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★★★★★

4.9

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419 reviews

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The Real Question is a show that holds space for life’s tough questions. Each episode, a guest brings a personal question they’re grappling with, and Chaplain Mauricio Bruce helps them find an answer. This season, our focus is on future-oriented questions – those that start with ‘Should I…’ Mauricio sits down with guests who are contemplating big and small changes in their lives — whether it’s habits, careers, or relationships. In every episode, he asks the pivotal question: “Who do you want to be and what’s the best path to get there?” The Real Question is produced by Not Sorry Productions, a feminist organization that produces podcasts, educational content, live shows, and immersive experiences with the explicit goal of addressing the spiritual needs of its participants. Through community, rigor, and ritual, we treat traditionally secular things as if they were sacred. To learn more about what we do, visit https://notsorryworks.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Check latest episodes from The Real Question podcast

How do I trust myself?

2026/01/19

Lucy has lived in many different cities, but grew up in New York and has recently moved back. She's starting to feel at home, and would love to stay rooted in a local community. Her partner isn't loving New York - she yearns for the beach, and wishes they could live abroad. How can they find a version of home that works for both of them? This week on the show Mauricio and our guest explore how to trust yourself and your preferences after a lifetime of people pleasing. -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Submit your questions here The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will I feel guilty if I choose not to freeze my eggs?

2026/02/16

Through Bunny's husband's job, she has access to one free round of IVF. They've recently started talking to fertility clinics, but she's not quite ready to be a mom yet - and isn't sure if she ever will be. After a bad experience with one of the clinics, she's wondering if she should abandon the process entirely - will she feel guilty and regret it if she does? This week on the show Mauricio and our guest explore guilt, prophecy, and how to know when to take the next step. -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Submit your questions here The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Prompt from Mauricio - February

2026/02/11

Once a month we'll be dropping into the feed with a (totally optional) prompt for listener submissions. This month Mauricio is thinking about power in the wake of elections in Costa Rica. Submit your questions here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Take an Art Class in 2025?

2025/01/06

It's a new year and we're bringing you a new season with a new host! Today Mauricio is entertaining a very special guest – Vanessa Zoltan. Maybe you've head of her? Vanessa is reflecting on what she wants for 2025 and is wondering whether she should take an art class this year. Art used to be a big part of her life and she misses it! But does she truly have the motivation to leave the house regularly, especially in the evening when she could be resting? -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Pursue Acting Professionally?

2025/01/13

About a year ago, Evie completed a Master’s course in acting. But actually pursuing acting professionally feels like a whole different thing – like she’d have to really commit to it as her life’s dream and struggle for years and maybe still not ever make it. Thinking about that, Evie’s not sure if she good enough or feels passionately enough to commit to trying. This week on Should I Quit? Mauricio and Evie explore what counts as a dreams and when you should pursue it. -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Marry My Girlfriend?

2025/01/20

Leading up to the election, Marina and their girlfriend started joking about marriage. Once the idea was in the air, the question became more and more real. Sure they're young, sure they haven't been together that long, but they really love each other. Plus, heading into a conservative administration, LGBTQ+ rights aren't guaranteed. Is now the time to get married? This week on Should I Quit? Mauricio and Marina discuss when you should rely on the wisdom of your parents and when you should follow your instincts. -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Change My Checklist for Dating?

2025/01/27

A lot of us have a checklist for dating – things we're specifically looking for (or not looking for) in a partner. After a string of unsuccessful dates, Katie is re-evaluating her checklist. Are these things she really needs? What if they're getting in the way of her finding the right person? This week on the show Mauricio and Katie discuss how past relationships can continue to influence you long after they're over. -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Go Back to Church?

2025/02/03

Daniel Schroeder's dad is Methodist minister, so he grew up in the church. But about 10 years ago, after he graduated college, he stopped going. Now, after all this time, he's wondering if it's time to go back. This week on the show Mauricio and Daniel discuss the process of coming out and how to carve out a sense of individual identity within your family. Daniel is the host of Let's Ask Taylor Swift, our newest podcast at Not Sorry. Every other week he and Vanessa Zoltan dissect a Taylor Swift song and apply it to their lives. -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Start A Sabbath Ritual?

2025/02/10

Serena, like all of us, wants to spend less time scrolling on her phone. She wants to make more time for community and deep conversations and joy. She wants to have some kind of sabbath practice. But what does that look like when you don't have a religious tradition to dictate the terms? This week on the show Mauricio and Serena walk step-by-step through designing a sabbath ritual. -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Settle Down?

2025/02/17

Devon always said that when she moved back to Ohio, she would start planning for the future. She'd think about all the big things: about finding a partner, about whether she wants kids, about buying a house, about planning for retirement. But now that's she's finally moved home, she's been avoiding all those big topics. Is she avoiding them because she doesn't want them? Or is she avoiding them because it's scary to begin? This week on the show Mauricio and Devon talk about how to stay flexible and also build roots. The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Modern Friendship with Anna Goldfarb

2025/02/24

Anna Goldfarb is a journalist and self-titled 'friendship expert' who is the author of the recent book Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections. This week she joins Vanessa to talk all about why we make friends, why we lose them, and how to keep them. Next week, we're back to our regular format with Mauricio! The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Have a Life Partner?

2025/03/03

Anna knows she wants to be a parent and she doesn't want to do it alone, but she's never particularly wanted a life partner. Should she reconsider that position for the sake of raising a child? On today's episode, Anna and Mauricio explore Anna's relationship to partnership and uncover some of the deeper anxieties at play for her. The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Start Charging for My Work?

2025/03/10

Ray is graduating with a Masters of Divinity this year but they know they don't want to pursue a traditional path towards ordination. They do want to continue providing spiritual care and counseling to their community. But should they be charging for that work? Shouldn't care be accessible to people who need it, without being a financial burden? On today's episode, Ray and Mauricio explore what it means to have a calling and the complicated web of care, disability, and capitalism. The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Quit My Bookclub?

2025/03/17

Elizabeth Rowe's bookclub reading has started to feel like homework. She loves to read, but after a long day of work she wants romance and adventure and fantasy. Her bookclub, on the other hand, wants Tolstoy. Should she leave the club? This week on the show Mauricio and Elizabeth discuss the importance of community space. Elizabeth Rowe is a leadership coach. She's teaching an upcoming class for Not Sorry called Discerning Success. Sign-up here! The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should I: Continue to Travel to See Family?

2025/03/24

Meghan lives with her partner and daughter in Costa Rica, far away from the rest of their family. They travel frequently to see their family, but it always feels like a huge effort to do so. Should they quit traveling so much? Or would that deprive themselves and their daughter of necessary family time? This week, Mauricio and Meghan discuss the duty we feel towards family and how to balance that with our own self-care. Mauricio mentioned our unlocked Real Talk perk on Patreon, you check it out here. The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram -- This show is completely funded by Patreon, and we are so grateful to our supporters who make it possible. If you can, please considering chipping in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast reviews

Read The Real Question podcast reviews

4.9 out of 5

419 reviews

★★★★★

muzikismoiluv 2026/01/06

The best!

Mauricio is so kind and warm and direct and this show is the best advice podcast I have ever listened to (and I’ve listened to quite a few!) It’s ju...

★★★★★

Emmyak7 2025/12/04

Mauricio is like balm to the soul

This new format is so beautiful. Nothing against Vanessa, Mauricio is just so generous and thoughtful. Every single episode is enlightening and beauti...

★★★★★

Kate loves cupcakes 2025/09/05

Fascinating

This episode about saying no to opportunities really went in a direction I wasn’t expecting.

★★★★★

Shirdles 2025/04/04

Joyful Wisdom!

I never know where a conversation is going and I mean that in the absolute best way. I find something to relate to in every episode and I’m often thin...

★★★★★

Babs T. 2025/03/31

Compelling, Heartwarming, Intimate

This gem of a podcast takes wholehearted conversations to the next level. Every week I’m blown away by the thoughtful (and wonderfully vulnerable) con...

★★★★★

bdeep 2025/03/11

Absolutely wonderful

I was a little scared what would happen to the show with the new host… but I need not have feared! In a striking and kind of beautiful way, it still f...

★★★★★

hannahreviews27 2025/02/24

Special!!

This is really truly a special show. I come to it when I want to hear a convo that I feel like is between friends, and inevitably I end up turning inw...

★★★★★

hellokittee 2025/02/18

Heart forward

I really love hearing the host help people come to their own solutions on the problems they bring. As someone who has toyed with the idea of becoming ...

★★★★★

ittibittibritti 2025/02/17

Heal your fear

I have listened to nearly every episode so far and learn so much each week about my own limiting narratives and questions. It seems to me that it alm...

★★★★★

Horsefan101ggggg 2025/02/11

Mauricio is great!

I found this podcast after Mauricio took over and I love all of his episodes. I’ll eventually peek into the back catalog but I wanted to give him cred...

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