The Rest is Commentary with Shep Rosenman25 Mars

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.

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Avsnitt(62)

061: Spinoza, Psalms and Songcraft: A Conversation with David Coile

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 ...

1 Okt 59min

060: With a Little Help from My Friends: A Conversation with Lee Rosenbaum

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 identiti...

16 Sep 52min

059: Faith After Fire: A Conversation with Allison Lee

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...

2 Sep 51min

058: Sacred String Theory: A Conversation with Jim Wright

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 i...

18 Aug 58min

057: Going to Hope: A Conversation with Rabbi Leon Wiener-Dow

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...

31 Juli 1h

056: The Harmony of Hevrusa: A Conversation with Rabba Yaffa Epstein

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 She...

17 Juli 55min

055: Mistakes, Grace, Boundaries: A Conversation with Rabbi Hannah Jensen

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). She...

9 Juli 52min

054: Jazz, Mystery, and the Search for God: A Conversation with Amy Guterson

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...

24 Juni 1h 3min