Being forced out of your home because the walls are filled with Black Mold is a nightmare. Finding no legal recourse for the damages inflicted on your health and your finances is even worse. So today, we’re digging into the legal side of holistic home building.

Kristina is a national trial lawyer who represents sick people against the companies that made them sick. She founded Just Well Law to help clients recover financially so that they can rebuild their health and their lives. Kristina’s experience with water damage in her home was absolutely devastating for her family.

From neurological damage inflicted on her children to a complete depletion of her entire family’s financial safety net, Kristina genuinely lost it all due to negligence on the builder’s part. After that experience, she was fight the system that has been repeatedly allowing this to happen.

Listen to this episode to understand exactly what you can do if you find yourself in a moldy home. Kristina really wants to drive the point home that you have to get out of that house. No matter what the financial devastation looks like, the deterioration of your health is not worth staying.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• How Kristina advocates for sick families
• Kristina’s personal experience with Black Mold in her home
• Insurance and builder accountability
• Who is ultimately responsible when negligence leads to an unhealthy home?
• What your options are if you’re experiencing untenable circumstances in your home

Connect with Kristina:

• Tiktok
• Instagram
• Website
• Linkedin

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A healthy home doesn't start and end with construction. Every single product, from cookware to perfume, can have a huge impact on your overall health. So today, I'm joined by Wendy Kathryn , a clean living coach and environmental toxins attorney. She's also the host of Toxin Free-ish Podcast where you can find all things toxin-free living, for real life.

When it comes to household products, greenwashing is rampant. So we're really getting into the knitty gritty with this conversation so you can feel more empowered the next time you head to Target. At the end of the day, you'll probably even save money in the long run! Because here's the thing - there is no reason for every household to have 10 different cleaning products. Let's get back to the basics and cut out the things that are cancer causing and ruining your air quality!

Even beyond the products themselves, Wendy has some really great, actionable tips that you can start implementing today to feel better in your home. Did you know that your indoor air quality is two to five times worse than the outdoor air? So small adjustments like opening up your windows whenever possible can help!

In this episode, we're chatting about:

• Disinfectants are pesticides!?
• Why it's important to ditch fragrance whenever possible
• Simple tips to improve your indoor air quality
• All things water filters

Connect with Wendy:

• Website
• Listen to The Toxin Free-ish Podcast
• Instagram

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• Instagram
• More Resources

Houses don’t need to breathe. People need to breathe. Houses on the other hand, need to dry. These are the wise words of today’s guest, Emily Mottram. Emily is an architect and principal of Mottram Architecture. She is a building science educator, co-host on “The BS & Beer Show” and hosts a monthly podcast “E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily,” focusing on building science, architecture and female entrepreneurship.

Emily is a wealth of knowledge! She shares her journey from growing up in a farming community to becoming a leading expert in sustainable architecture and building science. We dive into various aspects of building science, including air quality, material selection, and the importance of air sealing.

Emily offers practical tips for homeowners on how to engage with architects and builders to achieve a healthy and sustainable home. We also discuss the challenges and considerations for production builds and renovations, and Emily highlights the importance of communication and collaboration in the design and building process. And stick around until the end for a little bit of information about a networking group for all the building science gurus and/or homeowners with questions that may be meeting up near you!

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Why spray foam is NOT the cure all solution for building issues
• Creating a passive home in a cold climate like Maine versus a hot climate like Texas
• The water control layer, air control layer, vapor control layer, and thermal control layer
• How to navigate the process of building with a production home
• De-stigmatizing renting property versus buying

Connect with Emily:

• Linkedin
• Check out her website
• Instagram

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Indoor air quality can make or break a home! Fresh air and clean water are the silent, and often forgotten, ingredients to a healthy living space. Today’s guest is Zack Pelzel, the Founder of The Purified Home. And no, we’re not just talking about air purifiers.

After backpacking through the Sierra Nevadas, Zack became more attuned to nature than ever before. Suddenly, he understood the power of living in lockstep with nature, instead of against it. From waking with the sun to breathing in pure mountain air, he knew he wanted to take these treasures to everyday life inside the home.

Did you know that a typical contractor will only test whether your HVAC heats and cools? They completely leave out the “V” - ventilation! Zack’s team will often come in and test the air quality, only to find that it’s as bad or WORSE than the outdoor air quality.

So how do we avoid this oversight in our own homes? How can we ensure that we’re not being exposed to more pollutants when we come home each day? Well, The Purified Home works to get your indoor air quality 90% BETTER than outside air. And of course, we’re giving you all the tools you need to make sure you’ve got clean water running through your home. Because no one wants to be drinking and showering in contaminated water!

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• All about the device Zack’s team uses to test indoor air quality
• The difference between an HRV and an ERV and which is right for you
• Zack’s take on standalone air purifiers
• Do you need a whole house water filter?
• How you can find the contaminant reports in YOUR city
• The truth about detachable shower water filters

Connect with Zack

• Check out The Purified Home Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Youtube

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• Instagram
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Can you imagine a house without windows? Sounds more like a prison to me and my guest today, Peter Duppenthaler AKA @FenestrationGuy. Windows serve a purpose for the occupants mental health. With no sunlight streaming into a space, it can become depressing - fast. They also provide access to fresh air! And aesthetically, they’re an important aspect of your home.

So when you’re in the building or renovating process, you want to make sure that you’re having informed conversations with your contractors. Because while windows serve a purpose, they’re also one of the most vulnerable spots of the home. I often refer to them as a hole in the middle of an otherwise solid building envelope. So Peter is joining us to give us the inside scoop on all things windows!

Peter has been in the window industry for over decade and has found a passion for the connection between windows and building science / building envelope! He’s great with the technical details so get ready to take lots of notes.

Believe it or not, choosing the right windows for your home isn’t always straight forward. So I want you to walk away with a comprehensive understanding of how to approach all of your options. From choosing your frames to picking the right glass options, you’ll feel empowered to make the right choice for your home. We even uncovered a decision I made with my windows which may have lost me a manufacturers warranty. So tune in to avoid a mistake like that!

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• What is R Value and UL Value?
• The four tiers of window frame options: Vinyl, Composite, Fiberglass and Wood Interior/Aluminum Clad Exterior (or all aluminum)
• How your choice of coating can effect the efficiency rating of a home
• Your window options if privacy is a big concern for you
• When conversations about the window details should happen in the building process
• The #1 issue Peter sees with windows (hint: it’s NOT leaks)

Connect with Peter:

• Follow him on Instagram
• Check out his website

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• More Resources

Many of us get into this industry because we have personal horror stories with mold. For me, I bought a home that had floor to ceiling mold in the kitchen. It was completely invisible to the naked eye, until we started the renovation process and took walls down to the studs.

For today’s guest, Megan Carson, she was reaching a sever level of mold toxicity and couldn’t identify the source until having an ERMI test and an inspection. Luckily, she was able to get out of her lease and high tail it out of there! But that led her down the path to becoming the founder of Guided Well LLC.

She is a certified mold inspector and IEP with a specialized focus on client education and building defect identification related to poor building science and design in relation to indoor air quality issues. After her own four walls made her sick, she’s making it her mission to help other people out of that sort of situation.

For any of you home renters out there, we’re starting this conversation with some safe guards that all renters need to know about. From getting your own inspections (not through management) to discussing additional clauses in the lease to guarantee a way out if water damage becomes an issue. Then, we’re chatting all things remediation so you don’t have to go into the process already overwhelmed.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Why Megan became a mold inspector
• The importance of good testing and validation before remediation
• How to vet a mold inspector
• What the sampling process should look like (hint: it’s not supposed to just be air samples in the middle of the room)
• Learning the difference between restoration and remediation
• Why encapsulation should only be used as a last resort

Connect with Megan:

• Instagram

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• Instagram
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Windows are a uniquely vulnerable spot in your home. Essentially, you’ve got a stable structure with holes in the middle to let in light. So as you can imagine, all sorts of problems can present themselves if your windows aren’t constructed properly. It’s incredibly important that your windows are properly constructed to protect against water damage!

Before you can make any big decisions about the windows in your home, you need to know what type of windows you’re working with. So first, I’ll be differentiating the two types of windows you may be working with. From there, you’re going to get the full rundown on considerations that you need to make with your team. So if you don’t know what I mean when I say “head flashing, back dam, or slope sill,” you’re in for a treat.

But we’re not stopping there, I’m even covering what to do once your windows have been installed. You’ll want to make sure the windows are leak tested before you wash your hands of this step and move on. Have a hands off installer? No problem! This is something you can do yourself and I’ll tell you exactly how in this episode.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• The two different types of windows (new construction and retrofit)
• The problem with retrofin windows
• Why I suggest new construction windows on an existing home
• Why I would caution against sky lights
• Different considerations for windows in new builds
• How to conduct a leak test

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• More Resources

“The housing market is crazy, can I skip the inspection?” I hear this all the time. And truth be told, I’ve skipped the home inspection before. But I would NOT suggest doing this (you’ll have to tune into the episode to find out why I did).

Today, I’m joined by Tori McGee, a holistic realtor based in Atlanta, Georgia. This episode was so fun to record. We dove into the nitty-gritty of buying a healthy home and let me tell you, inspections are key! Tori shared her wisdom on the must-dos, from checking the roof to testing for radon and mold. She's all about making sure our homes are safe havens for our health and happiness.

I also really loved hearing about how a holistic realtor can be the buyers advocate. From asking the hard questions about what chemicals will be used in remediation to spotting foundational cracks, your realtor can speak up when you’re feeling intimidated. Plus, she gave us some great tips on finding a like-minded realtor and resources for a non-toxic living space. It was such an informative episode, and I can't wait for you to hear her advice.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• The specific steps in an in-depth home inspection
• How a holistic realtor can help you understand next steps after an inspection report
• Suggested inspections for new build homes
• Warning signs to look out for pre-inspection during the house searching process
• How to navigate conversations about healthy homes with big builders
• How you can find a holistic realtor in your area

Connect with Tori:

• Website
• Instagram

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• instagram

I’ve seen people rip their homes down to the studs in an effort to get rid of mold. And the worst part is, sometimes they do all of that and they still don’t find what they’re looking for. So today, you’re in for a treat because my friend PJ Harlow, owner and CEO of PJ Harlow Wellness, Inc. is joining us.

PJ Harlow Wellness, Inc is a virtual, IICRC-certified consulting firm specializing in holistic mold removal, decontamination & remediation. As the founder and curriculum director of The Academy for Holistic Home Health & Mold Sciences, she also offers bespoke online courses for homeowners, renters, and professionals!

We’re talking about how to maintain a health fungal ecology in the home. Just like your gut has a microbiome, so do the four walls you live in! And if you’ve been considering investing in an ERMI test, please listen to this episode! We don’t want you to go out and get a result that you can’t interpret. And turning to Facebook is not the answer! You’ll have amateurs catastrophizing and telling you to tear down your house.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• how to maintain healthy fungal ecology - is there such a thing as being “too clean”
• Step number one when you think you have a mold problem
• Why failed remediations are so common
• What the remediation process actually entails
• What is fine particulate cleaning?

Connect with PJ:

• For 10% off, go HERE and use the code "christine10"
• Website
• Instagram

Connect with me:

• Instagram

How do you come up with a figure for your renovation budget? I know allocating funds can feel really stressful when you’re being thrown so many options. So in today’s episode, I’m giving you a bird’s eye view of the budgeting decisions I would urge you to make.

At the end of the day, we want to use the renovation process as a way to avoid bigger headaches down the line. It might feel fun to focus a lot of our attention on fixtures and finishes! But I’m going to be pointing you towards some more integral processes to prioritize first.

I’ll be pointing you towards details that you may overlook otherwise. For example: access doors are incredibly important! Without access doors, you’re making it ten times harder to pinpoint issues as they pop up. And we’re not shying away from the big picture overhauls that might need to happen. If you’re already doing a renovation and you have plumbing from the 1950s, it’s probably time to address that before a pipe bursts a year from now.

I hope this episode gives you a solid place to start when you sit down to create your budget. just remember, it’s easier to deal with the big picture now and small, aesthetic issues can always be replaced later.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• The big items you need to factor into your budget
• Why you might want to replace the plumbing
• Why it’s almost impossible to totally clean a duct system without replacing it
• What I would do if I was in charge of a renovation budget
• Why I would minimize costs in fixtures and finishes
• The importance of access doors

Connect with me:

• Instagram