Shows
The Holistic Homes PodcastS2EP14: How to Actually Select Healthy Paint for Your HomeEveryone 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.2025-07-3020 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2EP13: Here's Why Most Flooring Installs FAILLast 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...2025-07-2341 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2EP12: The 3 Types of Home Leaks + How to Monitor Each One ProperlyMost 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...2025-07-1618 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2EP11: The $14,000 Mistake 1 in 60 Homeowners Make (And How to Avoid It)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 ac...2025-07-0927 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2Ep10: Every Home Needs These Water Leak SafeguardsOne 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...2025-07-0227 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2Ep9: The Permanent Insulation Mistake That's Making Homes UninhabitableYour 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...2025-06-2536 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2Ep8: The Indoor Air Quality Crisis: The Truth About Airtight vs. Leaky ConstructionYour 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...2025-06-1818 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastRE-RUN: S1E10. How To Tell If You Have Mold In Your Home with Indoor Environmental Professional, Megan CarsonMany 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...2025-06-0552 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2EP7: Learning From the LA Fires: The Critical Design Flaw That's Destroying HomesLess than 2% of homes survived the devastating LA fires, and they all share one critical feature that most builders ignore.Four months after the LA fires destroyed over 16,000 homes across 50,000 acres, a clear pattern has emerged among the few structures left standing. I've been analyzing what separates the homes that survived from the thousands that burned to the ground. So let's chat about it, because the answer may not by what you expect. The common denominator isn't expensive fire-resistant materials or elaborate sprinkler systems. It's the attic design. While most homes burned from the inside...2025-05-2824 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2EP6: The Six-Month Home Design Blueprint: Why Rushing Your Build Will Cost You LaterMost people spend more time planning their wedding than the home they'll live in for decades, and that's a costly mistake.Join me while I break down the critical six-month design development phase that should happen before breaking ground on your new construction or major renovation. As the founder of Holistic Homes, I've seen countless projects go sideways because homeowners rushed through this crucial planning period and I don’t want that to happen to you.The six-month timeline includes specific milestones and I’m taking out all the guess work by going through the spec...2025-05-2141 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastSTOP Trusting Your Contractor And Do This Instead! S2E05 A Solo Episode with ChristineWelcome to Season 2 of the Holistic Homes Podcast! Season 2 is all about in depth solo content from Christine!In episode 5, Christine takes us on a deep dive into all things contractors! In this episode, Christine goes over why it's important to start with the right architect and architectural plans before selecting your contractor.In this episode, Christine chatted about:Getting clear architectural plans firstWhy it's important to have clear architectural plans, even if you love and trust your contractorMaterials selection, paint selection, flooring, waterproofing materials expectations2025-04-0819 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastRE-RUN: S1E15. Are You Legally Protected If Your Home is Poisoning You? A Conversation with Kristina BaehrBeing forced out of your home because the walls are filled with Black Mold is a nightmare. Finding no legal recourse for the damages inflicted on your health and your finances is even worse. So today, we’re digging into the legal side of holistic home building.Kristina is a national trial lawyer who represents sick people against the companies that made them sick. She founded Just Well Law to help clients recover financially so that they can rebuild their health and their lives. Kristina’s experience with water damage in her home was absolutely devastating for her...2025-04-011h 08
The Homegrown PodcastBuilding a healthy home from the ground up—how to avoid mold, choose less toxic building materials, measure your air quality, and advocate for your family's health with Christine CimabueIn this episode of the Homegrown Podcast, hosts Liz and Joey welcome Christine Cimabue, a licensed contractor and passionate advocate for healthier homes. Christine shares her personal journey that began in 2011 when she discovered severe mold issues in her first home. This experience propelled her into the construction industry, where she now emphasizes the importance of homeowner empowerment, understanding the hidden dangers of mold, and the critical role of proper construction practices. The conversation covers various topics, including the significance of leak testing, the impact of building materials on health, and the necessity of monitoring radon levels in homes.2025-03-261h 20The Holistic Homes Podcast3 Steps To A Water Tight Basement! S2E04 A Solo Episode with ChristineWelcome to Season 2 of the Holistic Homes Podcast! Season 2 is all about in depth solo content from Christine!In episode 4, Christine takes us on a deep dive into three strategies for building a water tight basements! In this episode, Christine goes over the pros and cons of various materials and construction strategies for basement build outs.Listen to this episode to find out the nitty gritty on water tight basement materials, what to look out for and avoid, and specific calculations and tests you should be doing for your basement build out.In...2025-03-2522 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2E03. Health Flooring Deep Dive! A Solo Episode with ChristineWelcome to Season 2 of the Holistic Homes Podcast! Season 2 is all about in depth solo content from Christine!In episode 3, Christine takes us on a deep dive about all things healthy flooring! Concrete, tile, wood, laminate oh my! In this episode, Christine goes over the pros and cons for each floor option, as well as specific tests you should do for different flooring options.Listen to this episode to find out the nitty gritty on each flooring option, what to look out for and avoid, and specific tests you should be doing for your flooring...2025-03-1830 min
Holistic Hub PodcastEpisode 21 - Healthy Home Tips with Christine CimabueChristine Cimabue is a dedicated leader in the construction industry, committed to promoting healthier homes. Her journey began in 2011 when she bought her first house, eager for a full renovation. However, the discovery of severe mold issues during demolition fueled her desire to help other families avoid similar challenges. As a woman in a male dominated field, Christine recognized the need for advocacy for designing and building homes that prioritized occupant health first. She founded Holistic Homes to foster wellness through thoughtful design and construction details with the use of leak management strategies, healthy home maintenance and high performing...2025-03-1750 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2E02. All About Attics! A Solo Episode with ChristineWelcome to Season 2 of the Holistic Homes Podcast! Season 2 is all about in depth solo content from Christine!In episode 2, Christine takes us on a deep dive about all things attics! Ventilated vs conditioned attics! In this episode, Christine goes over the pros and cons of ventilated attics vs conditioned attics.Listen to this episode to find out the nitty gritty on ventilated attics and conditioned attics, what to look out for and avoid, and specific calculations and tests you should be doing for your attic choice.In this episode, Christine chatted about:2025-03-1117 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS2E01. All About Architects! A Solo Episode with ChristineWelcome to Season 2 of the Holistic Homes Podcast! Season 2 is all about in depth solo content from Christine!In our first episode of Season 2, Christine takes us on a deep dive about all things architects! From advocating for yourself when meeting a new architect, to why it's important to have as much details in your architectural plans, to examples of possible details you may want in your architectural plans.Listen to this episode to find out why it's important to vet your architect, and to get an idea on some of the details your architect...2025-03-0429 min
Mom Guilt PodcastBuilding Healthier Homes: Christine Cimabue's Guide to Mold PreventionShoot us a text and spill the tea on what you want to hear more of!In this episode, Vanna chats with Christine Cimabue, founder of Holistic Homes, about creating healthier living spaces. Christine shares her journey from discovering mold in her first home to becoming a leading expert in toxin-free homebuilding. Packed with expert insights, this conversation covers everything from smart construction choices to everyday tips for a healthier home. Tune in to learn practical steps you can take today to make your home a safer, healthier haven!What You'll Learn: 0:00 | Welcome C...2025-02-1357 min
Heal Thy Self with Dr. GThe #1 Mistake People Make When Buying a New Home | Heal Thy Self With Christine Cimabue #353Are new builds really mold-free? Can your home impact your health? In this deep dive, we explore how modern home construction affects indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and overall well-being. Learn how to advocate for a healthier home, choose better materials, and avoid common pitfalls in new builds and renovations.#mold #newhome #wellness Christine CimabueIG: holistichomes.bychristine====Thank You To Our Sponsors! BON CHARGEGo to https://boncharge.com/products and use...2025-02-0656 min
Mold Pod LiveA Healthy HomeIn this episode, we discuss tips for people looking to build or renovate a home and even for renters with our special guest Christine Cimabue, Holistic Contractor and Founder of Holistic Homes.Diana Stafford, MD - Mold DoctorJonathan Dickler, JD cohosting - Licensed Mold Assessor2025-02-0156 min
Non Toxic Environments Home Health & WellnessBuilding a Healthy Home Doesn't Need To Be DifficultEvery single day, I get calls and emails asking if I have a recommendation for a home builder in their area that can build healthy. Unfortunately, I dont have such a list to refer to. I certainly have many builders around the country that Ive worked with and do trust, but the building industry as a whole is not keeping up with the demands consumers have. So my typical recommendation is to identify a few high quality custom home builders in their area and start to interview them. Any good builder can do a healthy home, if they take the...2024-10-0154 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E14: How to Find Toxin-Free Home Essentials with Wendy KathrynA healthy home doesn't start and end with construction. Every single product, from cookware to perfume, can have a huge impact on your overall health. So today, I'm joined by Wendy Kathryn , a clean living coach and environmental toxins attorney. She's also the host of Toxin Free-ish Podcast where you can find all things toxin-free living, for real life. When it comes to household products, greenwashing is rampant. So we're really getting into the knitty gritty with this conversation so you can feel more empowered the next time you head to Target. At the end of the...2024-06-2643 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E13: The Building Science Behind Sustainable Architecture with Emily MottramHouses don’t need to breathe. People need to breathe. Houses on the other hand, need to dry. These are the wise words of today’s guest, Emily Mottram. Emily is an architect and principal of Mottram Architecture. She is a building science educator, co-host on “The BS & Beer Show” and hosts a monthly podcast “E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily,” focusing on building science, architecture and female entrepreneurship.Emily is a wealth of knowledge! She shares her journey from growing up in a farming community to becoming a leading expert in sustainable architecture and building science. We...2024-06-1256 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E12: How to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Access Clean Water in Your Home with Zack Pelzel, Founder of The Purified HomeIndoor air quality can make or break a home! Fresh air and clean water are the silent, and often forgotten, ingredients to a healthy living space. Today’s guest is Zack Pelzel, the Founder of The Purified Home. And no, we’re not just talking about air purifiers.After backpacking through the Sierra Nevadas, Zack became more attuned to nature than ever before. Suddenly, he understood the power of living in lockstep with nature, instead of against it. From waking with the sun to breathing in pure mountain air, he knew he wanted to take these treasures to e...2024-06-0538 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E11. Your go-to Window Buying Guide with Peter Duppenthaler, AKA - @FenestrationGuyCan you imagine a house without windows? Sounds more like a prison to me and my guest today, Peter Duppenthaler AKA @FenestrationGuy. Windows serve a purpose for the occupants mental health. With no sunlight streaming into a space, it can become depressing - fast. They also provide access to fresh air! And aesthetically, they’re an important aspect of your home.So when you’re in the building or renovating process, you want to make sure that you’re having informed conversations with your contractors. Because while windows serve a purpose, they’re also one of the most vul...2024-05-2945 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E10. How To Tell If You Have Mold In Your Home with Indoor Environmental Professional, Megan CarsonMany 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...2024-05-2252 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E9. Installing New Windows? Here’s What You Need to ConsiderWindows are a uniquely vulnerable spot in your home. Essentially, you’ve got a stable structure with holes in the middle to let in light. So as you can imagine, all sorts of problems can present themselves if your windows aren’t constructed properly. It’s incredibly important that your windows are properly constructed to protect against water damage!Before you can make any big decisions about the windows in your home, you need to know what type of windows you’re working with. So first, I’ll be differentiating the two types of windows you may be working...2024-05-0825 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E8. A Home Inspection Checklist with Holistic Realtor, Tori McGee“The housing market is crazy, can I skip the inspection?” I hear this all the time. And truth be told, I’ve skipped the home inspection before. But I would NOT suggest doing this (you’ll have to tune into the episode to find out why I did).Today, I’m joined by Tori McGee, a holistic realtor based in Atlanta, Georgia. This episode was so fun to record. We dove into the nitty-gritty of buying a healthy home and let me tell you, inspections are key! Tori shared her wisdom on the must-dos, from checking the roof to te...2024-05-0142 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E7. Should You Get an ERMI Test? Navigating Proper Mold Testing with PJ HarlowI’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...2024-04-2454 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E6: Healthy Home Renovation on a BudgetHow 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 toward...2024-04-1720 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E5: How to Build Airtight Right Through Passive Home Building with Casey Grey | The Conscious BuilderWhat 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 lea...2024-04-1041 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E4: How to Find a Building Contractor and Get them on Board with Building a Healthy HomeHow 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 con...2024-04-0319 min
What's The JuiceWhat to Do if You Suspect You Have Mold & How to Cultivate a Healthy Home | Christine CimabueEp 109. Are you committed to your personal health but have a feeling your home is a roadblock? Do you worry about living with mold, high EMFs, or strong LED lights that can throw off circadian rhythm? Christine Cimabue is a licensed general contractor and holistic construction consultant who believes that the condition of our home can play a huge role in our ability to heal, thrive and feel safe. She doesn’t fearmonger or tell you to spend $$$ on remediation – instead she gives simple, actionable tips on how we can start getting to know the quirks of our home, inst...2024-04-011h 00The Holistic Homes PodcastS1E3: How to Avoid Mold in Your Home with Mold Inspector, Anna BranchOne 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...2024-03-2735 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E2: Is Your Home Making You Sick? Here Are 3 Hidden Ways Your Home Could Negatively Affect Your HealthIs 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...2024-03-2710 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastS1E1: What Does It Mean to Build or Renovate a Holistic Home?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...2024-03-2715 minThe Holistic Homes PodcastWelcome to The Holistic Homes Podcast!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! 2024-03-1801 min
Daily Wellness Podcast54 | Tips for Making Your Home Healthier with Christine CimabueIf you are trying to improve your health, you’ll want to consider the condition of your home. The environment we live in can either help or hinder our health.
This episode features Christine Cimabue, who is a licensed contractor helping people create healthy homes. Her business is called Holistic Homes because she helps you take everything into consideration in light of your health. From the flooring you select, to moisture management and even to mitigating EMF’s, Christine gives us some great things to think about.
Here’s a few of the highlights:
Christi...2024-03-1135 min
Wholistic Endo Expert#33 - Creating a Holistic Healthy Home: Tips, Insights, and Solutions with Dr. Lj Johnson and Christine CimabueTakeaways from this episode:
Creating healthy homes and identifying signs of unhealthy ones.
Healthy homes and factors affecting indoor air quality.
New construction home issues and how to avoid them.
Home inspections and red flags to watch for.
Mold remediation, avoiding DIY mistakes, and healthy home practices.
Christine emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues, rather than just treating symptoms.
Dr. Lj Johnson specializes in endometriosis and hormones while utilizing wholistic functional medicine. Johnson's passion stems from her own personal experience of managing multiple chronic illness diagnoses including the 16 years it to...2023-12-3045 min