Tallow is a centuries-old secret that’s making a comeback, and today we’re pulling back the curtain on what really matters when it comes to what you put on your skin.

In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Sara from Willow Moon Farm, who makes the only tallow I trust on my face. We’re getting real about why tallow is so controversial, what makes it so special, and why sourcing and transparency are everything. If you’ve ever wondered whether tallow is a miracle ingredient or just another fad, this conversation is for you.

We dig into the nitty-gritty of what “tallow” actually means in the skincare world (spoiler: it’s not as straightforward as you think). Sara shares her process for creating truly pure, nutrient-rich tallow—from hand-selecting beef suet at a regenerative farm to her meticulous rendering process. We talk about why most commercial tallow just doesn’t cut it, and how hidden toxins and lack of transparency can make all the difference in your skincare routine.

You’ll also hear about our personal rituals, favorite products, and why handmade, small-batch skincare feels so much more special. If you’re ready to rethink your skincare and get the inside scoop on what’s really in that jar, you’re in the right place!

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:

• The real story behind tallow and why it’s so polarizing
• How to spot high-quality, truly clean tallow (and what to avoid)
• The importance of transparency and sourcing in skincare
• Our favorite ways to use tallow and other nourishing ingredients
• Why supporting regenerative, local farms matters for your skin—and the planet

Is that plant derived ingredient ACTUALLY better for you? A lot of companies certainly want you to think so. So today, we're getting ahead of a conversation that I think will only get bigger in the coming years.

Here's the trend I'm seeing in the beauty industry: companies, brands and manufacturers are taking ingredients that are historically made from byproducts of petrochemicals and using byproducts of bioethanol instead. Then, the brands are advertising "plant-based" ingredients, painting the picture that they are completely safe and non-toxic.

Here's the thing: these ingredients are better for the environment. It's a step in the right direction. However, the final ingredient is exactly the same. So let's break down this case of greenwashing so you can spot it in stores. I currently work in the bioethanol industry, so I'm intimately familiar with how these ingredients are made and I'm dedicated to making this as simple to understand as possible.

Head on over to https://toxinfreeish.com/avoid-list in order to get the full context behind the ingredients we're talking about in this episode!

In today's episode, we're chatting about:

• How my new job is giving me a full behind the scenes look into how these ingredients are made
• The environmental benefits of using bioethanol over petroleum products
• My problem with the marketing tactics that paint these products as non-toxic
• A deep dive into phenoxylethanol

Mentioned in this episode:

Wyld Notes

Get 10% off Wyld Notes Botanical Perfume: https://wyldnotes.com/discount/WENDY10?ref=KathrynOstapuk

If you’re tired of fear-based marketing and just want the real, science-backed truth about what’s actually in your toothpaste, this episode is for you.

We’re cutting through the noise around nano hydroxyapatite, debunking the scariest claims, and getting honest about what works, what doesn’t, and why your dental health is more personal than anyone's hot take. I’m sharing the latest research, my own journey from skeptic to supporter, and real-life stories that don’t make it into the marketing reels.

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

- The truth behind “toxic” nano hydroxyapatite claims and what the science actually says

- How European and Japanese regulators have approached nano hydroxyapatite safety

- Why some people thrive on natural toothpaste—and why others end up with more cavities

- The practical realities of switching your family to non-fluoride options (and what to do if it’s not working)

- How to tune out the judgment and make the best choice for your own mouth (and your kids’)

You’ll also hear why I think Zebra’s toothpaste is great, just not for the reasons their marketing team wants you to believe. Plus, I’ll break down the most common myths about ingredients like glycerin and fluoride, and share my no-shame approach to finding what actually works for you.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or just want to brush your teeth without second-guessing every ingredient, this episode will give you the clarity (and peace of mind) you need.

Read the Shownotes

Shop Non Toxic Toothpaste

Mentioned in this episode:

Toothpillow

Head over to www.toothpillow.com and use code 'WENDY' at checkout for a FREE virtual assessment!

After a 6 week long hiatus, I'm excited to be back with my cousin and long-time health coach - Claire Cook.  I get a lot of questions about healing my thyroid. How do you get off of your thyroid medication?What does that healing look like? Why are you doing it? Why does it matter? This has been such a long process for me, and I didn't do it alone. I did it with a lot of support and I'm still in it.

Here's the truth: women are suffering. Whether it's brain fog, infertility, thyroid issues, or hormonal imbalance, we're all looking for answers. And people like Claire really lead the way in grounding us back into the basics. We'll be touching on nutrition, of course. But it's also about mindset! When we can take the time to truly celebrate every small win, we can integrate the changes more sustainably.

I'll be honest, the past year has been incredibly hard. From divorce to job changes to personal tragedies, I've never been so grateful to have built up healthy habits with Claire. I've been navigating weight fluctuations publicly, and let me tell you - it has been nothing short of traumatic. But I've had the support of people like Claire and my healthy habits to keep my head above water.

I'm constantly hearing from people who say they've tried everything: the fad diets, the workout routines, the mindset hacks, and still, it doesn't feel like it's enough. That's why incremental change is so important. This past year, I had a hard time getting myself to go on walks routinely. But I didn't take that as a failure! Instead, I did a few squats every hour. With a personalized approach, you can make your wellness routine work for you and leave the all or nothing ideas at the door.

In today's episode, we're talking about

• How I healed my hashimotos
• Navigating weight fluctuations without feeling like a failure
• Tracking macro and micro nutrients
• The small-wins mindset that will change your life

Mentioned in this episode:

Toothpillow

Head over to www.toothpillow.com and use code 'WENDY' at checkout for a FREE virtual assessment!

Episode Links:

• 10% off Sauna Space Glow Light & Saunas with code WENDY
• Get your free Top 25 Toxins to Avoid download
• Shop the Toxin Free Shopping Guide

Episode Description:

If you think light therapy is just about getting vitamin D from the sun or avoiding sunburn, this conversation will completely transform how you understand light as a fundamental nutrient your body desperately needs to function properly.

Today I'm talking with Brian Richards, founder and inventor of SaunaSpace, who discovered the power of light therapy over a decade ago when he was struggling with insomnia, acne, and low energy right out of college. What started as a personal health journey led him to uncover Dr. Kellogg's work, where he tested incandescent electric light baths on 50,000 patients and documented healing from almost every chronic illness imaginable.

Brian's approach is revolutionary because he's not just creating another red light device, he's recreating the full spectrum of healing light that our bodies are designed to receive from the sun, but without the harmful UV rays. We're diving deep into why we're literally beings of light, how over 70% of the photons we absorb from the sun are near infrared, and why this specific wavelength is crucial for mitochondrial function, melatonin production, and cellular repair.

From why LED lights are damaging our health to how structured water works in our bodies, Brian breaks down the science behind why light therapy can be life-changing for everything from seasonal depression to eyesight improvement.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

- How over 70% of the energy we absorb from the sun is near infrared light that directly feeds our mitochondria

- The difference between LED red light therapy and full-spectrum incandescent light

- How light exposure in the morning programs your entire day

- The revolutionary sauna technology that heats your body from the inside out using light instead of hot air

- EMF shielding and why it matters for creating the ultimate healing environment free from the constant stress of wireless signals

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Guest Introduction: Brian Richards, Sauna Space

00:51 – Brian’s Story: From Insomnia to Sauna Space

02:00 – The Science of Light Therapy

07:44 – Structured Water & Health

15:16 – Biohacking vs. Bioharmonizing

16:08 – Dangers of Blue Light

21:36 – Seasonal Affective Disorder & Light Solutions

27:00 – Sauna Science & Benefits

36:00 – EMF Shielding & Non-Toxic Living

Mentioned in this episode:

Toothpillow

Head over to www.toothpillow.com and use code 'WENDY' at checkout for a FREE virtual assessment!

Join Toxin Free in 3

Listen to the Private Podcast Series: Truth, Toxins & Taking Control

Most people think microplastics are the biggest threat from our plastic-saturated world, but they're completely missing the danger that's infiltrating our individual cells right now.

Today I'm pulling back the curtain and letting you into my brain to share the 5 rabbit holes I'm currently spiraling down. And trust me, they're not what you'd expect. I'm a creature of curiosity who loves a good deep dive into scientific research that maybe the public isn't looking at yet.

But here's something you should know about me first: I'm not an early adopter. I'm a hardcore skeptic who takes everything with a grain of salt until I've done my own research and my intuition tells me it's correct. This is especially important in the holistic wellness space where people love to talk about topics as if they're the end-all-be-all for everyone.

From nanoplastics that actually infiltrate our individual cells (way scarier than microplastics) to the incredible research on how specific microbes can literally digest these plastics out of our bodies, I'm sharing what's got me excited about the future of detoxification. I'm also diving deep into light therapy, structured water, and preparing for my first Northern Virginia winter with some interesting tools.

In today's episode, we're talking about:

• Nanoplastics vs. microplastics
• The emerging science of microbial detox
• Lux and illumination research
• My thyroid healing journey and why I'm working to get completely off medication
• Structured water skepticism turned curiosity

Resources Mentioned:

• How Plastics are Accumulating Inside Our Brains
• Smarter Tech Podcast
• Sarah Kleiner Wellness
• Mayu Water
• Glow Infrared Therapy Light

Mentioned in this episode:

Wyld Notes

Get 10% off Wyld Notes Botanical Perfume: https://wyldnotes.com/discount/WENDY10?ref=KathrynOstapuk

Join Toxin Free in 3

Listen to the Private Podcast Series: Truth, Toxins & Taking Control

If you're tired of feeling confused in store aisles, stressed about scary headlines, and overwhelmed by conflicting advice about toxins, this episode is your permission slip to finally breathe easy.

Today I'm sharing something special: the finale episode from my private podcast series that stands completely on its own. This isn't about adding more fear or another massive to-do list to your life. Instead, I'm giving you the framework to live from a place of peace, not panic, when it comes to toxins in your everyday life.

I've been exactly where you are. Confused, spending too much money on products that didn't work, and battling anxiety every time a fear-based reel popped up in my feed. But here's what I've learned after 18 years as an environmental law expert and healing from autoimmune issues: you don't need to be afraid when you have the right knowledge and know where to find reputable information.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my signature course, Toxin Free in 3, and sharing exactly what it takes to build sustainable, lifelong habits around clean living. You'll hear about my unique risk-routine-relevance framework that helps you focus on what actually matters instead of getting lost in rabbit holes. I'm also diving deep into why not all toxins are created equal, how to read labels like a pro, and why understanding the science behind ingredients gives you the confidence to make your own informed choices.

This isn't theory. This is real-world application from someone who's walked this path and helped hundreds of students do the same. Whether you're just starting your clean living journey or you're ready to take it to the next level, this episode will give you clarity and peace of mind.

• The risk-routine-relevance framework
• Why ingredient education beats fear-based lists
• The 3 most important categories of swaps
• How to read labels like a pro
• The truth about disinfectants

Free: 4 Part Private Podcast Series: Toxins, Truth & Taking Control

Enrollment for Toxin Free in 3 is OPEN:

Get 10% off Waveblock Devices

I've been a vocal critic of EMF protection products for years because most of them are complete junk, some actually amplify your radiation exposure! But today I'm talking with the one inventor whose products I actually recommend and use myself.

In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Ben Salem, the inventor and owner of WaveBlock. We're diving deep into EMFs, radiation exposure, and why most "protection" devices on the market are not only useless but potentially dangerous.

Ben's story is fascinating. He's a natural inventor who converted his entire home office into a Faraday cage during the pandemic and tested every EMF product he could find online, only to discover that most either didn't work or actually made radiation exposure worse.

What I love about Ben is that he's realistic about technology. He's not telling you to throw your phone away or go live in a cave. He recognizes that these devices aren't going anywhere, so he's creating practical solutions that reduce exposure while still allowing your technology to function. His wave-breaking theory, inspired by watching ocean waves crash on sand, led to a breakthrough that reduces phone radiation by up to 80%.

In this episode, we're chatting about:

• Why most EMF protection products make exposure worse

• The shocking truth about Bluetooth vs. 5G

• Outdated safety standards

• Practical protection strategies