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    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.

    Advertise

    Copyright: © Copyright 2024 Christine Cimabue | Holistic Construction Consultant

    • Apple Podcasts
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    Latest Episodes:
    S2EP16: 2 Million Mold Spores in a New Build: The Dark Side of New Home Construction Sep 03, 2025
    Show notes

    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 home
    • How to be proactive rather than reactive

    Connect with me:

    Instagram

    S2EP15: Stop Getting Ripped Off: The Contractor Bid Breakdown Every Homeowner Needs Aug 20, 2025
    Show notes

    Signing a contract with your contractor is like signing a marriage certificate. If you don't know what you're actually getting, you're setting yourself up for a very expensive divorce.

    Today, I'm diving into the financial side of contractor selection that can make or break your project. I've seen too many homeowners get blindsided by inadequate contracts, surprise costs, and change orders that nobody saw coming. You're literally handing over your vision and your budget to someone else, so you better make sure you understand exactly what you're paying for.


    In previous episodes, we've talked about vetting contractors from a relationship perspective, but today I'm getting laser-focused on the numbers. I'm giving you practical tools for understanding build costs, preventing those dreaded change orders, and most importantly, revealing what it actually costs to build a healthy home. Because here's the reality: it might be very different from what you've budgeted for, and you need to know this upfront, not when you're mid-construction facing a $50,000 surprise.


    I've seen projects start with no contracts at all, and let me tell you, you absolutely do not want that. Today, I'm breaking down exactly what you need in your bid, how to structure it properly, and why transparency is everything when it comes to your construction budget.


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

    • The three types of contractor bids and why cost-plus contracts give you the transparency you desperately need
    • How to get preliminary cost estimates that actually matter (and why square footage alone won't cut it)
    • Real percentage breakdowns for upgrading your foundation, exterior walls, and roof assemblies
    • Why your contractor must be involved in the design stage to prevent budget disasters
    • The truth about what it actually costs to build a healthy home (hint: start budgeting at $400+ per square foot)

    Connect with me:

    • Instagram

    S2EP14: How to Actually Select Healthy Paint for Your Home Jul 30, 2025
    Show notes

    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

    S2EP13: Here's Why Most Flooring Installs FAIL Jul 23, 2025
    Show notes

    Last week I was working with a client going through her second mold remediation when I caught a massive flooring issue that everyone else involved in the project had completely overlooked.

    As a licensed general contractor and holistic construction consultant and I see this same costly mistake over and over again. Everyone gets so focused on selecting the lowest VOC, non-toxic flooring materials (which I love!), but they completely ignore proper installation. I've seen flooring failures in multimillion-dollar homes with engineered and solid wood floors, so price point won't save you from this.

    In this case, my client Lisa was living in a six-year-old production build where the rain gutters weren't even connected to drains, there was no vapor barrier under the slab, and here's the kicker-during the first mold remediation, nobody touched the flooring. Turns out there was mold growing on the backside of every single plank because moisture was wicking up through the concrete slab.

    I'm sharing my 3 step Holistic Homes Healthy Flooring Strategy so you never have to live in fear of what's happening behind your floors. We're talking foundation knowledge, material matching, and installation intelligence, including the moisture test that made one contractor ask me "What's that?" (which is terrifying). You can have the most expensive, lowest-VOC flooring in the world, but if it's installed wrong, you could still end up with mold growth on the backside.

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

    • The production builder disaster

    • My 3-step flooring framework

    • The calcium chloride test

    • Good, better, best flooring options

    S2EP12: The 3 Types of Home Leaks + How to Monitor Each One Properly Jul 16, 2025
    Show notes

    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 management


    Connect with me

    • Instagram

    S2EP11: The $14,000 Mistake 1 in 60 Homeowners Make (And How to Avoid It) Jul 09, 2025
    Show notes

    One in every 60 homes will experience a devastating plumbing leak this year, with the average insurance claim reaching $14,000 in damages—but most homeowners have no idea it's happening until it's too late.

    As a licensed GC and holistic home consultant, I've seen too many families devastated by water damage that could have been prevented. In today's episode, I'm sharing my three favorite "no-brainer" leak management strategies that I implement in every project, whether you're building new, renovating, or have been living in your current home for years.

    I'll walk you through exactly how to install access panels for "x-ray vision" behind your walls, where to strategically place battery-operated leak detectors, and why I believe every single home in the US should be required to have a whole-home leak detection system.

    Look, I want you to sleep peacefully at night without wondering "is that toilet above my head leaking?" There should never be lingering questions about what's happening behind your walls, especially if you're coming from a moldy situation. This is part one of my two-part leak management series, and I'm giving you all the practical takeaways and resources you need to safeguard your home before disaster strikes.

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

    • Access panels everywhere: How to get "x-ray vision" behind your walls

    • Strategic leak detector placement

    • Whole-home leak detection systems

    • Real-world implementation


    Resources Mentioned:

    Access Panel Guide

    Access Panels

    Whole Home Leak Detector


    Connect with me:

    • Instagram

    S2Ep10: Every Home Needs These Water Leak Safeguards Jul 02, 2025
    Show notes

    One in 60 homes will experience a plumbing leak this year, resulting in over 1,400 insurance claims daily with an average payout of $14,000, but most of these disasters are completely preventable.

    In today's episode, I'm breaking down the leak management strategies that should be standard in every home but rarely are. Whether you're building new, renovating, or have been living in your home for years, these safeguards can save you from catastrophic water damage and give you the peace of mind to sleep soundly without wondering what's happening behind your walls.

    Plumbing leaks aren't always due to poor construction. Human error happens, accidents occur, and even the best built homes can develop issues over time. That's why I'm sharing 3 no-brainer leak management strategies:

    • strategic access panels that give you eyes behind the walls
    • battery-operated leak detectors for early warning systems
    • whole-home leak detection devices that can shut off your water automatically during a catastrophic failure

    These aren't just theoretical solutions, they're practical safeguards you can implement today. This is part one of a two-part series focusing on safeguards; part two will cover prevention strategies.

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

    • Why 1 in 60 homes experience plumbing leaks and how to avoid being a statistic

    • The strategic placement of access panels for maximum leak detection coverage

    • Battery-operated leak detector placement guide for every area of your home

    • How whole-home leak detection systems work and why every home should have one

    • The difference between safeguards and prevention (and why you need both)

    Connect with me:

    • Instagram


    S2Ep9: The Permanent Insulation Mistake That's Making Homes Uninhabitable Jun 25, 2025
    Show notes

    Your contractor is probably recommending spray foam insulation without telling you about the class action lawsuits, permanent installation risks, and potential for years of toxic off-gassing.

    In today's episode, I'm breaking down everything you need to know about spray foam insulation before making this permanent decision for your home. While spray foam offers excellent performance as an air barrier, vapor retarder, and insulation all in one, there are serious downsides that most contractors don't discuss: it's permanent (requiring expensive remediation to remove), it can off-gas for years if improperly mixed, and it requires perfect application to avoid moisture trapping and mold issues.

    The biggest problem I see is that spray foam isn't just a simple material swap during construction. Closed cell and open cell spray foam have completely different R-values and permeability ratings, and you can't just decide mid-construction to switch to mineral wool or fiberglass without redesigning your entire building assembly. This conversation needs to happen during the design phase, not when your contractor is ready to spray.


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

    • Why closed cell vs. open cell spray foam aren't interchangeable (and how this affects your building plans)

    • The verification protocols every spray foam project needs (including third-party testing)

    • Safer alternatives to spray foam and why they cost 30-50% more

    • How to spot greenwashing in "non-toxic" spray foam marketing

    • The real costs of spray foam failures and why perfect application is critical

    S2Ep8: The Indoor Air Quality Crisis: The Truth About Airtight vs. Leaky Construction Jun 18, 2025
    Show notes

    Your builder might be skipping a required building code test that could save your home from mold, humidity problems, and toxic indoor air, and you probably don't even know it exists.

    In this episode, I'm breaking down the dangerous myth that homes need to "breathe" through their walls and why this outdated thinking is creating serious health problems in modern construction. The truth is, your home should breathe like your body does, through a controlled system (your nose), not through random leaks in your skin. Yet builders are still constructing homes that pull in unfiltered outdoor air through walls, windows, and foundations, creating the perfect conditions for mold, humidity issues, and poor indoor air quality.

    Here's what's really frustrating: since 2012, there's been a building code requirement for something called a blower door test that measures exactly how leaky your home is. This test gives you a specific number (ACH 50) that tells you how many times per hour your home's air is completely exchanged with outdoor air. Older homes from the 1950s-70s often test at 10-20 air exchanges per hour, which means you have zero control over your indoor environment. But many jurisdictions still aren't enforcing this testing, and contractors often don't even own the equipment.

    The real problem isn't just energy efficiency, it's that as homes have gotten tighter over the years, mechanical systems haven't kept up. You end up with homes that can't breathe properly through their HVAC systems, creating a toxic indoor environment. Whether you're building new or renovating, understanding blower door testing and proper air sealing could be the difference between a healthy home and one that makes your family sick.

    In Today's Episode, We're Chatting About:

    • Why the "homes need to breathe" myth is dangerous for your health

    • How to read blower door test results and what numbers to aim for

    • Why your builder might be skipping required building code tests

    • The connection between air sealing and mechanical system design

    • When and how to demand proper testing during construction

    RE-RUN: S1E10. How To Tell If You Have Mold In Your Home with Indoor Environmental Professional, Megan Carson Jun 04, 2025
    Show notes

    Many of us get into this industry because we have personal horror stories with mold. For me, I bought a home that had floor to ceiling mold in the kitchen. It was completely invisible to the naked eye, until we started the renovation process and took walls down to the studs.

    For today’s guest, Megan Carson, she was reaching a sever level of mold toxicity and couldn’t identify the source until having an ERMI test and an inspection. Luckily, she was able to get out of her lease and high tail it out of there! But that led her down the path to becoming the founder of Guided Well LLC.

    She is a certified mold inspector and IEP with a specialized focus on client education and building defect identification related to poor building science and design in relation to indoor air quality issues. After her own four walls made her sick, she’s making it her mission to help other people out of that sort of situation.


    For any of you home renters out there, we’re starting this conversation with some safe guards that all renters need to know about. From getting your own inspections (not through management) to discussing additional clauses in the lease to guarantee a way out if water damage becomes an issue. Then, we’re chatting all things remediation so you don’t have to go into the process already overwhelmed.


    In this episode, we’re chatting about:

    • Why Megan became a mold inspector
    • The importance of good testing and validation before remediation
    • How to vet a mold inspector
    • What the sampling process should look like (hint: it’s not supposed to just be air samples in the middle of the room)
    • Learning the difference between restoration and remediation
    • Why encapsulation should only be used as a last resort


    Connect with Megan:

    • Instagram

    Connect with me:

    • Instagram
    • More Resources


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