Dr. Ben Weitz introduces the Rational Wellness Podcast and interviews mold remediation and indoor air quality expert Michael Rubino of Home Cleanse and the Change the Air Foundation about mold, indoor air quality, and creating a healthy home. Rubino describes entering the field after Hurricane Sandy, observing people remaining ill despite cosmetic restorations driven by insurance limits and cost-cutting, and notes an EPA statistic that people spend about 90% of their time indoors. They discuss widespread water damage in homes, mold and bacteria as linked problems, and how new construction can develop mold from poor material handling and inadequate moisture control. Rubino addresses wildfire-related indoor contamination (heavy metals, VOCs, ash), recommends dust and VOC testing, critiques fogging and bleach-based approaches, emphasizes HVAC maintenance and filtration, and outlines the foundation’s education, research, and policy goals.
Time Notes:
- 00:59 Meet Michael Rubino
- 01:50 Why Indoor Air Matters
- 03:26 Hurricane Sandy Wakeup
- 05:40 Insurance Drives Remediation
- 06:45 Mold Coverage Caps
- 08:57 Denied Claim Story
- 11:13 How Common Is Water Damage
- 12:14 Mold In New Builds
- 17:49 Dried In Explained
- 19:09 Fire Smoke Toxins Indoors
- 22:35 Testing After Fires
- 27:15 Drywall And Safer Walls
- 29:14 Mold Inspection Dust Test
- 30:10 ERMI Confusion Solved
- 32:48 Ordering And Next Steps
- 32:57 Mold Plus Bacteria
- 34:02 Mold vs Bacteria Basics
- 34:54 Next Wave Testing
- 35:41 Bleach Fogging Myths
- 37:00 Porous vs Nonporous Cleanup
- 40:42 What to Toss or Keep
- 42:26 Tape Testing Belongings
- 45:12 Laundry and Air Purifiers
- 46:37 Filters MERV and Ozone
- 50:30 Ventilation Fires Humidity
- 53:02 Change the Air Mission
- 57:01 HVAC Lungs of Home
- 01:01:20 Clinician Takeaways Wrap
- 01:03:21 Where to Find More
Give a listen below!
About Dr. Ben Weitz:
Dr. Ben Weitz, DC, CCSP, CSCS is a Santa Monica–based chiropractor frequently rated as "best chiropractor" and functional medicine/nutrition specialist with over 37 years of experience helping patients reduce pain, improve mobility, and improve overall health through non-invasive, evidence-based care. He specializes in identifying and addressing the root causes of conditions such as back and neck pain, arthritis, poor posture, and metabolic dysfunction—using a combination of chiropractic care, corrective exercise, and therapeutic lifestyle changes. He also offers Functional Medicine consultations, detailed lab testing, interpretation, and recommendations and coaching to reach your health goals. Dr. Weitz is the author of "The Back Relief Book" and host of the Rational Wellness Podcast, where he shares practical, science-based strategies for long-term health, performance, and disease prevention.
About Michael Rubino
Michael Rubino is the authority on mold remediation and indoor air quality. As Founder and Chairman of HomeCleanse, Rubino specializes in working with people who are immunocompromised or have acute and sustained reactions to mold exposure. Rubino provides solutions that not only get rid of mold sources but also get rid of the contamination created by those mold sources using his proprietary Mold Method. He is a council-certified Mold Remediator by IICRC and ACAC and a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association.
