123 episodes

In this intimate podcast we explore how attention can be a tool for living a more intentional life. This season, Atheist chaplain and co-creator of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text Vanessa Zoltan guides guests through questions of quitting with empathy and humor. Vanessa has always been a big advocate of quitting – she believes quitting doesn't mean 'giving up,' it means you've tried something and realized that it doesn't work.
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.

The Real Question Not Sorry Productions

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 24 Ratings

In this intimate podcast we explore how attention can be a tool for living a more intentional life. This season, Atheist chaplain and co-creator of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text Vanessa Zoltan guides guests through questions of quitting with empathy and humor. Vanessa has always been a big advocate of quitting – she believes quitting doesn't mean 'giving up,' it means you've tried something and realized that it doesn't work.
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.

    Quitting: A Thesis

    Quitting: A Thesis

    Is there something in your life that's making you miserable, but you feel like you need to just put your head down and get through it? Have you considered... just not doing it instead?
    This week, Vanessa starts our new season of The Real Question with a thesis on why we should all be quitting more.
    Next week, you'll hear from our first guest who is considering quitting. And if you'd like to be on the show, you can submit a question here.

    --
    We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!

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

    • 17 min
    Should I Quit: My Name?

    Should I Quit: My Name?

    When Eleanor got married, she took her husband’s last name. Now, nineteen years and three kids later, she’s working on a PhD. The PhD feels separate from her family life, something she’s doing just for herself. And so she’s started to wonder: Do I want to get this PhD under my married name? Or would it feel more ‘me’ to get it under my maiden name? 
    This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Eleanor explore the power of names and what it means to feel like ‘you’ and be a mother at the same time. 
    --
    We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!

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

    • 24 min
    Should I Quit: Texas?

    Should I Quit: Texas?

    Mae lives in Texas. She grew up there, her whole family is there, there are a lot of things she loves about her life there. But now that she's raising two small kids, she's beginning to think: Is this really the environment I want my kids to grow up in? 
    This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Mae explore the questions: What does it means to make a home in a hostile place? And at what point do you leave? 
    --
    We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!

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

    • 27 min
    Should I Quit: My Dad?

    Should I Quit: My Dad?

    Our guest this week has a hard relationship with her dad. After years of hoping it would get better, she’s starting to feel like it might be time to quit. 
    This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and our guest explore the question: How do you love someone when they continue to hurt you? 
    CW: This episode addresses addiction and includes reference to abuse. 
    --
    We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!

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

    • 28 min
    Should I Quit: Watching Youtube?

    Should I Quit: Watching Youtube?

    Casper spends a lot of time scrolling through YouTube videos. He feels like he should have a better evening routine, but the algorithm always pulls him in! Is it time to just go cold turkey? 
    This week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Casper ter Kuile explore what rest and self care look like in our day to day lives. 
    --
    We are so grateful to our supporters on Patreon who make this show possible. If you can, please considering chipping in!

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

    • 28 min
    Should I Quit: My Small Business?

    Should I Quit: My Small Business?

    Since the start of the pandemic, Shannon’s confectionary business has really been struggling. Now she’s getting kicked out of her shop space and she's wondering: is it worth it to move somewhere more expensive? Or should she just cut her loses and end the business? 
    This Week on Should I Quit? Vanessa and Shannon explore when to accept failure and when to go all in.
    --
    Please help us support Sweet Lydia’s by contributing to our fundraising campaign! You can send us money through our Venmo, and we’ll get all money to Shannon and keep you updated on the total. We’re hoping to reach $5400 by Christmas! 

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

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
24 Ratings

24 Ratings

AnnaSue G ,

Like therapy!

I came here from HPST but wasn't sure I'd stay but actually it's awesome. Vanessa asks such good and insightful questions - direct, compassionate, and thoughtful. Each guest has an issue they need to talk through and each episode slowly unravels the issues. Even subject matter with no apparent relevance to my own life turns out to be thought provoking and affirming.

Germanjames ,

Conversations are the vessels through which our hearts can pump life’s blood

The hosts are such good conversationalists and it is just like enjoying a fascinating dinner discussion between friends each week. I find myself nodding and wishing I could interject so often!

Episodes tackle questions that seem to range from the trivial to the deep and meaningful, but all are the latter as it is a vital part of the human condition to challenge norms, institutions, assumptions and ideas to ensure that they still serve us they way they ought. Traditions only matter in so far as they bond us or teach us something, norms and clichés are helpful if they simplify and codify good ideas. These conversations help us explore and challenge all sorts to make sure that we really think whether we are approaching our lives as best we can.

smilingfrom ,

Love it!

Wonderful, heartwarming hosts of this unique podcast which serves as a comfort as well as a tool for exploration and learning

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