The Real Question

Once a month we'll be dropping into the feed with a (totally optional) prompt for listener submissions. This month Mauricio is thinking about religion and ritual in secular life. Submit your questions here ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Cari, who 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? Stick around until the end of the epi...

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 speaks to a guest who has always wanted to have a kid. He’s also aware that having a kid will totally transform his life! Is he willing to give up parts of his life to make room for a baby? Stick around until the end of the episode for Mauric...

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, Casper and Vanessa talk to Lily. Lily has a boyfriend who she loves. But you know who she doesn’t love? Her boyfriend’s brother. He makes Lily feel small and hurt and honestly angry every time they see each other. But Lily wants to have a good relatio...

This week we're joined by the lovely and very talented Micaela Blei for a special conversation all about storytelling! Micaela and Mauricio talk about the different ways storytelling helps us think about and shape our own identities, and how it's been a helpful tool on this season of The Real Question. To learn more about What Matters with Micaela, Mauricio and carvel wallace go to our website her...

Kate has always been pretty well informed on current events. They work with kids who care deeply about what's happening in the world, and they believe in the power of collective attention. Unfortunately, over the last several years they've been dealing with back pain which often requires their full attention. Is there a way for them to ease back into paying attention to the news, while also managi...

Over the years, Katie's whole family slowly moved to the same midwestern city. Katie was raised with extended family close by and really values this for her future children. Two years ago, she and her husband has made the move as well, but so far they've hated their experience in this city. Does she need to move somewhere new, or is this the best option for her future children? This week on the sh...

Once a month we'll be dropping into the feed with a (totally optional) prompt for listener submissions. This month Mauricio is thinking about community ahead of his brother's wedding. Submit your questions here ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 t...

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.

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 o...

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.

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...

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...

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 th...

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,...

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 y...

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 grat...

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....

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 p...

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...

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...

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...

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 Ins...

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 Questio...