My guest today is one of the reasons this show exists. Liberty Phoenix Lord took a deeply painful experience, the death of her baby due to toxic outgassing in his nursery, and started a green business so no other mother would have to ever experience what she did.
Today, she is the owner of INDIGOGreen, the premier green building store in Gainesville, FL., that provides healthy products for homes and offices nationwide. Liberty is the sister of River and Joaquin Phoenix, and this podcast is the first time she has spoken about her tragedy in public. Listen to her unbelievably moving story right here on Women Of Green.
About my guest: Liberty Phoenix Lord has been a resident of Gainesville, FL since 1989. She is married and has 3 beautiful children; and is on the Board of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC the heart of Florida chapter). Liberty owns and runs INDIGOGreen, a Green Building supply store. The mission of INDIGO is based on her commitment to the environment and the health of our planet.
Women of green, I want to hear from you! If you were the Queen of the Universe, what would you do to fix the mess we’re in? Our comment box is below!
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Thank you David! It takes many people to bring you Women Of Green each week. I would like to thank David Wolf, my friend and audio technican. David is also the host and producer of Smallbiz America Radio. Check it out!
Thank you for highlighting the very important work of Liberty! We are patrons of her store and are so grateful to have her and her team making sure that the products we have in our home are safe. She is a gift to our community!
Liberty is a big reason my show exists. Thank you Steph for reaching out. I hope to make it to Gainesville someday and see Indigo Green Store for myself.
I am profoundly moved by Liberty’s poignant, courageous story. Her experience and wisdom will guide me as I make decisions about household products. Sweet baby Indigo, you’ve launched a movement.
Kerry,
Thank you for your comment. I was extremely moved during my interview with Liberty. She is one of the reasons Women Of Green exists. Her story, along with the many voices of women around the globe, will be what we need to change the course we’re on. Keep speaking up — adding your voice and heart to the many conversations that are taking place. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Thanks for reaching out. Carolyn
Liberty’s son indigo has passed away? When was this? The article then says she has three children? I am confused? I though her three kids were Rio, Indigo and Scarlette?
I am so touched. Liberty Phoenix has been my favourite Phoenix sibling of Rivers. I came to this site many occasions. Tonite is different. I just read the heartbreaking news that lovely Liberty lost ber beloved child. I just want to say I can relate to Libby because I lost my child in 2009. It was a baby girl I named Trinket. I hope Libby reads this.. God bless you and stay strong! Your child is in heaven with your amazing brother River! This road will never end! We will be united with our loved ones! Your so beautiful Liberty Mariposa! Stay gold! Frin Bedazzelle Phienixxxooo
That was a very intense interview. I’ve never really given a second thought to what is in my home and how it can affect my family’s health. Thank you for opening my eyes to that.
I’m hearing this for the first time and was so sorry to hear about Liberty’s loss and the cause. So opened my eyes to what is lurking in our homes. I guess we could call this the silent killer. I’m in Gainesville, where Liberty’s store is and have never been there. I will now check it out for sure.
Thank you, Liberty, for sharing with us, through your pain, so that others are made aware.
indigo died about 7 years ago or so. he was a toddler. the third child she refers to is probably her step daughter. rio and leo are her two bio children.
Liberty–you are so courageous to share your story; you have strived to create good for all with your grief for your child. Yes, your story is a tragedy–yet you inspire all of us to see the larger picture: that we must protect and prevent all children and beings from suffering the effects of toxins in our environments. Thank you, Liberty!
Please support the store and bring your friends there! We have bought carpet for our bedroom from Indigo (after we discovered toxic mold under the old carpet!) The store is a great place to go to learn and discover how you can make a smaller carbon footprint, and still have a beautiful home. Buy some native plants there, too!
Thank you, I have recently been looking for information about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you positive concerning the supply?
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Liberty. I am truly touched by your message and your plight to improve our world. I am deeply sorry for your loss. You are a true inspiration, and we should all learn how to turn tragedy into heroic work like you did. Your entire family has touched me in some way throughout my life. I am 34 and have been vegan (mostly raw) and completely sustainable for 20 years because of your family. Thank you for all you have done to better this world. -Brad
Liberty, I am deeply sorry for your loss and am thankful you shared the story which was obviously very hard for you to do but needed to be told. I am 34 and have been a fan of your whole family since the mid 90s you are all such a huge inspiration in your beliefs and the way you live to me.
I love the phoenix family. I have always drawn strength from this globally conscious family. They have all; shared their pain in order to make this world a better place. Bless them in their work.
What a long sad journey you went through with Indigo. I can’t even imagine losing a child. My heart goes out to you and your family! If I were queen of the Universe I would have every being educated reguarding thier enviornment. I would have them take an Oth similar to the Hippocratic Oath.
“First
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious son. I have lost a son, I know the pain. I believe that my son’s lifetime poor health and bipolar disease was caused by toxins in the environment and vaccinations.
The Travolta’s son who passed as a teenager was also poisoned by cleaning chemicals as a baby crawling on carpet they had cleaned frequently. He was injured by those toxins with long lasting results.
Our world has been poisoned. There are better ways of which more and more are becoming aware. Thank you for your work in creating awareness and an avenue for safe products.
Debra Dadd has written at least one book on creating a healthy home environment. You can find her website on line. That is a wonderful place to ask questions and suggest products that are safe.
I am one of the ‘canaries in the coal mine’ with environmental illness.
Blessings,
Judith
Amazing brave woman! Taking something so so so tragic and painful and trying to make a difference in his name is inspiring to say the least.
You are so strong and a wonderful woman.
All the best x
I met Liberty in gville a long time ago. I am one of few in USA with fed recog chem injury!; please write me so I can tell you more about it.: I am very sick but stay positive. One thing it gave me is superior mesentary syndrome. I was exposed to large amts of over 11 chemicals and heavy metals..agent orange..benzene..xp xylene..etc…won my fed case with very,: large ants in my blood and serum..amounts…it was quite a fight but I won. . Toxic exposures and chemical injuries need to be addressed. Please emailme, Liberty..hopefully by sharing info..it can further advocate and save lives. Bye.
Just this year.I have been in icu over sixty days. I go into a crisis where my rbc hemoglobin go very low..and as its gone on..now my; platelets and leukocytes. My vision is affected..seizures..orthostatic..blood clots…a lot of stuff. Its very painful..and that children even endure such pain is horrible. That’s what keeps me going..to speak up ESP for kids. The EPA to physicians for social respons talk about the health dangers yet nothing is done to approp test or treat. Of the few drs trained..most overcharge and do not take insurance. Its very rare to win a chemical injury with fed..but I did..it was exhausting and a long long fight. But I learned a lot to teach others.
Amazing story concerning your son Indigo. I have learned a lots by reading your email and your responses. Our Agency weatherization program will be looking into keeping our community green. We will be contacting you in the future. I need to get in touch with your mother Arlene, we worked together some years ago in Brooksville, Fl. at the community services office. I assisted her in changing of your names to Phoenix. Have her to email me or call me @ 352/796-1427.
Wordless. God bless you and all the Phoenix family, Liberty. You´re all make the difference for this world. Because of people like you and your family I yet believe in humanity, because sometimes it is so difficult, you know what I mean. I come from Brazil and stayed in Florida in 2013, but didn´t know about your special store. I hope someday return to Florida, in Gainesville to visit it. Hugs from Brazil.
Can I just say what a relief to uncover an individual who genuinely knows what they are discussing on the
net. You certainly realize how to bring an issue to light
and make it important. A lot more people really need to check
this out and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you are not more popular
because you surely have the gift.