The formidable Lex Luthor on Smallville, the witty host of the podcast Inside of You, the talented lead singer of rock group Left on Laurel — regardless of where you know him from, all parties can agree that Michael Rosenbaum is an amazing talent.
Michael’s career has spanned decades, with many projects on his impressive resume. As mentioned above, Michael is currently host to the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, where he interviews various people within the entertainment industry in a way that is intimate and raw. Michael’s often an open book in the podcast, talking about anxiety, depression, therapy, and the experiences he’s had throughout his life. It’s one of the things we love most about it; he’s a humble, hardworking guy who isn’t afraid to speak the truth.
His band, Left on Laurel (with bandmates Tom Lally, Carl McDowell, Kent Irwin, and Rob Danson), just finished up an appearance at Rockwood Music Festival in Germany and they’re also working on finishing up their newest record.
Rosenbaum also recently partnered with Smallville co-star Tom Welling to release wine through Stephen Amell’s company, Nocking Point. The wine, which features labels with art of Rosenbaum and Welling, are called “Pure Evil”. You can subscribe to their wine club and receive the wine at Nocking Point’s website – NockingPoint.com (ages 21+).
We got the chance to ask Michael a few questions – about his podcast, his music, and more! Read our interview with Michael below!
Nerds and Beyond: You currently have a podcast, Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum. What’s your favorite part about doing a podcast, and your least favorite part?
Michael Rosenbaum: My favorite part is that each guest helps me learn more about myself and I hope they might learn a little more about themselves, too. More importantly, I think my listeners love the show because it’s no bullshit. It’s not two actors just talking about mundane, Hollywood bullshit. It’s real. It’s honest. It’s raw. We talk about anxiety, depression and real life. I hope when the interview is over that people listening are not only entertained but also informed. Hopefully it helps them out a little bit in their lives in some way. I don’t have a least favorite part. It’s the first job I can say that. I love this podcast. It feels like I was meant to do this.
Nerds and Beyond: Who’s your favorite guest you’ve had on your show so far?
Rosenbaum: So many great, great guests. Truly! I Just had Elvira. You know… Mistress of the Dark? Her real name is Cassandra Peterson. I watched her all the time growing up. I just interviewed her and nearly cried. Her mom had passed away just a week ago and she was so open, honest and so sweet. I’ve never met a more down-to-earth person in my life. It’s a must listen whether you know her or not. I’ve had so many terrific guests. I’m truly blessed. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Zachary Levi, James Gunn, Stephen Amell, Dax Shepard, Henry Winkler, Kristen Bell, Michael Gervais, Rob Benedict, Tom Welling, Justin Hartley, Dave Bautista. I love when guests open up. When they truly just let go and talk to me without thinking too much.. when we just get lost in conversation. When I see them having genuine fun, it’s simply the best feeling in the world.
Nerds and Beyond: Who is a guest you’d love to have on your podcast?
Rosenbaum: Gary Oldman is my favorite actor of all time. I’ve seen everything he’s ever done. I loved the movie Nil by Mouth he directed. I have met him a few times and even bought him pizza once. We have the same guy cutting our hair (laughs). Did I just say that? I’m really trying to get him on. I would truly shit myself if that happens.
Steve Perry I’ve also been trying to get for a while. You know, the lead singer of Journey? I even started a campaign on Twitter and got thousands of people telling him to come on.. but nothing. I hope one day he will do it. I think he had the best voice in rock and I listen to him all the time. My hope is that one day my podcast really blows up to the point that studios start demanding that all their actors have to come do my show. That would be dreamy. Right now I’m just interviewing people I’ve known or have met at cons or are friends of friends. It’s worked out great because the guests have been first class. I mean really top notch. But, I still have a lot of guests I’d love to have on.
Nerds and Beyond: You’re really open on your podcast about therapy and different aspects of your life. What made you want to be so open about those things?
Rosenbaum: I think for so many years I would hide from things that embarrassed me or scared me. Mostly childhood things I never let out. I was tired of running from all of my demons, insecurities and anxieties. Being vulnerable and opening up on my podcast really has helped me find out who I am and what I want out of life. It also makes me a better interviewer. When I open up…the guests open up.
Nerds and Beyond: You’re in a band, Left on Laurel, and working on a new album. Is there anything you can tell us about it?
Rosenbaum: It’s a dream come true. I never thought I would ever have a band, or be the lead singer and then be recording an album. It’s bananas. But I love it and I light up like a little kid every time we are in the recording studio. I’m not sure exactly what the hell I’m doing… but I love it. And not to toot my own horn, but I think we are a shit ton better in the studio than I thought we’d be. We are on a limited budget and time schedule and somehow we have managed to record eight songs in just 4 days. And good songs. I mean, I think they are good.
Nerds and Beyond: Jason Manns is producing your album. What’s your favorite thing about having him as a producer?
Rosenbaum: He’s so laid back. So kind, and so smart. I truly just feel more confident around him. I think we all feel like that. He’s such a sweetheart. We could not be in better hands. Sometimes I think he believes more in us than we believe in ourselves. I would not have done this with anyone else. Period. I love you, Jason Manns. I truly do. Thank you for making my dreams come true.
Nerds and Beyond: You’ve gone to Rockwood Music Festival in Germany to play music with Louden Swain, Jason Manns, Briana Buckmaster, and more. What’s your favorite part about attending Rockwood?
Rosenbaum: It feels like camp. It actually is camp. The only difference is that you are surrounded with so much talent that for me it was overwhelming, fulfilling, nerve-wracking and just incredibly fun. I fell in love with almost everyone there. I’m not even kidding. I just hung out with Rob Humphreys the other day and have been talking to a lot of the gang since our return from Germany. Being there makes me want to be a better musician. These people have been playing their whole lives. I’ve been doing it for a year or so. I feel so far behind but in a strange way I feel like I still belong.
Nerds and Beyond: Are there any plans for you to tour anywhere else?
Rosenbaum: I’m always open to anything. Honestly. If we are given the opportunity to tour and people actually want to see us and hear us play… why not? As long as the rest of the guys can take off from work and Kent can bring his “glow in the dark” drumsticks… let’s roll.
We at Nerds and Beyond also love to ask people we interview the famous Pivot questionnaire, which is often seen on Inside The Actors Studio ,and we got to ask Michael those questions, too! Read his answers below.
Nerds and Beyond: What is your favorite word?
Rosenbaum: Propensity.
Nerds and Beyond: What is your least favorite word?
Rosenbaum: Literally.
Nerds and Beyond: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Rosenbaum: Writing and playing music. No doubt about it.
Nerds and Beyond: What turns you off?
Rosenbaum: Folks who can’t control their liquor.
Nerds and Beyond: What is your favorite curse word?
Rosenbaum: I try not to swear, but “fuck” for sure.
Nerds and Beyond: What sound or noise do you love?
Rosenbaum: Farts.
Nerds and Beyond: What sound or noise do you hate?
Rosenbaum: Snoring.
Nerds and Beyond: What profession other than your own would like to attempt?
Rosenbaum: Sports announcer.
Nerds and Beyond: What profession would you not like to do?
Rosenbaum: Anything political.
Nerds and Beyond: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Rosenbaum: You barely made it…but you made it.
Thank you again to Michael for this interview! You can check out his podcast, Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, on his website, and it’s also available on ITunes. Also, make sure to check out Left on Laurel on Twitter!
