Talking Pools Podcast
Forget chasing chlorine headaches and battling algae wars alone. The Talking Pools Podcast is your weekly escape from pool purgatory, where 250+ years of combined pro wisdom explodes into actionable hacks, mind-blowing tips, and secrets so ancient they make Poseidon jealous. Think of it as your weekly poolside braintrust, fueled by eight seasoned pros, each a rockstar in their own aquatic lane. Got a filtration fiasco? Chemical conundrum? Equipment enigma? No problem. We've got a host for that: The Tech Titan: Unravels the mysteries of pumps, filters, and gizmos that make pools tick (without the electrical shocks). The Chem Crusader: Your personal alchemist, whipping up potion-perfect water balance with a dash of science and a sprinkle of magic. The Maintenance Maverick: From tile tricks to algae assassins, he's got the lowdown on keeping your pool looking like a liquid emerald palace. The Customer Calmer: Smooths ruffled feathers faster than a pool noodle bouquet, turning hangry homeowners into poolside pals. But Talking Pools isn't just about technical wizardry. It's about camaraderie, the shared language of pool pros who've seen it all, from exploding filters to synchronized swimming squirrels (no, really, we had an episode!). Every week, you'll: Steal game-changing secrets: Learn pro-grade hacks to make you the "Pool Whisperer" in your market Laugh until you spit out your piña colada: These guys are as witty as they are wise, turning pool problems into poolside punchlines. Get ahead of the curve: Stay on top of industry trends and tech before your competitors even smell the chlorine. Feel the love (and the sunshine): Remember why you got into this business in the first place – the joy of creating backyard oases where memories are made. So, ditch the Drano, grab your headphones, and dive into the Talking Pools Podcast. It's your weekly dose of poolside wisdom, laughter, and community. We'll see you on the flip side! P.S. Subscribe now and you might just win a case of pool party essentials (floaties not included, sorry squirrels). P.P.S. Tell your pool-loving friends – sharing knowledge is like sharing sunscreen, it protects everyone!
Episodes
In this episode 'FROM THE VAULT', we revisit part two of our three-part deep dive with Rudy, Allen Schnaak, and Andrea The Pool Girl, and yeah—we’re talking about natural pools again. On paper, natural pools check every eco-friendly box Gen Z cares about: fewer synthetic chemicals, more biology, more “let nature do the work.” But the conversation makes one thing crystal clear… as much as we al...
In this episode of Mondays Down Under, hosts Lee and Shane discuss the importance of self-audits in business management, particularly in the pool industry. They emphasize the need for proactive management, effective communication with staff, and the value of customer feedback. The conversation covers practical tips for conducting audits and improving business operations, highlighting that small changes ...
Rudy dives headfirst into cyanuric acid — CYA, stabilizer, conditioner — the most misquoted, weaponized, and argued-about chemical in the pool industry. He breaks down what the science actually says about HOCl in stabilized water, why that old HOCl / OCl⁻ chart belongs in a museum, how CYA really impacts ORP, TA, and LSI, and why “chlorine lock” is less supernatural curse and more “you nuked the stabili...
In this week’s episode of Insurance Interludes, host Steve Sherwood teams up once again with Pat Grignon, Vice President of the California Pool Association (CPA), to tackle a real-world scenario hitting every service tech’s nightmare list:
A failing shell. A leaking pool. Conflicting opinions. And YOU stuck in the middle.
Steve brings the audience behind the scenes of his own route — a client with a struc...
On this Wednesday episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, host Natalie Hood (Director of Education & Network Development for The Grit Game) sits down with lifeguard historian, trainer, and content creator Miss Madison Ray to pull back the curtain on what lifeguards actually do, why they’re leaving the industry, and how dangerous our “they’re just babysitters” mindset really is.
From CPR in real facilit...
This week, Andrea flies solo while Paulette takes a much-needed break—and the result is a fun, educational, slightly unhinged deep dive into cold water season, winter chemistry, dry skin survival, and why cold pools can actually make your job easier (yes, really).
From frozen reagents to stain treatments to elderly Floridians complaining about “cold” 78-degree pools, this episode is a full winter-route m...
This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee (Australia) and Shane (New Zealand) jump in—literally and figuratively—with a conversation that starts with cold weather swims and ends with one of the biggest training breakthroughs for the pool industry across Oceania.
What was supposed to be a short topic grew into a full deep-dive on safety, qualifications, licensing, training pathways, industry standards, and why...
In this episode, Rudy discusses the importance of borates in pool chemistry, particularly their role in stabilizing pH levels, reducing chemical usage, and enhancing water clarity. He explains the chemistry behind borates, their effects on algae, and practical applications for pool maintenance. Additionally, Rudy addresses safety concerns and common misconceptions about borates, emphasizing their benefi...
In this episode, Steve Sherwood discusses the challenges of pool maintenance during rainy weather, emphasizing the importance of effective communication with clients regarding service times and expectations. He also delves into the significance of proper water testing and the differences between commercial and residential pool care. Additionally, insights into insurance considerations for pool professio...
Mondays Down Under – Understanding Pool & Spa Standards in Australia & New Zealand
This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee and Shane dive into a topic that every pool and spa professional thinks they understand—until they don’t: standards, regulations, and the rules that actually govern your work on both sides of the Tasman.
From fencing laws to suction entrapment prevention, from dangerous goods han...
Welcome to an in-depth exploration of leak detection in pools, a topic that often goes unnoticed yet is crucial for any pool owner. In this blog post, we’ll highlight key insights and practical tips from a recent podcast episode featuring industry experts Natalie Hood and Jared Medeiros. Let’s dive in and unravel the myths surrounding leak detection and maintenance.
Section 1: Understanding the...
Featuring Don Douglas of Revd Up Apparel — Gold Sponsor of the Mentor of the Year Award
Some episodes age like fine wine.
This one… aged like a perfectly balanced LSI reading.
Andrea and Paulette crack open a legendary conversation from the Talking Pools archives — the day Don Douglas of Revd Up Apparel stopped by and changed the way the pool industry thinks about clothes, branding, and what “profess...
In this episode, Rudy delves into the intricacies of total alkalinity in pool chemistry, explaining its critical role in maintaining pH levels and overall water balance. He discusses the impact of carbon dioxide and borates on pool chemistry, emphasizing the importance of understanding these elements for effective pool maintenance. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by pool service profess...
🔑 Episode Highlights:
- Wayne’s Health Update & Podcast Direction Wayne shares a personal health update and how it’s shaping the future of the show.
- Celebrating Mentorship: Rich Gallo Named Mentor of the Year A heartfelt tribute to Rich Gallo’s impact on the pool service industry and his dedication to mentoring others.
- Business Wisdom from Rich Gallo Rich opens up about his entrepreneurial jour...
In this powerful conclusion to the two-part episode Clear Water Can Still Kill, Natalie Hood and Dewey Case pull back the curtain on the myths that continue to plague both residential and commercial pool operations. From chlorine “smell” misconceptions to Airbnb water safety, they challenge everything we think we know about clean, safe, and healthy pool water.
Dewey explains why clear doesn’t always mean...
Welcome back to the Talking Pools Podcast — We're opening up the vault and this one snuck out! The real-life challenges and strategies shaping the pool industry. I’m Rudy, here with the always insightful Andrea, and today we’re tackling a topic that every pool pro eventually has to face: how to handle price increases without losing your cool or your margins.
This episode isn’t about confrontation — ...
Lee’s back on home turf (and grand-dad duty) and Shane’s in the chair from New Zealand for a lively episode that starts with a wild Guy Fawkes blackout story and lands on a pressing industry issue: two major distributors have exited the NZ market, leaving pros scrambling for parts, warranties, and sensible logistics.
In this episode
- Cold open: A powder-monkey grandad, one huge bang, and parts of Melbo...
What starts as a casual “round two” turns into one of the most important — and hilarious — conversations pool pros need to hear. Rudy and Andrea dive deep into DOT (Department of Transportation) requirements for pool service trucks, and what every tech should know before hitting the road loaded with chemicals in this #WaybackWeekend thing we've been doing. Spoiler: if you’re hauling 100-pound bucke...
Hey Pool Pros! We’re back with another Talking Pools Podcast episode from the vault, and this time it's featuring your favorite duo — Kelli and Dan — and trust us, this one’s got it all.
Dan’s been burning the candle at both ends with office remodels, travel chaos, and prep for the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show, while Kelli’s been making the most of the off-season — catching her breath, recalibr...
In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Rudy Stankowitz dives deep into the essential aspects of pool water chemistry, focusing primarily on pH. He emphasizes the importance of understanding pH as the core of water chemistry, explaining how it influences chlorine effectiveness, the role of alkalinity, and the buffering systems that stabilize pH levels. Rudy discusses the impact of electrolysis, CO...
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