Toxin Free (ish) – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

In this episode, we're chatting about: 

• What does it mean to take a holistic approach to skincare? 
• Embracing Natural Beauty and Aging
• The Role of Regenerative Sourcing in Skincare
• Skincare best practices for every age group 

Shop the products mentioned in the episode and use code WENDY15 to save on all evanhealy products:

• Tea Tree Cleanser
• Hyrdosols (Lemon Thyme / Frankincense / Lavender are my faves)
• Frankincense Neroli Body Oil 
• Wild Carrot Eye Balm

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

Getting started with red light therapy with 40% off the LUMEBOX.

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

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.

In this episode, we're chatting about: 

• The Reality Behind Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Why is Grapefruit Seed Extract even being used in these products? 
• How to spot skincare companies that are actually clean 

Check out my Blog and Read the Show Notes HERE

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

When you're making a nice meal for your family, the last thing you want to do is worry about chemicals leaching into their food from the pots and pans. And on the flip side of the same coin, it also stinks to have a bunch of crusty food firmly stuck to the pans once you're done.

It's a constant battle between convenience and health. Of course, the idea of non-stick pans is very appealing. But, as you might remember from our episode all about PFAs, ingredients like Teflon can pose a major risk to your health. So today, I'm taking you through three categories of cookware. We'll start with the "avoid at all cost" pots and pans and how to spot them on your next shopping trip.

Then, we'll move on to the convenient and not-quite-as-bad for you category.   I'll take you through the pros and cons of PFAS-free nonstick coatings from brands like GreenPan and Caraway (trust me, I've tried them all). Generally, the options in this category have a short life span and might end up costing you more in the long run.

And finally, we've got the toxin-free options I swear by! Keep in mind - these still have their drawbacks when it comes to convenience and cost. So at the end of the day, it's all about making the decision that makes the most sense for you and your family with all of the information at your fingertips!

Read the shownotes to shop my favorite cookware

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

 If you've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's and wondering whether or not it's possible to actually heal, this episode is for you.  Disclaimer: I'm not giving medical advice in this episode, these are simply my experiences. After polling my audience, 80% of you wanted to hear about my journey in healing Hashimoto's, so that's what you're getting in today's episode. 

Getting the hashimoto's diagnosis can feel so disheartening, especially when doctors are telling you this is just your new norm. Hopefully, this episode gives you hope that it actually is possible to feel better. 

Here's a quick peak at the five things I did to heal:

1. Test, don't guess
2. Cutting out gluten
3. No more high intensity work outs
4. Red light therapy
5. Addressed chronically high stress levels

Now, I was resistant to many of these changes. I won't pretend that healing happened overnight! But with dedication and time, I can happily say that I feel a thousand times better than I did years ago upon getting that diagnosis.

Read the shownotes

Get $250 off LUMEBOX
Get 15% off Bon Charge with code WENDYKATHRYN

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Could you be unknowingly exposing your family to lead? Most of the time, people don't start testing for lead until after the exposure, and maybe even poisoning, has already occurred. Today's guest, Eric Ritter, noticed this issue and made it his mission to make testing a more preventative measure.

Eric Ritter, also known as @EricEverythingLead on Instagram, is a great resource if you're feeling any anxiety about lead exposure! First, he developed an affordable swab test. But once he realized how the tests were being used in a reactionary way, he created a product that encourages preventative use. The Fluoro-Spec Test, a glowing lead detection kit that is transforming how we identify lead contamination in our homes.

In this episode, we delve into the science behind lead testing kits, address the issue of false positives with traditional lead tests, and underscore the importance of precision in public health. From the dishes in your china cabinet to the water you're drinking every day, lead exposure is a risk. But let's not get too obsessive about it! It's also not healthy or possible to try to avoid lead exposure all together.

Lead contamination is not just an issue of the past; it continues to affect many households, especially older ones. Eric and I discuss the exacerbating factors like water quality issues, drawing parallels to infamous cases such as Flint, Michigan. We offer practical advice on mitigating lead exposure, the historical context of lead poisoning, and the psychological impact on parents.

Learn about the importance of monitoring water quality, testing household items, and staying vigilant against environmental toxins to ensure your family's safety. Join us for this enlightening conversation that promises to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to combat lead contamination effectively.

Grab an at home test kit and use code WENDY10 for 10% off

Read more in the Shownotes

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

Getting started with red light therapy with 40% off the LUMEBOX.

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

The Detox Dilemma is getting an upgrade! Say hello to Toxin Free-ish. Don't worry, everything you loved about The Detox Dilemma is here to stay. But a rebrand was in order to bring true alignment across my business and podcast.


If you're new here, I'm your host Wendy. Today, we're going behind the scenes on how my journey from an Environmental Toxins Attorney to Clean Living Coach influenced this pivotal change. I always want to keep you guys in the loop as changes are happening. So let's chat about  the reasons behind this rebrand and the future of the podcast!

You'll learn why the original name led to confusion and how the new identity better aligns with my mission of promoting toxin-free living, non-toxic products, and clean beauty.

The "ish" is especially important to me. Because while I want this to be a space for education and enlightement, I never want you to walk away feeling like you need to do this perfectly. None of us will! I like to hang out and have a margarita with my girls here and there. That's my "ish." What's yours? 

But that's not all! This episode is a heartfelt thank you to our incredible listeners whose support has allowed us to upgrade everything—from the podcast itself to my digital offerings. Hear about the new features I've launched, including a comprehensive shopping guide, an informative blog, and more digital resources on the horizon. Whether you're a longtime supporter or a new listener, this episode offers a reflective look at our growth, the future of Toxin-Free-ish, and the exciting new content we have in store for you. Thank you for being part of this journey!

Read the shownotes

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Red Light Therapy is a promising not so new technology for healing from the inside out.  What used to be only available in doctor's offices or speciality clinics can now be used at home. 

This episode explores whether red light therapy can really support thyroid healing.  I talk about my personal health journey with  hypothyroidism and Hashimotos and my experience using red light therapy as one of my health tools to put my Hashimotos in to remission.

In this episode, I cover 

• What Red Light Therapy actually is
• Understanding the different wavelengths
• How Red Light is different than Infrared Saunas
• What the science says about red light and your thyroid
• How to shop for a quality red light that actually works
• What red light brands I trust

MY FAVORITE RED LIGHTS:

Get 40% off the LUMEBOX handheld red light
Get 15% off the BonCharge Red Light panels w/ code WENDYKATHRYN

Read the shownotes

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

“Balancing your hormones” has become a popular catch phrase,  but today’s  guest, Dr. Erin,  describes it more as “finding harmony. “

She started her career as a chiropractor and shifted over to women’s health after experiencing a lack of comprehensive care in her own health journey.

We talk about all the foundations of happy hormones and what you can do today to get yours in the right path.

Tune in to begin your journey of taking your health into your own hands!

Follow Erin on Instagram

head on over to www.detoxyourpits.com and use discount code WENDYKATHRYN at checkout for 10% off! 

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

Getting started with red light therapy with 40% off the LUMEBOX.

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Taking control of your health should not be a competitive endeavor. We're not out here trying to win a game. I don't believe in extremes or making anyone feel bad about their choices. Instead, let's embrace a  toxin-free-ish approach, where every small step makes a significant difference.  My motto is we don't do fear. We do facts and we do fun.

The internet is packed full of tips and tricks to detox your life. But if you try to do it all at once, you're going to spend a TON of money and stress yourself out so much that it will all be futile. So today, i'm going to tell you exactly what I would do if I went back and time and started this journey from scratch. We'll be going over the first three steps I would take towards a toxin-free-ish life!

You'll also get a sneak peak into my course 'Toxin Free In Three', so if you've been curious about what it's like inside, you won't want to miss this! By the end of this episode, I hope you'll be inspired to make small, manageable changes that can have a big impact on your health and the health of our planet. Let's embark on this toxin-free-ish journey together!

In this episode, I chat about: 

• Why it's important to take one small step at a time 
• The first three steps I would take on this journey 
  • Ditching fragrance in the home 
  • Swapping out harmful cleaning products 
  • Finding a clean laundry detergent 
• A sneak peak into my course 'Toxin Free in 3' 

Get on the Toxin Free in 3 waitlist

Check out my Blog and Read the Show Notes HERE

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.

Today, I'm re-airing my conversation with Holly Brandenberger.  If you have ever searched for anything related to essential oils on Instagram, then you likely have come across her aromatherapy account @thescienceofessentials.  Holly is the face behind that account, she is a registered nurse and aromatherapist and is at the cutting edge of essential oils research in a hospital setting.

In this interview, you’ll hear from her about the actual science of how essential oils work, what the latest  research says about essential oil uses and brain health and pain management and we also dive in to simple ways to use essential oils in your homes, the best oils for hair growth, stress, natural remedies for congestion and kids, sleep, DIY skincare and even the oils short list of oils that Holly could never live without. 

 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• How aromatherapy can be used in hospitals to calm patients 
• The neuroscience behind why  essential oils work 
• How to use essential oils safely 
• Best practices for using essential oils with children 
• Best oils for hair growth, sleep, memory & focus
• Debunking misconceptions around oils like Lavender

Check out my Blog and Read the Show Notes HERE

Connect with Holly:

• @scienceofessentials
• Holly's blog
• Holly's Courses, Books & Guides

Disclaimer:  The essential oils industry is not a regulated industry and everything that we discuss in this interview, the benefits associated with oils and the published, medical research only apply to pure essential oils. Fragrance oils, solvent distilled oils and fractionally distilled oils found in grocery stores, on Amazon and budget brands are not the oils that we are talking about.

Want to try my favorite essential oils?

Order a Starter Bundle of Essentials Oils  (use code SHAREYL for 10% off your first order)

Studies Mentioned in Episode:

Essential Oils and Memory Improvement 

Lavender is NOT a hormone disruptor

Download the Top 25 Toxins to Avoid and become a label reading pro! 

Getting started with red light therapy with 40% off the LUMEBOX.

If you enjoyed this week's episode, please:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free 25 Toxins to Avoid
• Post a screenshot, share what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.