Non Toxic Environments Home Health & Wellness
183 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago - ★★★★★ - 99 ratingsHealthy building expert Andrew Pace uses his 30+ years experience to produce this weekly podcast, dedicated to the discussion and education of home health and human wellness. With over 30,000 satisfied clients all over the world, Andrew has a keen awareness of the issues relating to chemical sensitivity, green building, mold remediation and toxicity reduction. As a healthy home consultant, Andrew continues to be sought after to assist on projects all over the world, but his true passion is to educate as many folks as possible, using this free platform. Andrew's company GDC/Building For Health, continues to be the global leader of healthy home supply and education.
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Episodes
Plucked straight from the mailbag
November 01, 2019 23:04 - 30 minutes - 28 MBBy request, Jay and I tackle a few questions from the mailbag this week including, polishing concrete floors, sealing out smoke from the adjacent apartment and paperless drywall usage. Keep those questions coming in folks! Ask us a question right here: mailto:[email protected]
Common Misconceptions
October 25, 2019 22:50 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBYou've heard this from your contractor, or maybe read it in an online chat group. "That glue will never work" , "that paint only peeled because its one of those eco-friendly paints"... Today, I'm talking about common misconceptions of the healthy building industry and I try to shed some light on these topics and allow you to breathe easy, knowing you DID make the right decision.
Is Chemical Sensitivity All in Your Head??
October 18, 2019 23:33 - 31 minutes - 28.8 MBHow many time have you heard THAT line...Its not real, its just in your head. Well today, Jay and I are taking on this topic directly and we'll actually prove that this statement is partially true. Just because something smells bad, doesn't mean it IS bad. I expect this episode to get a lot of feedback, so please let us know what YOU think.
The Cost of Healthy Building Pt 2
October 11, 2019 17:43 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBIn the second part of this topic, Jay and I discuss the costs of the interior furnishings and finishes and how they can add up quickly. Once again, we prove that building healthy does NOT increase the cost of your home. Building with high quality, long-lasting materials does. We discuss drywall, flooring, cabinetry and more.
The Cost of Healthy Building Pt1
October 05, 2019 16:07 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBAs long as I can remember, there have been three myths about healthy building that are still believed to this day: Its too expensive, the products and systems don't last as long, and you have very little options to chose from. This episode is part 1 of 2 that will be dealing with the cost myth. Healthy building is not more expensive, folks. Quality is more expensive and most healthy homes are built to a much higher quality standard than the average home is. Jay and I tackle the big tick...
New Fall Product Releases
September 27, 2019 15:09 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBHere in Wisconsin, our summers are typically a bit shorter than most of the country. So we embrace the days or warmth and sun and take every advantage of what those days hold for us. Residential construction spikes during this time, so all of us here are working 10-12 hours days just to keep up with demand. But when fall arrives, we finally have a chance to take a deep breath and go through some of new, fresh product ideas that have been presented to us throughout the year. On this episo...
Electropollution: The Silent Carcinogen
September 19, 2019 23:21 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBWe have been SO EXCITED to bring you all an episode all about electropollution and we were finally able to land author Brandon LaGreca, who joins the show today to discuss his story, his new book and most importantly, how we all can protect ourselves with simple changes we all can make in our daily routines. Pass this one along to your friends and family! PLEASE>>> Follow Brandon's Blog Purchase a copy of Brandon's book here: Cancer and EMF Radiation
Hiring the Right IAQ Professional
September 13, 2019 22:03 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBYou're investigating noxious, unfamiliar odors in your home and need to hire a professional. Where do you go? Who can you trust? All too often, we get suck in "analysis paralysis" and either get recommendations from too many people or we hire someone who claims they can find the problem, but is woefully ignorant of the best testing methods. Today, Jay and I discussing how to find the right IAQ professionals for troubleshooting your home, and I talk about some current projects that you ca...
The Glue That Keeps it All Together
September 06, 2019 23:03 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBIf you think about all the items that go into a new home build, most people kind of forget about the glues, adhesives and caulks that are used during the build. Caulking around doors and windows, adhesives under the sub flooring, glues for the cabinetry, etc. While the amount of actual material doesn't add up to the volume of paint you would use, it can certainly make for harmful indoor air if the wrong products gets used.
Should I Build New or Remodel?
August 30, 2019 16:36 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBJay and Andy get many questions like this on a daily basis, so they thought why not have the discussion on the podcast for all to hear! Do I rip out and replace my cabinets, or can I refinish them? Can I seal the off gassing of my countertop or should I just get something new? Do I remodel my entire home or just start from scratch. There are definitely pros and cons to both side of this topic, so lots of great information in this episode.
New Flooring Options and Trends
August 24, 2019 17:01 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBI know we spend an exorbitant amount of time discussing things you shouldn't use in your home, so we decided to start talking about the things we do like. First off, Jay and I talk out flooring options for your home. We break down the "green" attributes of various floors like cork, bamboo and wood, we discuss colors and trends, then we top it off with a quick guide to pricing so you can know what to expect as you start your research. So if you're designing a new home or remodeling your ex...
Constructing a Healthy, High-Performance Home
August 15, 2019 23:42 - 57 minutes - 53 MBWater is essential for life, yet can cause so much destruction. Building a healthy home requires the use of many materials, very few as important as what we'll be discussing today. Etienne Gubler of Siga North America joins us today to discuss how his company's tapes, wraps and membranes can eliminate the destructive element of water intrusion, and allow our well-built homes to last far beyond the typical service life we get here in North America. Plus, we take a few questions from the ma...
Offgassing....The Hidden Danger in our Homes
August 09, 2019 00:02 - 44 minutes - 41 MBJay and I today take a deep dive into the extremely important topic of chemical offgassing. What is it? Where does it come from? How long will this last? What are my choices for dealing with it? Folks, I know that I believe every episode of NTE is important. But this one it at the top of the 'important' list! In my eyes, the elimination of offgassing of your building materials is the most crucial aspect of healthy home building or remodeling. I expect you'll listen to this episode a few...
Taking a Pulse of the Healthy Building Industry
August 02, 2019 15:01 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MBIf you've ever wondered what Jay and I do for show prep, this episode is basically just that. We talk, laugh, commiserate and come up with ideas. Jay and I were talking earlier this week about some trends in the healthy building industry, and it occurred to us that we should immediately stop talking and jump on the microphones to continue the discussion. I'll admit, I did talk about one or two scary trends that we're facing (insert spray foam insulation here), but i promise that 90% of th...
Project Planning to Avoid Frustration
July 25, 2019 23:43 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBIts a common theme with many of our episodes. Jay and I will always remind you to prepare your surfaces, prepare the area, manage your expectations! Let me be honest, folks. Chip and Joanna dont actually remodel a bathroom over a weekend!! It cant happen. It takes planning and lots of it. I recorded an audio article for a magazine a few months back about this topic and I thought you all would enjoy it. After that, I'll read a question I got from a customer I haven't worked with since 200...
When Jay and I need inspiration or information
July 18, 2019 23:32 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBNeither Jay nor I can ever admit to "knowing it all". Far from it, in fact. Both of us need to refer to others on a regular basis and of course, we rely on the internet to help. Sometimes we need contact names for specific professionals. Other times...we just need inspiration to get us through a rough day or a difficult project. So when those times come...and they come often these days...here's some of the sites we go to. . . . . . We spoke about many of these, but some we d...
Monthly Mailbag and New Home Project Updates
July 11, 2019 23:54 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBThis is our monthly episode where Jay and I open up the mailbag and answer listener questions. However, the first half of the show, Jay and I discuss some of the new home projects I'm currently working on and some of the more critical issues that our clients are facing right now. Mold, moisture and more! This is a really good episode and should be quite helpful to anyone who's building now or is planning to build soon.
Recent Formaldehyde Testing Results
June 27, 2019 22:24 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBI know we've done some episodes on our FRAT system before, but there has been quite a bit of activity with formaldehyde testing in the last few weeks and I wanted to share some findings. The average home can have 5,000-15,000 different chemicals in the air at any given time, so I suppose it seems like a drop in the bucket if we eliminated just one. But formaldehyde is a key trigger for allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivity, so that's our main goal here. Its a short episode today (ver...
A Substrate Soliloquy
June 20, 2019 22:21 - 38 minutes - 35.2 MBI imagine you've heard an episode or two of this show, so you may know that we always emphasize surface preparation and testing as keys for a successful project, no matter the task. The surface that a sealer, coating, floor covering, etc, is going on, is called a "substrate" and we will always insist that the substrate is in the proper condition before covering it up. So what exact IS a substrate made of and how should you prepare it? Thats what we tackle today. Its not a sexy show, but ...
Adopting principals of Feng Shui to make your home a healthier space!
June 13, 2019 23:19 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBAbsolutely fascinating episode this week, folks. I'll admit...Feng Shui has always been a little too 'woo-woo' for me. And if I had to hear one more TV interior designer say " oh the Feng Shui of this place is horrible...", only to move a chair and say VOILA!.... This topic scared me a but to bring up because I didn't want anyone else to get that same impression that I had, but I was dead wrong. Joining us today is Shivam Kohls, who is not only a Feng Shui practitioner, but she's an autho...
Why Do We Keep Doing the Same Thing?
June 06, 2019 23:47 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBAs the saying goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting different results. By that definition, the home building industry should definitely be deemed insane. So if we know that typical building methods are dangerous, why do we keep allowing it to happen? Probably because of the cost increases...either perceived or real. So lets have that conversation today. Then from this point on, I want you to ask these questions to your contractor ...
Monthly Mailbag Bonanza
May 30, 2019 23:38 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBWe are definitely in the midst of the construction busy season, so Jay and I are getting lots and lots of great questions coming at us. We decided that one episode per month will be dedicated to answering questions that will help all of our listeners with current projects. We're calling it our Monthly Mailbag Bonanza! This week, we deal with epoxy paint, roofing, decking and a few other hot topics. Hope you enjoy!! The sponsor for this episode is Green Design Center, www.thegreende...
LIVE at Zuza's Way, Pt 2
May 18, 2019 21:39 - 58 minutes - 53.1 MBPart 2 of our live event from Zuza's Way in Thiensville Wisconsin. This episode is the Q&A portion of our event. Several great questions from our audience that led into some great conversation with Dagmara Beine PA-C, who does a wonderful job helping us all understand how the home is a critical factor when trying to heal the body.
LIVE at Zuza's Way - Pt.1
May 18, 2019 19:04 - 42 minutes - 33.7 MBOh boy this was a fun event!! So fun, that we had to break up the recording into two parts for you. Part 1 here is an introduction to Dagmara Beine and her practice, Zuza's Way, in Thiensville WI. Dagmara invited us to come record our show in front of a live audience so we could interact and answer questions. This episode, we'll hear all about Dagmara's story and why her approach to medicine fits perfectly within the NTE framework of Mind, Body, Home. For more information about Da...
Permission to Proceed, Good Time of the Year to Tackle Home Projects
May 09, 2019 16:29 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBToday's episode is a fun mishmosh of topics related to household projects that are best done as the weather gets nicer. Jay and I virtually walk around your home and discuss areas of the home that you should inspect and repair before winter sets in later this year. We also reiterate some of the contractor related questions and advice that earlier episodes dealt with. Then finally, a frank discussion about project timing, expectations and what the customer needs to do to alleviate poten...
Careful What You Sign!
May 02, 2019 23:41 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBI promise, I do not talk about these issues to alarm you into hiring me or buying the materials I sell. But I know that sometimes it would seem that way. Honestly, when things like this come up, I have no choice than to fire up the podcast machine and record the words that come out of my mouth without a script. Some recent clients have alerted me about language that home builders are using deep in the fine print of their contracts, that basically allows them to use whatever material they...
Vastu Design-The Art and Architecture of Healing Spaces
April 25, 2019 22:35 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBJay and I today speak with Michael Borden, who is arguably one of the worlds foremost authorities on the subject of Vastu architecture and construction. From his website: The principles of Vastu science that have been used in designing India’s great and sacred temples can be applied to any building project. Michael has used these principles in designs from cottages to palaces, in schools and office buildings. The positive influence of the building geometry and layout is an excellent envi...
A Conversation with Holistic Nutritionist, Selina Rose
April 18, 2019 23:07 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBContinuing with our theme of healing, today I get the pleasure of speaking with Selina Rose about her life struggles and how those shaped her into the diet and nutrition expert she is. She has developed a number of extremely worthwhile tools that you can access by signing up on her website. Please check her out!! Main website - www.selinarose.ca Eats & Asana website (to learn about Selina's course)- https://selinarose.info/eats-asana-program Facebook Group - https://www....
Let The Healing Begin
April 11, 2019 00:01 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBThe best thing about being a podcaster is the people I get to meet, both in interviews, and with our listeners. This episode was a long time coming...the first of a series of shows we'll be doing specifically about the healing side of Non Toxic Environments. Today, Jay and I are speaking with Dr. Lisa Nagy of the Environmental Health Center of Martha's Vineyard. Dr. Nagy's story is not only fascinating, but its incredibly encouraging. She has been through it all herself and is now working ...
Interviewing My Hero, Debra Lynn Dadd
April 04, 2019 00:07 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBToday's episode is a conversation I had recently with Debra Lynn Dadd. Debra is inarguably the definitive voice in the arena of toxin-free consumer goods, and is someone I look up to and have a deep respect for. I read her first book, Nontoxic & Natural, and it had profound effect on how I proceeded in my business. Over the years, she has authored several more books on the subject, consulted with thousands of clients, as well as being a radio show host for a long stint. All while continu...
Building Way Beyond Green
March 28, 2019 23:36 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBIf you've been on the fence about building a new home, this is a MUST LISTEN TO episode, folks. Pete Donovan and Rus Ackner from Healthy Home Builders in New York, talk with Jay and I about their experiences as one of the true pioneers of the industry. For them, building healthy isn't a fad or a trend...its all they do. And they do it quite well. In the market they are in, they typically work on some really high-end projects, but the processes and procedures they've developed are transfe...
March Mailbag Madness
March 21, 2019 23:39 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBJay and I love all the mail we get from our listeners and clients. So many great questions come our way, that its hard to pick just a few to talk about. This week we tackle some questions that seem to be frequently asked. Please excuse the audio, as Jay was coming to us from a remote location this week. But his words come through crystal clear and compelling as they always do!
Starting a Healthy Home Related Business
March 13, 2019 23:38 - 38 minutes - 52.5 MBBefore I started this business almost 30 years ago, I enlisted the help of an organization called SCORE. Of course, my mom and dad were the real mentors, as my business was an offshoot of theirs, but the healthy home 'industry' wasn't an industry yet. So I needed some help. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops and educational resources since 1964. So the episode today is th...
Casual Conversation With a Real Healthy Home Builder
March 07, 2019 00:12 - 30 minutes - 42.4 MBWe interviewed Jen Stout from JS2 Partners a while back, just when they got started with their new healthy home construction company. Jay and I thought it would be great idea to get an update from them and learn about their progress and how fast things are taking off for them. Its a casual conversation between friends, but plenty of good information that you can use when you decide to pursue a healthy home build for you and your family. www.js2partners.com www.healthyhousedesigns...
Healthy Home 'Hacks'
February 21, 2019 01:24 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBHave you ever used one of our AFM Safecoat products in an unusual application and it worked perfectly? Or maybe someone told you about a strange way to do something around the house that you never would have thought of yourself. We call these little educational nuggets a hack. Just as there are life 'hacks' to make you more productive, there are also product hacks, to help you get things done around the home. Today we'll talk about some of these hacks and hopefully you'll try them out you...
A Little Professional Advice
February 14, 2019 00:38 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBAs a professional myself that deals with home health and wellness, I'm always excited to hear from other professionals about how they can learn more and help their clients. Today, Jay and I take a call from an IAQ tester who wants to know about taking his business to the next level so that he can help his clients with the IAQ problems he has found. Finding the problem is only half the battle. Now what? We've got some answers for all professionals about what the next steps should be.
A Discussion about the Holistic Mom's Network
February 07, 2019 01:18 - 29 minutes - 23.8 MBI speak at many events throughout the year and this one is definitely going to be a favorite for me. Today, Im interviewing Jen Norris, who is the Co-Leader of the Holistic Mom's Network, Milwaukee Chapter. The HMN has around 100 chapters around the US and advocates for healthy living, holistic parenting and a vibrant community. If you are in the Milwaukee area, Im speaking at their meeting on February 19th, 2019. See the show notes for more information.
Oh Boy its COLD Outside
February 01, 2019 00:21 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBLast year I did an episode of NTE where I listed off some of the more common materials used for insulation. Since then, Ive received dozens of emails about brands and versions, etc. So I thought since its currently -25F outside my office right now, this would be a proper time to dig a little deeper into insulation. Ie also been doing a lot of investigative research for clients lately, and figured you'd enjoy learning all about how the manufacturers are so very eager to help me. HA! Just ...
Round and Round We Go
January 25, 2019 00:20 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBA client asked me a while back, "what does a day for you really consist of?" Lots of phone calls, emails and face to face customers, for sure. But most of my involves consulting conversations, then tons of research to back up my recommendations. I also get to discuss my recommendations with the contractors and design team for the project, and here is where it gets...frustrating. These conversations are like being on a playground merry-go-round, where no matter what I say or what I prove,...
Lots of Home Projects
January 17, 2019 00:39 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBNow that the holidays are over and the house is getting quiet again, this a great time to start those home projects that you wished you could have done before Christmas. Today, Andy gives an update on several current projects he's consulting on and offers lots of free tips to help you as you move forward.
Welcome to 2019
January 10, 2019 00:41 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBAfter a much needed break to spend time with family and friends this past holiday season, Jay and Andy are back at it to talk about what this new year will mean for NTE. They conduct some real-time FRAT testing to help out a client in Florida, then discuss some upcoming programming. Its going to be a great year here on Non Toxic Environments!
Whats in Store for 2019?
December 19, 2018 23:56 - 27 minutes - 37.3 MBFor the final episode of 2018, Jay and I answer a few listener questions and discuss our plans for 2019. New shows, new ideas and plenty of opportunity for educational events.
Naturally Reducing Mold, Bacteria and Viruses in the Home
December 11, 2018 23:38 - 29 minutes - 40.8 MBWe've all heard the many suggestions for killing off mold, but honestly, most of them dont work effectively. And the few that do... mold eventually will come back. Caliwel is a revolutionary coating made by combining new technology with a readily available natural mineral....lime. Today, Andy interviews Bryan Glynson, CEO of Alistagen. Bryan's company is the inventor and producer of this amazing product called Caliwel. We'll learn all about this coating, along with how to use it properl...
The Meaning behind #LeadNotLeed
December 05, 2018 01:18 - 31 minutes - 43.1 MBAbout a year ago, after getting frustrated with my industry for the umpteenth time, I posted a rant on Facebook and used the hashtag LeadnotLEED. Why? Mainly because I wanted to tell professionals in the building industry to become leaders, not just follow the LEED program like lemmings. The LEED program is good for many reasons, but as we've discussed in previous episodes, it doesn't take human health concerns into account enough to make a difference. So today, Jay and I recorded our sh...
Customer Service Goes Both Ways!
November 28, 2018 00:43 - 25 minutes - 35.2 MBIf you are someone who suffers from chemical sensitivity or allergies, you know how difficult it is to try and describe your situation with someone who just doesn't get it. Well, imagine what its like for folks like Jay and Andy, who deal with these consumers on a daily basis. Today's episode is a friendly reminder for sales people all over the world, as well as the customers themselves, to think about the other person when deciding to engage in a transaction. Plus, we discuss some custom...
Giving Thanks
November 20, 2018 23:55 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBI know its a bit cliche to do a show about giving thanks this time of the year, but Jay and I both feel compelled to do so anyway! Obviously, we wouldn't be here without our spouses, family, co-workers and employees, so that all goes with our saying. This episode is all about giving thanks to the early pioneers of our industry, our customers and listeners, and many others. Thank YOU for allowing us to do this and to invite us into your home every week!
Where There is Smoke
November 14, 2018 00:22 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBJay and I decided to step back from our usual programming to discuss the wildfires in California. This episode is dedicated to all those who are dealing with this and especially those who have lost family and friends. Folks, if you are told to evacuate your home...EVACUATE. Don't think for one second that you can "ride this out" and everything will be okay. So please, listen to what is being said in your local community. Beyond that, Jay and I are discussing ways to remediate smoke dama...
Saunas, Yurts, Vans...What Else You Got For Me????
November 07, 2018 00:40 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBI think it's clear to everyone, that Jay and I love to answer questions. Really doesn't matter what the subject is or how detailed it may be...we just thrive on helping our listeners out with their projects. And when the questions come in, Jay loves to throw them at Andy without ANY prior notice of what they pertain to, so the answers come back completely off the cuff and from the gut. We know how much you all enjoy these episodes, so, here you go!
Top 5 Episodes for the Year So Far
October 30, 2018 14:23 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MB3500 minutes of Non Toxic Environments this year to date and this episode is a review of the best we've done so far. If you've wanted to introduce your friends, family and social media followers to Non Toxic Environments, this is the episode to send them. Carpet, contractors, mold and more!
A Little Q&A Housecleaning
October 23, 2018 20:43 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBWhile I really enjoy choosing one topic and running with it for 30 minutes, sometimes its necessary to answer some questions that we've been asked quite often these days. Today we'll go though some of these questions and hopefully it proves to be very helpful to all of our listeners. Topics include: Windows, shower surrounds, dealing with contractors, and more!