Straight Talk – an ISSA Podcast

Biohazard incidents can happen anywhere—schools, offices, healthcare facilities, public spaces, transportation hubs, and commercial buildings. When cleaning professionals encounter blood, bodily fluids, infectious materials, or other potentially hazardous contaminants, the stakes climb well beyond routine cleaning. For ISSA members and the global cleaning and facility services industry, knowing ho...

A great-looking website doesn’t always mean great results. In this episode, we explore why so many cleaning company websites fail to convert—and what you can do about it. 

Over 55% of cleaning industry new hires quit within the first 60 days—and many companies are asking the wrong question about why. In today’s program, we explore what separates cleaners who stay from those who leave almost immediately. From onboarding breakdowns and poor communication to scheduling instability, training gaps, and workplace culture, this conversation uncovers the hidden reasons behi...

Most business owners in the cleaning and facility solutions industry are good at what they do. They know how to run a crew, manage a job, and keep clients happy. What they're less comfortable with—and what could be costing them real money—is a deeper kind of client conversation. Not a check-in. Not a quick follow-up call. A strategic business review.

In this episode, we take a closer look at insurance fraud in the restoration industry—from every angle. 

Tim Miller has seen the inside of a lot of restoration companies. After more than 30 years in the cleaning and restoration industry—starting at a mom-and-pop janitorial supply house, moving through specialty chemicals, a decade at Jon-Don, a construction company in New Mexico, and eventually founding Business Development Associates (BDA)—he has developed what he calls a body of knowledge that keep...

A new alliance between two well-known industry organizations is opening the door for home inspectors to expand into indoor air quality assessment—and the timing, both groups say, couldn't be better. NORMI (National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors) and InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) have formalized a partnership designed to bring togeth...

If your sales team isn’t hitting its numbers, the instinct is often to blame the people. But what if the real problem is the system they’re operating in?

There's a growing movement in the restoration industry—one that says independent contractors don't need a franchise or a TPA to build a thriving business. Trusted Restorer has been making that case for years, and under its recently refreshed identity, the platform is reaching more contractors than ever with a simple but powerful message: you can scale, compete, and win on your own terms.

If your cleaning business feels harder to run right now, you’re not imagining it. Rising costs, labor challenges, and constant uncertainty are putting pressure on every part of the operation. But what if the answer isn’t working harder—it’s working smarter with better data? In this episode, Steve Ashkin breaks down why sustainability reporting is no longer just a compliance exercise—it’s a practic...

You had a great year. Revenue is up. The phone kept ringing. So when you call a broker and float the idea of selling, you expect excitement on the other end of the line. Here is why that may fall flat.

Growth should feel like progress—but for many businesses, it creates more problems than it solves. In this episode, we take a closer look at the leadership decisions that determine whether growth actually scales or simply adds stress, complexity, and constant fires. 

What does it take to lead—and succeed—at the highest levels of the cleaning industry? In this episode, we sit down with three dynamic women leaders in manufacturing and distribution to explore the real drivers behind their success. 

Are you using ChatGPT for everything? You might be slowing yourself down without even realizing it. In this episode, we break down a smarter way to use AI: matching the right tool to the right job. From writing and research to strategy, numbers, and visuals, we walk through real-world use cases that show where different AI tools shine—and where they fall short.

Why do ethics matter in restoration? Because trust is everything. In this conversation, Saima Hedrick, CEO of the Restoration Industry Association, and Justin Woodard, the RIA President Elect, discuss why ethics are not just a talking point, but a business issue that affects credibility, claims, partnerships, professionalism, and the future of the industry. 

Indoor air quality and mold are no longer just operational concerns—they’re central to guest experience, brand reputation, and long-term building health. In this conversation, Doug Hoffman of NORMI and John Greenwell of EcoLife Asia share how global hospitality brands are approaching IAQ and mold in smarter, more strategic ways. 

What happens in Washington, D.C., doesn’t stay in Washington—it impacts every corner of the cleaning and restoration industry. In this conversation, we explore the IICRC Legislative Fly-In, where industry professionals meet directly with Congressional offices to advocate for the work of inspectors, cleaners, and restorers—and for the standards and certifications that protect consumers and communit...

A small change to a software setting… with a big impact. In this conversation, we break down the updated labor efficiency settings in Xactimate and what they mean for disaster restoration professionals. 

Robotics is reshaping the cleaning industry—but the real story goes beyond machines. In this episode, we explore how automation is addressing labor shortages, improving consistency, and introducing new ways to manage cleaning operations through data and connected systems. 

Robotics is reshaping the cleaning industry—but the real story goes beyond machines. In this episode, we explore how automation is addressing labor shortages, improving consistency, and introducing new ways to manage cleaning operations through data and connected systems.  From managing fleets of robots across multiple facilities to redefining the role of frontline workers, the conversation highli...

What does it take to deliver consistent, high-quality cleaning at scale—while also meeting growing demands for sustainability? In this conversation with ABM, one of the world’s largest facility solutions providers, we explore how ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) is helping define operational excellence across the cleaning industry.  From customer-focused service delivery to sust...

RJ Schinner is a behind-the-scenes force in the cleaning industry supply chain, serving distributors across janitorial and sanitation, foodservice, paper, and other commercial markets.  In this ISSA member spotlight, Jeff Cross sits down with Ken Schinner, CEO of RJ Schinner, for an inside look at the company’s history, redistribution model, what makes it stand out, and the strategies that keep it...

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Richard Leaton shares a deeply personal story about compassion, service, and the full-circle impact of Cleaning for a Reason. After years of giving back through her work as a Navy oncology nurse and founder of HeavenlyScent Cleaning, Karen Leaton found herself on the receiving end of that same kindness during her battle with cancer. Through donated clea...