The Real Question

Apr 15 2024 660
The Real Question Podcast artwork

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.

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When to Quit Thinking About a Problem (with Mauricio Bruce)

Apr 15 2024 23 mins  
Mauricio Bruce is a transpersonal therapist, chaplain, and the co-leader of our What Matters program. This week he joins Vanessa to talk about visualization as a decision-making tool and how to tap into your feelings. --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 Acas

Should I Quit: Being a Stay-at-Home Parent?

Apr 01 2024 23 mins  
Sophie decided to take some time off work when she had her second child, but she always thought she would go back to her career in law. Since then however, one of her kids has become disabled and it has felt less and less possible to go back. Should she just give up on having a career? This week on Should I Quit? Sophie and Vanessa discuss how to be a caretaker and also take c

Should I Quit: Making Political Donations? (with Beth Silvers)

Mar 18 2024 26 mins  
A few weeks ago we had on Sarah Stewart Holland of Pantsuit Politics and today we're joined by her brilliant co-host, Beth Silvers. Beth makes small donations to political campaigns because she feels like it's 'the right thing to do.' Lately, however, she has realized that her heart isn't really in it. Can she just stop making them? Or does that betray her platform, which is based

Bonus Conversation: How We Misunderstand Homelessness with Charyti Reiter

Mar 14 2024 27 mins  
For our annual fundraiser at Not Sorry, we are again supporting the wonderful organization On The Rise. On The Rise’s work begins with individuals experiencing homelessness in Cambridge, Massachusetts and continues if and when they secure housing. From their origin as a women’s organization, their programs have evolved toward inclusion of those historically and structurally opp

Should I Quit: Halifax?

Mar 04 2024 25 mins  
Kaitlyn and her partner moved from Winnipeg to Halifax three years, excited to start a new life in a beautiful city. But three years later, they're still craving the sense of home they had in Winnipeg. Is it time to go back? This week on Should I Quit? Kaitlyn and Vanessa discuss how to know when you've given something new a 'fair' shot. --This show is completely funded by Patreon,

Should I Quit: My Personal Bank Account?

Feb 19 2024 21 mins  
When Anisa and her husband got married, they mostly merged their finances – all except one little bank account that Anisa keeps on the side. Seven years into their marriage, Anisa is wondering: why am I keeping this account? Should I just shut it down? This week on Should I Quit? Anisa and Vanessa discuss the historical relationship between women and money and how to keep a sense

When to Quit Trying to Get Published (with Mackenzi Lee)

Feb 05 2024 26 mins  
Mackenzi Lee is a New York Times bestselling author and the teacher of our upcoming Publishing Crash Course. This week she joins Vanessa to talk about how we measure success in the world of art and publishing. --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 a

Should I Quit: Cussing? (with Sarah Stewart Holland)

Jan 22 2024 24 mins  
We're thrilled today to be joined by Sarah Stewart Holland, co-host of Pantsuit Politics. Sarah was raised in a no-cussing household. When she got older, she embraced cussing and started using swear words all the time. But now, raising three boys of her own, she's realizing she doesn't find the words fun anymore. This week on Should I Quit? Sarah and Vanessa discuss how be a g

Should I Quit: The Idea of Having Kids?

Jan 08 2024 22 mins  
When Lizzy was younger she always wanted kids. Over time, however, as the realities of life have crept in, she has started to feel more conflicted. Now she’s 35 and she feels like it’s time for a decision! Does she really want them? Or is time to quit the idea of kids for her future?This week on Should I Quit? Lizzy and Vanessa discuss how to tell the difference between what yo

Should I Quit: End of Year Reflection

Dec 29 2023 31 mins  
Vanessa is joined by our Should I Quit? producer, Ariana, in our final episode of 2023. Together they look back at the past year of the show and share their take-aways and hopes for the future. We're also joined this week by Chaplain Rebecca Ledley, who works with Not Sorry through our Literary Chaplaincy program. Rebecca is running a group chaplaincy circle around Motherhood which