Talking Pools Podcast
Talking Pools Podcast
Rudy Stankowitz
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. 
Fear of Facebook, Part 1: 14 PSI Says Enough Is Enough. Lincoln Reflecting Pool Failure Analysis
Ask a question here On this Floc It Friday episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz sits down with Shawn Davis and Dan Chiles, two former admins of 14 PSI Industry Lounge, for a candid conversation about toxic Facebook groups—and the responsibility that comes with helping shape their culture. But first, breaking news on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Washington Post reports that a contractor-commissioned inspection identified at least EIGHTY-FIVE failures in the ...
Oct 16
41 min
Popped Pools, Leaking Profits & the Commercial Account From Hell
Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Thursdays with Steve & Wayne Hosts: Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich Insurance Interlude Guest: Pat Grignon That commercial pool account looks impressive on your client list—but is it making you money, or slowly eating your business alive? Steve and Wayne dig into the realities of commercial pool service: unpredictable chemical demand, marathon equipment-room visits, failing valves, and bids that leave customers wondering why you charge so much....
Oct 15
58 min
Stop Blaming the Pool Guy! Plaster Myths & Industry BS with Greg Beard — Part 2
Ask a question here The plaster looks like hell, and somehow the guy holding the net is already the prime suspect. Case closed? Natalie Hood and Greg Beard have a few follow-up questions. On this Wednesday Mythbusting Session of the Talking Pools Podcast, Natalie welcomes Greg back for part two of their conversation about plaster problems, hands-on mentorship, and an industry that occasionally treats collaboration like somebody suggested sharing a toothbrush. With more than 35 years of pool e...
Oct 14
58 min
Tru in the Loop Premiere: Stop Eating Repair Costs, Charge Your Worth & Hire with Purpose
Ask a question here Meet Truman, “Pool Boy Tru,” the newest voice on the Talking Pools Podcast. An Air Force veteran, former basketball coach, and Tampa-area pool business owner, Tru grew from a purchased route of 17 pools to 60 pools and an employee in two years. Now he’s bringing his lessons, questions, and industry connections to Tru in the Loop. For his first episode, Tru welcomes Mike the Mechanic, owner of Swimming Pool Mechanics, the mentor who sold him his original route. They talk tr...
Oct 13
29 min
Forgot the Hose? Water Damage, Floating Pools & the Chlorine Merry-Go-Round
Ask a question here A hose left running. A pool that drains overnight. A concrete shell pushed out of the ground. Water has plenty of ways to turn an ordinary service visit into somebody’s very expensive problem. On this episode of Mondays Down Under, Lee, Shane, and Nick share firsthand stories about water damage, forgotten taps, unexpected siphoning, and pools affected by groundwater pressure. Lee’s hidden dishwasher leak kicks off a conversation about the damage you don’t see until it’s al...
Oct 11
47 min
You never know what someone is carrying when they show up to work
Ask a question here This trailer offers a glimpse into “You Are the Storm—and You Are Allowed to Have Help: Mental Health in the Pool Industry,” released Friday, October 9, 2026, on the Talking Pools Podcast. Join Rudy Stankowitz, Jacobi Truman, Chris Felmer, and Zarah Littlejohn for honest, firsthand conversations about PTSD, grief, bullying, and the struggles that don’t disappear when the workday starts. About checking on your people—and allowing yourself to ask for help, too. 🎧 The full ep...
Oct 10
4 min
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 disa...
Oct 9
50 min
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...
Oct 8
51 min
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 ...
Oct 7
32 min
“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 tes...
Oct 5
53 min
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