Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour #1839

Episode Title: Your Tea Bag Is Releasing BILLIONS of Microplastics... | Josephine Musco
Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Josephine Musco

Episode Overview

In this episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with wellness entrepreneur Josephine Musco to discuss the pervasive problem of microplastics in everyday life—especially in common products like tea bags and workout clothes. Josephine shares her journey from fashion to health, her patented plastic-free tea innovations, insights into toxin exposure, and practical tips for living cleaner. The episode is packed with actionable advice, memorable moments, and thought-provoking commentary on health, mindset, and business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Microplastics: The Hidden Toxin in Everyday Life

• How plastics infiltrate daily routines:
  Josephine opens by highlighting how plastics are everywhere, from toothbrushes to clothing, even gum. She emphasizes the skin’s role in absorbing toxins:
  • "Plastic has been infiltrating our life in crazy ways... our skin is our largest organ. So people really underestimate how much toxins can infiltrate our body from the skin." (Josephine, [00:00])
• Dangers of tea bags:
  She shares startling data on microplastics released from tea bags:
  • "Every time you steep a tea bag in hot water, it's releasing up to 11.6 billion microplastics in your cup, plus 3.1 billion nanoplastics." (Josephine, [00:57])
  • Other tea bag additives—bleach, staples with lead—are also mentioned as health risks.

Josephine’s Solution: Plastic-Free Tea & Wellness Products

• Innovative Tea Strips:
  Josephine invented a dissolvable tea strip that eliminates the need for traditional bags, providing a healthier, zero-waste option ([00:57], [01:43]).
• Olive Leaf Powder Patent:
  She holds a patent for an antioxidant-rich olive leaf powder, with a unique process for maximizing and stabilizing antioxidant content ([02:10]-[02:36]).
• Mindful Ingredients:
  All products are carefully sourced, with attention to quality, minimal plastic, and third-party testing to avoid contamination ([15:56]).

The Dangers of Seed Oils and Packaged Foods

• Seed oils’ long-lasting effects:
  Josephine warns about seed oils (like canola), referencing experts Ben Azadi and Dr. Pompa.
  • "Seed oils stay in your body for over two years and they act almost like a... shrink wrap. They asphyxiate your healthy cells." (Josephine, [03:36])
• Packaged foods:
  Processed, boxed foods are discouraged for both adults and children due to added toxins, sugars, and preservatives ([19:05], [19:38]).

Wellness Lifestyle, Fashion, and “Vibrations”

• Organic clothing increases health and energy:
  She advocates for organic cotton and linen clothing, linking the material’s "vibration" with wellness:
  • "Linen actually has the highest vibrations. Organic cotton has the same as our skin... linen is much higher." (Josephine, [06:33])
• Intentional jewelry production:
  Josephine describes spiritual practices in her jewelry company, emphasizing energy, intention, and ethical sourcing ([06:53]).

Female Health & Product Optimization

• Formulating for Women:
  Her electrolyte product is specially formulated to avoid water retention and be gentler on women’s bodies ([07:43], [08:12]).
• Growing business reach:
  Products are available on Amazon, Poosh (Kourtney Kardashian’s platform), Erwan, and soon in 800 stores, including Target ([08:24], [21:57]).

Health, Mindset, and Business

• No shortcuts, just perseverance:
  Josephine attributes her business success to spiritual practice, positivity, and persistence:
  • "There is no luck in business. In business there is hard work. There's not giving up... it's all the mindset, really." (Josephine, [08:43])
• Host Sean Kelly concurs:
  Sean notes optimism as a common trait among successful people ([09:33]).
• The value of health over wealth:
  Both agree that health trumps money:
  • "You can have all the money in the world, but if you don't have your health, you have nothing." (Josephine, [11:14])
  • "Health is a new flex... more impressive to me than having money, honestly." (Sean, [11:20])

Health Risks of Microplastics & Hormone Disruption

• Microplastics and their consequences:

  • Linked to infertility, cardiovascular issues, premature aging, nutrient absorption problems, hormone disruption, and inflammation ([12:39]-[13:14]).
    • "58% of people that had heart surgery, they found microplastics in the plaque of their arteries." (Josephine, [12:56])
  • Microplastics can mimic estrogen, leading to hormonal imbalances.
  • Guest details symptoms and how microplastics enter the food chain.

• Detox strategies:
  Josephine recommends fermented foods, rebounding, antioxidant-rich teas, and specific health testing (Dutch test and micronutrient panels) to combat microplastic toxicity ([14:03]-[14:53]).

Raising Health-Conscious Children

• Biohacking from a young age:
  Josephine’s daughter lives on a sugar-free, dye-free, whole-food diet ([17:26]-[19:05]).
  • "We don't have anything in boxes in my house... we make everything from scratch." (Josephine, [19:05])
  • No vaccines, no processed foods.
• Effect on health:
  Her daughter rarely gets sick and is reportedly thriving ([19:44]).

Managing Toxins When Eating Out

• Using a seed oil “allergy” card:
  Josephine carries a card listing seed oils as allergens to restaurants to avoid contamination ([20:18]-[20:42]).
• Apps and awareness:
  She recommends the Seed Oil Scout app for finding safer restaurants ([21:12]-[21:20]).
• Managing accidental exposure:
  She suggests increasing antioxidants and hydration after consuming seed oils ([21:35]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the prevalence of plastic:
  "Every time you steep a tea bag in hot water, it’s releasing up to 11.6 billion microplastics in your cup, plus 3.1 billion nanoplastics."
  —Josephine Musco ([00:57])

• On mindset and business:
  "There's no luck in business. In business, there is hard work. There's not giving up... it's all the mindset, really."
  —Josephine Musco ([08:43])

• On health over wealth:
  "You can have all the money in the world but if you don't have your health, you have nothing."
  —Josephine Musco ([11:14])

• On seed oils:
  "Seed oils stay in your body for over two years and they act almost like a shrink wrap…asphyxiate your healthy cells."
  —Josephine Musco ([03:36])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Microplastics in Tea and Everyday Life ([00:57], [04:29])
• Olive Leaf Powder & Antioxidants ([02:10]–[03:00])
• Problems with Seed Oils ([03:25]–[03:56])
• Innovative Health Products—Electrolytes & Tea Strips ([07:43], [08:24])
• Spiritual Approach & Mindset in Business ([08:43]–[09:24])
• Impact of Microplastics on Hormones & Health ([12:39]–[13:31])
• Detox Strategies ([14:03]–[14:53])
• Child Nutrition Philosophy ([17:26]–[19:05])
• Eating Out & Avoiding Toxins ([20:18]–[21:46])
• Where to Find Josephine’s Products ([21:57])

Where to Find the Products

• Website: olexer.com
• Amazon: Search for Olexer products
• Poosh.com: Kourtney Kardashian’s wellness platform
• Erwan: In-store
• Soon: Target and 800+ stores nationwide ([21:57])

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a rapid-fire, insightful dialogue on the urgent issue of microplastics, the drawbacks of modern convenience foods and fabrics, and the importance of conscious consumerism. Josephine Musco not only breaks down the science and dangers but equips listeners with solutions—both in her innovations and practical life strategies. Listeners interested in health, longevity, biohacking, or business will find actionable takeaways and a fresh perspective.

For more:
Visit Josephine’s company at olexer.com or check her products on Amazon and Poosh.
Full episode available on Digital Social Hour platforms.