The Holistic Homes Podcast

I’ve seen people rip their homes down to the studs in an effort to get rid of mold. And the worst part is, sometimes they do all of that and they still don’t find what they’re looking for. So today, you’re in for a treat because my friend PJ Harlow, owner and CEO of PJ Harlow Wellness, Inc. is joining us.PJ Harlow Wellness, Inc is a virtual, IICRC-certified consulting firm specializing in holistic mold removal, decontamination & remediation. As the founder and curriculum director of The Academy for Holistic Home Health & Mold Sciences, she also offers bespoke online courses for homeowners, renters, and professionals!We’re talking about how to maintain a health fungal ecology in the home. Just like your gut has a microbiome, so do the four walls you live in! And if you’ve been considering investing in an ERMI test, please listen to this episode! We don’t want you to go out and get a result that you can’t interpret. And turning to Facebook is not the answer! You’ll have amateurs catastrophizing and telling you to tear down your house.In this episode, we’re chatting about:how to maintain healthy fungal ecology - is there such a thing as being “too clean”Step number one when you think you have a mold problemWhy failed remediations are so commonWhat the remediation process actually entailsWhat is fine particulate cleaning?Connect with PJ: For 10% off, go HERE and use the code "christine10"WebsiteInstagramConnect with me: Instagram

How do you come up with a figure for your renovation budget? I know allocating funds can feel really stressful when you’re being thrown so many options. So in today’s episode, I’m giving you a bird’s eye view of the budgeting decisions I would urge you to make.At the end of the day, we want to use the renovation process as a way to avoid bigger headaches down the line. It might feel fun to focus a lot of our attention on fixtures and finishes! But I’m going to be pointing you towards some more integral processes to prioritize first.I’ll be pointing you towards details that you may overlook otherwise. For example: access doors are incredibly important! Without access doors, you’re making it ten times harder to pinpoint issues as they pop up. And we’re not shying away from the big picture overhauls that might need to happen. If you’re already doing a renovation and you have plumbing from the 1950s, it’s probably time to address that before a pipe bursts a year from now.I hope this episode gives you a solid place to start when you sit down to create your budget. just remember, it’s easier to deal with the big picture now and small, aesthetic issues can always be replaced later.In this episode, we’re chatting about:The big items you need to factor into your budgetWhy you might want to replace the plumbingWhy it’s almost impossible to totally clean a duct system without replacing itWhat I would do if I was in charge of a renovation budgetWhy I would minimize costs in fixtures and finishesThe importance of access doorsConnect with me: Instagram

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 barrierHow airtight remodels workThe difference between an HRV and an ERVWhy an airtight home can become problematic if the mechanical system in overlookedAn insulation option that is mold and fire resistantThe number one mistake homeowners make when communicating with their contractorsDon'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:InstagramThe Conscious Builder’s YoutubeLinkedin

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 projectReverse engineering the budget for your project based on the scopeWhy I suggest getting at least three proposals or bids from prospective contractorsContractor red flagsWhy you need to have every communication in writingResources Mentioned: How to Interview a contractor checklistConnect 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 healthHow to avoid water damageWhat 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 processesHow to create your definition of a healthy homeConsidering 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!