Hemp Blocks, Earthen Floors, and the Shift Toward Health-First Construction | Ep. 55

Not all homes are created equal.In this episode, I take you with me on a recent jobsite visit with Hiwassee Healthy Homes in Oklahoma City, where we walked through one of their largest hemp block construction projects to date and talked about what it looks like to build differently from the ground up.We discuss why some builders are moving toward vapor-open wall systems, lime-based materials, mold-resistant assemblies, and natural flooring options like earthen floors, and how these approaches are becoming more practical for everyday homeowners, not just niche custom builds.I also share insights from a second builder I met at the Home & Garden Show working with mineral-based rockwool insulation, another example of the growing shift toward durable, lower-toxicity building strategies.This conversation isn’t about one “right” way to build a house. It’s about learning to ask better questions about the environments we live in every day, and understanding how construction choices affect long-term health, comfort, and resilience.Links:Hiwassee Healthy Homes  Your home should help you heal—not hold you back. If you’re ready to explore how your environment could be impacting your energy, mood, sleep, and overall wellness, you’re in the right place. The Health Starts at Home Podcast is here to help you rethink health from the inside out—starting with where you live.Curious about your symptoms or feeling “off” at home? My free Body Wisdom Journal is still available and now includes prompts to help you track not just food and mood—but also your environment. Because sometimes, it’s not you... it’s your house. → Download Your Free Body Wisdom Journal HereConnect with me on Instagram @hollyjean.healthandhome for real life, red flags, and wellness real estate tips you won’t hear anywhere else.New episodes drop regularly - subscribe, share, and leave a review if this show speaks to you.Because health starts at home—and yes, that includes yours.© 2024 Holly Jean Mullen