Your Indoor Air Podcast

Episode #89: Ask Change the Air - What does a mold inspection report look like?

What does a mold inspection report look like? Jessica McQuade pulls back the curtain on what separates a useful, actionable report from a report that stalls the whole process. Learn which information truly matters, how inspectors and remediators can work together effectively, and why clear communication and accountability are essential for a smooth, effective remediation process.    Have a question about mold, water damage, or indoor air quality? Submit it to Ask Change the Air, our ongoing monthly Q&A series featuring expert insights based on real questions from homeowners and renters. 📩 Submit your question: Ask@ChangeTheAirFoundation.org While we can’t answer every question directly, your submission helps guide future episodes and educational resources. 🔔 Don’t miss new episodes Stay informed and catch each new release by subscribing below: 📧  Newsletter:   https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/] 🎧 Podcast – Your Indoor Air Podcast:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-indoor-air-podcast/id1729207728 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-indoor-air-podcast/id1729207728] 💻  YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@changetheairfoundation3440 [https://www.youtube.com/@changetheairfoundation3440] Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have.

Episode #88: Ask Change the Air - If I am looking for a mold-safe home, what age home am I looking for?

If I am looking for a mold-safe home, what age home am I looking for? Jessica McQuade explains why the answer isn’t so simple, and why a home’s history, past water damage, and overall condition matter far more than its age. Learn how to evaluate your home from multiple angles, build a trusted inspection team, and approach homebuying with realistic expectations and a prevention‑first mindset.  Have a question about mold, water damage, or indoor air quality? Submit it to Ask Change the Air, our ongoing monthly Q&A series featuring expert insights based on real questions from homeowners and renters.  📩Submit your question: Ask@ChangeTheAirFoundation.org While we can’t answer every question directly, your submission helps guide future episodes and educational resources. 🔔 Don’t miss new episodes Stay informed and catch each new release by subscribing below: 📧  Newsletter:   https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/] 🎧 Podcast – Your Indoor Air Podcast:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-indoor-air-podcast/id1729207728 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-indoor-air-podcast/id1729207728] 💻  YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@changetheairfoundation3440 [https://www.youtube.com/@changetheairfoundation3440] Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have.

Episode #87: From Air Tests to ERMI: Understanding Mold Testing For Your Home With Jessica McQuade

Could your mold test be telling you only a fraction of the story or even giving you a false sense of security?  Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) Jessica McQuade of Mold Mentor, LLC and Mold Ease, LLC joins us to pull back the curtain on the most commonly used professional mold testing methods, including non-viable air sampling, tape lift, swab testing, and ERMI/MSQPCR. Jessica shares her six rules of sampling, explains the critical difference between viable and non-viable testing, and reveals why a "no" result never truly means "no." From the limitations of air testing to the creative ways professionals use tools like borescopes to collect samples in hard-to-reach spaces, this conversation will change the way you think about mold testing.  Whether you've already spent money on testing or are just beginning your journey, this episode will equip you with the foundational knowledge to ask better questions, vet your IEP more effectively, and understand that testing is just one tool in a much larger investigative toolbox. Episode Highlights ·      What is the difference between viable and non-viable testing? (4:07) ·      Why is every mold testing scenario different? (7:28) ·      What are Jessica’s six rules of testing? (9:32) ·      How accurate and reliable is professional air testing (spore trap), and what are its limitations when measuring mold in a home? (14:05) ·      How does tape lift surface sampling work for mold, and what are its strengths and limitations in identifying contamination? (26:32) ·      How does swab surface sampling work for mold, and what are its strengths and limitations in identifying contamination? (34:10) ·      What creative way does Jessica use a borescope to find hidden mold? (40:01) ·      How does MSQPCR/ERMI/HERTSMI II sampling work for mold, and what are its strengths and limitations in identifying contamination? (42:37) ·      Why should mold testing be used as just one piece of a larger investigation? (46:59) ·      Should ERMI testing be used as a standalone answer or as one data point alongside symptoms and a full home investigation? (48:59) ·      How do you decide when mold testing is truly necessary and ensure it’s used correctly as part of a full investigation and not relied on in isolation? (51:28) Links mentioned in interview: Start Here: https://changetheairfoundation.org/mold-in-the-home/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/mold-in-the-home/] Mold Matters: Exploring the World of Fungi – Interview With Brantley May: https://changetheairfoundation.org/mold-matters-exploring-the-world-of-fungi/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/mold-matters-exploring-the-world-of-fungi/] Mini Class Series: Testing Options for Your Home: https://changetheairfoundation.org/testing-your-home/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/testing-your-home/] Free Downloads: https://changetheairfoundation.org/free-downloads/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/free-downloads/] Get in touch with our guest: Instagram: @moldmentorllc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moldmentorllc [https://www.facebook.com/moldmentorllc] Jessica McQuade’s Website: https://moldmentorllc.com/ [https://moldmentorllc.com/] and https://moldeasellc.com/detailed-about [https://moldeasellc.com/detailed-about] Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:   https://ChangeTheAirFoundation.org [https://changetheairfoundation.org/] Sign up for our newsletter:  https://ChangeTheAirFoundation.org/sta [https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/]

Episode #86: Why Fundamentals Come First: A Practical Approach to Mold Toxicity with Dr. Joseph Mather

What if the key to recovering from mold illness isn't rushing straight to binders and antifungals, but instead starting with sleep, diet, and basic health fundamentals?  Dr. Joe Mather shares his evolved approach to treating mold-related illness, explaining why he moved away from the complex Shoemaker protocol toward a more practical, patient-centered method. He reveals his diagnostic framework and emphasizes that successful treatment follows a specific order: fundamentals first, then gut, and finally mold-specific treatments. His frank discussion addresses common treatment controversies such as the importance of reducing (but not eliminating) environmental exposure, and why chasing zero mycotoxins isn't necessary.  Dr. Mather offers hope and practical guidance for anyone navigating the overwhelming world of mold illness treatment, emphasizing that recovery is possible with the right approach and practitioner partnership.  Episode Highlights: * What is Dr. Mather’s treatment philosophy for mold-related illness and how has it evolved over the years? (3:35) * What are the main differences between Dr. Mather’s approach the approach of other doctors, and what can urine testing tell you? (10:07) * What four criteria does Dr. Mather require for diagnosing mold toxicity? (12:43) * Is the goal a zero on a urine mycotoxin test? (19:44) * What percentage of the mycotoxins in our bodies come from food versus the air? (22:30) * In what order does Dr. Mather treat patients, and what happens if patients skip steps? (25:43) * What role do probiotics play in mold recovery and which types does Dr. Mather recommend? (29:18) * Does Dr. Mather believe patients need to achieve zero mold exposure or zero mycotoxins to heal? (32:49) * What are some stories of Dr. Mather’s patients healing from mold exposure? (35:18) * What are Dr. Mather’s thoughts on finding the right doctor and finding the root cause? (42:32) Links mentioned in interview: Moss Nutrition: https://www.mossnutrition.com [https://www.mossnutrition.com/] Real Time Labs: https://realtimelab.com [https://realtimelab.com/] AJ’s Story: From Seizures to a Second Chance: https://changetheairfoundation.org/?s=callegan [https://changetheairfoundation.org/?s=callegan] Seized by Mold: An HVAC Tech’s Recovery From Mold-Induced Seizures - Interview with AJ & Becky Callegan: https://changetheairfoundation.org/seized-by-mold-an-hvac-techs-recovery-from-mold-induced-seizures/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/seized-by-mold-an-hvac-techs-recovery-from-mold-induced-seizures/] Get in touch with our guest: Dr. Joe Mather's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@doctormather [https://www.youtube.com/@doctormather] Dr. Joe Mather's website: https://www.doctormather.com [https://www.doctormather.com/] Learn more about Change the Air Foundation:  https://ChangeTheAirFoundation.org [https://changetheairfoundation.org/] Sign up for our newsletter: https://ChangeTheAirFoundation.org/stay-informed/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/] Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have.

Episode #85: EMFs, Mold, & Your Health With Cathy Cooke

Could the invisible energy fields in your home be disrupting your sleep, triggering anxiety, or causing other unexplained health symptoms?  Certified electromagnetic radiation specialist Cathy Cooke breaks down what electromagnetic fields (EMFs) really are, where you're being exposed in everyday life, and how they may be affecting your health. From baby monitors with shockingly high fields to the surprising connection between mold illness and EMF sensitivity, Cathy reveals which devices are the biggest offenders and shares practical, budget-friendly steps you can take today to reduce exposure without overwhelm. You'll discover why your bedroom should be your top priority, learn simple habits like unplugging your Wi-Fi at night, and find out why that Food Saver on your kitchen counter could be flooding your home with dirty electricity.  Whether you're already experiencing symptoms or simply want to create a healthier home environment, this conversation will empower you to make informed decisions about the electrical environment you and your family are exposed to daily. Episode Highlights * What are EMFs and what is EMF sensitivity? (2:26) * How did Cathy discover that EMFs were causing her health symptoms? (9:32) * In which settings are EMFs posing problems for people? (13:47) * What items cause high levels of EMFs in a home? (18:49)        * How high are EMF levels from alarm clocks and how effective are EMF cases for cell phones? (22:19) * What is the best distance to keep away from devices with EMFs? (25:16) * What are EMF levels like in kitchens? (26:44) * Can people test EMFs themselves, or is a professional required? (30:32) * What can people do about smart meters? (32:24) * What is the connection between mold and EMFs? (35:44) * What are ways you can reduce your exposure to EMFs at home? (39:54) Links mentioned in interview: Cece Doucette’s Website, Understanding EMFs: https://sites.google.com/site/understandingemfs/introduction?authuser=0 [https://sites.google.com/site/understandingemfs/introduction?authuser=0] Get in touch with our guest: Website: https://wholehomeandbodyhealth.com [https://wholehomeandbodyhealth.com/] Instagram: @wholehomeandbodyhealth Learn more about Change the Air Foundation: https://ChangeTheAirFoundation.org [https://changetheairfoundation.org/] Sign up for our newsletter:  https://ChangeTheAirFoundation.org/stay-informed/ [https://changetheairfoundation.org/stay-informed/] Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, healthcare or other professional services, such as giving healthcare advice. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care.  Users should not disregard or delay in seeking medical attention for any medical condition or concern they may have.