The Organic Mommy Podcast

Peptides with Dr. Vodjani (And the Truth About Collagen, Estrogen, Mold and More) — PART 2

In Part 2, Dr. Vodjani breaks down the rising popularity of peptides: what they are, who they’re for, and why they’re not a cure-all. We also cover hair growth, collagen, colostrum, hormone imbalances (including stubborn high estrogen), mold and mycotoxin testing, and when to consider nutrient and gut health testing for kids. This episode is a practical deep dive into what’s hype versus what’s actually helpful in functional medicine.

Topics covered:

Peptides in Functional Medicine


What are peptides, and how are they being used in functional medicine today?

Before Starting Peptides


What should people understand before beginning peptide therapy?

The “Cure-All” Hype


Are peptides being overpromoted as a magic solution?

Peptides for Weight Loss & Skin


The truth about peptides for weight loss, wrinkles, and skin concerns.

Peptides & Skin Tissue Repair


How peptides may support tissue healing and skin integrity.

Over-the-Counter Skincare with Peptides


Do topical peptide products actually work?

Hair Growth


What truly works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to hair growth?

Collagen Powders


Dr. Vodjani’s take on collagen supplementation.

Colostrum

Is colostrum worth the hype? Who might benefit?

High Estrogen Despite a “Healthy” Lifestyle


If someone lives an 80/20 healthy lifestyle but still has high estrogen, what could be contributing?

Mold & Mycotoxins


Are blood tests for mycotoxins reliable? What should people know about mold exposure?

Testing Kids’ Nutrient Levels & Gut Health


What are the best ages to test children for nutrient deficiencies and gut imbalances?

In Part One with Dr. Vojdani, Natasha shares her personal experience

In this episode, we dive into the “9-year-old sass” phase — what’s actually happening developmentally and how parents can respond without shaming, escalating, or losing connection.

Around age nine, kids are stretching into independence. They’re testing tone, experimenting with power, and beginning to see the world (and you) through a more critical lens. Eye rolls, dramatic exaggerations, and talking back aren’t signs you’ve failed — they’re signs your child is growing.

We talk about why regulating yourself first is the most important step before responding, and how to hold firm boundaries without falling into either permissiveness or shame. This isn’t about “gentle parenting” versus discipline — it’s about calm leadership

Links:

Immunity tea from Rowe Casa (Use Discount code DRORGANICMOMMY)

https://www.rowecasaorganics.com/products/immunity-herbal-tea?sca_ref=10410646.exGF0cdNwZoXh1M0

Tallow Body Wash Discount code - DRORGANICMOMMY

https://localrevival.co/products/tallow-honey-bodywash

Pique Tea Vespers 

http://piquelife.com/organicmommy 

1:00 – Millennial Find of the Week
3:29 – Sass and 9-year-olds
4:00 – Understanding what’s going on at 9 years old
4:50 – Regulating yourself before responding
8:49 – What to do when they roll their eyes
11:00 – Gentle parenting vs. holding boundaries
13:00 – Not shaming them
13:47 – How to deal with the talking back
15:50 – How to deal with the overdramatic exaggerations
17:00 – Natasha shares a story to explain how she handled it
19:00 – How to respond to 9-year-old dramatics
22:00 – Ways to create extra connection with your 9-year-olds

This week we cover everything from millennial identity and favorite finds to fragrance exposure and hormone health plus a big parenting deep dive. We answer listener questions on celery powder in bacon, navigating unkind or violent language picked up at school, and screen habits that actually support kids’ development. We also talk about Natasha's thoughts on shows like Bluey, why repetition is beneficial, why fast-forwarding is a no in our house, and why TV is often a better choice than iPads. A practical conversation about modern parenting, health, and raising thoughtful kids in a noisy world.

Timecodes

1:00 – Are we actually millennials?

We kick things off debating whether we technically qualify as millennials, Xennials, or something in between

2:00 – Millennial Find of the Week: Natasha’s pick is a body soap she’s loving right now & Emily’s pick is a scarf she’s wearing on repeat

4:00 – Fragrance + hormone disruption: Natasha jokes that she wants a button that says: “Ask me about how fragrances are endocrine disruptors.”

5:00 – Listener Q&A: celery powder + bacon

6:51 – Kids picking up violent or unkind language at school: A listener asks what to do when a preschooler comes home repeating violent phrases—or words like “stupid” and “idiot”—learned from other kids.

8:33 – Thoughts on Bluey: Our honest take on the show 

10:00 – Why repeating the same episode is actually good: Why kids benefit from watching the same show over and over, and how repetition supports emotional regulation and learning.

11:25 – Why Natasha doesn’t allow fast-forwarding

14:15 – iPad vs TV

Links:

Local Revival Soap https://go.shopmy.us/p-41527922

Emily’s Scarf  - https://go.shopmy.us/p-41530295

In this episode, we talk about exhaustion by association. The mental load of parenting while constantly reassessing what we think we know. Natasha shares her experience navigating viral induced asthma, why new research has changed her approach to hygiene, and the surprising results of a microplastics study she is participating in. We discuss why reducing exposure matters, how behavior changes can actually move the needle, and why owning mistakes is part of good parenting and good health.

Timecodes:

1:00 -Millennial find of the week and please excuse our tween humor

2:00 - Natasha shares what it has been like managing viral induced asthma and navigating illness as a parent

4:30 -Why Natasha may be switching from hand washing to Purell
A conversation on updated research around alcohol based sanitizers and what actually kills viruses

6:30 - Why rinsing with salt water matters and when she uses it

8:30 -Natasha shares a surprising personal update: Zero microplastics found in her system and what that means + discussion of ongoing research on microplastics nanoplastics PFAS and exposure reduction

This week’s episode is a quick but informative one. We start by catching up and sharing our Millennial Must-Haves of the week, including sleep-friendly ear plugs, non-toxic men’s t-shirts, favorite shorts, and workout clothes.

The main focus of the episode is eggs. We break down the Vital Farms controversy, explain what to look for when buying eggs, and share how to source the best options for your family. We also talk about how eggs support collagen intake and why they’re such a powerful, affordable food to include regularly.

Short, practical, and packed with helpful takeaways.

Links (as mentioned in the episode)

Ear plugs like earrings: https://amzn.to/4pX5878

Voterra t-shirts: https://vottera.com/products/regenerative-organic-cotton-t-shirts-for-men

Ryker shorts: https://rykerclothingco.com/products/the-apex-short-master?variant=50147749822786

Natasha’s favorite eggs: https://nourishfoodclub.com

Red Hen app: https://www.redhenapp.com

Timecodes:

1:00 – Catching Up

Quick life updates and what’s been going on lately in both homes.

2:00 – Millennial Must-Haves of the Week

This week’s finds that are actually being used and loved:

• Ear plugs that look like earrings and are comfortable for sleeping

• Non-toxic, regenerative organic cotton t-shirts for men

• Men’s shorts we’ve been loving lately

• Favorite workout clothes for women

8:19 – Talking All About Eggs

• Why eggs are such an important staple in our homes

• Breaking down the recent Vital Farms controversy

• What labels actually mean and which ones matter

• How to find the best quality eggs available to you

• Why sourcing and farming practices make a difference

17:00 – How to Get Collagen From Eggs

• How eggs naturally support collagen intake

• Which parts of the egg matter most

• Simple ways to incorporate them regularly

Interior designer Erin Fetherston joins us to break down how to reduce toxins in your home without feeling overwhelmed. From bedrooms and beds to couches, rugs, and flooring, Erin shares practical starting points, trusted materials, and the certifications that actually matter. They also unpack common greenwashing myths, discuss popular furniture brands, and offer reassurance for anyone feeling behind on their non-toxic home journey.

Links and Notes:

Bedding

Quince (use “organic” in search): https://www.quince.com/search?q=organic&filter=departments%3DHome

Coyuchi

https://www.coyuchi.com/

Boll and Branch

https://www.bollandbranch.com/

The Futon Shop

https://www.thefutonshop.com/

Natasha’s Mattress Blog:

https://www.drorganicmommy.com/blog/mattress-guide-natasha-beck

Natasha’s kitchen swaps:

https://www.drorganicmommy.com/kitchen

Upholstery

The Futon Shop

Cisco Home (inside green)

https://ciscohome.net/pages/inside-green

Medley Home 

https://medleyhome.com/

Kalon Studios

https://kalonstudios.com/

Avocado makes some furniture

https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com/collections/beds-furniture-1

Rugs

Organic Weave

Nordic knots

Jaipur Living (100% undyed wool options)

Enkay 

https://www.enkay.com/

https://www.urbannatural.com/

Etsy Finds

HedgeHouse: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HedgeHouse

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ottomanmarrakech

Amish furniture

Loewen Design Studios

https://www.loewendesignstudios.com/

https://www.thosmoser.com/

Timecodes:

Mold exposure is more common and more complex than most families realize. In this episode, Brian Karr breaks down how mold impacts health, where it hides, why surface cleaning isn’t enough, and how to navigate testing, remediation, and realistic solutions even when moving isn’t an option.

Podcast Notes

2:00 – How big of an issue is mold?

6:00 – Symptoms of mold exposure

9:00 – Why surface mold cleanup isn’t enough

11:00 – Navigating the financial burden

13:00 – How whole-home mold testing works

15:00 – Biggest myths about mold

16:00 – Do air purifiers help if you have mold?

17:00 – What to look for in an air purifier

20:00 – Sneaky places mold loves to hide

26:00 – What to look for in bathrooms

29:00 – What if you have mold but can’t move?

34:00 – Black mold in grout: what now?

38:00 - Important thing you can do every day to mitigate mold in your home 

42:00 - What to look for in an inspector when they come to your house

Links:

INTELLIPURE COMPACT AIR PURIFIER: https://go.shopmy.us/p-37918236

Under the sink leak mat: https://amzn.to/4jwRR3j

We inspect: https://www.instagram.com/moldfinders/

Red light therapy is everywhere right now, but most people do not really understand how it works or how to use it correctly. In this episode, Natasha sits down with Vivian Chen, founder of Lumebox, to break down the science of red and near infrared light in a practical and approachable way.

They discuss why Natasha was initially skeptical, how artificial light disrupts circadian rhythms, and why timing, placement, and wavelength matter more than most people realize. Vivian explains how red light supports energy, sleep, hormone balance, and even thyroid health, while also addressing common questions about EMFs, face masks, and how Lumebox differs from other devices on the market.

If you have ever wondered whether red light therapy is worth it or how to actually use it safely and effectively, this episode is a must listen.

Notes:

1:01 – Why Natasha was skeptical about red light therapy at first

2:20 – Vivian’s personal journey into red light therapy and founding Lumebox

4:25 – The big-picture benefits of red and near-infrared light

6:30 – Why so many people are using the wrong type of light—and what kind you actually need

9:00 – The best way to start your day using light for circadian health

12:00 – How modern indoor lighting disrupts our biology

14:10 – The impact of time changes on sleep, mood, and energy

17:00 – Phone use at night and how artificial light affects melatonin

19:00 – Key differences between red light devices on the market

22:00 – How often to use the Lumebox, where to use it, and best timing

24:00 – Do red light face masks actually work?

25:00 – When to use red light vs. near-infrared light

28:00 – Using red light therapy for thyroid support

32:00 – Lumebox and EMFs: what you need to know

35:00 – Why light exposure—especially morning light—is foundational to health

38:00 – Why Natasha continues to use and trust the Lumebox

Links:

Red Light Bulbs -https://healthlighting.com/pages/chromalux-the-original-light-for-health-and-wellness 

Clip on Nightlight - https://amzn.to/3MJHzRj 

In this episode, we sit down with Nicki Petrossi from Scrolling 2 Death to unpack the growing mental health concerns tied to kids’ technology use. We explore how social media, gaming platforms, and school-issued devices impact attention, emotional health, and development. Nicki breaks down what parents need to know about platforms like Roblox, Snapchat, and Discord and offers practical steps families can take to set healthy boundaries around tech without shame or fear. 

Rough Timecodes:

1:00 – Welcome

3:00 – The link between social media and depression

5:00 – Mental health impacts and the connection to fragmented attention

6:00 – Kids getting devices earlier and schools providing devices

7:00 – Everything is becoming social media (Spotify, Roblox, etc.)

8:00 – What parents need to know about the dangers of Roblox

11:00 – What if you allow these platforms so your child doesn’t feel excluded?

13:00 – The dangers of Snapchat for kids

15:00 – Two things parents can do to avoid common pitfalls

18:00 – Playing games with your child and what to do if something isn’t appropriate

20:00 – Discord: what it is and what parents need to know

21:00 – Age gating and GCO

22:00 – Facial scanning and how it relates to age gating

24:00 – Going backwards: how to help kids reduce tech use

27:00 – Creating a family tech contract

30:00 – Teaching kids phone etiquette

33:00 – The dangers of laptops in schools

Links:

10 rules for raising a kid in a high tech world - https://amzn.to/3KNemnV

how to make your smart phone a dumb phone - https://www.drorganicmommy.com/blog/how-we-turned-our-sons-smartphone-into-a-dumb-phone-and-how-you-can-too-natasha-beck

Tin Can https://tincan.kids

New York times - laptops in schools - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/opinion/laptop-classroom-test-scores.html

Tech Safe learning - https://www.techsafelearning.org

Good Pictures Bad pictures book -https://amzn.to/4pXMs7q