That Pond Girl Podcast
Sonja Wixom MS, Limnology Communicator
This podcast is designed to be a free resource for community managers, HOA board members, community members, and municipalities. Through discussion, HOA managers will explain their experience with pond & lake management, successes, and failures, and what questions they may still have. This podcast will be a back-and-forth style of pairing the lingering questions with professionals in the field, in Texas, the united states, and nationally.
Episodes
Let's talk Sport Fisheries with Kanyan!
In this episode, Sonja discusses sport fisheries with assistant fisheries biologist Kanyan Klein. Kanyan obtained her bachelor's degree in wildlife sustaibablity and ecosystem sciences with double minors in fisheries and biology from Tarleton State University in 2020. While in undergrad Kanyan completed a summer internship with Texas Pro lakes Management in 2018. Following graduation she worked as a seasonal hatchery fisheries technician for Texas Parks and Wildlife at the TFFC Hatchery. She then returned to Tarleton State University and completed her MBA in 2021. Kanyan's role at TPLM includes servicing lake management accounts located west of Fort WOrht and working directly with Steven on a daily basis. OUtside of TPLM Kanyan currnetly assits in the management of AFS habitat section social media and blog accounts, serves as an instructor and social media manager for Texas Brigades - Bass Brigade summer youth leadership camp, and provides social media management to Professional Angerl Gary Klein. Kanyan is a member of Texas Chapter of American Fisheries Society, Bass Brigade Board, and American Fisheries Sociaty Habitat Section. Connect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
Let's Talk Community Management with Lisa!
In this episode, Sonja discusses with Lisa how she got into property management, what she loves about it, how she interacts with water, and her advice for community managers that are newer to water management. Lisa Sewell has been in HOA Community Management for 15 years, working her way up from an on-site self-managed community, to portfolio management of all types, experience with an on-site master planned and condominium experience, including director roles. She has her CMCA certification, completing her AMS at the end of the month, member of the Community Association Institute local chapter. She advocates for what is ethically right, and loves to educate and empower other managers in the industry to be their best selves.www.PondMedics.comwww.ThatPondGirl.comConnect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
Let's Talk Women in the Field with Amy Kay
In this episode, Sonja talks with Amy Kay about her passion and drive to create the organization Women of Aquatics. Sonja met Amy at the North East Aquatic Plant Management Society meeting a few years ago and has been involved with WOA ever since. They discuss why WOA is such a powerful group and what the plans for the future are - planning the upcoming retreat in Orlando in January! Listen in as this mentor-mentee relationship gets a little raw, a little emotional, and a whole lot inspirational. www.womenofaquatics.orgwww.pondmedics.comwww.thatpondgirl.comConnect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
Let's talk 'Cheers to 20 Years' with Trent & Emily
In this episode, Sonja sits down with PondMedics' owners Trent & Emily Lewis. They discuss how this power couple met and how they worked together to create what is now known as the 'PondMedics' Family of Brands'. These two recount what made them want to become incorporated, their early days/lessons, the core values of their business, how they operate and innovate each day within the business, and their dreams for the future. PondMedics was created in 2003 and is celebrating 20 years in business next month! So much to be thankful for in those 20 years and the next 20. www.pondmedics.comConnect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
Let's Talk Wetlands with TRWD Experts Michelle & Wells
In this Episode, Sonja discusses with Michelle & Wells from Tarrant Water District Authority and their constructed wetlands. They discuss why the wetlands were created, what services they provide, and how water flows through the DFW metroplex. That Pond Girl hopes to provide community members with a greater understanding of how their water gets to them and where it goes after! Stay tuned for the virtual tours! Check out these links to learn more: www.TRWD.comwww.TRWD.com/watershedswww.youtube.com/TRWDTVwww.instagram.com/trinitytrails/twitter.com/TRWD_Newswww.facebook.com/TarrantRegionalWaterDistrictConnect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
Let's Talk Stocking Fish with Weston Jordan
In this episode, Sonja discusses the stocking of fish with Weston Jordan, PondMedics' Aquatic Specialist, Fisheries, and Pond/Lake Contract Manager. We cover topics such as what fish act as biological controls for plants and algae, when to add fish to your pond or lake, and what practices can help boost fisheries' survival. Weston is a certified aquatic herbicide applicator through the Texas Department of Agriculture, as well as a fisheries professional associate with the American Fisheries Society. If you'd like to talk to Weston more, send an email to Weston@PondMedics.com or visit www.PondMedics.comConnect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
Let's talk Aquatic Plants & Education with Ryan
In this episode, Sonja discusses aquatic and wetland plants with Ryan O'Hanlon, MS. Ryan earned both his undergrad and master of science from Texas A&M in 2014 & 2016 respectively. He has been passionate about education, ecosystem functions, botany, waterbodies, and wetlands! So much passion that he co-owns Stonefly Aquatic Nursery out of Princeton Texas in 2020. Check him out on Facebook, LinkedIn, or his website: www.stoneflyaquaticnursery.com Connect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
Let's talk algae with Rick & Eli
In this episode, Sonja discusses algae with a golden algae specialist & a limnologist extraordinaire. The conversation talks about good vs. bad algae, how they spread & survive, and how to best manage waterbodies in Texas to avoid Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Rick Amalfi earned his Ph.D. in researching algae from Arizona State University in Aquatic Biology & Chemistry in 1988. He owns and operates Aquatic Consulting & Testing, Inc. a full-service organic analysis lab, as well as aquatic biology and limnology services. Found here: www.aquaticconsulting.comEli Kersch, CLM, PCA, has grown his knowledge and experience starting in academia and throughout his career in lake management. He has served on several boards and committees within the lake management world and most recently has co-founded and operates Lake Tech, inc. Found here: www.laketech.comConnect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
Tips from a PRO
In this episode, Cindy Martin CMCA, AMS, PCAM is TPG's first guest!Cindy has been in the community management world for the past 15 years, but before that she was helping others in a different capacity. She gives background information on how she got into the world of community management, what types of things she had to learn to survive in this world, and some practical tips for new managers that might have water on their properties - or someday will! Cindy is a great friend and we are so excited she agreed to be TPG's first guest! We hope you enjoy this episode and like always, reach out if you'd like to get involved: thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.comConnect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl
EPISODE 1 IS HERE! That Pond Girl introduces herself.
In this episode that pond girl explains the basis for the podcast and what you can expect to hear moving forward, as well as her limnological background and interests! This is the first episode ever, and there is SO much good content on the way! To get involved please email Sonja at thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com Connect with me! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wixom-that-pond-girl/thatpondgirlsonja@gmail.com@thatpondgirl