What if the source of your brain fog, fatigue, headaches, or simply not feeling your best isn't just what's happening inside your body—but what's happening inside your home?

This week on What She's Having, Jennifer and Britney sit down with mold and indoor air quality expert Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse and author of the upcoming The Mold Method: Why Some Homes Make People Sick and How to Fix Them, for an eye-opening conversation about what may be hiding in the air we breathe every day.

Michael explains why a beautiful, spotless home can still have environmental issues hiding behind the walls, inside the HVAC system, or beneath materials affected by past water damage. He walks Jennifer and Britney through the places he looks first when evaluating a home, why fixing a leak doesn't necessarily mean you've fixed the underlying problem, and why dust may tell you more about your home's environment than a traditional air test.

They also get into VOCs from paint and flooring, choosing the right air filtration, humidity, new construction, insurance coverage, and what homeowners should know after fires and other environmental disasters.

For women in midlife, the conversation is particularly thought-provoking. Jennifer and Britney discuss how easy it can be to attribute brain fog, fatigue and body aches to aging or menopause without considering whether the environment you're spending most of your time in could also be contributing.

Michael also shares what people rebuilding or returning home after the Malibu and Palisades fires should consider testing for—including ash, soot, VOCs and heavy metals—and why advocating for the health of your home matters.

Because we spend so much time thinking about what we eat, the supplements we take and what we put on our skin. Maybe it's time we start paying just as much attention to what we're breathing.

In This Episode

• The hidden places mold can grow in your home
• Why Michael calls the HVAC system the "lungs of the home"
• Water damage and why fixing the leak may not fix the problem
• Mold exposure and symptoms people may overlook
• Why midlife symptoms can make environmental issues harder to recognize
• The difference between traditional air testing and dust testing
• VOCs from paint, flooring, adhesives and construction materials
• What to look for when buying an air purifier
• Humidity, dehumidifiers and preventing mold growth
• What homeowners should know about mold coverage and insurance
• Testing your home before buying it
• Environmental concerns following the Malibu and Palisades fires
• What to consider if you live near a golf course
• Why Michael believes the air we breathe deserves more attention in the wellness conversation

Special Offer:

The Dust Test — 20% Off

Want to know what may be hiding in the dust inside your home? Michael recommends The Dust Test, an at-home screening tool designed to help identify mold in your environment.

Visit HomeCleanse.com and use code WSH20 for 20% off The Dust Test.

Michael's Upcoming Book

The Mold Method: Why Some Homes Make People Sick and How to Fix Them

In his upcoming book, Michael explores the connection between our homes and our health and provides guidance for identifying and addressing mold and environmental issues within the home

Give a listen below!