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

Jackie reviews Palliative Touch: Massage for People at the End of Life by Cynthia Heep Spence - a compassionate and accessible book that provides massage therapists with practical strategies and heartfelt insights for supporting clients through palliative and end-of-life care.

If you are interested in working with oncology patients, elderly clients, or hospice care, then this book provides case studies, complementary therapy advice,...

Jackie and David reflect on their massage therapy journeys—sharing the biggest lessons they’d do differently if they had a time machine.

From finding a niche and setting boundaries to outsourcing, self-care, and backing ourselves earlier, we unpack the wins, mistakes, and lessons learned for building a sustainable, enjoyable career in massage.

Whether you’re new or experienced, this episode is packed with relatable stories and advice...

Join with Jackie and David as they dive into the essential, unexciting and often overlooked skill of effective note-taking for massage therapists.

Learn how structured, consistent record-keeping can protect you, support client care, and streamline your practice.

We cover:

1. Client Communication: How to ask the right questions to gather relevant health information.

2. Observation and Documentation: Key details to include in your notes to...

You’ve completed the course — now how do you integrate those new techniques into your treatments effectively?
In this episode, Jackie and David outline practical steps to confidently implement new massage skills without feeling overwhelmed. We cover:

Choosing the Right Clients: Identifying ideal clients to practise new techniques on and build confidence.
Communicating the Change: Introducing new treatments to existing clients ...

How do you stay in the massage industry for 30 years and still love what you do? Gael Wood shares her journey from a 19-year-old therapist struggling to find clients to becoming a marketing mentor and industry educator.

In this episode, Gael dives into her biggest mistakes, the marketing strategies that still work today, and how she’s helping therapists thrive through her online courses and summits.

Whether you're looking to build a ...

Jackie and David chat with Kevin Xiao CEO of Melbourne Institute of Massage and Myotherapy (MIMT) for a grounded and insightful chat about the realities of massage education in Australia.

Kevin talks about how accredited training is regulated, what’s in the national training package, and how RTOs like MIMT build on the foundations to better prepare students for practice.

We talk about the value of real clinical experience, upskilling...

In this essential conversation, Ann Davey, CEO of Massage & Myotherapy Australia, joins Jackie and David to explore professionalism, ethics, and the complaint process in massage therapy.

Learn what self-regulation really means, how therapists can protect themselves and their clients, why strong clinic notes matter, and how even small slip-ups can impact your career. If you’re committed to raising your standards and safeguarding ...

In this replay episode, we revisit a standout conversation with Kylie Hicks from March 2024 — a must-listen for anyone working with chronic pain clients.

Kylie shares her unique, empathetic approach to treating pain — not just physical pain, but the emotional and nervous system loops that often underpin it. We explore the importance of being hands-on, especially for clients who’ve never been touched by their medical teams, and the p...

What does the research say about surviving a zombie apocalypse? Is a business coach the missing piece in your massage therapy journey?

In this episode, Jackie and David unpack whether a wooden stake or a silver bullet might stop a zombie …. what business coaching is (and what it isn’t), how it differs from mentoring, and how to know if it's the right move for your stage of practice.

There are so many options around - some who might ...

Mentoring can change everything. In this episode, Jackie and David unpack the role of mentorship in a massage therapist’s career — and why you should have one.

We explore what makes a great mentor, how it differs from coaching, where to find mentors, and how to get the most out of the relationship.

Whether you're fresh out of massage school or years into your career, a mentor can help you grow your skills, stay inspired, and av...

Are you still treating “everyone” — or are you ready to find your niche?

Niching in massage therapy isn’t just about marketing — it’s about building a more fulfilling, sustainable practice. In this episode, Jackie and David explore five unique niches that massage therapists might be overlooking, from working with diverse language communities and people with sensory processing needs to voice and swallowing disorders, corporate massag...

David chats with Mandy Bartovolich, the first paediatric oncology massage therapist at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mandy shares her incredible work with children and young adults undergoing cancer treatment and blood disorder management, and how as a massage therapist she woks alongside doctors as an integral part of the health care team.

We explore the role of massage therapy in reducing pain, stress, ...

Starting from scratch as a massage therapist can feel overwhelming, but what if you had a roadmap?

In this episode, David shares the 10 proven strategies that helped him build a thriving client base—starting from a side hustle to a fully booked massage practice. From letterbox drops and blogging to networking, referral partners, and client follow-ups, these are the real, practical steps that made all the difference.

If you're st...

In this episode of Folding Towels, Jackie and David sit down with Kylie Bradley, a massage therapist who made the bold move to niche her practice into lymphatic drainage. Kylie shares her journey from a general remedial practice to a specialist clinic, the challenges and rewards of focusing on a niche, and how her business has flourished. She also discusses the impact of lymphatic work, post-surgical recovery, and the growing aware...

In this episode of Folding Towels, Jackie and David tackle one of the biggest conversations happening in the massage industry right now—how do we build trust, improve public perception, and enhance client safety without waiting for external regulation?

Following recent discussions about unethical behaviour in the profession, we explore practical steps every therapist can take to strengthen our industry. From building public trust, i...

Sometimes massage therapists do bad things and sometimes those things are very bad. Massage Therapy is a beautiful profession, but we are not immune from people using their position of power and trust for the bad.

David and Jackie discuss the one thing we must hold as sacred in the massage industry: trust and safety. Following a recent high-profile case in South Australia, we discuss what went wrong, how therapists can better protec...

The new year is here, and it’s time to set yourself up for success! In this episode, Jackie and David guide you through setting personal, professional, and business goals that will shape your year in a way that feels exciting and achievable.

In this episode, we dive into:
✅ Personal goals – What do you really want to do this year? Travel? More time with family? A fitness challenge?
✅ Professional goals – How can you grow in y...

Join Jackie and David as we let our hair down and blow off some steam about the chaos and joy of "this time of the year", while looking back on an incredible 2024.

We have brought you 43 episodes including 14 guests who have shared their stories, experience and passion for the industry with you. Did you have a favourite guest this year? We thought they were all amazing!

With heartfelt thanks to listeners across Australia and aroun...

In this episode, we dive straight into the questions you’ve been asking. From the logistics of overseas training to the nitty-gritty of taxation and bookkeeping, we tackle the practical challenges faced by massage therapists. We share plans for a new finance-focused series featuring experts, offering the tools you need to manage your business confidently.

We also discuss the industry-wide debate about whether there should be one ...