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
FSPA's Fight Against Last-Minute Legislation
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In this special edition of the Talking Pools Podcast, we're interrupting our regular Tuesday broadcast to bring you an urgent conversation about critical legislative threats facing Florida's pool industry. Pool Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Joe Trusty sits down with Dallas Deason, Chief Government Relations Officer for the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA), to break down the serious legislative challenges that nearly slipped through unnoticed — and what the industry did to stop them.
Joe and Dallas dive deep into two explosive topics:
- SB 712/HB 683 Amendment: A last-minute proposal that would have dangerously expanded the ability of general and building contractors to build wet deck areas around swimming pools, bypassing the licensed pool contractors entirely.
- HB 991: A sweeping and alarming bill aimed at dismantling the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) and eliminating mandatory continuing education requirements, not only for pool contractors but across 32 professional categories in Florida.
Dallas explains why these bills would have been catastrophic for both consumers and industry professionals, outlines how FSPA rapidly mobilized to defeat the SB 712/HB 683 amendment, and gives an insider look at the ongoing battle to stop HB 991 before it can cause lasting damage.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Why the proposed wet deck amendment was a threat to pool safety and professional standards
- How FSPA mobilized industry professionals to advocate at the state Capitol
- The critical role of the CILB and why its elimination would lead to a rise in poor workmanship and deregulation chaos
- The vital importance of continuing education for contractors and inspectors
- What pool professionals and consumers can do right now to help fight HB 991
- What happens next if HB 991 passes — and why the consequences could ripple far beyond the pool industry
Guest:
- Dallas Deason, Chief Government Relations Officer, Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA)
Host:
- Joe Trusty, Editor-in-Chief, Pool Magazine
Action Steps for Listeners:
- Visit the Florida House of Representatives website
- Find and contact your legislators — urge them to vote NO on HB 991
- Stay informed and engaged with FSPA's legislative updates
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