I Balanced Faith, Business, and Art | Lessons From 25 Years of Writing

About this episode

Rabbi Nachman Seltzer shares insights from his 25-year journey as a writer at the intersection of faith and creativity.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer—a prolific Jewish author, Torah educator, and former music director who has quietly built a decades-long career at the intersection of faith, creativity, and impact. Rabbi Seltzer shares his journey from writing his first book by hand on a bus at 23 to publishing over 56 books, including Torah works that sold 70,000+ copies worldwide. He opens up about the realities of the publishing world, why novels rarely sell, how biographies and Torah books create lasting influence, and what most aspiring writers misunderstand about success. The conversation also explores his unexpected exit from the Jewish music and choir world, how industry shifts forced hard decisions, and why knowing when to quit can be just as important as knowing how to start. From turning ancient Torah texts into modern movements to offering grounded advice for writers, creators, and those considering Aliyah, this episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking, creative discipline, and purpose-driven work. Whether you’re a writer, educator, creator, or someone navigating career pivots through faith and practicality, this episode…

People in this episode

Host: Tuli Kraus

Guest: Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

Topics covered

• faith
• business
• writing
• creativity
• publishing

Keywords

• Torah
• biographies
• career pivots
• long-term thinking
• creative discipline

Mentioned in this episode

Products: books, Torah works

Books & works: the What It Takes Podcast, Torah, This Episode,

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