No Bras Required

Meghan Retseck & Patti Johnston
  • 5.0 (4)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

No Bras Required is your permission slip to let it all hang out - literally and figuratively. Hosted by business owners, moms, and besties Patti and Meghan, this podcast is where business, family, and messy real life collide. From dance studio drama and parenting fails to those "I cannot believe that just happened" moments, nothing is off-limits. You'll get practical tips, hilarious stories, and the kind of honest conversation you'd have with your girlfriends over coffee… or tequila. So pour yourself a drink, toss your bra on the floor, and tune in every Friday for a big-sister style chat that reminds you you're not alone in the juggle.

  1. 2D AGO

    24. Podcast Freestyle & Free Flowing

    This week's episode is what happens when Patti and Meghan sit down with zero plan and a lot of feelings. We started with hockey and somehow ended up at parenting, grit, deadlines, dance studio boundaries, and a cat who absolutely knew what he was doing. But underneath the laughs and sarcasm, there's something real here. We're talking about culture. About leadership. About why kids feel dysregulated. About why parents and teachers have to be on the same page. And about why protecting your energy might be one of the most important things you can do right now. We don't fix the world in this episode. But we do talk about what starts at home… and inside your studio. If you've ever: Felt like kids can't handle feedback anymore Been afraid to enforce boundaries because of parent pushback Wondered why resilience feels rare Or just needed to laugh about dogs with no shame This one's for you. In this episode, we chat about: Why leadership behavior trickles down into classrooms and studios The mental health load our kids are carrying right now Why curiosity is missing from hard conversations The difference between complainers and problem solvers Why deadlines actually matter The danger of shielding kids from every uncomfortable feeling What happens when adults aren't consistent The real role dance teachers and coaches play in raising humans And yes… George the cat gets his own moment. Before you go this week, Patti leaves us with this reminder: 👉 Be a helper. 👉 Be solution oriented. 👉 Do something kind. And maybe… don't let the cat near your plants.

    1h 15m

  2. FEB 20

    23. Plan like a Queen and Handle your Business

    This one's not sexy. It's not about side hustles or studio growth. It's about the thing we all avoid thinking about… what happens if you're not here. Before you skip this because it feels heavy, stay with us. This conversation isn't about fear. It's about leadership. It's about love. And it's about being the woman who handles her business like the queen she is. We'll research an air fryer for three hours but won't spend 30 minutes making sure our kids aren't in legal chaos if something happens to us. So today we're talking wills, retirement, insurance, business planning, funeral wishes, and yes… the "if I get hit by a bus" folder. Because planning for the future without you isn't pessimistic. It's protection. In This Episode We Talk About: Why women must think differently about financial planning The history that shaped how women show up in money conversations Why "my husband handles it" is not a financial plan The basic documents every woman should have Beneficiaries, probate, and why your will isn't enough Planning for adult children turning 18 Retirement realities and knowing your number Funeral planning and how to remove chaos from your family's worst day Business succession plans for studio owners The "final document service" that made everything easier Why this conversation is an act of motherhood Your Queen Challenge 👑 This week: Book the will appointment Review your beneficiaries Calculate your life insurance Start or grow your emergency fund Begin your "If I Die" binder One step at a time. Like a queen. Because this isn't about expecting something bad. It's about removing chaos from the worst day for the people you love. Bras are optional. Handling your business is not.

    1h 8m

  3. FEB 13

    22. From Surviving to Sustainable: How One Studio Owner Became Profitable & Debt-Free

    This one's a big exhale. If you've ever looked around your studio, full classes, busy recital nights, smiling families… and then gone home to stare at a credit card statement wondering why it still feels tight… this episode is for you. This week we're joined by our dear friend Kim Fields, owner of Valley Dance Theater in Virginia, who shares the real story behind her studio turnaround. Not the highlight reel. The real one. Kim talks about the ego check of closing a second location. The painful realization that cutting prices to "compete" was actually costing her everything. The years of working harder, not smarter. And how she went from financially stretched and exhausted to profitable, debt free, and finally able to breathe again. We talk about: Why pricing based on competitors is a dangerous game The emotional cost of running a studio in survival mode What it really looks like to audit your business The trap of "artists shouldn't make money" Why profit doesn't mean you've sold out How debt free equals freedom, not restriction The confidence shift that happens when your numbers align Kim's honesty is refreshing. Her growth is inspiring. And her reminder that artists deserve to make money too might be the mindset shift you didn't know you needed. If this episode hit home, share it with a studio friend. You might just save someone's business. And if you're ready for a new approach instead of another exhausting season, this is your sign 💛

    53 min

  4. FEB 6

    21. Money Habits And Hidden Fears

    Money. Just reading that word might make you want to close the app, grab a latte, and pretend everything's fine. This week on No Bras Required, Patti and Meghan kick off February's theme, Finding the Stronger You, by diving headfirst into something many women avoid like a haunted house, money. This is not a budgeting lecture. No spreadsheets. No latte-shaming. And absolutely no "just stop spending" nonsense. Instead, this episode is all about financial confidence, where it comes from, why so many women don't feel it, and how our relationship with money is deeply emotional, especially once motherhood enters the picture. They unpack the money stories we inherited, the scarcity mindset so many of us grew up with, why avoidance isn't laziness, and how understanding money can actually be a safety issue for women. If you've ever felt capable running a household, a studio, and everyone's emotional wellbeing, but totally overwhelmed by finances, this one's for you. In this episode, we talk about: Why money reflects beliefs, fear, worth, and power, not just numbers The real reason women avoid their banking apps How upbringing and scarcity mindset shape spending habits Why financial literacy is a safety issue for women How motherhood adds pressure, guilt, and emotional weight to money Teaching kids money confidence without shame Why having any plan is better than avoiding it altogether The first step toward financial confidence, awareness, not perfection Homework for this week: No fixing. No judging. Just notice your money story and when emotions show up around spending. Next week, Patti and Meghan dive into what financial confidence actually looks like, even when your numbers aren't perfect, and they welcome their first-ever podcast guest. Bras optional. Awareness required.

    1h 2m

  5. JAN 30

    20. Becoming Her Means Letting them be Uncomfortable

    Growth isn't quiet. It isn't polite. And it definitely doesn't keep everyone comfortable. This week, Patti and Meghan are digging into the real, rarely talked about truth of personal growth, especially for mums, leaders, and women who are done playing small to keep the peace. If you've ever been told "you've changed," felt guilty for setting boundaries, or noticed people pulling away the moment you got clearer, more confident, or more self-respecting, this episode is for you. We're talking about the social cost of living boldly, why some people miss the old version of you, and how letting others be uncomfortable might be the most loving thing you can do for yourself and your kids. This isn't about becoming cold or unkind. It's about choosing peace over performance, and self-respect over staying recognizable. In this episode, we talk about: Why growth changes how people treat and respect you The unspoken agreements women are expected to keep, and what happens when we break them Why boundaries often get labelled as "attitude" or "being intimidating" Losing relationships as a natural part of leadership and business growth Modeling courage and self-respect for our kids Why peace is a better measure of success than praise Letting go of permission, approval, and over-explaining If this episode hits a nerve, you're probably doing something right. 🎧 Listen now, and remember, bras are optional, but comfy pants are non-negotiable.

    1h 20m

  6. JAN 23

    19. Stop Waiting to Feel Different

    Ever told yourself, "I'll do it when things settle down"… and then realised life literally never settles down? Yeah. Same. In this episode, Patti and Meghan call out one of the biggest lies women have been sold, that confidence, boldness, and clarity come before action. Spoiler alert, they don't. They come after you move. This is not a habits episode. It's not about waking up earlier, drinking more water, or finding the perfect planner. It's about why waiting to feel ready keeps so many women stuck, and why the people you think are confident were scared too. They just went first. From parenting triggers and flu karma, to quitting things you've outgrown, to how "self-improvement" can quietly become the world's prettiest hiding place, this one gets uncomfortably real. If you've been telling yourself you're "not there yet", this episode might be the nudge you didn't know you needed. In this episode, we talk about: Why "when things calm down" is the biggest trap How self-growth can turn into procrastination with better branding The difference between preparing and hiding Why confident people don't actually feel confident Discomfort as a green light, not a warning sign Parenting, leadership, and letting people struggle instead of rescuing them Why you move first, then you feel different 🎧 Listen in, then tell us, what's the thing you've been waiting to do?

    1h 6m

  7. JAN 16

    18. Choosing Yourself Is A Skill (Not A Personality Trait)

    If you've ever looked at another woman and thought, "I wish I could be more bold like her," this episode is your permission slip. Because here's the truth, bold women weren't born ordering tequila and saying no with confidence. They practiced. And most of the time, it felt awkward, guilt-inducing, and uncomfortable as hell. In this episode, Patti and Meghan dig into why being "reliable" is praised, but often punishes women quietly. We talk about guilt, fear, self-preservation, marriage seasons, parenting pressure, menopause moments, and why choosing yourself isn't selfish, it's learned. No boundary scripts. No worksheets. Just honest conversation about what it actually looks like to live boldly when you've been trained to stay small. In this episode, we cover: Why boldness is a skill, not a personality trait How guilt shows up when you start choosing yourself The "reliable woman trap" and why busy women get asked for more Why bold women are often quiet, not attention-seeking How fear doesn't disappear, it just stops running the show Seasons of life, marriage, motherhood, and letting things "wither" on purpose Why your kids learn self-worth by watching your actions, not your words If this episode hit a nerve, it's probably because you're already practicing boldness, even if it doesn't feel pretty yet. 👉 Tell us on Instagram, TikTok, or Substack: What's a bold decision you're sitting with right now?

    1h 4m

  8. JAN 9

    17. Bold Moves, Quiet Doubt

    This episode hits right in the gut, in the best way. Patti and Meghan are talking about living boldly, not because the fear goes away, but because you learn how to live with it. This is not a "just be confident" episode. This is a real conversation about self-doubt, fear, people-pleasing, hard decisions, and why waiting to feel ready is usually what keeps us stuck. They dig into why women are taught to play small, how fear shows up in business and parenting, and why some of the hardest decisions end up being the ones we regret not making sooner. From setting boundaries, letting people go, raising resilient kids, and redefining what success actually looks like, this episode is packed with perspective, laughs, and a few "oh wow, that's me" moments. If you've been sitting on a decision because it feels uncomfortable, not impossible, this one's for you. In this episode, we talk about: Why fear never fully goes away, and why that's okay The difference between being nice and being kind How women are conditioned to play small, and how to stop Making hard decisions in business and parenting Teaching kids that failure is part of growth Why clarity only comes after action Redefining success on your own terms ✨ This month's challenge: What bold choice are you avoiding because it's uncomfortable, not impossible? Come tell us. Comment, message, or DM us. We're building the No Bras Required community, and we want you in it.

    1h 9m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

No Bras Required is your permission slip to let it all hang out - literally and figuratively. Hosted by business owners, moms, and besties Patti and Meghan, this podcast is where business, family, and messy real life collide. From dance studio drama and parenting fails to those "I cannot believe that just happened" moments, nothing is off-limits. You'll get practical tips, hilarious stories, and the kind of honest conversation you'd have with your girlfriends over coffee… or tequila. So pour yourself a drink, toss your bra on the floor, and tune in every Friday for a big-sister style chat that reminds you you're not alone in the juggle.

Information

  • Creator
    Meghan Retseck & Patti Johnston
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    No Bras Required