Ep 260: How Modern Building Materials Trigger Chronic Illnesses | Lauren Riddei

This podcast is made possible by our listeners and viewers. If this show has brought you value, you can support it by becoming a member of The Way Forward, our platform designed to help you find the health and freedom community (people, practitioners, schools, farms, and more) near you. Your membership directly supports the podcast and the work we do.

If you knew how toxic our modern building materials are, mold wouldn’t be your biggest worry.

Lauren Riddei got sick from her own job sites, and a naturopath's question helped point her toward why. She is a triple-certified building biologist and interior designer who rebuilt her practice around the idea that many modern building materials are contributing to poor health.

The conversation gets specific. Acrylic paints she describes as smelling like acetone. Spray foam that can obscure water damage in a wall assembly. Fixed LED cans that are impossible to swap out. A smart meter her own utility company claimed it didn't know how to remove. Carpet that the EPA studied and removed from its own headquarters, before publicly denying it caused harm.

A lot of what she recommends comes back to older craft. The five-weight pulley window built to be repaired. Linseed oil instead of a plastic coating. Mineral paint that binds to the wall rather than sitting on top of it. Kapok, cork, hemp, natural latex. Most of these predate the synthetic versions that replaced them.

Lauren also explains why she thinks of mold as a way-shower rather than a villain, and why building smaller may matter more than building "green."

You'll Learn:

[0:00] Introduction

[7:02] The rain barrel effect and reaching critical mass

[12:11] Discovering building biology after a spiritual awakening

[24:40] Why Europe builds with mass wall systems

[34:35] Interrupting the general contractor's monocultured approach

[43:09] Any redeeming qualities in modern homes

[58:22] Healthy material swaps, from kapok fiber to cork flooring

[1:16:02] Removing the smart meter and choosing circadian lighting

[1:36:08] The German origins and 25 principles of building biology

[1:57:07] We're building too big, and the greed and speed behind it

[2:15:16] Moon wood and harvesting by the lunar cycle

[2:31:06] A closing quote on biophilia and the built environment

Related The Way Forward Episodes:

Cancer, Forest Bathing, and Bio-hacking featuring Dean Hall | Podcast

The Science of Cannabis & Its True Health Benefits with Dani Fontaine | Podcast

The Hidden Ways Your Home Affects Your Health (And Your Spirit) with Danijela Saponjic | Podcast

Resources Mentioned:

Healthy Building Alliance | Website

Prescriptions for a Healthy House by Paula Baker-Laporte and John C Banta | Book

Map of Synthetica | Website

Lumios from Ra Optics | Website

25 Principles of Building Biology | PDF

The Moon Wood | Documentary

Find more from Lauren:

Haus Holistics | Website

Building Biology Institute | Website

Building Biology Interior Design | Masterclass

See how Lauren’s renovating her house on Instagram.

Find more from Alec:

Alec Zeck | Instagram | X

The Way Forward | Instagram

Donate to The Way Forward here.

The Way Forward is Sponsored By:

New Biology Clinic: Redefine Health from the Ground Up

Experience tailored terrain-based health services with consults, livestreams, movement classes, and more. Use code THEWAYFORWARD (case-sensitive) for $50 off activation.

The Way Forward members get the $150 fee waived.

BEAM Minerals: Feel the Difference in Days: Join thousands recharging with plant-based minerals. Click here for 20% off your first bottle of BEAM.

Want more crypto insights and a community to back you up?

Join the Crypto Freedom Academy today. It’s 100% free and designed to help you master the markets. 🔗 Get your free lifetime access here.