Growing up Orthodox and the Story of an Orthodox Jewish Woman

Today we’re talking about a topic that people have written to me about consistently over the years--friendships between introverts and extroverts. 

Here to help me is author Heidi Shertok, who told me that being an introvert in an extrovert’s world has presented some problems for her in her friendships. PLUS, I was so excited to talk to Heidi about her trailblazing novel in the romance genre--a romance starring an Orthodox Jewish woman. You've heard of Amish romance? Now there's an Orthodox romance to compete!

Meet Heidi Shertok

Heidi is becoming very well known as a romantic comedy writer in the US and abroad. Heidi’s new novel, Unorthodox Love, has a fun, trailblazing niche—a romcom starring an Orthodox Jewish woman. We spent a little time in the episode on the unlikely path to the mainstream publication of this book, how Heidi got her agent, and more juicy publishing tidbits. Find Heidi on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Topics We Covered:

• Defining an introvert's energy vs. an extrovert's and an ambivert's energy
• Suggestions for making plans in a way that honors your introvert need to conserve energy if you are one (Heidi and I are both introverts.)
• The challenge of being an introvert in the Orthodox Jewish community
• Communicating your needs to friends as an introvert.
• Not taking it personally when your introvert friend doesn't want to talk on the phone daily or gets overwhelmed after a lot of socializing. 
• The role of social media and online friendships with introversion and extroversion and how we spend our energy.
• The dangerous combination of being an introvert and a people pleaser. 
• How Heidi got her niche Orthodox romantic comedy published with a mainstream publisher. Also, how she got her agent. It's a great story!
• The tricky nature of self-promotion for both of us. 

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