Podcast Summary

Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch

Episode: Tara Davis: A Tale of Time Travel
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Rachel Dratch
Co-host: Irene Bremis
Guest: Tara Davis

Episode Overview

In this captivating and heartwarming episode, Rachel Dratch and co-host Irene Bremis welcome old friend Tara Davis to share a story that has lived rent-free in Rachel’s mind since the Chicago improv days of the 90s. The episode centers around Tara’s remarkable “time travel” dream—one that’s not just otherworldly, but a profound testament to the mysterious, emotional bonds between parent and child. Together, the hosts and guest explore the unexplained, delve into the power of dreams, and ultimately land at the surprising intersection of science, skepticism, and unconditional love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Skepticism

• Hosts reminisce about meeting Tara in the Chicago improv scene of the early 90s (03:19–04:17).
• Tara frames herself as a skeptic:

  “I’m not a ghosty person. I’m not religious. I’m very science based. … This story was special. It really happened.”
  — Tara Davis (04:48)

2. The Dream: A Vivid “Time Travel” Encounter

• Tara’s dream as a sophomore in college:

  • She finds herself in Nutley, New Jersey, her father's childhood hometown, knowing she’ll encounter him as a 15-year-old.
  • The dream is intensely vivid—with sights, sounds, and tactile sensations:

    “I could feel the breeze. … I remember the squirrels on the grass.”
    — Tara Davis (07:35)

  • Overflowing with emotion, she refrains from revealing her identity, only exchanging a simple “hi” as her teen-dad walks by (08:45–09:54).

  “I was busting… I wanted to say ‘someday you’re going to be my father… try to remember this.’ But I didn’t.”
  — Tara Davis (09:29)

3. The Call and the Chilling Connection

• Tara is compelled to call her father the morning after, detailing the dream (11:07).

• Her father’s unexpected reply:

  “Maybe you did.”
  — Tara’s father, Ken (11:21)

• Ken describes his real childhood memory: On a walk home from baseball, he encountered a woman in white robes, who stood still, watched him pass, and emanated benevolence—not fear—before he walked widely around her and continued home (12:14–13:40).

  “I saw this woman… white robe, like a bride, but not. … She was just watching me… there was something off about this whole situation.”
  — Ken, via Tara (12:18)

4. Real-world Corroboration

• Ken’s memory is affirmed by his cousin Amy and his own mother years later, both recalling his retelling of the incident as a teen—lending additional credibility (17:06–18:59).
• Geographical accuracy: Tara and Ken revisit the park, finding details (like a rerouted stream) matching the era of Ken's memory (18:59).

5. Reflection on Meaning and Connection

• Tara discusses the extraordinary emotions in the dream and their resonance with artistic and spiritual experiences (25:28–26:57).

  “It was the feelings… overwhelmingly enormous. The kinds you experience through art and music… Those were the kinds of emotions… It was just this dream.”
  — Tara Davis (25:47)

• The hosts draw parallels between dreams, spiritual connections, and the unexplained bonds between people—especially between parent and child (27:29–28:56).

  “That unconditional love, you know?”
  — Irene Bremis (27:56)

6. Ken’s Live Perspective (36:01+)

• Tara’s father Ken joins the conversation to recount the encounter from his teenage perspective:

  • No fear, just “wonder.”
  • He recalls the woman giving him a benevolent smile, exchanging a greeting, and simply watching him walk away (37:09–37:56).
  • It didn’t profoundly change his beliefs, but “became aware there might be more… than we’re cognizant of” (39:42).

  “I think I became aware that there might be more in this life than we’re cognizant of. … It was an eye opener.”
  — Ken (39:42–40:11)

7. Wrap-up and Emotional Takeaway

• Unconditional love across time emerges as the true heart of the story.
• Rachel:

  “The big takeaway is… it’s the love that connects us. … That’s what this story has.” (44:36)

• Tara:

  “It’s much bigger than our day-to-day lives… This kind of arms of love encompassing all of us that connects us.” (44:43–44:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Vivid Dreaming:
  “You could count on your hand how many times in your life you have a dream that is that emotional.”
  — Tara Davis (09:54)

• On Science vs. Woo Woo:
  “Maybe we don’t know everything… maybe even time travel is possible.”
  — Rachel Dratch (04:17)

• On Ken’s Experience:
  “I saw this woman, and she was wearing white, flowy robes on the path that I was walking toward. … No fear. I saw this woman, and she was just watching me… there was something off about this whole situation.”
  — Tara (As relayed by Ken, 12:18)

• On Emotional Resonance:
  “What moved me to question it… was the feelings that were so overwhelmingly enormous… you sob in a play… that was the feeling.”
  — Tara Davis (25:47)

• On Proof:
  “My whole family was in the car… any feeling that my dad was just being sweet and kind of giving me something to believe in… is completely alleviated. That was not the case… He is 100% clear.”
  — Tara Davis (32:52)

• On the Lesson:
  “So much bigger than the connection we know, and it transcends time… Our connection goes before then and goes after.”
  — Tara Davis (22:31)

Important Timestamps

• Tara begins telling her story: 06:17
• The dream described (vivid scene): 07:24–10:54
• Post-dream reaction and call to Ken: 11:06
• Ken recounts his side of the memory: 12:14–13:40, in detail again at 36:01–38:17
• Corroborating details with relatives: 17:06–18:59
• Reflections on emotion and connection: 25:28–28:56
• Ken’s reflections on its meaning: 39:42–40:11
• Hosts discuss spiritual takeaways: 44:36–44:58

Tone and Style

The podcast maintains a warm, conversational, and curious tone throughout, with Rachel and Irene openly expressing wonder, awe, and playfulness. Tara shares her tale with humility and sincerity, vacillating between scientific skepticism and openness to the mysterious.

Conclusion

This episode delivers not just a “woo woo” tale but a moving meditation on the power of dreams, the mysteries of time and connection, and the deep emotional bonds that tie families together—perhaps beyond explanation, and maybe even beyond time itself.

Memorable Takeaway:

“It was a story of time travel… or more, a story of profound love through time.”
— Rachel Dratch & Tara Davis (48:38)