The Holistic Homes Podcast

Build a healthier home with aligned professionals nationwide using our free Holistic Homes Directory🏡🌱 https://holistichomesdirectory.com/Want to apply to be listed in the Holistic Homes Directory?DM me APPLY on Instagram📩 https://www.instagram.com/holistichomes.bychristineIf you think your bathroom is waterproof just because it has tile, you may be setting yourself up for one of the most common and expensive failures inside a home. I’ve seen families uncover hidden leaks, mold, rotted framing, and major structural damage years after a “beautiful” bathroom renovation was completed — simply because the waterproofing failed behind the walls.Today, I’m sharing what actually creates a healthy bathroom, why so many bathrooms fail, and the critical mistakes most homeowners and contractors completely overlook during renovations and new construction.In 2025 alone, I consulted on healthy home projects across the country involving everything from small bathroom remodels to large custom estates. Bathrooms continue to be one of the most common sources of hidden leaks, mold growth, wood rot, and long-term moisture damage. Many of these failures begin with improper waterproofing, poor material selection, skipped leak testing, or contractors covering up moisture before materials are fully dry.I walk you through what should happen before any bathroom rebuild even begins — including post-remediation clearance, moisture testing of framing and slabs, and why rebuilding too quickly often creates even bigger problems later. I also break down the real differences between center drains and linear drains, why large-format tile changes your waterproofing strategy, and the hidden maintenance issues most people never think about until it’s too late.I also explain what actually works when building a robust, healthier bathroom: properly tested waterproofing systems, leak testing shower pans beyond minimum code standards, waterproofing outside the shower itself, avoiding MDF baseboards, and using more durable wall systems like interior glass mat drywall instead of traditional paper-faced drywall. The goal is simple — every material in your bathroom should be able to handle water and humidity without slowly creating damage behind the scenes.In today's episode, we're talking about:Why bathrooms are one of the biggest hidden mold risks in a homeThe critical mistake homeowners make after mold remediationCenter drains vs. linear drains and what most people overlookWhy tile does NOT make your shower waterproofThe importance of leak testing shower pans and waterproofing entire bathroomsBetter wall and baseboard materials for humid environmentsHow to build a bathroom that can actually handle water long termConnect with me: Instagram

If you think building a home today means you’re automatically getting quality, safety, and durability, you may be dangerously wrong. Families are spending $1M+ on homes only to face six-figure mold remediation, water intrusion, and structural defects that never should have existed in the first place.Today, I’m sharing why we’re in a full-blown building defect crisis — and what homeowners must do differently if they want to protect their health, their money, and their families.In 2025 alone, I’ve consulted on projects across multiple states, including Southern California, Utah, and large production communities where entire neighborhoods are now dealing with foundation failures, water intrusion, and uninhabitable homes. I see the same issues repeated over and over — leaking windows, failed showers, condensation inside walls — not because they’re unavoidable, but because prevention is not the industry standard.I walk through why the homebuilding industry mirrors our healthcare system — reactive instead of preventative. Just like healthcare focuses on treating illness instead of preventing it, homebuilding waits until mold, leaks, and defects appear before acting. By then, homeowners are left with massive repair bills, litigation, and health consequences.I share real examples from production and custom builds where homeowners are still paying mortgages on homes that are unsafe to live in. There are entire industries built around mold inspections, remediation, and construction litigation — all profiting after failure instead of preventing it.Then I break down what actually works. Proactive planning. Detailed architectural drawings. Contracts that clearly define expectations. Third-party quality control, leak testing, and accountability during construction — not after damage occurs. Building a watertight, healthy home should not be considered “luxury” or “difficult.” It should be the baseline.In today's episode, we're talking about:Why the homebuilding industry is reactive instead of preventativeHow building defects became normalized — and why that’s dangerousThe massive financial and health costs homeowners are absorbingWhy contracts and warranties fail to protect youHow to take control of your build and protect your investmentConnect with me: Instagram

If you think passing building code means your home is protected, you may be trusting a system that was never designed to safeguard your health. I’ve seen brand-new homes with leaking windows, trapped moisture, and failures that cost families tens — sometimes hundreds — of thousands of dollars to fix after move-in.Today, I’m sharing exactly why third-party testing is the most important step you can take when building or renovating a truly healthy home — and why it rarely happens unless you demand it.In 2025 alone, I’ve consulted on residential projects across California, Texas, and the East Coast, many with 30–40+ windows per home. Time and time again, I’ve watched projects rely solely on 30-minute city inspections — inspections that are designed to check boxes, not detect water intrusion, flashing failures, or enclosure defects. Even with modern materials and premium windows, failures are common when no independent testing is performed.I walk you through two real projects that illustrate the stakes. In one, we coordinated third-party leak testing at the mock-up stage — testing the first few windows as soon as they were installed. When issues showed up, the team corrected them immediately before the remaining 40 windows went in, saving months of delay and enormous cost.In another project, testing was postponed until after all windows were installed. Within minutes, the first two windows failed. Water entered the home, revealing incompatible sealants and missing flashing details. The result? Every window had to be corrected, construction paused, and difficult accountability conversations followed — all of which could have been avoided.I also explain what proper testing actually looks like: controlled, standards-based testing (ASTM / AAMA), not garden hoses and guesswork. This process stress-tests your home under pressure, revealing failures before drywall, stucco, or brick locks problems in place. It’s proactive quality control — not reactive remediation.In today's episode, we're talking about:Why building code is the bare minimum, not a quality benchmarkWhat third-party testing actually is (and what it isn’t)When leak testing should happen during constructionReal-world examples of window failures and how they were caughtHow to budget and plan for testing without derailing your projectConnect with me: Instagram

If you think you can just tell your contractor "no moldy lumber" and expect perfect results, you're setting yourself up for a nightmare scenario. You don't want to be standing in a 90% framed house that's riddled with visible mold and no way to fix it without starting over.Today, I'm sharing the exact step-by-step process I use to ensure clean lumber gets installed from day one. Because I've witnessed firsthand what happens when this conversation doesn't happen early enough, and it's devastating.Here's the reality: some lumber is more susceptible to mold than others, and certain structural components like trusses can't just be rejected and returned like a bundle of 2x6s. If custom-fabricated trusses show up moldy, you're often stuck with them unless there's a structural defect. That's why this conversation needs to start with your architect during the planning phase, not when the lumber truck pulls up to your job site.I'm walking you through the entire process, from architectural planning to lumber yard tours, from contract negotiations to being present during that critical first week of framing. This is about preventing problems, not trying to fix them after the fact.In today's episode, we're talking about:Why trusses and structural lumber are the biggest risk The lumber yard tour that could save your project How to get your expectations in writing The pre-framing meeting that sets everyone up for success Why you must be present during the first week of framingConnect with me: Instagram

If you think buying a brand new home guarantees you'll be free from defects, Brittney's story will completely shatter that assumption, and potentially save you from a nightmare that nearly destroyed her family's health and finances.Today I'm sharing a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation with Brittney, who purchased what she thought was her dream home from a well-known Texas builder in December 2023. Within just 1 month of moving in, she began experiencing terrifying symptoms: gasping for air in her sleep, neurological issues that left her nearly bedridden, and a persistent musty smell that no one else seemed to notice.What followed was a two-and-a-half-year nightmare of fighting for answers while her entire family was slowly poisoned by their own home. After hiring the best mold inspector in Texas, they discovered an astronomical 2 million spore count throughout the house – when even 50,000 would be considered dangerous. The root causes? No vapor barrier wrap, an oversized HVAC system, and construction practices that created the perfect storm for mold growth.Brittany's story exposes the dark reality of new construction defects, builder cover-ups, and the nearly impossible task of getting out of a mortgage on an uninhabitable home. But more importantly, she shares the practical steps she's taking in her new home to prevent this from happening again, and the proactive monitoring systems every homeowner should consider.In today's episode, we're talking about:The shocking construction defects Why builder-hired mold inspectors can't be trusted The financial nightmare of escaping a defective home 5 practical steps you can take in any homeHow to be proactive rather than reactive Connect with me: Instagram

Everyone thinks selecting healthy paint is just about finding something that says "zero VOC" on the label. I'm here to tell you that's barely scratching the surface, and it might actually be hurting your home's performance.In today's episode, I'm answering the most common question I get about paint selection, and it goes way beyond just avoiding volatile organic compounds. As a licensed GC and holistic construction consultant, I've seen too many projects where paint gets treated as just a design afterthought when it's actually a critical component of your exterior wall assembly.Here's what most people don't realize: that beautiful semi-gloss wall paneling in your entryway could be creating a vapor barrier that traps moisture in your exterior walls. And all those "green" paints at the hardware store? Many still contain biocides, defoaming agents, and other chemical additives that won't show up on the VOC label.In this episode, we're chatting about:• Beyond VOCs • Paint permeability science• Acrylic vs. mineral-based paints • Team collaboration strategy

Most homeowners think a "leak detection system" covers everything in their house, but the truth is your whole-home device only monitors plumbing lines. They leave out the drain lines that cause some of the most expensive water damage!In this second part of my leak management series, I'm breaking down the critical difference between plumbing lines (hot and cold water coming into your home) and drain lines (water going out through showers, toilets, and sinks). Understanding this distinction is key to creating a comprehensive monitoring system that actually protects your investment.You'll discover why I believe every single home in America should be required to have a whole-home leak detection device, how to strategically place battery-operated detectors for drain line monitoring, and why that dishwasher drip pan could save you thousands in water damage. Plus, I'm sharing real stories from my own home where these systems caught leaks before they became catastrophic.This episode is about taking the fear out of the "what ifs" and giving you a dashboard for your home just like you have in your car. No more lying awake wondering if something is leaking behind your walls—these safeguards will give you the peace of mind every homeowner deserves. My goal is for you to feel confident and safe in your home without that gnawing fear eating you alive.In today's episode, we're chatting about:• The three types of leaks • Whole-home leak detection systems• Strategic battery-operated detector placement • The layered approach to leak managementConnect with meInstagram