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...

  • 41 minutes 47 seconds
    Do I have to keep living in a place I hate?

    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 show Mauricio and our guest explore real and chosen family, and how to know if your environment is the issue.


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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!

    Submit your questions here


    The Real Question is a Not Sorry Production

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

    20 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 1 minute 39 seconds
    A Prompt from Mauricio - April

    Once a month we'll be dropping into the feed with a (totally optional) prompt for listener submissions. This month Mauricio is thinking community ahead of his brother's wedding.


    Submit your questions here!

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

    9 April 2026, 8:23 pm
  • 40 minutes 11 seconds
    Is 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 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.

    16 March 2026, 4:05 pm
  • 2 minutes 20 seconds
    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.

    9 March 2026, 8:58 pm
  • 32 minutes 15 seconds
    Will 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 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.

    16 February 2026, 5:56 pm
  • 1 minute 48 seconds
    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.

    11 February 2026, 6:34 pm
  • 36 minutes
    How 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 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.

    19 January 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 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.



    --

    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.


    --

    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?'


    --

    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?'


    --

    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
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