No Bras Required

Meghan Retseck & Patti Johnston
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 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. 5d ago

    53. The Anniversary Episode Part 2.

    We thought we were going to finish our anniversary recap in one episode. Spoiler alert: we did not. Because apparently Patti and Meghan have 17 talking points, approximately zero ability to stay on topic, and far too much to say about heating pads, leadership, parenting, vacuums and getting older. So welcome to Part Two of our anniversary episode. This week, we're looking back at some of the conversations that made us laugh, cry, think, panic before hitting publish, and occasionally wonder whether we'd accidentally cancelled our own podcast. We also get into one particular Reel that went a LOT further than we ever expected. What started as a little leadership gold nugget about asking your team, "Why are you asking me this?", turned into a much bigger conversation about leadership, assumptions, internet opinions, and the fact that apparently people can decide your entire personality based on 60 seconds of video. And honestly? There was a lot to learn from that. Then we disappear down the parenting rabbit hole, because obviously we do. We talk about what we thought motherhood would be versus what it actually became, the parts of parenting our brains have conveniently deleted, watching our kids leave home, and the strange new world of empty nests, quieter houses and eating Kit Kats for dinner because, well, we're adults and we can do whatever we want. We also have a very important conversation about getting older and becoming the people we used to make fun of. Comfortable shoes? Suddenly fascinating. Sleep? Extremely important. Parking? Weirdly important. Thermostats? A serious matter. Vacuums? Don't even get us started. And finally, we confess a few things from the CEO chair, including what we wish we'd known about leadership ten years ago, the mistakes we've both made, and the lesson that sometimes you can believe deeply in someone's potential while still recognizing that they aren't the right person for the role. This episode covers: The podcast episodes that made us laugh, cry and think Why the "Permission to Pivot" and "Gift of Ordinary Days" conversations still stick with us The viral leadership clip that got people talking Why asking "Why are you asking me this?" can actually be a leadership question, not a judgment What motherhood looked like in our heads versus what it actually became The strange emotional shift when your kids start leaving home Why May-cember needs to be a thing, and why September deserves its own ridiculous name The things we suddenly care about now that we're older, including soft pants, comfortable shoes and cooling car seats What we wish we'd known about leadership ten years ago Learning to trust your gut, especially when something isn't working Why we've learned to put safeguards around our belief in people The hiring lessons we learned the hard way And yes... We're doing a Part Three. Because apparently we still haven't made it through the list. If you've been listening for a while, we'd love to know which episode has been your favourite so far. And if you're newer around here, this is your sign to go back and have a little podcast binge. We've got plenty of conversations waiting for you. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and come hang out with us for the next episode. Coffee or tequila. You know the drill.

  2. Sep 11

    52. The Anniversary Episode Part 1: 52 Episodes. Zero Bras. A LOT of Opinions.

    🎉 ONE YEAR. FIFTY EPISODES. ZERO BRAS REQUIRED. Well, friends... somehow we made it. One whole year of No Bras Required. Fifty episodes of business chats, parenting chaos, marriage complaints, menopause moments, leadership lessons, Costco love, questionable segues and enough unsolicited advice to keep us talking for approximately another 47 years. Honestly, when we hit record on episode one, we had absolutely no idea what this little podcast would become. We just knew two things: Patti and Meghan had a lot to say. Someone, somewhere, might need to hear it. And apparently... you did. In this first part of our anniversary celebration, we're looking back at where this whole thing started, what we've gotten right, what we've definitely gotten wrong, the conversations we never expected to have publicly and the moments that made us realise, "Oh wow, people are actually listening to us." We revisit everything from the origin story of No Bras Required, to parenting teenagers, rescuing our kids too much, annoying husbands who breathe incorrectly, menopause rage, the invisible workload of women and the shocking realisation that comfortable shoes are now a personality trait. We also talk about why this podcast has never fit neatly into one category. Because neither do we. We're business owners. We're mums. We're wives. We're friends. We're educators. We're navigating grief, aging parents, launching kids into adulthood, changing bodies, changing businesses and all the messy bits of real life in between. And honestly? That's kind of the whole point. This podcast was never supposed to be polished perfection. It's supposed to feel like sitting down with two girlfriends in soft pants, coffee or tequila nearby, laughing about life and occasionally saying the thing everyone else is thinking but doesn't want to say out loud. So grab your drink of choice and come celebrate with us. Because this is only Part One... and trust us, we still have plenty to talk about. IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: 🎉 Celebrating one year and 50 episodes of No Bras Required 👯‍♀️ How the podcast name came to be and why it instantly felt like us 🎙️ What we thought this podcast would become... and why we intentionally didn't put it in a box 💬 The messages from listeners that remind us why these conversations matter 😂 What we've gotten right, including never being able to stay on one topic ⏰ What we've gotten wrong, mainly our complete inability to set a timer 🧠 The invisible workload women carry and why we need more grace for each other 💍 Marriage, annoying husbands, dishwasher arguments and seasons of romance 🛟 Why rescuing everyone isn't actually helping them 👩‍👧 Parenting teenagers and letting our kids learn how to adult 👵 The many things we're officially too old for, including uncomfortable jeans and standing at concerts ❤️ The deeper conversations we never expected to have about grief, death, parenting, mental health, money and identity 🎧 Why No Bras Required will probably never fit into one neat little category... and why we're perfectly okay with that And don't worry, friends. We're not done reflecting yet. Part Two is coming next week, and we're diving even further into the viral moments, parenting, May-December and all the ways we've become the people we used to make fun of. So stay tuned. And as always... Bras are optional. Soft pants are strongly encouraged.

  3. Sep 4

    51. The September Reset for Mamas, CEOs, and Empty Nesters

    September has arrived, and apparently everyone is supposed to magically have their life together. Backpacks? Packed. Lunchboxes? Somewhere. Dance schedules? Hopefully. Business plan? Definitely. Emotional stability? Let's not get carried away. In this episode of No Bras Required, Patti and Meghan are talking about the absolute juggle that is September, especially when you're a mum, a business owner, or both. They chat about the chaos of back-to-school spending, becoming the family taxi service again, the mental load that changes as your kids get older, and the strange mix of pride and sadness that comes with sending your kids off into the world. For Patti and Meghan, this September feels particularly different. Their kids are growing up, some have left home, and they're both discovering what this next season of motherhood actually looks like. And then there's the business side. September isn't just a fresh start for the kids. For many studio owners, it's the real beginning of the business year. It's time to get the team back into rhythm, execute the plans you made months ago, communicate clearly with families, and resist the temptation to try to do absolutely everything yourself. Basically, it's a lot. But underneath all the chaos is a really lovely reminder: sometimes the thing we're grieving is also the thing we worked so hard to create. In this episode, we chat about: Why September can feel even more chaotic than December. The back-to-school juggle, including the never-ending expense of getting kids ready. The invisible mental load that changes as our children grow. The strange combination of relief, worry and freedom when your kids start driving. Why September is actually the start of the business year for many dance studios. The importance of planning your year ahead instead of constantly reacting. How good communication can make a huge difference to your studio families. Why parents need information in both big-picture and bite-sized formats. The emotional reality of becoming an empty nester. Learning that you can be incredibly proud of your kids while still grieving the version of motherhood that's changing. Rediscovering yourself, your relationship and your freedom when the kids need you differently. And, naturally, the possibility of puppies. The big takeaway You don't have to choose between being excited about what's next and feeling sad about what's changing. Both can be true. Your kids can grow up, leave home and need you less in the everyday sense, while still needing your advice, your recipes, your support and, apparently, your homemade food. And maybe this next season gets to be about you, too.

  4. Aug 28

    50. Stop Rescuing and Start Helping

    There's a sentence every business owner has said at least 500 times: "It would just be easier if I did it myself." And honestly? Sometimes it WOULD be easier. But if you keep jumping in to fix every problem, answer every question and rescue your team whenever something goes sideways, you're not actually helping them grow. You're teaching them that when things get hard, Mum Boss will come and sort it out. In this episode, Patti and Meghan get into the difference between helping and rescuing, why leaders accidentally create dependence in their teams, and why giving people the opportunity to struggle, make mistakes and figure things out is one of the best things you can do for them. They also get into the very human side of leadership, including assuming positive intent, having uncomfortable conversations, dealing with employee frustrations, and remembering that it's not personal. And yes, there are stories involving mice, bodily fluids, a preschool recital pooper and a very unfortunate accidental text message. Because apparently this is what leadership looks like sometimes. In this episode, we chat about: The difference between helping an employee and rescuing them Why answering every problem with a solution can actually hold your team back How asking better questions can help employees learn to think for themselves Why being open to someone else's way of doing things can make you a better leader How rescuing your team turns you into the bottleneck in your own business Why employees and leaders can easily misunderstand each other's roles The importance of assuming positive intent Why communication gaps often get filled with negative assumptions Creating a safe environment where your team can admit when they've messed up How to build independence, confidence and loyalty in your team Knowing when something needs to come up the leadership ladder And the very important question: Would you rather deal with puke or a loose tooth? A little challenge for you The next time someone on your team brings you a problem, don't immediately solve it. Try answering with a question: "What have you tried?" "Where are you stuck?" "What solutions do you have?" "What do you think we should do?" You might be surprised by what happens when you give people the space to figure things out. And remember... Great leaders don't create followers, they create more leaders.

  5. Aug 21

    49. Your Ego Is Sitting In the CEO Chair

    There are some leadership conversations that feel a little bit like holding a mirror up to yourself. This is one of them. This week, Patti and Meghan are getting very honest about the uncomfortable truths of leadership, especially when your ego starts sitting in the CEO chair. Because sometimes, the problem isn't your staff. Sometimes... it's you. If your team needs your approval for every tiny decision, if you're constantly jumping in with "Never mind, I'll just do it," or if you need your idea to win every time, it might be time to take a good, hard look at how you're leading. And before you get defensive, remember, Patti and Meghan are saying this with plenty of lived experience and a healthy dose of "we've absolutely made these mistakes too." This episode is about learning to lead people based on what they actually need, rather than what makes you feel most comfortable. In this episode, we chat about: 🚩 The signs your ego might be running your business, including micromanaging, needing to win and struggling to let other people make decisions. Why you should hire people who are better than you at the things you aren't great at, rather than feeling threatened by them. Different leadership styles, and why great leaders know when to be directive, collaborative or completely hands-off. Why talking less and listening more can completely change your team culture. How to spot the people who naturally step up as leaders, while making sure you don't burn out the same key players by leaning on them for everything. When your business has outgrown an employee's role, and why that doesn't automatically mean someone has failed. The uncomfortable truth about hiring friends, family and former students, and why the rose-coloured glasses have to come off when you're making business decisions. Why behaviour is a language, and why you need to pay attention when someone's actions don't match their words. The difference between "I have to be right" and "I have to get it right." And one simple question you can ask an employee this week: "What's one thing I could do that would help you do your job better?" Your leadership challenge this week Ask one person on your team: "What's one thing I could do that would help you do your job better?" And then comes the really hard part. Don't defend yourself. Don't explain. Don't justify. Just listen. You might be surprised by what you hear. And if you're wondering whether you're actually leading your team or accidentally rescuing, micromanaging or holding them back, send Patti and Meghan a message. They might just give you the Meghan and Patti version, complete with the sassy answer and the HR-appropriate one.

  6. Aug 14

    48. I Don't Actually Need You To Like Me

    There comes a point where you realise something slightly uncomfortable... You don't actually need everyone to like you. And honestly? What a relief. In this episode of No Bras Required, Patti and Meghan get right into the messy middle of leadership, motherhood, boundaries, people pleasing and the pressure women feel to be agreeable, helpful and, above all, liked. They talk about what happens when you stop trying to make everyone comfortable and start making decisions based on your values instead. Because being kind doesn't mean saying yes to everything. Being supportive doesn't mean being available 24/7. And being a good leader definitely doesn't mean everyone gets to like you. There are plenty of laughs along the way, including stories about mansplaining menopause, children investigating bathroom activities, angry dance parents, Valentine's Day drama and the occasional "did I stutter?" parenting moment. But underneath all the laughs is a pretty powerful message: You don't need to be liked. You need to lead. In this episode, we chat about: Why women can get caught in the "likability trap", especially when they step into leadership. How we're taught from a young age that assertive boys are leaders while assertive girls can be labelled "bossy." The difference between being nice and being kind, and why kindness sometimes requires an uncomfortable conversation. Why boundaries aren't selfish, whether you're a mum, teacher, studio owner or business leader. How constantly bending the rules creates expectations you might eventually resent. Why your team needs to know what your non-negotiables are, while still being given room to make mistakes and learn. The difference between avoiding conflict and practising compassion. Why "being liked" should never be the KPI you're using to measure your leadership. How to approach difficult conversations as opportunities to practise your leadership skills. Why asking "Who does this serve?" can completely change the way you make decisions. This week's challenge We're giving you a slightly uncomfortable homework assignment. Have the conversation you've been avoiding. Think it through. Write down what you want to achieve. Consider how the other person might respond. Get clear on your boundaries and your desired outcome. Then have the conversation. It might not go perfectly. But avoiding it isn't making the problem disappear. And remember: "I don't need to be liked. I need to lead."

  7. Aug 7

    47. Uncomfortable Leadership Truths: Are You Asking Me…or Are You Asking Permission?

    Are You Asking Me… Or Asking for Permission? One little leadership question. Half a million views. Hundreds of angry comments. And one very important conversation. This week, Patti and Meghan unpack the viral reel that had the internet divided after Patti suggested asking employees one simple question: "Do you need information, or are you asking for permission?" Turns out, that struck a nerve. In this episode, they dig into why so many employees struggle to make decisions, how micromanagement quietly destroys confidence, and why leaders often become the biggest bottleneck in their own business without even realising it. Whether you're leading a dance studio, a school, or any small business, this conversation is all about building people who think for themselves instead of waiting to be told what to do. Along the way, Patti and Meghan share lessons they've learned the hard way, plenty of parenting parallels, and a few stories that prove leadership is never boring. In this episode, we chat about: Why the viral reel upset so many people, and what was actually meant by "go check your job description." The difference between asking for information and asking for permission. How micromanagement trains people to stop thinking for themselves. The hidden cost of becoming the bottleneck in your own business. Why empowering your team starts with better systems and better onboarding. What parenting teenagers has to teach us about leadership. Why confidence grows every time someone is trusted to make a decision. How to know whether your team needs more training, more clarity, or simply more trust. The importance of hiring people who align with your values instead of just impressive résumés. Why being liked isn't actually part of the leadership job description. This Week's Leadership Challenge The next time someone brings you a decision they've always asked you to make... Don't answer. Instead, ask: "What do you think?" You might be surprised by the confidence, ownership, and leadership you start building in your team. Favourite Quote "Confidence grows every time someone is trusted to make a decision." If this episode resonated... We'd love to hear from you. Have you ever realised you were the bottleneck in your business? Or have you worked for a boss who made you ask permission for everything? Come join the conversation and let us know. We genuinely love hearing your stories, your wins, and yes, even the respectful disagreements. And if this episode made you think of another studio owner, business owner, or leader who needs to hear it, send it their way. We'll be back next week as we continue our leadership series with another uncomfortable truth: Apparently, being liked isn't in the job description either. Coffee or tequila... we'll let you decide. ☕🍹

  8. Jul 31

    46. CEO Summer Camp: Graduation & Leadership

    🎓 CEO Summer Camp Graduation Day Is Here! You made it. You survived recital season, registration, summer planning, and about 47,000 "quick questions" that definitely weren't quick. Now it's time to stop surviving your business and start leading it. In this final CEO Summer Camp episode, Patti and Meghan walk you through everything you've learned over the past month. From communication and systems to leadership, culture, delegation and mindset, this episode is your chance to reflect, celebrate your progress, and intentionally design the season ahead. You'll rate yourself as a CEO, uncover the one area that deserves your focus next, and learn why the most successful studio owners aren't necessarily the busiest ones. Because building a thriving studio isn't about doing more. It's about creating a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. So grab your notebook (and maybe another iced coffee), because graduation day comes with one last piece of homework that just might change the way you lead your studio this year. In this episode we chat about: Reflecting on your CEO growth over the summer. Why communication, systems and culture are the foundation of a healthy studio. The CEO scorecard that helps you identify your biggest opportunity for growth. What every successful leader chooses to eliminate before adding something new. How to recognise "gravity problems" and stop wasting energy fighting them. Why sustainability matters more than endless growth. Designing how you want your season to feel, not just how many students you want. A powerful future-self exercise to revisit during recital week. This week's challenge Write a letter to your future self. Seal it away and don't open it until recital week is over. Write about: The leader you want to become. What you want your staff and families to experience. The habits you're leaving behind. Three non-negotiables you'll protect all season. Future you will thank you. If this episode encouraged you, we'd love it if you'd subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your favourite studio owner friend. Remember... Run your business. Don't let your business run you.

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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
    54
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    No Bras Required