417 How To Live a Life of Significance: Insights from Aaron Walker
Release Date: 04/25/2025
438 Innovative Water Treatment Chemistry with Matheus Paschoalino
Scaling UP! H2O
Can a carbon-negative, bio-based molecule replace legacy phosphonates and help you use less azole—without sacrificing corrosion performance? In this episode, host , welcomes Senior Business Development Manager and Microbial Control SME of , to unpack polyhydroxycarboxylic acids (PHCs) and how they’re changing cooling-water programs from the field up. We cover HEDP replacement in light-duty systems, azole enhancement in copper-challenged waters, a second-generation cut for heavy-duty heat flux, and PHC behavior with oxidizers and non-oxidizer biocides. From Bioforge to Basin:...
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437 Redefining HR: The Key to Talent & Culture in Water Treatment
Scaling UP! H2O
What if HR wasn’t the department you dreaded — but the partner that helped your team thrive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes , HR Director at , to explore how human resources can be a strategic driver of talent, culture, and profitability in the water treatment industry. Redefining HR’s Role Tia shares her journey into water treatment and how she built HOH’s HR department from the ground up. Instead of treating HR as a compliance function, she reframed it as a leadership partner—focused on employee connections, transparent...
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436 Raising the Bar: Legionella Management & Industry Standards
Scaling UP! H2O
With those words, Jemma Tennant highlights one of the most profound differences between Legionella management in Europe and the United States. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes , Chair of the Water Management Society (WMSoc), to explore how legislation, enforcement, and professional training shape the fight against Legionella. Proactive Regulation and Duty of Care The UK treats Legionella as a foreseeable and preventable risk. Jemma explains how laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations require mandatory Legionella risk...
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435 Optimizing Legionella Control Strategies with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica
Scaling UP! H2O
Legionella remains one of the most complex challenges for water professionals worldwide. How do we balance effective monitoring with realistic costs—and which strategies deliver true public health impact? In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes Head Public Health University of Rome "Foro Italico to explore new insights from his comparative research on Legionella control. Reframing Legionella Risk Dr. Spica explains why public health data increasingly points to Legionella pneumophila—not all Legionella species—as the primary concern for human health. He shares how...
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434 Encore Interview with Patsy Root
Scaling UP! H2O
“Rules written in a panic rarely stand the test of time.” In this encore episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back , Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and active member of the AWT Legislative and Regulatory Committee. Patsy brings global data, case studies, and clear recommendations for smarter Legionella regulation — and why a targeted focus on Legionella pneumophila can save both lives and resources. From Outbreaks to Proactive Policies Patsy unpacks a central truth: most regulations emerge reactively, often after a high-profile outbreak. Drawing on...
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433 Legionella Investigations and LIDO Technology
Scaling UP! H2O
What if preventing Legionella outbreaks wasn’t about adding more chemicals, but removing what the bacteria needs to survive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore talks with Dr. David Krause, Certified Industrial Hygienist, toxicologist, and founder of HC3, about his groundbreaking approach — LIDO (Legionella Inhibition by Deoxygenation). Legionella on the Rise Dr. Krause has investigated high-profile Legionella outbreaks and seen firsthand how current prevention strategies often fall short. Despite ASHRAE 188 standards, CMS requirements, and increasing water...
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432 Water Management Plans: Evolving Standards and Best Practices with Matt Freije
Scaling UP! H2O
"Just because you have a water management plan doesn’t mean it’s working." That’s the hard truth Matt Freije, founder and CEO of HC Info, delivers in this episode of Scaling UP! H2O. As the architect behind LAMPS — a leading cloud-based platform for water management programs — Matt joins Trace Blackmore to explore the critical evolution of water safety, compliance standards, and real-world implementation challenges facing facilities in 2025. Beyond the Binder: Water Management Plans That Actually Work In an era of heightened awareness and shifting regulations,...
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431 Legionella Awareness Month Kickoff!
Scaling UP! H2O
Are You Ready to Talk About Legionella? Every August, we dedicate an entire month to a topic that touches public health, liability, and the core of what water treaters do — yet it’s still misunderstood by many: Legionella. In this episode, Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness Month by returning to the basics. Where did Legionella get its name? What makes it dangerous? And why is there still confusion between a water treatment program and a water management plan? Tracing It Back: History, Misconceptions, and Missed Conversations Trace opens with the 1976...
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430 PFAS Regulations and Technologies with Brian Liotta
Scaling UP! H2O
“The winning combination will include not just removal—but real destruction of PFAS.” - Brian Liotta PFAS: The Invisible Challenge Reshaping Water Treatment PFAS chemicals are everywhere—from consumer products to our bloodstream. But as regulations tighten, water treatment professionals must now evolve faster than ever. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore speaks with , Director of Marketing and Product Development at , about the shifting regulatory landscape and the advanced technologies being developed to monitor, remove, and destroy PFAS compounds. ...
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429 The Life and Career of Jim Lukanich
Scaling UP! H2O
“You can’t learn it all in one year. You can’t even learn it all in ten.” That single statement from Jim Lukanich captures the spirit of this unforgettable episode. Returning to the for the first time since Episode 10, joins host to reflect on a remarkable 44-year career in the water treatment industry. From his early days at U.S. Steel to leading technical innovation at Buckman Laboratories, ChemCal, U.S. Water, and Kurita, Jim has been a force for mentorship, learning, and raising the bar in technical excellence. Building a Career, One Problem at a Time Jim...
info_outline“ Don’t Just Be Successful – Be Significant”
How do you define success? Is it about financial achievement, accolades, or influence? What if true fulfillment lies in significance rather than just success? In this episode of the Scaling Up H2O podcast, we welcome back a distinguished guest, Aaron Walker. With over four decades of entrepreneurial experience, Aaron has not only built thriving businesses but has also dedicated his life to mentoring others, helping them navigate their paths with purpose. His belief that "Relationships Matter Most" is a guiding principle for those seeking deeper fulfillment in life and business.
The Journey to Significance
Aaron shares his personal and professional evolution, revealing how a tragic event shifted his perspective from chasing success to pursuing significance. He opens up about the lessons that redefined his mission and the impact of his book, View from the Top.
Mastermind Groups: The Secret to Accelerated Growth
What role do mastermind groups play in professional and personal development? Aaron explains why surrounding yourself with the right people can exponentially change your trajectory and how being part of a trusted network fosters accountability, wisdom, and breakthroughs.
Balancing Ambition and Serving Others
Success often comes at a cost, but how can we ensure it aligns with serving others? Aaron discusses the shift from self-focused goals to meaningful contributions, demonstrating how generosity and intentionality create a life of greater impact.
The Power of Intentional Living
How can we structure our daily habits for fulfillment and productivity? Aaron outlines his morning routines, scheduling techniques, and core principles that allow him to focus on what truly matters. Discover practical steps to bring clarity and purpose to your everyday life.
The Gift of Gratitude and Forgiveness
Aaron opens up about the power of forgiveness in setting oneself free from emotional burdens. He shares his personal experiences of releasing resentment and how gratitude plays a crucial role in living a more content and purpose-driven life.
Living a life of significance requires more than just business acumen—it demands a mindset shift, intentionality, and a willingness to serve others. Aaron Walker’s wisdom provides a roadmap for those looking to create lasting impact in their careers and relationships.
What’s one step you can take today to move toward significance? Tune in, reflect, and take action!
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:14 - Trace Blackmore shares celebration about the 55th anniversary of Earth Day
05:30 - Water You Know with James McDonald
07:50 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
11:27 - Aaron Walker’s return to the show and his journey as an entrepreneur and mentor
13:38 - View from the Top: Why Aaron wrote the book and how it changed lives
20:10 - Mastermind groups: Why you shouldn’t walk alone
41:10 - The life-changing power of gratitude
Quotes
"Success is about you; significance is about others."
"We all need a little rest, a reset, and a reevaluation to live our best lives."
"Intentionality is about doing things deliberately, with purpose."
"Gratitude is not about what you have; it’s about recognizing the value in what you experience."
"You’ve forgiven someone when you quit demanding justice."
"Isolation is the enemy of excellence."
“It’s ok if you don’t know, not to have the answers, and to ask questions.”
Connect with Aaron Walker
Phone: 615-207-3018
Email: [email protected]
Website: isibrotherhood.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
184 The One Where I Interview My Mastermind Mentor
248 The One About Taking A Sabbatical
415 Green Building Updates: What You Need to Know
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the phenomenon called where calcium and magnesium are LESS soluble as the temperature RISES?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
