The Real Question

Marriage

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.

Location:

United States

Genres:

Marriage

Description:

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.

Language:

English

Episodes

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

2/16/2026

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.

Duration:00:32:15

A Prompt from Mauricio - February

2/11/2026

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.

Duration:00:01:48

How do I trust myself?

1/19/2026

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.

Duration:00:36:00

Looking Forward, Looking Back: A 2025 Reflection (with Mauricio and Vanessa)

12/22/2025

Mauricio Bruce has been the host of The Real Question for a full year! This week he's joined by Vanessa Zoltan to talk about hosting the show and what's coming next. -- 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! Want to join us on the show in 2026? We'd love to receive your questions through our submission form. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:23:05

Did They: Re-Apply to Medical School?

12/20/2025

As we end our year of 'Should I?' questions, we're checking back in with some past guests. How did things turn out for them? Did they make a final decision after our conversation? For our last conversation in the main feed, we're reaching back out to two guests! This year both Clinton and Sarah brought us the question 'Should I Re-Apply to Medical School?' We check back in with both to see what they decided. -- 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.

Duration:00:15:55

Did They: Quit Keeping Kosher?

12/18/2025

As we end our year of 'Should I?' questions, we're checking back in with some past guests. How did things turn out for them? Did they make a final decision after our conversation? Today we're checking back in with Gillian, who asked the question 'Should I: Quit Keeping Kosher?' -- 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.

Duration:00:12:27

Did They: Invite Their Dad to Their Wedding?

12/17/2025

As we end our year of 'Should I?' questions, we're checking back in with some past guests. How did things turn out for them? Did they make a final decision after our conversation? Today we're checking back in with Natalie, who asked the question 'Should I: Invite My Dad to My Wedding?' -- 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.

Duration:00:12:20

Did They: Change the Way They Talk About Their Health?

12/16/2025

As we end our year of 'Should I?' questions, we're checking back in with some past guests. How did things turn out for them? Did they make a final decision after our conversation? Today we're checking back in with Sarah, who asked the question 'Should I: Change the Way I Talk About My Health?' after a bad encounter with a supervisor. -- 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.

Duration:00:12:20

Did They: Decide to Have a Child?

12/15/2025

As we end our year of 'Should I?' questions, we're checking back in with some past guests. How did things turn out for them? Did they make a final decision after our conversation? We're starting our week with an anonymous guest who asked the question 'Should I: Have a Child?' back in April. -- 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.

Duration:00:10:13

Should I: Try to Make More Friends?

12/8/2025

Erika is an introvert and she’s struggled with friendship in the past. Sometimes people she thought were her friends, didn’t feel the same way about her. Now, as an adult, she has two good friends. Is that enough? Or is she avoiding trying to build more friendships out of a fear of rejection? This week on the show Mauricio and Erika talk about why we perform in our relationships and how to trust people enough to be ourselves. -- 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! And if you have your own 'should I' question, we'd love to consider having you on the show. 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.

Duration:00:39:52

Should I: Research My Family History?

12/1/2025

Alex's mom was adopted and has chosen not to look into her biological roots. But as Alex begins her own search into family history, she has her own questions. Can Alex respectfully research her mom's biological family? And should she tell her mom she’s doing it? This week on the show Mauricio and Alex explore the vulnerability of wanting different things from the rest of your family. -- 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! And if you have your own 'should I' question, we'd love to consider having you on the show. 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.

Duration:00:28:47

Should I: Try to Get Pregnant Now?

11/24/2025

Marie and her partner know they want kids and now seems like a optimal time to try. They have really good parental leave in their current jobs. Marie's health is in a good place. Life is stable. And yet – Marie is hestitating. Is it because she's just resistant to change and needs to bite the bullet? Or is there something she needs to do before she's ready? This week on the show Mauricio and Marie talk about what it means to feel 'ready' for change. -- 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! 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.

Duration:00:40:05

Should I: Stop Working with My Friends?

11/17/2025

This week’s guest is an artist whose work relies on close collaboration with friends. But those friends don’t share the same professional ambitions. Can these collaborations continue, or will our guest have to risk hurting people they care about? This week on the show Mauricio and our guest explore the difference between community and teammates. -- 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! 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.

Duration:00:36:21

Should I: Plan to Take Care of My Parents in the Future?

11/10/2025

César's parents are getting older and as he looks into the future, he's wondering: where does his responsibility to them start and end? How much should he sacrifice to take care of them? This week on the show, Mauricio and César talk about feeling like an outsider in the family and what it means to be of service. 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.

Duration:00:32:06

Should I: Dye My Graying Hair?

11/3/2025

Rebecca always knew her hair would change, she just didn't think it would happen now, in her 30s. She's been on a long journey to accept her curly hair, and isn't ready for another change in a wave of life changes. This week on the show, Mauricio and Rebecca explore dyeing or not dyeing, what it would mean to choose either, and wonder if it's even the right question to begin with. 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.

Duration:00:32:33

Should I: Start Dating?

10/27/2025

Jackson has built an intentional and fulfilling life for himself. He has a supportive family and many friends, and a career he really enjoys. There is an overall sense of contentment with the way things are, but after a series of unexpected challenges he wonders if he's missing out by not having a romantic partner to share in his highs and lows. This week on the show Mauricio and Jackson explore what it would look like to start intentionally dating for the first time. 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.

Duration:00:30:43

Should I: Share Publicly About Experiences with Toxic Workplaces?

10/20/2025

Sruthi works in education. Throughout her career she's has had a wide range of experiences across different institutions – they haven't all been good. In fact, some have been really, really bad. While she often shares insights when asked for advice, she wonders: should she speak out more publicly? And if she does, what risks might come with telling the truth? This week on the show Mauricio and Sruthi explore what constitutes an 'abuse of power.' 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.

Duration:00:37:07

Introducing: When We All Get to Heaven

10/15/2025

Co-founder of Not Sorry, Ariana Nedelman, has a new podcast project out today! When We All Get to Heaven is a 10-episode series that tells the story of one of the first gay-positive churches, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, and how it faced the personal, social, and political trials of the AIDS epidemic, including the deaths of hundreds of its members. The series is releasing over on Slate's Outward podcast and the second episode is already out. Subscribe to Outward to hear the whole series! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:26:34

Should I: Break-Up with My Partner?

10/13/2025

Our guest today recently moved to be closer to a long distance partner. They thought it would make the relationship feel closer, but since the move, things have been feeling off. Is it a sign they should break-up? Or is just a passing symptom of changing circumstances? This week on the show Mauricio and our guest explore the difference between friendship and romantic partnership. 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! 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.

Duration:00:37:09

Should I: Leave Vermont?

10/6/2025

Wes and his fiancee are facing one of the classic millennial issues: they can't afford to buy a house. They've lived in Vermont all their adult lives and they love it there – they love their jobs, they love their friends, they love the access to nature. But should they leave in order to build a better future for themselves and their potential future kids? This week on the show Mauricio and Wes explore what it means to put down 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.

Duration:00:32:57