Toxin Free (ish) - podcast cover

Toxin Free (ish)

Welcome to the Toxin Free(ish) podcast, hosted by Wendy, an environmental toxins lawyer turned speaker, advocate and clean living coach. Consider this your go-to podcast for bite-sized, binge-worthy episodes where toxin free living meets real life.  Wendy dives in to ingredient education, clean living tips and practical healthy living advice from holistic health providers & clean beauty founders.  Get ready, because your life is about to get a whole lot less toxic.
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Episodes

50. How Toxic is Your Hair Dye and What Non Toxic Hair Dye Options Actually Work?

I've been dying my hair for years and I know i'm not alone in that. My own transformation from a bright blonde devotee to a cautious consumer was a long time coming. For years, I've generally known that hair dye wasn't great for me. But getting specific with the research has finally motivated me to throw in the towel. In this episode, we'll talk about common ingredients in permanent hair dyes that could be compromising not just the luster of your locks, but your health as well. From brittle stra...

Jan 09, 202420 minSeason 1Ep. 50

49. 3 Healthy Habits I Adopted in 2023 and the 3 Wellness Goals I’m Embracing in 2024

How did your wellness goals go in 2023? Did you stick to them, or maybe like me, you've got some work to do in 2024? 2023 was a strong year for creating new wellness habits! Sure, I didn't stick to every single thing but I made some serious strides. So today we're taking some time to reflect on the progress we've made. That celebration will lay strong foundations for 2024! From finally locking down a nighttime routine that has resulted in great sleep to kicking moldly coffee, I've tackled some l...

Jan 02, 202417 minEp. 49

48. A Deep Dive on “Natural Flavors” in the Food Industry with Ashley of BTR Nation

Ever wondered what's really lurking behind the term "natural flavors" on your favorite snack labels? Today we're sitting down with Ashley, the founder of B.T.R Nation who is leading the way for a new food industry that rejects natural flavors. She's a shining example of a leader that puts people over profit. After being the primary caretaker for both of her parents as they battled cancer, Ashley set out on a mission to clean up our snack options. Even in the hospital, she found low quality snack...

Dec 26, 202343 minEp. 48

47. What is a DUTCH Hormone Test and Do You Need One? with Dr. Erin

One of the most important teats that I took when I decided I wanted to heal was Hashimotos was a DUTCH test. What is a DUTCH test and how is it different that the labs your doctor runs? I brought my friend, and first repeat guest onto the podcast this week to answer that exact question! Dr. Erin is a chiropractor and holistic hormone wellness coach and is giving you all the details about the DUTCH test. This isn't your average hormone test, but an extensive tool that provides a comprehensive vie...

Dec 19, 202332 minEp. 47

46. The Link between Fragrance and Infertility (Cracking the Fragrance Code: Part 3)

Can your fragrance really impact your fertility? Even if you've already conceived, this episode is an essential listen to understand the fertility impacts that may be passed down. And it's not just about women – these ingredients affect men's fertility too.. as well as the fertility of your children. Elf Cosmetics, Mrs. Meyers, and Bath & Body Works have a dirty little secret hiding in their scents. From diethyl phthalates to the tongue-twisting Butylphenyl Methylpropional (also known as lil...

Dec 12, 202319 minEp. 46

45. Understanding Fragrance Allergens and Reading Labels (Cracking the Fragrance Code: Part 2)

After exploring the realm of personal fragrances in the previous episode, this week I'm explaining what fragrance allergens are. With new labeling laws, I've been getting quite a few questions about the list of fragrance allergens that are popping up on American product labels. So we're breaking down what fragrance allergens really are, why they matter, and whether you should be concerned. The big picture: America is finally catching up to laws that have been in place in the EU for...almost 25 y...

Dec 05, 202313 minEp. 45

44. Pros and Cons of Safe Synthetics vs. Natural Scents in Perfume (Cracking the Fragrance Code: Part 1)

I know Black Friday has everyone on a shopping spree, and it seems like toxin-free colognes and perfumes are hot on the list. This episode is sponsored by the hundreds on DMs I got asking about synthetic fragrance. Here's the thing - not all synthetics are bad, and not all-natural ingredients are automatically safe. So let's unpack that! Conventional perfumes often hide harmful ingredients, but the lack of transparency makes it hard for consumers to make informed choices. If you're unaware of wh...

Nov 28, 202321 minSeason 1Ep. 44

43. Is There Really Mold in Your Coffee? What You Need to Know About Mycotoxins and My Clean Coffee Picks

What if I told you that your morning cup of joe might be contaminated with mold and mycotoxins? I know, not the best news. But don't fret, I've been on a personal mission to discover coffee brands that prioritize quality and safety, ensuring their beans are tested for mold, pesticide, and mycotoxins. My morning coffee is extremely important to me. So it took me a long time to arrive at a place where I felt like I had the capacity for this change. This is a great example of taking it slow and tak...

Nov 21, 202323 minSeason 1Ep. 43

42. Healthy Home Construction: Mold, Paint, Smart Appliances & More with Christine

Have you ever wondered how your home’s construction and design could affect your health? Meet Christine, a licensed contractor and realtor who’s revolutionizing the way we build and renovate our homes. After a personal experience with mold in her own home, Christine dedicated her life to ensuring homes are both safe and healthy. While i'm all about the addressing the toxins we bring into our home, Christine is really hitting the other side of that coin. What about the toxins built in to our home...

Nov 14, 202352 minSeason 1Ep. 42

41. Your First 3 Steps to Creating a Toxin Free Home You Love and Why They Matter

Taking control of your health should not be a competitive endeavor. We're not out here trying to win a game. I don't believe in extremes or making anyone feel bad about their choices. Instead, let's embrace a toxin-free-ish approach, where every small step makes a significant difference. My motto is we don't do fear. We do facts and we do fun. The internet is packed full of tips and tricks to detox your life. But if you try to do it all at once, you're going to spend a TON of money and stress yo...

Nov 07, 202325 minSeason 1Ep. 41

40. Not So Clean? An In - Depth Look at Ethoxylated Ingredients (Used by Dropps, 9 Elements, 7th Generation)

Get ready for a hot take episode! Today we're diving into ethoxylated ingredients. A lot of ethoxylated ingredients are really hard to spot on labels. Unfortunately, they're not always gonna say "ethoxylated ingredient," so it's important that we know what to look for. This episode is actually going to give you a really good idea of what I teach in my Toxin Free in 3 course. There is an entire module that teaches about ingredients and ingredient safety. We don't stop at why you should avoid cert...

Oct 31, 202314 minSeason 1Ep. 40

39. What to Know About the 4 Food Additives Banned By California

Were skittles really banned in the state of California? Actually, no. But when a listener asked this question, I thought it opened a really interesting can of worms about food safety. A bill was recently passed in regards to food safety. The thing is, titanium dioxide, the culprit ingredient in Skittles was pretty much immediately struck from the bill. I think this bit of misinformation is a really good example of why we need to be discerning on the internet. We’ve got big name accounts pushing ...

Oct 24, 202320 minSeason 1Ep. 39

38. Exploring Gut Health, Raw Milk, Seed Oils & Regenerative Agriculture with Jane Z. from Farm to Future

Today's guest is Jane Z., the host of the Farm to Future podcast. She’s taking her academic background in sustainability, mixed with her absolute love of food to create conversations that deepen our understanding of the farm to table process. Now, what is regenerative agriculture anyway? Regenerative agriculture and organic farming aren't the same thing. Organic farming primarily focuses on avoiding synthetic chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers. In contrast, regenerative agriculture aims t...

Oct 17, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 38

37. EMF and Your Health: 10 Practical Ways to Minimize Your Exposure

One simple question about a baby monitor sent me down a rabbit hole that completely changed my relationship with technology. Finding a low EMF baby monitor seemed like a simple task. But it opened up a whirlwind of discoveries about electromagnetic fields (EMFs), Wi-Fi, and the underbelly of our tech-driven world. This episode brings you the unraveling of my exploration, with the complex science, regulatory politics, and the alarming risks associated with 5G, Wi-Fi, and cell phones. It’s not fun...

Oct 10, 202333 minSeason 1Ep. 37

36. Can Red Light Therapy Actually Heal Your Thyroid?

Red Light Therapy is a promising not so new technology for healing from the inside out. What used to be only available in doctor's offices or speciality clinics can now be used at home. This episode explores whether red light therapy can r eally support thyroid healing. I talk about my personal health journey with hypothyroidism and Hashimotos and my experience using red light therapy as one of my health tools to put my Hashimotos in to remission. In this episode, I cover What Red Light Therapy ...

Oct 03, 202325 minSeason 1Ep. 36

35. Are Obesogens Making You Fat? How Toxins Affect Your Weight

By now, we all know the myriad of health issues introduced by toxins. But one of the most motivating issue, according to the health workers I know? It’s not cancer, autoimmune disorders, or PCOS. It’s weight. So many health experts have adopted the term “obesogens” as another way to say “endocrine disrupting chemicals,” A.K.A EDCs. As a society, we’re generally more concerned with body image than actual health. But, in my opinion, anything that can motivate you to move towards a toxin free lifes...

Sep 26, 202324 minSeason 1Ep. 35

34. From Nurse to Aromatherapist: The Science of Essential Oils Explained with Holly Brandenberger

My guest today is Holly Brandenberger and if you have ever searched for anything related to essential oils on Instagram, then you likely have come across her aromatherapy account @thescienceofessentials. Holly is the face behind that account, she is a registered nurse and aromatherapist and is at the cutting edge of essential oils research in a hospital setting. In this interview, you’ll hear from her about the actual science of how essential oils work, what the latest research says about essent...

Sep 19, 20231 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 34

33. A Deep Dive into Macro Nutrition with My Coach - Claire Cook

Today, we’re joined by my cousin Claire Cook. She’s a certified life coach, macro nutrition coach, and a PE teacher. Before working with her, I knew close to nothing about macro nutrition. I had healed my hashimotos by embracing clean ingredients and cutting out toxins. But the specifics of what to eat and when ? Definitely not my area of expertise. So six months ago, during a trip to Las Vegas, I made the decision to commit to macro coaching with Claire. Sure, I had to set aside my pride a litt...

Sep 12, 202354 minSeason 1Ep. 33

32. Is Your Dishwasher Detergent Giving you Leaky Gut?

If you exist online at all, you know that "gut health" is a hot topic. Why? Because gut health does not start and end with "my stomach hurts." A lack of biodiversity in the gut microbiome and holes in your gut lining can contribute to a whole host of issues. Amongst them: diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic depression, Alzheimer's, and more. So if one simple swap can help you move in the direction of a healthier gut? That's a no brainer. I'm willing to bet you don't think...

Sep 05, 20238 minSeason 1Ep. 32

31. Does Toxin-Free Nail Polish Even Exist?

Weekly mani-pedis are a beloved routine for so many women. That's probably why nail polish is the most requested addition to my Toxin-Free Shopping Guide. While I pretty much always have clear, untouched nails, my daughter loves a manicure. So you can thank her for her contribution to the shopping guides newest category: Nail Polish. Unfortunately, a completely, 100% toxin-free nail polish does not exist and it probably never will. Why? Because nail polish is paint. And paint requires certain in...

Aug 29, 202322 minSeason 1Ep. 31

30. Phenoxyethanol: Clean Beauty’s Dirty Little Secret

On today's "Ask Me Anything" episode, I’m doing a deep dive on phenoxyethanol. What is phenoxyethanol and why is it on my avoid list? Why are a lot of so called "clean" brands using it? It can be confusing because their is a naturally occurring version of phenoxyethanol found in chicory and green tea. But that natural version is not what is being used in our cosmetics. I'm a big believer in informed consent. And unfortunately, too many companies are trying to pull the wool over our eyes with thi...

Aug 22, 202319 minSeason 1Ep. 30

29. A Holistic Path through Infertility with Dr. Katie Rose

Too many women are going through the trauma of infertility and being met with inattentive care. The road to parenthood can be an extremely difficult one to navigate. So today, I'm welcoming Dr. Katie, a naturopathic physician onto the show for an "ask her anything" episode. I believe every woman deserves to have access to a physician like Dr. Katie. She shares her own personal struggle with chronic illness as the impetus that led her towards holistic medicine. From informed consent when it comes...

Aug 15, 202359 min

28. Going Toxin Free on a Budget

Struggling with health issues and a tight budget as a single mom, I had to find ways to cut costs without compromising on my commitment to a toxin-free lifestyle. What if I told you that going toxin-free can actually save you money? The actual cost of the products on the shelves is just the tip of the iceberg. With a bit of context, I think you’ll find that embracing toxin free swaps leads to a more minimalistic life that ultimately costs way less in the long run. In today’s episode, I’m highlig...

Aug 08, 202317 minSeason 1Ep. 28

27. Toxin-Free in 3 Case Study with Rose

I'm sure many of you can relate to feeling bombarded by the overload of information about clean beauty products. That's where Rose found herself before joining my Toxin Free in 3 course. Now she's a graduate of the 3 course and she's joining us today to share her expereince. I love Rose's attitude of experimentation and the grace she has had with herself on her journey. Rose is a great example of slow implementation. Don't force yourself to immediately adopt every single toxin free pointer. That...

Aug 01, 202331 minSeason 1Ep. 27

26. Detox Your Makeup: My Truly Clean Cosmetics Must Haves

Today's episode has been months in the making! I’ve been experimenting behind the scenes to curate a list of my favorite toxin free makeup. I’m not going to lie to you, switching to a toxin free makeup routine is going to be an adjustment. We’ve gotten so used to waterproof mascara and lipstick that doesn’t budge. But most of the time, the reason our favorite products are able to have staying power is because they’re packed with harmful chemicals. Luckily, there are so many amazing companies out...

Jul 25, 202329 minSeason 1Ep. 26

25. Stop Obsessing: Navigating a Toxin Free Lifestyle with Balance

Let's flip the script on holistic living, friends! Say goodbye to obsessing about every single toxin you are exposed to. This isn't a a fad diet and you shouldn't be depriving yourself. Holistic Living is a lifestyle that nourishes your mind, body, emotions, and soul. Say goodbye to anxiety-inducing toxin-free journeys that leave you feeling not enough. It's time to step back, reassess, and find a way to ditch the toxins.. but with balance. In the latest graduating class of Toxin Free in 3, I've...

Jul 18, 202310 minSeason 1Ep. 25

24. What are PFAS "Forever Chemicals"? Here's What You Need to Know.

Have you heard all of the noise about PFAS being in your mascara, period underwear? even contact lenses? You may have noticed the vaguely ominous phrase “forever chemicals” popping up in the news lately. But what the hell are forever chemicals, exactly? And what do we know about how they can affect our health? This episode is everything you need to know about these "forever chemicals". Today, we’re dealing with wild repercussions because these chemicals migrate very easily. From products to our ...

Jul 11, 202331 minSeason 1Ep. 24

23. Why Did I Get Cancer? with Deborah Enos

Todays guest is on a mission to find answers after being diagnosed with breast cancer even though she considered herself to be extremely healthy. How did this happen? That's exactly what the podcast "How Did I Get Cancer with Deborah Enos" is out to answer. Deborah speaks to experts who she wished she could have heard from before her diagnoses. I've personally binged every single episode of Deborahs podcast and I believe you will want to do the same after todays episode. Follow Deborah on Instag...

Jul 04, 202348 minSeason 1Ep. 23

22. Do All Natural Bug Sprays Really Work?

Bug bites can be a serious issue during the Summer months, especially if you live anywhere near water. It can become more than a minor inconvenience when one small bite grows into a larger problem like Lyme Disease or West Nile. These tiny critters can pack a real punch to our bodies and I want you to be protected! The risk to using a a product that doesn’t work is much higher for bug repellent than deodorant or laundry detergent. The latter might not leave your clothes bleach white, but the for...

Jun 27, 202321 minSeason 1Ep. 22

21. How to Heal a Sunburn Without the Toxic Green Slime

The slimy green stuff they sell at the store with the promise that it will relieve your sunburn…won’t do much for you. Save yourself the money by tuning in to this episode where i’m giving you actual solutions to that unbearable sunburn. You don’t need the unnecessary, toxin ingredients piled into that aftersun solution. On todays Ask Me Anything episode, i’m answering a listener question - what do you use for sunburns? Unfortunately, we probably all know the pain of a sunburn after a relaxing d...

Jun 20, 202315 minSeason 1Ep. 21
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