Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Meredith Zinner: Talking To Turtles And Swimming With Whales
Podcast: Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch
Host: Rachel Dratch | Co-host: Irene Bremis
Guest: Meredith Zinner (Photographer, former improviser)
Release Date: March 4, 2026

Overview

This episode features Rachel Dratch and Irene Bremis in conversation with their friend, photographer, and self-professed “super empath” Meredith Zinner. The trio dives deep into topics of creative evolution, animal communication, intuition, facing discomfort, and personal transformation—peppered with humor, warmth, and stories about talking to turtles and learning to swim with whales.

Key Discussion Points

Meredith’s Origin Story: From Improv to Photography

• Meredith and Rachel’s Roots: The two reminisce about meeting in Chicago improv days, with Rachel praising Meredith’s “special energy” both on and off stage (02:11).
• The Photography Pivot: Meredith explains her transition from acting/comedy into “kid and pet-focused family photography,” putting children’s individuality at the center. She seeks to show children “as seen and loved and adored and cherished for who they are, not just their part in the family” (02:49).
• Approach to Portraiture: Meredith emphasizes authenticity—no fake smiles or “cheese,” but playful engagement:

  "I want them to be whoever they are, and I love them all." — Meredith (04:30)

• Long-term Client Connections: She shares moving stories about photographing the same families for 18 years, creating annual albums that document kids growing up (05:13).

Becoming More Woo Woo: Empathy, Dreams, and Intuition (13:27)

• Meredith’s Intuitive Side:

  “I’ve always been super witchy… like, I don’t know numbers, but I can always tell what time it is… I have a very witchy kind of intuition.” — Meredith (13:27)

• She recounts psychic dreams and displays “super empath” abilities, but is skeptical about traditional psychics, noting that all her readings have been off (14:42).

[15:38] Animal Communication & the Turtle Connection

• Remarkable Story: Talking with Joffrey the Turtle (16:49–22:10)
  • While photographing a woman’s pets, Meredith describes a powerful, inexplicable experience communicating with a shy turtle named Joffrey.
  • Meredith engages the turtle telepathically, ultimately coaxing him onto his rock, which stuns his owner as Joffrey never does this with people present.

  • “He looked me straight in the eye and stayed on the rock as I got closer and closer. ...I have several photos of him looking me in the eye on the rock.” — Meredith (21:38)

• The group muses about animal communicators and the possibility that all animals communicate telepathically (25:32).

Belief, Empathy, and "Woo Woo" Telepathy (25:59)

• Ideas on Evolution and Neurodiversity: Meredith and Irene discuss the potential of autism and ADHD in human evolution, linking “elevated communication” abilities to nonverbal, empathetic forms (27:19).
• A memorable thought:

  “All animals have this psychic ability...they’re communicating with us, but we’re not receiving. Unless you are a special kind of person that is intuitive.” — Irene (28:21)

Swimming with Whales: Confronting Fears and Following Dreams (30:40–37:44)

• Learning How to Swim at Midlife: Meredith candidly shares how her lifelong fear of water transformed when she was offered the chance to swim with whales—contingent on learning to swim in three weeks.
• The Whale Encounter:

  “I learned how to swim enough to be in the middle of the ocean...And I got to be with humpback whales and their calves…you cannot—I could not process what was happening.” — Meredith (33:27–33:50)

• Personal Transformation via Synchronized Swimming: Prompted by her coach’s belief, Meredith began synchronized swimming and now practices regularly, loving the newfound comfort underwater.

  “Anytime I can be in and under the water, that’s where I am. I’m in the pool three to four times a week.” — Meredith (39:47)

• Rachel and Irene discuss the value of doing things as an adult that are outside one’s comfort zone:

  “It’s just so good to shake up the snow globe of your brain as an adult and try…” — Rachel (41:53)

The Power of Encouragement

• Belief and Support:

  “The power of somebody else believing you...and also not gatekeeping something from you, but rather inviting you in...” — Meredith (38:15)

Lighthearted Woo Woo: The Pendulum Game (45:53–48:37)

• Meredith asks:
  • “Do bugs dream?” [Answer: Yes from both pendulums!] (47:30–47:38)
  • “Can you guys roughly tell me the end of time?” [Answer: No] (48:02–48:14)

• “Most people ask, like, am I gonna go on vacation? Am I gonna get a job? [But] can you tell me the end of time?!” — Rachel (48:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You radiate...fairy dust or something special.” — Rachel to Meredith (02:11)
• “I left acting because I felt there wasn’t love. I needed love. And to me, kids and animals, they’re love. They’re just pure fun joy.” — Meredith (05:13)
• “All animals communicate telepathically. That’s how they all communicate.” — Meredith (25:32)
• “Whales...they can read our energy and know if we’re safe.” — Meredith (33:52)
• “Do you know how good it is to suck at something? ...I want to do stuff that I suck at, because I can only get better.” — Meredith (44:47)
• “None of us are cooked yet.” — Meredith on growth at any age (45:22)

Important Timestamps

• 02:49 – Meredith describes her approach to photography
• 13:27 – Discussing psychic dreams and intuition
• 16:49–22:10 – The turtle communication story
• 25:32 – Animal communication, telepathy, and human evolution
• 30:40–37:44 – Swimming with whales and learning to swim
• 44:47 – On the importance of doing things you “suck at” as an adult
• 45:53–48:37 – Fun with pendulum readings (bugs dreaming, the end of time)

Tone & Takeaways

Lively, curious, and deeply heartfelt, the episode is a testament to lifelong growth, the power of following unlikely paths, and the deep connections possible with animals and ourselves. It blends Woo Woo openness with skeptical curiosity and loving humor.

Find Meredith Zinner:
@meredithzennerphotography

Find the hosts:
Rachel: @raedratch
Irene: @irenebremis

Listen for:

• Animal empathy tales (turtle and whale connections—16:49, 30:40)
• The value of learning outside your comfort zone (44:47)
• The warmth of encouraging friendships and community

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