Podcast Summary: Teen Beat – “More Time With: Terri Irwin”

Host: Danielle Fishel
Guest: Terri Irwin
Date: January 16, 2026
Podcast: Teen Beat (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

In this episode of “Teen Beat,” Danielle Fishel welcomes Terri Irwin, conservationist and owner of Australia Zoo, for a candid, funny, and warm-hearted conversation. The two discuss formative childhood experiences, the power of revisiting youthful passions, the human side of embarrassing moments, and how Terri's perspective shapes the uniquely inclusive culture at Australia Zoo. Listeners also share their own cringe-worthy stories, adding to the episode’s theme of shared humanity and the importance of unconditional love.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Childhood Inspirations and Embarrassing Youthful Moments

• Terri Irwin’s early passions:
  • Terri shares she was a self-described “dorky kid” obsessed with accounting and making wishes at "11:11" (01:51).
  • She connects her childhood love of numbers to her ability to run a business today.
• Importance of honoring youthful dreams:
  • Terri encourages listeners to revisit and rekindle childhood passions:

    “My challenge is to circle back to that in some capacity… to reignite your passion. That’s so important.” — Terri Irwin (03:30)

  • She believes this is key to living an engaged and fulfilling life, rather than “just ticking through time.”
• Danielle’s childhood performer side:
  • Danielle shares a story (04:22) about instinctively posing for photos at age three with her beloved bunny “Ba” — a clear early sign she’d become a performer.

2. Embracing Awkwardness: Listener and Host Embarrassing Stories

• Listener “Rebecca” from New Jersey shares:
  • As a teenager on an international trip, she was stranded overnight in Newark airport, fell asleep, and—much to her horror—wet her pants in her sleep (07:41–09:56).
  • She was thankful for her dad’s advice to keep spare clothes in her carry-on (though she’d used her clean backup outfit already).
• Danielle’s own embarrassing moment:

  • Danielle recounts (10:44–12:41) wetting her pants at a posh golf tournament by misjudging a fancy outhouse with a closed lid, prompting laughter and solidarity.

    “I win the award for most creative way to actually wet your pants.” — Danielle Fishel (12:02)

• Terri’s turn:
  • She shares a harrowing story of long-haul flights with a newborn (13:31–14:53), recalling how baby Robert’s “egg yolk” diaper accident left her in soiled pink sweatpants for hours.
• Pumping & breastfeeding mishaps:
  • Danielle and Terri share the awkwardness of pumping or breastfeeding on planes and in public spaces, highlighting the importance of empathy in these situations (14:53–16:57).
  • Danielle:

    “Do I say, excuse me, I just want you to know I’m gonna pump? Or is that... He doesn’t need to know that?” (15:39)

3. Making Life Comfortable for Everyone, Especially at Australia Zoo

• Breastfeeding accreditation:
  • Terri explains Australia Zoo’s efforts to be welcoming—offering private breastfeeding areas for guests and staff, making these moments less “awkward” and more comfortable (16:57–18:14).
• Inclusivity innovations:
  • The zoo provides free feminine hygiene products and has a specially equipped adult changing facility, inspired by Terri’s realization of overlooked needs:

    “So we’ve got a disability restroom… there’s an adult change area that’s very respectful and there’s assistance things throughout the bathroom and privacy screens and everything you need in there. And I’m so proud of that.” — Terri Irwin (20:05)

4. Latest Happenings at Australia Zoo

• Wildlife news:
  • The zoo’s red panda is pregnant with twins, expected soon (22:28).
  • Five koala joeys have been born recently.
  • The hospital is busier than ever:

    “We’re treating over 10,000 animals a year now. We’ve treated just over 12,000 koalas alone. Over 160,000 animals all up.” — Terri Irwin (22:53)

• Fine dining goals:
  • The zoo’s lodge restaurant hopes to achieve a prestigious “hat,” the Australian equivalent of a Michelin star (22:12).
• Connection to visitors:
  • Terri describes the emotional impact of animal encounters at the zoo, especially knowing visitor fees support wildlife rehabilitation (24:08).

5. Empathy, Shared Humanity, and Unconditional Love

• On vulnerability:
  • Both agree that sharing embarrassing stories humanizes us all and fosters empathy:

    “I love the embarrassing stories that were shared because it makes us all feel like we’re all human and it’s okay.” — Terri Irwin (27:15)

• The meaning of life:
  • Terri powerfully concludes:

    “I really believe the meaning of life is unconditional love. […] It’s not transactional. It’s… just loving someone, I think that’s what’s gonna really change things for sure.” (27:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On bringing your childhood self into adulthood:

  “For us to be able to have that passion throughout our lives instead of just ticking through time. That’s the most important thing.”
  — Terri Irwin (03:30–04:02)

• On embarrassing moments:

  “Thank you. I win the award for most creative way to actually wet your pants.”
  — Danielle Fishel (12:02)

• On designing an inclusive zoo:

  “When you go through life and you learn something, you should apply it. […] So we’ve got a disability restroom… there’s an adult change area that’s very respectful…”
  — Terri Irwin (20:05)

• On what inspires visitors:

  “When they meet DJ the rhino… that is what inspires me. I just love watching people… a lot of people end up very emotional when they meet an animal.”
  — Terri Irwin (24:08)

• Life’s purpose:

  “I really believe the meaning of life is unconditional love.”
  — Terri Irwin (27:24)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:51 | Terri’s accountancy passion and childhood wish-making | | 03:30 | Advice to revisit and pursue childhood passions | | 04:22 | Danielle shares early performing instinct | | 07:41 | Listener Rebecca’s embarrassing airport story | | 10:44 | Danielle’s “creative” golf tournament bathroom accident | | 13:31 | Terri’s travel and diaper disaster with baby Robert | | 14:53 | Breastfeeding/pumping stories and airplane awkwardness | | 16:57 | Australia Zoo’s breastfeeding-friendly spaces | | 20:05 | Adult special needs restroom at Australia Zoo | | 22:12 | Upcoming fine dining achievements and wildlife updates | | 24:08 | New animal babies, emotional visitor connections | | 27:15 | Empathy and the power of embarrassing stories | | 27:24 | The meaning of life: unconditional love |

Episode Tone

The conversation is friendly, humorous, open-hearted, and often poignant. Both Danielle and Terri blend vulnerability, warmth, and a light touch, encouraging listeners to laugh at themselves, embrace their shared humanity, and keep alive the passions and curiosities of their youth.

Closing Thoughts

This episode of Teen Beat is a testament to the importance of both embracing our awkward moments and using our unique strengths to serve others. Terri Irwin’s stories exemplify how personal experience—however embarrassing or humble—can inspire meaningful innovation and empathy in adulthood. The episode leaves listeners with a sense of connection, inspiration, and a desire to pursue forward-thinking compassion in their own lives.