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PODCAST

The Rabbi & the Other Guy

Welcome to ”The Rabbi & the Other Guy,” where Shalom Austin CEO Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket dive headfirst into the vast ocean of Jewish curiosity. Join us as we tackle every question under the sun about being Jewish, from the profound to the playful. From exploring religious and cultural nuances to confronting intense conversations, and even delving into the classic age-old question - what really IS the best type of challah?

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

53:34

Spirituality in the Age of AI with Brett Hurt

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2026/02/12

In our newest episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts sit down with entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Love Conquers Fear, Brett Hurt, for a wide-ranging conversation at the intersection of technology, spirituality, and the future of humanity.Together, they explore the rapid rise of AI and emerging technologies, the philosophical questions surrounding consciousness, and why choosing love over fear may be the key to navigating an uncertain future. From global collaboration to spiritual

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57:45

The Magic of Maccabi with Sam Cohen and Mark Pattis

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2026/02/06

Watch the full episode here! In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Rabbi Septimus flies solo as he discusses the popular Maccabi Games with Sam Cohen, the Senior VP of the JCC Association, and Mark Pattis, Senior Experience Director of Shalom Austin. Both former Maccabi athletes, Sam and Mark talk about their previous and current experiences with the games and how transformative they can be. Among other great moments, Sam shares a memory of how ’The Maccabi Magic’ transformed a

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37:45

A True Place of Welcome: The Importance of JCCs in...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/12/18

On this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts are joined by Barak Hermann, President and CEO of the JCC Association of North America, for a thoughtful conversation about the vital role JCCs play in Jewish community life.Together, they explore how JCCs support Jewish families at every stage of life, from early childhood through adulthood, and why they remain one of the most powerful entry points into Jewish connection and belonging. Barak also reflects on what it means for a JCC to be

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46:40

The Ten Commandments Debate: Rabbi Mara Nathan vs....

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/11/13

Watch the full episode here! In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Dr. Matt Schocket and Rabbi Daniel Septimus sit down with Rabbi Mara Nathan, Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth-El in San Antonio. Rabbi Nathan is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state of Texas challenging a new law that would require public schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. She discusses why the separation of church and state is vital to protecting both religious freedom and public education, how

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38:01

What Jew Wanna Eat? Amy Kritzer Becker on Food, Fun,...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/11/06

Watch the full episode here!In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket sit down with Amy Kritzer Becker—founder of ModernTribe, cookbook author, and creator of the beloved blog What Jew Wanna Eat. Amy shares how she infuses Jewish culture with a modern twist through food, design, and humor. From reimagining traditional recipes to building a vibrant online community, Amy celebrates Jewish joy in creative, accessible, and delightfully delicious

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44:02

Learning Together in Jerusalem: Breaking Barriers at...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/10/09

In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Dr. Matt Schocket and Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus learn from Prof. Ariela Gordon-Shaag, the President of Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College. Ariela discusses JMC's integrated form of education, where Jewish and Arab students learn alongside each other and challenge the world’s preconceived notions of Jerusalem.She also discusses how the school teaches dealing with people undergoing trauma, how to care for those displaced after October 7th, and JMC’s

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48:24

Embracing Discomfort with Rabbi Brian Leiken

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/09/18

As the new year approaches, Rabbi Brian Leiken of Congregation Beth Israel sits down with The Rabbi and the Other Guy to share his journey from New York to Texas and the fresh perspective that came with the move. Together, they dive into the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and the power of leaning into the uncomfortable. With warmth, humor, and honesty, Rabbi Leiken reminds us what it means to live with intention and embrace new beginnings.

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45:41

Building Jewish Futures One Book at a Time with...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/09/11

Watch the full episode here!In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Dr. Matt Schocket and Rabbi Daniel Septimus sit down with Jessica McCormick, Director of Family Experience for PJ Library at the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Jessica shares the story and mission of PJ Library—how it began, how it continues to grow like a startup, and how it succeeds in putting Jewish books into the hands of children and families across the country. She also highlights the Library’s innovative microgrant

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48:55

After the Storm: Jewish Values in Action with Rabbi...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/08/28

Watch the full episode here!In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus sits down in a one-on-one with Rabbi Yossi Marrus from Chabad of Boerne to discuss the recent Central Texas floods. Rabbi Marrus reflects on the urgent aid efforts, why he sees himself as an ambassador of Israel, and the Jewish values that guide him in times of crisis—emphasizing the importance of helping, healing, and rebuilding. Rabbi Septimus also chats with Matt Smith, Chair of the Shalom

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33:44

Rising After the Flood: Crissy Eliashar on Resilience...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/08/21

In this powerful episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts sit down with Crissy Eliashar, whose home was destroyed in the devastating floods in Travis County on July 5. Chrissy shares her family’s story of loss, resilience, and hope as they face a long journey of rebuilding.Together, they reflect on the extraordinary ways the Jewish community showed up in their time of need—offering not only material support, but also steadfast emotional and spiritual care. This moving conversation is a

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44:34

Reflections from a Year in Austin with the ShinShinim

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/08/14

Watch the full episode here!Season 3 of The Rabbi and the Other Guy kicks off with our hosts, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket, sitting down with Eyal Butbul and Ariella Goldstein, this year’s ShinShinim from Shalom Austin. In a lively and heartfelt conversation, they share what it’s been like spending a year in Austin—discovering American football, embracing Texas hospitality, rocking cowboy hats, and more. From comparing the realities of life for Israeli and American teens, to

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49:51

Camp, Community, and Connection: A Conversation with...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/07/31

Watch the full episode here! In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts chat with Frank Silberlicht, Executive Director of Camp Young Judaea Texas. Frank talks about the importance of Jewish summer camps in providing young people with a safe, disciplined, and diverse place to grow, as well as the state of summer camps in the wake of the Camp Mystic tragedy. Frank also discusses the increased need for personal interchanges between Jewish people in the United States and Israel, in

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54:50

The Rise of Jewboy Burgers with Mo Pittle

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/06/26

Watch the full episode here!In our newest episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts chat with Mo Pittle, owner of Austin’s popular Jewboy Burgers. Mo dives into the origins of Jewboy’s success, how he got his nickname growing up in a multicultural community in El Paso, managing exploding latkes, and so much more. With an attention to detail learned through years of working in advertising, Mo highlights how he went from not even knowing how to light a fryer to building one of Austin's

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54:12

Campfires and Community: Loui Dobin on the Legacy of...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/05/29

Watch the full episode here! In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, our hosts chat with Loui Dobin, the longtime former director of Greene Family Camp. Together, the three discuss the culture and importance of Jewish summer camps, and the significant impact they have on Jewish identity, formation, and community building. While also sharing his personal journey from New York to Texas, Loui highlights the legacy of Greene Family Camp and the importance of continued support for Jewish

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35:56

Celebrating 25 Years of The Dell Jewish Community Campus

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/05/22

In this special anniversary episode, The Rabbi & the Other Guy take a walk down memory lane to celebrate 25 incredible years of Shalom Austin and the Dell Jewish Community Campus. Join in as they chat with Harriett Kirsh Pozen and Keith Zimmerman—two visionaries who played pivotal roles in the early growth and the historic purchase of the land that would become home to so much community, culture, and connection.Through thoughtful conversation and historical insight, this episode reflects on the

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49:42

Balancing Torah and the Military with Rabbi Dan Millner

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/05/15

In this episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket engage in a lively discussion with Rabbi Daniel Millner, a Modern Orthodox rabbi and active-duty military chaplain. Rabbi Millner shares his journey from yeshiva to the armed forces, offering a glimpse into what it means to serve both God and country and the challenges that come with balancing faith and duty. In addition to his role as an Orthodox Jewish military chaplain, Rabbi Millner dives into the

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45:50

Meeting Students Where They Are with Rabbi Moshe Trepp

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/05/08

Watch the full episode here!Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket chat with Rabbi Moshe Trepp, a rabbi at the University of Texas and a key leader with Olami Texas. Rabbi Trepp shares his experiences working directly with Jewish students at UT, offering a unique, individualized approach to spiritual guidance that meets students where they are. Rabbi Trepp discusses how he fosters meaningful connections with the students and why he believes joy is the most powerful form of perseverance

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52:26

Building a Global Jewish Life with Rebecca Caspi

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/05/01

Watch the full episode here!In this episode of The Rabbi and The Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket chat with Rebecca Caspi, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at The Jewish Federations of North America. Rebecca discusses her journey from growing up in a secular Jewish family in New York City to building a life and career in Israel. Together, they explore the cultural connections—and the meaningful differences—between American and Israeli Jewry, the scope of JFNA's work

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41:12

How One Person Can Make a Difference with Jeannie...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/04/24

Watch the full episode here! Jeannie Opdyke Smith joins Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket to share the remarkable legacy of her mother, Irene Gut Opdyke — a Polish Catholic nurse who hid Jews in plain sight during WWII. When Irene died, Jeannie discovered 11 unfulfilled speaking invitations and decided to honor them herself. That single choice launched her own mission: delivering 150‑plus talks a year and fostering more than 60 children. Tune in for an incredible conversation about

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48:44

Jewish Identity, Israel, and the "Esther Moment" with...

The Rabbi & the Other Guy ·

2025/04/10

Watch the episode here!In our newest episode of The Rabbi & the Other Guy, Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket sit down with Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove — Park Avenue Synagogue’s senior rabbi and author of For Such a Time as This — to talk about Jewish identity after October 7, generational tensions around Israel, and why this might just be our modern-day "Esther moment." Rabbi Cosgrove shares the story that changed his life, challenges the way we engage Gen Z, and offers a powerful

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