Maya Crowne & Price Latimer: Disrupting the Toxic Paint Industry with Alkemis

What if the walls of your home… were slowly poisoning you? In this mind-blowing episode, Darin sits down with the founders of Alkemis to expose a hidden layer of modern toxicity most people never question: paint . While we obsess over clean food, skincare, and water, we're unknowingly living inside walls coated in petrochemical-derived materials that off-gas harmful compounds for years. From the shocking reality that architectural paint is the largest contributor of microplastics in our oceans to the hidden endocrine disruptors lurking even in "zero VOC" paints, this conversation pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked threats to human and environmental health—and introduces a radically different, nature-based solution. What You'll Learn Why most conventional paints are essentially liquid plastic on your walls The shocking truth: paint is the source of microplastics in oceans How "zero VOC" paint can still contain toxic carcinogens and endocrine disruptors The concept of your home as your "second skin" How petrochemical paints impact fertility, hormones, and long-term health Why toxic exposure is a "death by a thousand cuts" rather than one cause The environmental lifecycle of paint—from extraction to disposal How mineral-based paints can sequester carbon and improve air quality The power of biophilic design and natural materials in your home Practical ways to reduce toxicity—even if you don't own your home Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and episode introduction 00:00:32 – Sponsor: Alkemis and indoor air toxicity 00:00:56 – The shocking truth about off-gassing paint 00:01:24 – Why conventional paint releases toxins for years 00:01:55 – PFAS, VOCs, and hidden chemical exposure in your home 00:02:26 – Cradle-to-Cradle certification and full lifecycle safety 00:03:24 – Introducing Maya Crown and Price Latimer 00:03:52 – The realization: we're living inside "liquid plastic" 00:04:02 – Paint as the largest source of microplastics 00:04:17 – The environmental impact no one talks about 00:05:16 – Origin stories: health, art, and conscious living 00:07:23 – The moment everything changed: questioning paint 00:08:17 – 95% of paint is petrochemical-based plastic 00:09:20 – Environmental toxins and rising health issues 00:10:14 – Ancient paints vs modern synthetic materials 00:11:25 – Reconnecting with nature and forgotten knowledge 00:14:09 – Your home as your "second skin" 00:16:01 – Environmental impact: microplastics from paint 00:16:40 – 1.9 million tons of paint entering oceans annually 00:17:23 – Why paint pollution never breaks down 00:20:35 – Hidden chemicals behind "zero VOC" labels 00:21:05 – Safety Data Sheets and what companies don't show you 00:23:42 – Health effects: hormones, fertility, endocrine disruption 00:26:49 – The reality: no single cause, cumulative exposure 00:28:16 – Why industries resist change 00:33:24 – The responsibility to educate and innovate 00:38:33 – Building a non-toxic alternative from scratch 00:41:38 – Mineral-based paints and breathable materials 00:43:41 – Carbon sequestration and air quality benefits 00:44:44 – Fire resistance and performance advantages 00:47:41 – What you can do right now to reduce exposure 00:48:27 – Why repainting your walls is a powerful first step 00:49:31 – Simple upgrades: air purifiers, natural materials 00:52:07 – Crystals, minerals, and the frequency of materials 00:54:14 – Why natural pigments feel different 00:56:27 – The microplastics realization hits hard 00:57:50 – Cost vs value: investing in long-term health 00:59:18 – Why this solution is more accessible than you think 01:00:21 – Industry awareness and the shift toward change 01:02:14 – Closing: creating a better future through conscious choices Thank You to Our Sponsors Alkemis: Go to and use code DARIN10 for 10% off your order. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Find More from Maya & Price Website: alkemispaint.com Instagram: @alkemispaint Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "We've normalized living inside materials that were never designed to support life. But the moment you become aware, everything changes. Because your home isn't just where you live—it's what you breathe, what you absorb, and what shapes your health every single day. And when you choose materials that work with nature instead of against it, you don't just create a better home… you create a better future."

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Maya Crowne & Price Latimer: Disrupting the Toxic Paint Industry with Alkemis is an episode from The Darin Olien Show by Darin Olien.

This episode is 01:02:55 long.

This episode was published on May 1, 2026.

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