The Real Question
Not Sorry
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/
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Top 10 The Real Question Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Real Question episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Real Question for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Real Question episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
The Monarchy
The Real Question
09/20/21 • 43 min
Casper has a soft spot in his heart for the monarchy. He understands all the absurdities of the institution, but he can’t get rid of that feeling that he associates with childhood and history and national identity. Is it okay to have that feeling knowing what he knows intellectually? Or should he be trying to get rid of it?
With help from Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf and The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel, Casper and Vanessa reflect on what it means to glorify national stories and how to go about dismantling them.
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Should I Quit: Trying to Get Better?
The Real Question
01/30/23 • 34 min
About a year and a half ago, Fran got sick. Since then, she’s been focused on getting a diagnosis and then trying to get better. But the kind of chronic illness she has – sometimes you don’t get better. Should she keep trying to get ‘back to normal’? Or it is time to come to terms with her life as it is?
This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Fran discuss how to integrate a new version of yourself into your existing life.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Should I Quit: My Dream Job?
The Real Question
01/16/23 • 23 min
Jaime loves birds. Since they were eight years old they’ve wanted a career in bird science, and so far they’ve been living that dream! But a recently discovered chronic illness has been making the work more difficult. Is it time to move on from their life’s big passion?
This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Jaime discuss how our dumb bodies get in the way of what we love.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Neighbors
The Real Question
04/05/21 • 40 min
What do we owe our neighbors?
When Casper first moved to New York, he put a lot of effort into getting to know the other people in his apartment building. He even threw a rooftop party so that everyone could have the chance to meet one another. Now, as he’s settling into his life in NYC, he’s asking himself how much effort he really wants to put into knowing his neighbors. Should he throw another party for the new people moving into the building? Or is okay to spend his time building community with friends and family instead?
Drawing on the book Community by Peter Block and Game of Thrones, Casper and Vanessa think through how much we should be valuing neighborliness and local community in our lives.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Should I Quit: My Church?
The Real Question
01/09/23 • 22 min
Cari has been dreading going to church. In theory, she likes so much about the community. But lately, she’s been resenting her obligations there. Is this just a rut? Or is it time to move on?
This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Cari discuss the challenges associated with being in community.
If you’re interested in signing up for the Nearness, the next online six-week journey starts on January 23rd. Learn more on their website.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Should I Quit: My Rule Against Long Distance Relationships?
The Real Question
01/23/23 • 22 min
When Cheyanne was twenty-three years old she made a rule: no long distance relationships. They just set you up for heartbreak! Every time she fell for someone far away, she stuck by her trusty rule. But now, nearly six years later and single, she finds herself questioning it. Is the rule keeping her from finding the right person?
This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Cheyanne explore what we need out of partnerships.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Should I Quit: Karate?
The Real Question
02/20/23 • 21 min
Sami has been practicing the same style of Karate for 20 years; it’s a huge part of her identity. But a recent conflict with her Sensei has thrown her relationship with the sport up in the air. Can she go back to her dojo, knowing that things with her Sensei will never feel the same?
This week of Should I Quit? Vanessa and Sami discuss how one person can turn a good situation into a bad one.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Driving
The Real Question
03/08/21 • 33 min
If you don’t learn to drive, are you failing to equip yourself for adult life?
Casper has promised himself every summer that *this* is the year he’s going to learn how to drive. And yet each year passes and Casper is no closer to having a license. Drawing upon The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel and the song Walk the Road by Kate Rusby, Casper and Vanessa try to sort out which goals it’s okay to give up on.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Grandparents
The Real Question
03/22/21 • 40 min
Casper wants to feel closer to his paternal grandparents. But there’s a problem: they’ve been dead for a few years now. Is there a way, as he grows older, for him to keep his grandparents an active part of his life?
Drawing upon The Suitcase by Frances Stoner Saunders and Children and Art from the musical Sunday in the Park with George, Casper and Vanessa think through how grief changes over time.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Should I Quit: Being a Teacher?
The Real Question
02/06/23 • 30 min
Lacy has been a teacher for fifteen year, and like many teacher’s right now, she’s feeling overwhelmed. School doesn’t feel the same as it did pre-pandemic. She feels pulled in a million directions, and out of hope. Is it time to quit teaching?
This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Lacy discuss how much to sacrifice for a job you care about.
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We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 Listener
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Real Question have?
The Real Question currently has 168 episodes available.
What topics does The Real Question cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Self-Help, Feminist, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education and Relationships.
What is the most popular episode on The Real Question?
The episode title 'Should I Quit: My Rule Against Long Distance Relationships?' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Real Question?
The average episode length on The Real Question is 28 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Real Question released?
Episodes of The Real Question are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Real Question?
The first episode of The Real Question was released on Feb 19, 2021.
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