Welcome to episode two of The Women’s Health Wellness Edit — a brand new Slightly Spiritual mini series bringing you real, honest conversations with some of the top experts in women’s health, longevity, hormones, brain health, and modern wellness. Because frankly? Too many women are being told their exhaustion, brain fog, anxiety, inflammation, and burnout are “normal” — and we think it’s time for a deeper conversation. In today’s episode, we sit down with Ariana Thacker, founder and CEO of MoldCo, for one of our most requested conversations yet: mold illness, mold exposure, mycotoxins, CIRS, and the hidden ways our environments can impact our health. Ariana shares her personal journey with mold illness and how it ultimately led her to build MoldCo, a healthcare technology platform dedicated to helping patients identify and navigate mold toxicity. Together, we dive into why so many people, especially women and children, are experiencing chronic symptoms while being told their labs look “normal,” and why mold illness is still so misunderstood in modern medicine. We discuss the difference between mold allergy and mold illness, common mold symptoms, symptoms of mold allergies, what mycotoxins actually are, and how mold exposure can impact everything from brain fog and fatigue to anxiety and inflammation. Ariana also explains how everyone in the same household can present completely differently, how does black mold affect you, and whether mold is dangerous for long-term health. Ariana breaks down colonized mold, the genetic component that can make some people more susceptible to mold illness, and why mold is often referred to as “the great mimicker.” This episode also covers: * Symptoms of mold allergies and how they differ from mold toxicity * Mold illness in children * Proper home testing and why air sampling alone often misses the full picture * Signs mold may be hiding in your home * Urinary mycotoxin testing and key biomarkers for mold illness * The Shoemaker Protocol and Dr. Shoemaker’s work * Mold remediation tips and what to look for in a remediator * How to reduce mold exposure while traveling or living in a moldy environment * The truth about “black mold” vs. other toxic molds * Is mold dangerous? Understanding risk factors and susceptibility Whether you’re actively navigating mold illness, questioning unexplained symptoms, researching mold exposure, or simply wanting to better protect your family’s health, this episode is packed with practical information, validation, and actionable advice. As always, this episode is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual health concerns. Keep in touch with Ariana: Website: https://www.moldco.com/ Testing: https://www.moldco.com/products YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themoldcompany Free Questionnaire: https://access.moldco.com/signs MoldCo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moldco/ Ariana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianadthacker/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoldcompany/ Ariana's X: https://x.com/m0ldilocks MoldCo's X: https://x.com/themoldcompany A gift from Ariana: use code MOLDTEST10 for 10% off MoldCo's home dust test If this episode spoke to you, subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform or share it with a friend! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slig…od/id1542525641 Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/slightlyspiritualpod/ Follow Cindy on Instagram: www.instagram.com/revealingsoul/ Follow Ali on Instagram: www.instagram.com/alitmoresco/
