Room to Grow: Earning Respect and Looking Beyond LSI

Ask a question here Talking Pools Podcast | Floc-It Friday with Rudy Stankowitz If we tell people to do better, we have to leave them somewhere to go when they try. After several episodes that stirred up the pool industry, Rudy asks a question that includes himself: Can somebody earn our respect after they’ve lost our approval? From his conversations with Eric Knight to the response surrounding the 14 PSI interviews, Rudy talks about recognizing experience earned through different paths, correcting people without humiliating them, and giving progress a chance without letting anyone off the hook. An announcement isn’t proof of change. What happens in the next difficult interaction matters. Then the conversation turns to water chemistry. Rudy explains why he teaches a preferred operating pH of 7.2–7.6, looking beyond saturation index and chlorine effectiveness. Drawing on published research and his six years studying swimming pool algae and cyanobacteria, he discusses the factors behind that preference, the limits of the evidence, and why the pool in front of you still requires judgment. In this episode: Recognizing professional growth, even when you disagree with someone. Eric Knight, Lauren Broom, and acknowledging the work people put into learning. The 14 PSI conversations, accountability, and rebuilding trust through actions. Helping new technicians ask questions without regretting it. Why Rudy’s preferred pH range considers more than LSI. Copper behavior, iron discoloration, and the distinction between precipitation and corrosion. Rudy’s algae investigations and the biological communities behind visible growth. Why findings about particular cyanobacteria or diatoms need careful interpretation. Disinfection byproduct trade-offs and treatment-specific considerations involving coagulation and ozone. Making recommendations you can explain, monitor, and adjust. Episode chapters 00:03 Can people earn back our respect? 01:57 Disagreement, experience, and recognizing effort 03:34 Eric Knight, Lauren Broom, and making room for learning 05:20 The 14 PSI conversations and expectations for change 08:47 Help one person move forward 11:52 Why Rudy prefers a pH of 7.2–7.6 14:02 Iron, discoloration, and upward pH drift 14:52 Algae research, biological complexity, and treatment trade-offs 21:23 Closing thoughts Chapter times are approximate. The challenge: Explain something. Share a resource. Give someone credit for improving. If you owe an apology, make it without attaching a closing argument. Join the conversation: Send questions and feedback to [email protected]. Content note: Explicit language. Support the show Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: [email protected]