Straight Talk – an ISSA Podcast

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Straight Talk, an ISSA podcast, presents a curated playlist of the hottest topics facing the cleaning industry today—from health and safety to infection prevention to innovative products to business development and much more. ISSA, the worldwide cleaning association, brings together the top experts and decision makers give our listeners and members the most up-to-date information for their businesses.

Last refreshed: July 10th, 2025 at 8:27 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Debunking Disinfection Myths: Sponsored by Spartan Chemical Company

John Schauff is the director of government services and training with Spartan Chemical Company, and has spent years on a myth debunking journey. Schauff explains the myths and misinterpretations related to cleaning and disinfection and sets the record straight on what you need to know right now and in the future. Learn how these four disinfection myths affect you and your company or organization, and how to hone your technical expertise with knowledge and science.

Jan 18, 2022•9 min

What do termites do to a home or facility?

Termites are known as the silent destroyers of homes or facilities because they chew and eat their way through wood and cellulosic materials. They cause billions of dollars in property damage each year.

Jan 18, 2022•9 min

When Schools Close Down: Strategies Cleaning Managers Need to Build Confidence in Their Buildings

Brant Insero is the senior director of education, training, certification, and standards with ISSA. In this episode of Straight Talk!, he explains how cleaning education and certification is critical to fostering confidence in school settings. While most judge their surroundings by sight and smell, when you enter a building, how clean and safe it is goes much deeper. Insero discusses four key components all facility managers, cleaning professionals, and industry leaders should embrace: Transpare...

Jan 12, 2022•10 min

Crush Your Sales Goals with Persuasive Proposals

Chris Arlen is the president of Revenue-IQ and is an expert craftsman with RFPs, or requests for proposals. Anyone can respond to an RFP... but to get a valuable contract and build your company, your RFP response needs to be persuasive, and tell a story, rather than simply quoting a price. In this Straight Talk! webcast, Arlen explains what every cleaning contractor needs to know in order to benefit from the time spent responding to an RFP.

Jan 06, 2022•9 min

The Year 2021, What We Learned, and Predictions on the End of the Pandemic

In this episode of BioTalk, a GBACtv production, hear what went well and what didn't go so well in 2021, and what we learned as an industry. We dig into the science and the layered support when it comes to cleaning, disinfection, and air purification. Then get the thoughts on predicting the end of the pandemic, offered by both infection prevention experts: Patty Olinger, the executive director of GBAC, and Dr. Paul Meechan, the former head of safety with the CDC and who now serves on the GBAC sc...

Jan 06, 2022•18 min

The 'No Man's Land' of the Built Environment and the Return to Office Challenges

Working in and maintaining safe and healthy facilities in what we call the built environment is confusing and challenging, even more so in the past two years. Chris Arlen, the president of Revenue-IQ and the author of "Rebuilding Trust in the Built Environment", published in ISSA Today magazine, discusses current conditions, where we are now, and what facility owners and managers can do as workers return to the office. Read the original article here , the follow-up article "Rebuilding Trust in t...

Jan 03, 2022•9 min

How a Dream Team Makes Company Growth a Reality

In this episode of Straight Talk!, we check in with Howard Partridge, a business coach and best-selling author and owner of Clean as a Whistle and Phenomenal Products. He discusses success during the pandemic and what his company has done to grow despite ongoing challenges facing small businesses.

Jan 03, 2022•9 min

ISSA Media Investigates: Global Fraud and Non-Delivery of PPE

The COVID-19 pandemic caused new and unique circumstances that led to demand for personal protection equipment outpacing supply very rapidly. The pandemic’s massive and urgent needs caused chaos in supply that forced U.S. importers to quickly identify new sources for PPE. That urgency combined with restricted travel forced some companies to modify or abandon their normal due diligence processes for vetting new suppliers. And that led to some serious fraudulent activities. Get involved and help w...

Dec 30, 2021•25 min

How ISSA and IFMA Pushed Through Their Darkest Pandemic Moments

Both ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, and IFMA , the worldwide association for facility management professionals, created and implemented strategies to not only serve, but to empower their members to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Don Gilpin, the president and CEO of IFMA, along with John Barrett, the executive director of ISSA, share their thoughts, how they responded, and their view of the future of the industry....

Dec 30, 2021•21 min

The Relentless Invasion of Fruit Flies and Gnats

Jennifer Gordon is an urban and medical entomologist who understands that even the most common and what might seem harmless insect can still become an issue in a home or office, even a potential health hazard. In this Straight Talk! broadcast, she explains the impact of fruit flies and gnats and what the cleaning industry needs to know about these pests. For professional support and help with any entomology issue, including project work, speaking and training, and more, visit the Bug Lessons web...

Dec 30, 2021•9 min

PPE Fraud and its Impact on the Global Cleaning Industry

Douglas Stein is the CEO of PPE Advantage and has been deeply involved with several aspects of the global issue of PPE fraud, an unfolding drama documented by ISSA Media. Here is his story. Get involved and help with this anti-fraud and recovery effort. Join the PPE Fraud Coalition LinkedIn Group here .

Dec 30, 2021•14 min

When Bed Bugs Attack!

This episode is not only about the details of an insect, but it’s a psychology lesson as well. Bed bugs are named for where you usually find them, where you hope you would normally be comfortable and safe. When you have a bed bug infestation, it can lead to all types of psychological effects. In this episode of Straight Talk!, Jennifer Gordan, an urban and medical entomologist with Bug Lessons Consulting, shares details not many might be aware of when it comes to bed bugs, the impact on public h...

Dec 30, 2021•13 min

Nursing Home Study Reveals Surface Cleaning and Disinfection is More Critical Than Ever

SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in nursing homes have been devastating during the pandemic, and have led to the creation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) units within nursing homes to care for affected patients. Until now, the frequency and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination in these units have not been studied. Patty Olinger, the executive director of GBAC, along with Jeff Cross, ISSA media director, analyze the details of a recent study by the Journal of the American Geriatrics S...

Dec 30, 2021•8 min

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