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The Real Question

Not Sorry
Quitting
Singing Career
Financial Stability
Mental Health
Parenting
Resilience
Music Rejection
Nicotine
Community Support
Parenthood
Cursing
Homelessness
Education
Performing Arts
Germany
Grudge
Addiction
Chronic Illness
Relationships
Guilt

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 ha... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes188Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureSelf-ImprovementEducationRelationships

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Artwork for The Real Question

Latest Episodes

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 find herself feeling je... more

Naomi Westwater released their latest album, Cycle & Change, this past spring. This album release intersected with a lot of big life events – a divorce, moving house, the death of their father – and they didn't have the capacity to celebrate and prom... more

Five years ago, Karolina's friend stopped replying to her messages. Karolina doesn't know why. Did she do something wrong? Was the friend just going through a hard time? If so – why hasn't the friend reached out since? Karolina misses her friend and ... more

Christine Flynn calls herself 'a bit of a workaholic.' She's always taking on new projects and managing some aspect of life with a successful career, three kids, and a family farm. Does she truly need to be juggling everything she's doing? Or is ther... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Naomi Westwater
An accomplished musician, artist, and cultural curator involved in events celebrating diverse musical expression.
Episode: Should I: Give Up on My Album?
Brooke Williams
Naturalist and environmental writer with 40 years of advocacy for wilderness.
Episode: The Practice of Re-Enchantment (with Brooke Williams)
Colette Potts
Licensed family therapist, chaplain, author of 'Love First'
Episode: Should You: Get a Divorce?
Unnamed Guest
A transmasculine individual who is contemplating the decision of having a child.
Episode: Should I: Have a Child?
Anna Goldfarb
Journalist and author of Modern Friendship
Author
Episode: Modern Friendship with Anna Goldfarb
Vanessa Zoltan
First guest of the new season who shared her personal question about art classes.
Not Sorry Productions
Episode: Should I: Take an Art Class in 2025?
Beth Silvers
Co-host of Pantsuit Politics
Pantsuit Politics
Episode: Did They Quit: Cussing
Julia Argy
Runs pilgrimages for Not Sorry Productions, novelist, and stay-at-home parent.
Not Sorry Productions
Episode: Should I Quit: Breastfeeding?
Micaela Blei
Professional storyteller, storytelling teacher, and story editor
Episode: Should I Quit: Buying Home Goods? (with Micaela Blei)

Host

Mauricio Bruce
Chaplain and host, noted for guiding conversations through thoughtful and introspective questioning.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 825 ratings
  • Joyful Wisdom!

    I never know where a conversation is going and I mean that in the absolute best way. I find something to relate to in every episode and I’m often thinking about it long after I listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shirdles
    United States6 months ago
  • Compelling, Heartwarming, Intimate

    This gem of a podcast takes wholehearted conversations to the next level. Every week I’m blown away by the thoughtful (and wonderfully vulnerable) conversations between Mauricio (the host) and the guest who offers a tender question that’s been on their mind.

    It’s not always easy to hold space for big questions that touch on risk, identity, and life journey. But Mauricio does just that, and he brings a levity, warmth, and introspective rigor to the conversation as he does it.

    Thank you for thi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Babs T.
    United States6 months ago
  • Absolutely wonderful

    I was a little scared what would happen to the show with the new host… but I need not have feared! In a striking and kind of beautiful way, it still feels like the same show. Or at least — this new season of TRQ is still providing just the vibe I was seeking out, listening to prior seasons of TRQ — thoughtful and probing conversations, with a wise and interesting host. It just has a new, fresh flavor :) Mauricio is wonderful and digs deep, and I’m excited to learn from him and his questions as t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bdeep
    United States6 months ago
  • Special!!

    This is really truly a special show. I come to it when I want to hear a convo that I feel like is between friends, and inevitably I end up turning inwards and have a conversation with myself. I think the new host Mauricio is incredibly insightful and fun and charming and thoughtful. Definitely worth a listen or several!

    I do have one criticism: it should come with free tissues because it SO often, even when I don’t expect it, makes me emotional and teary eyed. In a good way. 🩷

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hannahreviews27
    United States7 months ago
  • Heart forward

    I really love hearing the host help people come to their own solutions on the problems they bring. As someone who has toyed with the idea of becoming a therapist myself, I’m learning a lot! Whenever it would be my instinct to push someone on something, he opts to pivot and ends up peeling back some other layer in a different way. The dance is masterful and respectful. The guests are also so well spoken and self aware. Love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hellokittee
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the genuine and heartfelt discussions that often provoke deep reflections and insights.
Reviewers highlight the podcast as a soothing space for those facing personal dilemmas, often feeling like a conversation between friends.
Many find the content relatable, providing valuable lessons that resonate with their own life experiences.
The host is praised for his empathetic approach and ability to guide guests through complex emotional issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Should I: Give Up on My Album?
Q: Should I give up on my album?
Naomi realizes she needs to say goodbye to her album rather than simply giving up on it.
Should I: Reach Out to a Friend Who Ghosted Me?
Q: So, I know I'm not the person who you're waiting to hear this from. And if I can say it again, I have not heard that you did anything wrong.
Karolina acknowledges that she could let go of her guilt if she knew she wasn't at fault, which could relieve her feelings of hurt.
Should I: Reach Out to a Friend Who Ghosted Me?
Q: So what are you missing? What are you remembering? What's going on right now?
Karolina expresses feeling nostalgic about their past shared experiences and hoping to reconnect to share her joy for her friend's happiness.
Should I: Start Saying No to Opportunities?
Q: What prompted your question about saying no to opportunities?
Christine discusses her struggle with being a workaholic and her fear of financial insecurity which leads her to say yes to everything.
Should I: Apply to Medical School Again?
Q: What is going through your head?
It's partially trying not to cry; it feels like every year feels like an hour never. I don't know whether I can handle giving up on this.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Real Question

What is The Real Question about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on life's challenging dilemmas, this podcast provides a platform for guests to share personal questions they are grappling with. Each episode features host Mauricio Bruce, who guides the conversation to help guests explore their thoughts and feelings surrounding significant life changes. The conversations traverse a wide array of themes including relationships, career transitions, and personal identity, engaging with issues such as acceptance, self-discovery, and the impact of societal values. What sets this show apart is its emphasis on future-oriented questions, encouraging a reflective exploration of aspirations and personal growth. The intimate and compassionate approach fosters a sense of community and shared experience among ... more

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How many listeners does The Real Question get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Real Question?

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How many subscribers and views does The Real Question have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Real Question?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Real Question:

1. Hot and Bothered
2. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
3. Material Girls
4. Culture Study Podcast
5. Let's Ask Taylor Swift

How many episodes of The Real Question are there?

The Real Question launched 5 years ago and published 188 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Real Question?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Real Question?

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What guests have appeared on The Real Question?

Recent guests on The Real Question include:

1. Naomi Westwater
2. Brooke Williams
3. Colette Potts
4. Unnamed Guest
5. Anna Goldfarb
6. Vanessa Zoltan
7. Beth Silvers
8. Julia Argy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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