Podcast Summary: Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch – "Irene Bremis: To Hell and Back, Sweeties"
Original Air Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Rachel Dratch
Guest/Co-Host: Irene Bremis

Episode Overview

This heartfelt, candid episode dives deep into Irene Bremis' recent battle with stage 3B colorectal cancer. With her trademark humor and raw honesty, Irene shares her journey from diagnosis through unconventional healing regimens to a triumphant, cancer-free outcome. Throughout, Rachel and Irene navigate the delicate territory of combining mainstream medicine, holistic approaches, self-advocacy, and the immense emotional toll of a cancer journey—all with openness, sensitivity, and laughs. The episode also gently balances "woo woo" themes with practical advocacy, ending with a robust PSA about getting screened.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. The Shocking Diagnosis & The Power of Support

• [02:51] Irene recounts the life-altering moment she was diagnosed with Stage 3B colorectal cancer, and how Rachel called her within minutes of getting the news—an event she describes as "woo woo in itself".
  • Memorable Quote:
    "As you can imagine when you hear those words, the world kind of freezes. I was just in a state of paralysis... and Rachel, you were so supportive." — Irene [04:23]
• Irene explains why she kept the diagnosis closely guarded, sharing it only with her closest circle to protect her own emotional bandwidth.

2. Contemplating Treatment Paths

• [06:40] Rachel and Irene discuss Irene’s initial terror about conventional chemotherapy and her instinct to investigate alternative therapies.
  • Notable Perspective:
    "The thought of getting chemotherapy terrified me personally more than the cancer itself." — Irene [08:00]
• Rachel admits she would likely have defaulted to Western medical treatment out of fear, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy.
  • Quote:
    "I think if that were me, I would have just been, like... I would just go along with what they told me." — Rachel [19:04]

3. Medical Gaslighting and the Search for the Right Doctor

• [10:43] Irene details the emotional exhaustion of feeling gaslit by doctors who dismissed her interest in adjunct therapies and issued dire warnings about refusing chemo.
  • Quote:
    "They really just point blank told me that if I didn't do chemo, I would die." — Irene [11:23]
• The breakthrough came when consulting a doctor at Weill Cornell who was open to listening and respected Irene’s insights about her own body.
  • Quote:
    "She kind of gets off the hamster wheel. And she listened to me. That's what a great doctor does." — Irene [12:13]

4. Holistic Regimen: Diet and Herbal Supplements

• [13:33] Irene shares her DIY healing protocol: a primarily raw, cruciferous-vegetable-heavy diet (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower), strict avoidance of alcohol and processed foods, and detailed research into supplements.
  • "I was 80% raw foodist... no fun at all." — Irene [17:16]
  • "The fun went out the window, sweetie." — Rachel [16:56]
• Extensive use of turkey tail mushrooms, reishi, shiitake, cordyceps, lion's mane, dandelion root, and Amla—chosen after conversations with integrative medicine professionals and deep medical literature review.
  • "Turkey tail causes apoptosis... it stops cancer spread." — Irene [22:17]

5. Research & Advocacy

• Irene underscores that herbs and holistic remedies are powerful and must be properly researched for each cancer and individual.
  • "Herbs are equally as powerful as any pharmaceutical... you have to be very careful." — Irene [25:34]
• She implores listeners not to be passive patients:
  • "Ask your doctor fucking questions. Do not be afraid... advocate for yourself." — Irene [18:29]

6. Tracking Results: Tumor Shrinkage and Medical Response

• After months on her regimen and consultations, Irene’s tumor shrunk from 5cm to 3.9cm to 2.8cm (confirmed by MRI and skeptical surgeons).
  • "We got the MRI, and guess what happened? It went from 5 centimeters... to 3.9." — Irene [31:17]
  • Surgeon’s reaction: "I can't believe it, Irene... it really did shrink." — [45:24]
• This shrinkage allowed for direct surgery without prior chemo, a less invasive result, and no colostomy bag.
  • "I didn't need a colostomy bag. And I am so grateful." — Irene [35:25]
• Post-surgery, all tests indicate Irene is cancer-free, with doctors noting her strong mind-body connection.
  • "I'm cancer free. Recently had an MRI. Cancer free." — Irene [38:04]
  • "Irene knows her body. She's got a very strong mind, body connection." — Her surgeon, via Irene [34:05]

7. Attitude Toward ‘Woo Woo’ and Alternative Healing

• Both reiterate (numerous times) their belief in Western medicine, cautioning listeners not to interpret Irene's story as a universal cure.
  • "This is my story... we believe in western medicine, but we also believe in Eastern medicine." — Rachel [49:12]
  • "We just wanna convey my story... Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions. Don't make fear based decisions…" — Irene [50:13]

8. The Importance of Self-Advocacy & Vetting Doctors

• "Make sure you get somebody who's qualified, who has a lot of experience... vet your doctors." — Irene [51:53]
• Both urge listeners (especially women) to avoid feeling gaslit in medical encounters.
  • "Men aren’t subjected to gaslighting as much as women are. That is a fact." — Irene [47:11]

9. Life After Cancer

• Irene is back on a “regular” diet but still includes turkey tail and other herbal immune boosters.
  • "Turkey tail is extraordinary whether you have cancer or not." — Irene [43:42]
• Humor lightens the story, with jokes about "cruciferous awards" and imagined acceptance speeches for broccoli and kale ([59:41]-[61:00]).

10. Public Service Announcement: Get Your Colonoscopy

• "Don't put off your colonoscopy. I did. Despite clear signs that something was wrong...you should absolutely go get a colonoscopy." — Irene [63:08]
  • Notably, the average age of colon cancer diagnosis is dropping; many patients are now in their 30s.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Mind-Body Connection:
  "They said, Irene knows her body. She's got a very strong mind, body connection." — Irene [34:05]
• On Medical Authority vs. Self-Advocacy:
  "I think you can ask every tiny, little annoying question... You're like the Norma Rae of patient advocacy." — Rachel [57:54]
• On Humor & Healing:
  "This kid does not do scat fanny packs, sweetie." — Irene (re: avoiding a permanent colostomy) [32:47]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:51] — Irene’s diagnosis revelation
• [06:40] — Immense fear of traditional chemo & start of holistic research
• [10:43] — Early doctor visits, gaslighting, and finding the right provider
• [13:33] — Irene’s cancer nutrition and supplement protocol
• [22:17] — Details on turkey tail mushrooms and how she sourced them
• [31:17] — MRI proof of tumor shrinkage; medical community reactions
• [35:25] — Surgery outcome; no colostomy bag
• [38:04] — Doctors’ reactions; being declared cancer-free
• [43:42] — “Turkey tail is extraordinary whether you have cancer or not”
• [45:24] — Surgeon's disbelief at shrinkage
• [63:08] — PSA: Don't delay your colonoscopy

Final Takeaways

• Irene’s story is one of fierce advocacy, hope, and determination—not a template for others but an empowerment to ask questions and be an active partner in one’s medical care.
• Science and “woo woo” can sometimes coexist; the key is rigorous research and honest conversations with medical professionals.
• The episode closes with laughter and a rousing cruciferous vegetable acceptance speech, then issues a poignant reminder about early screening for colon cancer.

Follow Rachel Dratch

• Instagram: @raedratch
• Twitter: @therealdratch

Follow Irene Bremis

• Instagram: @irenebremis

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, practical advocacy in medical emergencies, or just a reminder to eat their veggies (and schedule those screenings).