Talking Pools Podcast
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...
The Pool Is Breathing (And Nobody Told You Why) - Friday
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This week on Floc-It Friday, Rudy Stankowitz takes aim at one of the most misunderstood concepts in pool chemistry: pH drift. If you've ever been told that pH "just goes up," Rudy has news for you. Water doesn't drift. Chemistry doesn't shrug. And carbon dioxide may be controlling your pool far more than you've been taught.
Before diving into chemistry, Rudy opens with a satirical pool industry news segment covering algae in Washington's Reflecting Pool, Leslie's recent financial improvements, private equity acquisitions, above-ground pool recalls, and the g...
Natural Pools, Cheap Customers, and Main Character Syndrome - Thursdays
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In this Thursday edition of Talking Pools, hosts Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich dive into the realities of running a successful pool service company. From referral programs and pricing challenges to difficult customer interactions and the importance of building relationships with manufacturer representatives, this episode offers practical business advice for pool professionals. The conversation also includes an insurance-focused discussion on the growing topic of natural swimming pools and the unique risks they present.
Topics Covered
Why Referrals Are Still the Best Marketing Tool
Steve explains why customer r...
The Truth About Pool Furniture with Mike Collins of Tenjam - Wednesdays
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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, host Natalie Hood sits down with Mike Collins, President of Tenjam, to uncover the often-overlooked realities of in-pool furniture. While most homeowners shop based on appearance and price, Mike explains why comfort, engineering, maintenance requirements, water depth compatibility, and long-term performance matter far more once the furniture is actually sitting in the pool.
From ergonomics and furniture design to pool covers, vinyl liners, fiberglass pools, and maintenance concerns, this episode challenges many of the assumptions surrounding today's popular tanning ledges and sun shelves.
...Mondays Down Under – Finding Pool Leaks: The Art, Science, and Frustration of Leak Detection
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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, hosts Lee Salisbury, Shane Sneddon, and Nick discuss one of the most challenging and often frustrating aspects of pool service: leak detection. From simple dye tests and bucket tests to advanced acoustic listening devices, pressure testing, and underground leak locating equipment, the team shares real-world experiences, troubleshooting techniques, and lessons learned from years in the field.
Topics Covered
Why Leak Detection Is a Specialized Skill
Leak detection often goes far beyond finding a wet spot in the yard. The h...
Probablemente Estás Usando Mal la Tierra de Diatomeas
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En este episodio, Rudy responde una pregunta que recibe con frecuencia en el campo: ¿cuánta tierra de diatomeas (DE) debe agregarse realmente a un filtro después de una limpieza completa? A través de un enfoque práctico y fácil de entender, explica cómo determinar la cantidad correcta basándose en el área de superficie del filtro y no simplemente en estimaciones o costumbres heredadas.
Temas Principales
La importancia de la dosis correcta de DE
Muchos técnicos y operadores agregan menos tierra de diatomea...
Natural Swimming Pools, Biofilms, Cyanobacteria & The Science of Uncertainty
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In this thought-provoking Floc It Friday episode, Rudy Stankowitz takes a step away from chemistry myths, manufacturer sound-offs, and social media debates to explore a topic that has generated considerable discussion in both the pool industry and online communities: natural swimming pools. Drawing from four peer-reviewed scientific studies provided by Professor Charles Gerba, Rudy examines what the current scientific literature actually says about biological water treatment systems, pathogen control, microbial communities, and public health.
Before diving into the science, Rudy also shares a personal message recognizing National PTSD Awareness Month, discussing...
Dead Things, Dirty Water & Doggy Daycares: Thursday Stories Pool Pros Never Forget
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This week on the Talking Pools Podcast, Wayne Ivusich and Steve Sherwood take listeners on a journey through some of the strangest, funniest, and most unforgettable experiences pool professionals encounter in the field. What begins as a discussion about a pool overrun with frogs quickly evolves into a collection of stories that highlight the reality of working around water every day.
Wayne and Steve invite listeners to share the weirdest things they have ever discovered in skimmer baskets and pool systems, leading to stories involving snakes, squirrels, possums, underwear, rodents nesting b...
Dealers, Distributors & Dirty Little Secrets - Wednesdays
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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, host Natalie Hood sits down with Michael Thill, Regional Sales Manager with The Grit Game, to tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding sales, distribution, retail operations, dealer support, and business growth in the swimming pool industry. Michael shares lessons learned from more than 15 years in retail, distribution, service, renovations, and manufacturer representation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what really drives success in today's marketplace.
From his unexpected introduction to the industry in 2011 as a part-time helper at Caribbean P...
Andrea's Greatest It's
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This week, Andrea takes listeners on a rapid-fire tour through some of the most misunderstood topics in pool service, water chemistry, equipment operation, and aquatic safety. From saltwater chlorine generation and pH rise to phosphates, storm cleanup pricing, cavitation, combined chlorine, and why nobody should ever trust the phrase "pee is sterile," this episode blends practical field experience with real-world pool science.
Among the topics discussed:
Why salt chlorine generators produce chlorine gas—not sodium hypochlorite—and what that means for water chemistry. The real reason pH tends to rise in saltw...Dogs, Crocodiles, Koi, and Pool Chemistry: When Animals Use the Pool Down Under
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This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee Salisbury, Shane Melrose, and Nick discuss one of the more unusual sides of the pool industry: pools built for animals. What starts as a conversation about winter swimming temperatures quickly turns into a fascinating look at dog splash parks, crocodile enclosures, equestrian facilities, koi ponds, and the unique water quality challenges that come with maintaining aquatic environments that weren't designed for humans.
Nick shares his experience servicing a commercial dog splash pad attached to a boarding kennel and dog daycare facility. Complete w...
Piensa Más Allá de la Piscina
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Bienvenido al Programa de Certificación de Especialista en Prevención y Erradicación de Algas, impartido por Rudy Stankowitz. En este curso aprenderás a abordar las algas en las piscinas desde una perspectiva completamente diferente: una basada en la ciencia ambiental, la química del agua, la hidráulica y la experiencia real en el campo, en lugar de los típicos tratamientos químicos de “echar productos y esperar lo mejor”.
A muchos profesionales de piscinas se les enseña a ver las algas como el problema principal. Este curso de...
Natural Pools, AI, and the Quiet Revolution Nobody Saw Coming - Rudy
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This week on Floc-It Friday, Rudy Stankowitz takes listeners on a journey that starts with a surprisingly heated social media debate about natural swimming pools and ends somewhere in the future of artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance, and autonomous pool care.
After receiving a flood of messages asking whether natural swimming pools are truly safe, Rudy shares the Facebook post that unexpectedly sparked a debate with advocates of natural pool systems. The discussion explores concerns about cyanobacteria, biofilms, phytoplankton toxins, and the potential risks associated with naturally managed aquatic environments...
Health Inspectors, Logbooks, Liability & Commercial Pools - Steve & Wayne
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This week on Thursdays with Wayne & Steve, the guys dive into one of the least glamorous—but most important—aspects of operating commercial swimming pools: documentation, compliance, and dealing with health inspectors. What starts as Steve covering pools while his service manager attends a college graduation quickly turns into a discussion about inaccurate logbooks, misunderstood regulations, and the real-world consequences of bad record keeping.
Steve shares a surprising encounter involving a health inspector allegedly advising a technician to record “ideal” water chemistry values instead of actual test results. The conversat...
PoolBrain Pulls Back the Curtain on the Future of Pool Service Operations
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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, host Natalie Hood of The Grit Game sits down with Adam Beech, founder and CEO of PoolBrain, for an in-depth discussion about the operational challenges facing modern pool service companies and the technology being developed to solve them. Adam shares his journey from operating a 20-truck pool service company in Phoenix, Arizona, to creating one of the industry's fastest-growing software platforms after realizing that technician accountability, customer retention, and operational scalability were problems traditional management methods could not fully solve.
The conversation explores P...
5150: Pool Industry Insanity with Andrea
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On this week's Tuesday edition of Talking Pools, Andrea delivers a rapid-fire collection of pool industry myths, misconceptions, pet peeves, and hard-earned observations from the field. What started as an episode about common pool myths quickly evolved into a full-blown list of industry hot takes, terminology frustrations, safety reminders, and the kinds of misconceptions that refuse to die.
Before diving into the chaos, Andrea discusses the brutal summer heat, challenges in the field, a commercial pool battling bug issues caused by water level problems, and announces her new merchandise store featuring d...
The Ruthenium Problem: Why Salt Cells Are Getting More Expensive - Mondays
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This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee, Shane, and Nick sit down with Lee from AIS Water for a fascinating deep dive into the world of saltwater chlorination, chlorinator cells, and the rare-earth metal quietly impacting pool owners across the globe: ruthenium.
AIS Water has spent more than three decades focused exclusively on saltwater chlorination, manufacturing everything from residential chlorinators to massive commercial systems used around the world. Lee shares insights from both the Australian and international markets while explaining why chlorinator replacement cells have become significantly more expensive in recent...
Floc-It Friday — Mentorship, Metal Chemistry & The Reality of Pool Safety
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This week on the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz delivers one of the most brutally honest and emotionally grounded episodes yet — blending psychology, mentorship, advanced chemistry, industry culture, and drowning prevention into a single unapologetic ride through the modern swimming pool industry.
Rudy opens the episode by tackling something most people in the industry rarely discuss openly: the mental chaos of becoming good at pool care. He breaks down how the swimming pool industry often throws people into the deep end with little structure, little guidance, and an overwhelming amount of mis...
Steve's Master Pool Maintenance Tips
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In this episode, Steve Sherwood shares insights on pool maintenance, commercial vs residential pools, insurance tips, and new hobbies like sailing. Perfect for pool professionals looking to optimize their business and safety practices.
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pool maintenance, commercial pools, residential pools, insurance, sailing, pool chemicals, pool equipment, client management, pool industry tips
key topics
AI, Automation, and the Future of the Pool Industry with Special Guest Fred Ross
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AI, Automation, and the Future of the Pool Industry
With Special Guest Fred Ross
What happens when a pool industry veteran with roots in Silicon Valley, data centers, transportation logistics, and large-scale commercial pool operations sits down to talk about artificial intelligence?
You get one of the most eye-opening conversations we’ve ever had on Myth Busting Wednesdays.
This week, host Natalie Hood sits down with Fred Ross — former tech executive, entrepreneur, commercial pool operator, and industry innovator — to discuss the rapidly approaching collision between AI tech...
Andrea Unfiltered – Green Pools, Heat Stroke & Poop Soup
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This week on 🎙️ Andrea Unfiltered, Andrea delivers exactly what listeners have come to expect: chaotic honesty, pool industry reality checks, accidental nightmare fuel, and a reminder that working around water can get weird fast.
Andrea opens the episode discussing an adults-only waterpark in Texas featuring swim-up bars, lazy rivers, floating food delivery, DJs, and giant hot tubs — and explains in vivid detail why she absolutely wants no part of it. Between the thought of people never leaving the water and “lazy river snack service,” Andrea spirals into one of the funniest disgust-rant...
Wellness Water, Cold Plunges & The Future of Spa Care with John Harding - Mondays Down Under
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This week on the 🇦🇺🇳🇿 edition of the Talking Pools Podcast, Lee, Shane, and Nick welcome longtime industry veteran and chemistry expert John Harding of Lo-Chlor Chemicals for a fascinating deep dive into the rapidly expanding world of wellness products in the pool and spa industry.
John shares his incredible journey from aircraft engineer in England to becoming Technical Director at Lo-Chlor, one of Australia’s longest-standing specialty pool chemical manufacturers. Listeners get the backstory behind how Lo-Chlor was founded in 1979 after a hospital hydrotherapy pool kept turning green—and how a pharmacist’s chem...
EPA Fines and Why Your Algaecide Didn't Work - Rudy
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On this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy dives headfirst into one of the most controversial chemistry and regulatory topics currently shaking the pool industry: sodium bromide, EPA labeling law, and the reality of enforcement under FIFRA regulations.
This episode is not speculation, fearmongering, or internet rumor. It is a detailed breakdown of what the EPA label changes actually mean, how pesticide law works in the real world, the difference between civil and criminal enforcement, and why documentation—not chemistry testing—is often what creates liability exposure for pool professionals.
Here's What Every Pool Service Company is MISSING - Steve
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On this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Steve dives into the realities of commercial pool liability, leak detection, client communication, and the hidden responsibilities that separate true professionals from “just the pool guy.”
The episode opens with Steve discussing the frustration surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket prices before shifting into another edition of the Insurance Interlude with Pat Grignon of the California Pool Association. Together, they unpack a real-world commercial pool situation involving missing handrails, code violations, liability exposure, and the importance of documenting hazards before they become lawsuits.
Pool Inspections Exposed - Dennis Boyd with Natalie Hood
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Pool Inspections, Liability, Codes & the Dangerous Assumptions That Cost Thousands. Part 2 of this 2 part episode.
With Host Natalie Hood of The Grit Game and Special Guest Dennis Boyd of Watershape University
In the conclusion of this powerful two-part episode of Myth Busting Wednesdays, Natalie Hood sits down with Dennis Boyd for a brutally honest conversation about the realities of swimming pool inspections, code compliance, safety standards, liability, and the myths that continue to plague the pool industry.
This episode digs deep into one of the biggest misconceptions i...
Andrea Unedited Episode on Swimming Pool Safety
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On this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea takes a deep dive into one of the most important — and often overlooked — topics in the swimming pool industry: safety.
With summer approaching and pool usage increasing across the country, Andrea discusses the real-world responsibility pool professionals carry when it comes to preventing drownings, suction entrapment incidents, and avoidable tragedies. The episode opens with two heartbreaking Florida drowning stories involving young children — one at a pool party and another at an Airbnb rental property — sparking a broader conversation about accountability, supervision, and the role...
Pool Industry Time-Saving Hacks - Mondays, Australia, News Zealand
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On this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Lee Salisbury, Shane from Auckland, and Nick from Brisbane dive headfirst into one of the biggest challenges facing pool professionals everywhere: time management.
From subscription fatigue to overloaded schedules, the crew discusses how pool service companies can streamline operations, eliminate wasted effort, and create smarter workflows without adding more stress—or more monthly software fees.
Nick shares how he has transformed Buffer Zone into a centralized operational hub for his business, using it for everything from technician scheduling and supplier management to e...
The Sodium Bromide Ban - Rudy talks with Scott Hamilton, CEO, United Chemical
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This episode features Scott Hamilton, CEO of United Chemical, discussing the EPA's recent restrictions on sodium bromide, its implications for pool professionals, and the science behind bromate formation and safety. Gain insights into regulatory processes, chemical safety, and effective pool management strategies.
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sodium bromide, EPA regulations, bromate, pool chemistry, pool safety, algae control, chemical risk assessment, United Chemical, Yellow Treat, bromine pools
key topics
Is Information Generated by AI Covered by Your Insurance?
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This episode explores the impact of AI on the insurance industry, business practices, and legal considerations, featuring insights from industry expert Pat Grigno.
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AI, insurance, business, contracts, legal, technology, automation, risk management
key topics
guest name
Pat Grigno
Sound Bites
10 Myths About Pool Inspections Debunked by Industry Expert Dennis Boyd - Wednesdays
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Join us as we explore the critical, often-overlooked world of pool inspections with expert Dennis Boyd. Discover the myths, safety concerns, and essential knowledge every homeowner, builder, and inspector needs to prevent disasters and legal issues. Part 1 of 2.
Keywords
pool inspections, pool safety, home inspection, water chemistry, pool construction, legal issues, pool industry, inspection myths
Key Topics
The importance of thorough pool inspectionsCommon myths and misconceptions in pool safetyThe role of water chemistry and construction knowledge in inspectionsGuest Name<...
Mastering HR in Small Pool Businesses - Mondays Down Under
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In this episode, Heidi Weeks from Peppermint HR shares expert insights on HR best practices for small businesses, especially in the pool industry. Topics include compliance, structuring, connection, and practical tips for building a strong HR foundation.
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HR, small business, pool industry, compliance, employee engagement, HR policies, team management, HR tips
key topics
takeaways
Your Pool Truck Might Be Illegal - Rudy
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On this episode of Floc It Friday, Rudy Stankowitz dives headfirst into one of the most overlooked realities in the swimming pool industry: your pool truck may legally qualify as a hazardous materials transport vehicle. Rudy breaks down how everyday pool chemicals like liquid chlorine, muriatic acid, trichlor, cal hypo, cyanuric acid, and even improperly labeled buckets can place pool professionals directly under federal DOT hazmat regulations. From 49 CFR Materials of Trade exceptions to hazmat training requirements, shipping papers, securement rules, placarding, container limits, and chemical compatibility, this episode becomes an eye-opening deep...
Swimming Pools at Student Housing and the Headaches that Ensue - Steve
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hosts Steve Sherwood and Pat Rignyan from the California Pool Association take a deep dive into one of the busiest and most overlooked risk seasons in the pool industry: commercial and student housing pools. As pool professionals across the country juggle openings, CPO classes, hotels, HOAs, and large commercial accounts, Steve raises an important question many service companies never stop to ask until it’s too late — how much additional liability comes with servicing high-traffic student housing and HOA pools?
Pat explains that while most insurance policies don’t specifically exclude commerc...
Coast Guard Aviation: Rescue Swim Myths, Missions, and Career Paths _ Natalie
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Natalie Hood (the Grit Game) explores the diverse roles and responsibilities of Coast Guard aviation professionals with Nicholas L. Gavin. This includes, but is not limited to myths about AMTs, AETs, and ASTs, and gain insights into their training, missions, and career paths.
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Coast Guard, aviation, AMT, AET, AST, rescue missions, military careers, aviation maintenance, rescue swimmer, career in Coast Guard
key topics
Roles of AMT, AET, and AST in Coast Guard
Training and skills required for Coast Guard aviation roles
Myt...
Andrea's Pool Prep 2026
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Andrea shares practical tips for pool maintenance and storm preparation, emphasizing water chemistry, cleaning protocols, and hurricane readiness to ensure safe and clean pools during the summer season.
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pool maintenance, storm prep, water chemistry, pool cleaning, hurricane season, Florida pools, pool chemicals, salt systems, pool cleaning tips
key topics
Sound Bites
10 Counter-Seasonal Essential Strategies - Mondays, Business
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This episode covers the challenges and opportunities of pool service businesses during winter, including cost management, database maintenance, and team engagement strategies. Learn practical tips to streamline operations, enhance professionalism, and maximize revenue in the off-season.
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pool service, winter business tips, database management, team engagement, cost control, pool maintenance
key topics
Sound Bites<...
Cyanuric Acid Isn’t Sunscreen… It’s a Regulator - Rudy
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This week on Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz rips into one of the most misunderstood topics in pool chemistry—cyanuric acid. Starting with a hard truth most pros overlook, the EPA-required label on chlorine products caps free chlorine at 4 ppm… and that’s not a suggestion, it’s law. From there, the episode dismantles the industry’s oversimplified “stabilizer” narrative and replaces it with what’s actually happening: cyanuric acid doesn’t just protect chlorine—it binds it, regulates it, and suppresses the amount of active sanitizer available in real time.
This is where t...
The Price of Doing Business - Steve & Wayne
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Thursdays with Steve & Wayne
“The Price of Doing Business”
🧠 Overview
This week on Talking Pools Podcast, Steve and Wayne break down the reality of running a pool service company—where one service call can derail your entire day and expose bigger industry problems.
👨🔧 From the Field
A commercial emergency turns into a full-blown headache involving:
Faulty flow meters Leaking high-pressure filters Multiple supply runs Hours of downtime👉 The takeaway: In commercial service, failure isn’t an option.
⚙️ Equipment Issues
Traditional f...The Future of Fire Features - Natalie Hood with Matt Doll
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In an industry where misinformation spreads faster than wildfire, this episode pulls no punches.
Natalie Hood sits down with Matt Doll, CEO of American Fire Products, to dismantle some of the most persistent—and dangerous—myths surrounding fire features in outdoor environments. From DIY disasters to misunderstood gas systems, this conversation is a wake-up call for builders, service pros, and homeowners alike.
Because here’s the truth:
👉 Fire features are not decorative add-ons.
👉 They are engineered systems.
👉 And when they’re done wrong… they fail hard.
🔥 What Yo...
Andrea is Making Social Media Work for You (Without Letting It Take Over Your Route)
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🎙️ Making Social Media Work for You (Without Letting It Take Over Your Route)
In this episode of Talking Pools Podcast, Andrea breaks down a question she’s been hearing more and more from pool pros in the field:
👉 “How are you posting so much… and still getting your pools done?”
What follows is a real-world, no-BS look at how to use social media as a tool—not a second job.
This isn’t about going viral.
This isn’t about chasing millions of views.
This is...
The Chlorine Panic Is Missing the Point - Mondays
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In this continuation of their conversation, Lee, Shane, and Nick are joined again by industry expert Spiros from Next Gen Experts to break down a topic that’s generating serious noise across the pool industry right now: proposed workplace exposure changes and what they actually mean.
This isn’t a surface-level chlorine conversation. It’s a deep dive into how regulations, standards, and real-world operations collide—and where the industry needs to be paying attention versus where it might be overreacting.
🧠 Key Topics Discussed
🔹 Toolbox Talks You’re Already...
