CPO License Archives - Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

CPO Certification Course ©

Post author:Rudy
Post published: November 28, 2020
Post category:CPO Certification Class Education

CPO Certification Made Easy At Aquatic Facility Training & Consultants, we believe the CPO certification class should include more than the class itself. We know that students may have questions after…

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.

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 experience to share. But helping someone get through today’s repair is only part of the job. He wants them to understand why something failed, how to investigate it, and what to do the next time it happens.

Greg shares how networking, volunteering, and stepping out of the back row helped him become someone other professionals call for guidance. He also discusses respecting a mentor’s time, helping technicians grow their businesses, and why cutting corners eventually catches up with you.

In this episode:

What a second consecutive Top Ten Mentor recognition means to Greg.
The mentors who shaped his approach, including his brother Randy, Alan Smith, Greg Garrett, Bob Lowry, and Rudy Stankowitz.
Why industry relationships and training can change the direction of your career.
Teaching someone to troubleshoot instead of simply handing them an answer.
Recognizing who is ready to learn—and setting expectations for their preparation.
Sharing accounts, exchanging referrals, and helping other professionals succeed.
Why mentoring remains a two-way street, even after decades in the business.
Teaching a beginner versus helping an experienced technician unlearn old habits.
The customer’s view of “splash and dash” pool service.

Episode Chapters

00:00 — Meet Greg “Beard Man” Beard
01:17 — Recognition, gratitude, and answering the call
03:27 — What the Mentor Championship Belt would mean
05:23 — Recognition and the blind judging process
08:29 — The people who shaped Greg’s career
10:28 — Break and sponsor messages
16:57 — Advice that stayed with him
18:07 — Networking, training, and transferable skills
19:44 — Becoming the person others call
21:43 — Teaching the process behind the answer
24:21 — Respecting time and recognizing a willingness to learn
28:39 — Old habits, cutting corners, and customer expectations

Coming next: Natalie and Greg return for Part 2 to tackle pool industry myths.

2026 Mentor Recognition Sponsors: BlueRay XL, United Chemical, LaMotte Company, Revdup Apparel, and AquaComfort WaterGroup.

Episode sponsors include: PoolBrain, Revdup Apparel, and H2Flow Controls.

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Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com