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If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.
Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.
Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.
Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.
If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.
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Pool Pros text questions here In this timely and globally relevant episode of Mondays Down Under, hosts Lee (Australia) and Shane (New Zealand) are joined by special guest Nick—a seasoned pool industry veteran with over two decades of experience managing a high-volume retail and service operation. Against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, the conversation pivots to a pressing issue hitting close to home for pool professionals: rising fuel c...
Pool Pros text questions here 🎙️ The Chemical Illusion: What’s Really Behind Your Pool That chlorine tablet in your feeder? It likely came from one of only a handful of chemical plants in the world—and when one goes down, the entire industry feels it. This episode pulls back the curtain on a truth most pool pros never think about: The pool industry doesn’t control its chemical supply chain… it depends on a global one.From cyanuric acid and triazine chemistry to chlorine production and i...
Pool Pros text questions here Fresh off a European honeymoon and rocking a brand-new, beard-free look, Steve returns to the mic alongside Wayne for a Thursday episode that’s equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and unexpectedly real. The episode opens with a moment of humility as Wayne issues a public correction—giving overdue credit to industry innovators Que Hales and Kim Skinner for their groundbreaking work on chemically calculating pool volume. It’s a reminder that even seasoned pros own th...
Pool Pros text questions here Myth, Memory, and the Real Story Behind the Water A Conversation with Eric Herman | Talking Pools Podcast Some voices in an industry don’t simply report the story — they shape how the story is told. In this episode of Talking Pools, host Natalie Hood, Director of Education and Network Development for The Grit Game, sits down with one of the most influential storytellers the aquatic industry has ever produced: Eric Herman, Vice President of Communications for Wate...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode, Andrea discusses the importance of pool filtration, different types of filters, and best practices for maintenance. She shares insights on how filters impact water clarity, safety tips, and common mistakes to avoid. Keywords pool filtration, pool maintenance, DE filters, sand filters, cartridge filters, pool chemistry, water clarity, pool safety Key Topics Pool filter types (sand, DE, cartridge)Proper filter maintenance and cleaningWater clar...
Pool Pros text questions here This episode covers essential winter preparation tips for pool service professionals, including equipment maintenance, marketing strategies, and safety regulations. Learn how to turn winter into a profitable season and ensure safety compliance. Keywords pool service, winter preparation, pool maintenance, safety regulations, marketing strategies, pool covers, leaf skimmers, pool cleaning Key Topics Winter pool maintenance strategiesPool safety regulations and ...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of Flock It Friday, Rudy Stankowitz revisits the topic of borates in swimming pools, exploring the chemistry behind them, the regulatory history, and why recent geopolitical tensions have brought boron compounds back into the conversation. Recent instability in key shipping corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal has raised concerns about global freight movement. Since Turkey holds the world’s largest boron reserves...
Pool Pros text questions here Insurance Interlude: 1099 vs W-2, Water Balance, and Pool Industry Realities In this episode of Thursdays with Wayne & Steve, the show opens with a quick look at the winter weather hitting the Northeast before diving into two important conversations affecting pool professionals: employee classification in the service industry and the importance of water balance and documentation in pool care. Joining Steve for the Insurance Interlude is Pat Grignon from the C...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode, Natalie Hood interviews Sean McDermott from H2 Flow to bust common myths about pool water circulation, flow measurement, and system efficiency. They explore how proper understanding and technology can improve water quality, safety, and energy use in pools. keywords pool water circulation, flow measurement, VFD, pool system efficiency, water quality, pool safety, flow meters, pool automation, pump protection key topics Myth of continuous circu...
Pool Pros text questions here FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Talking Pools Podcast has officially opened nominations for the 2026 Talking Pools Podcast Mentor of the Year Award, an industry recognition created to celebrate the individuals who go beyond their daily work to teach, guide, and elevate others in the swimming pool and spa profession. Nominations will be accepted from March 15 through May 15, 2026, inviting pool service technicians, builders, retailers, educators, manufacturers, an...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee and Shane discuss a frustrating service case involving an ionizer sanitation system with an integrated salt cell that isn’t producing enough chlorine to maintain a residential pool. The system is rated for pools up to 150,000 liters, yet the pool in question is only 60,000 liters and repeatedly turns green. Despite increasing runtime to 24 hours per day and raising output to nearly 100%, chlorine levels remain extremely ...
Pool Pros text questions here This week, Rudy tackles something the “state of the industry” reports don’t always capture: First: How the War on Iran is likely to impact the U.S. Boric Acid/Borax Market Next, the emotional strain underneath the numbers. From Florida techs charging $70–$100 per month (including chemicals) and still feeling squeezed… To competitors undercutting bids out of fear… To Amazon underpricing distribution channels… The conversation isn’t about collapse. It’s...
Pool Pros text questions here pool management, insurance, pool measurements, chemical calculations, warranty issues, pricing strategies, pool service, pool industry, commercial pools, residential pools Summary In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, the hosts discuss various challenges faced in pool management, including accurate pool measurements, navigating insurance and liability, chemical calculations for pool volume, warranty issues with manufacturers, and pricing strategies in t...
Pool Pros text questions here pool industry, innovation, entrepreneurship, customer service, vacuum bags, COVID-19, cleaning efficiency, myths, hidden costs, technology Summary In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, host Natalie Hood interviews Gary Richards, the CEO of VacBags, about his journey from the restaurant industry to the pool industry. They discuss the importance of customer service, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and debunk common myths about vacuum bags. Gary sh...
Pool Pros text questions here pool safety, maintenance, leaking pools, commercial pools, health and safety, pool inspections, pool repairs, pool technician, safety standards, pool equipment Summary In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, hosts Lee and Shane discuss various safety concerns related to pool maintenance and inspections. They share real-life experiences with leaking pools, unsafe structures, and the importance of adhering to safety standards. The conversation emphasizes th...
Pool Pros text questions here This Friday episode digs into one of the most argued topics in pool care: range chemistry and the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). Rudy takes us back to 1936 and the work of Wilfred F. Langelier, who developed a model to prevent municipal water pipes from dissolving or scaling shut. LSI was never designed for swimmers. It was built to answer one simple question: Will this water dissolve calcium carbonate… or deposit it? That’s it. Pools adopted LSI later because...
Pool Pros text questions here Wayne goes full soapbox after watching an HGTV/Magnolia renovation show that builds a commercial-style pool using “biofilters” as a chemical-free solution—without ever addressing sanitation, oxidation, or code-required disinfectant residuals. Steve backs him up with real-world field logic: filtration doesn’t equal disinfection, and “natural” systems can turn into expensive science projects fast. Then the episode shifts into the Insurance Interlude with Pat Grigno...
Pool Pros text questions here keywords Aquatics, Program Directors, Leadership, Communication, Emergency Preparedness, Delegation, Myths, Burnout, Learning Opportunities, Professional Development summary In this episode, Natalie Hood engages with Cara Green, the Aquatics Program Director at the University of Houston, to discuss the often misunderstood role of aquatics directors. They explore the journey into aquatics, the myths surrounding the profession, the importance of delegation, com...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee and Shane take us behind the scenes of a massive Australian water theme park — and the conversation quickly turns from wave pools and plant rooms on steroids to something much more serious: Safety. From razor blades hidden in slide seams (yes, that actually happened) to real-world design flaws causing injuries, this episode dives deep into the responsibility that comes with running aquatic facilities — whether it’s a mul...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode, Rudy Stankowitz discusses significant developments in the pool service industry, including a major acquisition that consolidates market power. He also delves into the importance of understanding water chemistry, specifically focusing on silica and sulfates, which are often overlooked in pool maintenance. The conversation highlights the implications of these elements on pool equipment and overall maintenance practices, emphasizing the need for poo...
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