The GroomPod

Welcome back to the virtual salon! In this heavy yet hopeful episode, Susy and Barbara take a moment to honor the life and legacy of a true industry giant, Chris Christensen. We reflect on how his innovations transformed the way we work at the grooming table and pay our respects to a man who changed the grooming world forever.

Shifting gears to something a bit more... pungent, we dive deep into the science behind "Frito Feet". If you’ve ever wondered why your clients' dogs smell like corn chips, we’ve got the answers. We discuss the causes of this common (and smelly) condition and share our favorite professional management strategies, including the use of Zymox products to keep those paws fresh and healthy.

Finally, we’re looking ahead with 2026 ways to get your business out there. Barbara and Susy share actionable marketing tips and networking secrets to help you stand out in a crowded market. From "shotgun approach" marketing to the power of a simple cookie, learn how to build deep community roots and keep your books full.

In this episode, we discuss:

A tribute to the late Chris Christensen and his impact on professional grooming.

Understanding and managing the "corn chip" smell on dog paws.

The role of Zymox in the salon. 

Creative and effective marketing strategies to grow your grooming business in 2026.

The importance of community networking and standing out from the pack.

Don't forget to hit that like button, share with your fellow groomers, and visit us at the website! Happy grooming, everyone!

Welcome to Episode 469 of The Groom Pod! This week, Susy and Barbara sit down with dear friend, educator, and the force behind the Caring for the Canine Coat (CCE) program, Christine Sertzel Pearson.
Chris is launching a groundbreaking monthly digital magazine designed to bridge the gap between daily grooming and skin science. In this episode, we dive into why this resource is essential for the modern stylist, how it provides a platform for new industry voices, and why "science-based blended with experiential advice" is the future of pet care.

In this episode, we discuss:

The New CCE Magazine: A low-eco-footprint digital publication featuring deep dives into ingredients, the CCE toolbox, and mindful moments for the stylist.

Community & Accountability: How this project creates a networking space for groomers to share knowledge and self-promote their expertise.

The Future of Education: The role of AI in research, the importance of "Ask the Expert" columns, and why we need to move past the "one way to groom" mentality.

A Preventative Approach: Shifting the headset from just "attending to the coat" to a holistic, preventative model for skin health.

Special Announcement: Don’t miss the second "Think About It" Summit with Chris and Barbara coming up on February 15th 2026!.

Sponsors: This episode is made possible by Best Shot, Show Season, Precision Sharp, Groomer, and Stasko.

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-Beauty

In 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 Issue

Welcome 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.