The Real Question - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

The Real Question — Relationships
The Real Question

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.

Copyright: © Not Sorry Productions

Latest Episodes:

Special Patreon Bonus: Real Talk with Mauricio and Vanessa! Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

We hope you enjoy this sneak peak into our Patreon content, where each month patrons receive a bonus conversation from Vanessa and Mauricio! In today's episode, they work through Mauricio's question: should he start saying no to more things?

If you enjoy our work, please consider signing up on our Patreon so we can continue to make this show!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Prompt from Mauricio - November Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

Once a month we'll be dropping into the feed with a (totally optional) prompt for listener submissions. This month Mauricio is thinking about belonging, ahead of his application for US citizenship.

Submit your questions here!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revisiting: Should I Go Back to Church? Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

In the weeks between new episodes, we'll be revisiting some favorite old ones with some new commentary from Mauricio.

In this episode from Season 4, Mauricio talks with Daniel. Daniel'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.

Stick around until the end of the episode for some new thoughts from Mauricio! We hope you enjoy revisiting these episodes with us.

--

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.

How do I find my new normal after the loss of my father? Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Larissa's father was a big part of her life, and over the summer he passed away unexpectedly. As she returns to her daily routine, she's finding it difficult to honor her grief while also continuing her life. Is there any way to balance the two?

This week on the show, Mauricio and our guest explore grief, expectations, and new rituals.

--

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.

Revisiting: Should I Give Theater a Second Chance? Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

In the weeks between new episodes, we'll be revisiting some favorite old ones with some new commentary from Mauricio.

In this episode from Season 4, Mauricio talks to Katy. When Katy was a kid, she dreamt of being a stage actress. After some early rejections, she pivoted to stand-up and improv and built a career for herself in that field. Now she's working for a college theater department and she finds herself feeling jealous of the kids in her program. She's having trouble making sense of this jealousy. Does it mean she should try to do stage acting again?

This week on the show Mauricio and Katy explore how we carry our past rejections with us.

Stick around until the end of the episode for some new thoughts from Mauricio! We hope you enjoy revisiting these episodes with us.

--

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.

Revisiting: Should I Quit My Dream of Being a Rockstar? Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

In the weeks between new episodes, we'll be revisiting some favorite old ones with some new commentary from Mauricio.

In this episode from Season 3, Vanessa talks to Penni Jo. Five years ago, Penni Jo made a late-in-life decision to pursue a career as a songwriter. Now, with a few years of rejection under her belt, she’s wondering if it’s time to give up on that dream. Should she just get a ‘real job’ with better benefits?

If you want to check out Penni Jo's music, you can find her on Spotify and Apple Music.

Stick around until the end of the episode for some new thoughts from Mauricio! We hope you enjoy revisiting these episodes with us.

--

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.

How much should I tell people about my religious past? Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Once upon a time, Amber was a seminary student, and then - a pastor! It's an important part of her story, but not at all where she ended up. Now that her workplace has moved into a bigger building, and her office has space to put up diplomas, should she display that part of her past openly to her coworkers?

This week on the show, Mauricio and our guest explore storytelling, assumptions, and guilt.

--

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.

Revisiting: Diagnosis Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

In the weeks between new episodes, we'll be revisiting some favorite old ones with some new commentary from Mauricio.

In this episode from Season 2, Vanessa and Casper talk to Maya. Maya has been in pain for years. She’s been going to doctors, trying to figure out what's going on with her body, but nobody seems to think anything is wrong with her. And lately she’s started to feel like the whole process of trying to get good healthcare is more painful emotionally and psychologically than the physical pain she’s in. Should she stop trying and protect her mental health? Or is that giving up?

With help from Mythbusters and the Liverpool Football Club, Maya, Vanessa and Casper discuss everything that's at stake in trying to get a diagnosis.

Stick around until the end of the episode for some new thoughts from Mauricio! We hope you enjoy revisiting these episodes with us.

--

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 - September Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Once a month we'll be dropping into the feed with a (totally optional) prompt for listener submissions. This month Mauricio is thinking about rejection, and how we deal with it.

Submit your questions here!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do I keep my kids safe within my religious tradition? Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

As an adult, Eva has formed a spiritual community and developed a practice that are very important to her. Her spiritual elder is someone she respects a lot, but has historically had a complicated relationship with. She worries about having her children around this person - how can she ensure they have the full religious experience while also ensuring their emotional safety?

This week on the show Mauricio and our guest explore imposter syndrome, mentorship, and collective joy.

--

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.

Related Podcasts