Ep. 366: Is your deodorant poisoning you? with Jenn Thatcher

Ep. 366: Is your deodorant poisoning you? with Jenn Thatcher

Author: HeHe Stewart July 25, 2025 Duration: 1:19:46
In this eye-opening episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe is joined by Jenn Thatcher, the founder and CEO of Zebra, to discuss the alarming truth about the misleading marketing of 'natural' products. They delve into Jenn's personal journey from battling her children's health issues to creating a truly clean and transparent brand. They break down the harmful ingredients often found in everyday wellness products like deodorant and toothpaste, and why the term 'natural' is frequently misused. Jenn shares insights on how to read personal care product labels, the significance of third-party certifications, and the intricacies of sourcing clean ingredients. This episode is packed with essential information for anyone looking to make informed choices about their personal care products and overall health. 00:00 The Deceptive Marketing of 'Natural' Products 01:05 The Struggle to Find a Clean Deodorant 03:06 The Painful Journey of Testing Deodorants 06:09 Discovering Zebra Deodorant 06:40 Interview with Zebra's CEO, Jenn Thatcher 06:55 Jenn’s Personal Story and Motivation 07:43 The Birth of Zebra: A Transparent Brand 08:42 The Importance of Clean Ingredients 12:49 Jenn's Family Health Scares 24:31 The Challenges of Sourcing Pure Ingredients 32:10 The True Cost of Quality Products 38:40 The Dangers of Antiperspirants 41:18 The Hidden Dangers of Fragrances 43:29 Petroleum-Derived Ingredients in Beauty Products 44:46 Decoding Labels: Identifying Harmful Ingredients 46:27 Trust Issues with Beauty Brands 47:25 Zebra's Commitment to Transparency and Safety 55:05 The Hydroxyapatite Debate 01:02:02 Concerns About Traditional Toothpaste Ingredients 01:08:25 The Problem with Dental Floss 01:14:10 Sourcing and Transparency in Beauty Products 01:16:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Guest Bio: Jenn Thatcher left a successful career as an international artist to found ZEBRA. Jenn believes her children were victims of dirty products and a system that is designed to trick consumers. Her son Jack’s diagnosis of a brain tumor made her even more vigilant at researching every single ingredient in the products her family was using. She realized that products are really not always as natural as they seem. She decided if she wanted something truly safe, and high performance she was going to have to create it herself. This is how ZEBRA was born. Jenn’s faith and love of country is woven into ZEBRA, not only are the ingredients in the products “black and white,” but she lives by the idea of the constitution and the Bible being black and white as well. ZEBRA is a non-toxic, freedom loving brand who answers to no one but the Creator himself. SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on IG  Connect with HeHe on YouTube   Connect with Zebra on IG  BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone! LINKS MENTIONED: www.yayzebra.com code HEHE for 10% off at yayzebra.com  

Hosted by birth and newborn expert HeHe Stewart, The Birth Lounge Podcast creates a thoughtful conversation around the many paths through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. This podcast moves beyond simplistic advice to explore the wide spectrum of normal experiences, offering evidence-based insights alongside real stories from parents. HeHe, who founded Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge, guides these discussions with a blend of professional knowledge and deep empathy, aiming to demystify the process and empower your choices. Each episode serves as a gathering place-a safe space where clinical expertise meets lived experience, covering topics that span education, family dynamics, physical fitness, holistic health, and parenting young children. You’ll find a supportive resource here, one that acknowledges the variables and nuances of bringing a child into the world and navigating the postpartum chapter. Tune in for honest dialogues that honor different perspectives, providing companionship and reliable information for your own journey. The goal is to leave you feeling more prepared, less alone, and confident in your unique path through parenthood, all within the supportive community of this podcast.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 432

The Birth Lounge Podcast
Podcast Episodes
51: Homebirth Midwifery Legislation: Part 1 with Joyce Hunt Kimball [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:09
Today, it's all about birthing at your home! HeHe is chatting with Joyce Hunt-Kimball, a Homebirth Midwife in Massachusetts, about fear-based care in the homebirth world, how safe homebirth really is, what happens when c…
50: Free Talk Friday: Best Apps for New Parents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:34
Every new parent wants to know apps that can make their life easier, simpler, organized or more structured. "There's an app for that" has never been so relevant. HeHe is sharing her 10 most beloved apps when it comes to…
49: Budgeting for a Baby with Nicole LeGuern [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
Today, HeHe is helping you budget for your baby! HeHe is sitting down with Nicole Leguern, a mom of four kids and Financial Planner, to dive deep into our bank accounts! This episode is all about what you should know abo…
48: Free Friday Talk: Packing for Your Birth Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:26
Last week, HeHe shared her tips for packing your birth bag for the hospital or birth center. This week, she shares what SHE brings to births in her ninja-turte-green back pack to each birth. It's not so much about what s…
47:  Eliminating Toxins in Your Home with Bri Pruitt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
Today's episode is all about common household toxins and the impacts they have on your health. HeHe is sitting down with Bri Pruitt who has been living a holistic lifestyle and practicing clean-living for nearly a decade…
46: Free Friday Talk:Packing For Your Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:55
Packing for your birth experience can be a tantalizing task. Some people have no clue where to start while others feel like they can't possibly prepare enough. Some folks want to pack all the things while some wonder why…
45: Tranquilo Mat with Melissa Gersin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:35
Today, HeHe is chatting with Melissa Gersin, Founder and CEO of Tranquil Mat! This magical baby product is a gently vibrating mat that helps newborns and infants fall asleep, stay asleep, and support self soothing skills…
44: Friday Free Talk: Vaginal Stank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:08
Today, HeHe is diving into the skittle flavors of you vagina! Dive into what contributes to your personal vaginal odor as well as what can be done to combat the stank during the hot summer months. She is sharing general…
43: Meal Delivery and Organic Eating with Fuel Up TV [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:53
Today's episode features the founders of Fuel Up TV and Fitness Foods. Erika and Tiffany are sister who started a business together then became mothers together. Then, they began to see drastic change when they started t…
42: Free Friday Talk: Instincts and Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:02
Today, HeHe talks about how her recent travels down south and spending time with parents led her to dig deeper about who she is as a practitioner. She shares about the things that came up for her when she spent time lear…