Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this episode, we're diving into one of the most requested topics we've ever covered: mold illness and the surprising ways our homes can impact our health. Joining us is functional medicine practitioner Keri Anania, who helps us unpack the connection between mold exposure, chronic inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, and the symptoms so many people struggle to explain. Along the way, we share pieces of Jena's family's ongoing mold journey, what we've learned, and why finding answers—while overwhelming—can also be incredibly empowering. If you've been dealing with unexplained fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, recurring illness, hormone imbalances, or simply feel like something is "off," this conversation will give you practical tools, hope, and a reminder that healing is possible. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ What mold illness and mycotoxins actually are ✅ The signs and symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) ✅ Why some people are more sensitive to mold than others ✅ How chronic stress and an overwhelmed nervous system can keep the body stuck in survival mode ✅ The connection between mold, gut health, hormones, acne, candida, and chronic inflammation ✅ Why slowing down, prioritizing sleep, and helping your body feel safe are essential parts of healing ✅ The difference between dust testing, urine testing, and when each may (or may not) be necessary ✅ What to know before remediating mold—and why rushing the process can create bigger problems ✅ Why not every positive mold test means you have to leave your home ✅ Practical first steps if you suspect mold could be affecting your family's health 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Healing is rarely about finding one "magic fix"—it's about addressing the whole picture. ✨ Your nervous system needs to feel safe before your body can fully heal. ✨ Small daily habits like quality sleep, time outside, deep breathing, gratitude, and slowing down can have a profound impact on your health. ✨ Knowledge is power. Test, don't guess. ✨ Every mold situation is different, and there is hope—even if the journey feels overwhelming. ✨ Investing in your health today can change the trajectory of your future. Whether mold ends up being part of your story or not, we hope this conversation encourages you to listen to your body, ask questions, and remember that healing is often a journey of small, faithful steps—not overnight transformation. Connect With Keri: Nebraska Functional Medicine Find her on Instagram🙌 Join the Conversation! You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line! Leave us a Voice Message! We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note! Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations. Check them out here
