Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to the live-inspired podcast Monday morning moments with John O'Leary.

Question for you as we kick off this episode,

do you think beautiful things can grow out of horrible events?

Recently, I was introduced to a young man who exudes a youthful happy energy and whose mission in life, despite being rooted in an experience that is anything

but filled me with joy.

Let me tell you more about him.

Back in July 2009, when Matthew Butts was just nine years old, he lost his aunt Teresa

to an unthinkable crime.

An event that shook not only Seattle where the crime took place, but also captured

the nation's attention and sent shockwaves through St. Louis, where Teresa had grown up

and where the majority of her extended family still resided.

After witnessing the emotionally powerful singing from Teresa's

musically inclined family and partner at her funeral, Teresa's lifelong best friends were inspired

to record them. Their aim was simple. Let's capture the power in the music they heard to help

others heal from the effects of sexual violence.

And thus began the Angel Band Project.

It's a national non-for-profit providing the first ever music therapy program of its kind designed to support victims of sexual intimate partner violence.

So the question you might be thinking is why music therapy?

Because it is an evidence-based, recognized therapy

that helps serve as a bridge for survivors,

allowing them to address emotions that are often difficult to articulate.

And to date, the angel band has provided therapy to nearly 1,000 survivors,

...