By Wendy Kathryn
Welcome to the Toxin Free(ish) podcast, hosted by Wendy, an environmental toxins lawyer turned speaker, advocate and clean living coach. Consider this your go-to podcast for bite-sized, binge-worth
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The podcast currently has 87 episodes available.
Should you avoid titanium dioxide in your cosmetics? It's not a simple yes or no answer. I've actually been consulting directly with formulators of cosmetic brands lately and titanium dioxide is a hot topic.
Today, I'll be explaining the science behind the risks of titanium dioxide, differentiates between nano and non-nano forms, and outline when and where the ingredient may be safe or unsafe. With this ingredient, it really depends on the product you're using.
So don't jump to throw away your favorite products just because you see titanium dioxide on the ingredient list! After listening to this episode, you'll be empowered to make more informed decisions at the check out counter. One thing that's less nuanced than your cosmetics: always avoid titanium dioxide in food! You definitely don't want to be ingesting this stuff!
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I want to create a culture where it's cool to read labels. Imagine if everybody read labels and really cared about the ingredients that were in our products. Companies would have to start making cleaner products.
They would see people gravitating to and purchasing the cleaner products. And we all know our money is the ultimate needle mover. So I created this episode as a bit of an introduction to label reading. If you're new here, this is also a great episode to serve as a roadmap to the rest of the podcast.
I know reading labels can be overwhelming for people. When you're shopping, especially if you've got kids in tow, stopping to scan the label might be the last thing on your mind. But when you're armed with the basic knowledge needed to quickly and effectively spot harmful ingredients, it can feel really empowering.
Not only will I be going through the most pervasive and harmful ingredients to spot, but I'll also provide a quick list of safer alternatives. When you master this skill, you don't have to wait for me or anyone else to give the red or green light on a product.
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Have you noticed that 12 step skincare routines are being marketed to younger and younger age groups? Nine year olds are flocking to Sephora to get their fix. How necessary/unnecessary is this? Is there some merit to adopting a skincare routine so young?
This is just one of the many questions we're answering today with holistic esthetician, Jamie Burkhalter. We're going beyond the consumerism of skincare and reframing it from a routine to a ritual. So whether you've got a teenager at home dealing with acne for the first time or you're wondering how to maintain elasticity as you age, this episode is for you.
We're also having an important conversation about the expectations that are put on us by social media. Personally, I've given up filters completely in hopes that I don't pass down insecurities to my children. The truth is, none of us are immune to aging and we should stop touting "anti-aging" products as the holy grail.
And finally, we'll be talking about why I love evanhealy, the skincare brand committed to regenerative sourcing and environmental sustainability. Jamie provides a deep dive into the ethos behind their nutrient-rich, plant-based products and the philosophy that prioritizes personal health and the health of our planet.
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Shop the products mentioned in the episode and use code WENDY15 to save on all evanhealy products:
Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro!
Getting started with red light therapy with 40% off the LUMEBOX.
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When you hear the words "Grapefruit Seed Extract," what do you picture? For me, images of a nice, juicy grapefruit being hand picked comes to mind. And that's exactly what companies that are labeling their products as "all-natural" want you to see.
Unfortunately, grapefruit seed extract is not so innocent. Companies misleadingly market products as "all-natural" while sneaking in hormone-disrupting chemicals like benzalconium chloride, triclosan, and methylparabens. So today, we're digging into the startling findings from a recently published report that tested grapefruit seed extract products from six major companies—all but one contained synthetic preservatives.
What this means for your favorite products can be a bit complicated. So tune in to have it laid out super simply. Because here's the thing - your skincare shouldn't be messing with your hormones.
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Last week, the EPA made a surprising announcement, a first in forty years, in which they issued an immediate emergency ban on a pesticide called DCPA. Now, I know what you're thinking - wow, I'm glad they're actually pulling a harmful product off the market! It is cause to celebrate, but let's dig a little bit deeper.
The unfortunate truth is that this pesticide has been used in the US since the 1950s and we've known about it's harmful effects since the 90s. So why did it take so long to ban DCPA? What is DCPA used for? And who in our population is most directly negatively affected by this pesticide? We're going to dig into all of the details on today's episode.
I also want to take you behind the scenes on how regulatory agencies, influenced by industry pressures, often prioritize manufacturers over public health. This is important information to have, even post-ban, because their are still tons of pesticides on the market that, frankly, should have been banned a long time ago.
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I've been releasing episodes of Toxin Free-ish each week, for 81 weeks! And in that time, I've provided tons of information and tools for you to work your way towards a more toxin-free life. Today, we're doing something a little bit different. It's time to really get to know the host beyond the insights!
My friend Suzy, who I met and immediately felt the chemistry of deep friendship with in Ecuador, is sitting to interview me. Her podcast, Unbranded with Suzy Dean, dives into a wide range of stories and experiences. Her love for plant medicine collided with my love for regenerative agriculture. Both of us care deeply about living in alignment with nature and making decisions that heal of body and the earth in the same breath.
This conversation was incredibly refreshing. Tune in to hear stories and insights that I've never actually shared on the podcast or my Instagram before. After Suzy released the episode, I got a few DMs from listeners who said they really appreciated the opportunity to get to know me better. So I thought, what better way to invite you in closer than to reshare this episode on my feed.
You can tune in to the Unbranded podcast here.
In this episode, we're chatting about:
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Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro!
Getting started with red light therapy with 40% off the LUMEBOX.
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I asked Kori Estrada and Dr. Derek, the Founders of Risewell toothpaste, to come on and talk about toothpaste ingredients, their rigorous and transparent testing and how they were handling the (now dismissed) PFAS lawsuit.
This episode is packed with expert insights and real-life experiences to help you make more informed choices for your oral and overall health. Don't miss it!
In this episode, we're chatting about:
Shop Risewell and use code WENDYKATHRYN10 to save 10%
Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro!
If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:
Imagine transforming your household into a haven of health without causing friction among your loved ones. I just wrapped up another cohort of Toxin Free in 3 and the question "how can I get my family on board?" came up a lot.
It's easy to implement changes if you have young ones and you're the only one calling the shots. That used to be my experience! But in the past few years, everything has changed now that I have a husband and teenagers. Teenagers tend to have a lot to say about the products in your home. It's important to them to be on top of trends and if a classmate has that cool new perfume, they want it too.
So today, I'm giving you my honest tips for navigating resistance to change in your household. Here's the thing: gradual changes are key and compromise is a non-negotiable. At the end of the day, everyone has to have autonomy over their choices. So if you have to look at a toxic shampoo in the shower, you might just have to grin and bear it every now and then.
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The fact that over 16 different heavy metals were found in tampons being sold in multiple countries, including the U. S. recently rocked news outlets. So today, we're breaking down a groundbreaking study from Environment International, revealing that both conventional and organic tampons sold in the US and Europe contain 16 different heavy metals.
From lead-laden non-organic brands to arsenic hiding in organic ones, we trace these contaminants back to intentional additives and environmental pollution. Unfortunately, ingredient transparency is limited as tampons are classified as medical devices.
But what are your other options? So many of us have become so accustomed to tampons that switching up that routine is going to take a moment. You want to find the option that makes sense with your lifestyle, fits your budget and feels comfortable. So let's talk about it! Is a GOTS certification necessary? What even is a GOTS certification? We'll cover all of your burning questions!
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93 percent of Americans according to the CDC, have detectable levels of BPA in their blood. But what does a “BPA Free” label even mean? Everytime you go shopping for plastic products like Tupperware, water bottles, etc. you’re faced with this message.
I think a lot of people see “BPA free” as the start and end to the toxin risk in these products. But are BPA free products actually safer? Or are we just swapping one problem for another?
BPA belongs to a larger class of chemicals called Bisphenols. There are a lot of bisphenols out there. But BPA is the one that is most widely known and the one that has been studied the longest. In the 1950s, it was discovered to make plastic sturdier. So that’s why BPAs are even used in the first place!
We now have a lot of scientific data that shows a correlation between BPAs and heart disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, metabolic disorders, diabetes, childhood asthma, fertility issues, recurring miscarriages, birth defects, ADHD, anxiety, and so much more. This chemical is bad news. So tune in to this episode to learn more about what you can do to protect your family against it. Because unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward as just reading a label.
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