Explore every episode of the podcast Talking Pools Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool Pros Deserve Better: Industry Politics, Product Claims & Corporate Bullshit | 02 Oct 2026 | 00:27:18 | |
WARNING: INTENTIONALLY ABRASIVE This week on Floc-It Fridays, Rudy Stankowitz takes on the gossip, gatekeeping, and behind-the-scenes politics that make an already demanding trade harder than it needs to be. From manufacturers’ reps badmouthing pool professionals to private calls about who should appear on a podcast or receive mentor recognition, Rudy shares the experiences that have changed how he views industry support—and what he expects from the people claiming to provide it. He also revisits the pool professionals who helped test the alum method for reducing cyanuric acid, the pushback he encountered, and why evidence should matter whether a claim comes from an independent service tech or a company with an enormous marketing budget. Good reps earn trust. Good companies stand behind their products. And good ideas deserve serious testing. Supporting pool professionals means listening when they ask difficult questions, challenge a protocol, or find a better way to do the work. In this episode:
“A nice label is not data. A familiar name is not data.” An outspoken episode about trust, accountability, mentorship, and giving the people doing the work the credit—and voice—they deserve. Explicit language. Featured sponsors: PoolBrain, Service Industry News, AquaStar Pool Products, and BlueRay XL. 2026 Pool Industry Mentor Recognition sponsors: BlueRay XL, United Chemical, LaMotte, Revdup Apparel, and AquaComfort Water Group. God bless the pool pros. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Pool Pros Need More Regulation - and Fewer Facebook Assholes | 01 Oct 2026 | 00:57:02 | |
A truck, a pole, and a Facebook opinion: is that enough to call yourself a pool professional? This Thursday on Talking Pools, Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich tackle a question guaranteed to get somebody typing in all caps: Does the pool industry need more regulation? Steve makes the case for continuing education, stronger professional standards, and a system that makes more sense than a patchwork of requirements and inconsistent enforcement. Then they turn to the professionals who answer legitimate questions with “hire a professional.” Congratulations, buddy. You found a room full of people trying to learn and contributed absolutely nothing. The conversation also gets into the business problems that hit closer to home: customers who wait weeks to report cloudy water, return visits that eat your profits, and the uncomfortable question of what to charge when a specialist does the work but cannot find the problem. In this week’s Insurance Interlude, Pat Grignon of California Pool Association joins Steve to discuss flood coverage, coastal storm damage, and the questions worth asking before water comes through your front door. In this episode:
Episode chapters 00:00 — Is the pool industry overregulated? Have a question, an opinion, or a situation we should tackle? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Explicit language. Strong opinions. Bring something more useful than “hire a professional.” Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| A Floating Liner, a Family Business, and the Advice Chris Cavanaugh Wishes He Took Sooner | 30 Sep 2026 | 00:51:04 | |
Talking Pools Podcast | Mythbusting Wednesday with Natalie Hood What do you do when heavy rain turns a vinyl liner into a waterbed? Chris Cavanaugh has a clear first instruction: do not drain the pool. In this episode, Natalie talks with the 2026 Talking Pools TOP TEN Mentor about floating liners, groundwater, salt systems on steel-wall pools, and the mistakes that can turn a repairable problem into an expensive one. Chris is a third-generation pool professional and president of Cavanaugh Pool, Spa & Patio in western Kentucky. He shares how his family grew the business into a three-location operation—and how that growth made mentoring new managers and service techs essential. Natalie also asks about Chris’s first mentor: his mother. She taught him water chemistry, the work behind running a business, and one lesson every seasonal business owner needs to hear: plan for winter while the money is coming in. In this episode:
Chris’s advice to anyone coming into the industry? Try its different sides. Retail, service, sales, and installation each offer a path. Learn enough to find yours, then help somebody else find theirs. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| “Chlorine-Free” With a Chlorinator? SPASA Takes on Pool Sanitizer Claims | 27 Sep 2026 | 00:44:27 | |
What does freshwater mean when a pool system has a chlorinating cell? On Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury, Nick and Shane welcome Ben Makepeace, SPASA’s policy manager, to unpack SPASA’s new guide to swimming pool and spa sanitisation marketing claims. Ben explains why the industry developed the voluntary guide and how pool retailers, service technicians and builders can use it to question product labels, compare systems and ask suppliers for evidence behind their claims. The conversation gets into “chlorine-free” and “mineral” marketing, the difference between oxidation and sanitisation, and why training matters when a professional has to explain a system to a customer. They also discuss SPASA’s wider work on standards, contracts and industry advocacy across Australia and New Zealand. Resources: SPASA guides and resources · SPASA membership · Questions for the show: talkingpools@gmail.com SPASA Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| One-Star Tribunal: Pool Pros vs. People Who Shouldn’t Have Wi-Fi | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:41:08 | |
A one-star review can damage a reputation built over decades. Rudy breaks down how pool pros can respond without turning a bad review into a public cage match: cool off, check the service records, own genuine mistakes, correct false claims with facts, and know when to stop replying. Then court is in session for the One-Star Tribunal. On the docket: a contractor blamed for a Category 5 hurricane, a complaint aimed at the wrong pool company, a review campaign over $139.99, a store faulted for closing at its posted time, and a technician who reportedly serviced the wrong pool. The verdicts are ridiculous; the standard is simple: everybody brings receipts, including the pool company. Got a one- or two-star review that deserves a hearing? Send the public review, a timeline, supporting records, and what you did to resolve it to talkingpools@gmail.com. Remove customer addresses, gate codes, payment details, and other private information before sending. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| When Water Goes Where it Shouldn't | 24 Sep 2026 | 00:38:34 | |
A storm strips sand from Steve’s Long Beach neighborhood, tears up the boardwalk, and forces nearby residents to evacuate. That leads Steve and Wayne into a pool professional’s nightmare: a hose left running at a hillside pool, followed by evacuations and damage below the property. They discuss the risks of draining pools, what hydrostatic relief valves do, and why suspected structural problems call for an engineer. Steve also gets into the business side of service: setting clear expectations for missed visits and vacations, covering a route while you’re away, and explaining to clients how long a pool takes to heat. The episode closes on a serious note with a reported child drowning in a neighbor’s pool and a reminder to pay attention to barriers, supervision, and swim lessons. Also in this episode: hurricane stories, phosphate treatments, filter valve frustrations, CPO instructor opportunities, and congratulations to Natalie Hood on launching Natalie Hood & Associates. Have a question or a topic for Steve and Wayne? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Ancient Pool Warrior: John Poma on Mentorship, Machinery and Alum | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:55:14 | |
Natalie Hood continues her conversations with the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Mentors with John Poma—the “Ancient Pool Warrior” and a two-time Top Ten honoree. John shares how a summer job pouring precast main drains became a decades-long career spanning commercial pool construction, service, plumbing, equipment installation and heavy machinery. He explains why the best field professionals must sometimes become their own engineers, how mentorship has evolved from guarded trade secrets to open knowledge-sharing, and why mistakes should be fixed—not used to assign blame. Then it’s time to bust some myths. John explains why excavating a commercial pool involves far more than “digging a hole,” why bigger equipment is not always more efficient and how aluminum sulfate can reduce cyanuric acid without replacing most of the pool water. He also discusses alum’s ability to remove phosphates, clear green pools and lift certain copper stains—as well as what alum cannot do. John’s advice to the next generation is simple: learn from experienced professionals, attend industry classes, understand flow rates, protect your body and read the damn manual inside the equipment box. In This Episode
Featured Guest John Poma Mentor Award Sponsors
Hosted by Natalie Hood on the Talking Pools Podcast. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Workplace Safety: It’s Not a Problem Until It’s a Problem | 20 Sep 2026 | 00:44:23 | |
Workplace health and safety is not optional—especially when your team handles hazardous pool chemicals, works outdoors in extreme heat and enters unfamiliar equipment rooms every day. On this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury is joined by Shane Sneddon and Nick Day to discuss the safety practices every pool and spa business should have in place. From PPE, chemical segregation and spill containment to SDS registers, vehicle storage, staff induction and mental well-being, the crew examines the risks businesses often overlook until an accident or near miss exposes them. Nick explains how workplace safety became a non-negotiable part of his growing operation, while Shane discusses developing formal policies and procedures for his New Zealand service business. The conversation also covers toolbox meetings, heat exposure, wildlife hazards, confined spaces, first-aid supplies and the importance of documenting employee training. You do not need to create an entire safety system overnight—but you do need to start. Build one policy at a time, review it regularly and make safe practices part of how your company operates every day. In This Episode
The takeaway is simple: workplace safety is rarely considered urgent until something goes wrong. Start with the tasks your team performs most often, document the proper procedure and build from there. This episode is brought to you in part by PoolBrain, giving pool professionals the tools to operate smarter, more efficiently and more profitably. Learn more at PoolBrain.com. Have a question or topic suggestion for the show? Email talkingpools@gmail.com and mark it for Mondays Down Under. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Cancel Me: Gen X, Cancel Culture and Knowing When to Shut the F*** Up | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:25:30 | |
This episode is intentionally and unapologetically Gen X, slightly abrasive and definitely not safe for the easily rattled. Beneath the profanity and sarcasm is a serious discussion about accountability, professional communication and knowing the difference between telling an uncomfortable truth and simply acting like an asshole. Rudy takes on cancel culture, trigger warnings, political correctness and the challenge of communicating like an actual human being in a customer-facing industry. Pool professionals should never be afraid to correct dangerous work, challenge technical bullshit or tell a customer an uncomfortable truth. Facts do not stop existing because somebody dislikes the delivery. At the same time, “that’s just how I am” is not a free pass to say whatever launches out of your mouth while wearing the company logo. This episode explores the increasingly narrow space between sanitized corporate nonsense and uncontrolled verbal chaos. Rudy discusses context, intent, accountability, social media outrage, abusive customers, generational differences and why being offended does not automatically make someone correct. The answer is not silence. It is judgment. Say what you mean. Know why you are saying it. Read the room. Stand behind the facts. Correct yourself when warranted. Refuse dishonest outrage. And occasionally, learn when to shut the fuck up. Also featured: an update on the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Pool Industry Mentor awards and the championship belt. Listener advisory: Explicit language, blunt opinions and enough 1980s Gen X references to make your Trapper Keeper nervous. In This Episode
Sponsored in part by PoolBrain, Service Industry News, Jack’s Magic, AquaStar Pool Products and BlueRay XL. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Jeff Hampe: Mentorship, Mosaic Mastery and Pool-Tile Myths | 16 Sep 2026 | 00:50:47 | |
Natalie Hood continues her conversations with the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Mentors by sitting down with Jeff Hampe, a longtime pool professional known for his all-tile pools, artistic glass mosaics and uncompromising attention to detail. Jeff shares how he progressed from repairing hot tubs in New Jersey to cleaning pools, repairing equipment, performing leak detection and eventually becoming a licensed pool contractor and sought-after mosaic specialist. He also discusses the craftsmen who mentored him, why he freely passes that knowledge forward and the satisfaction of watching someone build a better life through a skilled trade. The conversation then shifts into Mythbusting Wednesday territory. Jeff explains why a tile labeled “pool rated” may still be the wrong choice, what he prefers for submerged applications and why translucent glass tile can become an expensive failure. He and Natalie also tackle waterproofing, calcification, efflorescence, thermal expansion, delamination and the limitations of cementitious installation products. Jeff closes with his growing interest in fully tiled fiberglass pools, why field experience remains essential and what would come packaged with the official Jeff Hampe action figure. In This Episode
Featured Guest Jeff Hampe Sponsored By REVDUP Apparel, H2Flow Controls and PoolBrain. The technical opinions expressed during this episode reflect the guest’s professional experience and installation practices. Product selection and installation requirements should always be verified for the specific application. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Can Your Pool Business Survive Without You? | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:38:30 | |
What happens when a family emergency forces you to leave your business with almost no warning? This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee, Nick, and Shane reunite to discuss Shane’s unexpected six-week absence and how his pool service business continued operating while he was overseas. From trusting an employee with 65 regular clients to managing emergencies across a 12-hour time difference, the conversation offers an honest look at delegation, communication, and building a company that does not depend entirely on its owner. The team also recounts a late-night equipment-room flood caused by a failed braided water hose, including the electrical hazards and chemical-storage risks created when water enters a pump room, warehouse, or pool shop. Lee shares highlights from her tour of the Australian Innovative Systems factory, where chlorinators and cells are manufactured, coated, tested, tracked, and inspected. The crew discusses AIS quality control, the economics of commercial salt chlorination, and why seeing how a product is manufactured can make a pool professional far more confident recommending it. Also in this episode:
If your company cannot function when you step away, you may not own a business yet. You may own a demanding job. Building reliable systems and developing trustworthy employees protects your customers, your company, and your own well-being. This episode is brought to you in part by Pool Brain, giving pool professionals the tools to operate smarter, more efficiently, and more profitably. Visit PoolBrain.com. Questions, topic suggestions, or suppliers you would like featured? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Reflecting Absence: The Engineering Behind the 9/11 Memorial Pools | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:22:03 | |
Twenty-five years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, this special episode of the Talking Pools Podcast is presented without commercial interruption. Rudy Stankowitz remembers the 2,977 people murdered that day, the passengers and crews who fought back, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the survivors and recovery workers who carried the physical and emotional consequences home with them. The episode then examines Reflecting Absence, the two enormous memorial pools built within the footprints of the former World Trade Center towers. From nearly 1,400 feet of precision waterfall weir and more than a million gallons of water to thousands of granite panels, extensive automation, and demanding overnight maintenance, Rudy explores the extraordinary engineering required to make the machinery disappear so the meaning can remain. This episode doesn't reduce sacred ground to pumps, hydraulics, and water treatment. It is a pool professional’s appreciation of the architects, engineers, fabricators, operators, and maintenance crews whose work protects the dignity of one of America’s most important memorials. In This Episode:
Two pools. Nearly two acres. More than a million gallons of water. Thousands of names. Today, we remember. #September11 #NeverForget #911Memorial #ReflectingAbsence #TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolProfessionals #AquaticEngineering #WaterFeatureDesign Music: We the People, written and performed by Alesandra Rosette https://youtu.be/AOV70hNcajI?si=1j1f9k2IizozsCQc Here are the official archived transcripts for all three presidential speeches used in the episode:
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Chemicals in the Skimmer, Insurance Gaps & the Pool Guy Who “Feels” the Water | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:46:57 | |
This week on Thursdays with Wayne and Steve, Wayne climbs back onto his favorite soapbox: your skimmer is not a chemical-dispensing system. The guys break down the risks of feeding acid, calcium chloride, chlorine tablets, and other products through the skimmer—and discuss the limited situations where manufacturer directions may call for it. Steve also speaks with Pat from the California Pool Association about liability coverage for residential, commercial, and high-end aquatic facilities. They examine diving boards, slides, expensive equipment, property-damage extensions, revenue audits, and why landing a massive commercial account may require another conversation with your insurance agent. Then, a pool inspection involving five plaster defects exposes a much larger problem: calcium hardness at 750 ppm, corrected alkalinity at 60 ppm, and a service professional who had not tested calcium in more than a year. It is a reminder that clear water, loyal customers, and weekly visits do not prove a pool is being properly managed. Wayne and Steve also discuss:
The bottom line: follow proper chemical procedures, know exactly what your insurance covers, test before reaching conclusions, and never assume the person who has maintained a pool for years has maintained it correctly. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Mentorship, AI, and Common Sense with Peter Wiedermann | 09 Sep 2026 | 01:01:06 | |
Natalie Hood welcomes 2026 Top Ten Pool Industry Mentor Peter Wiedermann for a conversation about his 31 years in the swimming pool industry, the people who shaped his career, and the technicians he helped develop along the way. Peter explains why a mentor should build independence rather than dependence, why trust is essential, and why challenging someone’s thinking is sometimes the greatest help a mentor can provide. He also shares how recognizing burnout led him away from daily pool work and toward business networking and teaching people to use artificial intelligence more effectively. The conversation then turns to AI myths: whether it will replace pool professionals, why ChatGPT should never be mistaken for an expert, the danger of entering sensitive information into unsecured systems, and why every AI-generated answer still requires a knowledgeable human in the loop. Peter also explains why using AI resembles servicing a swimming pool—both involve complex systems, disciplined methods, and potentially serious consequences when the fundamentals are ignored. Plus, Peter reveals his preferred pizza, the superpowers society desperately needs, and exactly how he plans to embarrass his children if he wins the Mentor of the Year championship belt. In This Episode:
#TalkingPoolsPodcast #PeterWiedermann #PoolIndustryMentor #PoolProfessionals #ArtificialIntelligence #PoolService #IndustryEducation #Mentorship #BusinessGrowth Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Training Today Builds a Stronger Pool Industry Tomorrow | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:46:40 | |
Hiring new employees is only the beginning. If pool and spa businesses want knowledgeable technicians, loyal teams, confident customers, and fewer unqualified operators dragging down the trade, they must invest in professional development. On this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury, Nick Day, and Shane Sneddon welcome Rachel, General Manager of IR Learning—soon to return to the name SPASA Training—to discuss the education and qualifications available to pool and spa professionals across Australia and New Zealand. The group explores Recognition of Prior Learning, competency conversations, transferable skills, online education, industry-specific qualifications, and why experienced technicians may already possess much of the evidence needed to become formally qualified. They also discuss the responsibility carried by pool professionals. Today’s technicians must understand water chemistry, hydraulics, electrical and plumbing systems, safety, automation, customer service, and business operations—yet the trade continues fighting for the recognition and funding it deserves. Training your employees is not simply an investment in them. Better-trained people provide better service, inspire greater customer confidence, strengthen staff retention, and build a better business. Topics discussed include:
Learn more about available courses and qualifications at IRLearning.com This episode is brought to you in part by Pool Brain, giving pool professionals the tools to operate smarter, more efficiently, and more profitably. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Pool Remodels: What Lies Beneath the Plaster | 05 Sep 2026 | 00:30:58 | |
A pool remodel is rarely as simple as replacing the tile and plaster. Once the old surface comes off and the ground is opened, contractors can uncover structural cracks, deteriorated rebar, undersized plumbing, missing hydrostatic relief, unsafe electrical work, and decades of questionable shortcuts. In this bonus episode, Kelli speaks with Jose Gonzalez of Adams Pool Solutions in Pleasanton, California. Jose grew up working alongside his father in the pool industry and has spent nearly 12 years with Adams, advancing from plaster and pebble application into field management, project management, and sales. Kelli and Jose dig into what really happens during a remodel, including the hidden conditions that can add thousands of dollars to a project. They discuss structural crack repair, hydraulic upgrades, permits, waterproofing, material selection, customer education, and why thorough documentation protects both the contractor and the homeowner. Jose also shares one unforgettable discovery: full-size pool lights installed without proper niches or grounding, held in improvised cavities with plaster and silicone. The lesson is simple: a successful remodel is not about hiding old problems beneath a beautiful new finish. It is about correcting those problems and building something that will remain safe, functional, and durable for years. In This Episode
Featured Guest Jose Gonzalez Key Takeaway A trustworthy remodel contractor does not simply deliver the cheapest version of what a homeowner requests. They expose the problems, explain the options, document the decisions, and build the pool as though it were going into their own backyard. #TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolRemodel #PoolRenovation #SwimmingPools #PoolConstruction #PoolContractor #PoolProfessionals #PoolDesign #PoolSafety #AdamsPoolSolutions Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Ten Things Wrong with the Pool Industry | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:31:04 | |
This episode is intentionally abrasive. The pool industry wants the respect, credibility, and compensation of a skilled trade. But are we willing to establish, demand, demonstrate, and charge for skilled-trade standards? Rudy asked pool professionals what they believe is wrong with the industry, and the responses came flooding in: inadequate training, nonexistent licensing, bargain-basement pricing, oversized egos, unqualified technicians, social-media experts, bad installations, fragmented education, private equity, manufacturers selling around the trade, and customers who expect luxury service at Dollar General prices. The individual complaints may differ, but they point to the same contradiction: We demand professional respect while too often accepting mediocrity as normal. This episode examines why certification should be the beginning of professional development, not a declaration that someone never needs to learn another damn thing. Rudy challenges companies that send barely trained technicians into the field, veterans who mistake repetition for expertise, businesses that confuse pool count with profitability, and professionals who perform additional work for free and then wonder why customers do not value them. The pool industry has tremendous people, knowledge, innovation, and opportunity. What it lacks is consistent standards, clear career pathways, and enough professionals willing to say the three words most terrifying to an oversized industry ego: “I was wrong.” If the pool industry wants respect, it is time to earn the fucking thing. In This Episode
Memorable Line “The pool industry does not have a shortage of opportunity. It has a shortage of consistent standards and an oversupply of confidence.”#TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolIndustry #PoolService #SwimmingPools #PoolProfessionals #PoolEducation #SkilledTrades #WaterChemistry #PoolBusiness #ProfessionalStandards Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Selling Your Pool Business? Protect Yourself Before You Sign | 03 Sep 2026 | 00:12:18 | |
Private equity has entered the pool industry, and companies looking to acquire thousands of service accounts are knocking on the doors of independent pool professionals. But what happens when they knock on yours? In this Insurance Interlude, Steve Sherwood and Pat Grignon discuss what pool company owners need to consider before selling their business, route, or customer accounts. Steve shares his own experience with an acquisition offer and explains why a bigger salary was not enough to convince him to surrender the freedom he spent a decade building. Pat breaks down several important issues that can follow a sale, including tail coverage, prior claims, non-compete agreements, non-solicitation clauses, and the danger of signing a contract without experienced legal representation. Selling the business may end your ownership, but it does not automatically eliminate your exposure. A claim connected to work performed before the sale could surface afterward. Depending on the policies and purchase agreement involved, the seller may be required to obtain several years of tail coverage. The buyer may also restrict where the seller can work, what services they can provide, and whether they can contact former customers or employees. That means the contract could affect far more than the final purchase price. Pat’s strongest advice is simple: hire an attorney experienced in business acquisitions. Not your uncle who handles divorces. Not your buddy who once fought a traffic ticket. Hire someone who understands deals and can identify exactly where the buyer is receiving the wins while the seller assumes the risk. In This Episode
The Bottom Line Do not become hypnotized by the purchase price. Before selling the business you spent years building, determine what liabilities remain, what insurance must stay in place, what professional activities will be restricted, and what happens if you later regret the deal. Get the insurance advice. Get the legal advice. Read the contract. Then read it again. This episode is intended for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Laws, policy terms, and enforceability vary by jurisdiction and circumstance. Consult qualified legal and insurance professionals before selling a business. #TalkingPoolsPodcast #InsuranceInterlude #PoolBusiness #PoolService #PrivateEquity #BusinessAcquisition #SellingABusiness #PoolRoute #TailCoverage #BusinessInsurance #RiskManagement #PoolProfessionals #CaliforniaPoolAssociation #SteveSherwood #PatGrignon Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Calcium Nodules, Mentorship, and 50 Years of Pool Industry Wisdom with Jerry Wallace | 02 Sep 2026 | 01:00:30 | |
What does nearly 50 years in the swimming pool industry teach you? According to Jerry Wallace, there are no shortcuts, you never stop learning, and sometimes you need to show up with a rolling suitcase full of textbooks. Natalie Hood sits down with Jerry Wallace, president of Swim Chem and one of the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Pool Industry Mentors. Jerry shares how he entered the family business as a teenager, the mentors who shaped his career, and why mentoring is about leaving the industry better than you found it. Then Jerry puts his decades of water chemistry, plaster, and expert-witness experience to work busting some persistent myths about calcium nodules. Are they caused by excessive calcium hardness? Are they simply another form of scale? Can adjusting the water chemistry stop them? Jerry explains why calcium nodules are typically associated with voids, delamination, pinholes, or cracks beneath the plaster surface, not a pool professional’s failure to maintain the water. His message to service professionals is blunt: educate yourself, document your work, demand an explanation, and stop allowing people to steamroll you. Jerry also discusses why manufacturers need to listen more closely to service professionals, what younger professionals bring to the industry, and the three groups every successful business must protect before looking at the profit-and-loss statement: family, employees, and customers. And, because this is Talking Pools, Natalie settles the critically important question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza. In This Episode
Jerry’s Message to Pool Professionals Do not assume a calcium nodule is your fault simply because someone points at the water chemistry. Test the water, investigate the surface, document the evidence, ask for the actual mechanism, and make the person assigning blame show their work. If you are going to work as a pool service professional, become an expert and stand up for yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for you. #TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolIndustry #PoolService #SwimmingPools #PoolChemistry #CalciumNodules #PoolPlaster #Mentorship #PoolProfessionals #WaterChemistry #PoolEducation #SwimChem #JerryWallace #NatalieHood #MythbustingWednesday Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| The Biggest Pool Technology from Down Under | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:56:37 | |
For this special Mondays Down Under episode, Lee, Shane, and Nick are finally together in the same room after two exhausting days walking the floor at SPLASH! 2026. The team shares the products, technology, conversations, and innovations that caught their attention, including smarter chlorinators, Bluetooth pressure monitoring, automatic backwashing, direct free-chlorine testing, advanced commercial sanitation systems, and robotic cleaners that are becoming increasingly independent. They also speak with representatives from Waterco, Davey, Fluidra, Brauer Swim, Maytronics, and other industry leaders about equipment designed to reduce maintenance, conserve water, improve chemical control, and give pool professionals better information before they arrive on-site. Beyond the equipment, the episode explores two important industry developments: a new guide addressing sanitization marketing claims and the draft revision of Australian Standard 3633, which has not been rewritten since 1989. And yes, after two days of demonstrations, masterclasses, interviews, networking, and enough walking to make a Fitbit file a workers’ compensation claim, everyone’s feet are completely destroyed. In This Episode
If you attended SPLASH! 2026, tell us which product or presentation impressed you most. If you missed it, Lee, Shane, and Nick have done the walking, filming, questioning, and blister collection for you. Send questions, topic suggestions, or requests for future industry guests to talkingpools@gmail.com. The Pool Shop Coachan online store offering industry-specific business mentoring, coaching, and training programs Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Rudy asks Education or Sales Pitch? Know Who’s Teaching You | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:25:55 | |
WARNING: This episode is intentionally abrasive. It contains strong language, blunt opinions, and an alarming lack of patience for sales pitches disguised as education. If professional disagreement offends you, consider this your continuing education credit in hurt feelings. Not all pool industry education is created equal—and “free” education is rarely free. In this episode, Rudy examines the difference between manufacturer-funded seminars, paid independent instruction, field experience, and research-based education. A company trainer may know the product inside and out, but does that knowledge survive on a real equipment pad? A veteran may have decades of stories, but do those personal experiences have evidence behind them? And when every road in a seminar conveniently leads to the sponsor’s product, did you attend a class—or a sales pitch with continuing education credits stapled to it? Rudy also addresses the criticism he received after publicly supporting Pool Brain’s hiring of Erik Knight. Respecting someone does not mean agreeing with every position they hold. Professional disagreement is healthy when people show their work, provide sources, remain open to challenges, and understand the limits of their own knowledge. Before investing your money—or four hours of your life and half a turkey sandwich—research the instructor as carefully as you research the class. In This Episode
The strongest educators understand both the literature and the realities of the field. They identify whether they are presenting scientific evidence, professional judgment, product-specific training, or personal observation—and they never pretend those categories are interchangeable. A famous name only proves the marketing worked. A company title tells you who employs the speaker. A registration fee tells you what the class costs. None of those things tells you whether the instructor deserves your time. Research does. Transparency does. Relevant experience does. Evidence does. 2026 Pool Industry Mentor Recognition Sponsors BlueRay XL AquaStar Pool Products Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| 1099 or W-2? The Expensive Difference Pool Companies Cannot Ignore | 27 Aug 2026 | 00:17:11 | |
Calling someone an independent contractor does not automatically make them one. In this Insurance Interlude, Steve Sherwood and Pat Grignon of the California Pool Association examine the complicated line between 1099 subcontractors and W-2 employees. They discuss what may help establish a legitimate subcontractor relationship, including separate business entities, independent insurance coverage, control over scheduling, and performing work for other customers. They also explain how seemingly harmless decisions, such as providing gas cards, reimbursing mileage, or controlling a technician’s schedule, may make that relationship look increasingly like employment. And when a misclassified worker gets injured, the resulting investigation, lawsuit, penalties, and unpaid payroll obligations can threaten the entire company. The lesson is simple: the time to understand your coverage and employment structure is before someone gets hurt, not after the lawsuit arrives. In This Episode
Worker-classification and insurance requirements vary by state and individual circumstances. Speak with qualified insurance, tax, and legal professionals before making employment decisions. Looking for insurance coverage? The California Pool Association serves pool professionals and other businesses throughout the country. Mention the Talking Pools Podcast to receive one month off a general liability policy. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Is There Too Much Pool Industry Education? | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:35:41 | |
In the conclusion of this two-part Mythbusting Wednesday conversation, Natalie Hood sits down with Erik Knight to discuss his move from Watershape University to Pool Brain—and the bigger problems he hopes to help solve. The pool industry has more education available than ever, but is that actually part of the problem? New technicians are often buried under chemistry, equipment, software, procedures, and safety information before they have enough hands-on experience to understand how it all fits together. Erik explains how guided workflows and point-of-need education could help technicians produce better results from the beginning while developing a deeper understanding over time. Instead of three days riding shotgun followed by “Here are the keys—try not to turn anything green,” technology can provide structure, consistency, and some desperately needed early wins. Natalie and Erik discuss:
Erik also addresses the fear that technology will eventually replace the pool professional. Automation may handle repeatable tasks, but it cannot change filter sand, clean a DE grid, diagnose complicated equipment problems, or replace the judgment developed through real experience. Better technology does not eliminate the need for education. It can remove some of the repetitive bullshit, help new technicians succeed sooner, and give experienced professionals more time to solve complicated problems, serve better customers, and operate more profitable routes. Erik’s goal at Pool Brain is straightforward: simplify what makes the job unnecessarily difficult, help pool professionals deliver safer and more predictable water, and give company owners the tools to become more efficient, profitable, and—God forbid—occasionally get home before dark. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Is Your Pool Business Balanced—or Are You Just Putting Out Fires? | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:54:03 | |
This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury—the Pool Shop Coach—and Nick tackle a question every pool business owner should ask: Are you actually running your business, or are you simply reacting to whichever fire is burning hottest today? Lee introduces her new Business Balance Check, a free assessment designed specifically to identify the areas of your business that need attention most. It examines ten critical areas—including branding, communication, team culture, safety, policies and procedures, and employee autonomy—before revealing whether you’re currently operating as the Firefighter, the Glue, the Foreman, or the Owner. Lee and Nick also discuss:
The episode also includes coverage from SPLASH 2026, featuring new chlorination and pool-control technology from Fluidra, along with commercial salt chlorination, ozone, UV, and advanced oxidation systems from Brauer. And, because no pool-industry episode would be complete without a customer turning a manageable problem into a full-blown aquatic crime scene, Nick shares what happened when someone accidentally dumped approximately eight kilograms of chlorine remover into a 70,000-liter indoor pool—and then attempted to fix it with liquid chlorine and stabilized chlorine. Take the Free Business Balance Check Find out whether you’re operating as the Firefighter, the Glue, the Foreman, or the Owner: The Pool Shop Coach’s Business Balance Check Have a question or topic suggestion for Mondays Down Under? Email talkingpools@gmail.com and mark it for Lee and Nick. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| If You’re the Local Expert, Stop Charging Like the Local Idiot | 21 Aug 2026 | 00:30:39 | |
WARNING: Intentionally Abrasive Language - Every service business wants to be the company everyone recommends—the local expert called after three other contractors have replaced the wrong parts, collected their checks, and left the customer with the same damn problem. But authority doesn’t come from putting “premier,” “elite,” or “superior” on the side of a truck. It comes from becoming exceptionally good at solving difficult problems, teaching people what you know, documenting your results, and earning a reputation that reaches the customer before you do. In this episode, Rudy explains how pool professionals and other service-business owners can become the recognized expert in their county—and why anyone who earns that position should charge at least 10% more than the interchangeable competition. In This Episode
The Bottom Line Advertising tells people you exist. Expertise convinces them you understand the problem. Reputation makes them trust you to solve it. Own a difficult problem. Teach what you know. Develop an informed point of view. Document your results. Answer the phone. Show up when promised. Fix the problem correctly. Eventually, your name becomes shorthand for the solution—and when that happens, charge like you fucking mean it. The cheapest contractor charges for the visit. The expert charges for the answer. Featured Sponsors and Industry Partners
Connect With Talking Pools Follow the Talking Pools Podcast for blunt industry commentary, technical education, business advice, and the occasional uncomfortable truth every pool professional needs to hear. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Stop Guessing, Start Charging—and Learn When to Say No | 20 Aug 2026 | 00:41:01 | |
Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich discuss one of the hardest lessons for pool service professionals: you cannot solve every problem, satisfy every prospect, or repeatedly rescue neglected pools for free. Steve explains why customers must keep an eye on their pools between weekly visits and report cloudy water or visible algae immediately. Waiting until the scheduled service day—especially before a party—can turn a manageable problem into four or five additional visits, a pile of chemicals, and a service company eating the cost. The conversation also covers phosphate removal, establishing chemical prices, asking the right questions before quoting work, and knowing when to walk away from a customer who wants a guaranteed result without fixing the equipment causing the problem. During the Insurance Interlude, Pat Reno explains why standard general liability insurance typically does not cover cyberattacks, data breaches, stolen payments, customer impersonation, or ransomware. For pool companies accepting digital payments or storing customer information, cyber liability coverage may deserve a place in the insurance portfolio. Steve and Wayne wrap up with equipment design, service-recordkeeping apps, and the challenges of controlling an 800-gallon commercial spa where a few bathers can send sanitizer demand, ORP, and pH in completely different directions. Topics discussed include:
The takeaway: stop guessing for free. Ask better questions, document everything, charge for the work being performed, and walk away when someone expects you to guarantee results without allowing you to correct the actual problem. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Cold Plunge Myths: Short Exposure Does Not Mean Low Risk — Part 2 | 19 Aug 2026 | 00:30:44 | |
Natalie Hood continues her conversation with Dewey Case of the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code, separating cold-plunge science from wellness-industry hype. Cold plunges may be popular, but cold water changes chemical reaction rates, sanitizer performance, testing accuracy, and the body’s physiological response. Being young, athletic, or highly experienced around water does not make anyone immune to blood-sugar crashes, loss of consciousness, drowning, or other emergencies. Natalie and Dewey discuss why cold-water samples should be allowed to warm before testing, why commercial plunges should strongly consider supplemental treatment such as UV, ozone, or advanced oxidation, and why a quick pre-entry rinse can remove a surprising amount of contamination before it enters a very small body of water. They also address the biggest myth of all: because someone only spends a few minutes in a cold plunge, the risk must be low. The exposure may be short, but the risks are not necessarily smaller—they are simply different. Topics discussed include:
The takeaway is simple: be diligent. Know what the water is doing, test it regularly, maintain the vessel properly, and never assume that experience or physical fitness makes someone bulletproof. Download the Cold Water Venue Guidance from the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code. Natalie also shares an update on her Tennessee Triple Crown Open Water Swim Challenge. She will swim more than 21 miles across three open-water marathon events to benefit Every Child a Swimmer through her fundraiser, She Swims So They Can. Special thanks to campaign sponsors Revved Up Apparel, H2Flow Controls, Tenjam, and Talking Pools Podcast. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| SPLASH | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:29:50 | |
SPLASH 2026: Why Pool Professionals—and Their Teams—Need to Be There SPLASH isn’t just another excuse to escape the office, collect two years’ worth of free pens, and start asking suspicious questions about when the complimentary slushy machine becomes a margarita machine. For pool professionals across Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, SPLASH is the industry event. It’s where new products are launched, new technology is demonstrated, business ideas are exchanged, and technicians finally see that the pool industry is much bigger than the route, retail counter, or equipment pad they work around every day. This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury and Nick discuss what makes SPLASH worth attending, why business owners should consider bringing at least one team member, and how the event can reinvigorate a workforce heading out of winter and into the madness of summer. Lee also previews the customer-service and business-growth forums she will be facilitating, while Nick shares the story of a commercial fountain whose chemical controller had apparently been plumbed backward—and remained that way for somewhere between five and seven years while another company visited three times a week. In This Episode
If you’re attending SPLASH, keep an eye out for Lee, Nick and the Mondays Down Under crew—and make sure you say hello. You may even find yourself appearing in an upcoming episode. Questions or topic suggestions? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Your Pool Guy Isn’t the Problem—You Are | 14 Aug 2026 | 00:30:28 | |
🚨 Warning: This episode contains intentionally abrasive commentary and strong language. Most Talking Pools questions come from pool service professionals. This week, Rudy clears the inbox of questions submitted by pool owners—and provides pool pros with a little emotional support in the process. Why is the pool consuming so much chlorine? Why did it turn green after the technician left? Should the pump run longer during extreme heat? Why does a saltwater pool still need chlorine? Are chemicals, brushing, filter cleaning, equipment repairs, storm recovery, and emergency duck removal included in the monthly price? The short answer: read your service agreement, communicate with your pool professional, and remember that weekly service means someone visits once every seven days. It does not mean the technician secretly lives inside the filter, guarding your chlorine around the clock. Rudy tackles common homeowner questions with practical answers, pool chemistry, and the appropriate amount of profanity. He explains why heat, sunlight, swimmers, storms, landscaping, aging equipment, and a 30-person backyard party can create problems that no technician could prevent during one weekly visit. Before getting to the pool questions, Rudy also examines gossip, fake intimacy, and the relationship between the “shit talker” and the “shit bucket.” If someone constantly talks to you about everyone else, you are not part of a protected inner circle—you are simply today’s audience and tomorrow’s material. Topics discussed include:
Pool owners should ask questions, request readings, review photographs, understand the diagnosis, and learn what their service plan includes. What they should not do is assume one weekly visit creates a protective dome capable of repelling rain, pollen, equipment failure, fertilizer, sunscreen, relatives, and urine. Have a question for Rudy or the Talking Pools Podcast team? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| When Corporate Buyouts Kill Technical Support | 13 Aug 2026 | 00:40:50 | |
What happens when the people who actually know the product disappear—and customer service becomes a phone tree, a 90-minute hold, or an ordering department that cannot answer a technical question? This week, Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich examine the decline of accessible technical support across the pool and spa industry. Wayne reflects on his 32 years with Taylor Technologies, where he answered technical questions, developed educational materials, and taught an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 industry professionals. Since Taylor’s acquisition by Fluidra, much of that direct technical access—and even some of Wayne’s educational content—appears to have disappeared. The conversation expands into a larger industry problem: corporate consolidation may preserve a product name, but it does not necessarily preserve the people, knowledge, or customer relationships that built the brand. Before that, Steve is joined by Pat from the California Pool Association for the Insurance Interlude. They discuss how installers can protect themselves when equipment works correctly at completion but fails—or gets damaged—months later. Photos, service records, clearly defined warranty terms, and a documented follow-up may be the only things standing between you and somebody else’s blame game. Topics discussed include:
The label may survive an acquisition, but the institutional knowledge does not survive unless somebody deliberately protects it. When the experts disappear, customers are left owning products without reliable access to the people who understand them. Have a pool, spa, chemistry, equipment, service, or business question you cannot get answered? Email the Talking Pools Podcast team at talkingpools@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Eric Knight Joins Pool Brain | 12 Aug 2026 | 00:36:13 | |
Natalie Hood welcomes Eric Knight back to the Talking Pools Podcast to discuss his move from Watershape University to Pool Brain—and what this new role could mean for pool service professionals. Eric explains how a conversation that began in 2022 eventually developed into an opportunity to combine the work he does best: water chemistry, education, technology, and solving real-world problems for technicians in the field. He also clears up the speculation surrounding his departure from Watershape University. There was no drama, no burned bridge, and no scandal—just an honest recognition of his strengths and an opportunity that better fits how his brain works. The conversation then turns toward the future of the pool industry. Eric explains why artificial intelligence is unlikely to replace pool technicians, but will increasingly help them make better decisions, optimize routes, train employees, standardize service, and operate more profitable businesses. Eric also offers an early look at Pool Brain’s vision for automated chemical dosing, guided technician workflows, and “point-of-need education”—giving technicians the information they need while they are standing in front of the pool, instead of making them wait for the next class or trade show. In This Episode
This is Part One of Natalie Hood’s conversation with Eric Knight. Tune in next Wednesday for Part Two as they continue discussing his new role at Pool Brain and the technology being developed to support the next generation of pool professionals. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Salt | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:20:47 | |
In the conclusion of our conversation with Lee Moore and Blake, Technical Director at AIS Water, we examine what it takes to make saltwater chlorination work reliably in demanding commercial environments. Commercial pools cannot be managed by reacting to every change with another drum of chemicals. Like steering a cruise ship, water chemistry requires calculated adjustments, accurate information, and equipment sized for the facility’s actual operating conditions. The conversation covers the difference between ORP and direct free-available-chlorine measurement, on/off versus proportional chlorinator control, and how properly sized systems respond to sudden increases in bather load. Lee and Blake also explain why some facilities retain liquid or granular chlorine as backup sanitation—even when onsite chlorine generation handles nearly the entire demand. We also challenge some persistent assumptions about saltwater pools. Modern commercial systems can operate at salt concentrations as low as approximately 950 ppm, opening the door for indoor pools, facilities with natural stone, and other applications where corrosion concerns have discouraged saltwater chlorination. Finally, we look behind the marketing of “mineral pools.” Magnesium and potassium salts may change how the water feels, but the sanitation still comes from chlorine produced through electrolysis. Minerals do not replace the sanitizer. Topics discussed include:
If you operate, specify, design, or service commercial aquatic facilities, this episode offers a practical look at building a chlorination system around stability, predictable demand, and intelligent control—not chemical firefighting. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Confidence Isn’t Competence: Pool Industry Edition | 07 Aug 2026 | 00:37:11 | |
Profanity does not make someone unprofessional. Confidently spreading bad information does. In this intentionally abrasive episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz takes aim at the comment-section experts who diagnose complicated pool problems from one blurry photograph, defend outdated beliefs with “I’ve been doing this for 20 years,” and treat confidence as a substitute for evidence. BREAKING INDUSTRY NEWS The Confidently Wrong Rudy explains why experience only has value when it remains connected to research, why a correct result does not necessarily prove the explanation behind it, and why professionals must be willing to say, “I don’t know.” He also examines the limits of the Langelier Saturation Index, the risks of oversimplified chemistry advice, and the difference between handing someone an answer and teaching that person how to investigate a problem. The pool industry does not need to lose its personality, clean up every four-letter word, or turn itself into a room full of corporate robots. It does need people who verify what they say, correct themselves when the evidence changes, and understand that other professionals and customers make real decisions based on the information they share. The loudest person may get the most attention. The person who consistently does the work earns the trust. In This Episode
Key Takeaways Experience should be a foundation, not a shield against better information. A professional gathers facts, considers competing explanations, understands the limits of a diagnosis, and changes course when the evidence demands it. A real mentor does more than provide an answer. A mentor teaches someone what to test, what to rule out, what information matters, and how to reason through the next problem independently. Profanity backed by accurate information is a voice. Profanity used to disguise ignorance is noise. 2026 Talking Pools Top Ten Pool Industry Mentors Congratulations to:
These honorees were selected by the hosts of the Talking Pools Podcast for the lasting difference they have made in the lives and careers of pool professionals. Episode Sponsors
Content Advisory This episode contains strong language and intentionally abrasive humor. Connect With Talking Pools Subscribe to the Talking Pools Podcast wherever you listen, share this episode with a pool professional who values evidence over ego, and follow the show for straight talk, practical education, and pool-industry commentary without the corporate filter. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Miracle Pool Products | 06 Aug 2026 | 00:58:14 | |
This week on Thursdays with Wayne and Steve, the guys take aim at “miracle” pool products, suspiciously cheap equipment, expired test reagents, and the growing number of online knockoffs promising professional results at bargain-basement prices. Wayne recalls some of the industry’s most memorable gimmicks—including magnets that supposedly made calcium disappear—and explains why words like “miracle cure” should immediately raise a red flag. Steve breaks down how he presents customers with equipment options, why an internet price is not always an apples-to-apples comparison, and what customers give up when they purchase off-brand replacement parts without professional support or a reliable warranty. During this episode’s Insurance Interlude, Steve and Pat Grenon examine a nightmare renovation in which an unlicensed contractor allegedly left chunks of concrete inside a pool’s plumbing. They discuss the homeowner’s possible options, the limits of homeowners insurance, and why asking to be named as an additional insured may provide valuable protection before a contractor begins work. Wayne also explains why heavily discounted test kits and reagents may not be the bargain they appear to be. Products sitting in warehouses or clearance bins can be years old, and expired reagents can produce unreliable results—even when the packaging looks perfectly legitimate. The conversation also covers customer communication, emergency-service pricing, protecting your profit margins, commercial-pool safety failures, and why treating people well remains the most effective marketing strategy in the pool business. Topics discussed include:
The takeaway is simple: read the labels, check expiration dates, compare products carefully, document contractor work, and never assume that the cheapest option is actually the least expensive. Have a pool-industry scam or questionable product you think Wayne and Steve should investigate? Email the show at talkingpools@gmail.com. If your story is featured, the team may send you a small thank-you gift. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Cold Plunge Myths: Dewey Case of the CMAHC Turns Up the Heat | 05 Aug 2026 | 00:36:42 | |
Cold plunges and ice baths are appearing everywhere—from fitness centers and recovery facilities to wellness clinics, athletic programs, and luxury spas. But colder water does not automatically mean cleaner or safer water. In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Natalie Hood is joined by Dewey Case, Technical Director for the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code and Aquatics Coordinator for Williamson County Parks and Recreation in Tennessee. Dewey helped assemble the experts behind the new CMAHC Cold Water Venue Guidance. Together, he and Natalie separate cold-plunge facts from social-media fiction and explain why these increasingly popular venues require far more attention than a tub, a garden hose, and several bags of ice. They discuss why bacteria can survive in cold water, how lower temperatures can slow sanitizer performance, and why even a single user introduces sweat, body oils, cosmetics, urea, and microorganisms into the water. They also examine the much greater contamination burden created when a commercial system serves dozens—or potentially hundreds—of users each week. The conversation covers the risks associated with poorly maintained systems, including biofilm, Pseudomonas, swimmer’s ear, and the possibility of transferring gastrointestinal pathogens. They also explain why dunking your head into questionable cold-plunge water may be a particularly bad idea. In This Episode
As Dewey explains, a home cold plunge used by one person and a recirculating commercial venue serving hundreds of bathers are not the same thing. When the bather load changes, the operational practices must change with it. This episode is essential listening for pool professionals, aquatic operators, health officials, inspectors, facility managers, designers, builders, fitness-center owners, and anyone responsible for operating a commercial cold-water venue. She Swims So They Can Natalie is preparing to swim more than 21 miles across three open-water swimming marathons as part of the Tennessee Triple Crown Open Water Swim Challenge. Her campaign, She Swims So They Can, benefits Every Child a Swimmer and helps provide children with access to lifesaving swim lessons. Her scheduled swims are:
Donations will be accepted through October 3, 2026. To learn more, donate, purchase official fundraising apparel, or explore sponsorship opportunities, visit Natalie’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Companies interested in sponsoring the campaign may contact Natalie directly at nhood@thegritgame.com. Every contribution helps—and every share expands the campaign’s reach. Special thanks to campaign sponsors Revved Up Apparel, H2flow Controls, Tenjam, and the Talking Pools Podcast. #TalkingPoolsPodcast #ColdPlunge #ColdWaterImmersion #IceBath #AquaticSafety #WaterQuality #PoolOperator #PoolProfessional #CMAHC #MAHC #PublicHealth #Aquatics #Pseudomonas #WaterChemistry Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Commercial Salt Chlorination: Safer, Smarter, and Built to Scale | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:40:56 | |
On this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury and Nick are joined by AIS Water’s Lee Moore and Technical Director Blake for a deep dive into commercial saltwater chlorination. AIS Water has worked in salt chlorination for approximately 35 years, developing systems for everything from swim schools and splash parks to resorts, 50-meter competition pools, coastal pools, and enormous lagoons containing millions of liters of water. The conversation explores why more commercial aquatic facilities are moving toward onsite chlorine generation—and why their success depends on selecting actual commercial equipment, correctly sizing the system, and maintaining proper water chemistry. The three major benefits are convenience, safety, and long-term cost savings. Generating chlorine onsite can dramatically reduce the handling, storage, transportation, and manual transfer of liquid or granular chlorine. It can also reduce the risks associated with chemical spills, damaged dosing lines, incorrect chemical mixing, and chlorine gas entering an occupied pool. But not every “commercial salt system” is truly commercial. The guests discuss facilities that attempted to meet massive chlorine demand by plumbing together banks of residential chlorinators—including one installation containing an astonishing 95 residential units. Besides creating a maintenance nightmare, these improvised systems can introduce excessive head loss, restrict circulation, shorten cell life, and still fail to satisfy the pool’s chlorine demand. Proper sizing requires far more than knowing the pool’s volume. AIS Water considers actual peak bather load, water temperature, turnover rate, sunlight exposure, cyanuric acid use, environmental conditions, operating hours, and the facility’s location. Two pools of identical size—even pools located only a suburb apart—may require substantially different chlorine production capacities. And just when you thought pool chlorination could not get any stranger, the discussion turns to horse pools, seal enclosures, sea lions, natural salt contributions from swimmers, and one exceptionally important unanswered question: Just how much chlorine does a sea lion prefer? You will have to return next Monday for the conclusion. In this episode:
Guests:
Hosted by Lee Salisbury and Nick on Mondays Down Under, part of the Talking Pools Podcast network.
Certified to the Highest International Standards – AIS commercial chlorination systems are independently certified to NSF/ANSI 50 for swimming pool equipment safety and performance, UL 1081 for electrical safety, and are approved for installation in Los Angeles County, one of the world's most stringent regulatory environments. These certifications provide independent assurance that AIS products meet rigorous standards for quality, reliability, and safety, giving consultants, operators, and asset owners confidence in specifying AIS for demanding commercial aquatic facilities. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Stop Selling the Bottle—Sell the Outcome | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:21:23 | |
Specialty chemicals are not the enemy. Phosphate removers, enzymes, clarifiers, sequestrants, scale inhibitors, flocculants and stain treatments can all deliver real value—when they address an actual, diagnosed condition. In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz explains why the bottle should never become the protocol. Before adding any specialty chemical to a pool, service professionals should answer three questions:
Rudy breaks down the hidden costs that are often ignored: return visits, filter cleaning, vacuuming, fuel, labor and the time required to explain an expected reaction to the customer. A $20 bottle is no longer a $20 treatment when it creates another hour of work. He also explains why specialty treatments should not automatically be buried inside a flat monthly service rate. Customers are not paying for possession of the bottle. They are paying for the professional who knows when to use it, how much to use, what conditions are required, what side effects to expect and what to do when the treatment does not behave as planned. The episode also includes a message honoring the 2026 Top Ten Pool Industry Mentors and Rudy’s final thoughts about his Reflecting Pool coating analysis reaching the White House—proof that sound technical work can matter far beyond the pool industry. In this episode
The three-question specialty chemical test
Specialty chemicals are tools—not miracles, substitutes for proper maintenance or acts of absolution for neglected pools. Sponsored in part by Service Industry News, AquaStar Pool Products and BluRay XL. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Cold Plunges, Pool Inspections, and Where the Industry Is Headed | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:37:28 | |
Show Notes This week, Steve and Wayne tackle two timely topics affecting the swimming pool industry. First, Steve discusses a growing number of calls from homeowners who find themselves trapped in construction projects with missed deadlines, questionable workmanship, and uncertainty about what to do next. The conversation explores the challenges of residential pool inspections, the gray areas of building codes, and why hiring an independent expert isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. The second half of the episode takes a deep dive into the newly released Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) Cold Water Venue Guidance. With cold plunges becoming increasingly popular in homes, gyms, spas, and athletic facilities, Steve and Wayne explain why industry guidance is needed, how it is developed, and what pool professionals should understand about water quality, sanitation, filtration, and safety. In This Episode
Key Takeaways
Featured Discussion The MAHC's New Cold Water Guidance Steve and Wayne explain why the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code developed guidance for cold plunge facilities, how recommendations are reviewed by subject-matter experts, and why science—not social media trends—should drive industry best practices. Behind the Scenes with Professional Sports Drawing from firsthand experience servicing facilities for NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLS organizations, Steve shares how professional teams maintain therapy pools, cold plunges, and rehabilitation equipment—and why sanitation protocols are often much more aggressive than many people expect. Sponsored By A special thank you to the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) for supporting this episode and their continued work advancing science-based aquatic health guidance. Have a topic you'd like Steve and Wayne to cover? Send your suggestions to talkingpools@gmail.com. If your idea is featured on the show, you might even receive a special thank-you gift! Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Building a Better Pool Company: Leadership, Growth, and Company Culture with Leslie Elliott | 29 Jul 2026 | 00:49:06 | |
What really separates a good pool company from a great one? This week, Natalie Hood sits down with Leslie Elliott, Founder and CEO of Poolie, one of the fastest-growing pool service companies in Texas. Leslie's journey into the industry didn't begin with decades of pool experience—it began with a green pool, poor customer service, and the realization that the industry had room to improve. Together, Natalie and Leslie tackle some of the biggest myths surrounding pool service businesses, leadership, customer service, company culture, growth, technology, and artificial intelligence. Whether you're an owner, manager, technician, or someone thinking about starting a pool company, this conversation offers practical lessons that apply far beyond the swimming pool industry. In this episode:
Key Takeaways
Featured Guest Leslie Elliott Leslie shares how her background in management consulting and business operations helped her build Poolie into a multi-market service company focused on exceptional customer service, scalable systems, and investing in people. Hosted By Natalie Hood Sponsored By
Connect Learn more about Poolie at Poolie.com and follow their continued growth on social media. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Talking Pools Podcast, leave us a review, and share it with another pool professional who's committed to raising the bar for our industry. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Mondays Down Under – LaMotte, Water Testing, and Why Professional Testing Matters (Part 2) | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:36:19 | |
What separates a professional pool service company from someone simply adding chemicals? In Part 2 of this special Mondays Down Under discussion, Lee Salisbury and Nick dive deeper into professional water analysis with the team from LaMotte, discussing why consistent, accurate testing is one of the biggest differences between average pool care and true water management. The conversation explores the value of the WaterLink® Spin system, reducing user error, interpreting test results correctly, common mistakes professionals make after shocking a pool, and why understanding chemistry matters far more than simply reading numbers off a report. Whether you're running a retail store, servicing residential pools, or maintaining commercial aquatic facilities, this episode is packed with practical advice that can improve both your water quality and your bottom line. In This Episode
Technical Topics Covered
Common Testing Mistakes Discussed
Best Practices
Commercial Aquatic Facility Discussion The episode also covers:
Key Takeaways Professional water testing isn't about owning expensive equipment—it's about making better decisions. Accurate testing saves time, improves customer confidence, reduces costly mistakes, and helps protect both swimming pools and the people using them. Understanding what your test results are actually telling you is every bit as important as obtaining the numbers themselves. Featured Guests
Connect with Talking Pools 🌐 Website: https://talkingpools.com 📧 Email: talkingpools@gmail.com Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and never miss an episode covering pool chemistry, service techniques, business growth, industry news, and conversations with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the swimming pool industry. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Everybody Blamed the Hydrogen Peroxide... But What Did It Really Do to Trump's Reflecting Pool? | 24 Jul 2026 | 00:47:24 | |
When the National Park Service added hydrogen peroxide to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, the internet immediately decided it had found the culprit behind the peeling coating. But science doesn't work that way. In this episode, Rudy Stankowitz takes a research-first approach to one of the most discussed pool stories of the year. Instead of asking whether hydrogen peroxide caused a coating failure, he asks a different question: Why was hydrogen peroxide chosen in the first place? Drawing from published scientific literature on cyanobacteria, harmful algal blooms, microbiology, biofilms, and water treatment, Rudy explores how hydrogen peroxide affects microorganisms, why mature biofilms are so difficult to eliminate, and why swimming pool professionals may need to rethink the way they've approached "black algae" for decades. This isn't a product pitch. It's an evidence-based discussion designed to separate what science has demonstrated from what still remains a hypothesis. The episode also introduces the first part of Rudy's proposed research protocol—a hypothesis assembled from published mechanisms that has not been validated in controlled swimming pool research—and explains exactly where established science ends and new investigation begins. If you're tired of opinions masquerading as facts, this episode is for you. In This Episode
Key Takeaway Science advances by asking better questions—not by rushing to conclusions. This episode doesn't claim to have solved black algae. It challenges listeners to examine what the published research actually supports, recognize the limits of current knowledge, and think critically about where future swimming pool research should go. Sponsors Special thanks to the companies that support education and the advancement of the swimming pool industry:
Connect with Talking Pools Follow Talking Pools on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss Part 2, where the proposed research protocol continues with hydrogen peroxide, chlorine sequencing, and the remaining scientific questions surrounding mature cyanobacterial biofilms. Test it. Dose it. Brush it. Brush it down. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Running a Smarter Pool Business | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:51:46 | |
This week on Talking Pools Thursdays, Wayne Ivusich and Steve Sherwood cover everything from the newest generation of robotic pool cleaners to protecting your business from costly mistakes, distributor pricing, chemical accountability, inspection reports, and why good documentation may be the most valuable tool you own. The episode opens with congratulations for Andrea Nannini on her new position with Gorman Company and a reminder that the 2026 Talking Pools Mentor Award Top 10 Finalists will soon be announced, recognizing professionals who go beyond technical knowledge by investing in others. Steve then dives into his latest experiences with cordless robotic pool cleaners, comparing different Polaris Freedom models, discussing battery life, runtime, commercial versus residential applications, and whether today's wireless robots are finally ready to replace traditional corded units. The hosts also discuss the limitations every technician should understand—including ladders, handrails, steps, main drains, and unusual pool shapes that can confuse even premium robotic cleaners. The conversation shifts into one of the least discussed ways pool companies lose money: inventory control. Steve explains how improperly tracked chlorine deliveries, returnable containers, pricing discrepancies, and purchasing habits can quietly cost companies thousands of dollars. The discussion explores building relationships with distributors while still shopping intelligently, negotiating prices, and understanding where business owners must verify every invoice themselves. During the Insurance Interlude, Steve and Pat Grignon tackle a topic many service professionals eventually face: inspection reports that may become evidence in litigation. They discuss when an inspection remains simply an inspection, when it crosses into expert witness territory, how to protect yourself through documentation, why objective reporting matters, and why keeping complete records—including the exact report you submitted—can become your best legal defense. The episode also explores one of the most overlooked skills in pool service: knowing the actual volume of water you're treating. Steve explains how calculating chlorine dosage correctly can dramatically reduce chemical waste while improving consistency. Drawing from years of managing multiple service crews, he shares how accurate calculations and field verification once reduced chlorine consumption by tens of thousands of dollars over a single season. Wayne adds practical insight into why textbook volume calculations often underestimate actual system water once plumbing and equipment are considered. To close the show, Wayne clears up several common misconceptions about potassium monopersulfate (MPS), often marketed as "non-chlorine shock." He explains what the product actually does, what it does not do, why it does not eliminate existing combined chlorine, how it can help prevent new chloramine formation, proper dosing considerations, testing interference, and why it is most commonly found in heavily used indoor aquatic facilities rather than residential pools. In This Episode
Connect with Talking Pools Have a question or topic you'd like covered on a future episode? Email: talkingpools@gmail.com Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and never miss another episode of Talking Pools. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Chemistry Myths That Cost Pool Pros Money – Part 2 | 22 Jul 2026 | 00:50:25 | |
Are you making pool chemistry harder than it needs to be? In Part 2 of our Chemistry Myths That Cost Pool Pros Money series, Natalie Hood welcomes Eric Wall back to the show to continue separating fact from fiction in professional pool care. From the belief that a strong chlorine smell means a clean pool to the misconception that "perfect" test results always equal healthy water, this episode challenges some of the industry's most common assumptions while exploring what truly creates exceptional water quality and profitable service routes. The conversation goes beyond chemistry, diving into technician training, customer retention, specialty chemical programs, filtration, troubleshooting, and why successful companies focus on systems—not just products. Whether you're servicing ten pools a week or managing hundreds of accounts, this episode offers practical insights that can help streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and increase profitability. In This Episode
Key Takeaways ✔ Water chemistry numbers tell only part of the story. ✔ Customer experience is driven by water clarity, feel, and consistency. ✔ Good filtration and good chemistry work together. ✔ Standardized operating procedures create more profitable service companies. ✔ Better-trained technicians stay longer and provide better service. ✔ Investing in education pays dividends throughout your business. Featured Guest Eric Wall Eric shares decades of industry experience working directly with service companies, builders, retailers, and distributors across North America. His practical approach focuses on simplifying pool care, improving technician success, and helping businesses become more efficient and profitable through education and standardized systems. Sponsored By
Also Featured Natalie shares an update on her "She Swims So They Can" Tennessee Triple Crown Open Water Swim Challenge benefiting Every Child A Swimmer, including sponsorship opportunities that help provide life-saving swim lessons and water safety education for children. Connect Questions for Eric Wall? If Part 1 challenged what you thought you knew about pool chemistry, Part 2 takes it even further by showing how better systems, better training, and better questions create better pool professionals. Listen now and discover why smarter pool care isn't about using more chemicals—it's about understanding the entire system. a custom apparel company built for the pool industry. Founded by pool professionals Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Pool Water Testing with LaMotte Down Under | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:34:22 | |
Magnesium, Salt & the Truth About Water Testing with LaMotte – Part 1 Is your salt test really measuring salt? What happens when magnesium enters the equation? And why do two different salt tests sometimes give two completely different answers? This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee and Nick welcome Hieron from LaMotte for a fascinating deep dive into modern water testing, magnesium pools, calcium hardness, Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), and why understanding your test results is just as important as performing the test itself. Whether you're servicing pools every day or managing a retail water testing lab, this episode explains why blindly trusting numbers without understanding the chemistry behind them can cost your customers money—and shorten the life of their equipment. In This Episode
Key Takeaways One of the biggest myths discussed is that all salt readings are equal. Traditional conductivity meters measure the electrical conductivity of dissolved solids, while LaMotte's Spin system chemically measures usable chloride ions—the portion of salt that can actually produce chlorine. Understanding that distinction can dramatically improve troubleshooting and help explain why older pools often experience chlorination issues despite appearing to have sufficient salt. The conversation also explores why magnesium pools require technicians to think differently about hardness testing. Magnesium contributes to total hardness but should not simply be substituted for calcium when calculating water balance or the LSI. Accurate testing allows professionals to properly determine true calcium hardness instead of relying on outdated rules of thumb. Beyond chemistry, the discussion focuses on customer communication. The best technicians don't simply hand customers a printout—they ask better questions, interpret the results, educate pool owners, and build relationships that last for years. Featured Guest Hieron – LaMotte
Coming Next Week Part Two continues the conversation with even more practical discussions on professional water analysis, advanced chemistry, and improving customer outcomes through better testing and education. Listen, subscribe, and join the conversation wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Why Pool Coatings Peel | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:47:38 | |
The Truth About Pool Coatings, Surface Preparation, and Why Failures Really Happen Everyone wants to know which pool paint is the best. Wrong question. In this episode of Talking Pools, Rudy Stankowitz takes listeners far beyond the paint can and into the science of coating failures, adhesion, compatibility, moisture, and surface preparation. Using the recent attention surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as a jumping-off point, Rudy explains why nearly every coating failure investigation asks the same question: What happened before the paint ever touched the surface? From chlorinated rubber and acrylics to epoxy and high-build epoxy systems, this episode explores the strengths, weaknesses, and proper applications of today's most common swimming pool coating systems. More importantly, it explains why even the most expensive coating in the world can't overcome poor preparation. If you've ever wondered why one painted pool lasts fifteen years while another begins peeling after a single season, this episode connects the dots between chemistry, application, environmental conditions, and good old-fashioned craftsmanship. Along the way, Rudy shares real-world stories, practical advice, and plenty of his signature Gen X humor. Whether you're a pool service professional, contractor, facility manager, or simply fascinated by how coatings succeed—or fail—this is one of the most comprehensive discussions on swimming pool coatings ever presented on the Talking Pools Podcast. In This Episode
Key Takeaways ✔ The most expensive coating cannot overcome poor surface preparation. ✔ Compatibility between existing and new coating systems is critical. ✔ Surface contamination is often invisible but can completely prevent proper adhesion. ✔ Moisture inside concrete can remain long after the surface appears dry. ✔ Proper environmental conditions are just as important as choosing the right coating. ✔ Good investigators document the failure before removing any evidence. ✔ Most coating failures begin long before the pool is filled with water. ✔ Successful coating jobs are built on preparation—not luck. Memorable Quotes "Surface preparation isn't part of the job. Surface preparation is the job.""Compatibility matters. Chemistry matters. Guessing doesn't.""Painting a pool isn't hard. Knowing when not to paint—that's what separates a guy with a roller from a pool professional."Featured Sponsors Blu-Ray XL Reduce chemical usage, lower labor costs, and improve profitability with Blu-Ray XL's mineral purification technology for pool professionals. Jacks Magic Professional stain identification, removal, and prevention products trusted throughout the pool industry. AquaStar Pool Products Learn about AquaStar's innovative Pipeline cartridge filters featuring NSF-tested performance and simplified maintenance. Service Industry News Stay informed with nationwide pool and spa industry news, technical articles, and the famous Horror File. Subscribe free at Service Industry News. Listen If You...
Connect With Talking Pools Questions about coatings, chemistry, troubleshooting, or a future podcast topic? 📧 talkingpools@gmail.com Subscribe to the Talking Pools Podcast Network wherever you get your podcasts, and join thousands of pool professionals each week for practical discussions on water chemistry, coatings, equipment, business, and everything that makes you a better pool pro. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| When a Pool Is a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:17:14 | |
What happens when you walk onto a commercial pool deck expecting to provide a service quote... and instead discover a facility that should probably be closed? In this episode of Insurance Interlude, Steve Sherwood and Pat Grignon tackle one of the toughest situations a commercial pool professional can face: discovering serious code violations before you've even signed a contract. Steve shares a recent experience inspecting several HOA pools where years of neglected maintenance, questionable repairs, missing safety equipment, incomplete service logs, and improper chemical handling created significant liability concerns. The discussion quickly shifts from "Should I take this account?" to "How do I protect myself if something happens before I'm hired?" Whether you're servicing residential pools, managing commercial facilities, or growing your business, this episode is packed with practical advice on inspections, documentation, contracts, liability, and protecting both your customers and your company. In This Episode
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Open Water Swimming Myths Busted with Hilda Lopez | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:59:48 | |
How different is open water swimming from training in a pool? Far more than most people realize. This week, Natalie Hood is joined by ultra-endurance swimmer Hilda Lopez, fresh off completing the 50th Annual Swim Around Key West—a grueling 12.5-mile marathon swim that tested her endurance, mindset, and determination. Hilda shares her inspiring journey from struggling with her health and being significantly overweight to becoming an accomplished open water swimmer tackling some of the world's most demanding marathon swims. Together, Natalie and Hilda break down some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding open water swimming, including:
Hilda also recounts the emotional final mile of her Swim Around Key West, where exhaustion, heat, and powerful currents nearly ended her race before encouragement from her support crew—and especially her son—helped carry her to the finish. Finally, Natalie announces her own next adventure: taking on the Tennessee Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming while raising funds for Every Child A Swimmer, helping provide lifesaving swim lessons to children. Whether you're an experienced swimmer, training for your first open water event, or simply love hearing stories of perseverance, this episode is packed with practical advice, inspiration, and an honest look at what it really takes to conquer the open water. Topics Covered
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Why Pool Pros Should Stop Ignoring Spas (and What Could Cost You Everything) with Adrian Lacey | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:54:20 | |
Most pool professionals know pools. But when a spa needs repair? Suddenly everyone starts looking for "the spa guy." This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury and Nick welcome one of Australia's leading spa equipment specialists, Adrian Lacey of Spatex, for an eye-opening discussion that every pool technician, retailer, and service company needs to hear. If you've ever avoided spa repairs because they seemed too complicated—or too risky—this episode explains why that hesitation may be costing you a profitable part of your business. More importantly... It explains how to do it safely. In this episode:
Sacrificial Anodes Explained Adrian also dives into one of the industry's most misunderstood topics:
Learn:
Pool Safety That Too Many Professionals Overlook The conversation shifts into one of the most important topics in the industry: Safety. Including:
Adrian shares practical advice that could help technicians avoid costly mistakes—and potentially save lives. Plus
Whether you service residential pools, commercial facilities, or have never touched a spa before, this episode is packed with practical advice, safety insights, and real-world experience that every pool professional can benefit from. 🎙 Guest: Adrian Lacey – Spatex 🎧 Hosted by: Lee Salisbury & Nick 📅 Series: Mondays Down Under Listen now and discover why expanding your knowledge of spas may be one of the smartest business decisions you make this year. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Si Solo Agregas Cloro, No Eres un Profesional | 11 Jul 2026 | 00:59:29 | |
Química del Agua: Lo Que Todo Profesional de Piscinas Debe Saber (Parte 2) En este episodio de Talking Pools en Español, continuamos con una inmersión profunda en la química del agua, explicando conceptos que con frecuencia generan confusión incluso entre técnicos con experiencia. Hablamos de la importancia del cepillado como herramienta preventiva contra las algas, analizamos los distintos tipos de desinfectantes disponibles y aclaramos uno de los conceptos más malinterpretados de la industria: el contenido de cloro disponible. También exploramos las diferencias entre cloro, bromo, ozono y luz ultravioleta, cuándo utilizar cada uno y cuáles son sus ventajas y limitaciones. Además, Rudy explica la importancia de realizar pruebas precisas del agua, cómo interpretar correctamente los resultados y por qué un profesional nunca debe limitarse a "agregar químicos y marcharse". La verdadera diferencia entre un técnico y un profesional está en comprender qué está ocurriendo dentro del agua antes de decidir cualquier tratamiento. Si deseas mejorar tus conocimientos sobre química del agua y ofrecer un servicio basado en ciencia y no en suposiciones, este episodio es para ti. En este episodio
La idea principal Los productos químicos no solucionan problemas por sí solos. Los profesionales solucionan problemas porque entienden la química del agua, interpretan correctamente los resultados de las pruebas y toman decisiones basadas en evidencia, no en costumbres o suposiciones. La diferencia entre un técnico promedio y un verdadero profesional comienza con el conocimiento. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||
| Trump's Reflecting Pool. Minnesota's Supreme Court. The Pool Industry Just Got Interesting. | 10 Jul 2026 | 00:34:34 | |
This week on the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy breaks down two major stories making waves across the pool industry. First, a new case before the Minnesota Supreme Court could redefine what happens when homeowners rent out their backyard swimming pools through apps like Swimpley. If a residential pool becomes a commercial business, should it be regulated like a public pool? Rudy explores what that could mean for homeowners, service companies, builders, health departments, insurance carriers, and pool professionals across the country. Then, the episode shifts to the continuing investigation surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Following the Independence Day celebrations, crews drained the basin to begin inspecting the widely discussed coating failure. Rudy separates documented facts from speculation and explains why engineering investigations require evidence—not opinions. Drawing on more than three decades of troubleshooting complex pool failures, Rudy examines the publicly available documentation, discusses coating systems, adhesion failures, ASTM testing standards, moisture considerations, recoat windows, and why forensic analysis—not politics—will ultimately determine what happened. If you're tired of hot takes and looking for a technical, evidence-based discussion, this episode delivers exactly that. In This Episode
Key Takeaway Good investigations don't begin with conclusions. They begin with evidence. Whether it's a backyard pool operating as a business or one of America's most recognizable reflecting pools, the same principles apply: collect the facts, test the evidence, challenge assumptions, and let the data tell the story. Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com | |||