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Looking for a healthy home? Think the perfect house exists? Think again.
In this episode of Never Been Sicker, Michael Rubino sits down with Atlanta Holistic Realtor, Tori McGee, to uncover the realities of real estate and home health. From hidden mold to failing HVAC systems and toxic renovations, they break down what buyers and sellers must know to protect their families.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why the “perfect” home doesn’t exist (and how to create one)
- Common hidden dangers in homes: crawl spaces, HVAC, water intrusion, VOCs
- Why healthy homes sell for more — and how to prepare your house before listing
- The truth about ERMI & dust tests in real estate transactions
- How to avoid bad remediation and negotiate the right way

00:00 – Intro & welcome to Never Been Sicker
00:22 – Meet Tori McGee: Holistic Realtor & Building Biologist
00:56 – How unhealthy are most homes?
01:30 – Buying vs. selling challenges clients face
02:50 – The myth of the “perfect” home
03:35 – Renovating vs. relocating: helping families decide
04:20 – ERMI & Dust testing in real estate
05:27 – Michael’s Florida home story: surprises in renovation
08:19 – Discovering termites, water intrusion & hidden damage
10:44 – Lessons learned from buying 4 homes
12:38 – Humidity myths: Florida vs. the desert
13:48 – Why remediation intimidates families
14:30 – The “wild west” of mold remediation & scams
14:57 – Why you shouldn’t buy at the top of your budget
16:45 – Even luxury homes have hidden mold problems
17:39 – Educating realtors & buyers about hidden issues
19:11 – HVAC servicing failures & their impact on air quality
21:38 – Why sellers should inspect homes before listing
22:25 – Healthy homes sell for more: value of transparency
25:11 – Why buyers should leave budget room for remediation
25:50 – Families learning the hard way with “perfect homes”
26:43 – Who wants healthy homes? Longevity, illness & wellness buyers
27:48 – Horror stories of poor remediation
29:30 – How Tori builds success with the right vendor team
30:27 – Negotiating credits vs. letting sellers “fix it”
31:21 – Final thoughts + where to find Tori

About Our Guest:
Tori McGee is a holistic realtor in Georgia, certified in building biology. She helps families navigate home buying and selling with a focus on health, safety, and environmental wellness.

🔗 Website: https://www.atlantaholisticrealtor.com
📱 Instagram: @holistichomeexpert

🔵 My Favorite Cleaning Products: https://www.homecleanse.com/shop/
🔵 Remediation FREE Consultation: https://www.homecleanse.com/contact/
🔵 The Dust Test: https://www.thedusttest.com

Learn More:
https://www.themichaelrubino.com/
https://www.homecleanse.com/shop

Let’s Connect...
Website: https://www.themichaelrubino.com/contact/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themichaelrubino/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themichaelrubino
FB: https://www.facebook.com/themichaelrubino/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaelrubino/

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Excess moisture isn’t just uncomfortable—it can make you sick. In this episode of Never Been Sicker, host Michael Rubino welcomes Nikki Krueger, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, to uncover the hidden dangers of high humidity and why proper moisture control is essential for healthy homes.

👉 You’ll learn:
Why modern homes are tighter, yet more vulnerable to moisture problems
How uncontrolled humidity fuels mold, bacteria, and VOC off-gassing
Why air conditioners and portable dehumidifiers aren’t enough
The role of ERVs, crawl space dehumidifiers, and ventilation strategies
Real stories of families impacted by humidity-related health issues
How the Change the Air Foundation is fighting for awareness and reform
If you’ve ever dealt with musty smells, worsening allergies, or mold problems, this episode is packed with insights and solutions.

01:00 – Nikki on how COVID-19 made people notice air quality at home.
07:55 – Why exhaust-only ventilation is a costly mistake.
12:40 – “You can’t energy-conserve your way to dry.”
19:00 – Crawl spaces cause up to 50% of a home’s moisture.
28:10 – Michael’s story of a 40,000 sq. ft. moldy home project.
37:00 – The $80K remediation fail caused by missed leaks.
40:45 – Nikki on the mission of Change the Air Foundation.

🔵 Dehumidifier Bundle: https://www.homecleanse.com/product/aprilaire-e080-professional-dehumidifier-bundle/

🔗 Learn more about Santa Fe Dehumidifiers: https://www.santa-fe-products.com

🔗 Support the Change the Air Foundation: https://changetheairfoundation.org

🔵 My Favorite Cleaning Products: https://www.homecleanse.com/shop/
🔵 Remediation FREE Consultation: https://www.homecleanse.com/contact/
🔵 The Dust Test: https://www.thedusttest.com

Learn More:
https://www.themichaelrubino.com/
https://www.homecleanse.com/shop

Let’s Connect...
Website: https://www.themichaelrubino.com/contact/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themichaelrubino/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themichaelrubino
FB: https://www.facebook.com/themichaelrubino/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaelrubino/

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When rashes, hair loss, vertigo, and crushing fatigue sent Michelle to the ER (more than once), she was told it was “just stress.” The real cause? Hidden mold—from an apartment that had flooded repeatedly and an HVAC system pushing contaminated air. In this raw, practical interview, Michael Rubino unpacks Michelle’s step-by-step journey: missed diagnoses, what finally revealed the problem (pro-level testing with HVAC running), why roommates can be “fine” while you’re not, and how toxigenic molds like Chaetomium can impact the brain.

You’ll learn:
Early signs Michelle missed (and why “sleeping 12 hours” didn’t help)
Why landlord “moisture meter checks” aren’t real investigations
The test that finally exposed the problem: air sampling with HVAC on
Hidden sources (under tubs, inside walls) and why baths can worsen exposure
How genetics (HLA types) and biochemistry shape symptoms
What to ask inspectors & property managers (and when to self-test)
The emotional toll: gaslighting, isolation, and staying resilient

👉 If you suspect a mold issue: Schedule a free call with our Care Team today: https://marketing.homecleanse.com/meetings/home-cleanse/welcome-consultation

Chapters
00:00 Intro & Michelle’s first symptoms (rashes, hair loss, fatigue)
03:29 Thanksgiving sewage flood & sudden crash
05:21 New apartment → rapid decline in ~3 weeks
07:03 Vertigo, vomiting, cognitive dysfunction while driving
11:36 The “aha” moment: a bartender who’d lived it says “black mold”
13:08 ER visits, “it’s anxiety,” and months of dead ends
24:09 Testing that works: HVAC on during air sampling
25:03 Hidden source: Chaetomium under the tub/walls
29:36 Neuro effects of toxigenic molds; susceptibility & mycotoxins
35:12 Turning pain into purpose: Michelle studies to help others
39:55 Why awareness + better building/health policy matters

👉 Connect with Michelle:
Instagram: @michellelizaabeth