The Real Question

Vanessa Zoltan and Casper ter Kuile learned in divinity school about the art of paying attention. In this podcast, they turn that attention to a variety of everyday scenarios in their own lives to see what’s really at stake. Each week, Vaness...

  • 23 minutes 5 seconds
    Looking 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.



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    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.

    22 December 2025, 3:35 pm
  • 15 minutes 55 seconds
    Did 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.


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    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.

    20 December 2025, 5:33 am
  • 12 minutes 27 seconds
    Did 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?'


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    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.

    19 December 2025, 1:52 am
  • 12 minutes 20 seconds
    Did 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?'


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    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.

    18 December 2025, 1:12 am
  • 12 minutes 20 seconds
    Did 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.



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    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.

    17 December 2025, 12:22 am
  • 10 minutes 13 seconds
    Did 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.



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    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.

    15 December 2025, 3:23 pm
  • 39 minutes 52 seconds
    Should 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.


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    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.

    8 December 2025, 3:22 pm
  • 28 minutes 47 seconds
    Should 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.


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    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.

    1 December 2025, 2:56 pm
  • 40 minutes 5 seconds
    Should 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.


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    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.

    24 November 2025, 3:16 pm
  • 36 minutes 21 seconds
    Should 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.


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    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.

    17 November 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 6 seconds
    Should 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 Production

    Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram


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    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.

    10 November 2025, 3:00 pm
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