Talking Pools Podcast

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Talking Pools Podcast

Rudy Stankowitz

908 episodes

2 days ago

Pool Pros text questions here In the conclusion of Natalie Hood’s conversation with Ryan Walker, the focus shifts from “selling pool stuff” to selling outcomes: experience, lifestyle, confidence, and trust. This episode pulls the curtain back on what’s really happening in today’s retail and builder sales environment—homeowners aren’t shopping locally anymore. They’re shopping globally through TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest, then walking into your store or your design meeting with Dubai-leve...

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Pool Pros text questions here In the conclusion of Natalie Hood’s conversation with Ryan Walker, the focus shifts from “selling pool stuff” to selling outcomes: experience, lifestyle, confidence, and trust. This episode pulls the curtain back on what’s really happening in today’s retail and builder sales environment—homeowners aren’t shopping locally anymore. They’re shopping globally through TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest, then walking into your store or your design meeting with Dubai-leve...

Show more...

Episodes (20/908)

Talking Pools Podcast

Selling Outcomes, Ryan Walker Part ll

Pool Pros text questions here In the conclusion of Natalie Hood’s conversation with Ryan Walker, the focus shifts from “selling pool stuff” to selling outcomes: experience, lifestyle, confidence, and trust. This episode pulls the curtain back on what’s really happening in today’s retail and builder sales environment—homeowners aren’t shopping locally anymore. They’re shopping globally through TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest, then walking into your store or your design meeting with Dubai-leve...

22 hours ago

35 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

How Pool Pros Accidentally Poison Themselves (and Everyone Else)

Pool Pros text questions here This week, Andrea and Paulette pull back the curtain on one of the most uncomfortable truths in pool service: you don’t need to be reckless to get seriously hurt. You just need to be casual. From cracked buckets rolling around in the back of trucks to “I’ve done it this way for years” shortcuts, this episode explores the many real-world ways pool professionals can poison themselves, gas homeowners, or trigger violent chemical reactions—without ever intending to. ...

1 day ago

43 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

We are a trade that can electrocute you

Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of Talking Pools, hosts Lee and Shane reflect on the past year in the swimming pool industry, discussing significant changes in leadership, the recognition of the trade, and the importance of planning for the future. They emphasize the need for work-life balance and personal growth as they look forward to 2026 and the upcoming Splash trade show. takeaways The swimming pool industry has seen significant leadership changes recently.Recognition as a ...

2 days ago

39 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

The 2-Cups-Equals-a-Pound Lie, Available Chlorine, Active Strength

Pool Pros text questions here It’s the day after Christmas, and Rudy is not here to sing carols—he’s here to correct one of the most common (and most expensive) field habits in pool service: measuring dry chemicals like you’re baking cookies. The “two cups equals a pound” rule gets dragged into the sunlight, and then the episode pivots into a full chemistry fundamentals reset that separates pool-water reality from industrial-label marketing. Rudy breaks down the difference between “available ...

5 days ago

30 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Your Contract Ruined Christmas - Holiday Woes: Part l

Pool Pros text questions here In this holiday edition of Thursdays with Steve, Steve Sherwood checks in from a festive (and very on-brand) Hawaiian Christmas shirt and talks straight to the pros who keep pools running even when the calendar says “day off.” From commercial clients who expect service 365 days a year, to the reality of managing staff with families, to planning holiday schedules before the season hits—Steve breaks down how to protect your time, your team, and your business. Then ...

6 days ago

43 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Retail Is Not Dead, with Ryan Walker

Pool Pros text questions here In this episode, Natalie Hood sits down with Ryan Walker to unpack how retail sales in the pool industry have evolved over the last two decades—and what dealers, builders, and retailers need to understand to stay competitive today. From the rise of online shopping and social media influence to changing homeowner expectations and shifting economic realities, this conversation challenges long-held myths about retail, sales strategy, and customer behavior. Ryan draw...

1 week ago

32 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

LSI: The Key to Pool Chemistry

Pool Pros text questions here In this conversation, Paulette and Andrea discuss their recent hiatus due to personal losses and the challenges faced in pool maintenance. They delve into the importance of understanding the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and its role in water chemistry, emphasizing the need for proper water balance to prevent issues like scaling and corrosion. The discussion also covers practical tips for maintaining pools, particularly in relation to salt systems and common m...

1 week ago

58 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Innovative Pool Products for Australia and New Zealand

Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Lee and Shane discuss the holiday season, share nostalgic memories of Christmas, and explore innovative pool products from the US that they wish to see in Australia and New Zealand. They highlight various tools for pool maintenance, emerging technologies in pool care, and look forward to the upcoming Splash Trade Show in 2026, emphasizing the importance of new products in enhancing service delivery in the pool industr...

1 week ago

32 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

The one about Chloramines, Breakpoint, and Crystal Lagoons

Pool Pros text questions here In this episode, Rudy Stankowitz dives deep into the complexities of pool chemistry, particularly focusing on chloramines and breakpoint chlorination. He shares personal anecdotes, discusses industry events, and answers listener questions about lagoon pools versus traditional pools. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding water treatment processes and the misconceptions surrounding chloramines in swimming pools. takeaways Chloramines are a p...

1 week ago

46 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Life After a Cardiac Event: Lessons Learned

Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of Talking Pools, Wayne shares his harrowing experience with a cardiac event that nearly cost him his life. He discusses the support he received from his family and medical professionals, reflecting on the importance of health and recovery. The conversation then shifts to the implications of such health scares on life perspectives and the lessons learned. The hosts also delve into the complexities of insurance, particularly regarding hazmat liabil...

1 week ago

58 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Pool Financing Myths

Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of the Talking Pools podcast, Natalie Hood and Joe Garcia discuss the often misunderstood topic of pool financing. They debunk common myths surrounding financing, emphasizing its accessibility for all income levels and its strategic benefits for homeowners. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the impact of inflation on pool costs, the value of pools in real estate, and the advantages of financing over cash purchases. Joe sh...

2 weeks ago

36 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Cleaning Pools After Bushfires

Pool Pros text questions here In this episode of Talking Pools, Lee and Shane discuss the impact of bushfires in Australia and New Zealand, particularly focusing on how these fires affect swimming pools and the necessary cleanup strategies. They share personal experiences and insights on effective pool maintenance post-fire, the importance of community preparedness, and resources available for fire safety. The conversation emphasizes the need for proactive measures to protect homes and pools ...

2 weeks ago

38 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

LSI Outside the Bubble — What the Scientists Really Say

Pool Pros text questions here Rudy does something different this week: he takes the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) out of the pool industry echo chamber and walks it through the lens of academics, civil engineers, groundwater chemists, and industrial water experts who don’t care about plaster warranties, brand marketing, or trade show politics. If you’ve ever argued about “which LSI is right” in a Facebook group, this one is for you. Episode Overview Rudy kicks off with a news analogy: &nbs...

2 weeks ago

37 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Steve’s Cautionary Tales, Leak Detection 101 & The Airbnb Insurance Trap

Pool Pros text questions here This week, Steve flies solo again — but with good news: Wayne is on the mend and expected back very soon. Until then, Steve brings a full toolbox of stories, lessons, and a deep dive into one of the most-requested topics from pool pros: leak detection as a service. 🔥 Segment 1 — Cautionary Tales From the Field Steve opens with some brutally honest stories from the last month on his route: Losing a couple clients — why it happened, what could’ve prevented it, and ...

2 weeks ago

1 hour 11 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Specialty Chemicals: Making Chlorine Work Smarter, Not Harder with Jody O’Grady

Pool Pros text questions here On this Talking Pools episode, host Natalie Hood, Director of Education and Network Development for The Grit Game, sits down with Jody O’Grady, Director of Commercial Sales for API Water and long-time industry chemist, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in pool care: specialty chemicals. Chlorine gets all the attention, but oxidizers, enzymes, and flocculants quietly decide whether your water is comfortable, clear, and compliant—or a cloudy, smelly he...

3 weeks ago

44 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Are They Pools, Ponds, or A GEN Z FAD?

Pool Pros text questions here Imagine Rudy, Allen Schnaak, Andrea The Pool Girl, and Frank Disher from The Deep End Podcast sitting around a table — the kind of table where coffee gets cold because the conversation gets that good. What starts as a friendly discussion about natural pools quickly spirals into a wild, brain-stretching rollercoaster of biology, engineering, and the eternal question: what exactly is growing in that water, and should we be scared of it? Natural Pools vs. Traditiona...

3 weeks ago

38 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Kangaroos, Cows & Vinyl Liners: Modern Liner Tech with Jamie from Aquatec

Pool Pros text questions here On this Mondays Down Under episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Shane in Auckland and Lee on the chilly NSW coast are joined by Jamie from Aquatec, a family business that’s been making swimming pool liners since the late 1970s. They dive into how vinyl liners have evolved from “one blue fits all” to highly engineered, custom-fit solutions for everything from tired old concrete pools to wild freeform designs with benches, bar stools, and beach entries. Jamie shar...

3 weeks ago

53 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

The Role of Calcium and TDS

Pool Pros text questions here In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz emphasizes the critical role of calcium hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS) in pool chemistry. He explains how these factors influence the effectiveness of chlorine, algaecides, and other pool chemicals, highlighting the importance of maintaining the right balance for optimal pool performance. Takeaways Calcium hardness and TDS are crucial for pool chemistry. They influence how effectively chlorine works. Proper leve...

3 weeks ago

35 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

The Role of Weather in Swimming Pool Property Damage

Pool Pros text questions here The conversation explores the complexities of insurance claims, particularly in unusual circumstances involving property damage due to weather events. The speaker shares a vivid account of a claim involving a fallen tree that caused significant damage to a pool area, illustrating the challenges faced by both homeowners and insurance adjusters in assessing and managing such incidents. Takeaways The role of insurance adjusters in property damage claims. Unusual ...

3 weeks ago

28 minutes

Talking Pools Podcast

Mastering Pool Measurements: Essential Tools and Techniques

Pool Pros text questions here In this conversation, Natalie discusses the essential tools and preparations needed for accurate pool measurements with Carl Cullers or the Grit Game. They emphasize the importance of having the right equipment, such as measuring forms, tapes, and documentation tools, to ensure a successful measurement process. Additionally, the speaker highlights the necessity of taking pictures to document the pool's condition, especially if there are any irregularities. takeaw...

4 weeks ago

33 minutes