TAKE THIS PERSONALLY: Empowering Human Trafficking Survivors One Bead at a Time

Summary

---

The Bobby Bones Show — "TAKE THIS PERSONALLY: Empowering Human Trafficking Survivors One Bead at a Time"

Date: October 25, 2025
Host: Morgan (from "Take This Personally")
Guests: Shannon & Amanda, founders of Ring True
Theme: Purpose-driven entrepreneurship transforming the lives of human trafficking survivors through employment, empowerment, and community.

---

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the mission behind Ring True, a jewelry company founded by sisters Shannon and Amanda to empower human trafficking survivors by providing them with meaningful work, healing, and dignity. Morgan explores their business model, their personal motivations, and what it’s meant for the women they serve — as well as for themselves.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origin and Mission of Ring True

• Launch During Lockdown: Amanda conceived the business in 2020 during the COVID lockdown as a response to uncertainty, isolation, and a desire to make meaningful impact.

  “The idea felt outside myself… I never want to give my time and my life to something that's not going to be meaningful or make an impact in some way for other people.” — Amanda (05:13)

• Sister Partnership: The business expanded as Amanda’s sister Shannon joined in, each bringing unique strengths: Amanda making the jewelry, Shannon handling logistics and business ops.

  “I have the hands of Shrek… I'll nerd out and do the spreadsheets and ship stuff to people. You go ahead and make that jewelry yourself, yeah, God bless her.” — Shannon (05:59)

• Human Trafficking Focus: Not just charity, but employment: survivors in safe housing can earn income making jewelry while continuing therapy in a safe, supportive environment.

  “To have an opportunity to earn for themselves is really empowering. That’s what we’re doing.” — Amanda (03:26)

2. Working with Survivors

• Safe House Operations: The sisters instruct survivors in jewelry making within safe homes, allowing them to work at their own pace, on their own terms, in the midst of trauma recovery programs.

  “They’re not in the mind frame to go work at McDonald's…So, this is so awesome. We get to go in where they live…show them how to do this...They can do it on their own time.” — Shannon (08:04)

• Beyond Therapy: The power of joy, laughter, and normalcy is just as powerful as therapy. Crafting together brings community, story sharing, and genuine connection.

  “We're not therapists, but the piece that we're able to bring is just joy and laughter.” — Amanda (10:03) “For them to have a break...our mission is that too. We just go about it in a different way.” — Amanda (11:25)

3. Impact, Empowerment, and Growth

• Survivor Support Club: Launched to give consistent work and support to survivors and to engage those wanting to help at $25/month, sending jewelry and highlighting the survivor who made it.

  “Instead of just giving to charity, what this does is it actually provides a job and helps survivors feel empowered.” — Amanda (22:15)

• Life and Job Skills: Survivors learn not only jewelry making, but also time management, filling out timesheets, banking, interning, and basic business skills — all vital for future independence.

  "It's not just making jewelry. They're learning responsibility, time management...all the things that we do for our business." — Shannon (28:14)

• Compassion and Patience: Through working with trauma survivors, Amanda and Shannon developed deeper patience and empathy, learning to accommodate trauma-impacted behavior and apply that understanding elsewhere in life.

  “People matter. I can take more time with them and give them more space to be who they need to be.” — Amanda (30:43)

4. Personal & Organizational Transformation

• Transformational Work: The project has healed not only survivors but the founders themselves, helping Shannon in her journey as a widow and giving her new purpose.

  “I didn't feel like I had a purpose…It completely changed my life. Now it's my full-time job, I'm passionate about it, it’s what gets me up every single day.” — Shannon (17:16)

• Action Over Intimidation: Facing the vastness of social problems, Amanda encourages others to start small — often you have more to offer than you think.

  “You can start small and take small steps towards making a difference…don’t be surprised when it changes your life.” — Amanda (41:33)

5. Advice and Encouragement

• On Burnout and Self-Care: Doing heavy, emotional work makes boundaries and therapy vital.

  “When you're doing heavy work like this, you really do have to try to protect your peace…Therapy can help a lot of people.” — Shannon (40:35)

• On Finding Your Cause: Focus on what you can do instead of being paralyzed by all you can't.

  “Trying to fix everything in the world is never going to work. So find something that you care about and focus on that.” — Morgan (35:48)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Amanda on the heart of their work:

  “It's more of a mindset of this is for them. Less about the profit, more about the person.” (29:50)

• On Compassion:

  “I've met other people in my life who…I will experience similar interactions with them and I'm like, you have trauma brain…Now I have so much more compassion.” — Amanda (30:44)

• Wit & Warmth:

  “We would throw this business in the trash. I don't even care about jewelry...It's a pure love for them that keeps us going.” — Amanda & Shannon (30:08)

• Legacy for Children:

  “My oldest is 13...I've explained to him what human trafficking is…We're gonna help change that.” — Amanda (37:00)

---

Highlighted Segments with Timestamps

• [02:55] — How Ring True started and the "why" behind the business
• [05:10] — Taking the leap in uncertain times; faith and motivation
• [08:04] — Implementing the work model in safe homes and respecting survivors' needs
• [10:01] — The healing power of laughter and non-traditional support
• [15:22] — Personal growth and insights from running Ring True
• [17:15] — Shannon’s journey from grief to new purpose
• [21:56] — "Start with one person" philosophy and the Survivor Support Club
• [28:11] — Transitioning survivors into job skills, business internships
• [29:46] — Compassion, patience, and learning from trauma-informed work
• [39:24] — Final words of advice: boundaries, therapy, and belief in making a difference

---

Conclusion

Shannon, Amanda, and their company Ring True are redefining what it means to “help” by prioritizing dignity, agency, and genuine connection over charity alone. The episode is a passionate, funny, and ultimately hopeful look at how ordinary people — armed with heart and persistence — can help restore futures, and themselves in the process.

Where to Find Ring True:

• ringtrueco.com
• Instagram/Facebook: @ringtrue_co

---

Endnotes

• Morgan’s summary: "Trying to fix everything in the world is never going to work. So find something that you care about and focus on that." (35:48)
• Final lessons: Protect your peace, don’t be afraid to start small, and remember that working for something bigger than yourself transforms everyone involved.

---

Transcript

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[B]

Hey, audiobook lovers. I'm Kalpen. I'm Ed Helms. Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Irsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from audible, listen to Earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow Earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today. Limu Emu and Doug Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[C]

Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[B]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Ferry Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Affiliates excludes Massachusetts.

[C]

This is Amy Brown from Feeling Things with Amy and Kat.

[D]

Isopure protein helps you focus on more of what matters.

[C]

Like feeling your best every day with great tasting nutrition. That's high protein and low carb. It's never been simpler. I use Isopure unflavored protein every day.

[D]

And I have already restocked three times.

[C]

Since first trying it. Actually, I think I've bought it four times now because my daughter took a bag of it to her dad's house with 25 grams of ultra filtered protein and you can add it to things.

[A]

Like guacamole, pasta sauce and more.

[C]

It tastes great on everything. Enjoy more of what matters [e-mail] and.

[D]

Get 20% off your order when you use code MINDS20 at checkout.

[E]

Take this personally with Morgan.

[C]

Now we are in part two of the series that I never saw coming. It's another sister business. These are women I've been working with for several years now. They created the company Ring True and they did it to help human trafficking survivors. I love their mission. I love everything that they're all about. So it's time for you guys to finally meet Shannon and Amanda. I'm excited to bring on two. Two people who I've recently worked with in the last few years. Their names are Shannon and Amanda and they created the company Ring True which is incredible beyond just the jewelry that they make, which I'm going to let them share that whole story. So guys, thanks for coming on.

[A]

We are so excited to be here because we're nerds. We've been like, not like, we've been looking forward to this all day.

[E]

So.

[A]

True.

[C]

Stop. I'm excited to have you guys on and share your whole story. So let's get into some background first. Why did you guys create Ring True? What is the cause and motivation behind it? All of that good stuff.

[A]

So if for people who have never heard of our business, we work with human trafficking survivors, my sister and I will go to the safe home and we'll teach survivors who've recently been rescued out of human trafficking how to make jewelry. And then we're able to offer them a job through our business. So it's incredible. It's work that the ladies can do inside the safe home while they're getting back on their feet. They have a lot of programming that they go through, like trauma therapy, and they have a ton of different therapies, equine therapy where they're with horses and just like, cool stuff that they're to get back on their feet. But something that we realized was they'll come to the safe home with some of them nothing but the shirt on their back. And they've been forced to earn income for other people for so long that for them to have an opportunity to earn for themselves is really empowering. That's what we're doing. And who we are and how we got into that is a whole different story. So do you want me to.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, you.

[E]

She's this.

[A]

My sister.

[E]

She started this business.

[A]

So she will tell you. That's true. So I am a woman of faith, and so that's very important to me. So a lot of decisions and things that I do come out of that perspective. And when 2020 happened, the COVID lockdown, I'm just extremely extroverted. So the idea of being shut inside my home for so long without any end in sight, I was like, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself during this time. With three small children and my husband, who I'm. I love. I love all of them. But I'm like, I'm used to being out and about, to be stuck at home, not knowing what's going to happen. It was just like a really scary time for a lot of people, myself included. So I was lifting up in prayer to God, like, just how I was feeling about all of that and, like, asking for help. What the heck am I going to do? And I had an idea pop into my head to start a business. And I'm like, this is strange. A jewelry business, which is funny. Because I'm not like a crafty person. If you knew me, you would know I am not Pinterest. My kids birthday parties are like the red solo cup. Like, they are not themed. I'm just like, not like a crafty person. And jewelry, I never really cared about that.

[E]

And you never had a business before?

[A]

No, I never had a business before either. So just this whole idea felt like very outside of myself, which is why I felt like it was something that. And since it came to me in a time of prayer, I was just like, okay, God is trying to tell me something. And I had a say yes or no kind of crossroads. And I was just like, I think I'm going to try it. For me, I never want to give my time and my life to something that's not going to be meaningful or make an impact in some way for other people. That's just like a personal choice. And if I'm gonna give my time to something, I want it to make a difference. So I was giving back into local organizations that were doing anti human trafficking work, because that's something that I'm very passionate about. And then after a while, I brought my sister into it because the business started growing and it was too much for me to make the jewelry myself. And so she did try to train.

[E]

Me how to make the jewelry so I could help her. And that was a total no go because like I always say, I have the hands of Shrek. So I was trying to do these little beats. If you can see these rings, they're like teeny tiny. I'm like, like, I don't know, I'll be. I'll nerd out and do the spreadsheets and like ship stuff to people. Yeah, you go ahead and make that jewelry yourself.

[A]

Yeah, God bless her.

[D]

I don't.

[A]

I'm not a spreadsheet person.

[C]

Yeah, And I love that. I love what the business was created out of. Just this desire to connect and really have community and help others. And I think that's so cool, which is why I love working with you guys. And why, though, human trafficking survivors, why was that? The attachment with this company?

[A]

Yeah. I was coming from working with a nonprofit that had just interaction with a lot of different groups in the metro Detroit area that are doing anti human trafficking work. And to me, I always looked at those people like, oh my gosh, you guys are such heroes. There was groups that I was friends with who were physically rescuing women who had been trafficked, children who had been trafficked, and there were groups that were taking them in, like, different groups who were taking them in, providing safe housing and therapy for them. And I'm just looking at all these people thinking, my gosh, you're the biggest hero I've ever met in real life. Wow. And so I'm. When I started the business, I was donating a third of everything that came in from it back into those groups, because I know that these people, I know the work they're doing is legitimate. And I'm like, if I want to make a difference through what you're doing. And after a while, it was like, I don't know, a change of perspective of, like, how can I make a difference? What do I have in my hands that I can actually bring to the table here? Rather than just funding, which a lot of groups, that is what is needed. But for us, we were able to take it a step further and work side by side with the survivors. And that was, like, total game changer. It just changes your perspective on everything. Like, complete difference. Looking on the outside, saying, I want to help with that thing, and then being on the inside of it, being blown away by what it actually is a lot. We needed to hire.

[E]

We needed to hire people because we just. We couldn't make all the jewelry ourself. And so we were trying to think, who can we be intentional about? Who is, like, in our circle that would be not just, like, outsourcing it to, like, China or something. And so we just thought about survivors that are living in a safe house. They can't really go out and get a job in the public right now. They're still hiding. A lot of them. Their traffickers haven't been arrested yet, so they literally are not safe to go out. And then also, they, like, they're not in the mind frame to go work at, like, McDonald's or Target right now. Like, they need to be in all the therapy, like she was saying. So it's just, like, such a win because this is so awesome. We get to go in where they live, which is like a safe house, sit with them, like, in their own living room or at their own kitchen table and show them how to do this. And then they can keep all the supplies there where they live, and then just do it on their own time. And they don't even have to if they don't. It's just an option for them.

[A]

We love it. We love them.

[C]

Oh, that was such a good idea. And just it's cool where your hearts are, where they're coming from to create such a cool environment, too, to be Able to do that and offer that situation for people who have gone through such a horrible experience and it's such a widely. Gosh, unfortunately, thing that's happening across the entire world. And to have one company who's taken a different step and said, hey, let's try and help these people on that next step further. Because it's one thing to get out of it and be rescued, but it's in a completely different situation to become a survivor of that and hold yourself in a safe space after all of that has happened to you. And you guys are creating a safe environment for people who really need it. And I just think that's so awesome.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you so much. We. Yeah, you probably can't tell. I don't know. Maybe can, but, like, we laugh all the time. Like, we are not very. We're not, like, serious people and, like.

[E]

Super professional, but we try to be professional.

[A]

But, yeah, we laugh all the time with them. And a lot of their days are spent, like, digging into the difficult things that they've gone through. But we're not like therapists. We are not trained on how to actually help them work through that. But the piece that we're able to bring to the table is just joy and laughter. Like, we're. We sit with them. Like, they tell us stories of things outside of the experience they've gone through with trafficking. Just like childhood stories, funny things that happened in the house that week. And we're all sitting around the table, or some of us are sitting around the table stringing beads. Others of us are watching. Some of us are stringing beads. Anyway, so we're sitting around, we're making jewelry, and, like, it's story time and we're laughing. And I'll make fun of her, like, just like I just did right now, where I throw her under the bus because she can't make the jewelry. Like, the ladies get a kick out of it.

[E]

They do. They love when we roast each other. Yes.

[A]

And they roast us, too.

[E]

We roast them. Yeah, we're roasting them, too.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah. But they love it. They love it. Yeah, we roast them all the time, so it's good. What they tell us that one of their favorite parts of their week. Because you know how it is when you do the hard work to become anybody that's gone through anything significant or going through any kind of therapy of any kind, childhood trauma or what, when you really put in the work to, like, work through those things and become well on the other side, it takes a lot emotionally, to put yourself out there and really do the work. So for them to have a break from everybody else in their life, their whole, the whole mission is get these ladies to a place of wellness. And our mission is that too. We just go about it in a different way. Yes, that is us. Yeah.

[C]

It's an activity and activities bring us together and it's funny how that works. And we don't really think about it in a sense of therapy. It's just like it's taking your mind off of something that has happened to you and doing it in a way that you feel comfortable doing. Whether you guys really realize it or not, you have created not just an environment for healing, but also an environment to be happy again. And getting to be happy again is super underrated after such a traumatic event. And it's not something that people prioritize. They're really prioritized on you getting help and you getting the tools and resources you need. They're not really focused on your happiness and what that looks like. You guys are providing happiness.

[A]

Yeah. For better or worse. Like our family is trash at like working through actual issues and all we do is laugh. So it's the coping mechanism of our family. Coping mechanism of choice is let's laugh about it.

[C]

I like that coping strategy which.

[A]

Is this your dog next to you here?

[C]

Yes. This is Ms. Remy. She joined me.

[A]

So happy to just come in. Yeah.

[C]

She plops down. That's my therapy. Is her just plopping on me all the time? Doesn't matter what I'm doing.

[D]

There's nothing like sinking into luxury. @washablesofas.com you'll find the Annabe sofa which combines ultimate comfort and design at an affordable, affordable price. And get this, it's the only sofa that's fully machine washable from top to bottom. Starting at only $699. The stain resistant performance fabric, slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space in space style. Whether you need a single chair, loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Annabe has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Right now you can shop up to 60% off store wide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop [e-mail] Add a little to your life. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[B]

Hey everyone Ed Helms here. And hi, I'm Cal Pen. We're the hosts of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Jenny Garth, host of the iHeart podcast. I choose me to discuss the new Audible adaptation of the timeless Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. This is not a trick question. There's no wrong answer. What role would I play?

[D]

You know what?

[C]

I can see you as Mr. Darcy.

[D]

You got a little Colin Firth.

[B]

Okay, that's really sweet. I appreciate that. But are you sure I'm not the dad? I'm not Mr. Bennet. Here, listen to Earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts, Limu Imu and Doug. Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habit, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[C]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[B]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty. Liberty Savings Ferry unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

[A]

Yes. I love it.

[C]

What have some things have you guys done learned about yourself throughout the process of doing this company, creating the company and just creating a new foundation of what a business can look like. What has been some of those lessons? You guys have learned so much.

[A]

Do you want me to start or you want.

[E]

Well, the first thing that popped into my mind about myself is that I don't really enjoy, like, public speaking. So, like, secretly I'm dying right now, like, this whole podcast scenario. But I learned about myself. When I'm passionate about something and I care about it, I will push myself to do things that I that are normally, like, outside of my comfort zone. Like, how many stages have we been on where we had to, like, talk and just. It's overwhelming. But I will do it because I love these ladies. Like, we are their, like, advocates out there. So they have to stay hidden right now from the world. And so it's on us to spread the word. Get do. Like how I terrorized you and told.

[A]

You about our business.

[E]

Thank God for you. Our brand angel.

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

So, like, I will do it. I will. So that's what I learned about myself.

[A]

One of the things I think.

[C]

Okay, I love that.

[A]

I love that too. And I'm dang proud of you. I. I feel like you shared one time on, like, a news interview that we did and we both started crying. Which you know, is not our best, best look.

[C]

But is anybody a pretty crier? Because I don't think so.

[A]

Those people are rude though. Whoever they are, they're rude. My. So Shannon is a widow and she had gone through something that is really hard to experience in your life. And I. There was like a good long time where you were just working through all of that and I. You weren't quite in a good place. Like when I started this business, you were in a different place than you are now. I don't know if you want to share. I like I share.

[E]

I didn't feel like I had a purpose, like I was just existing. And so it was like, it was amazing all around how God worked this out because he knew that he wanted us to connect with the survivor and he also knew that it would affect our lives as well. So it completely changed my life. Like it started off as this business that she started. Cut to now it's like my full time job. Like mind blowing and it's passionate about it. It's like what gets me up every single day and I'm just love it.

[A]

So yeah, there's something different about living outside of yourself. Like when you're looking at and only focused on the things that have happened to you in your own world and then you. Something shifts and it's. We have this mission together that was life changing for me. I'm looking at my sister whom I desperately love and I'm like seeing, seeing the light come back and I'm like, I love the ladies that we work with but my God, like I would take a bullet for this woman. I don't know. Just like watching what the work that we're able to do with them is life changing in that way. I think too. Yeah.

[C]

It's a special kind of thing when you're doing something that also heals you. You don't realize it in the moment and you don't realize it as it's happening until you're in the thick of it and you look at your life, you're like, okay, I didn't anticipate this to help me in the ways that it was and I love that this could be that for you because going through that I, I couldn't ever possibly imagine. And I'm sure today it's still not easy. It's still not something that ever will be easy. But you found a way through it and that's super admirable.

[E]

Thanks.

[A]

It is. You're the best. Yeah, the best. I think for me there was like A really, like a turning point where it was the difference between looking at all these other people's being like, wow, you're my hero for this thing that you're doing. And almost feeling insignificant in the face of this major world issue, like this worldwide issue of human trafficking. It feels so overwhelming. Like, how can I possibly, possibly make a difference? And I'm so thankful all of you amazing people are doing that. And to be able to take something that I felt like God had given to me, saying, like this gentle, you can do it. And it was. That was life changing for me. Where it went from I'm gonna just donate to this thing to I'm going to put myself in there. I'm in the game. I am not a spectator anymore. I am in the game. And it surprises me all the time because I don't ever feel equipped and I don't know. Like, I don't know. So I guess my encouragement is for people who want to make a difference, because not everybody's passionate about the same social issues. There's so many things to be passionate about, like children who don't have food, like families who are experiencing homelessness. There's so many different, like, things that we as humans like. It breaks our heart when we see them happening. And I just. I feel like people, even if they feel insignificant or aren't sure how they can make a difference, even taking one step toward doing that will change your life. Just try it. Because anything that you do, whoever's on the other end of that, they're gonna look at you and say, thank you. It's just one step toward doing that. Yeah.

[E]

You don't have to have it all figured out. Like, it doesn't have to be this perfect plan, because Lord knows we still.

[A]

Don'T have a perfect plan.

[E]

We're just doing our best.

[A]

We're just laughing our way through it. Yeah.

[C]

You guys had an idea, you created something, and now you're making a significant change. And that was something I was going to ask you about because I know often that I will feel when I look at the world and I see a lot of things happening and the injustices and just the pain that exist. And I know how small I am. I know how much of a difference I could make or things that I could do differently to help. And there's been moments of my life where it's very much this, Okay, I just have to change it for one person and start there, and you work up. But you guys being in the middle of something that's so huge And a lot of people look at it and say, I can't do anything. There's nothing I can do to help that. But you guys took it and said, okay, there's maybe something we can do. So what made you guys have that just inside of you? And maybe it can inspire somebody else to be like, you know what? I can do that also, because you're doing something I think a lot of people would love to do. They just don't quite know how to take that first step that says I can help one person.

[A]

I love what you said about, like, just the one person keeping your eyes open for, like, how can I make a difference in my everyday life? Who are you rubbing shoulders with? Who are you seeing? I already knew the people that were at the safe house and I was donating money because I started making all the jewelry by myself. Like, I didn't originally think I'm going to work hands on with survivors and teach them to make jewelry. It was like, I'm going to make it all myself and then I'm just going to donate. I'll donate money that I make back into this thing. So it was. But it was like, through the relationships that I had and like, the people around me that I just started getting a little closer and a little closer, asking questions, learning about things, not, not immediately assuming that I knew everything. Because I'm the type of person who I'm like, I'll throw myself under the bus right away and be like, I don't know anything. Teach me what you know. So if you're willing to just ask questions, you'll start to learn what are the needs that are around me. And then as far as human trafficking goes, like, we do have people ask us all the time, like, how can we get involved with what you're doing and how can we help? And so we actually started a program called the Survivor Support Club, which is every month, the ladies are making jewelry all the time. And, like, we have events that we do or around Christmas time, we'll sell a lot. And we have a lot of boutiques across the United States that carry our jewelry. But those orders come in sporadically. Like, we never know when a boutique is going to run out of bracelets and need more. So in order to keep the ladies we're working with consistently working, we have the Survivor Support Club for people who are like, I want to help these ladies and I want to help them all the time. So you get a brand new piece of jewelry every month. So we make these rings. These are like little fidget here, I'll bring them up here. They're like fidget style rings. So I've got one on my thumb and you just roll them around. They're like an anxiety relief kind of thing. So sometimes we'll send out those and then other times we'll send out bracelets. So they'll come on these little cards that are attached and then it says this is Yasmin. So it'll have the name of the survivor that made it, but we'll send out like a new one of those every single month to the people in the club. And either they keep the ones they like or save them up to give them away as gifts for birthdays or at Christmas time or whatever. But it's a way that people can support survivors every month and it's $25. And instead of just giving into the to a charity like how I was doing when I first started the business, what this does is it actually provides a job and it helps the survivors feel empowered. They don't feel like people feel bad for them. They feel like people are appreciating the work that they're doing and they want what ladies are making. And that is I think the life changing piece for them.

[C]

Yeah, that's such a key to all of this is that they don't feel like it's this helping hand and they feel about themselves a certain way. You guys are lifting them up by giving them an opportunity to do what they probably want to do, which is work and take care of themselves. And they just don't have that access yet.

[D]

Time for a sofa upgrade. Visit washablesofas.com and discover Annabe where designer style meets budget friendly prices. With sofas starting at $699, Annabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anibe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye to stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus our pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality. For price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30 day money back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop [e-mail] Authors are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[B]

Hey, everyone. Ed Helms here. And hi, I'm Cal Penn, and we're the hosts of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Jenny Garth, host of the I Heart podcast. I choose me to discuss the new Audible adaptation of the timeless Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. This is not a trick question. There's no wrong answer. What role would I play?

[D]

You know what?

[C]

I can see you as Mr. Darcy.

[D]

You got a little call in first.

[B]

Okay, that's really sweet. I appreciate that, but are you sure I'm not the dad? I'm not Mr. Bennett.

[A]

Here.

[B]

Listen to Earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Limu Key Hoo and Doug. Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Libert Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[C]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[B]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Savings Fairy, underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates, excludes Massachusetts.

[E]

It's just cool to see. So it's specifically the ladies we work with.

[A]

They live in.

[E]

It's a program called Hope Against Trafficking. And so they. It's like a group. They all get their own little apartment, but they can come together as well. So it's funny because we'll come back and they'll, like, deem each other. We decided Jill's the manager.

[A]

Like, she.

[E]

So Jill is, in their eyes, the most responsible one that, like, keeps the other ladies on track. Like, we never gave them these job titles. Like, they, like, make this up amongst themselves, and it's just so funny. And we teach them how to fill out, like, timesheets, and then the house helps them get bank accounts and start.

[A]

Start saving.

[E]

So it's like a whole. Like, it's not just making jewelry. They're, like, learning responsibility. They're learning, like, time management. We actually this year had them start interning with us. So we have two interns.

[A]

So survivors run the business.

[E]

Yeah, they get dropped off here at our office, and they sit with us. So we go to the safe house. But now we have survivors that come here to our office, and they learn, like, inventory and, like, all the things that we do for our business. So that's awesome, too, because this is.

[A]

Where I get my beads, right? This is how I pick them out. This is what A great gemstone looks like. Yeah.

[E]

All of the other things that it.

[A]

Takes to run a business so that.

[E]

They'Re like learning these skills. They can use us on a resume in the future. And it just. Our relationship is stronger with them.

[A]

It's just amazing.

[E]

We love it.

[A]

Yeah. Wow.

[C]

That's incredible. Because you guys aren't just help. Not only now are you guys just helping them to have a step up. You're now like, let me make sure that when you leave here, you're going to be prepared for whatever comes next. And that's so rare that exists. You guys have that compassion and then that setup in your business to do something that is truly making the world better. And that's what's so cool. And that's why I love working with you guys, because I. There's so many people in the world who are always like, I have a business, but I can't do that or I can't do this. You guys literally took a business and said, watch us and we're gonna change the world for these people. And I think that's more powerful than anything you guys could probably ever do with the jewelry itself. But just the momentum you're creating in a. You're really paving a path for what non profit work can look like.

[A]

Thank you so much. Yeah, we're trying.

[E]

We're trying.

[A]

Yeah, we're trying. I'll be honest with you. It does take more energy, effort, and patience to work with people who have been deeply traumatized. Oh. And I think that it. I don't know that. I don't know if it does. It's more of a mindset of this is for them. Less about the profit, more about the person. Yeah.

[E]

We both, we always say, if it wasn't for them, we would throw this.

[A]

Business in the trash.

[E]

Get out of here.

[A]

I don't even care about jewelry. I'm like, I, like, learn how to do all this. God was like, you should do this. And I'm like, okay. Like, I was not excited. No. I don't even like making. No. It is a pure love for them that keeps us going because like she.

[E]

Said, it is very tough. There's lots of times we have to have them redo stuff or like we have just.

[A]

I won't go into it, but have a hard time remembering some of the things where it's like these details where this color bead goes with this color packaging. And we're like, okay, let's sit down. We'll show you again. This one goes here.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

But we understand and we care about what they have gone through, and we'll. We will make time for that. And what I have found to be very interesting in my own life now, after working with survivors for so long and, like, understanding their. The trauma brain that they have, I have met other people in different, like, avenues of my life who I will experience some similar interactions with them. And I'm like, you have trauma brain. Like, I'm not gonna say that to them, but I will. I have, like, way more compassion and understanding for people where I'm just like, I can take more time with them and give them more space to be who they need to be for a minute without being frustrated or, like, on the go. Like, I'm a woman about town. No, like, people. People matter. So. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know if you've. That. We've never really talked about that, but have you had, like, more compassion for people in your life now that we've been working with these ladies? Yeah.

[E]

I feel like it just opened our eyes to, like, just be looking and careful with people and not so ir, like, irritated.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Or, like, patience comes to mind. It sounds like you're. It's really learned a lot of patience.

[A]

Yeah, absolutely.

[C]

You mentioned that you guys don't like making jewelry. And it's really funny because up until you guys, I really didn't wear a lot of jewelry. I was not a big jewelry wearer. I didn't buy jewelry. It's just I'm always so uncomfy wearing a lot of stuff. And you guys had sent me the first package so many years ago now. And your guys. This is really solely the whole reason why I started to wear jewelry again. And I'm not wearing any now because I'm very loud when I wear jewelry. I'm not very graceful.

[A]

It's very around you. Yeah.

[C]

You always hear me coming. But I wear mine all the time. Like my bracelets.

[A]

We love you. Yeah. She sends me screenshots. Okay.

[E]

Spotted Morgan in Florida with her boyfriend.

[C]

XOXO Gossip Girl.

[A]

I love you so much. And I love you.

[E]

It's true.

[A]

I really sent her that spot it.

[E]

I do it all the time.

[A]

I'm psychotic.

[C]

I am honored. No, you're not psychotic. I'm honored. I. And I really enjoy wearing them, and I've gifted them to a whole lot of people who now also wear them. You guys are one of my just favorite products in general. And full disclosure, I am one of their brand angels. But it's never been anything I've made Money from that was something that wasn't important to me. When you guys sent. That was. I just wanted to be part of what you guys were doing. And the way that I can help is share my platform and have hopefully people also care about things that I care about and that's just one of them. Give back gifts are like my favorite thing in the world and you guys are the top of that list for me.

[E]

Yeah, no, we love you. You are an absolute angel. You're the brand angel of all brand angels. And we know you care about like she cares about animals, she cares about the elderly, she cares about survivors. Like she is just, just an angel in general. Thank you so much. Yeah, you never expected anything. We're like, we'll pay you in jewels.

[A]

Jewels in your crown.

[E]

Yeah, jewels in your crown.

[C]

You guys have single handedly restored my entire jewelry box. So it is a thanks to you guys.

[A]

You know what, I. I love what you said about using your platform because circling back to the question where you asked of what can people do? I feel and it doesn't have to be like, for us, like anybody, please be a brand angel for us. But I feel like using your platform for good in that way, for whatever social issue you care about or whatever you want to make a difference in is such a huge deal. It's a really beautiful outside of myself outlook to have on life of. Okay, so if somebody is looking at me, what am I pointing them to? Am I pointing them more towards more of me or am I trying to make a difference in the world? So I appreciate that heart and I feel like that is something that if somebody's looking for in a very easy way to make a difference, like that could be just post something nice for a cause that you care about. Share something that you've learned that is helpful, that is meaningful and impactful for somewhere, somebody in the world. Yeah, awesome.

[C]

I appreciate that. And that's honestly not even why I said it. It's more that I just. There's so many people who. I also think there's this narrative too where people are like, if you do it for this, then why don't you do it here? Or here's the counterbalance and take care of this. And I just don't think that's what it's about. I think the coolest part of existing and being a human is that you get to care about the things that you care about and it's up to you to take care of those things that you do want to care about. So how are you going to do that? Are you going to use your voice? Are you going to talk to people about it? Are you going to scream it from the rooftops? What does that look like to you? And I think you guys are also living proof that if you just find a cause that you're passionate about, you can make changes and you can do things to support. Trying to fix everything in the world is never going to work. So find something that you care about and focus on that.

[A]

Yeah, it's overwhelming too. And that's a really great way to get burned out is to try to do everything.

[E]

Yeah, it's impossible.

[A]

Yeah, you can't. So I feel comfortable and good with that and just knowing I'm making a difference in this corner of the world. And when I have a chance to help in other areas, I absolutely will. But I don't want to get stretched too thin. Like I've got my family, my own mental health. If I dig into everything, I think I would just lose my mind. Human trafficking is heavy enough, but I can't even fix that by myself. Right?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And I do think that's why a lot of people don't get involved in stuff because it's like, what do I even pick? And there's the guilt and the shame of, oh man, if I'm not doing this, but I focus more on this now you're, you're just like feel bad. I don't. Yeah, I agree with you. I don't think people should feel bad about picking something that, that they're passionate about. And it's make a difference in one area is better than not doing anything at all. And be okay with that. Be good with. I'm helping these people and I don't know, I'm like watching my kids watch me in their littles. My oldest is 13, so I've explained to him what human trafficking is a little bit like, but without all of the horrifyingness that goes into that. And then like my 7 year old, I'm just, I just explained to her that it's modern day slavery. Mom and Aunt Shannon are helping people who have been enslaved and we're helping them be free. And this, what does that mean? I'm like, picture like the worst job in the whole world, but like not getting paid for it and never being able to have fun ever, ever. That's the ladies that we're working with and she's, that's really horrible, Mom. And I'm like, I know, but we're gonna help change that.

[C]

And what a cool thing to pass on to your kids though, because that's what creates the world that has more compassion and empathy for people is when we teach the kids things that actually matter. And you're teaching them multiple lessons, not just in those conversations that you're having, but it also you being the image of someone who wants to help and wants to make a difference.

[A]

Yeah. Like Jack, my 13 year old wants to be in the NBA. You know, every naturally, yes, he is very good at basketball. Honestly, I'm like, if anyone can do it, Jack's gonna pull it off because he is very driven and he is very good at basketball. And we were driving down the street the other day and he said, mom, when I'm an NBA player, I'm gonna buy a house for every person. Person that doesn't have a house. Every he. Because we drive past people who are on the sidewalk with their signs and my kids are. That's hard for them. They ask questions about that. They want to understand it. And Jack just decided when I what I'm going to be rich. I'm going to be millionaires. I'm going to buy you a mansion. I'm a buy that guy a mansion.

[C]

I'm like, okay, so it's like mansions for everyone. He'll be the NBA, Oprah.

[A]

But I love that that's his heart because he's. That's where he's at. He's. When I have the resources, this is how I'm gonna make a difference with that. And I'm like, yep, that's great, baby. And I will fully support that. I want one on the beach and you need to have a wing for aunt Shannon and her dog. No, I'm just kidding. But I'm not kidding. So someday, Jack, when you re watch this interview with Morgan, remember.

[C]

Let's just remember all of us, when you become a big star, basically. I always love to end these interviews with it. Whether it's a piece of advice or motivation or maybe something we didn't get to that you guys really feel heavy on your hearts to share and I want one from each of you. So I'm just gonna give you the floor and you guys go from here.

[E]

Sorry.

[C]

I love it.

[A]

Leave it in or edit it out. This is the real us.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

There'S so. There's just so many things I don't know. What do we not talk about?

[E]

Oh, you wanted to talk about this.

[A]

Do you care about talking about? I don't know.

[E]

Do you want us to talk about the ghost bracelet?

[C]

You totally can. Whatever you. It really can be, or it can be like motivation of how, how to keep moving forward on doing a business like this. Maybe it's how you keep existing within all of this space. It can truly be whatever. Like you just feel called to talk about. I feel like I don't think I helped you in that, but.

[E]

No, I'll say. Okay, I'm gonna start. You can edit this, so.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

Okay. So can you ask it one more time?

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

So I love to end these podcasts. Whether it's a piece of motivation advice or something that we maybe didn't get to, whatever it may be, I just kind of want to give the floor over to both of you. You each have to share one and that's where I'll leave you. It's totally open ended, so no rules.

[E]

Okay. One that I just discovered like within the last year is that when you're doing like heavy work like this, you really do have to try to protect your peace because it is a lot sometimes. And so I talk to a therapist and I think that like therapy can help a lot of people. I'm not like ashamed. I'm proud that I talked to a therapist and they help me cope with all the heaviness because it can become overwhelming and heavy and sometimes it's like we hear such horrible stories sometimes that it can almost take over and you just have to remember, like, there is hope and just keep going, never give up. And there are people that you can talk to about stuff like that.

[C]

Oh yeah, that's a great universal one. In general, therapy is amazing. Whether you think you need help or you don't think you need anything, it's good for all of it. So I love that. That's a good message. All right, thank you.

[A]

You are awesome. Thanks. I think for me, my encouragement would just be to believe that you are made for something bigger than yourself, that anybody can make a difference. It doesn't matter who you are, where you're coming from, what kind of resources. You don't have to be an NBA player with multi million dollar paycheck. You can start small and take small steps towards making a difference in whatever area. Even if it's just like a teacher at your kid's school that seems like she could use extra help or like classroom supplies or just whatever that area is, take a step and don't be surprised when it changes your life, because it will and it's going to be for the better. I know my life has changed. Yours is the ladies we're working with. It is not just A one way thing. The people that we're working with have absolutely changed who we are and how we see the world. And I'm forever grateful for them, for the things that we've learned.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, that was so good. Yes. You get. These are both great lessons. See, this is why I always end on it, because I can't come back from that. So I loved both of those and I thought they were great. And I just want to thank both of you guys for being here today and sharing your story and talking about these things. And if you guys guys want to go check them out, Ringtrue Co is their website. Correct. I nailed that.

[E]

Ring trueco.com.

[C]

Dang it.

[A]

That's okay.

[E]

You're so cute.

[C]

Oh, so close.

[E]

I love this hashtag brand Angel.

[C]

I always copy paste the right thing, which is sometimes speak wrong. But go check them out and also you can follow them. I'm just gonna have you guys shout it out instead of me trying to.

[A]

Say this one again on Instagram and Facebook. It's the same thing, right?

[E]

Yes.

[A]

At Ring True and then underscore co. Yeah.

[E]

And also stock Morgan's because she's always wearing everything. All the jewels are true.

[C]

Yeah, they are. They always are. Nearly all of my jewelry is. So you can get all the collections that I'm wearing on their website. And we do even have one. Yeah, we do have one together. We have the Morgan bracelet, which is the strength. Is it still the strength one? Purple and blue.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Yes. So I. That one we created out of. I just really not only just honoring all of the human trafficking survivors and their strength to continue moving forward, but also strength is such a big factor in my life and a lot of things that I've gone through, and having the strength to keep moving is so important. So if you need a reminder of that, that was where that bracelet was created out of.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

Thank you both for being here. And I love you both. You're amazing. Keep doing awesome stuff.

[A]

Thank you. We love you too.

[C]

I've always loved a company that's purpose driven and they're trying to make a lasting impact in the world. And that's exactly what Amanda and Shannon are all about, which is why I love working with them so much. If you've ever heard a story or you've talked with your friends about a particular topic, you're like, why don't more people talk about this? Send it to me. Because I am always looking for topics or guests to bring on, and it's important to me that I keep trying to broaden the width of what we do here with take this personally. I just want to make that impact in the world. That's what I'm trying to do here, much like Shannon and Amanda are trying to do with their business. So please send things if you ever hear them and make sure to subscribe to the podcast because that helps me continue to keep doing that. So I love you guys for being here and I will chat with you guys next week. We've got other Morgan coming back on to do some more pop culture conversations and then we have a few more new episodes with some of the residents at Abe's Garden, so you don't want to miss a thing.

[B]

Hey audiobook lovers. I'm Cal Penn. I'm Ed Helms. Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from Audible. Listen to Hearsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart Followersay, and start listening on the free iHeartRadio app. Today the day begins at the Chase Sapphire Lounge by the club at Boston Logan Airport. You get the clam chowder in San Diego, it's Tostadas New York Espresso Martini. It's 10:00am why not? It's the quiet before your next flight, the shower that resets your day, the menu that lets you know where you are. This is access to over 31300 airport lounges and every Sapphire Lounge by the club. And one card that gets you in Chase Sapphire Reserve, the most rewarding card. Learn [e-mail] Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan, Chase bank and a member FDIC subject to credit approval. Get ready to power up your play with Nintendo Switch 2. Power up the visuals with 4K support and a bigger, more vivid screen. Power up the fun with exclusive new games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong bonanza. Nintendo Switch 2 all together anytime anywhere. Games rated E to E10 games and systems sold separately. Compatible TV required for 4K display.

[E]

This is an iHeart podcast.