The Real Question
Not Sorry · Not Sorry LLC
Show overview
The Real Question has been publishing since 2021, and across the 5 years since has built a catalogue of 213 episodes, alongside 13 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 100 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 5th season.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 23 min and 37 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language Society & Culture show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 weeks ago, with 7 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 56 episodes published. Published by Not Sorry LLC.
From the publisher
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.
Latest Episodes
View all 213 episodesDo I have to keep living in a place I hate?
A Prompt from Mauricio - April
S5 Ep 3Is the way I'm spending my time aligned with my values?
Emily is a new mother finally finding the balance between time for her daughter and time just for herself. She's a reliable and consistent friend, a supportive figure within her family, and involved with her community yoga studio. But as she watches the news and the way other people are responding on her social media feeds she wonders, is she doing enough to meet the current moment?This week on the show Mauricio and our guest explore shame, calling, and how to know if our values are matching our actions.--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 hereThe Real Question is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Prompt from Mauricio - March
Once a month we'll be dropping into the feed with a (totally optional) prompt for listener submissions. This month Mauricio is thinking about navigating the return of his cluster headaches.Submit your questions here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 Ep 2Will I feel guilty if I choose not to freeze my eggs?
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 hereThe Real Question is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A Prompt from Mauricio - February
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.
S5 Ep 1How do I trust myself?
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 hereThe Real Question is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 Ep 57Looking Forward, Looking Back: A 2025 Reflection (with Mauricio and Vanessa)
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.
S4 Ep 56Did They: Re-Apply to Medical School?
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.
S4 Ep 55Did They: Quit Keeping Kosher?
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.
S4 Ep 54Did They: Invite Their Dad to Their Wedding?
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.
S4 Ep 53Did They: Change the Way They Talk About Their Health?
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.
S4 Ep 52Did They: Decide to Have a Child?
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.
S4 Ep 51Should I: Try to Make More Friends?
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 ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 Ep 50Should I: Research My Family History?
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 ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 Ep 49Should I: Try to Get Pregnant Now?
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 ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 Ep 48Should I: Stop Working with My Friends?
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 ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 Ep 47Should I: Plan to Take Care of My Parents in the Future?
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 ProductionFind 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.
S4 Ep 46Should I: Dye My Graying Hair?
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 ProductionFind 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.
S4 Ep 45Should I: Start Dating?
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 ProductionFind 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.