THE RABBI & THE OTHER GUY

A Shalom Austin Podcast – New Episodes Every Thursday!

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 along as they tackle every question under the sun about being Jewish, both profound and 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?

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Listen Now!

EPISODE 18: Judaism and Public Affairs

In our latest episode, Shalom Austin’s Public Affairs Director, Emily Bourgeois, joins Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket. Together, they explore her involvement in the Austin Jewish community, discuss strategies for advocacy, reflect on both historical and current perspectives on social justice, and emphasize the importance of sourcing news from diverse outlets.

Read more about our hosts’ discussion with Emily here and here!

EPISODE 17: Are Jews an Oppressed People?

In our newest episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket are joined by Jackie Niremberg, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Austin Regional Director, to discuss and break down the question – ‘are Jews oppressed?’ Together, they explore the complexities of Jewish identity, the nuances of anti-Semitism, and the challenges facing Jewish communities today.

Read more about our hosts’ discussion with Jackie here and here!

EPISODE 16: JEWS & HALLOWEEN

Are Jews allowed to celebrate Halloween? What even really is Halloween? In this episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket sit down with Rabbi Eleanor Steinman, Temple Beth Shalom’s Senior Rabbi, to discuss all the (not so) spooky details.

EPISODE 15: Do Jews Have a Place in Your Political Party? Part Two

As the election draws near, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket sit down with Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and a voice in the Republican community. In this compelling episode, they discuss the intersection of Jewish identity and Republican ideals, the policy matters that resonate with Jewish voters, and what the upcoming election could mean for Jews in the party.

EPISODE 14: Do Jews Have a Place in Your Political Party? Part One

With the election fast approaching, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Matt Schocket welcome former Austin Mayor and prominent Democrat Steve Adler for an insightful discussion. Together, they explore the role of Jewish voters within the Democratic party, the key issues at stake, and how Jewish values align with political platforms.

EPISODE 13: OCTOBER 7 – ONE YEAR LATER PART TWO

In Part Two of our “One Year Later” episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket sit down with Shelly Shwartz, Israeli-American Council Texas Regional Director. Together, they discuss the growing Israeli community in Austin and how the Austin Jewish community can continue to move forward since October 7.

EPISODE 12: What is the Significance of Yizkor? Part One

Rabbi Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim, joins our hosts in our 12th episode to tell us all about Yizkor. What does it mean, and why is it important? Be sure to stay tuned for Part Two, coming out in just a couple of weeks!

EPISODE 11: October 7 – One Year Later PART ONE

As we approach the one-year mark since the tragic October 7 attacks in the Gaza Envelope, join your hosts for a powerful conversation with Michal Ilai, Senior Israel Educator at Shalom Austin. Together, they explore the meaning of Jewish peoplehood, resilience, and cultural pride in the face of adversity.

EPISODE 10: Questions We’ve Always Wanted to Ask an Orthodox Rabbi

Rabbi Mendy Levertov, Director/Spiritual Leader of Chabad Young Jewish Professionals of Austin, joins us in episode 10 to answer all the questions our hosts have ever wanted to ask an Orthodox rabbi. Plus, we get to know his brand of “High Energy Judaism.”

EPISODE 9: Do Jewish Students Feel Safe on Campus?

We’re back! In our 9th episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket sit down with Rabbi Stephanie Max, Executive Director of Texas Hillel, and Jeffrey Harberg, a current junior at the University of Texas, to discuss what life on campus has been like since October 7.

EPISODE 8: SUMMER & SABBATICAL

Before they head into their mid-season break, our hosts sit down and chat about just about everything – work, sports, summer camp, and Rabbi Septimus’ sabbatical (and what that even is). We’ll be back in September!

EPISODE 7: JEWS & THE AFTERLIFE

Is there a heaven or hell? Do Jews believe in resurrection? What happens to our soul? And most importantly, did Darth Vader repent before he died? In this episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket discuss what the afterlife looks like in Judaism, both practically and personally.

EPISODE 6: JEWS & THE HEBREW CALENDAR

How important is the Hebrew calendar for Jews who live in the Diaspora? Are Jews allowed to interpret and implement the Hebrew calendar in their own way? Can we honor Yom Kippur at the same time TXOU is playing? In this episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket discuss the differences between the Hebrew calendar vs. the Gregorian calendar.

EPISODE 5: JEWS & REPAIRING THE WORLD

Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket discuss the Jewish concept and principles of Tikkun Olam or, “repairing the world,” and what it means in different sects of Judaism.

EPISODE 4: JEWS & YOUTH GROUPS

If you grew up in a Jewish household, you were probably involved in some sort of Jewish youth organization when you were growing up. In this episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket discuss what Jewish youth groups are, why they were initially created, and how important they are for Jews born in the Northeast vs. Jews born in the South (trust us, there’s a difference!).

EPISODE 3: JEWS & TATTOOS

Are Jews allowed to get tattoos? Is it against tradition, or is it just another form of self-expression? In this episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket dive into the ever-evolving and taboo conversation surrounding Jews and tattoos.

EPISODE 2: JEWS & MARRIAGE

Love and marriage. What does that look like in Judaism? What is a Ketubah, and why does the groom stomp on glass? What are the rules when it comes to interfaith marriage? In our second episode, Rabbi Septimus and Dr. Schocket chat about the traditions of marriage in Judaism, and how it has evolved over time.

EPISODE 1: JEWS & JUDAISM

Welcome to The Rabbi & the Other Guy! In our very first episode, our hosts dive into the overarching question of “what makes someone Jewish?” and what that looks like throughout Judaism as a whole.

Meet Your Hosts

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus

Shalom Austin Chief Executive Officer

A fifth-generation Houstonian, Rabbi Septimus has been in Austin since 2014, serving as Texas Hillel Executive Director for just over two years and now as CEO of Shalom Austin since September 2016, the hub of Jewish life in Central Texas.

Before coming to Austin, Rabbi Septimus served at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, the largest Jewish congregation in the Pacific Northwest for seven years as Associate Rabbi and Director of Congregation Learning where he brought a holistic approach to congregational learning.

Rabbi Septimus graduated from Tulane University in 2002 and was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2007. He has also been awarded the prestigious Hartman and Schusterman Fellowships.

Matthew S. Schocket, M.D.

Founder and President, Interventional Pain Doctor, Captial Pain Institute

Dr. Matt Schocket is board-certified in both anesthesiology and pain management after completing his residency at UT-Southwestern in Dallas and fellowship at the University of California San Diego. Moving his family back to Texas, Dr. Schocket founded Capitol Pain Institute in 2007 to provide expert pain management to Austin and its surrounding communities. He is a recognized world leader in the field of spinal cord stimulation and has taught physicians this technique across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

He is a recognized world leader in the field of Pain Management and has lectured at multiple national and international conferences including the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the American Academy of Pain Management, the Spine Injection Society, the Israeli Pain Society, the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience, and the International Neuromodulation Society.

As an expert reviewer for the Neuromodulation Journal, he has served on the international Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee. Dr. Schocket currently serves as a national consultant for Abbott and sits on the Board of Directors as a senior advisor for Neuralace. He has also served as a member of the Abbott Pharmaceuticals national advisory council and has actively participated in research projects for Boston Scientific, Allergan, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Merck.

A devoted father and husband, he is married to Kimberly Gardner Schocket, Ph.D. They live in Austin, TX with their two children. When he is not practicing medicine, Dr. Schocket enjoys snow skiing, golf, traveling, Texas Longhorn football, and spending time with his family.

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The Rabbi & the Other Guy Staff

Wendy Goodman, Senior Marketing & Communications Director
Thy Hooks, Assistant Marketing Director
Rebecca Golden, Producer – Marketing & Multimedia Specialist

For questions and inquiries, please contact us.