A Safe Pool Podcast

From Opportunity to Impact: Launching an A Safe Pool Franchise in Austin, Texas

In this episode, Travis Allen shares what it’s like to open and grow an A Safe Pool franchise in Austin, Texas. Joined by Jason Howard and Tonja Howard, the conversation explores both the business opportunity, what it is like working with the A Safe Pool Headquarters Team and the mission behind it - reducing drownings and creating safer spaces for families.

Breaking the Silence on Water Safety: A Conversation With Michael Phelps, Tonja Howard & Alissa Magrum

Every year, thousands of families experience the unimaginable loss of a child due to accidental drowning - a tragedy that is fast, silent, and preventable. While many more are impacted by non-fatal drownings and water related tragedies. Yet, despite being the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and remains a leading cause of death for all ages, water safety still isn’t talked about, taught, or prioritized. In this episode, three leaders in the water safety industry come together to change that narrative once and for all: Michael Phelps (Swimming Legend & Founder of the Michael Phelps Foundation) Tonja Howard (Owner of A Safe Pool) Alissa Magrum (Executive Director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance & longtime advocate working with families impacted by drowning). Together, they share their lived experiences-from Phelps learning to swim for safety at a very young age, to the families Alissa has worked with from  Families United to Prevent Drowning, to the fence and barrier systems Tonja has installed to make backyards safer. Their message is unified and urgent: “Every parent we meet says the same thing: ‘I didn’t know.’ We have to make sure they do.” Water safety isn’t just for people who own pools. It’s knowledge every child and caregiver deserves from an early age and includes all kinds of water. It should sit in the same category as look both ways before you cross the street, don’t touch a hot stove, wear your seatbelt or bike helmet, and stranger danger - core safety skills that are universally taught and expected to be known. There are multiple “layers of protection” that make aquatic environments safer - from supervision, to swim lessons, to education, to emergency preparedness, to physical barriers like pool fences - and no single layer is enough on its own. When all layers are in place, drowning becomes significantly more preventable.

Because of Brayden: A Brother’s Mission to Prevent Drownings

In this powerful episode, Nathaniel - brother of Brayden from Because of Brayden and now the owner of A Safe Pool Charleston - sits down with Jason Howard and Nicole Phelps (Michael Phelps Foundation). He opens up about losing his brother to drowning, what it was like navigating that pain as a young boy, and how it shaped the man he is today. Now, he’s turning heartbreak into purpose by helping families build safer environments around water. Together, they talk through close-call stories, layers of protection, and the mission that keeps him going. This is an episode every parent/sibling needs to hear.

Close Calls & Lifesaving Layers: Michael Phelps Talks Pool Safety with A Safe Pool

Too often, we hear stories of moments that almost ended in tragedy - close calls that could have changed everything. In this episode, swimming legend Michael Phelps sits down with Jassen, a franchise owner of A Safe Pool, to discuss how he started the business and why helping families protect their kids is so fulfilling. They dive into real-life “close call” stories, the growing awareness around drowning prevention, educating kids, and how parents today are more open to taking water safety seriously than ever before. From installing pool fences to teaching kids why boundaries matter, Michael and Jassen explore how small steps make a big difference.“Don’t wait for a wake-up call. Add the layer before it’s too late,” Michael reminds us. This conversation is a must-listen for every parent, caregiver, and anyone who wants to keep kids safe around water.

Layers of Protection: Keeping Kids Safe in and Around Water

In this episode, Jason and Nicole dive into the importance of multiple layers of protection for water safety. Nicole shares her family’s approach, starting with a double-door lock, an A Safe Pool fence, and open conversations with her kids. Jason highlights how water safety isn’t just about toddlers - older kids can be just as vulnerable, and even pets and visiting friends can create unexpected risks. They discuss the frustrating reality that drowning numbers remain high, sharing some heartbreaking stories of children lost due to drowning. Through these stories, they underscore the value of layered safety measures and the reality that no single precaution is foolproof. Jason expresses gratitude for MPF and their mission to make kids safer around water, emphasizing that while we can’t make children completely safe, we can significantly reduce risk. Learn about their efforts to expand water safety programs - $5,000 helps bring a program to a Boys & Girls Club, and they’ve already set up 232 clubs nationwide in partnership with swim safety programs. Support their mission and donate at asafepool.com/donate [https://asafepool.com/donate].