The Holistic Homes Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• More Resources

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

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• More Resources

What does a passive home look like? Well, imagine a home that is completely energy efficient without breaking the bank. Today’s guest, Casey Grey, is the founder of the award-winning sustainable building company, The Conscious Builder.

Casey began passive home building after the birth of his first child. Knowing he wanted to leave the world better than he came into it, he took his background in construction and dove into building research to create a more sustainable future. Get ready to take notes with this episode because Casey is sharing a lot of knowledge! Even I learned something new about how to take an existing, older home and bring it up to today’s standards.

We’re getting the inside scoop on his processes and some of his favorite products for energy efficient home building. If you listen to this episode, you could save yourself from a major headache later down the line!

Casey is also the host of The Conscious Builder Podcast and The Conscious Builder Show on YouTube and the founder of The Conscious Builder Academy, an online course hub for future-focused builders who want to create better businesses. So go check him out!

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Understanding the difference between a vapor barrier and an air barrier
• How airtight remodels work
• The difference between an HRV and an ERV
• Why an airtight home can become problematic if the mechanical system in overlooked
• An insulation option that is mold and fire resistant
• The number one mistake homeowners make when communicating with their contractors

Don't forget to rate, review, and share in the group text. This podcast is free and ratings/reviews and shares are our currency.

Connect with Casey:

• Instagram
• The Conscious Builder’s Youtube
• Linkedin

How can you have a productive conversation with contractors? A lot of people will shy away from really digging in with their contractors because they get intimidated by all the jargon. But it’s a really important first step to getting that healthy home you dream of!

So today, I’m laying out exactly how you can approach these conversations. We’re even breaking down what it means to define the scope of the project. I’ll be asking questions that can give you an idea of what decisions need to be made before you talk to your contractors.

And how do you find the right contractor for you? Too often, people will just go with who their best friend or neighbor used. But finding the right contractor is a step that shouldn’t be rushed through. So I’ll be taking you through the red flags to watch out for in your search. For example, if you’re renovating your kitchen and you’re being charged a lump sum - that’s cause for concern. What materials are being used? What’s included vs. excluded, etc?

So if you’re nervous because you’re not sure what questions to ask your contractors - this episode is for you. If this episode is helpful for you, spread the word to friends and family who are about to embark on this process too!

Today, we’re chatting about:

• Defining the scope of the project
• Reverse engineering the budget for your project based on the scope
• Why I suggest getting at least three proposals or bids from prospective contractors
• Contractor red flags
• Why you need to have every communication in writing

Resources Mentioned:

• How to Interview a contractor checklist

Connect with me:

• Instagram

One of the biggest misconceptions about mold is that your house needs to experience a massive flood to be at risk. In reality, mold can grow and thrive with minor leaks and excessive humidity. But how do you know when it's time to call an inspector? And what precautions can you take to make sure you don't have to go through the nightmare of chasing mold down to the studs of your house?

Today's guest, Anna Branch, is a mold inspector based in Southern California. She is my number one trusted source when it comes to all things mold. After living in a mold infested house herself, Anna is a testament to the fact that once you remove yourself from exposure, your health can thrive. Now, she's made it her mission to help other families live safely in mold-free homes.

So whether you're looking to build a home designed with mold prevention in mind, or you've spotted mold in your house and want to get to the bottom of it - this episode is for you. I'm particularly passionate about this subject. After going through the nightmare of buying a home and realizing it had a huge mold problem after making the buying decision, I know the value of the work Anna does. We're touching on everything from common misconceptions to actionable tips

In this episode, we're chatting about:

• Common misconceptions about mold
• The role that maintenance plays in preventing mold
• When is the right time to call an inspector?
• What is it like working with a mold inspector?
• How you can prevent a mold catastrophe in your home

Is your home making you sick? Of course, when it comes to illness, the walls of our home are not usually the first place we look to find the offender. That’s why today, i’m laying out the three biggest ways your home could be making you sick.

It’s important to look at your home from a bird’s eye point of view. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is water damage. Water damage can, of course, lead to mold growth and negatively affect our indoor air quality. Considering how much time we spend in our home, air quality is extremely important to take seriously. I’m going over a few safeguards, but if you’re concerned about mold, go ahead and listen to episode three with mold inspector, Anna Branch!

Second, radon or carbon monoxide. These are two invisible forces that can barge in and rapidly decline our health. Carbon Monoxide usually has some odor to it, so it can be easier to detect. But radon will go completely unnotices without a detector. So check out the radon map in your area to determine the risk your home is under.

And third, the product we’re bringing into our home. Cleaning products, detergents, etc. For some reason, even our trash bags are scented these days! Fragrance is something we want to avoid as much as possible. I know the buying decisions you make are personal to you and your needs, but keep this in mind with anything you’re bringing into the home.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Why water damage can negatively affect our health
• How to avoid water damage
• What is radon and how do you know how much is in your soil?
• Why does it matter what products we buy?

Holistic home construction is not the norm. Traditional home construction is what you see being built all around you. Unfortunately, many home builders and renovators don’t know how to talk to their contractors, what to ask, and how to assert their needs. So what does holistic home construction even mean?

The most important thing to understand is that your definition of a holistic home will be different than everyone else on your team. Your contractor might not value one piece of the process as much as you. Certain timelines might be sped through, unless you go in with a clear understanding of what you need.

For example, someone coming from a home with water damage might make avoiding water damage the number one priority. While another person who experienced carbon monoxide poisoning might put detection much higher on their list. So I encourage you to write down what’s most important to you. What is the number one priority with your home?

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• The 5 different types of homes and building processes
• How to create your definition of a healthy home
• Considering how you’re going to maintain a healthy home

Here's a sneak peak at what to expect from The Holistic Homes Podcast each week! I’m your host Christine Cimabue, and I’m a licensed contractor and holistic construction consultant.

You're in the right place if you're a homeowner considering a new build or renovation. Join us every Wednesday for guest expert conversations and quick, actionable tips from me. Together, we're going to ditch the jargon and empower you to take the health of your home into your own hands!

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

Connect with me:

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

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• More Resources