Pool Magazine - Podcasts for the Pool Industry

In this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast , host Joe Trusty sits down with James Votraw , Southeast Business Development Manager for Latham Pools , whose remarkable 150-pound weight-loss journey has captured national attention. James opens up about the moment that forced him to reevaluate his health, how a persistent case of hiccups and a hospital visit became his wake-up call, and how his backyard...

Automation is changing the pool industry, and Pentair’s IntelliFlo3® VSF Pump is leading the charge. In this episode, Senior Product Manager Adam Key explains how this next-generation pump isn’t just about circulation — it’s a complete automation solution. We explore how WiFi connectivity enables homeowners to adjust schedules and monitor energy use remotely, how built-in relays allow control of p...

From humble beginnings cleaning pools to co-founding one of Texas’s most respected luxury pool firms, Joshua Buzzell’s journey with Regal Pools is a masterclass in entrepreneurship and leadership. In this episode, he recounts how he and his partner Edwin Escobar built a culture of quality and accountability that propelled Regal into the Top 50 Pool Builders list. Josh explains the sacrifices, long...

In this latest episode of Pool Magazine Podcast, Vito Mariano, president of Basecrete Technologies , announces three exciting new products they're adding to their lineup: Nano-Set, Suede, and their fiberglass mesh system  Basecrete Xtreme . With decades of experience and multiple plaster patents, Mariano explains how these innovations improve color retention, reduce permeability, and extend t...

Marcus Sheridan, co-founder of River Pools and renowned marketing strategist, knows firsthand how content can save a business. In this episode, he shares how during the 2008 recession, transparency and answering customer questions online transformed River Pools into the most visited pool website in the world. We explore his “ They Ask, You Answer ” philosophy — a revolutionary approach that empowe...

Bo Barnett of GBIV Designs joins us to talk about one of the biggest shifts happening in pool construction today — the move toward large-format porcelain panels. Known for his award-winning projects in Austin and beyond, Barnett explains why porcelain has become the material of choice for luxury builders and designers. He shares how large porcelain panels create a sleek, modern aesthetic, cut down...

Few materials say luxury like Bisazza glass tile, and in this episode, tile master Jimmy Reed of Rock Solid Tile and retailer Frank Vitori of AquaBlu Mosaics explain why. With over three decades of experience, Reed shares the artistry behind installing all-glass pools and why Bisazza remains a gold standard for high-end projects. Vitori contributes his expertise from the distributor’s perspective,...

Women of Water , a new initiative developed by the PHTA (Pool & Hot Tub Alliance) in partnership with POOLCORP , seeks to connect, empower, and advocate for women in the pool, spa, and hot tub industry through community, education, and leadership development. WOW officially kicks off at this year's International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Las Vegas. To learn more about the Women of Water init...

As Executive Director of the Master Pools Guild (MPG) , Teri Wiltshire has a global perspective on where the industry is headed. In this episode, she breaks down the factors driving rising pool costs — from labor shortages to inflation — and offers practical advice for builders on how to stay profitable while keeping projects on track. Wiltshire also touches on how pools are increasingly seen as i...

On this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast , we sit down with Sean West, founder and VP of Sales at Deckology , the company behind AquaFlex — the surfacing system trusted by luxury resorts like the Bellagio, Wynn, and Mandalay Bay. From the scorching pool decks of Las Vegas to high-end properties across the country, AquaFlex has become synonymous with durability, safety, and guest comfort. Sean expl...

Each year, the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, co-located with Deck Expo, sets the tone for the industry — and 2025 in Las Vegas is shaping up to be the biggest yet. In this episode, Show Manager Megan Magaña shares what attendees can expect, from intensive pre-conference education with PHTA and Genesis to hands-on demos on the show floor. We also highlight the various events and networking...

In this episode, we dive into a groundbreaking safety study on equipotential bonding , commissioned by the Pool Industry Council and conducted by John Antonelli in partnership with the Florida Swimming Pool Association . The report compared different bonding methods — including single copper wire, copper grids, and bonding within pool structures — to evaluate how effectively they reduce voltage di...

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Thomasson of Rockwater Farm Landscapes & Hardscapes to explore how they solved a complex design challenge with creativity and precision. Tasked with creating a modern pool and spa that accentuates the home, serves as an engaging focal point, and integrates seamlessly with an autocover system, they introduced a bold design solution: trimming a quarter of t...

Ready to make your backyard the envy of the neighborhood? In this episode, Pool Magazine editor Joe Trusty sits down with Pentair’s lighting guru, Jeff Zillmer, to discuss their brand-new IntelliVibe Lighting System —a game-changer that pumps out up to 15 million instant-change colors, lets you micro-dim in 1% increments, and demands a smaller footprint on the pad with four independent zones contr...

On this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast , we’re joined by Alex Granlund, Product Marketing Manager for King Technology — makers of the popular FROG® line of pool and spa products. During the course of our discussion, we learned about King’s no-ego company culture and customer-first focus that have earned them accolades like being named a "Top Workplace".  We also explore the development...

In this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast , we talk with Phil De Tournillon, co-founder of Current Systems and creator of the River Flow pump, to explore one of the biggest trends in modern pool design: the rise of swim-in-place pools and dynamic aquatic environments. Today’s homeowners aren’t trading traditional pools — they’re enhancing them. With features like adjustable current systems, lazy ri...

On this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast , we’re diving into the art and science of crafting the perfect backyard waterfall with Sean Mangan of Rockscapes Canada . A second-generation expert in artificial rock design, Sean shares invaluable insight on how to transform outdoor spaces with custom water features that seamlessly integrate into the home and outdoor living area. From the do’s and don’ts...

In this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast , editor Joe Trusty sits down with Fred Lachance, Director of Sales Marketing at Moov Pool Products, to explore how the company is pushing boundaries with its AI-driven inverter pump technology. Lachance shares the origin story of Moov, its partnership with global heat pump leader Fairland, and how the brand is carving out a foothold in the North American p...

On this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast , we're diving into the cutting edge of pool tech with Patrick Jennings of Beatbot . We explore how this innovative company burst onto the scene with the AquaSense and now continues to push boundaries with the AquaSense 2 Ultra — the world's first AI-powered 5-in-1 robotic pool cleaner. Patrick breaks down how Beatbot’s advanced AI mapping, multi-...

On this important episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, host Joe Trusty sits down with Dr. Adam Katchmarchi, a leading national expert on drowning prevention and water safety. As National Pool Safety Month kicks off, this conversation couldn’t be more timely or more vital. Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death among children ages one to four — and many of these tragedies are entir...

In this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast, host Joe Trusty talks with Nick Buchholz, owner of Basin Pool Designs, a boutique luxury pool builder based in Tennessee that's quickly making waves across the industry. Drawing from his background in culinary and fine dining, Buchholz approaches pool design with the same thoughtful execution, creativity, and discipline found in a Michelin-star kitche...

In this episode of Pool Magazine Podcast , host Joe Trusty sits down with Frank Vitori, owner of AquaBlu , for a deep dive into some of the hottest trends in outdoor living: stylish in-pool furniture and eye-catching fire features . From the widespread adoption of sun shelves and modular lounge systems to the latest in fire bowls and sustainable poolside furnishings, Frank shares insider knowledge...

In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast, we sit down with Scott Rajeski, CEO of Latham Pool Products, as the company approaches its 70th anniversary. Scott shares insights into Latham’s latest innovations — from the launch of their new plunge pool collection to cutting-edge technology like Measure by Latham Pools  and the Pool Visualizer app. We discuss how shrinking lot sizes are shaping poo...

In this episode of the Pool Magazine Podcast , host Joe Trusty sits down with Kendall Large, Vice President of Marketing at POOLCORP, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies. Kendall shares insights into POOLCORP’s sustained growth as the company celebrates its 44th year in business and its 30th anniversary as a publicly traded company.  We discuss the strategic signifi...

Earlier this week, Pool Magazine reported that the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) released an urgent alert regarding SB 712 — a bill amendment that would have allowed general and building contractors to construct wet pool deck areas.  Thanks to swift action and strong advocacy from FSPA , the harmful language was successfully stripped from the amendment, protecting licensed pool contract...