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
Pool Pros Are Done Babysitting Clients Who Don’t Listen
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When It Rains, It Pours: Real Problems Pool Pros Actually Deal With
In this episode, hosts Wayne & Steve pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes of running a pool service company—because it’s not all crystal-clear water and perfectly balanced chemistry.
Fresh off a wedding weekend (and still recovering), Wayne passes the mic to Steve, who walks us through a week where everything that could go wrong… did.
And not in theory. In real, messy, business-impacting ways.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
The Reality of Running a Pool Company
- Why even well-run operations still deal with constant “fires”
- The difference between working in the business vs. on the business
- How quickly things unravel when you step away—even briefly
Commercial Pools Are a Different Beast
- Managing multiple bodies of water, spas, and fountains at a single property
- The hidden workload behind automated systems and chemical feeders
- Why one small mistake (like an injector adjustment) can create a massive chemical imbalance
When Communication Fails, Everything Fails
- Warranty work getting completed… without anyone being notified
- Clients, contractors, and manufacturers all operating on different timelines
- How poor communication creates liability—even when the problem is fixed
Insurance, Liability & Covering Your Ass
- Why every subcontractor should be listed as additionally insured
- What happens when something goes wrong and no one takes responsibility
- How to protect your business when working with third parties—even one-time vendors
Documentation is Everything (No Exceptions)
- Why photos, timestamps, and records are your best legal defense
- Real-world example: proving service visits when clients think you “never showed up”
- How poor reporting—even from a good employee—can damage trust instantly
Employee Management & Operational Breakdowns
- The importance of consistent reporting—even on busy days
- Why “I know they were there” isn’t good enough without proof
- How small gaps in documentation turn into big client issues
Client Challenges You Can’t Avoid
- New management taking over and resetting expectations overnight
- Clients resisting necessary maintenance like draining pools
- High-demand pools with structural limitations that cannot be solved with chemicals alone
The Business Side No One Talks About
- Handling unpaid invoices and difficult clie
Pool Industry Trade Organization
LaMotte Company
LaMotte Company is a leading manufacturer of water quality testing products & pool test kits
CMAHC
The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code promotes health & safety at public swimming pools
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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com
