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The Holistic Homes Podcast — Education
The Holistic Homes Podcast

Welcome to The Holistic Homes Podcast, the place for homeowners who are considering a new build or renovation and are ready to take the power of their home’s health into their own hands. Building failures are happening everyday, Yes! even in new construction. I don’t want that for you, so I’m here as your holistic construction resource to guide you thru it all.

I’m your host Christine Cimabue, and I’m a licensed contractor and holistic construction consultant. Everyday I hear stories about people moving into their dream home, only to realize months later that faulty construction is negatively effecting their health. This situation breaks my heart and I believe in empowering people to speak up in every step of the process. This podcast is where real, confident and stress free healthy home building begins!

Best of all, you don’t have to learn how to be contractor to effectively communicate your healthy home vision to your contractor or design team. I’ll show you how!

Join us as we chat about everything from mold prevention to the effects of different lighting on your health. What should you be asking your contractor? What’s the best performing building materials? and how to spot red flags during construction? We’re walking through it all together. So whether you’re interested in understanding the health risks in modern builds, creating a healthy bathroom, or finding the right contractor for your holistic home build, I’ve got you covered. It’s time to create a safe and healthy home that aligns with your vision. Tune in to the Holistic Homes Podcast and start your journey towards your dream healthy home.

Copyright: © Copyright 2024 Christine Cimabue | Holistic Construction Consultant

Latest Episodes:

Do I Need a Consultant If I Have a Contractor? | Ep. 42 Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

You may already have an architect and a builder—but does that mean you have every perspective your healthy home needs? Not necessarily. The real question is whether your plans fully document your materials, quality standards, and building-science expectations before construction begins.

In this episode, Christine breaks down what your architect and builder should each be responsible for, why permit-ready plans often leave major gaps, and how to tell whether your existing team is equipped to deliver the healthy home you expect.

A strong architect should do far more than create a beautiful layout and submit plans for permitting. Your schematic design, design development, and construction documents should capture the decisions that matter—from the foundation and exterior walls to insulation, waterproofing, mechanical systems, plumbing, flooring, and material specifications. If those expectations are not documented, they can be missed, miscommunicated, or priced inaccurately.

Your builder's role is to implement those construction documents, manage the schedule and subcontractors, and send documented requests for information back to the architect when questions arise. When plans lack detail, builders are forced to make decisions during construction based on habit or a previous project—and that may not align with the healthier materials or methods you intended.

If your architect provides robust plans, specifications, material selections, quality-control details, and construction administration—and your builder understands healthy-home building science—you may not need a consultant. If those pieces are missing, a healthy-home consultant can help close the gaps before they become expensive problems on site.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

- How to assemble the right team for a new build or major renovation

- The architect's role from schematic design through construction documents

- Why permit-ready plans may not be detailed enough to protect your expectations or budget

- How specifications and material selections create clearer, more accurate bids

- Why construction administration and the RFI process matter

- What your builder should implement—and what should not be improvised mid-build

- The signs that your team is complete and when a healthy-home consultant can add value

Water Filtration: How to Choose the Right System for Your Home | Ep. 41 Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think buying the most expensive water filtration system automatically means you're getting the cleanest water, you may be wasting thousands of dollars while still missing the contaminants that matter most. Every home has different water, different plumbing, and different filtration needs—which means there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Today, I'm sharing how to confidently navigate water filtration, understand your options, and choose a system that's actually designed for your home's unique water quality.

Over the past year, I've helped families across the United States design healthier homes from the ground up, and water quality is becoming one of the biggest questions clients ask. Whether we're working on a custom home or evaluating an existing property, every recommendation starts with data—not marketing. The right solution depends on your local water supply, your plumbing system, your lifestyle, and the level of filtration you actually need.

Recently, one of my clients came back after months of planning because they wanted to revisit their water filtration system. New concerns about PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants made them question whether the system we had originally selected was still the best fit. Instead of simply upgrading to a more expensive unit, we went back to the beginning, evaluated their water again, and looked at exactly what needed to be filtered.

That process highlights one of the biggest misconceptions I see. People spend hours comparing brands before they even know what's in their water. The better approach is understanding your water source, evaluating whether you have municipal or well water, considering your plumbing materials, deciding between whole-home and point-of-use filtration, and planning for long-term maintenance before making a purchase. Those decisions ultimately determine whether your filtration system actually delivers healthier water for your family.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

- How to determine what contaminants are actually in your water

- PEX vs. copper plumbing and how each impacts water quality

- Whole-home filtration versus reverse osmosis drinking water systems

- The upgrades worth considering, including pre-filters, UV sanitation, and water restructuring

- How to choose, install, and maintain the right filtration system for your home

The First 90 Days in Your Healthy Home | Ep. 40 Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think your job is done the day you get the keys to your new home, think again. The first 90 days after move-in are some of the most important for protecting your investment, your indoor air quality, and your family's health. Miss these simple steps, and you could be setting yourself up for expensive repairs, hidden leaks, poor air quality, and preventable equipment failures.

Today, I'm sharing the five most important things every homeowner should do during the first 90 days after moving into a new build or newly renovated home.

Over the past year, I've worked with homeowners across the United States designing and consulting on healthy homes ranging from modest family residences to luxury custom estates. One thing I've consistently seen is that homeowners receive the keys but rarely receive the guidance they need to properly operate and maintain their homes. The first few months set the foundation for years of healthy living and can help prevent thousands of dollars in future repairs.

Too often, homeowners focus on unpacking furniture and decorating while overlooking the systems that keep their home functioning. They don't know where the main water shutoff is, how to maintain their HVAC system, or how to recognize early warning signs that something isn't performing properly. Even brand-new furniture can introduce VOCs into an otherwise healthy home, while hidden plumbing leaks often go unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred.

In this episode, I walk you through the exact five-step plan I recommend to every homeowner after move-in. From establishing baseline indoor air quality data and implementing a leak management strategy to creating a seasonal maintenance schedule, these proactive steps help you protect your investment, extend the life of your home's systems, and create a healthier environment for years to come.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

The critical home systems every homeowner should understand on day one
How to manage furniture and material off-gassing after move-in
Why collecting baseline indoor air quality data matters
Building a leak management plan before problems happen
Creating a seasonal maintenance schedule that protects your home long-term

Should Your Garage Be Attached? The Healthy Home Answer | Ep. 39 Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think an attached garage is simply a convenience, you may be overlooking one of the biggest sources of air contamination in your home. Every day, garages store cars, fuel, paints, chemicals, and equipment that can introduce pollutants into your living space—even when building code requirements have been met.

Today, I'm sharing why garage design plays a much bigger role in a healthy home than most people realize, what actually happens when garages share walls with living spaces, and the strategies I recommend during the planning stage to prevent these issues before construction even begins.

Every year, I work with homeowners, architects, and builders across the United States designing healthier custom homes where every construction detail is intentional. One of the most overlooked conversations happens before the foundation is ever poured: deciding whether a garage should be attached or detached. While building codes focus heavily on fire protection, they don't fully address how air, fumes, and contaminants move between the garage and your living environment.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is assuming that a fire-rated wall automatically protects your family's health. In reality, garages and living spaces function completely differently. Garages are designed to store vehicles, fuel, paints, chemicals, and equipment while also being naturally ventilated. Your home, on the other hand, is designed to be airtight and energy efficient. That pressure difference can actually pull garage air into your living space if proper air sealing isn't part of the design.

I also share a real case involving an Airbnb in Las Vegas where a hidden chemical laboratory inside an attached garage led to serious health issues for a cleaning professional who never even entered the garage. It's an important reminder that what happens inside an attached garage doesn't always stay there. Whether you're building a new home or renovating an existing one, thoughtful planning, proper air sealing, and, when possible, choosing a detached garage can dramatically improve your home's long-term health and performance.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

Why attached garages can introduce contaminants into your home
The difference between fire protection and air sealing
Why detached garages simplify healthy home construction
How to properly design an attached garage when one is necessary
Why ventilation and mechanical systems should remain completely separate

Healthy Home Summer Maintenance: The 6 Pillars That Matter Most | Ep. 38 Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think summer is the easiest season on your home, you may be overlooking some of the biggest moisture, humidity, and maintenance risks of the entire year. I've seen homeowners spend thousands of dollars dealing with preventable water damage, mold growth, HVAC failures, and hidden leaks that started with something as simple as a clogged condensate line or unchecked humidity levels.

Today, I'm sharing the six maintenance items I recommend tackling before summer heat waves arrive, along with the systems and checkpoints that help keep your home healthy, efficient, and protected all season long.

In 2025 alone, my team worked on projects across multiple climate zones, helping homeowners evaluate everything from HVAC performance and attic conditions to moisture management and indoor air quality. One thing remains consistent regardless of location: homes perform better when maintenance is proactive rather than reactive, especially during periods of extreme heat and humidity.

One of the most common issues I encounter is homeowners focusing exclusively on temperature while completely overlooking humidity. A home can feel cool while still harboring excessive moisture levels that impact indoor air quality, building materials, and long-term durability. Add an attic with inadequate ventilation, bathroom exhaust fans dumping moisture into the attic, or deteriorated weatherstripping around doors and windows, and you've created conditions that can quietly lead to much larger problems.

The good news is that most of these issues are preventable. I walk through exactly what should be serviced, monitored, cleaned, and inspected before summer arrives. From flushing condensate lines and cleaning HVAC coils to monitoring attic moisture content and replacing neglected filters, these simple annual habits can help prevent costly repairs and create a healthier living environment for your family.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

Why your HVAC system needs more than just a filter change before summer
How attic temperature and humidity can impact your home's health
The hidden dangers of bathroom exhaust fans venting into attics
Why every room should have humidity monitoring
Exterior inspections, weatherstripping, screens, and air sealing
The annual filter and coil maintenance most homeowners forget
How to prepare your home for vacation mode before traveling

The 4 Independent Inspections Every Custom Home Needs | Ep. 37 Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think passing city inspections means your home is protected from mold, leaks, and construction defects, you may be making a very expensive mistake. Building inspectors are there to verify minimum code requirements, not to ensure your home is healthy, watertight, or built to your personal standards. Missing the right inspections during construction can lead to hidden failures that aren't discovered until years later.

Today, I'm sharing the four independent inspections I consider non-negotiable during a custom home build if your goal is a healthy, high-performance home.

In 2025 alone, my team worked on projects across the United States, helping homeowners navigate the complex realities of healthy home construction. One of the biggest patterns I continue to see is that many costly defects could have been prevented with a few strategic inspections performed at the right time. These inspections often cost only a few hundred dollars, yet they can identify issues that would cost tens of thousands to repair after construction is complete.

One of the most common mistakes I see is homeowners relying exclusively on city inspections. While permit inspections are important, they are designed to verify minimum building standards, not evaluate moisture content in framing, hidden plumbing issues, window performance, or the long-term durability of the home. By the time a problem becomes visible, the damage is often already done.

That's why I encourage homeowners to bring in independent inspectors who work directly for them. From verifying foundation preparation before concrete is poured, to inspecting framing before drywall covers everything, to performing leak testing on windows before move-in, these inspections create accountability and uncover issues while they are still easy to fix. I also share why one of the most overlooked inspections happens after construction is complete: your warranty inspection before the builder's warranty expires.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

Why building code inspections are only the minimum standard
The importance of pre-foundation inspections
What to look for during a pre-drywall inspection
Why window leak testing is worth the investment
How warranty inspections protect homeowners after move-in

The Construction Material Blacklist: What I Never Use in Healthy Homes | Ep. 36 Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think all building materials are basically the same, you could be making decisions that impact your family's health for years to come. Some of the most commonly used products in construction today can contribute to poor indoor air quality, moisture problems, mold growth, and costly remediation down the road.

Today, I'm sharing my material blacklist — the building materials I avoid whenever possible and the healthier alternatives I recommend instead.

In 2025, I consulted on healthy home projects across the United States, helping homeowners make informed decisions about every layer of their homes, from insulation and exterior assemblies to paint, flooring, and millwork. One of the biggest mistakes I see is assuming that common building materials are automatically the best choice simply because they're widely used. The reality is that every material selection has a good, better, and best option depending on your health goals, budget, and climate.

In this episode, I break down the materials that consistently raise concerns during my consulting projects and explain why they can create problems long after construction is complete. From conventional paints and cabinetry finishes to MDF trim products, spray foam insulation, and vinyl flooring, many of these materials are installed in massive quantities throughout a home. When you look at them individually, they may seem insignificant. But when combined, their impact can be substantial.

I also explain what healthier alternatives look like and how to have productive conversations with your architect, builder, and interior designer before construction begins. Because once some of these materials are installed, replacing them can be difficult, expensive, and disruptive. The goal isn't perfection — it's making informed decisions that support better indoor air quality, moisture management, and long-term durability.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

Why conventional paints can impact indoor air quality beyond VOC levels
The hidden concerns with MDF, OSB, and composite wood products
Why spray foam remains one of my most controversial blacklist materials
How vinyl flooring and wallpaper can contribute to moisture problems
Healthier material alternatives for a cleaner, more durable home

3 Steps To Healthy Indoor Air | Ep. 35 Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think building a “high-performance” home automatically means you’ll have healthy indoor air quality, you may be making one of the biggest mistakes in modern construction. I’ve seen homes with premium materials, airtight construction, and luxury finishes still end up with contaminated air, humidity problems, mold inside ductwork, and unhealthy living conditions because the mechanical system was treated like an afterthought.

Today, I’m sharing the three decisions that will determine your home’s indoor air quality for the next 30 years — and why your mechanical strategy needs to work hand-in-hand with your building enclosure from day one.

In 2025 alone, my team has consulted on healthy home projects nationwide, from large-scale renovations in cold climates to custom new builds in Southern California and beyond. One of the biggest patterns I continue to see is that even high-end homes are being designed without proper mechanical calculations, without airtightness targets, and without a long-term filtration and humidity strategy. I routinely walk into projects where no Manual J, Manual D, or Manual S calculations were ever completed — despite homeowners investing hundreds of thousands or millions into their homes.

I walk through a real project where a large renovation was already under construction before anyone had established the home’s airtightness target or properly designed the mechanical system around it. The ductwork and equipment were simply based on “a similar sized home,” which is an incredibly risky approach when you’re trying to create a healthy indoor environment. We had to completely backtrack and redesign the strategy so the home could actually perform the way the owners intended.

I also break down why airtight homes are not the enemy — uncontrolled air is. From wildfire smoke infiltration during the Los Angeles fires to mold-contaminated ductwork hidden inside attics and crawlspaces, I explain why controlling, filtering, and managing the air inside your home matters more than ever. I also share my perspective on rigid vs. flexible ductwork, why mini splits require far more maintenance than most people realize, and how whole-home filtration and dehumidification strategies create healthier, longer-lasting homes.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

Why airtight homes are healthier when designed correctly
The three mechanical decisions that impact indoor air quality most
Why Manual J, D, and S calculations matter for your home
Rigid vs. flexible ductwork and how it affects contamination risk
Why whole-home filtration and humidity control are essential
The hidden problems with mini split systems and poor duct design
How uncontrolled air leads to smoke, moisture, and contaminant issues

Healthy Home Design Starts With Hiring the Right Architect | Ep. 34 May 27, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think hiring an architect is just about finding someone with a beautiful portfolio, you could be making one of the biggest mistakes in your entire build. I’ve seen homeowners spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on plans that still led to water intrusion, poor air quality, missing construction details, and homes that completely failed to support their health goals.

Today, I’m sharing the four steps I use to help homeowners confidently hire an architect who can actually support the creation of a healthy, high-performance home — not just a beautiful one.

In projects across the U.S., my team regularly collaborates with architects, builders, waterproofing consultants, HVAC engineers, and independent specialists to help prevent mold, moisture failures, and indoor air quality issues before construction even begins. One of the biggest patterns I continue to see is that many homeowners assume their architect is handling every technical detail — when in reality, critical parts of the project are often left undefined or delegated to the field during construction.

In this episode, I walk you through what actually matters when selecting an architect beyond aesthetics. I share why homeowners need to clearly define what a “healthy home” means to them before even starting interviews, how to identify gaps in an architect’s experience, and why understanding their consultant relationships can completely change the outcome of your project.

I also share a real example from a Tennessee project where a homeowner believed they had hired an architect capable of delivering a full construction document set — only to later discover they were actually working with a designer and drafter who didn’t provide the level of detail needed for the project. The result was delays, additional costs, and the need to bring in a new architect mid-process. Situations like this happen far more often than people realize, and they’re exactly why proper vetting matters so much before construction begins.

Most importantly, I explain why construction administration may be the single most overlooked part of the entire architectural process. Your architect should not disappear once plans are complete. The most critical moments for oversight happen during foundations, wall assemblies, windows, roofing, and enclosure detailing — because that’s where healthy homes are either protected or compromised.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

Why beautiful portfolios don’t guarantee healthy home expertise
How to define your healthy home goals before hiring an architect
The hidden gaps homeowners miss when reviewing architectural services
Why consultant relationships matter more than most people realize
The critical role architects should play during construction

Wellness Rooms Done Right: Avoiding Mold & Air Quality Failures | Ep. 33 May 19, 2026

Show notes

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.bychristine

If you think adding a sauna, cold plunge, or luxury gym automatically creates a “wellness” home, you may be creating one of the most moisture-prone and toxic spaces in your entire house. I see stunning wellness rooms constantly filled with hidden humidity problems, poor air quality, mold-prone materials, and mechanical systems that were never designed to handle the load. A beautiful wellness room means nothing if it’s quietly becoming a mold farm behind the walls.

Today, I’m sharing how to properly design a true wellness room — from gyms and steam showers to saunas, cold plunges, lighting, air filtration, and humidity control.

In 2025 alone, I’ve consulted on luxury projects nationwide ranging from smaller wellness additions to large-scale estates with fully integrated wellness wings, detached pool structures, infrared saunas, steam showers, and advanced indoor air quality systems. One of the biggest patterns I continue seeing is homeowners investing heavily into aesthetics while completely overlooking the mechanical planning, vapor control, drainage, and filtration systems that actually determine whether these spaces are healthy or harmful long term.

I walk through the biggest mistakes I see in modern wellness spaces — from steam showers built like standard showers, to rubber gym flooring trapping moisture beneath it, to mini split systems quietly growing mold while recirculating contaminated air. I also explain why wellness rooms are one of the highest humidity-load environments in a home and why improper planning can lead to long-term water damage behind expensive finishes.

I also break down what actually works: dedicated mechanical systems, HEPA filtration, circadian-friendly lighting, emergency floor drains near cold plunges, humidity extraction strategies, dedicated laundry spaces, and designing wellness spaces around prevention instead of aesthetics alone. Because a true wellness room should support your health — not slowly compromise it.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

Why most luxury wellness rooms are missing critical health considerations
The hidden mold risks behind steam showers, saunas, and cold plunges
Why lighting and circadian-friendly LEDs matter more than people realize
The dangers of mini splits and rubber gym flooring in wellness spaces
How proper mechanical design transforms indoor air quality and moisture control
Why prevention-focused wellness design matters from the planning stage

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