Talking Pools Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Mondays Down Under , host Lee Salisbury dives into essential strategies for pool service businesses to prepare for the upcoming summer season. Lee emphasizes the importance of pricing strategies, labor costs, logistics, customer contracts, database management, and effective payment systems to enhance profitability and efficiency. Drawing from his experience in t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Rudy Stankowitz interviews Q Hales, a prominent figure in pool chemistry and maintenance. They discuss the formation of OnBalance, a collaborative effort aimed at educating pool professionals about water chemistry and sustainable practices. Q shares insights from his extensive experience in the industry, addressing common myths, the im...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, hosts Steve and Wayne discuss the top 10 nominees for the Mentor of the Year award in the pool industry, highlighting the importance of mentorship. They also delve into the differences between cold plunge pools and chillers, explaining their distinct purposes and benefits. The conversation shifts to insights from the insurance industry...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sarah dives into an uncomfortable but necessary truth: too many pool owners think the work ends the day the pool is filled. From the outside, the water may look like a backyard dream, but if it’s left without care, it quickly becomes a breeding ground for problems—algae, unsafe water, and costly damage. Sarah explores the mindset of “attainment without upkeep,” br...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools Show, Andrea and Paulette discuss their experiences with pool maintenance, including challenges with customer complaints and the importance of proper pool care. They also touch on health concerns like swimmer's ear, tragic incidents in water parks, and the need for hurricane preparedness for pools. The conversation wraps up with an announc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Talking Pools, the hosts celebrate Peter's contributions to the industry while discussing the characteristics of ideal clients in both retail and mobile pool services. They share personal anecdotes about challenging customer interactions, the importance of setting clear expectations, and strategies for managing difficult clients. The conversation emphasizes...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Floc-It Friday , Rudy sits down with Greg “Beard Man” Beard—poolside philosopher, calcium whisperer, and one of the Top 10 Mentors nominated for the 2025 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award . Greg has spent 35 summers in the field training rookies, guiding veterans, and mentoring like it’s a martial art. From confronting internet undercutting to saving tech...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Steve and Wayne discuss the significance of mentorship in the pool industry, emphasizing how it can lead to breakthroughs and prevent burnout. They explore the dynamics of competition, pricing strategies, and the essential role of insurance for pool service businesses. The conversation also touches on the importance of building relatio...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Sarah discusses the importance of self-care and equipment maintenance for pool technicians. She emphasizes the need for proper hydration, nutrition, and safety precautions while working in extreme weather conditions. Sarah also highlights the significance of stretching and physical maintenance to prevent injuries. Additionally, she shares practical tips for t...

Send us Fan Mail This week on the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea shares a behind-the-scenes story that every pool pro can relate to—getting reassigned to a different service route after a property manager’s complaint. What really happened? Was it about the water? The filter? Or something completely out of left field? Andrea takes us through the awkward conversation with her boss, the eyebrow-raisin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Peter, Shane, and Lee reflecting on personal health challenges, and career transitions. They explore the emotional aspects of leaving a long-standing career, the impact of mentorship on personal and professional growth, and the importance of prioritizing family and well-being. The conversation concludes with gratitude for the experienc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy discusses the launch of the Women of Water initiative by Pool Corp and PHTA, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the contributions of women in the pool industry. He shares insights on how personal stories and motivations can shape professional identities and the need for genuine empowerment and mentorship. The conversation a...

Send us Fan Mail communication, natural disasters, insurance, client relations, pool maintenance, service industry, water chemistry, customer service, liability, business management In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, hosts Steve and Wayne discuss various topics ranging from recent natural disasters to the importance of effective communication in the service industry. They share personal...

Send us Fan Mail pool equipment, color vision bubblers, Pentair IntelliBright, construction challenges, installation issues, foundation problems, pool maintenance, electrical breakers, pool lighting, pool repair In this conversation, Drew and Sarah discuss various challenges faced in the pool maintenance and installation industry. They delve into specific issues related to color vision bubblers, P...

Send us Fan Mail Borates, pool safety, heat stroke, MRSA, chlorine, health risks, swimming pool maintenance, heat-related illnesses, summer safety, pool infections, public safety In this episode of Talking Pools - BORATES! Followed by Andrea on the alarming health risks associated with swimming pools, particularly focusing on a case of a tourist who suffered severe injuries after swimming in a poo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Mondays Down Under, the hosts discuss the recent sale of a pool shop and the emotional and logistical aspects of running a business in the pool industry. They explore the importance of preparation for selling a business, the role of staff during transitions, and the impact of technology and AI on the industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for due diligen...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz dives into the complexities of the pool industry, discussing personal updates, the importance of mentorship, the impact of climate change, the rise of automation and AI, challenges posed by unlicensed technicians, and the evolving landscape of water chemistry regulations. He emphasizes the need for professionals to adap...

Send us Fan Mail Wayne and Steve kick off the episode with a light-hearted discussion about their busy weeks and the unexpected busyness of retirement. Steve's Storytime: Steve shares a detailed account of a challenging pool renovation project in Palisades, involving fire damage and complex insurance requirements. Mentorship Discussion: The hosts delve into the importance of mentorship in the...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Andrew discusses the intricacies of pool startups, focusing on the importance of proper plaster care, chemical procedures, and maintenance practices. He emphasizes the significance of using calcium over acid during startups and the necessity of regular brushing and filter cleaning to ensure optimal pool conditions. The discussion also touches on the challenge...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Highlights: Florida HVAC Bill Debate: Dive into the ongoing discussion about a new bill that could allow HVAC professionals to install pool heaters, a move opposed by the Florida Swimming Pool Association. Viral Pool Trends: Discover the story behind a viral TikTok video featuring a unique black pool design that has captured the internet's attention. Pool Chemistry In...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Peter, Shane, and Lee discuss the challenges of winter in Australia, the importance of work-life balance in business ownership, and the value of mentorship in the pool industry. They also explore the role of awards in recognizing excellence and the evolution of award criteria over the years. The conversation highlights the significance...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Rudy Stankowitz discusses the challenges and triumphs within the pool industry. He reflects on personal experiences with adversity, emphasizes the importance of mentorship, and introduces the exciting new Championship Belt Award for the Mentor of the Year. Rudy also addresses pressing issues such as skyrocketing insurance premiums, a c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Talking Pools, hosts Steve and Wayne discuss a variety of topics ranging from personal health updates to the challenges of insurance in the pool industry. They delve into the advancements in medical technology, particularly in hip replacement surgeries, and share personal experiences with insurance claims. The conversation shifts to the growing trend of virtual...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sarah Bero walks through the pros, cons, and must-know facts about the most common pool cleaning systems—suction cleaners, pressure cleaners, robotic cleaners, and in-floor cleaning systems. With a no-BS approach, Sarah breaks down what each system does, what they don’t do, and why no machine will ever fully replace the trained eye (and grit) of a human pool tech....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the hosts discuss personal experiences, including health issues related to a ruptured eardrum, and share positive feedback from the community regarding their pool maintenance services. They also address safety concerns in the pool industry, recent news about pool recalls, and delve into the challenges of managing chemical levels in saltwater pools. The conversatio...