Non Toxic Environments Home Health & Wellness

The pandemic has made raw material supply very very challenging this year. So many of the new product offereings that we would normally launch in the beginning of the year have been pushed back. Today, Im focusing attention on a few new offerings at The Green Design Center and how these can make your home healthier. Thanks for listening!

Ive started recording a show like this several times in the last few months, but could never muster up the courage to publish. But this week I just couldn't take it anymore. I pride myself on the decades of experience in the healthy building field and the things I've learned over those years. Even going on more than a 30 year career, Im still learning every day. But, my inbox has been flooded lately by clients asking why so many Instagram influencers are giving healthy home advice, without having any actual training or experience to back up their opinions. I couldn't help myself...I had to run to the microphone and all you know what I think of this. Enjoy ;) Latest podcast shows to catch Andy on: Low Tox Life - Building a Healthy Home with Andrew Pace Part 2: 9/4: Lara Adler Live IG TV Chat on 8/19 @environmentaltoxinsnerd Let's Talk Home Repair with Amy and Alicia 8/18: uHoo How to Create a Toxic Free Home 8/9: Crushing it With Kitchen Remodeling with Mike Goldstein – LIVE! 11 am CT/12 ET 8/9: HEALTHY INDOORS LIVE HEALTHY VS GREEN WITH ANDY PACE 8/4:

It has been quite a white since Jay and I had a chance to answer some listener questions, so we finally got together and hit the record button. THANK YOU to everyone who submits these questions. Most are answered "off the air" via email, but we do like to focus on a few right here so everyone has a chance to learn. Enjoy the show.

Its been a long time a comin' but Jay and I are finally back at it this weekend with a great interview we did with the legendary Paula Baker-Laporte. Her hit book, Prescriptions for a Healthy House is now in its 4th edition, so we talked about the new edition, along with her general philosophies of building and design. Find her book online at EcoNest Architecture

It's amazing for me to think about when I started GDC way back in 1992 and what we would have accomplished by now. Im so lucky to have such wonderful customers, listeners and friends and family who have supported me and my dream all these years. For today's show, I spend spme time reflecting on these past 30 years and why I'm so excited about the next 30.

We've spent countless hours on this show talking about building and remodeling, but now that you have a healthier home (hopefully), how do you keep it that way? Today, Jay and I discuss some tips and tricks to keep your home healthy by eliminating mold sources, maintaining equipment and reducing exposures to EMF's and other ideas.

Jay and I take calls all the time from nervous homeowners as well as interested commercial clients who are desperately trying to fix a problem on a jobsite or a similar situation. When this crisis occurs, we end up being part detective and part counselor. Find the problem, fix it, then calm the situation so the project can move forward. Here are a few of our stories...

Jay and I did a wonderful 2 part show a couple years ago on the true costs of healthy building. Now that we've been in and pretty much out of a global pandemic, how has the landscape changed? We dive into that today, and while some of the news is a litle scary, there are also many reasons to be optimistic about the future of healthy building. Feel free to go back to our October 2019 shows for additinal information. Cost of Building a Healthy home Pt1 Cost of Building a Healthy home Pt2

Jay took the keys to the NTE recording studio this week to interview Dr Neil Nathan, a Board-Certified Family Physician, and also a Founding Diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine (now called the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine). Dr Nathan's practice specialzes in Mold Toxicity, Lyme Disease, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities & Other Environmental Illness. What he coined as " Complex Medical Problem Solving" has turned into several continuing education courses for his colleagues, as well as a half dozen books on these subjects. About Dr Neil Nathan

Mike Bender is an author, screenwriter, website founder, husband and father. He also happens to be very sensitve, as he puts it. Got bitten by a deer tick as a young boy, which blossomed into MCAS, chemical and EMR sensitivities and a limbic system disorder. With love and support from his family and a team of dedicated building professionals, Mike is now living in what he calls a "quiet" home that is allowing him to heal and get back to his love of writing. Ironically, his recent article about his journey in Men's Health magazine is making a lot of noise, but in a very good way. Make sure to check it out. Men's Health March 2022

Every year around this time, paint companies and interior design firms start to promote what they call their yearly color and design trends. I've done these myself over the years, but this particular year is special. Call me optimistic, but I truly believe we are able to start looking at life post pamdemic. So in this episode, I'll give you my top home design trends that really reflect what we've learned the past two years. I even talk a little about my own healthy home project in the works.

That right folks, season 5 is starting off this week. Time really flies when you enjoy what you do. Jay and I are discussing indoor air quality testing, cabinet finishing and a little bit of this and that. Welcome back!

This holiday season, we are still struggling with the pandemic, shipping issues all over the world and now horrific damage and the loss of lives from the storms across America's heartland. But for most of us, we'll never have to worry about where we are sleeping tonight. However, there are many Americans who have no home, no shelter. This is a truly heart-warming episode you need to share with others. We are so happy that Jay was able to land this interview and have Peter share his vision with us all. Peter Samuelson from Everyone Deserves A Roof

Every once in a while, we'll be on a project where we need to come up with a creative fix. Using a product in a new way...one which the manufacturer never really intended it to be used. We call these 'off-label uses'. There are many we developed over the years and Jay and I had a chance to discuss a few of them today.

Sure, we've got plenty to complain about. Material shortages, price increases, yada yada. But as we say every year, we just have so much more to be thankful for. Jay and I are back in the saddle today to discus that, as well as why 2022 is shaping up to be the best, healthiest year yet!!

We preach all about healthy building and making the bedrooms the healthiest rooms in the home. So its time to talk about mattresses. Tim Masters, owner of My Green Mattress in Illinois, has been in the mattress making business his entire life. While they have always used high quality materials, the switch to organic and chemical free was the result of a personal family crises. I met with Tim at his manufacturing facility recently to discuss his story and how now it benefits all of his customers.

Building a home is a massive challenge for most. Now, adding to this that you want to build it healthy and the challenge just increased by double. But is it really that difficult? It certainly doesn't have to be. On today's show, Andy speaks with one of his past consulting clients to get her take on how the healthy building process went and whether or not she believes that it was worth the commitment.

While I normally leave the nutrition-related podcasting to my friends Robyn Openshaw, Ashley James and Katie Wells, this was one episode that Jay and I HAD to do. Tim James has an eye-opening story to tell and beyond that, an incredible gift to share with everyone. The gift of personal health. Tim does private and group session health coaching, and has created his own line of personal supplements and detox products that lend themselves perfectly to those of us trying to get rid of the toxins we are exposed to every day. Plus, he's like Mr Energy. Just listen!! Tim's Website ChemicalFreeBody.com Use code 'NTE' for 5% off Tim's podcast, Health Hero

Oh boy do I love this time of year. You can feel the cooler weather starting to make its way in. Leaves are beginning to change. What stays consistent, however, is the amount of calls and emails we get asking us questions about healthy home projects. Today, we're tackling some of those questions and I'm pretty sure at least one of two of them will be regarding subjects on your mind as well. Thanks for listening!

Even though I'm a trusted healthy home consultant and materials expert, I could never say that I know it all. When I'm stumped on a project, Caroline is one of my go-to experts. We've had the pleasure of working together on projects over the years and it's about time we had the chance to put one of our conversations on record and share it with the world. Today we'll hear about her successful testing and mitigation business, along with some exciting new air purification equipment she is pioneering. Enjoy the show! My Healthy Home website IVP - Integrated Viral Protection

A few years back when we started the podcast, Jay and I both did an intro episode to give you all a little background. In these last years, we've gained thousands of new listeners and I get several emails a week asking about how I ended up in this business. So, this may be a refresher course to some, but it should be enlightening to all. The history of healthy home building with Andrew Pace.

One of the most frequent calls we get. My walls, my carpet, my cabinetry is off gassing...what do I do??? Today, Jay and I tackle that question and discuss what off gassing really is and how to deal with it. Plus, I take a little time to talk about why I LOVE doing what I do and helping people with their healthy home dreams.

Seems a whole lot different than a year ago, thats for sure! As the word starts to open up again, Id like to take a few minutes to let you know what's happening with material availability and pricing. Also an exciting new offering in the world of spray foam insulation.

Many years ago, our local builders association constructed a model "green" home that achieved LEED Platinum status. I walked in to inspect it and had to walk out minutes later due to the offgassing coming primarily from the closet shelving systems. Since then, I've been on a quest to find the perfect system. Well, here it is!! Today I talk with Rob Norden, CEO of Lundia USA, who has developed the healthiest system I've ever seen. To receive free shipping and a 5% rebate on your purchase http://www.lundiausa.com/andy.htm

Stick frame, ICF, rammed earth, net zero..... what does it all amount to when you are building a new home or doing a major remodel.... one that has to be healthy, sustainable and light on the earth? In today's episode of NTE, Jay Watts interviews architect Michael Frerking of Living Systems Architecture. Michael has perfected the construction technique know as poured earth. If you aren't familiar with earthen construction and its many benefits, this episode will literally "ground" you in the basics. Take it away Jay https://formfreebuilding.com/ and https://livingsystemsarchitecture.com/about-us/

Woo boy it has been a while since Jay and I have been behind the NTE microphones. So glad to be back! Today we discuss some project updates, material pricing and take a few listener questions. Thanks for joining us!!

Im a huge fan of ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) construction... have been for years. It can be the single best way to avoid mold in a new home project, but I've steered away from it because of the cost. With the rising prices of traditional lumber, is now a good time to rethink ICF for our new projects? I'll talk about that, along with some early spring project tips and tricks.

Its been few weeks since Jay and I sat down together to talk about what's rambling through our minds. Sure, the high cost of building and material shortages are putting a stranglehold on parts of our industry right now, but there are silver linings and great deals to be had. We'll talk about this and several more timely topics on today's show.

Jay steps up to the plate this week to knock out a great interview with another sustainability expert and thought leader, Ian Johnson. Ian talks about the broad picture of sustainable building, but also shares his extensive knowledge and experience with healthy materials research. Signature Sustainability Reducing Emissions of VOC's... Thrive Collaborative Linnean Solutions

One of the hottest topics in our email and phone messages these days is the idea of refinishing furniture. Let's face it, the cost of buying new seems overwhelming, so why not just freshen up what we already have? I wish I could say its an easy task, but in order to do it right and make it look good, it requires a lot of patience, skill, the correct tools and high quality products. Do you even know if your table will take a new finish? Are you sure you still want to try? Then, here's your episode!

Oh boy, this is a hot, hot topic right now. People are stuck inside their homes because of weather and the pandemic, so how do you know if the product you're using to refinish those cabinets is safe or not? Ah yes, check the safety data sheets, right?? Not so fast people...this really wont help you at all. Uh oh. Now what? Let Andy and Jay fill you in.

Today we take some time to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of ozone generation for air purification and why you shouldn't be afraid of it. We also take a few questions from our listeners to help then with their home projects.

Well, its finally cold here in Wisconsin, so there's no better time to stay inside and work on small home projects. Today, Jay and I answer a number of listener questions to help with those projects. I also get to announce a bit of exciting news!

The holidays are over and the new year is upon us. Jay and I have come up with a list of New Year's resolutions for us and the entire NTE community. This is the year for growing the bonds between us all and sharing our successes. Folks, 2021 is going to be the best year yet for NTE. We are so glad you can join us!!

2020 was a challenge, of course. But here at NTE we were still able to produce over 30 quality episodes of the show. So with that, Jay and I decided to produce a 'Best of 2020' for you all to enjoy. It is OUR distinct honor to be able to enter your home, car or headphones throughout the year, and we thank you so so much for listening. Bring on 2021 !! Strengthening our Homes Immune System Making Lemonade out of Lemons Whole House Air Purification Methods Using Zeolites for Natural Odor Reduction Confessions of a Healthy Home Builder Beautiful Healthy Design Convincing the Skeptics Natural vs Un-Natural

Jay and I take some excellent listener questions this week. Crawlspace moisture issues, tiling questions and a discussion about what to look for when buying an existing home. Keep these questions coming folks! We love the interaction with our listeners and really appreciate the opportunity to provide assistance to you all.

Just can't believe how fast Thanksgiving is upon us this year, but with how strange 2020 has been for all of us, I guess I can't be surprised. Jay and I do this episode every year...talking about what we are thankful for. Of course, our families, employees, friends and neighbors who have been so supportive this year. But from a Non Toxic Environments perspective, this really has been a wonderful year.

If I'm building a home, should I be choosing natural building materials or man-made, synthetic ones? The answer is really not as easy as you think. Remember this...just because something is natural, it doesn't automatically make it safe for you and your family. Just ask anyone who used to work in the asbestos industry. Jay and I have a great one on one discussion about natural ingredients and natural aromas vs synthetic and odor-less ingredients. Thanks for listening!

Great to be back after a week of hiking the Appalachian Trial. So beautiful and relaxing. This week I'm sharing a few listener calls with you so I can answer their questions on air. Hopefully, these will resonate with things you're thinking about as well. New home building costs, sealing wood smells, etc. Thanks for listening!

Jay and I talk about several topics today. Caulking techniques, how-to and how not to "cut-in" a painted wall, and most important, a frank discussion about the state of the retail home improvement industry. I know you want your project done right away, but there are many reasons why that may not happen, and none of these reasons are the fault of your retailer. So, put on some Enya, grab a hot green tea and relax. Things will get back to normal soon.

Jay and I hear the same thing every single week... "why does my contractor (or spouse) fight me on my healthy home choices?" Whether its lack of respect, lack of confidence or just a breakdown in communication, some people will just fight the adoption of materials that are new to them. This episode is a very frank on honest conversation about this and how to move forward.

Sarah Walker is a world renowned interior designer, furniture expert, stylist, educator and a Lyme survivor. She uses her own severe chemical sensitivities from her disease as a guide in her design practice in Toronto. She joins us today to discuss her new online detox guide as well as a series of educational events she is producing. The first episode is all about creating a healthy bedroom sanctuary. Links below: Dwelling Well-Healthy Bedroom Design Sarah's Detox Guide

In the field of environmental architecture and design, both commercial and residential, Eric Corey Freed is truly a one of a kind. Eric is a visionary design leader in biophilic and regenerative design, and a nationally known expert in deep green buildings. He has authored 11 books with another coming out soon, plus a multitude of articles, presentations and seminars on the subject of sustainability. Jay and I had an opportunity to sit down with Eric and have a casual conversation about what his next ventures are and how it all relates to those of us who are just wanting to live in a healthy home. About Eric Corey Freed

Hey folks, thanks for tuning in today. Many emails coming to us in the last few weeks, asking about current project conundrums, so I thought it was a good time for a mailbag episode. I'll talk about RV insulation, flooring for a concrete garage floor, cabinet finishes and more. Keep those questions coming!!

If you're remodeling your home, there are many different flooring materials you can use and hundreds of manufacturers to choose from. So you start researching your options and it becomes overwhelming. Let's take wood flooring. Do you want it solid, pre-finished, floating, engineered...folks, the options are many and most home owners aren't aware why you would use one over another. Jay puts on his customer cap today to grill Andy about all these options, then they discuss the possibility of just hiring a pro to do the work.

Short episode today. Jay and I have both been so busy with projects that we couldn't connect to record. However, I wanted to make sure I got something out to you to let you know how things are going, not only with us, but in the construction industry in general.

About 25 years ago, I was introduced to a natural mineral product called Deodoroc. This was way back when the green industry was still the Wild West and there were thousands of so-called "green" home goods. But this product was special. This is when I learned all about zeolites and the natural abilities they have to help clean and maintain our homes. Today, we interview Trevor Mullins, who's family created Deodoroc many years ago. I first worked with Trevor's father, Gordon, back in '95 and the things he taught me are still relevant today. I know you'll enjoy this conversation. Buy some Deodoroc today! Use the code 'nontoxic' for a 5% discount online

Its been about 6 months since I promised we'd do another episode about healthy home hacks...so here we go! IAQ, staining, wood knots, PVC pipes...lots of quick and easy ideas you can implement right away. For our American listeners, have a happy and healthy Independence Day!!

Air purification is always a hot topic with our clients and even more so these days. Today, we sit down with Steve Mores who is the VP of Sales and Training for Dynamic Air Quality Systems to have an awesome conversation about all the different ways to filter and purify your indoor air. Pleated filters vs polarized media. Why do we want to use carbon? Do UV lights really work? Full disclosure here... GDC sells the Solace Air brand of systems that Steve's company produces for residential application. We're not trying to make this a 60 minute commercial for them, but I can say, their RS4 system has been a literal life saver for many of our clients. https://www.thegreendesigncenter.com/product/solaceair-rs4/

Its been about two months since Jay and I dipped into the mailbag, so lets do it! Today, we talk about sealing laminate/engineered floors, we talk about stain proofing marble, and we have a lengthy discussion about consulting on a new modular home build for a very sensitive client.