Non Toxic Environments Home Health & Wellness

On today's episode, I'm talking with Brian Johnson, the founder and CEO of Senergy 360. Senergy 360 is a pioneer in the building science and healthy home construction space. Brian got started in the industry as a lumber grader over 20 years ago, working for a large lumber producer, and he got to see firsthand what happens with mold on lumber and how we build our homes and what happens from a health standpoint to those exposed to mold and other building toxins. Brian is also a world-class athlete, Iron Man triathlete…really top 1% in that program around the world.  Brian is a perfect person to talk to us about healthy homes, about the exposure of toxins in the home, and now how do we build our homes to eliminate these toxins. Brian and his team have put together a comprehensive buyers guide for new building and remodeling materials, available through the Green Design Center.  CLICK HERE. 

I went live the other day in response to a consulting call to speak out to the industry about the ridiculous need for perfection. What started out as a quick 30 second live hit turned into 20 minutes of pleading to medical professionals to tone down the fear mongering and allow people to celebrate the small wins. In my 30+ year career, I've helped over 30,000 chemically sensitive and mold damaged individuals to put their homes and their lives back together.  With that experience, I can tell you without a doubt that about 10% of my clients would be considered extremely health compromised.  Out of that small group, very few have the financial wherewithal to be able to afford to do whatever it takes to make their home as perfect as possible.  Thats about 1% in 30 years.  So this rant is really for the 99% of folks who aren't in that situation.  Its also for the building professionals who are promoting high-priced "fixes" as well as the medical professionals who are telling their patients that they need a perfect environment to heal in.   Mold damaged homes and chemical intolerances are only getting worse and pushing this "all or nothing" attitude is eliminating hope and prolonging the path to healing. We need a serious conversation about this, my friends and there are many people much smarter than I that should be involved.  But I guess I'll do what Ive done my entire career and start sounding the alarm, hoping that these smart folks hear it and engage.   Please leave your comments!!

On today's episode, I'm talking with Ryan Riedy, president of Square One Restorations in Arizona. Ryan is a mold, asbestos remediation contractor, fire and water damage cleanup contractor. But Ryan actually got his start in doing remodeling, house flips, investment properties, an interesting story.  Ryan actually developed chronic inflammatory response syndrome himself from everything he's been exposed to in his career. And so we have a great conversation today talking about traditional mold remediation projects and what is now called MIR, medically important remediation specifically for people who have extreme chronic health issues and how the processes are different between just traditional mold remediation and then the medically important remediation. So I think we'll enjoy today's conversation. It's very eyeopening. It's a lot to take in, a lot to learn, but I think you'll very much appreciate it. Thanks for joining. Now, before you watch the video, please hit the like button and subscribe to this channel to make sure you can see every episode of the Non-Toxic Environment Show as it comes out.   Learn all about MIR at Ryan's website: https://squareonerestore.com/medically-important-remediation/     

Welcome back to season 10 of the NTE Live show.  I spent about five days at a conference in Arizona called CIRSx/Surviving Mold. CIRS stands for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. This is the annual conference for both medical professionals, industry professionals, as well as those suffering from CIRS themselves, to learn all about the latest research and techniques into healing from CIRS, as well as preventing it to begin with. So we talked a lot about building materials, remodeling projects, ways to avoid water and mold in homes. At this conference, I met a number of just amazingly intelligent people who know so much about this topic, so I wanted to share a lot of these stories here on the show.  The next several episodes of this show, you're going to be hearing from some of these wonderful people that I met down there. On today's show, I'm talking to Ariana Thacker, who started a company called Mold Co.  Mold Co provides the prescriptions for the Shoemaker protocol directly to your door, so you don't have to have a Shoemaker trained MD directly in your area to be able to receive the prescriptions necessary for healing. And so this is why it's so exciting, it's that they're bringing this directly to you instead of you having to drive sometimes hundreds miles or longer to get to that physician. Ariana has a great story of how she developed this is and extremely knowledgeable on the subject. We had a great conversation about it and what it's doing for folks.     Access the MoldCo Lab Portal here Enter the code NTELIVE150 for $150 off the MoldCo complete lab panel Backed by 30+ years of research, our lab panels reveal the patterns Mold Toxicity leaves behind. You’ll receive a clear, educational guide to help you understand what your lab results mean. Available in all US states except NY, NJ, RI, HI.

I'm sure you are going to appreciate the conversation that I'm having with Brantley May with Enviro Health. Brantley and I have known each other for several years. We've worked together on projects and he refers to a lot of the information I talk about. I certainly refer clients to Brantley and his services. Brantley is a building scientist. He's an indoor environmental professional. He's not just a mold inspector, but Brantley truly is somebody who can help with the built environment, the health of the occupants, and of course the energy efficiency and sustainability of the space. He's based down in Florida, but I know he works a large area of the country. I'm having Brantley on the show today, not only to talk about him and his business, but he's got a very interesting nightmare of a project that we’ll be discussing.     Brantley reached out to me recently wanting to know what to do next, and this is going to probably hit close to home for a lot of you. I've been talking about the dangers of spray foam insulation for years. The building industry is starting to really adopt because spray foam because it heals a lot of the wounds of construction…not so good lumber, poor building practices…spray foam fills in all those little gaps to make sure that our homes are more energy efficient. Here are the downside though… it's not a safe product. I've always known it to be very dangerous, but what Brantley is experiencing, this is something that has happened to other clients before, but I think it's the first time it's actually happened to somebody who is an actual building scientist himself, and the absolute horrible situation is own home. So I think you're going to really appreciate today's conversation. Hopefully you'll make a better decision if you're in the middle of a project on your own to maybe go in a different direction, and that's really the goal of this episode. So please listen and pass along to your family, friends, you're building community members. Everybody needs to hear this one. https://www.envirohealth.co   

This week's episode deals with the epidemic of obesity in our society, and not just from the foods we eat, but also the buildings that we surround ourselves with, the homes we live in. Dr. Stewart Lonky is a pioneer in the field of excess weight and the health effects that we are experiencing.  We talk a lot about our diet and sedentary lifestyle, but really the discussion goes into this avenue of epigenetics and what are called obesogens, which are chemicals used in our built environment that actually can cause weight retention, weight gain, and these are passed on to the next, at least two to three generations.   I think you'll really enjoy today's conversation. I want you to go to his website and sign up for his weekly newsletter and get a copy of his latest book called Outsmarting Obesity.  Also, be on the lookout for a new book he's working on specifically regarding our built environment, the Obesogens that are being released into the air, which we are now breathing in, absorbing into our bodies. And this is how it really ties into the healthy home. So please enjoy today's show.   Sign up for his weekly newsletter!  DrLonky.com    

I know I'm getting old when I start "looking back" at my career and remembering the old days.  That said, one of the most asked questions I get is "how did you ever get in this business" so I thought Id finally address that.   This episode is my story about starting Green Design Center and Non Toxic Environments.  Who were the pioneers in the healthy home space? Why are our homes getting so dangerous? Where do I go for real information and an real education?  I cover this all, straight from my heart.  Thank you for following my show!      

In keeping with the theme of this season of the show...talking about specific health issues related to our built environment, related to the foods we eat, the materials we cover ourselves with, we are going to talk about a topic that I have never really discussed before in the show      ADHD in children.  I'm really excited to share this episode with you because it's truly amazing to me how so many of the reasons why you can attribute ADHD in children and why they develop it. You could take away the term ADHD and throw in the term PANS/PANDAS or some other health issue related to mold exposure, chemical exposure, or EMF exposure.  It's all similar. It's all in the same platform.   And it's a fantastic discussion because I bring in Dana Kay with the ADHD Thrive Institute.  Dana authored the book, Thriving with ADHD, and she talks a lot about her own child going through it. She's a board certified nutritionist. She's a coach for those who have children with ADHD. And she works one-on-one. She does her own podcast, writes a blog...it's really a great discussion.  Talking with her before the show, we kind of joked like, is this a topic for a healthy home show? Is ADHD anywhere related to a healthy home? And undoubtedly 100% it is, and you'll find that out rather quickly. We spend a great deal of time discussing the pros and cons of the traditional medication route vs natural options and how the two can even work well together.   Please share with your family and friends, and especially if you yourself have a child with ADHD. If you have family members or friends that have children with ADHD, please share this episode. It was eye-opening and I'm really excited and honored to have her on the show and to talk about this with us.  https://adhdthriveinstitute.com      

Embarking on a new build is always exciting but will also bring its share of stressful situations.  For instance, you've got two young kids at home, your general contractor just backed out and you happen to be a touring musical artist, and things sure do get a bit complicated. Country music star John King joins us today to talk all about the grueling life on the road and why he and his wife decided to move forward on their new healthy home in the hills of Georgia.  I've been working with John for the last several months and its easy for me to see why he's such a popular artist and why he and I have fast become friends.  John shares a lot about the reasons why they truly need this home to be healthy and how its actually helping him as a writer and musician.  Oh yes, we'll also talk about some nuts and bolts issues of the home they are building and why he has now taken on the role as the general contractor.  This one is fun! https://www.johnkingcountry.com     

If you have listened to this show for a while, you know that I focus on the built environment from a materials and systems approach.  The nuts and bolts, the wood and glue that our homes are made of, thats my expertise.  But what happens after the home built?  How do we live a healthier life beyond the building process?  The clothing we wear, the food we eat, the pots and pans we cook with…these topics require a more expert approach.  So today I asked my friend Lara Adler to join us to talk about this and tell us where we need to concentrate our efforts and maybe when we need to step back a bit and reduce our anxiety.  Lara Adler is an environmental toxins expert who has become a trusted resource to thousands of health care practitioners all over the world, educating them about the links between the toxins in our everyday lives and the chronic health conditions their clients face.  She also is extremely active on social media where she shares her knowledge with anyone who is concerned about potential health hazards in the home.     https://www.laraadler.com/about/

There is a lot of technical information out there about the inspection and remediation of homes that have been damaged by water intrusion and mold.  Most of it, however, comes from a position of an already established high knowledge base.  Essentially, it’s a bunch of smart people trying to sound smarter than the others.  While it all sounds impressive, those who are just dipping in to these topics can become instantly overwhelmed. In this episode, I try to break down the acronyms and pull away the curtain a bit so that the newbies, the neophytes, will stick around to listen and get some real-life recommendations on where to start your journey.   Should you pay for the full ERMI panel or is the HERTSMI good enough?  How about air testing instead of dust testing?  My friend Bill Weber with AVELAR comes back on the show today to discuss these topics and many more.  If you are a seasoned veteran in this space, this will good refreshed.  But if you’re a newbie, this show is for YOU! https://avelar.net/articles_publications/team/bill-weber/  https://iseai.org   

I have several clients around the country that just cannot take the first step in building a new home. Sure, budget is always a big factor, and so is timing. But for many, the hesitation comes down to the fear of possibly making the wrong decision.  Its absolutely terrifying.  I get it, believe me. See, I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have many sensitivities to chemicals, mold, etc.  But my clients sure do. And since they have been living this nightmare for many years, they are expecting to react to new environments, new materials and other "unknown" aromas.  But as I've learned, in many situations, you dont need a change of venue to heal. There are other ways.  Several years ago, I did a podcast about chemical sensitivity being partially a psychosomatic issue.  And right on queue,  I started receiving nasty emails and threatening phone calls.  I struck a nerve, no pun intended.  But if you actually listened to the entire episode, you heard that I believed very strongly that these sensitivities were real and cause real reactions.  Our brains, however, are always trying to protect us, so if it senses a potential threat, it will put you into fight or flight, causing the exact same physical reactions as if it truly WAS a threat and not just an unknown smell or chemical release thats completely harmless. In hindsight, maybe it was a bit premature in my learning process to publish that episode. I mean, I was literally just blurting out stream of consciousness with only my own thoughts and my own experiences.  In this episode, I have some professional backup to my thoughts and ideas.   Dr Cathleen King started an online community called Primal Trust, specifically to help those with CIRS, MCAS, MCS and all other health issues.  Her community and courses consist of brain retraining, holistic nervous system regulation, somatic practices, vagus nerve healing, and true self-discovery.   I was blown away by this interview; it literally brought me to tears.  While we were talking, images of past and present clients of mine kept racing through my mind. It was overwhelming.  So many wonderful people Ive met over the last 30 years and so many who could have been helped by Cathleen's program.  Even while living in the space that has caused propblems.   Please listen, like and share this episode. Then, PLEASE follow this link to receive: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Your FREE online starter course >>>>>>>>>>> HOW HEALING HAPPENS Cathleen has been so generous to make this free to all of us through this link.  Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.       

Im sure for many of you, the following scenario isnt just made up...its reality.  You or someone in your family suffers from CIRS, MCAS, MCS.  Years of trauma from exposure to mold, bacteria and toxic chemicals is a weight on the body and the brain.  So much so, that it makes doing some of the simplest tasks virtually impossible.  Now imagine you're trying to find a home to move into. Something safe thats in your area and in your price range. This is the reality for many of my clients. Dr. Cowger is a board certified adult psychiatrist who works at the Amen Clinic near Seattle, Washington. She competed her undergraduate degree at Portland State University, then attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, and then completed her general Psychiatry residency through the University of Hawaii. She feels passionate about viewing mental wellness through a holistic lens and identifying organic factors that contribute to psychiatric symptoms, and is working on completing a fellowship in functional Psychiatry from Psychiatry Redefined. On the show today, Dr Cowger and I discuss the challenges we all face with our health struggles and how we get beck on the right path of healing.  This is a 'must listen' https://www.amenclinics.com   

To launch the new season of Non Toxic Environments, I inveted my good friend Eric Goranson to give us his expert opinions on how the home building industry is adopting healthy home options.  Eric is the Host of "Around the House with Eric” nationally syndicated Home Improvment, Construction, Design, and Heathy Home radio show and podcast. Eric also has over 30 years in the kitchen and bath industry, so we spend some time talking about cabinetry and how manufacturers have been trying to clean up their own industry.    https://www.aroundthehouseonline.com/      

I'll let the engineers and the environmentalists argue the fine points of how we are supposed to eliminate fossil fuels and go electric, yet not rely on those same fossil fuels to create that electricity.  Solar, wind and hydroelectric power have its place and is increasing in output, but it could be decades before we figure this all out.  In the meantime, the health issues related to the EMF fields caused by electricity will never go away, no matter the source of the power.  Couple that with the radiation from cell and wi-fi and its becoming increasingly clear that more research needs to be done quickly before its too late.   I know enough to be dangerous when it comes to these important issues.  I can help folks who are building from scratch to minimize exposure, but I am NOT who you bring in to hunt out the problems in your existing home. For that, I bring in my friend Mieke Jacobs.  Mieke is a building biologist in the Chicago area that has taken a keen interest in EMF mitigation and made it the focus of her career.  We had a great conversation about this and Im sure you will feel energized...in a good way...to make some changes in your home.    https://miekejacobs.com       

Its a common occurance througout the land.  Something has gone wrong in our homes and now we're dealing with the health effects.  Sure, everyone can see that water spot on the ceiling. But what about the entirety of the attic itself? Is the crawlspace damp? What about the inside of our ductwork?  We have to figure this out before things really get out of hand.   We need a detective.   We need.... Sherlock Homes.   Let me introduce you to Bill Weber, he's a Forensic Building Consultant based in Walnut Creek California.  I like to refer to Bill as Sherlock Homes, as he literally has the ability to sleuth out the problems in your home that are making you sick.  Bill is involved in all types and sizes of construction and building related environmental issues. As an expert in his field, he specializes and testifies in Trade Standard Deviation, Construction Defect, Mold, and Moisture related building failures. His daily tasks include site visits, consultation, conference video, phone calls and writing reports.  While he most commonly works in the areas around him, he certainly can assist remotely on your project wherever you are.    Contact: 510-557-5992 or BWeber@RAvelar.com Website: www.RAvelar.com

I’m well aware of my skepticism; it’s one of my many flaws.  One does not enter into their profession already skeptical. It’s something that builds over time as sort of a defense mechanism.  In my particular case, my immediate jump to calling out BS is due to years of protecting my clients from the sea of so-called green and eco friendly building materials that only caused them more personal harm.  So when I hear about a hospital-grade disinfectant made from the same herb I use in my kitchen, I was quick to state my belief. I was wrong.  On today’s show, I’ll talk with Kelly Macmillan, National Sales Director for Benefect and she really takes me to school about their amazing invention. Timing is perfect because right now, millions of folks living in South East US are dealing with their own nightmares because of the hurricanes.  Water damage cleanup and mold remediation are front and center here.  More about Benefect here

A few months ago, I started an ad hoc committee for the Change the Air Foundation, to put together the framework on how to design and build homes that are safe for those who suffer from mold and chemical sensitivities.  This committee is made up of myself, Brian Tinker from Tinker Homes and Amanda Klecker from Healthy House on the Block.  The three of us bring decades of experience, both personal and professional, in the world of building related health issues, and offer our unique perspectives.  Today, we peel back the curtain and invite you all to listen to one of our regular meetings so you can hear for yourself the discussions we have about doing our part to fix our broken building industry.      

Just imagine, you and your family are trying to buy or build a new home and someone in your family has CIRS or MCAS or something related.  The home building process is stressful enough for anyone, but the added worry about how the new materials may adversely affect your family is sometimes overwhelming.  Most of my client interactions deal with building materials and systems, but inevitably, the discussion takes off about how stressful the situation is.  To be clear, there is no such thing as the perfect healthy home.  We need to recognize this and to set proper expectations about what can be achieved within our budget and timeframe.  But while I almost feel like a therapist of sorts, I also know where my knowledge expertise is limited.  So, I decided to call in the experts.   Renee Belz & Lauren Sambataro are sisters that grew up in a family that really prioritized health and wellness.  Among their many achievements in life (you can read more about it here) Renee is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Holistic Lifestyle Coach and Lauren is a Corrective Exercise specialist and Functional Health Coach.  Together, they are known as the Biohacker Babes and have a wonderful podcast and social following.  In this episode, Im going let them do most of the talking because they have so much important information to share about stress relief and sleep management that will ultimately improve how you and your family can power through your projects and live your healthiest life.  https://thebiohackerbabes.com 

Every single day, I get calls and emails asking if I have a recommendation for a home builder in their area that can build healthy.  Unfortunately, I dont have such a list to refer to.  I certainly have many builders around the country that Ive worked with and do trust, but the building industry as a whole is not keeping up with the demands consumers have.  So my typical recommendation is to identify a few high quality custom home builders in their area and start to interview them.  Any good builder can do a healthy home, if they take the time to find a good healthy home consultant, ask the right questions, and ALWAYS have the home owners best intentions in mind for every decision they make.  Its not rocket science...its common sense.   As one such healthy home consultant, I can tell you that consumer demand for healthy homes is exploding and finding another in my space that I feel 100% confident in refering folks to has been amazing.  Christine Cimabue is a licenced general contractor, holistic construction consultant and the creator of the massively popular Holistic Homes podcast and social accounts.   She was so kind to have me on an Instagram Live event a while back and I knew then she would be a hit with my listeners.  On today's show, Christine and I talk about the building process, how to enlist the right team and even spend some time discussing the legal ramifications of not embracing healthy building practices.