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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 week’s Myth Busting Wednesday, Natalie Hood sits down with Dawn Douglas, President and Owner of Rev'd Up Apparel, to dismantle one of the most overlooked—and misunderstood—topics in the pool industry: 👉 What your team wears… and why it matters more than you think. From first impressions and customer trust to team morale, durability, and built-in marketing, this episode breaks down the myths surrounding branded apparel and reveals how something as simple a...
Pool Pros text questions here Andrea shows up soaked, slightly unhinged, and absolutely done with your circulation system’s bullsh*t. We’re talking pools so flooded they look like they’re trying to return to the ocean, equipment gasping for air, and homeowners acting like water movement is optional. 🫀 The Heart of the Pool (And Yours Is Probably Failing) You’ve got: filtration (kidneys) chemicals (liver) …but today? 👉 We’re talking about the heart And if your circu...
Pool Pros text questions here Welcome to the episode where three seasoned pool pros from opposite sides of the planet casually admit… 👉 nobody does floccing the same way 👉 everyone thinks they’re right 👉 and somehow… they all still get paid Yes, this is the “we’ve been doing this for 60+ years combined and still argue like it’s day one” episode. 🌏 What You’re Walking Into: Lee is holding it down in New South Wales, Nick is on vacation but somehow still talking shop, and Shan...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode, Rudy Stankowitz breaks down two industry staples—breakpoint chlorination and enzymes—and explains why what’s commonly taught doesn’t fully match the chemistry happening in your water. This isn’t about being wrong. It’s about going one level deeper. ⚗️ Breakpoint Chlorination – The Reality The 10x rule is not how breakpoint is defined in chemistry True breakpoint is based on ammonia (as nitrogen), not combined chlorine ...
Pool Pros text questions here What looks like algae… isn’t always algae. And what looks like “clear but weird” water? That’s where things get expensive. In this episode of Talking Pools Thursdays, Steve and Wayne break down one of the most misunderstood issues in pool service: metals in the water—how to identify them, where they come from, and what actually works when you’re dealing with them in the field. It starts with a simple truth: 👉 Water has no color. So when it turns gree...
Pool Pros text questions here This Myth-busting episode reveals how pool pros can maximize their relationships with manufacturer reps to grow their business, increase margins, and avoid costly mistakes. Laci Davis (Grit Game) shares practical tips on finding, evaluating, and leveraging reps effectively. Keywords pool industry, manufacturer reps, business growth, sales strategies, industry relationships Key Topics Types of industry reps and their rolesHow to identify a good manufacturer repT...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea wraps up her multi-part deep dive into pool chemistry with a no-BS breakdown of what actually matters when it comes to testing, dosing, and not screwing it all up. And yes… she’s cooking chicken while recording. 🔍 What This Episode Covers This isn’t textbook chemistry. This is real-world, boots-on-the-ground pool service knowledge—the stuff that actually saves you from making expensive mistakes. 📊 Testing Fre...
Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of Talking Pools Podcast, the Mondays Down Under crew takes on a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough honest discussion: building a swimming pool from the perspective of the people who actually have to service it later. Because here’s the truth… 👉 Builders don’t always think like service techs 👉 And homeowners don’t always know what to ask That’s where things go sideways. 🔍 Inside This Episode Lee and Nick pull back the curtain on what reall...
Pool Pros text questions here The myths just keep coming… and in this one, they don’t stand a chance. In Part 2 of Natalie Hood’s Myth Busting series, industry veterans George Williams and Ken Rogner step in and do what most people in this industry won’t—tell the truth. Not the sales version. Not the “it depends” version. The real version. From the idea that pools don’t add value… to the belief that social media is the only way to grow… to the quiet damage done when service pros c...
Pool Pros text questions here This isn’t a calm episode. This isn’t a polite episode. This is Andrea… slightly unhinged… walking straight into the chaos of how people are actually taking care of pools—and calling it out. From test strips that don’t tell you what you think they do… to calcium myths that refuse to die… to phosphate treatments that turn into unnecessary full-blown disasters—this episode is a reality check for anyone still guessing their way through water chemistry. A...
Pool Pros text questions here Mondays Down Under – Featuring Lee Salisbury, Shane & Nick Something is happening in the pool industry right now… and if you’re not paying attention, it’s going to cost you. Quietly… Gradually… Then all at once. PVC prices jump 30%. Salt cell materials skyrocket. Fuel costs ripple through everything. And suddenly the quote you sent two weeks ago? 👉 It’s already wrong. In this episode of Mondays Down Under, the crew breaks down what’s a...
Pool Pros text questions here This episode starts where most pool problems actually begin—not in the chemistry… but in the math. Rudy breaks down why inconsistent dosing is quietly wrecking pools everywhere, how “close enough” turns into repeat problems, and why scooping chemicals like you’re baking cookies is one of the biggest operational failures in the industry. From there, the conversation escalates into real chemistry—chlorine demand, the science behind oxidation, and why chlorine never...
Pool Pros text questions here When It Rains, It Pours: Real Problems Pool Pros Actually Deal With In this episode, hosts Wayne & Steve pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes of running a pool service company—because it’s not all crystal-clear water and perfectly balanced chemistry. Fresh off a wedding weekend (and still recovering), Wayne passes the mic to Steve, who walks us through a week where everything that could go wrong… did. And not in theory. In real, mess...
Pool Pros text questions here In this myth-busting, industry-deep-dive episode, host Natalie Hood sits down with two absolute heavyweights of the pool industry: George Williams – 50+ years shaping pool equipment innovation Ken Rogner – 50+ years in distribution, sales, and training Together, they break down long-standing myths, challenge misconceptions, and pull back the curtain on how the industry actually works—from filtration truths to homeowner expectations and the real cost of ...
Pool Pros text questions here Andrea is back. Alone. Unsupervised. And apparently powered by battery backups and unresolved rage toward misinformation. In this episode of Andrea Unfiltered, she dives headfirst into pool chemistry fundamentals—except instead of reading you a boring textbook, she drags bad pool advice into the street and fights it like it owes her money. This is Part One of her “Cool Chemicals” series (yes, she named it herself, and yes, she’s proud of it). Expect a crash cours...
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...
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