Reviews
I started listening to this podcast in January 2023 when I was in the midst of trying to decide whether or not to leave my job sooner rather than later. It was a really dark and challenging period, but this podcast was a bright light and beacon of hope. I tried to imagine what Vanessa would ask...Read full review »
Kim Casko via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/11/24
this podcast (and all that came before it in the not sorry body of work) have helped keep me sane. i felt especially seen with the “quitting my comfortable relationship” episode, because it sums up pretty niftily how trying to date has gotten so unbearably icky, and how hopeless it feels to try...Read full review »
hscarf via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 12/27/23
Listening to the opening episode of, “should I quit?” I actually got emotional, something that doesn’t happen often. I’m at a crossroads moment in my own life, as we all inevitably come to. But it’s more than that. This podcast has resonated at the deepest level for me, and made me at least start...Read full review »
LoveChaat via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/18/23
I love the concept of this show and think most of the episodes are pretty good and the advice is pretty good. I really did NOT like the “should I quit my best friends” episode. That girl was totally the issue, had zero self-reflection and a total victim complex, and the host completely enabled...Read full review »
pkcrawford via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/23/23
Thoughtful helpful beautiful
Shennybear via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 08/14/23
I cannot believe how much I feel like I learn from every episode. I’ve felt like I’m on the precipice of changing or not changing for the last few months and every episode feels like it’s meant for me. Vanessa counters and/or validates all of the guests’ fears with so much compassion that it...Read full review »
livigug via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/25/23
No matter what the topic, I always take something away from each episode! Vanessa is a kind, and direct host who asks her guest probing questions to help them come to conclusions or insights that are right for them. I appreciate how much care and respect Vanessa shows each guest. 10/10 would...Read full review »
madelinege via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/18/23
I really, really liked this podcast but have been disappointed by this season. For some reason, the host decided to only take questions from her IRL close circle instead of listener questions. While there is still value, all of a sudden, I'm only listening to middle aged white moms. There was...Read full review »
erncrny via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/07/23
Okay here’s the deal there are so many things and people in our life that tell us to achieve and accomplish and endure and persist and honestly, sometimes you just need someone to tell you to stop. Like all Not Sorry Production podcasts, this is amazing.
Celeste_hearts_podcasts via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/28/23
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...Read full review »
AnnaSue G via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 02/23/23
Beautiful work!
Kittylistening via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 02/23/23
The Real Question is a podcast that invites you into thoughtful contemplation of your life, while being lovely, silly, warm, etc. Vanessa brings chaplaincy, theology, and her own great kindness and wisdom to peoples questions about how to live and what to quit. I recommend this to friends all the...Read full review »
Carly Hall from Vermont via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/14/23
Even when the guests’ question doesn’t relate directly to a problem you have, Vanessa’s thoughtful questioning and guidance always somehow seems to speak to me personally. Her gift of making the specific feel relatable shines in this podcast. Listen if you’re looking for a feeling of care and...Read full review »
L. N. Lee via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/14/23
This show is a hug for your soul.
oricatd via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/06/23
Vanessa helped me rethink how I feel about quitting. Even when episodes result in people choosing not to quit, just the act of hearing other people thoughtfully and logically consider quitting helps me make better decisions in my own life. I finally quit a job that made me anxious and started a...Read full review »
Grace from Columbia, MO via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/31/23
I enjoy this podcast. I was hoping to find a way to send an email, but was unsuccessful. If Fran has not seen a doctor that practices Functional Medicine, she needs to try to find one. She can start by finding books by Dr. Mark Hyman. He has written several books. Traditional medicine labels...Read full review »
Berna58dette via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/31/23
Vanessa always knows the right thing to say. Even when the subject is not at all related to my own life, somehow her advice feels applicable and ends up making me feel emotional and reflective.
gooseturner via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/30/23
Vanessa gives out thoughtful advice. She is witty and smart and full of insight. Even though the asker’s situation is different than my own life, Vanessa often says things that really resonate with me. She is a gem and I am thankful to get to listen to her help people navigate situations.
terracottawarriorprincess via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 12/19/22
I use this podcast as a chance to reflect on the topics discussed for myself. It has helped me find questions I have for myself with certain topics and take them with me throughout the following week or two. I’ve started listening when it was just Vanessa and Casper bringing their own topics and...Read full review »
lawlessOtters via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/30/22
I think my favorite aspect of this podcast is that even though most of the guests are experiencing something I’m not currently facing (or maybe ever faced), I glean so much personal insight from the conversations they have with Casper and Vanessa. This podcast creates empathy in its listeners...Read full review »
cbrowniemama via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/14/22
The biggest questions I’m struggling with in life right now are touched on in this podcast. Their format, intellect, and empathy is something to marvel at. Thank you for a great show!
Cocoa5555558 via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 07/24/22
Deep thinking about normal situations. I love it so much.
mh2019!!! via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/30/22
This podcast showcases genuine curiosity and the ability to think deeply and relationally about our lives. Thank you to C & V for all your work!
VFB94 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 05/20/22
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...Read full review »
Germanjames via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 05/03/22
Wonderful, heartwarming hosts of this unique podcast which serves as a comfort as well as a tool for exploration and learning
smilingfrom via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 11/09/21
Y’all. Do this ^every^ time! The two of you trading off on these topics and then coming back together to reflect on what you have been learning from your community together is beautiful. And the advice you give is so so useful. Keep up the great work!! Congratulations!!
trekTnek via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 11/05/21
If you ever feel like you have big (or medium-sized but still sticky) life questions that you don’t know how to deal with on your own but you also don’t know who to turn to for advice, this podcast is for you. This podcast brings all the beautiful wisdom, grace, and brilliance of HPST to real...Read full review »
ali-18 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 11/02/21
as an avid lover of all casper and vanessa’s work, including harry potter and the sacred text, hot and bothered, and their respective, amazing books, i can truly say that this podcast definitely lives up to the astounding quality of their work. together, these two incredibly educated,...Read full review »
lydiaprudence via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/27/21
This podcast makes me a better person!! I’ve taken away so much wisdom to apply to my own life. Thank you Vanessa and Casper!
claire-elena via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/05/21
Of all the podcasts I listen to, the only ones I auto download and queue are The Real Question and Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. The ritual /structure and philosophical depth of their conversations (not a chart cast) reflects their divinity school training. Even when I have deep disagreements...Read full review »
effundatrix via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/09/21
This podcast thoughtfully tackles real-life questions that we all ponder in one way or another. I LOVE the way the hosts honestly share stories, support, and wisdom to help each other — and us! — arrive at the answers to our deepest questions. Listen to this podcast to find meaning in life, to...Read full review »
Naya Jane via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/28/21
I love this podcast!! Can Casper just be my best friend? He is my actual favorite podcast host of all the ones that I listen to, and I love that he always helps Vanessa come to great conclusions. Vanessa is great too, and is always seeing past how Casper thinks he feels to get to what is really...Read full review »
DaisyCoolgirl via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/26/21
I feel like I am listening to two people I admire so much chaplaining each other through such beautiful questions. (As a chaplain myself, I love hearing these questions.) Vanessa and Casper are such good thinkers!
Allykins100 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/24/21
Casper is hands down my favorite stranger! I feel like he is a beloved friend or brother despite never having met. When I am navigating difficult conversations with people in my life, I find myself wishing Casper were there to moderate. He brings fresh, optimistic perspectives to every single...Read full review »
Jesse E.P. via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/12/21
Greetings! I love your podcast SO much. Every Monday I rush inside to listen to the new episode. Your conversations are so rich and interesting, and always make my day. Both of you have such fun and interesting personalities, but both of them together creates the perfect philosophical duo! I...Read full review »
VTAnnie! via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/05/21
This podcast is absolutely amazing! The conversations are diverse and always very interesting. Listening to it every week is such a joy!
ldanselalune via Apple Podcasts · France · 06/30/21
All the goodness and thoughtfulness of HPST but elevated and in discussion of thorny questions that we all deal with. Listening to Casper and Vanessa dive deep into difficult questions and come up with deeply thoughtful answers makes me a better person. Love you guys!
Law review scanner via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/28/21
So glad Vanessa and Casper are continuing to record together! I look forward to each new episode and often find myself thinking about them long after listening and applying the hosts’ ways of thinking and discussing to my own life. I’ve noticed my conversations with my own friends on life...Read full review »
humboldthoney27 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/22/21
I so appreciate how Vanessa ans Casper address some of the toughest issues out there - death, friendship, evil - and do so with deep thoughtfulness and care. They model good conversation and how to help a friend work through real questions of life - and they invite us in to listen! I’m a fan of...Read full review »
CES92 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/07/21
I didn’t think there could ever be a better podcast than Harry Potter and the Sacred Text (I’ve listened to every episode of that show), but somehow the team did it! This show is the most beautiful explorations of vulnerable and relevant questions, and it wonderfully mixes heavy topics with...Read full review »
Germanically challenged via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 05/10/21
I got to know the hosts from their other podcast HP and the Sacred Text. I enjoyed their lively debates about different ideas brought up while reading the Harry Potter books. Now I am really enjoying The Real Question. Each episode is based on a question that comes from either one of the...Read full review »
Oh my Pod! via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/30/21
I have love that they tackle the complexities of a variety of thing s from evil and weight and more. I really enjoy it.
Fbriggs1 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/28/21
I adore this podcast, so thoughtful and wonderful.
Neemsay123 via Apple Podcasts · New Zealand · 04/28/21
Casper and Vanessa let us listen in on their discussions, which are exactly the type of Big Question discussions I’ve always enjoyed having with my own friends.
HarassedMama via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 04/27/21
The way Casper, Vanessa, and Arianna investigate the deepest issues of being human is like a weekly dose of church for the atheist. I grew up very religious but became a super loving, happy-go-lucky atheist as an adult. I love how my inner compass works now, but I miss the spiritual conversation...Read full review »
ittibittibritti via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/20/21
I’m so glad that Casper and Vanessa are continuing to let us eavesdrop on their smart, insightful, and amusing conversations. I always feel like I’ve found a way to be more thoughtful, compassionate, or inclusive after I listen.
OneCandace via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/18/21
I love this podcast! I loved HPST but I love this even more. Some episodes make me open my mind and think about things through someone else’s eyes. This is always a healthy exercise. The other episodes connect with me and my life on a level that blows my mind. Some things I’m ashamed to think...Read full review »
Jescalyn123 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/17/21
I love the podcast but I’m disappointed that you’re taking advertising money from Amazon. There have been so many great conversations on HPST about supports and boycotts. How do we make those decisions? That’s The Real Question.
Terri, NY via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/15/21
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