1 00:00:05,606 --> 00:00:10,645 Speaker 1: You're listening to a mother mea podcast. 2 00:00:11,046 --> 00:00:14,525 Speaker 2: Hello, old friend, I'm Annalie Todd, host of Mumma MIA's 3 00:00:14,605 --> 00:00:17,366 Speaker 2: new podcast, She Built That, and I'm dropping into you. 4 00:00:17,446 --> 00:00:19,765 Speaker 2: That's incredible feed because I think you're going to love 5 00:00:19,806 --> 00:00:23,166 Speaker 2: this just like That's Incredible. It's a co listening podcast 6 00:00:23,206 --> 00:00:25,526 Speaker 2: for you to enjoy with your kids. She Built That 7 00:00:25,726 --> 00:00:29,126 Speaker 2: is all about courageous women who've turned their dreams into reality. 8 00:00:29,326 --> 00:00:32,286 Speaker 2: These women didn't just dream big, they built their futures. 9 00:00:32,606 --> 00:00:36,846 Speaker 2: Each episode, I sit down with inspiring female entrepreneurs, athletes, 10 00:00:36,885 --> 00:00:40,646 Speaker 2: and game changers who've created something extraordinary from the ground up. 11 00:00:40,845 --> 00:00:44,525 Speaker 2: We take you on a journey through storytelling with beautiful soundscapes, 12 00:00:44,845 --> 00:00:47,446 Speaker 2: diving deep into their winds, the hard times, and the 13 00:00:47,446 --> 00:00:50,965 Speaker 2: moments that sparked everything for them. So gather up the kids, 14 00:00:51,126 --> 00:00:53,605 Speaker 2: stick around, and if you love what you hear, make 15 00:00:53,645 --> 00:00:55,965 Speaker 2: sure you subscribe to She Built That wherever you get 16 00:00:55,965 --> 00:01:05,366 Speaker 2: your podcasts for more incredible episodes. Enjoy. Hello Future Bill, 17 00:01:05,846 --> 00:01:09,206 Speaker 2: and welcome to She Built That, the podcast where we 18 00:01:09,286 --> 00:01:13,325 Speaker 2: discover incredible women who didn't just dream big, they built 19 00:01:13,326 --> 00:01:18,126 Speaker 2: their futures. Each episode, we celebrate extraordinary girls who turn 20 00:01:18,206 --> 00:01:19,766 Speaker 2: their big ideas. 21 00:01:19,286 --> 00:01:21,766 Speaker 3: Into real change, one step at a time. 22 00:01:22,126 --> 00:01:25,606 Speaker 2: I'm your host, Annalise Todd, Mumma Mere's lifestyle writer and 23 00:01:25,686 --> 00:01:29,766 Speaker 2: for today you're cheerleader with the really bright shoelacers. But 24 00:01:29,846 --> 00:01:33,166 Speaker 2: before we lace up for today's inspiring story, can you 25 00:01:33,246 --> 00:01:35,606 Speaker 2: guess which brilliant builder we're focusing on? 26 00:01:37,446 --> 00:01:38,006 Speaker 3: Mom and Dad? 27 00:01:38,046 --> 00:01:39,806 Speaker 2: Switch on now you don't want to get shown up 28 00:01:39,806 --> 00:01:44,766 Speaker 2: here Clue number one. This young advocate started a project 29 00:01:44,846 --> 00:01:48,526 Speaker 2: with nothing but rainbow beads, a big heart, and a 30 00:01:48,606 --> 00:01:52,806 Speaker 2: simple idea to make every kid feel safe being themselves. 31 00:01:55,326 --> 00:01:56,246 Speaker 3: Clue number two. 32 00:01:57,046 --> 00:02:00,326 Speaker 2: She launched her movement from her kitchen table, and now 33 00:02:00,366 --> 00:02:04,086 Speaker 2: her message of pride and inclusion has reached schools across 34 00:02:04,126 --> 00:02:10,966 Speaker 2: Australia and beyond. Clue number three. She believes that kindness 35 00:02:11,006 --> 00:02:15,125 Speaker 2: doesn't always have to shout. Sometimes it's quietly tied on 36 00:02:15,206 --> 00:02:16,686 Speaker 2: in the morning before school. 37 00:02:17,726 --> 00:02:18,446 Speaker 3: Got a guess. 38 00:02:23,286 --> 00:02:26,406 Speaker 2: If you said Abby Jane, then your pride flag is 39 00:02:26,525 --> 00:02:31,566 Speaker 2: waving high. Today we're talking about teen advocate and founder 40 00:02:31,606 --> 00:02:35,886 Speaker 2: of the Rainbow Shoelace Project Abby Jane, who's helping thousands 41 00:02:35,925 --> 00:02:38,246 Speaker 2: of kids walk proudly in their own shoes. 42 00:02:38,566 --> 00:02:40,806 Speaker 3: So pull on your brightest laces. 43 00:02:40,566 --> 00:02:44,726 Speaker 2: And after the break will step into Abby's world of kindness, courage, 44 00:02:44,766 --> 00:02:57,685 Speaker 2: and color. The hallways buzzed with morning chatter, shoes squeaking 45 00:02:57,685 --> 00:03:02,565 Speaker 2: on thenleum floors, But Abby Jane heart knocking like a 46 00:03:02,606 --> 00:03:06,805 Speaker 2: tap shoe checked her shoes one more time, rainbow laces 47 00:03:06,846 --> 00:03:10,326 Speaker 2: shining bright. It took courage to show up like this, 48 00:03:10,965 --> 00:03:14,805 Speaker 2: particularly in a country town like Broken Hill. Would her 49 00:03:14,846 --> 00:03:19,166 Speaker 2: friends notice, would teachers understand? Would anyone care that the 50 00:03:19,286 --> 00:03:23,126 Speaker 2: colorful beads threaded onto her shoelaces meant the world to 51 00:03:23,206 --> 00:03:27,486 Speaker 2: one girl and secretly to so many others, And in 52 00:03:27,566 --> 00:03:31,246 Speaker 2: classic schoolyard style, would someone try to swap her veggiemight 53 00:03:31,326 --> 00:03:39,246 Speaker 2: sandwich for it at lunch? Pictured this a creative kid 54 00:03:39,246 --> 00:03:44,246 Speaker 2: in Australia, loving stories, games and color, never quite seeing 55 00:03:44,286 --> 00:03:45,726 Speaker 2: families or friendships like. 56 00:03:45,686 --> 00:03:47,206 Speaker 3: Hers in posters or on TV. 57 00:03:48,206 --> 00:03:51,326 Speaker 2: Abbey noticed early on that not every classroom or soccer 58 00:03:51,326 --> 00:03:55,326 Speaker 2: field welcomed kids equally, So she asked, what if there 59 00:03:55,366 --> 00:03:58,126 Speaker 2: was a simple way to show someone that they belonged, 60 00:03:58,566 --> 00:03:59,326 Speaker 2: no matter. 61 00:03:59,046 --> 00:04:03,126 Speaker 3: What socks or secrets? They showed up with the rainbow flag. 62 00:04:03,446 --> 00:04:07,166 Speaker 1: I mean, it's mainly known as the Pride flag because 63 00:04:07,206 --> 00:04:11,126 Speaker 1: it is the LGBTQI plus flag. But in my opinion, 64 00:04:11,286 --> 00:04:14,845 Speaker 1: I think my rainbow beads were a symbol to anyone 65 00:04:14,926 --> 00:04:17,926 Speaker 1: who had ever felt different that they could be safe 66 00:04:17,926 --> 00:04:19,806 Speaker 1: and they could be who they are with me. I 67 00:04:20,366 --> 00:04:24,286 Speaker 1: had originally had rainbow colored beads on my shoelaces because 68 00:04:24,286 --> 00:04:27,005 Speaker 1: it was just a small way to show who I 69 00:04:27,126 --> 00:04:30,965 Speaker 1: was to the world, and others could identify seeing those 70 00:04:31,086 --> 00:04:35,005 Speaker 1: rainbows on my shoes and know that they were supported 71 00:04:35,246 --> 00:04:38,046 Speaker 1: by me, And my hope was that I would make 72 00:04:38,086 --> 00:04:40,406 Speaker 1: people feel less alone. 73 00:04:40,846 --> 00:04:43,286 Speaker 2: From the get go, Abby was a builder of bridges. 74 00:04:43,565 --> 00:04:46,686 Speaker 2: While some were building lego castles. Well, Abby was doing 75 00:04:46,765 --> 00:04:50,525 Speaker 2: that as well, but also building connections, sometimes with literal 76 00:04:50,606 --> 00:04:56,445 Speaker 2: knots and bows, asking questions grown ups still haven't figured out, 77 00:04:56,565 --> 00:04:59,366 Speaker 2: like if my laces a rainbow, will people know I 78 00:04:59,486 --> 00:05:03,525 Speaker 2: like rainbows or just think I'm really into unicorns? Why 79 00:05:03,565 --> 00:05:06,006 Speaker 2: isn't there a club for kids who make friends sharing 80 00:05:06,046 --> 00:05:07,165 Speaker 2: this stationary at lunch? 81 00:05:07,966 --> 00:05:09,446 Speaker 3: Or can kindness go. 82 00:05:09,526 --> 00:05:12,366 Speaker 2: Viral if you leave cookie crumbs on the Instagram photo. 83 00:05:13,366 --> 00:05:16,965 Speaker 1: When I first started the Rainbow Shoelace project, I was 84 00:05:17,086 --> 00:05:20,205 Speaker 1: really lost as to how I would spread my message 85 00:05:20,246 --> 00:05:23,246 Speaker 1: because I was so far away from the rest of 86 00:05:23,286 --> 00:05:26,126 Speaker 1: the world. In such a tiny town, I felt really 87 00:05:26,325 --> 00:05:30,886 Speaker 1: isolated and I had such huge ideas but didn't know 88 00:05:30,926 --> 00:05:33,285 Speaker 1: how to make them a reality. 89 00:05:33,846 --> 00:05:36,926 Speaker 2: At first, rainbow lacers seemed like a tiny thing, a 90 00:05:37,046 --> 00:05:41,726 Speaker 2: quiet way to show support for LGBTQIA plus classmates or 91 00:05:41,806 --> 00:05:45,126 Speaker 2: kids who felt different. But soon friends were swapping out 92 00:05:45,166 --> 00:05:50,326 Speaker 2: their regular lasers too. Teachers ask questions, parents noticed to 93 00:05:50,526 --> 00:05:53,005 Speaker 2: that parent at the schoolgate, thinking I just bought new 94 00:05:53,046 --> 00:05:53,886 Speaker 2: shoes yesterday. 95 00:05:56,565 --> 00:05:58,726 Speaker 3: Before long, the Rainbow. 96 00:05:58,325 --> 00:06:01,966 Speaker 2: Shoelace Project was more than a local crace, it was 97 00:06:02,046 --> 00:06:06,926 Speaker 2: a movement. Abby Hand wrote notes, packaged b shared stories, 98 00:06:07,366 --> 00:06:10,526 Speaker 2: she posted on socials, and the colors spread. 99 00:06:10,846 --> 00:06:15,206 Speaker 1: And big help was social media. Starting a social media page, 100 00:06:15,565 --> 00:06:19,246 Speaker 1: spreading not only the Rainbow Shoelace project but my own 101 00:06:19,325 --> 00:06:24,085 Speaker 1: personal story really connected with people, and also reaching out 102 00:06:24,166 --> 00:06:28,526 Speaker 1: to celebrities and influencers who had a high following so 103 00:06:28,565 --> 00:06:31,605 Speaker 1: they could promote my project so then more people could 104 00:06:31,606 --> 00:06:36,166 Speaker 1: know about it. That in itself is enough to help 105 00:06:36,206 --> 00:06:38,645 Speaker 1: people see that no matter who you are, how old 106 00:06:38,686 --> 00:06:41,046 Speaker 1: you are, where you're from, you can make such a 107 00:06:41,126 --> 00:06:45,046 Speaker 1: huge difference. But I think my biggest help throughout all 108 00:06:45,086 --> 00:06:48,445 Speaker 1: of that was my mum, She listened to my crazy 109 00:06:48,486 --> 00:06:51,726 Speaker 1: ideas and made it happen, and she believed in me, 110 00:06:52,046 --> 00:06:53,885 Speaker 1: and that is all I could ever ask for. 111 00:06:55,166 --> 00:06:58,526 Speaker 2: Soon her idea reached new towns, new schools, and even 112 00:06:58,565 --> 00:07:01,526 Speaker 2: the media. Abby joins me today she is the founder 113 00:07:01,806 --> 00:07:03,686 Speaker 2: of the Rainbow Shoelace Project. 114 00:07:03,806 --> 00:07:08,606 Speaker 3: Abby's rainbow shoe laces are now worn in almost every country. 115 00:07:08,686 --> 00:07:12,406 Speaker 3: From broken Hill, she has electrified the world. 116 00:07:13,006 --> 00:07:16,486 Speaker 2: Turns out, there's nothing more contagious than kindness with. 117 00:07:16,486 --> 00:07:17,366 Speaker 3: A poff of color. 118 00:07:17,846 --> 00:07:23,246 Speaker 2: But building isn't always easy. Some days it felt like 119 00:07:23,406 --> 00:07:27,606 Speaker 2: nobody noticed, or worse, there were whispers in the hallway. 120 00:07:28,566 --> 00:07:30,605 Speaker 1: There are been a lot of times in the Rainbow 121 00:07:30,646 --> 00:07:33,006 Speaker 1: Shielaise Project where the road has been a bit bumpy. 122 00:07:33,326 --> 00:07:35,686 Speaker 1: I think the most important to remember when making a 123 00:07:35,766 --> 00:07:38,766 Speaker 1: change is that it's not always going to be sunshine 124 00:07:38,766 --> 00:07:42,326 Speaker 1: and rainbows. There are going to be difficult parts of 125 00:07:43,006 --> 00:07:46,526 Speaker 1: changing the world, and for me, I think my biggest 126 00:07:46,566 --> 00:07:51,606 Speaker 1: challenges have been getting negative feedback from people from my school, 127 00:07:51,966 --> 00:07:56,486 Speaker 1: and quite badly, that was really difficult. Trying to maintain 128 00:07:56,726 --> 00:08:00,646 Speaker 1: your confidence and your passion to keep making a change 129 00:08:00,686 --> 00:08:03,446 Speaker 1: while people are trying to tear you down is really difficult. 130 00:08:03,766 --> 00:08:06,006 Speaker 1: But I think, as much as it might be scary, 131 00:08:06,486 --> 00:08:09,045 Speaker 1: the best thing you can do to help yourself feel 132 00:08:09,086 --> 00:08:12,006 Speaker 1: better in those situations is to never stop being who 133 00:08:12,046 --> 00:08:12,326 Speaker 1: you are. 134 00:08:13,326 --> 00:08:18,326 Speaker 2: But Abby kept going, hanging signs, sending out packs, talking 135 00:08:18,366 --> 00:08:21,406 Speaker 2: to principles for the grown ups. Imagine trying to explain 136 00:08:21,446 --> 00:08:24,086 Speaker 2: the postage bill for five hundred rainbow lacers to the 137 00:08:24,126 --> 00:08:29,486 Speaker 2: family accountant. Still, at every turn she found new allies, 138 00:08:30,206 --> 00:08:33,686 Speaker 2: friends who wanted to stand tall, parents who cheered her on, 139 00:08:34,166 --> 00:08:38,286 Speaker 2: even teachers trying to remember how knots work. Step by step, 140 00:08:38,686 --> 00:08:39,726 Speaker 2: lace by lace. 141 00:08:40,086 --> 00:08:41,606 Speaker 3: Her project grew. 142 00:08:43,726 --> 00:08:49,126 Speaker 2: School assemblies dedicated to kindness, sports teams swapping in rainbow 143 00:08:49,206 --> 00:08:54,006 Speaker 2: laces for pride rounds, a classroom full of feet proudly 144 00:08:54,045 --> 00:08:56,606 Speaker 2: mismatched but united in color. 145 00:08:57,045 --> 00:09:00,526 Speaker 1: Seeing people in the wild, as we call it wearing 146 00:09:00,606 --> 00:09:04,766 Speaker 1: rainbow beads is one of my favorite parts of having 147 00:09:04,766 --> 00:09:08,046 Speaker 1: the Rainbow she life project. That is the biggest indication 148 00:09:08,246 --> 00:09:14,726 Speaker 1: to me that my hard work has actually worked. Seeing 149 00:09:14,806 --> 00:09:19,886 Speaker 1: people who I don't know just casually wearing rainbow beads. 150 00:09:20,126 --> 00:09:23,325 Speaker 1: I think about how far my message is spread, from 151 00:09:23,566 --> 00:09:26,685 Speaker 1: the tiny town of Broken Hill to the rest of 152 00:09:26,726 --> 00:09:29,685 Speaker 1: the world. And even though I'm the founder of the 153 00:09:29,766 --> 00:09:33,286 Speaker 1: Rainbow Shoe Lace Project. It still makes me feel so 154 00:09:33,526 --> 00:09:36,006 Speaker 1: safe and seen and reminds me to look up when 155 00:09:36,045 --> 00:09:39,206 Speaker 1: I see other people wearing rainbow beads. 156 00:09:40,086 --> 00:09:43,726 Speaker 2: Today, Abby Jane is still a high school student, but 157 00:09:43,966 --> 00:09:47,565 Speaker 2: also a founder, mentor, and inspiration. 158 00:09:48,285 --> 00:09:50,526 Speaker 3: She didn't wait to be a grown up to build 159 00:09:50,566 --> 00:09:51,246 Speaker 3: something bold. 160 00:09:51,726 --> 00:09:55,565 Speaker 2: She was just twelve when she created her own rainbow walkway, 161 00:09:56,246 --> 00:10:00,846 Speaker 2: one person, one story, one pair of laces at a time. 162 00:10:02,006 --> 00:10:03,166 Speaker 3: So what would Abby say. 163 00:10:03,006 --> 00:10:06,806 Speaker 2: To anyone who feels invisible who small to make a difference. 164 00:10:07,326 --> 00:10:11,486 Speaker 1: My advice for anyone who has an idea that they 165 00:10:11,486 --> 00:10:14,926 Speaker 1: are passionate about that they want to pursue is to 166 00:10:15,526 --> 00:10:18,846 Speaker 1: never dull down your personality. People who are going to 167 00:10:18,886 --> 00:10:24,325 Speaker 1: support you find so much joy in seeing people be themselves. 168 00:10:24,606 --> 00:10:27,486 Speaker 1: Being able to give something for people to relate to 169 00:10:28,326 --> 00:10:33,726 Speaker 1: is super beautiful and accepting that things won't always go 170 00:10:33,806 --> 00:10:37,046 Speaker 1: your way. But as long as you continue to keep 171 00:10:37,086 --> 00:10:40,446 Speaker 1: your passion and your love for what you believe in, 172 00:10:41,126 --> 00:10:44,285 Speaker 1: that's when it all will become true. Anyone who is 173 00:10:44,326 --> 00:10:49,806 Speaker 1: feeling different or left out, except that your difference is 174 00:10:49,806 --> 00:10:54,846 Speaker 1: your superpower. Your difference is what makes you so beautiful. 175 00:10:55,646 --> 00:10:58,405 Speaker 1: When a person shows who they are to the world. 176 00:10:59,045 --> 00:11:03,526 Speaker 1: The world becomes a better place because being different isn't 177 00:11:03,566 --> 00:11:05,846 Speaker 1: something that you should be ashamed of. It's something that 178 00:11:05,926 --> 00:11:10,085 Speaker 1: you should embrace and is something that is going to 179 00:11:10,126 --> 00:11:11,246 Speaker 1: help change the world. 180 00:11:15,045 --> 00:11:19,246 Speaker 2: So remember, the world doesn't change because one person runs 181 00:11:19,285 --> 00:11:20,006 Speaker 2: the fastest. 182 00:11:20,886 --> 00:11:23,046 Speaker 3: It changes because ordinary. 183 00:11:22,606 --> 00:11:28,006 Speaker 2: People put their best foot forward, literally and figuratively. So 184 00:11:28,646 --> 00:11:31,886 Speaker 2: next time you tie your shoes or see a rainbow 185 00:11:31,926 --> 00:11:36,165 Speaker 2: in an unexpected place, think of Abby Jane, the girl 186 00:11:36,206 --> 00:11:39,846 Speaker 2: who built a brighter world one not at a time. 187 00:11:40,405 --> 00:11:43,606 Speaker 2: Building kindness is something anyone can do and you don't 188 00:11:43,606 --> 00:11:46,805 Speaker 2: even need matching socks. And as parents out there know, 189 00:11:47,126 --> 00:11:50,846 Speaker 2: mismatched socks are a sign of genius, not laundry failure. 190 00:11:51,326 --> 00:11:55,966 Speaker 2: Just trust us, don't ask questions. Your challenge this week 191 00:11:56,606 --> 00:11:59,326 Speaker 2: find one small thing you can do to make someone 192 00:11:59,366 --> 00:12:02,206 Speaker 2: else feel noticed, supported. 193 00:12:02,165 --> 00:12:03,205 Speaker 3: Or celebrated. 194 00:12:04,086 --> 00:12:07,405 Speaker 2: Tie a note to a friend's bad share a favorite song, 195 00:12:07,886 --> 00:12:09,725 Speaker 2: or just offer a smile to someone. 196 00:12:09,526 --> 00:12:10,446 Speaker 3: Having a rough day. 197 00:12:10,886 --> 00:12:15,406 Speaker 2: The biggest ways of change start with one small, intentional ripple. 198 00:12:17,766 --> 00:12:21,646 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to she built that. And remember, incredible 199 00:12:21,686 --> 00:12:26,046 Speaker 2: girls don't just dream big, they build their futures. Today's 200 00:12:26,086 --> 00:12:28,925 Speaker 2: episode was written by Tom Lyon, who also did our 201 00:12:28,966 --> 00:12:33,565 Speaker 2: sound design. Our executive producer is Courtney Ammenhauser. The producer 202 00:12:33,646 --> 00:12:37,285 Speaker 2: is Tina Mattilov, and I'm your host, Annalie Todd. See 203 00:12:37,285 --> 00:12:40,206 Speaker 2: you next time when we meet a woman whose path 204 00:12:40,366 --> 00:12:43,446 Speaker 2: quite literally launched her into the stratosphere. 205 00:12:43,846 --> 00:12:44,446 Speaker 3: Bye. 206 00:12:44,926 --> 00:12:46,926 Speaker 1: But as long as you keep being who you are, 207 00:12:47,566 --> 00:12:50,086 Speaker 1: you will be unstoppable and you will be able to 208 00:12:50,206 --> 00:12:50,966 Speaker 1: change the world. 209 00:12:51,126 --> 00:12:57,766 Speaker 3: Okay, well you just made me cry so wow, thank you. 210 00:12:57,846 --> 00:12:59,886 Speaker 3: I actually can't even see right now. 211 00:13:00,045 --> 00:13:08,446 Speaker 2: Okay, Mania acknowledges the traditional owners of the land. We 212 00:13:08,526 --> 00:13:11,886 Speaker 2: have recorded this podcast on the Gadigul people of the 213 00:13:11,966 --> 00:13:15,686 Speaker 2: Eor Nation. We pay our respects to their elders past 214 00:13:15,726 --> 00:13:19,326 Speaker 2: and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and 215 00:13:19,405 --> 00:13:20,926 Speaker 2: torrest Rate islander cultures.