The GroomPod

Are we living in the future, or is the future already here? In this episode of The GroomPod, hosts Susy Scott and Barbara Bird plow headfirst into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI)! Barbara shares her recent experiences collaborating with AI as a tireless, enthusiastic research and editing partner to help break down complex grooming and skin sciences into digestible, bite-sized education. Susy and Barbara also discuss practical ways you can use AI in your own grooming salon or mobile business—from drafting client handouts and waivers to creating standard operating procedures and fresh social media content.

Plus, Susy experiments with a modified multiple-dog bathing technique in her mobile van, sharing tips on managing workflow, equipment limits, and navigating the quirks of stainless steel tubs. Finally, Barbara wraps things up with a fascinating "science moment" looking at a 2025 study on critical micelle concentration (CMC) in surfactants, proving why highly concentrated sulfate shampoos can be diluted much further than you think, and how sulfate-free formulas stack up.

A special thanks to our sponsors: Best Shot, Stazko, Show Season, Groomore, and Precision Sharp!

Get ready to scrub down your physical space and your mental space in this episode of The GroomPod! Host Susy the Groomer is joined by Barbara Bird to talk about the magic of horsepower and high temperatures. Susy shares her latest workspace upgrade: a new state-of-the-art vapor steam cleaner. Discover the ultimate guidelines for using steam to blast away dander and grime in the nooks, crannies, and sliding tracks of your mobile van or brick-and-mortar salon without warping your composite wood or ruining your expensive electrical equipment.

Then, the duo shifts from deep cleaning the salon to deep cleaning their mental space. Barbara takes the mic for an essential masterclass on QTIP: Quit Taking It Personally. From dealing with critical clients to handling online reviews that sting, Barbara draws from her 10 years as a therapist and decades as a groomer to share golden strategies on building an emotional firewall between your business operations and your self-worth. Plus, the hosts catch up on the latest industry shakeups, including Groomer's Choice acquiring ShowSeason, and share a few laughs about the learning curve of managing multiple dogs in a brand-new grooming van.

A special thank you to our corporate sponsors: Best Shot, ShowSeason, Precision Sharp Groomore, Stazko.

n this exciting episode of The GroomPod, Susy and Barbara sit down with the incredible Stephenie Calhoun, owner of The Meditative Groomer Academy in Wisconsin! Stephenie recently packed her bags and headed straight to the source—Korea—to immerse herself in the hyper-precise, physics-defying world of high-end Korean grooming and advanced model dog sculpting.

As a member of the North American Model Dog team, Stephenie shares what it's really like to train in the ultra-structured Korean academy system, how they utilize drafting and drawing to master canine structure, and how she is bringing these game-changing educational systems back home. Plus, we dive deep into her unique, mindful approach to teaching neurodivergent learners, the practicality of synthetic model dogs, and how the grooming industry inherently embraces creative minds.

Whether you are a seasoned stylist drooling over Asian fusion trims on Instagram or looking for a more structured, supportive way to learn, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Where to find Stephenie:

Website: themeditativegroomeracademy.com

Facebook: Stephenie Calhoun

Instagram/TikTok: @chaosmanagercalhoun

Model Dog Info: North American Model Dog Club (Facebook Group)

Are you looking to save your back, slash your grooming times, and get more out of your products? This week, Susy and Barbara are diving deep into the tub to explore a tool that completely transforms your workflow: recirculating bathing systems. Whether you are operating out of a mobile van or a brick-and-mortar shop, changing how you bathe can feel like giving yourself an immediate raise.

We break down the marketplace and review six different bathing systems from powerful, high-flow contenders to budget-friendly models. We put them head-to-head against the "gold standard"—the Hanvey Bathing Beauty—comparing everything from pump pressure and hose ergonomics to air switches, filtration, and crucial built-in GFCI safety features. Discover why too much foam can xchoke your system, why nozzle spray patterns make all the difference, and how to spot a high-quality unit versus a rebranded pump.

Plus, Susy gives a quick update on adapting to the new video show format, the sweet luxury of proper mobile van air conditioning during a Pacific Northwest heat wave, and her latest "skin detective" case dealing with a mysterious yeasty skin issue.

What’s New Segment Sponsored by Best Shot Pet: Learn how The Maxx ultra-concentrated conditioner and Ultra Max Anti-Stat & Scissor Spray can tackle tough mats and turn your recirculator into a high-performance deshedding machine!

Sponsor Highlight: Check out the balanced power and sliding thumb precision of the Lynx and Bobcat shear series at Precision Sharp.

The GroomPod Episode 479: Structure, Shop Vacs, and Global Grooming

Join Susy and Barbara for a review of the April 2026 Groomer to Groomer magazine. We discuss the importance of canine structure in education, share tips on handling difficult client conversations, and catch up on Susy’s mobile van setup—bruises and all! Plus, Barbara shares her honest experience learning to use a grooming hammock.