Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch
Episode: Kevin Cahoon: The Ghost of Hell’s Kitchen + Series Recap
Air Date: October 15, 2025
Host: Rachel Dratch
Co-host: Irene Bremes
Guest: Kevin Cahoon
Special Guest (via phone): Josh
Episode Overview
This episode serves as both a special series recap in celebration of the podcast’s two-year anniversary and a “re-up” of the very first episode, featuring beloved Broadway actor Kevin Cahoon. Rachel, Irene, and Kevin revisit the show's origins, recount standout moments and favorite stories, and, most memorably, tell a chilling, corroborated ghost story from Hell’s Kitchen. In typical Woo Woo fashion, the episode blends humor, skepticism, friendship, and genuine spookiness. The team also teases upcoming adventures in Salem, Massachusetts for Halloween.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Celebrating Two Years of Woo Woo (00:47–06:20)
- Rachel and Irene kick off with gratitude for listeners, guests, and reviewers.
- The show’s origins are discussed with a mix of humility and humor.
- They highlight fan-favorite episodes, including Tara Davis’ time travel story and episodes featuring Amy Poehler, Jeff Hiller, and Leah DeLaria.
- Irene describes the podcast as a “smorgasbord of Woo Woo.”
- Quote: “It really is. It’s a smorgasbord of Woo Woo.” — Irene (05:59)
The Origin Story of Rachel & Irene’s Woo Woo Partnership (09:05–12:21)
- Rachel and Irene are high school friends who bond over both everyday and other-worldly topics.
- Irene’s “gift” is introduced: using a pendulum for divination and big life decisions.
- Pendulum basics: “A weighted object, usually a crystal…you hold it and if it turns clockwise, the answer is yes; counterclockwise, no.” — Irene (10:14)
- Irene became locally famous for using her pendulum (“Penji”) to predict football outcomes, leading to a Huffington Post article.
Kevin Cahoon: Broadway Bona Fides & Friendship (12:21–18:17)
- Rachel recaps Kevin’s impressive stage career, including roles in The Lion King, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Shucked.
- The story of Rachel and Kevin meeting during the ill-fated Broadway hopeful "Minsky’s" and fostering a lasting friendship.
Notable Woo Woo Stories
Rachel’s Prophecy: A Psychic Reading Predicts Her Future (18:17–26:18)
- Rachel recounts visiting a channeler named Shelly/Kendra in LA.
- Kendra predicted that “Minsky’s” would not go to Broadway—which was proven correct.
- Most astonishingly, Kendra predicted Rachel would “meet someone in three months and have one child.” Four months later, Rachel met her now-partner and eventually learned she was pregnant at age 43, against all odds.
- Quote: “And then like, later that day ... I remembered the prophecy ... I think I’m going to have this baby because Kendra said I was gonna have a child.” — Rachel (25:18)
- Both Kevin and Irene later had readings with Kendra; Kevin’s friend Kate received a prophetic reading about eventually becoming a judge on “High School Musical: The Series”—which came true ten years later.
Irene’s Reading: Suspicion, Comedy, and Waiting for Destiny (28:21–30:25)
- Irene’s phone reading with Kendra left her suspicious but also offered eerily accurate personal details.
- Kendra predicted she’d reach the “pinnacle” of her career—still open!
The Main Event: Kevin Cahoon’s Ghost of Hell’s Kitchen (33:10–40:12)
Setting the Scene
- Kevin and his then-boyfriend Josh lived in a historic Hell’s Kitchen walk-up, “one of the most haunted neighborhoods in the world” (33:32).
- Kevin describes the ghost tour that regularly passes by their courtyard.
The Encounter
- One night, around 3am, both Kevin and Josh awoke to the sight of a bearded man in a red flannel shirt standing at the foot of their bed.
- Kevin: “I sense someone in the room...I see this person, and it’s a male in a red flannel shirt...” (35:25–35:43)
- Confirmation: “Josh grabs my hand and says, ‘Do you see him? Do you see that guy?’” (36:09)
- Upon speaking, the apparition vanished.
- The next morning, both recalled the exact same details (red flannel, beard, “seafarer” vibe).
- Quote: “That is just crazy.” — Irene (36:48)
- After inviting the ghost to say hi (perhaps unwisely), lights in the apartment began flickering.
Pet Sensitivity
- Josh’s chihuahua, RJ, would occasionally growl at empty corners, unsettling everyone.
- Quote: “That’s why I don’t want to own a dog sometimes ... Pets can pick up on the supernatural, which is very scary.” — Irene (37:43)
PROOF: Josh Joins the Call (42:47–48:18)
- Rachel and Kevin call Josh to confirm the ghost story in real time.
- Josh tells a consistent version, recalling the “plaid shirt,” and recaps how both saw (and were terrified by) the apparition.
- Josh: "I woke up and there was a man standing at the foot of the bed. In my mind, he was wearing plaid, I think. I, like, jumped up and said 'Oh my God'... Just as I said that, he disappeared." (43:21–43:29)
- Josh shares a bonus chilling tale: weeks prior, he suddenly mourned RJ (the late dog), and during a workout soon after, a Polaroid photo taken by a trainer revealed the ghostly image of RJ at his feet.
- Kevin: "That is RJ. Because RJ came into Josh’s life when we were together." (47:25)
- The team reacts with shock—this is tangible, photographic evidence of the supernatural for the first time on the show.
- Rachel: “That's just insane...we're going to have to find a way to show this (photo).” (48:07–48:15)
- Josh tells a consistent version, recalling the “plaid shirt,” and recaps how both saw (and were terrified by) the apparition.
Reflecting on the Woo Woo Way (50:57–54:03)
- Rachel, Kevin, and Irene discuss openness to signs and manifestations.
- Kevin: “When you see signs, it gives you a little helium in your life. It gives you a little pep in your step, it pushes you along...” (51:24–51:36)
- Kevin admits enjoying psychics, but isn’t sure if he wants more supernatural visitations.
The Pendulum Reading: Will "Shucked" Continue? (52:47–53:40)
- The show’s trademark: Irene’s pendulum reads “yes” to Kevin’s question, "Will Shucked, the Broadway musical, run into the year 2024?"
- “A resounding yes!” (53:36)
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “This is a smorgasbord of Woo Woo.” — Irene (05:59)
- “Do you see him? Do you see that guy?” — Josh (36:09)
- “That’s the thing about the pendulum...for very important decisions.” — Irene (10:14)
- “When you see signs, it gives you a little helium in your life.” — Kevin (51:24)
- [On the photo of RJ]: “That is a full tilt dog.” — Rachel (47:18)
- “You broke up as a throuple. The throuple ended there.” — Rachel (44:59)
Important Timestamps
- 00:47–06:20: Podcast anniversary, recap, favorite stories
- 09:05–12:21: Pendulum/woo-woo tools origin
- 12:21–18:17: Kevin’s Broadway background and friendship origin
- 18:17–26:18: Rachel’s psychic reading that foretold her future
- 33:10–40:12: Kevin’s Hell’s Kitchen ghost story
- 42:47–48:18: On-air corroboration and the ghost dog Polaroid
- 50:57–54:03: Reflections on signs, manifestations, and skepticism
- 52:47–53:40: Irene’s pendulum prediction for “Shucked”
Coming Up Next
- Announcement: Rachel and Irene are taking a “field trip” to Salem, MA for a Halloween special filled with spooky interviews and adventures. (06:20)
Episode Tone & Community Feel
The episode maintains a friendly, comedic, and inclusive tone—a hallmark of Rachel Dratch’s style. The supernatural stories are told with warmth but not sensationalism; skepticism and belief are given equal space, and laughter punctuates both fear and fascination. This balance invites listeners, skeptical or not, to leave with a sense of wonder and community.
Closing note:
This foundational episode encapsulates why fans keep listening—genuine connections, openness to the unknown, relatable guests, and a willingness to laugh at (and with) all things Woo Woo.