The GroomPod

In this episode of The GroomPod, Susy the Groomer and Barbara Bird welcome back their most frequent guest, Dave Campanella from Best Shot, to discuss the cutting-edge trends shaping the grooming industry in 2026.We dive deep into Dave’s latest insights for Groomer to Groomer magazine, debunking old myths about silicone copolymers and exploring why these modern ingredients are actually "game changers" for coat protection and moisture retention. Barbara and Dave also discuss the influence of Korean Beauty on our industry, emphasizing a shift toward "skin-forward" grooming and multi-step treatments.In this episode, you’ll learn: The Truth About Silicones: Why modern copolymers are light, water-friendly, and essential for finishing dense coats. Microbiome Realities: Why "probiotic" shampoos might be more marketing than science, and why the method of application matters most. The Future of Fragrance: A look at "pet-friendly" scents and technology that actually eliminates odors rather than just masking them. The Power of Recirculating Systems: Why these systems are the "bomb" for superior conditioner deposition. Whether you are a mobile groomer like Susy or a salon owner, this episode will help you stop "working too hard" and start embracing the technology that makes grooming better in the tub.#TheGroomPod #GroomingScience #BestShot #BarbaraBird #DaveCampanella #PetGroomingTrends #DogMicrobiome #GroomerLife #GroomingEducation

Episode 467 | The Art of Mentorship & The Philosophy of K-BeautyIn this episode, Susy and Barbara get real about the highs and lows of the grooming life—from surviving Northwest floods and "fish pond nightmares" to the emotional toll of losing a beloved pet. But the heart of today’s show is all about growth. First, we explore the essential traits of a great grooming mentor. Are you rushing in to fix mistakes before they happen? We discuss why "living in the mistake" is a vital part of the learning process, how to provide non-judgmental feedback, and why being an available, skilled guide is better than being a "famous" influencer.Then, Barbara takes us into the classroom to break down K-Beauty (Korean Beauty) philosophy. It’s not just about ingredients; it’s a mindset of nurturing the skin barrier rather than just fixing problems. Learn why hydration, ceramides, and a "gentle, layered" approach might be the future of your grooming tub.Inside this episode: Mentorship Mindset: Why patience is your greatest tool. The "Half-Dog" Method: A practical way to teach styling. K-Beauty vs. Western Dermatology: Shifting from "fixing" to "nurturing" skin. The Skin Barrier: Why Barbara is moving toward a K-Beauty approach for pets. Special thanks to our sponsors: Best Shot, Show Season, Precision Sharp, and Groomore software.

Episode 466: Poodle Sauce, Pistachios, and the December IssueWelcome to the virtual salon! In this episode, Suzy and Barbara celebrate the start of their 12th year of The Groom Pod. To kick off the anniversary, the duo dives deep into the December 2025 issue of Groomer to Groomer magazine, sharing their unfiltered takes on everything from business advice to breed tutorials.In This Episode: The "Secret Sauce" Experiment: Suzy shares her latest "mad scientist" moment mixing Funky Poodle’s Hair Oil with water-based detanglers. Barbara weighs in on the science of emulsifiers and how to keep your mixtures from separating. The Pistachio Craze: Barbara falls for the TikTok-famous pistachio scent but has some serious reservations about the ingredient labels on the Pistachio Dream shampoo. Magazine Review: Measuring Success: A look at Amanda McGrath’s article on tracking holiday add-ons and the importance of "doing the math". The Boss vs. Leader Debate: Why small shops often struggle with the "friend vs. boss" boundary. Darryl’s Tips: Practical advice on making gradual grooming adjustments to manage client expectations and your own stress levels. AI in the Salon: The hosts discuss a new intake app that uses AI to generate visual representations of client requests. Is it the future of communication, or just more "fake" images to worry about? Technical Talk: Quick thoughts on the English Setter tutorial and the age-old debate: to whisk or not to whisk?. Sponsor Shoutouts: Best Shot, ShowSeason, Precision Sharp, Groomore, and Stazko.

🎧 The Groom Pod Episode 465: What to do when they pass, and Whiteners and optical brightenersWelcome to Episode 465 of The GroomPod! Join your host, Susy, a mobile groomer from Seattle, Washington, and her co-star, the curator of ingredients, Barbara Bird.This week, we are tackling two very serious, yet important, topics for every professional groomer:🐾 When They Pass Away (00:01:08)Susy opens up about the emotional toll of grooming and the devastating loss of beloved long-time clients. We discuss one of the hardest questions in our industry: What do you do when a client's pet passes away? We cover: How to handle the grief and emotional side of pet loss. The importance of making that hard phone call to the owner. The essential, yet unpaid for, service we provide in validating a client's grief. High-emotion, low-cost gestures, like sending a framed photo or sharing a specific memory of their pet's quirks. Professional tributes, such as shelter donations or memorializing the pet with a service like Pet Perennials. The critical business step of immediately archiving the pet in your software to prevent sending a next-appointment reminder. ✨Bbird's Classroom: Whiteners and Optical Brighteners (00:32:00) Time to shake off the heavy stuff and dive into the science that makes white coats pop! Barbara takes us to school on how we achieve that "blinded by the light white". The Magic & Science: Learn the difference between dyes (like DNC blue colorant, the most common whitening agent ) and optical brighteners. Optical Brighteners: These chemicals, such as Disodium Diamino Stilbene Disulfonate (used by Best Shot), absorb one band of color and reflect back another, making colors pop and whites appear whiter—an optical illusion!. The Myth: Barbara busts the myth that optical brighteners deposit tiny particles of plastic on the coat. Best Practice: The real mechanism for a whiter dog is deep cleaning, often requiring a clarifying shampoo or one with stronger surfactants before using a whitening product. Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Best Shot, ShowSeason, Precision Sharp, Groomore, and Stazko. #GroomPod #PetLossGrief #GroomerLife #DogGrooming #MobileGroomer #OpticalBrighteners #WhiteningShampoo #GroomerEducation #PetGroomer #BestShotPet #ShowSeason #Stazko

🐶 GroomPod 464: Stress Buckets, Trigger Stacking, and the Tea Tree Oil TruthWelcome to episode 464 of The Groom Pod! This week, hosts Suzy and Barbara Berg dive into two critical areas that affect every groomer's daily work: canine behavior management and ingredient safety.🌊 Part 1: Trigger Stacking & The Stress BucketEvery dog arrives with a "stress bucket" already partially full. Learn how seemingly small events—from the car ride to the sound of clippers—can stack up, leading to a meltdown on your table. We discuss: The Whispers vs. The Yells: How to recognize and respect a dog's early stress signals (lip licking, yawning, whale eye) before they escalate to growling or biting. Decelerating the Overflow: Five critical steps you can take to reset a stressed dog, including stopping the trigger, creating space, and allowing for decompression. Why stopping a groom is not a failure, but a true mark of professionalism that prioritizes the dog’s emotional and physical safety. 🌿 Part 2: B-Bird's Classroom on Tea Tree OilBarbara, the curator of ingredients, breaks down the science behind Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia). Is it a magical cure or just "fairy dust" in your shampoo? The minimum effective concentration needed for Tea Tree Oil to be truly antimicrobial (it's higher than you think!). Why you need to check the ingredient lineup to determine a product's true efficacy. A critical warning: Tea Tree Oil is toxic to dogs and cats when applied directly or in high concentrations. Learn why it should never be used with cats. Plus, Suzy shares her thoughts on thoughtful holiday appreciation gifts for clients that aren't a "craft chore"!🏷️ Episode Hashtags: #GroomPod #DogGrooming #TriggerStacking #StressBucketTheory #DogBehavior #CanineCommunication #TeaTreeOil #Melaleuca #GroomingSafety #PetWellness