Talking Pools Podcast

Rudy Stankowitz
  • 4.7 (115)
  • How To
  • Updated Daily

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. 

  1. 21h ago

    You Are the Storm - and You Are Allowed to Have Help: Mental Health in the Pool Industry

    Ask a question here Content note: This episode includes discussions of PTSD, suicide, grief, childhood bullying, and strong language. Listen at your own pace and take a break whenever you need one. We spend a hell of a lot of time talking about what goes into the water. Today, we’re talking about the person standing next to it. In this special Floc-It Friday episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz opens an honest conversation about mental health and the struggles that don’t disappear when somebody puts on a work shirt. Truman of H2O Pool Cleaning shares his experience living with PTSD after military service, including how an ordinary sound on a pool route can bring the past rushing back. He discusses the routines that help keep him grounded, the people he trusts, and his experience seeking therapy. A deeply personal conversation with Chris Felmer about loss explores grief, humor, and the difficulty of processing the death of someone you love. Zara of C&H Pool Builders in Melbourne, Australia, shares her family’s experience with childhood bullying—and what it means to keep running a business while worrying about your child’s safety. She discusses advocating for her daughter, finding a more supportive school environment, and reaching out to Dolly’s Dream. Rudy also shares his own experience with diagnosed PTSD and asks the industry to make room for honest answers when we ask, “How are you doing?” In this episode PTSD, unexpected triggers, and working alone on a pool route.Friendship, family, pets, and the value of having people you can be vulnerable with.Grief that doesn’t always look the way people expect.The effects of bullying on children, parents, and the wider family.Financial and scheduling obstacles to getting help.Checking on someone without waiting for them to make the first move.Respecting privacy when a coworker shares a mental health struggle.Supporting employees when they cannot safely finish their workday.Why “you are the storm” doesn’t mean you have to be invincible.You don’t owe the whole industry a confession. You deserve someone who can hear an honest answer—and support before you reach a breaking point. Music credit Special thanks to Boston singer-songwriter Wendy Lucas, who gave permission for her song “How Life Goes” to be featured in this episode. Listen to “How Life Goes” on SpotifyFollow Wendy Lucas on SpotifyTikTok: @wendylucasmusicSupport resources United States: Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis support. You can also contact the Lifeline if you’re concerned about someone else. Veterans and their loved ones: Call 988, then press 1, text 838255, or visit the Veterans Crisis Line. Australia—bullying support: Call 13 DOLLY (13 36 55) or visit Dolly’s Dream for confidential bullying support. Immediate danger: In the United States, call 911. Outside the United States, contact your local emergency services. Support services and emergency numbers vary by country; find the resources available where you live and save them in your phone. This episode shares personal experiences and encourages awareness. It does not provide diagnosis or replace professional mental health care. Sponsor acknowledgment For this episode, regular commercial breaks have been set aside. Thank you to PoolBrain, Service Industry News, Jack’s Magic Products, AquaStar Pool Products, and BlueRay XL for helping support Talking Pools. You are the storm. And you are allowed to have help. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    You Are the Storm - and You Are Allowed to Have Help: Mental Health in the Pool Industry

  2. 1d ago

    Leslie’s Restructuring: What It Could Mean for the Pool Industry

    Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Thursdays with Steve & Wayne Hosts: Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich Insurance Interlude Guest: Pat Grignon, California Pool Association Leslie’s restructuring has the pool industry talking—and Steve and Wayne have plenty to say. From store closures and price matching to homeowner access and supplier relationships, they explore how changes at a major pool retailer could affect businesses throughout the industry. Wayne shares his perspective from his years at Taylor Technologies, including the enormous orders and private-label partnership that made Leslie’s an important manufacturing customer. Steve discusses his experience buying from local branches and why competition matters to service professionals. The episode also includes a reading of Leslie’s September 30, 2026 press release, presenting the company’s announced restructuring plan and its commitment to continue serving customers. Before that conversation, Steve describes an 80,000-gallon camp pool with severely elevated cyanuric acid and little oversight between service visits. His message: hiring a pool company does not eliminate the facility’s responsibility to train staff and monitor its water. In this week’s Insurance Interlude, Pat Grignon joins Steve to discuss vehicle flooding, battery fires, equipment coverage, and the potentially expensive consequences of a pool-chemical spill. In This Episode Why commercial facilities need trained staff between pool-service visits.How chemical costs and service expectations can expose an underpriced contract.Vehicle damage versus coverage for the equipment carried inside.Chemical spills, hazmat cleanup, and pollution coverage.Leslie’s restructuring and the hosts’ concerns about retail access and competition.Wayne’s firsthand experience with Leslie’s and Taylor’s manufacturing partnership.Leslie’s announced financing, debt reduction, and plans to continue operations.Chapters 00:00 — Welcome, weather, and seasonal pool operations 00:25 — An 80,000-gallon camp pool: excessive CYA and gaps in daily oversight 09:13 — Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Mentor recognition 09:51 — LaMotte WaterLink Spin Touch 11:34 — Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code 12:00 — Insurance Interlude: flooding and commercial auto coverage 15:50 — Battery fires, pool-cleaning equipment, and vehicle damage 18:21 — Equipment coverage and chemical-spill liability 28:22 — Leslie’s restructuring: Steve and Wayne’s discussion 33:03 — Homeowner access, local stores, and retail pricing 35:03 — Wayne’s perspective on Leslie’s and Taylor Technologies 39:06 — Competition, consolidation, and possible industry effects 42:31 — PoolBrain 42:45 — Leslie’s breaking-news summary 43:40 — Reading of Leslie’s September 30, 2026 press release 49:03 — Listener feedback and closing remarks Leslie’s Company Announcement In the press release read during this episode, Leslie’s announces a restructuring agreement intended to eliminate approximately 90% of its funded debt and secure $150 million in new capital. The company announces 76 store closures and states that its remaining stores and digital platforms continue operating. The hosts’ discussion includes speculation about additional closures and possible industry outcomes. Those comments should be distinguished from the company announcement read later in the episode. Featured Partners & Resources LaMotte WaterLink Spin TouchCouncil for the Model Aquatic Health CodePoolBrainCalifornia Pool Association — featured in the Insurance Interlude with Pat Grignon.Join the Conversation How have changes at Leslie’s or other pool retailers affected your business? Share your experiences, questions, and episode ideas at talkingpools@gmail.com. Explicit language. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    Leslie’s Restructuring: What It Could Mean for the Pool Industry

  3. 2d ago

    Answer the Damn Phone: Greg “Beard Man” Beard on Real Mentorship | Part 1

    Ask a question here What does mentorship look like when you’re standing in a customer’s backyard, staring at equipment you can’t figure out, and someone answers your call? Natalie Hood sits down with Greg “Beard Man” Beard, a two-time Talking Pools Podcast Top Ten Pool Industry Mentor honoree, to talk about the people who shaped his career—and why he keeps paying that knowledge forward. With more than 35 years in the industry and a pool service business he started in 1990, Greg has plenty of experience to share. But helping someone get through today’s repair is only part of the job. He wants them to understand why something failed, how to investigate it, and what to do the next time it happens. Greg shares how networking, volunteering, and stepping out of the back row helped him become someone other professionals call for guidance. He also discusses respecting a mentor’s time, helping technicians grow their businesses, and why cutting corners eventually catches up with you. In this episode: What a second consecutive Top Ten Mentor recognition means to Greg.The mentors who shaped his approach, including his brother Randy, Alan Smith, Greg Garrett, Bob Lowry, and Rudy Stankowitz.Why industry relationships and training can change the direction of your career.Teaching someone to troubleshoot instead of simply handing them an answer.Recognizing who is ready to learn—and setting expectations for their preparation.Sharing accounts, exchanging referrals, and helping other professionals succeed.Why mentoring remains a two-way street, even after decades in the business.Teaching a beginner versus helping an experienced technician unlearn old habits.The customer’s view of “splash and dash” pool service.Episode Chapters 00:00 — Meet Greg “Beard Man” Beard 01:17 — Recognition, gratitude, and answering the call 03:27 — What the Mentor Championship Belt would mean 05:23 — Recognition and the blind judging process 08:29 — The people who shaped Greg’s career 10:28 — Break and sponsor messages 16:57 — Advice that stayed with him 18:07 — Networking, training, and transferable skills 19:44 — Becoming the person others call 21:43 — Teaching the process behind the answer 24:21 — Respecting time and recognizing a willingness to learn 28:39 — Old habits, cutting corners, and customer expectations Coming next: Natalie and Greg return for Part 2 to tackle pool industry myths. 2026 Mentor Recognition Sponsors: BlueRay XL, United Chemical, LaMotte Company, Revdup Apparel, and AquaComfort WaterGroup. Episode sponsors include: PoolBrain, Revdup Apparel, and H2Flow Controls. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    Answer the Damn Phone: Greg “Beard Man” Beard on Real Mentorship | Part 1

  4. 5d ago

    “I Just Test the Water” Won’t Cut It: Entrapment, Bad Plumbing & Professional Responsibility

    Ask a question here A pool can look immaculate and still have a dangerous suction system. A renovation can deliver a beautiful finish while leaving the same hazardous plumbing underneath. And a bigger pump can create problems that another bag of chemicals will never fix. This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee, Nick, and Shane welcome Spiros from Next Gen Experts for a serious conversation about suction entrapment, hydraulic design, and what pool professionals need to notice beyond the water test. Spiros shares examples from the entrapment cases he encounters, while the hosts describe hazards they’ve discovered in the field—including an exposed potty skimmer at a rental property and a commercial spa where a manager changed a valve position, creating a dangerous suction arrangement. The discussion explores AS 1926.3, suction-cover ratings, installation problems, and why renovating a pool requires looking beyond its appearance. It also tackles an uncomfortable question: when something doesn’t look right, are you asking for help—or carrying on? Then the conversation turns to the businesses behind the service routes. Training, qualifications, career pathways, and giving capable employees room to lead all matter. So does building a business that can function when its owner takes a holiday. In this episode: Entrapment hazards in new, renovated, and modified pools.Recognizing potty skimmers, damaged suction covers, and hazardous valve arrangements.Why suction-cover ratings need to be considered as part of the complete hydraulic system.Installation mistakes that can undermine otherwise compliant equipment.Why pool and spa service deserves recognition as skilled technical work.Developing employees through training and meaningful career opportunities.Succession planning, delegation, and reducing a business’s dependence on its owner.Oversized pumps, restrictive pipework, and unnecessary elbows.Equipment positioning, installation manuals, and opportunities to improve efficiency.Episode chapters 00:00 — PoolBrain sponsor message 00:19 — Welcome to Mondays Down Under 01:11 — Introducing Spiros and the entrapment discussion 02:46 — 2026 Top Ten Pool Industry Mentor Recognition 05:50 — Entrapment cases and professional responsibility 09:35 — A commercial spa’s dangerous valve arrangement 12:20 — Discovering a potty skimmer at a rental property 15:02 — Recognizing suction hazards 16:53 — Suction-cover ratings and hydraulic compatibility 22:22 — Broken fittings and installation problems 25:31 — Standards, technical skills, and technician training 27:24 — Earning respect for the profession 29:52 — Staff development and building career pathways 33:29 — Succession planning and empowering employees 37:00 — Pump sizing and pipework restrictions 39:29 — Better plumbing, less friction, and sustainability 42:12 — Equipment positioning and emerging technology 46:08 — Retrofitting pumps to older plumbing 48:18 — Standards, resources, and continued learning 50:54 — Listener questions and closing Featured sponsor: PoolBrain Questions or topic suggestions? Email talkingpools@gmail.com and request Mondays Down Under. Share this episode with the technician, renovator, or business owner who needs to hear it. The Pool Shop Coachan online store offering industry-specific business mentoring, coaching, and training programs Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    “I Just Test the Water” Won’t Cut It: Entrapment, Bad Plumbing & Professional Responsibility

  5. Oct 2

    Pool Pros Deserve Better: Industry Politics, Product Claims & Corporate B******t

    Ask a question here WARNING: INTENTIONALLY ABRASIVE If you want to know what pool professionals need, ask the person in the f*****g truck. This week on Floc-It Fridays, Rudy Stankowitz takes on the gossip, gatekeeping, and behind-the-scenes politics that make an already demanding trade harder than it needs to be. From manufacturers’ reps badmouthing pool professionals to private calls about who should appear on a podcast or receive mentor recognition, Rudy shares the experiences that have changed how he views industry support—and what he expects from the people claiming to provide it. He also revisits the pool professionals who helped test the alum method for reducing cyanuric acid, the pushback he encountered, and why evidence should matter whether a claim comes from an independent service tech or a company with an enormous marketing budget. Good reps earn trust. Good companies stand behind their products. And good ideas deserve serious testing. Supporting pool professionals means listening when they ask difficult questions, challenge a protocol, or find a better way to do the work. In this episode: Why a rep trashing another pool pro should raise a red flag.Field-driven innovation and resistance to ideas that could change product use.Alum, cyanuric acid reduction, and the role of participating pool professionals.Holding corporate claims and independent research to consistent standards.Rudy’s account of pressure surrounding podcast guests and mentor recognition.Recognition for Kelli Clancy and colleagues who helped build education and community for women in pools.The responsibility to document observations, acknowledge limitations, and correct mistakes.What meaningful support for service techs, builders, plaster crews, and renovation contractors looks like.“A nice label is not data. A familiar name is not data.” An outspoken episode about trust, accountability, mentorship, and giving the people doing the work the credit—and voice—they deserve. Explicit language. Featured sponsors: PoolBrain, Service Industry News, AquaStar Pool Products, and BlueRay XL. 2026 Pool Industry Mentor Recognition sponsors: BlueRay XL, United Chemical, LaMotte, Revdup Apparel, and AquaComfort Water Group. God bless the pool pros. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    Pool Pros Deserve Better: Industry Politics, Product Claims & Corporate B******t

  6. Oct 1

    Pool Pros Need More Regulation - and Fewer Facebook Assholes

    Ask a question here A truck, a pole, and a Facebook opinion: is that enough to call yourself a pool professional? This Thursday on Talking Pools, Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich tackle a question guaranteed to get somebody typing in all caps: Does the pool industry need more regulation? Steve makes the case for continuing education, stronger professional standards, and a system that makes more sense than a patchwork of requirements and inconsistent enforcement. Then they turn to the professionals who answer legitimate questions with “hire a professional.” Congratulations, buddy. You found a room full of people trying to learn and contributed absolutely nothing. The conversation also gets into the business problems that hit closer to home: customers who wait weeks to report cloudy water, return visits that eat your profits, and the uncomfortable question of what to charge when a specialist does the work but cannot find the problem. In this week’s Insurance Interlude, Pat Grignon of California Pool Association joins Steve to discuss flood coverage, coastal storm damage, and the questions worth asking before water comes through your front door. In this episode: Regulation versus red tape: Steve and Wayne discuss licensing, enforcement, and whether ongoing education should be part of being a pool professional.CPO classes and real-world obstacles: Math anxiety, distracted students, an internet outage, and Wayne’s medical emergency midway through a two-day class.Your technician isn’t psychic: Why customers need to report problems between service visits—and how to explain that without starting a fight.The return-visit money trap: Steve explains his preference for charging per visit and setting expectations for additional work.Facebook’s professional hecklers: Asking for help should lead to useful answers. Apparently, some people missed that meeting.Stay in your lane—and build partnerships: Steve makes the case for working with leak detection specialists rather than adding every possible service to your business.The expensive mystery leak: A complicated infinity pool, a customer reporting a $6,000 monthly water expense, and testing that fails to identify a leak.Getting paid without screwing the customer: Paying specialists fairly, documenting their work, and protecting your reputation when the outcome is inconclusive.Flood insurance questions: Pat and Steve discuss separate coverage, risk-based pricing, and what an emergency declaration means for coverage.Episode chapters 00:00 — Is the pool industry overregulated? 03:29 — Continuing education, licensing, and enforcement 09:41 — An internet outage derails an online class 12:38 — Insurance Interlude: flood coverage with Pat Grignon 26:11 — Wayne’s medical emergency during a CPO course 28:57 — Math anxiety and keeping students engaged 31:00 — Customer communication and return visits 37:50 — Pool closing advice and regional differences 39:07 — Facebook groups and professional courtesy 43:00 — Specialist partnerships and the mystery leak 47:29 — What do you charge when no leak is found? 52:13 — Listener questions and closing storm discussion Have a question, an opinion, or a situation we should tackle? Email talkingpools@gmail.com. Explicit language. Strong opinions. Bring something more useful than “hire a professional.” Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    Pool Pros Need More Regulation - and Fewer Facebook Assholes

  7. Sep 30

    A Floating Liner, a Family Business, and the Advice Chris Cavanaugh Wishes He Took Sooner

    Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Mythbusting Wednesday with Natalie Hood What do you do when heavy rain turns a vinyl liner into a waterbed? Chris Cavanaugh has a clear first instruction: do not drain the pool. In this episode, Natalie talks with the 2026 Talking Pools TOP TEN Mentor about floating liners, groundwater, salt systems on steel-wall pools, and the mistakes that can turn a repairable problem into an expensive one. Chris is a third-generation pool professional and president of Cavanaugh Pool, Spa & Patio in western Kentucky. He shares how his family grew the business into a three-location operation—and how that growth made mentoring new managers and service techs essential. Natalie also asks about Chris’s first mentor: his mother. She taught him water chemistry, the work behind running a business, and one lesson every seasonal business owner needs to hear: plan for winter while the money is coming in. In this episode: Why Chris now sends interested employees to industry shows and asks them to bring back three ideas.What to consider before putting a salt system on a steel-wall vinyl-liner pool, especially one with an automatic cover.How groundwater can lift a liner and leave wrinkles when it recedes.Why Chris says to call a professional before lowering the water in a pool with a floating liner.What manufacturers could learn from the people installing and servicing their equipment.Chris’s advice to anyone coming into the industry? Try its different sides. Retail, service, sales, and installation each offer a path. Learn enough to find yours, then help somebody else find theirs. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    A Floating Liner, a Family Business, and the Advice Chris Cavanaugh Wishes He Took Sooner

  8. Sep 27

    “Chlorine-Free” With a Chlorinator? SPASA Takes on Pool Sanitizer Claims

    Ask a question here What does freshwater mean when a pool system has a chlorinating cell? On Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury, Nick and Shane welcome Ben Makepeace, SPASA’s policy manager, to unpack SPASA’s new guide to swimming pool and spa sanitisation marketing claims. Ben explains why the industry developed the voluntary guide and how pool retailers, service technicians and builders can use it to question product labels, compare systems and ask suppliers for evidence behind their claims. The conversation gets into “chlorine-free” and “mineral” marketing, the difference between oxidation and sanitisation, and why training matters when a professional has to explain a system to a customer. They also discuss SPASA’s wider work on standards, contracts and industry advocacy across Australia and New Zealand. Resources: SPASA guides and resources · SPASA membership · Questions for the show: talkingpools@gmail.com SPASA Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: FacebookInstagramTik TokEmail us: talkingpools@gmail.com

    “Chlorine-Free” With a Chlorinator? SPASA Takes on Pool Sanitizer Claims
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About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Rudy Stankowitz
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.1K
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Talking Pools Podcast
  • Show Website
    Talking Pools Podcast

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