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 delivers lessons that only come from 25 years of doing the work.
💡 In This Episode, We Cover:
◼️ Writing his first book at 23—and why it was written entirely on a bus
◼️ How a single real-life story became a bestselling Jewish novel
◼️ The business reality of publishing: royalties, advances, and distribution
◼️ Why most novels fail—and what actually sells in Jewish publishing
◼️ Turning an out-of-print Torah sefer into a global learning movement
◼️ How storytelling makes Torah accessible to thousands worldwide
◼️ Why passion isn’t enough—and how market awareness shapes success
◼️ Leaving a thriving music and choir career at the right time
◼️ How the Jewish music industry changed—and why CDs ended the model
◼️ Balancing faith, creativity, family, and parnassah
◼️ Advice for writers, creators, and those considering Aliyah
◼️ Why longevity matters more than trends in any creative career
⏱️ Chapters:
0:00 From Shabbos Table to a Global Torah Movement
2:56 Writing a First Novel by Hand (And Getting Published)
12:01 The Sefer That Sparked a Worldwide Learning Revolution
21:32 Choirs, Creativity & Walking Away From Music
27:16 Writing for Impact, Not Sales
🔗 Connect with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer
LinkedIn: https://il.linkedin.com/in/rabbi-nachman-seltzer-a719849
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B086K3HW5P
🔗 Connect with the Host
Tuli Kraus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/
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