Talking Pools Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, host Steve Sherwood and guest Pat Grenon discuss various aspects of pool services, including subcontracting, insurance considerations, the importance of technology in efficiency, pricing strategies, and the significance of proper testing and chemical management in pool maintenance. They emphasize the need for pool professionals to adap...

Send us Fan Mail In Part One of this two-part episode of Talking Pools Podcast, Natalie Hood speaks with Cara Green, Aquatics Program Director at the University of Houston, about the often misunderstood role of aquatics program directors. They discuss the common myths surrounding the profession, the skills required for success, the importance of continuous education, and the necessity of understan...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee and Shane discuss various aspects of running a business in the pool service industry, focusing on the importance of SEO, the evolving role of AI, and strategies for maximizing online presence. They share insights on how to effectively use social media marketing, the significance of customer reviews, and the potential of AI in streamlining...

Send us Fan Mail  This conversation delves into the complexities of phosphates in pool chemistry, emphasizing their role in biological processes and the misconceptions surrounding their impact on chlorine effectiveness and algae growth. It also touches on contractor accountability in the pool industry and analyzes market trends, providing insights into the current state of the industry. Takeaways...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Talking Pools, hosts Steve and Wayne discuss various aspects of the pool service industry, including the evolution of services, the importance of community and networking, navigating insurance challenges, and the impact of technology. They share insights on client relations, the significance of proper maintenance, and the intricacies of pool renovations and insp...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Natalie Hood and Manny Sanchez delve into the world of ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) pools, addressing common misconceptions, discussing design flexibility, construction processes, and the advantages of ICF pools over traditional methods. They explore the speed of construction, maintenance requirements, and the environmental benefits of ICF pools, while also...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Mondays Down Under on the Talking Pools podcast, hosts Lee and Shane discuss the transition from summer to winter in the pool service industry, emphasizing the importance of planning for the slower months ahead. They explore various digital tools and apps that can enhance efficiency, from measuring tools like Google Earth to invoicing software like HubDoc and ac...

Send us Fan Mail No arrests. No indictments. No viral footage of someone in a polo getting walked past a plaster truck in handcuffs. And yet—this was not a quiet week. In this Friday episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz breaks down what actually moved the needle in the pool industry this week: quiet signals, structural shifts, and the 2026 Skimmer State of the Pool Service Report...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, hosts Steve and Wayne discuss the ongoing trade show season in the pool industry, the impact of weather on attendance, and the importance of insurance and liability considerations for pool service professionals. They share personal anecdotes and insights about navigating trade shows, the significance of networking, and the challenges o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Natalie Hood and Manny Sanchez delve into the world of Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) pools, addressing common misconceptions, cost comparisons, and the advantages of ICF over traditional pool construction methods. They explore the strength, energy efficiency, and design flexibility of ICF pools, while also discussing the building proce...

Send us Fan Mail Introduction: In the latest episode of the Talking Pools podcast, hosts Lee and Shane delve into the complexities of pool maintenance, sharing their personal experiences and troubleshooting tips. This blog post aims to summarize their conversation, providing valuable insights into common challenges faced by pool professionals and enthusiasts alike. Understanding Public Holidays an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, host Kelly welcomes Matt Ryther, the chairman of the PHTA Service Council, to discuss the vital role of the council in educating pool service professionals. They delve into common pool problems, emphasizing that many issues stem from design flaws rather than chemistry or service errors. Matt highlights the importance of understanding h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Rudy Stankowitz discusses various topics related to the pool service industry with guest Jeff Hampe. They explore listener questions and delve into water chemistry, particularly in tile pools. The conversation highlights social media, networking, and swimming pool tile. They also address challenges in water chemistry and the implicatio...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, the hosts discuss the importance of professionalism in the pool service industry, emphasizing the need for effective communication, the value of experience, and the significance of proper training for new employees. They also touch on the challenges of managing online interactions and the impact of criticism, advocating for kindness an...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back for the second half of this episode, where Natalie Hood (The Grit Game) sits down with Maddie Vandiver from The Pool Butler and turns “aquatic leadership” from a vague buzzword into something you can actually use. Maddie’s story starts where a lot of strong aquatics careers start: in the water. Lifeguarding, wave pool duty, swim lessons, coaching, and the realization...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, the hosts discuss the critical importance of brand reputation for businesses, particularly in the pool industry. They explore how employee behavior, especially while driving branded vehicles, can significantly impact a company's image. The conversation delves into the necessity of establishing clear vehicle policies, ensuring staf...

Send us Fan Mail In this in-depth episode of the Talking Pools Podcast , host Rudy Stankowitz delivers a deep technical discussion on one of the most misunderstood subjects in modern pool care: algae misidentification and the biocidal mechanisms of metals . Drawing on eight years of dedicated cyanobacteria research , Rudy breaks down the fundamental differences between cyanobacteria (commonly misl...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Insurance Interlude, hosts Steve Sherwood and Pat Grignon delve into the complexities of insurance, particularly in the context of the pool and hospitality industries. They discuss the inevitability of accidents, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and proper signage to mitigate risks. Pat shares insights on how training programs can lead to insurance...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, host Natalie Hood engages with Maddie Van Diver, a company trainer and maintenance supervisor at Pool Butler, to discuss the often-overlooked topic of aquatic leadership. They delve into common myths surrounding training and management in the aquatics industry, emphasizing the importance of tailored training programs that cater to indi...

Send us Fan Mail Andrea dives into the essential aspects of pool maintenance, particularly focusing on filtration systems. sHe begins by addressing newcomers to the pool industry, encouraging them to share the episode with others who might benefit from the insights. Andrea introduces a unique analogy, comparing pool filters to kidneys, emphasizing their crucial role in maintaining clean and clear...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Mondays Down Under on the Talking Pools podcast, host Lee, along with Shane from Pukka Pools and industry veteran Peter Legaz, delve into the intricacies of transitioning from service-based businesses to retail in the pool industry. They share personal anecdotes about their journeys, highlighting the natural progression many businesses experience as they expand...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz delves into the complexities of pool chemistry, particularly focusing on the role of copper and hydrogen peroxide in water treatment. He revisits a previous episode on ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) and discusses the implications of misdiagnosing pool issues based on color alone. Stankowitz emphasizes the importance of understanding the u...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, hosts Steve and Wayne discuss a range of topics related to pool maintenance, health concerns, and industry practices. Wayne shares his recent health challenges, including a hospitalization due to E. coli, which leads to a discussion on the importance of sanitation in pools, particularly concerning E. coli and Giardia. The hosts emphasi...

Send us Fan Mail The conversation between Natalie Hood (The Grit Game) and Eric Nielson (The Western Pool and Spa Show) highlights the Western Pool and Spa Show's significance in education, networking, and community building within the pool and spa industry. The speakers debunk common myths about the show, highlighting its inclusivity and global reach. They discuss the importance of continuou...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Mondays Down Under, the hosts discuss the challenges and successes of the past year in the pool maintenance industry, highlighting the benefits of BufferZone and its features. They also introduce pHloZone, a new software solution for commercial pools, and share insights on future developments and upgrades for both platforms. The conversation emphasizes the impor...