Category: Podcasts

Episode 16: Kindness is Teaching Karate

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Fifteen-year-old Jeffrey Wall has already accomplished so much—A black belt in Karate and inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Jeffrey talks to Anitha about how he got into karate and what inspired him to share his passion for martial arts with residents of nursing homes. He teaches them the fun and importance of staying fit.

The global pandemic has brought hardship to many, including those in long-term care facilities. Jeffrey hopes his act of kindness helps alleviate some of that stress, as he continues to find innovative ways to connect with residents of nursing homes during these difficult times.

As a thank you to Jeffrey for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Polished Girlz, a non-profit organization that brings ‘sparkle to the lives of girls with special needs or frequent hospitalizations by bringing the trendiest nail art parties to them’

Polished Girlz was created by Jeffrey’s sister, Alanna. Clearly, kindness runs in this family.

To learn more about Polished Girlz, click here: https://polishedgirlz.org/

And to learn more about Jeffrey and watch some of his amazing fitness videos, click here: https://www.facebook.com/GoldenAgeKarate/

Episode 15: Kindness is Explorer Hop

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On previous episodes, Anitha has interviewed several kids who have participated in a program called Explorer Hop. This innovative program brings together children of all ages and teaches them to become young entrepreneurs. In addition to learning about the ins and outs of creating a business, such as choosing a name, collaborating with others, and marketing, they are also taught about kindness and giving back. A portion (often 100%) of the funds earned through the business are donated to charities.

On this episode, Anitha talks to the co-creater of Explorer Hop, thirteen-year-old Mirabella Kolodkin. Mirabella shares the inspiration for the business she and her mother created, as well as some of the fun businesses she has been involved with.

As a thank you to Mirabella for sharing her story, Anitha donated to World Wildlife Fund Canada. To learn more about World Wildlife Fund, click here: https://wwf.ca/

To learn more about Explorer Hop, click here: https://explorerhop.com/

Episode 14: Kindness Is Creating Good Karma

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Eleven-year-old Will and seventeen-year old Jada Finch share their inspiring story of turning personal heartache into helping animals. When Will was 7 and Jada was 12, the family adopted an adorable puppy they named Karma Rose. Sadly, within a few short weeks, Karma died from canine parvo-virus. Despite being devastated at the loss of his beloved puppy, Will decided to honor Karma on his 8th birthday. In lieu of gifts, he requested donations of money and pet supplies to donate to a local animal rescue. And soon after, Good Will Good Karma was born.

Will and Jada talk to Anitha about their amazing initiative to raise money and awareness to help animals. This podcast is a must for anyone who loves animals and wants to hear uplifting stories of how this incredible brother and sister team have dedicated their lives to helping animals.

As a thank you for sharing their story, Anitha donated to All Paws Cat Rescue. To learn more about this rescue, click here: http://allpawsrescue.weebly.com/

To learn more about Will, Jada and Good Will Good Karma, and all the kind and wonderful things they do, click here: https://www.facebook.com/goodwillgoodkarma/

Will and Jada spoke about several animal rescues they are involved with. To learn more about these rescues, click on the links below:

Northern Connection Rescue: https://www.facebook.com/northernpaws18/

Fetch & Releash Dog Rescue: https://www.fetchandreleash.ca/

Episode 13: Kindness Is Creating Card Games

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In this episode, Anitha chats with Zachary Backman, another young entrepreneur from the Explorer Hop program. Zachary shares his fun story of creating a card game full of mythical creatures. A portion of the proceeds Zachary raised from the sale of his card game went to Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.

As a thank you for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Food For Thought. To learn about this charity and all they do, click on this link: https://www.foodforthought.cafe/

To learn about Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, please click on this link: https://www.cafdn.org/

To learn more about Explorer Hop and the programs they offer, please check out their website: https://explorerhop.com/

Episode 12: Kindness Is Telling Jokes

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This is such a fun episode. Six-year-old Callaghan McLaughlin talks about how he spent the summer of 2020.

Callaghan set up a table at the bottom of his driveway and shared jokes with those who passed by. He talks to Anitha about his favorite part of telling jokes and even shares a couple of jokes on the episode!

Callaghan is proof that everyone, regardless of how young or old they are, can bring joy and kindness to others.

Anitha learned about Callaghan from author Erin Silver’s book, What Kids Did: Stories of Kindness and Invention in the Time of COVID-19. To learn more about Erin and the books she writes, please visit her website: http://www.erinsilver.ca/

As a thank you for sharing his story and his jokes, Anitha donated to Wires Wildlife Rescue. To learn more about this wonderful charity, please click on this link: https://www.wires.org.au/

Episode 11: Kindness Is Creating Opportunities

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Community service and helping others have always been a part of sixteen-year old, Arhan Chabbra’s life. In 2019 he started tutoring children in a village in India. Though he enjoyed helping these children, he wanted to do more for them. This spurred him to create APPVIDYA, followed by COVIDYA.

In this inspiring episode, Arhan shares details about these two projects, his goals as well as the rewards and challenges of his amazing initiatives.

To learn more about Arhan’s projects, please click on this link—https://www.projectcovidya.com/

As a thank you for sharing his story of kindness, Anitha donated to help purchase a computer tablet for disadvantaged children. This was done through CASP, a charity Arhan has partnered with. To learn more about CASP, please click on this link— https://www.caspindia.org/

Anitha is grateful to author Erin Silver for connecting her with Arhan. Anitha learned about Arhan from Erin’s book, What Kid Did: Stories of Kindness and Invention in the Time of COVID-19. To learn more about Erin and the books she writes, please visit her website: http://www.erinsilver.ca/

Episode 10: Kindness Is Reuniting A Family

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Nineteen-year-old, Marcela Kuzma was at her grandmother’s restaurant in Brazil when she heard a Haitian employee talk about going to the airport to pick up his wife, whom he hadn’t seen for four years. Marcela soon discovered that this employee had also left behind a son, who was now five years old. Unfortunately, it was going to take several more years for the son to join his parents in Brazil.

Hearing this family’s plight inspired Marcela to raise funds to reunite them. Marcela shares a heart-warming story of a community coming together to bring the little boy back to his mother and father.

As a thank you for sharing her story of kindness, Anitha donated to LALA: Latin American Leadership Academy. To learn more about LALA, click here: https://www.latinamericanleadershipacademy.org/about

Episode 9: Kindness Is Cooking & Cards

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Like many kids, when the pandemic struck, Spencer Burwell found himself stuck at home in much need of something fun to do. A friend introduced him to Explorer Hop. This innovative organization teaches kids about global financial literacy entrepreneurship. But it also teaches them about giving back to society and the importance of helping those in need.

Spencer shares his experience of creating businesses, raising money, and donating that money to CARE and The Canadian Mental Health Association. For more information on these charities, click on the links below:

https://care.ca

https://cmha.ca

In this episode we explore what success really means.

To learn more about Explorer Hop, click here: https://explorerhop.com/

As a thank you for sharing his story of kindness, Anitha donated to the Parkdale Food Centre. To learn more about this charity, click here: https://parkdalefoodcentre.ca/

Episode 8: Kindness Is Art & Music

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Ryan Elliot Drew shares his innovative idea to teach children about global issues such as climate change and habitat loss through art & music.

Combining his degrees in Music and Global Affairs, Ryan hopes to provide teachers with tools to inspire their students to appreciate the natural world through art.

Join Anitha Rao-Robinson as she and Ryan talk about this wonderful project.

To learn more about Ryan and his projects, click here: https://www.ryandrew.ca/

As a thank you for sharing his story of kindness, Anitha donated to the PEI Humane Society. For more information about this charity, click here: https://www.peihumanesociety.com/

Episode 7: Kindness Is Wishes For Orangutans

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From l-r: Daniel and William’s picture book; in Borneo; meeting another protector of primates— Dr. Jane Goodall

In 2007, the Starlight Children’s Foundation in Australia, granted then ten-year-old Daniel Clarke a wish. They were surprised by his response; he wanted to save the orangutans. Daniel and his brother William talk about their dedication to help one of our closest relatives—the orangutans.

In this incredibly moving episode, Daniel and William, now 24 and 22, respectively, share their story of helping save endangered orangutans from extinction. They even describe the first time they saw an orangutan in the wild.

If you love animals, this episode is for you!

As a thank you for sharing their story of kindness, Anitha donated to The Orangutan Project. This charity was created by Leif Cocks, a world-renowned orangutan expert.

To learn more about Daniel and William and their work to save orangutans, click here: https://tearsinthejungle.com/

To learn more about The Orangutan Project, click here: https://www.orangutan.org.au/

This episode was produced by Stephen Hurley of VoicEd Radio.