Folding Towels - A Podcast for Massage Therapists with Jackie and David

Have you ever felt relieved when a client leaves?

In this episode, David and Jackie tackle a topic many therapists avoid: when it’s time to let a client go.

We unpack the behavioural red flags, the hidden cost of “just this once,” and how misaligned clients quietly drain your time, energy, and standards of care.

This is a practical, honest conversation about boundaries, professionalism, and running a sustainable practice.

You’ll learn...

Running a massage business isn’t just about what happens on the table. It’s everything behind the scenes that can trip you up.

In this episode, we sit down with Oliver Garside, co-founder of Rounded, to talk about the real challenges sole traders face when it comes to finances, admin and tax. From messy spreadsheets and confusing software to cash flow surprises and BAS stress, Oliver shares practical ways to simplify your systems an...

In this episode, David and Jackie are joined by Coby du Preez, remedial massage therapist, clinic owner of Muscle Medicine Double Bay, and Independent Director on the board of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society.

Coby shares his journey into massage therapy, beginning not in healthcare, but in the fast-paced world of professional kitchens. What followed was a shift toward work that felt more meaningful, grounded in human con...

Massage may feel like a modern wellness practice, but therapeutic touch has existed for thousands of years. In this episode, David and Jackie explore the history of bodywork across cultures - from ancient Egyptian carvings and Chinese medical texts to Ayurvedic oil massage, Roman bathhouses, and early European healing traditions.

They discuss how massage became systemised through Swedish gymnastics, how it shaped rehabilitation duri...

No-shows still hurt.

Late cancellations still cost you time, money, and energy.

This week, David revisits one of the most practical episodes we’ve recorded – originally released in October 2023 – on non-attendance, cancellation policies, and charging fees.

If you’re unsure whether you can enforce a fee… you can.
If you’re worried what clients might think… clarity matters more than approval.
If you don’t have a written policy yet...

In this episode, David and Jackie walk through a simple, practical way to write your personal plan for the year ahead.

This is not about five-year forecasts or complicated spreadsheets. It is about deciding who you want to be, where you are now, and what you are willing to resource with time, money, and energy.

We cover:

• Choosing identity before outcomes
• Being honest about your current reality
• Making CPE intentional instead of reac...

The start of a new year often comes with pressure to do more, grow faster, and fix everything at once. In this season opener of the Folding Towels Podcast, Jackie and David take a different approach.

We talk about setting the tone for the year ahead, not through rigid goal setting, but through clarity, learning, and intentional decisions that support long-term practice sustainability.

In this episode we cover:

Why early-year planning ...

We wrap up the year with a fast, fun look back at our favourite moments, big laughs, unexpected lessons, and the episodes that made 2025 unforgettable.

Join Jackie and David for a light, joyful finale as we celebrate the wins, thank our listeners, and share what’s coming next year.

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December hits. Schedules implode. Clients shuffle like mad. And every therapist asks the same thing: should I just take a break? David and Jackie cut through the chaos with a fast, honest look at Tetris Month, why January goes flaky, and how to protect your sanity. Learn how to plan time off, set boundaries, manage client expectations, and actually return rested rather than wrecked.

We chat about what it really means to pause, brea...

It’s December, the Facebook groups are buzzing, and massage therapists everywhere are asking the same question: Do I have to give my clients gifts?

In this episode, Jackie and David dive straight into the holiday chaos and cut through the pressure, guilt, and mixed messages that show up every year.

They explore why you never owe anyone a present, how to express genuine gratitude without turning Christmas into extra labour, and what ...

It’s that time of year: calendars are turning, and price changes are on the horizon. In this replay (Season 1, Episode 32) of one of our most practical episodes, David and Jackie break down exactly how to raise your massage prices - without guilt, anxiety, or losing clients.

If you’ve ever typed out an apology post or stressed about charging your worth, this episode is for you. Your business needs to grow, and your prices should...

Most massage therapists don’t last long in the industry—five to seven years is common. But what if you want a career that spans decades? In this episode, David and Jackie unpack the secrets to a long and happy life in massage therapy. From avoiding burnout and injury to charging well, finding your niche, and holding boundaries, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to keep loving the work for years to come.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Stren...

The question that keeps coming up in massage therapy circles: Will massage and myotherapy in Australia ever be recognised as allied health?

David and Jackie unpack the context and complexities behind professional recognition. They explore what “allied health” really means, the function of AHPRA, and why massage therapists sit in a uniquely funny grey area.

Here is that video of flaming massage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2_xsMR...

Recorded live at the Melbourne Institute of Massage and Myotherapy Soft Tissue Congress 2025.

David and Jackie share their insights from a day surrounded by passionate therapists and educators. Sarah Nehme from BFT redefines how we use exercise prescription to approach pain and progression. Elicia Crook from Health Leader Co brought her energy to marketing and business strategy, showing how simple, consistent actions create sustaina...

Not every session goes to plan. Sometimes, even when you think you’ve done everything right, a client walks away disappointed—and lets you know it. In this episode, Jackie shares a recent experience that rattled her confidence, and David opens up about moments he’s missed the mark too. Together, they unpack how client expectations get misaligned, why intake forms matter more than you think, and what to do when feedback lands in you...

Policies and paperwork might not sound exciting, but they’re what keep your massage business safe, professional, and stress-free. In this episode, David and Jackie talk with Chantel Ryan, founder of Legally Healthy and former business lawyer turned naturopath, about the five essential policies every health practitioner needs, the legal blind spots therapists often miss, and why good documents protect both you and your clients.

Liste...

What exactly is a vibe—and how do therapists use it every day? In this conversation, philosopher, author and teacher Jason Del Gandio explains his 30-year exploration of vibes, which he describes as “bodily emanation”—the energy we project and perceive.

We dig into first impressions, setting therapeutic atmosphere, regulating your own state, shielding from “bad vibes,” and how to practise vibe awareness like a skill. You’ll leave w...

Massage therapist, teacher, writer and editor David Lobenstine shares how leaving New York—and choosing to commute back for three long clinic days every fortnight—reshaped his work and made sustainable technique non-negotiable.

We dig into Tai Chi-inspired mechanics (“pour, don’t push”), why body–brain–breath is the antidote to fatigue, and how gentle detachment lets change emerge without forcing it. David explains how sustainable t...

Mobile massage is rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges: endless travel, scattered notes, safety concerns, and admin that piles up fast.

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Gabriele — therapist, educator, and co-founder of Noterro — to talk about what makes mobile practice so different from clinic work. Nick shares his journey from creating SOAP Vault, a simple note-keeping tool, to shaping practitioner-led solution...