Podcast Summary: Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch

Episode: Kitty Bruce: The House that Lenny Built

Air Date: March 25, 2026

Host: Rachel Dratch

Co-host: Irene Bremis

Guest: Kitty Bruce

Episode Overview

In this rich and heartfelt episode, Rachel Dratch and Irene Bremis welcome Kitty Bruce, daughter of groundbreaking comedian Lenny Bruce. Together, they explore the legacy of Lenny Bruce—his influence on modern comedy, his battles with censorship and the law, and his impact on free speech. Kitty also shares her own journey, including her work helping women in recovery through the Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation and the story of manifesting "Lenny's House." The episode is threaded throughout with poignant memories, moments of humor, and some classic “woo woo” spiritual exploration.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Woo Woo Moments to Start (01:31–07:29)

• Rachel Dratch recalls a serendipitous "woo woo" experience from her appearance on Celebrity Jeopardy, where her hairdresser mentioned the “Spanish Armada” just hours before it came up as a question on the show.

  • Quote: "Everyone’s like, that was so woo woo. That was so woo woo. And yes, it was pretty crazy. Woo woo, Irene." — Rachel Dratch (03:57)

• Irene Bremis counters with her own experience of a cardinal repeatedly tapping at her window, which she viewed as a potential sign from the universe.

2. Introducing Kitty Bruce (08:05–09:18)

• Irene passionately introduces Kitty, emphasizing Lenny Bruce’s revolutionary role in stand-up comedy and how he paved the way for comics like Richard Pryor and George Carlin.

3. Growing Up with Lenny Bruce (10:11–14:06)

• Kitty describes her father as a gentle, shy, and intelligent man—more comfortable with law books than crowds.

• Shares anecdotes about their home full of interesting guests (e.g., Tiny Tim) and the close father-daughter bond they shared.

  • Quote: "He was a very gentle soul, very kind, and treated me like I was 20 when I was six, sir. Yeah, he didn’t have time for Goo Goo Gaga. That wasn’t his thing." — Kitty Bruce (11:11)

• Stories of waking up at 4 a.m. to plant vegetables under the West Coast’s unique blue sky.

4. Meeting Her Mother & Family Dynamics (16:28–17:53)

• Kitty details her mother’s transformation from Harriet Jolliffe to Hot Honey Harlow and finally Honey Bruce. Her parents met working together—her father as a comic and her mother as a stripper.
• Reflects on her mother’s struggles with addiction and eventual sobriety.

5. Lenny Bruce’s Comedy and Legal Battles (18:10–32:26)

Lenny’s Style and Impact (18:10–19:41)

• Kitty summarizes Lenny’s comedic approach: irreverent, unapologetic, funny, and deeply connected to his audiences. He loved performing for young people and was known for his honesty and intellect.

Legal Persecution and Cultural Context (19:52–32:26)

• Explains the repeated arrests for “obscenity,” starting after a notorious dinner party where Lenny urinated on the carpet rather than perform on demand.

  • Quote: "He was arrested for obscenity... And the start of the arrests came in Philadelphia. He was in a very prominent—I think it was a mayor’s house, I’m not sure... And the host said, 'Come on Lenny, say something funny.' ...And he peed on their carpet." — Kitty Bruce (19:52)

• Discusses how Lenny’s boundaries were continuously pushed by authorities, especially the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and his routines often challenged taboos on politics, religion, and societal hypocrisy.

  • Quote: "The judge promised him that if he continued to speak in this fashion, that he was going to do four years hard labor in jail. This is just for talking." — Kitty Bruce (26:47)
  • Quote: "Without Lenny Bruce, there would be absolutely no George Carlin." — Irene Bremis (30:09)

• Shares the pride of Lenny receiving the first posthumous pardon in U.S. history, thanks to sustained efforts by academics and college students.

Modern Reflections on Free Speech (28:14–32:26)

• Kitty reflects on the evolution of social sensitivity and censorship, including being forced to censor her own father’s old routines.
  • Quote: "I’m censoring my own father, saying, 'You can’t do this bit on stage.' It was absurd, but it was true." — Kitty Bruce (31:19)

6. Manifesting "Lenny’s House" & The Lenny Bruce Foundation (34:44–47:32)

Kitty’s Spiritual Journey and Manifestation (34:44–43:07)

• Describes a spiritual retreat at age 51 that prompted her to ask for guidance about her life’s direction. Through months of prayer and visioning, the idea for the Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation and "Lenny's House" came to her in a vivid vision.

  • Quote: "All of this done. The Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation. It was that bad, that clear and just jammed right into my head." — Kitty Bruce (36:11)

• "Lenny’s House" provided a sanctuary for women in recovery—offering support, life skills, and a sense of dignity that mirrored the loving environment her grandmother created for her as a child.

Creating a Home and Changing Lives (43:07–47:32)

• Stories of the house’s details: rooms decorated as her grandmother had done for her, big stones outside matching her vision, and a mission to provide both practical skills (like financial literacy, shopping, and transportation) and joy (trips, activities).

• She reflects on the impact: some former residents return as thriving professionals or grateful mothers.

  • Quote: "These women came in, some were in shackles... some finishing off prison time. I had a young lady with AIDS—at a time when everyone thought it was contagious, I had to teach them not to be afraid." — Kitty Bruce (46:07)

Ongoing Work and The Foundation Today (47:47–50:34)

• Kitty remains involved in sobriety support through the still-active foundation, helping those without resources get addiction treatment. She’s gearing up for future fundraising and support.

7. Woo Woo Finale: The Pendulum Reading (51:03–51:45)

• Rachel and Irene lead Kitty in a classic "woo woo" pendulum reading. Both hosts get a “Yes” answer to Kitty’s (secret until revealed) question: whether she’ll be going to Europe soon.

  • Quote: "Did you get a yes? ...Yes. What was your question?" "Will I be going to Europe soon?" — (Rachel, Irene, Kitty; 51:17–51:33)

• They invite her back to the show to report if/when the trip happens.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rachel Dratch on synchronicity: "That was so woo woo. That was so woo woo." (03:57)
• Kitty Bruce on her father: "He was a very gentle soul, very kind, and treated me like I was 20 when I was six." (11:11)
• Kitty Bruce on manifesting the foundation: "All of this done. The Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation. It was that bad, that clear and just jammed right into my head." (36:11)
• Kitty Bruce on censorship: "I’m censoring my own father, saying you can’t do this bit on stage. It was absurd, but it was true." (31:19)
• Kitty Bruce on the legacy of Lenny's House: "There are women that come up to me and say, 'Do you remember me? ...I became a registered nurse. I have four children. I’ve been married for eight years.'" (46:07)

Important Timestamps

• 01:31–07:29 — Woo Woo stories (Spanish Armada / cardinal)
• 09:18–14:06 — Kitty Bruce: childhood memories and home life with Lenny Bruce
• 16:28–17:53 — Kitty’s mother and parents' relationship
• 18:10–19:41 — Lenny Bruce’s comedy, impact, and audience connection
• 19:52–32:26 — His arrests, legal persecution, censorship, and cultural legacy
• 34:44–43:07 — Kitty’s spiritual journey & creating Lenny’s House
• 43:07–47:32 — The transformative outcomes for women at Lenny’s House
• 47:53–50:34 — The ongoing work of the Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation
• 51:03–51:45 — Pendulum “woo woo” reading

Closing

The episode offers an insightful look at the personal legacy of comedy giant Lenny Bruce as seen through the eyes of his daughter, Kitty. Her stories are equal parts funny, moving, and inspiring, especially in how she’s translated family trauma and eccentricity into hope and tangible support for others. The hosts, as always, thread humor and a little “woo woo” magic throughout, making for an engaging and uplifting listen.

For more on Kitty’s work or to support the foundation, visit lennybruce.org.

Follow @raedratch and @irenebremis on Instagram for Woo Woo updates and more stories.