In this emotional episode of Never Been Sicker, Michael Rubino sits down with Dave and Sandy, a couple whose lives were completely upended by mold exposure and the systemic failures that followed. What began as hope for healing three years ago has spiraled into continued housing instability, financial devastation, worsening health, and deep emotional loss.
Dave and Sandy share their harrowing journey—three failed mold remediations, being gaslit by professionals, forced to sell their home for a loss, and experiencing homelessness not once, but twice. Their children have suffered lasting health issues, and the family has struggled to recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
Together, they expose the deep cracks in the system: mold remediation gone wrong, a lack of regulation and oversight, rental properties with persistent mold issues, doctors who dismiss mold illness, and insurance policies that deny support. They also speak candidly about the stigma, shame, and isolation that come with mold illness—and the desperate need for change.
Through their vulnerability, Dave and Sandy offer not only a powerful warning but a call to action: better education, industry accountability, legislation, and community support for those affected by mold-related illness.
👉 GoFundMe link to support Dave and Sandy: Click Here
Key Highlights:
- Forced to sell their mold-infested home at a major loss
- Multiple failed remediations worsened their health and finances
- Ongoing symptoms in their children from long-term exposure
- Struggled with unemployment, homelessness, and stigma
- Urgent call for reform in remediation, healthcare, and housing
Highlights:
00:00 – Intro + Catching up after 3 years
01:00 – Initial hope after moving into a mold-free rental
03:30 – Legal battle and first signs of long-term effects
05:50 – Selling their home & emotional/financial fallout
08:40 – Ongoing rental struggles & recurring mold exposure
11:55 – Lessons learned + standing firm in their truth
14:10 – Do they regret leaving the home? Reflections
16:25 – Lasting impact on their children’s health
18:50 – Lack of awareness in community and government
22:15 – Contractor failures & lack of regulation
24:50 – Link between mold, inflammation & chronic illness
27:30 – Economic cost vs. public mold support programs
30:45 – Mold in military housing & schools
34:40 – Why the U.S. is uniquely vulnerable to mold
36:05 – Mold stigma, gaslighting, and growing sensitivity
39:45 – The need for education, policy change, and support
44:30 – Impact on career and social life due to mold
50:30 – How the community can help + GoFundMe discussion
54:50 – Living on the edge: lease ending, no safety net
58:45 – Dave’s professional background & job search challenges
1:03:15 – Final reflections + staying hopeful through hardship
1:06:30 – Parenting through mold trauma & lost milestones
1:10:30 – Looking ahead: turning pain into purpose
1:12:30 – Closing remarks + GoFundMe reminder
