Healthy Home Hacks Podcast

If you're remodeling or renovating an existing home, or building a new house, you DON'T want to miss this show. Our guest, Jay Watts, has been the VP for technical services and special projects at AFM Safecoat (the leading provider of environmentally responsible, sustainable, and non-polluting paints, stains, wood finishes, sealers, adhesives, and related green building products) since 1994. AFM has been providing 100 percent toxicity-free multi-surface solutions for over 40 years.

Today, we're going beyond volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and digging deep into the chemical toxins present in today's paints, primers, and other building products including solvents, heavy metals, chemical residuals, carcinogens, and other harmful preservatives. Jay explains the difference between an MSDS and an SDS is and who it really benefits. Jay leaves us with tips on hiring and engaging contractors, the difference between low and zero VOC, the importance of product sampling, and he reveals the biggest sources of pollution in our homes.

You may recognize her from gracing the covers of some of the world's most famous glossy magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, People, and more. Besides making men swoon on a Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover, there are some other secret superpowers you may not know about today's guest, Supermodel and fashion Icon, Kathy Ireland.

Kathy cat walked her way to being named one of the 50 most influential people in fashion, according to Fairchild. And, if you think Kathy is just another pretty face, think again. Her company, Kathy​ Ireland®​ Worldwide ranks in the 15th position of worldwide brands, according to License! Global Magazine.

If beauty and brains weren't enough, Kathy happens to believe in living sustainably and cares about the health and well-being of our planet which is no more apparent than by the launch of her new Eco Clean line of eco-friendly home products in partnership with NaturEZway, creating a solution to harmful plastic products. Kathy's here to share about this and her partnership with The Green Pet Shop to offer sustainable pet products. Kathy leaves some juicy tips for budding female entrepreneurs.

Are you one of the 40 percent of people who suffer from asthma by living in a damp or moldy home? Mold exposure can be linked to negative health effects such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, congestion, and dry skin, depending on the type of mold and the health status of the person. Mold spores can cause health issues by triggering allergies or asthma attacks as spores enter the lungs.

Michael Rubino, The Mold Medic, is here to clear the air. Michael is an international mold remediation expert certified by IICRC and ACAC. Michael is the founder and CEO of All American Restoration and author of The Mold Medic.

Michael reveals why people should focus on air quality to optimize their health. He explains the best way to handle mold, how to prevent mold, the difference between mold and mildew, where mold hides, what it needs to survive, and ways to minimize the impact of mold.

Wireless radiation from cell phones and other wireless devices is not only unhealthy but can also be downright dangerous. We receive high doses of harmful radiation every single day from numerous sources of exposure.

A comprehensive meta-analysis of case-control studies found significant evidence linking cell phone use to increased tumor risk, especially among cell phone users with cumulative cell phone use corresponding to just 17 minutes per day over 10 years.

In this episode, we dive into something called Tech Toxins – from too much screen time and tech addiction to the dangers of blue light exposure and online privacy with our special guest, August Brice, the founder of Tech Wellness.

August shares the biggest culprits of EMF radiation in our homes and simple ways to reduce exposure.

Murray Hidary is the creator of MindTravel, an immersive, meditative journey that has spanned cities across the world in the form of SilentWalks and "silent" piano concerts.

Can music heal? Yes, according to our guest. In bringing MindTravel to a broad audience through digital offerings, Murray's goal is to create a space for people to have a powerfully provocative, reflective, healing, and transcendent journey. Murray's experiences are a fusion of contemporary and classical musical styles, wisdom traditions, theoretical physics, and the power of communal elevation.

Murray shares how music plays a role in healing, the importance of meditation, and how MindTravel can help people deal with that anxiety and grief as so many are struggling with in these challenging times. Murray leaves us with us a few simple breathing techniques and a mini surprise piano concert.

Does meditation control your thoughts – or does it stop letting them control you? Our guest today is shedding light on this very question. Suzanne Adams' TEDx talk, How to use Quantum Physics to Make Your Dreams Your Reality, has received almost 1.5 million views. Suzanne, a transformational speaker, is the co-founder and CEO of Ignite and Expand, a program which helps heart-centered entrepreneurs create and scale soulful businesses. She shares essential tips anyone can implement to thrive during these uncertain times. Suzanne explains simple ways people can experience a Quantum Leap (up their vibration) in their life or business.

Suzanne shares her personal breakthrough moment that changed her life for the better and how anyone listening can use their energy to create the life that they desire. She leaves us with a strategic plan to implement now to live your best life.

Want to live in the lap of organic luxury like Leonardo DiCaprio, but don't quite have enough green to splurge on a sustainable chateau? No worries. Our guest and TV host of Alive and Well, Michelle Harris shares affordable home-wellness design trends that you can implement right away to live more eco-friendly – and stylish.

Michelle explains how we can save water both inside and outside of our homes, and reveals her picks for the best natural cleaning products. From luxe towels to jewel-infused water bottles, Michelle shares her favorite home products that are sure to knock your organic socks off. She leaves us with simple steps people can do right now to start living a cleaner and greener life.

You've heard it said before: Water is essential to life. Our bodies are comprised of 50 to 70 percent water — our brains 75 percent, our blood 85 percent, and our bones 25 percent. But, according to the scientists at the Environmental Working Group, out of almost 50,000 water utilities studied, 45,000 detected contaminants linked to cancer. The scientists also discovered up to 110 million people may be drinking PFAS-tainted water (listen to Healthy Home Hacks episode #33).

Our guest today, Eric Kurbanov from RKIN Water Systems, 'filters' through the misconceptions and myths around drinking water as we tackle some of the most common contaminants found in today's tap water across the country including heavy metals, bacteria, fluoride, chlorine, and its byproducts, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and parasites. Eric shares the best filtration methods for your specific home and budget and explains the difference between a point of use and a point of entry filtration and if you need a water softener. Stay tuned till the learn how to win your own ZIP Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter valued at over $400.00!

You're likely part of the 4.88 billion mobile phone users worldwide. Today, 2.52 billion more mobile connections exist than there are people worldwide making cell phones making the fastest-growing human-made technological phenomenon ever. So, what's the problem with all of this wireless radiation besides the fact that the World Health Organization classifies RF (radio frequency) radiation from cell phones as a Group 2B carcinogen; possibly carcinogenic to humans? A 10-year study by the National Toxicology Program of mice and rats exposed to radiofrequency radiation from cell phones, found: DNA damage in some of the animal groups tested, children were the most vulnerable to cancer risk due to their skull thickness and developing brains and increased rates of cancer were found in male rats exposed to cell phone radiation.

In this episode, a former engineer and founder of SafeSleeve, Cary Subel, shares technology for EMF protection that is certified in an FCC laboratory. We leave you with some simple ways to reduce your radiation exposure and protect yourself and your loved ones (and a special discount code for listeners).

Are you sleeping with the enemy? In this episode, we go undercover – literally – by taking a deep dive into what's lurking in your mattress and explore the HEATED topic of flame retardants (FRs). After his grandchild was born, Barry A. Cik was fed up with the toxicity of crib mattresses while discovering that the majority of them are made of polyurethane foam and treated with flame retardant chemicals that are linked to endocrine disruption, lowered IQ, hyperactivity, altered sexual development, fertility issues, thyroid dysfunction, and cancer. Barry did what any board-certified environmental engineer and concerned grandfather would do, he founded his own certified organic mattress company, Naturepedic.

Barry reveals natural alternatives to toxic flame retardants, the current laws around FRs, common sources of exposure, and the negative health impacts from dangerous chemical fire retardants. He leaves us with practical tips to avoid exposure in our daily lives.