Break Room Banter is back — and this episode is packed with the kinds of conversations massage therapists actually have when the door is closed and the table’s empty.

Ali and Beca kick things off with a surprisingly satisfying business win: realizing Past Self set up an auto-ship for massage oil just in time. From there, the conversation expands into systems that quietly support a sustainable practice, including ordering supplies, navigating Amazon vs ordering direct, and why convenience sometimes matters just as much as values.

They also dig into:

• Supporting small, massage-specific companies (and what good customer service actually looks like)

• Why “Best Of” contests can be a goldmine for newer therapists — and a double-edged sword for full practices

• How to leverage free marketing without burning yourself out

• Staying open to dream clients even when you’re booked out

• The power of referrals, goodwill, and community over competition

And because it is break room banter, the episode wraps with an unexpected client preference that sparks a thoughtful conversation about feedback, criticism, and the tiny details clients notice — including something neither of them had ever considered before.

This episode is equal parts practical, reflective, and validating for therapists navigating fullness, boundaries, growth, and longevity.

🎧 Listen in and join the conversation.

In this episode of Break Room Banter, Ali and Beca sit down for wide-open, real-talk about the very human side of massage therapy—the stuff no one prepared us for in school.

Ali kicks things off with a personal story about accidentally letting her short-term rental license lapse on a rental unit she owns. And how this suddenly finds herself tangled in municipal red tape. It sparks a larger conversation about power differentials, the temptation to lean on clients for help, and the importance of knowing where the ethical lines actually sit.

From there, the conversation flows into:

When Clients Tell You Big Things First

Pregnancy. Divorce. Affairs. Life-changing news.
As massage therapists, we’re often the first to hear intimate information—and we don’t always talk about the emotional weight that comes with that role. Ali and Beca unpack the energetics of holding space, grounding rituals, and how to protect your own nervous system.

Beca’s Big Money Epiphany

After running her numbers, Beca had a major lightbulb moment about how to price your services based on the income you actually want to earn. She breaks down the simple equation that changed how she thinks about rate setting—and how you can use it too.

Connection in a Disconnected World

With AI, rushed medical appointments, and less human contact in daily life, massage therapy has become one of the few spaces where people feel truly cared for. The hosts talk about the responsibility and privilege of that closeness.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT:

• When client relationships blur—and how to navigate that with integrity

• How to keep emotional boundaries when clients share deeply personal info

• Reframing your rates based on your actual income goals

• Why the container we create as massage therapists matters more than ever

Have something coming up in your treatment room? A boundary question, ethical tangle, or aha moment? Send us a message! We may feature your topic in a future Break Room Banter episode.

060: Break Room Banter — Health Insurance, Triggers, and Swearing in a Massage Practice

Welcome to our newest segment: Break Room Banter — a more relaxed, behind-the-scenes corner of the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what’s really happening in our practices each week. Think of it as the conversations you’d overhear (or jump into!) while refilling your water bottle between clients.

In this episode, we’re diving into:

• Health insurance uncertainty — specifically how the potential government shutdown and the possible loss of health insurance subsidies could impact massage therapists nationwide. We talk through what it means, why it matters, and how we’re personally navigating the unknown.

• Triggers that catch us off guard — because even seasoned therapists have moments where something hits a nerve, and managing those internal reactions is real, ongoing work.

• Swearing in a massage practice — Is it ever appropriate? When does it help break tension, and when does it cross a line? We share some candid stories and reflections.

If you’ve ever wanted to feel less alone in the daily ups and downs of this profession, Break Room Banter is for you. Pull up a chair, grab a snack, and join us for some honest, messy, and surprisingly comforting conversation.

There has been an increase lately in the massage coaching world, where coaches are pushing hard to help therapists have booming "gift-certificate seasons."

And while sometimes, "Yes!" this is a great option.

• It's an opportunity to promote your business and get noticed.
• It opens the door for future referrals.
• It's a tap in the vein for your bank account...

There are other times when you may want to pump the brakes on this kind of heightened emphasis.

Listen on to hear why I chose to take gift certificates off of my website.

The No Tax on Tips Act is being celebrated by some in the service industries, but there are several key details massage therapists need to understand before assuming it's a tax-free free-for-all.

Massage therapists often receive tips—especially those working in spas, franchises, hotels, and even private practice. This bill recognizes tipping as a customary part of compensation in “beauty service” roles, which includes body and spa treatments.

So YES—massage therapists qualify for this tax break if:

• They receive tips reported to their employer (or themselves, if self-employed).
• Their total tips are within the $25,000 annual deduction limit.

But the story doesn't end there. Listen to learn more about the nuance behind how this bill ACTUALLY works.

What if you could grow your massage practice without spending a dime on ads? In this episode, we sit down with returning guest Amie Kraft, a massage therapist who has mastered the art of leveraging Google My Business reviews to build a thriving practice.

Together, we unpack why Google reviews hold so much weight for local businesses, how to ask for them in a way that feels natural, and the psychology behind why potential clients trust reviews almost as much as a recommendation from a close friend.

You’ll learn:
✨ Why Google reviews boost your SEO and visibility in local searches
✨ The psychology of social proof and how it influences client decisions
✨ Amie’s personal system for requesting, tracking, and responding to reviews
✨ How to handle negative feedback with professionalism and grace

If you’ve ever hesitated to ask for feedback, consider this your reminder: reviews aren’t just “nice to have” — they’re one of the most powerful tools to grow your practice without relying on paid ads.

Have you ever wondered if a career in massage therapy could provide freedom, fun, and financial success?

Spoiler: It totally can.

In this episode, we are joined by the amazing Krista Dicks, Canadian RMT, clinic owner, and host of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast. With nearly two decades of experience—and a resume that includes spas, multidisciplinary clinics, race crews, and tropical destinations—Krista is living proof that massage therapy offers unmatched flexibility and opportunity.

What we cover in this episode:

• The surprising joys of massage school
  
• Exciting career paths (hello, cruise ships and Caribbean contracts!)
  
• Why the industry is growing fast—but we’re not training enough therapists
  
• The difference between the U.S. and Canadian markets
  
• How to build a massage career that supports your life—not the other way around
  

 Did you know?

The U.S. massage industry is worth over $18 billion and projected to grow 22% between 2018 and 2028. Yet the number of therapists has only grown 4.6% in the last decade. The demand is there. Are you ready to meet it?

Whether you're a seasoned pro or considering the profession for the first time, this episode will remind you why massage is a career like no other.

This episode of Align with The Massage Business Mama dives into the natural ebb and flow of running a massage business. It explores why massage therapists often experience peaks and valleys in their client load and how these fluctuations aren't always a bad thing.

Ahhh, buying a home — the American dream! For many, it’s a goal woven into the fabric of our upbringing, a milestone that symbolizes stability and success. But in today’s world, especially for those of us in the massage industry, the dream of homeownership can often feel out of reach. Rising costs, fluctuating markets, and the unpredictable nature of running your own massage practice can make the process feel daunting.

That’s why today’s episode is so special. Beca has some BIG news to share — she’s buying a home! Cue the celebration music: Yippee, Beca!

This is such an exciting achievement and a moment of inspiration for anyone wondering if homeownership is possible for them.

As Beca has navigated this milestone, she’s realized that many massage therapists feel overwhelmed by the home-buying process. The terminology, the paperwork, the financial preparation — it can all feel like too much. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be! Today, Beca is breaking down the essentials of buying a home in a way that’s accessible and easy to understand.

In this episode, we are sans Beca and joined by Nicole Keane. Nicole recently published a book, "The Tao of The Polyvagal Theory." Inside the book, she teaches and explores the connection between polyvagal theory and five element theory as a means to heal the spirit and balance the autonomic nervous system. 

We talk about how our interpretation of traditional eastern medicine might be flawed and why the method she has developed (while contradictory to much of the general knowledge around five element theory) has so many benefits!