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 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.
Talking Pools Podcast
Pollen, FAFO, EBITDA, & Chlorine Dioxide
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In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz discusses key financial concepts such as earnings amortization and EBITDA, emphasizing their importance in understanding a company's operational profitability. He introduces the FAFO method as a dynamic pricing strategy for small businesses, encouraging owners to test their pricing against market demand. The discussion also includes a comparative analysis of chlorine dioxide and traditional chlorine in pool sanitation, highlighting the advantages and challenges of each.
takeaways
- Earnings amortization provides a clearer picture of profitability.
- EBITDA is a useful metric for comparing businesses.
- The FAFO method encourages experimentation in pricing.
- Dynamic pricing can maximize revenue for small businesses.
- Not all customers are equally valuable; some drain resources.
- Testing price increases can reveal market tolerance.
- Chlorine dioxide offers advantages over traditional chlorine.
- Seasonal pricing strategies can enhance profitability.
- Understanding customer behavior is key to effective pricing.
- Chlorine dioxide's adoption in pool care faces regulatory challenges.
Sound Bites
- "Let's move on to something that has a name."
- "Dynamic pricing is adjusting prices based on demand."
- "Some customers simply aren't worth the trouble."
Chapters
00:00
Preparing for Pollen Season
04:05
Innovations in Pool Maintenance
04:10
The FAFO Method: A New Approach to Pricing
14:10
Implementing the FAFO Method in Business
14:35
Understanding EBITDA: A Key Financial Metric
21:28
Exploring Chlorine Dioxide: An Alternative Disinfectant
30:59
Barriers to Adoption of Chlorine Dioxide in the U.S.
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:
Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com
