to stay open — as an artist, a parent, and a person — when life asks you to both take control and let go?

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, director Vicente Amorim sits down with host Shep Rosenman to talk about “Infinite Light,” a song Shep co-wrote with Liz Hanellin, inspired by Psalm 36. Their conversation drifts from creative inspiration to the messy beauty of real life — the push and pull between control and surrender, listening to your inner teenager, and how romance and storytelling shape the way we create and connect.

Together...

What does it really mean to live a Jewish life guided by Torah—not politics?  

In this episode, Chava Mirel joins us for an honest and deeply heartfelt conversation about Judaism, identity, and what happens when faith and nationalism start to overlap. Chava reminds us that Judaism was never meant to be a political movement. Instead, it’s a living tradition rooted in how we treat one another—with compassion, justice, and awareness.  

Together, we explore how Torah can guide the way we show up in the world, not through power or political ambition, but through...

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman welcomes renowned and award winning Jewish educator and storyteller Clive Lawton for a wide-ranging, down-to-earth conversation sparked by the song “Weaving a Garment of Light” (also known as “Work of Our Hands”), inspired by Psalm 19 and written by Shep and Ruby Corbyn-Ross. Together they explore how Jewish tradition holds both cosmic awe and everyday responsibility at the same time, asking what it means to live with wonder while still showing up for real people and real problems. 

They talk about embracing contrasting ideas in Jewish thought, the call...

In this powerful episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Robby Berman — Israeli tour guide, author, comedian, and activist — for a raw, unfiltered conversation about hope, heartbreak, and humanity in today’s Israel.  

Inspired by the song "What Would It Take?” (written by Shep and Liz Hanellin and drawn from Psalm 22), their dialogue delves into the personal and political — from Robby’s journey out of religious orthodoxy to his decades witnessing the beauty and turmoil of Israeli life firsthand. Berman speaks openly about violence, extremism, and the moral crossroads facing Israelis and Palestinians...

When Shep Rosenman sits down with Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson, the conversation becomes a journey—through grief, faith, and the mysterious power of music to hold them both.  In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, they unpack Shep’s song “Holy Hands,” drawn from Psalm 134, exploring how melody and lyric intertwine to express what words alone cannot.  

They talk about songwriting as a dialogue between clarity and mystery, about how mourning shapes creativity, and about the ways we keep speaking to those we've lost. Along the way, the two reflect on family, tradition, and the beauty fou...

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman sits down with Texas musician and storyteller, Joe Buchanan for a deeply moving conversation about divine love and the power of good deeds. Together, they remind us that there is one God and nothing wrong with any of us — we are each loved, exactly as we are. Acts of kindness aren’t about rewards or fear, but about bringing more good into the world. Spirituality and goodness cross every boundary, and it's in our everyday intentions that we find comfort, strength, and meaning. Tune in for an uplifting expl...

Get ready for an unforgettable episode as Shep Rosenman welcomes Professor Jeff Proske and Rabbi Julia Knobloch to dive deep into the creation of the Psalm-inspired song, “I Forgot What Happened in Babylon,” co-written by Shep and Julia. Experience the vibrant energy of Los Angeles reimagined as a modern Zion, and uncover the powerful stories and symbolism behind Babylon, love, loss, and transformation.

This lively discussion explores the search for meaning, the impact of change, and the ways Biblical wisdom and life experiences fuel creativity and music. Discover how community supports healing, and how art can help us e...

In this heartfelt conversation from 2024, host Shep Rosenman speaks with songwriter, Terri Sunflower, who shares her journey of self-discovery and acceptance, discussing her experiences with gender identity, sexuality, and the transformative power of music. Inspired by the song, "Two Is Better Than One" (which itself was inspired by Psalm 139), they discuss gender identity and sexuality, coming out later in life, family relationships and loss, songwriting as therapy, community support, the importance of authenticity in one's life and art, and so much more.  The episode is dedicated to the memory of Terri’s father, Tom Cook, who died in 2025.

Shep Rosenman sits down with Emmy-nominated writer Chuck Tatham for a deeply engaging conversation about “Time”, a song inspired by Psalm 39. From the serendipity of discovering an abandoned piano on a street corner to how humor, family, and faith spark creativity, they explore the profound and the unexpected.

Together, they journey through themes of speaking versus silence, beliefs about God and the afterlife, life in Hollywood’s writers’ rooms, climate activism, and the fleeting encounters that add meaning and joy to our days. It’s a thoughtful, spirited dialogue you won’t want to miss.

Rabbi Rachel Kobrin and Jeff Ward join host Shep Rosenman for a conversation that packs a punch. Inspired by the song, “Jaco’s Boxing” (drawn from Psalm 71), they explore prayer and tradition through the unexpected lens of the boxing ring—where resilience is tested, weary hands are lifted by community and by God, and compassion is demanded even for our enemies, echoing through the shofar and the cry of Sisera’s mother.  

From dynamic prayer spaces to bold new approaches to teen engagement, from the challenges of leadership to the centrality of gratitude and love, this episode is a fast-m...

In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, Shep Rosenman sits down with singer-songwriter and grief therapist, Ingrid Avison, for a moving conversation about the making of “Little Prizes,” a song born out of Psalm 86 and the end-of-life journey of Shep’s dear friend, Kim Simon. This episode is dedicated to Kim and her family. If you want to read more about Kim's life, click this link.

Shep and Ingrid reflect on grief as both a deep wound and a surprising wellspring of creativity—exploring how writing with co-writer Liz Hanellin, performing music as ritual, and weaving in humor...

Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand joins host Shep Rosenman for a moving conversation inspired by the song “Nothing Left to Be Said” and Psalm 49. Together, they explore what silence can mean in times of grief, the power of Jewish mourning rituals such as shiva and the work of the Hevra Kadisha, and how music, memory, and storytelling help us navigate loss.  

Through personal stories and interfaith perspectives, they reflect on the many ways communities honor loved ones—whether through ritual, burial customs, humor, or the everyday objects that hold memory. The discussion weaves together Jewish tradition, universal themes of mour...

In this powerful episode, Shep Rosenman sits down with co-writer Leah Lesch to uncover the story behind “Bring Him Home”— a moving piece born from Psalm 126 in the shadow of October 7th. The episode is dedicated to the memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin.  

Leah and Shep reflect on how the song came to life, the emotional depth of Nettie Wolkind’s performance, and its heartfelt intention as a prayer for Hersh Goldberg-Polin and all the hostages to return home.  

What follows is more than a conversation about music—it’s a journey through hope and heartbreak, memory and mou...

In this episode of "The Rest is Commentary," host Shep Rosenman engages in a profound conversation with Rabbi Mel Gottlieb about the journey to wholeness by embracing both light and shadow within ourselves. Drawing inspiration from the song "Finding My Way Out," co-written with Liz Hanelin and produced by Shep's son, E. Rose, Rosenman and Rabbi Gottlieb explore the significance of integrating opposites to achieve authenticity and spiritual growth.

Rabbi Gottlieb shares insights from Kabbalistic and Jungian thought, encouraging listeners to love the evil in themselves and embrace their shadow, as this is essential for loving others...