Tag: #charity

Episode 118: Kindness Is Pikala Bikes & More

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Anitha met her guest Louisa Battioui in Marrakech, Morocco at an incredible bike rental place called Pikala. Founded by Cantal Bakker, a then 24-year-old from the Netherlands, Pikala is the colloquial Arabic word for bicycle.

Louisa talks about Cantal, who created Pikala to fight the pollution from cars and scooters in Morocco with the goal of making Marrakesh the cycling capital of Morocco. Louisa shares her experience working at Pikala which offers so much more than bike tours—from employing youth, to educating children, to giving the women of Morocco an opportunity to gain independence by learning how to cycle.

In addition to Pikala, Louisa talks about using her background in education to take part in a novel approach to educating youth in Morocco. She also shares her journey to becoming a vegan in Morocco.

A conversation full of hope and positivity about making the world a more inclusive, kinder and healthier place.

To learn more about Louisa, check out her Instagram page: Louisa’s Instagram

To learn more about Forum_2040 and its goals for education, check out their website

Forum 2040 Website

As a thank you to Louisa for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Morocco Animal Aid. This team of volunteers, rescues and rehabilitates hundreds of street animals in Morocco. To learn more about what they do, please visit their website.

Website:MoroccoAnimal Aid

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 117: Kindness Is Being The Rebel Vegan

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Former dairy farmer Todd Sinclair joins Anitha to talk about his journey from growing up on a Canadian dairy farm to becoming a vegan.

Todd gives listeners the rare opportunity to find out what life on a dairy farm is truly like for the animals. Listeners may be surprised to hear that life for dairy cows is not all happy and carefree—like many dairy farmers want the public to believe when they falsely advertise smiling cows on products such as milk, yogurt and cheese.

Todd explores the reasons behind the relative low cost of animal-based protein compared to plant-based protein—Governments subsidize the animal agricultural industry with our tax dollars, allowing these industries to sell their products at a reduced price—A price that does not reflect the true cost of animal-based protein.

Todd also talks about the fun Instagram posts he shares every Monday where he showcases happy news about animals and animal welfare.

To learn more about Todd and to see his uplifting Happy Monday posts, check out these links:

Todd’s Website

Instagram

Facebook

Todd has authored The Rebel Vegan Book Series.

To find out about these books, click the following links:

Amazon Canada

Amazon USA

Amazon UK

As a thank you to Todd for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Animal Aid in the UK. This non-profit began in 1977 with a goal of ending animal cruelty. To learn more about what they do, please visit their website.

Animal Aid Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 116: Kindness Is Everyone Is Welcome Here

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Earlier this year, an Idaho middle school teacher was told by their school district to take down a classroom sign that said EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE. The reason given by the district was that the sign was deemed “a violation of the district’s content neutrality policy”. The teacher refused to comply.

Upon hearing this story, Boise Idaho resident, Chris Stewart, wanted to support the actions of this brave teacher. Chris talks to Anitha about how his initiative to create t-shirts with the same words as the sign, EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE, brought an entire community together.

Chris also talks about some of his other acts of kindness—

Buying a realistic doll and donating it to a nursing home—folks with dementia often find these dolls a source of great comfort.

Rallying his community together to help a 93-year-old war veteran. Chris shares the story of Mac, a war veteran who was out with his family when some teens threw eggs and several of the eggs hit Mac. Chris inspired his community to raise funds to treat Mac to a new wardrobe, a limo ride, and a dinner at a nice restaurant for Mac and his family.

An engaging conversation with someone who shows how our voices can make a huge difference in helping others.

To follow Chris and his acts of kindness, check out his Instagram account— instagram

To order your own EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE t-shirt or sweatshirt, click on this link: Brigade Screenprinting

As a thank you to Chris for sharing his story, Anitha donated an EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE sweatshirt to those who want a sweatshirt, but are unable to afford one at this time. 

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 115: Kindness Is Saving Pets One Click At A Time

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Pet photographer Adam Goldberg joins Anitha to talk about his initiative, Second Shot, which helps shelter animals find their forever homes.

Shelter workers don’t always have the time or expertise to capture a photo of an animal that shows them in the best light—relaxed, happy, cute, adorable. Shelters can be a scary place for many animals, especially when they first arrive and their photo can reflect that fear. The result is often a stressed-looking animal, which sadly may not capture the attention of folks looking to adopt.

This is where Adam comes in. Using his marketing and photography expertise, Adam donates hours of his time every week to take beautiful photos of shelter animals to increase their chances of getting noticed—and it works!

Adam talks about the many successful adoptions that have resulted from the photos he’s taken.

Adam also talks about his wife, Mary, and how their shared love of rescue animals brought them together. So far, this incredible duo has raised over $250,000 for 50+ shelters and rescues!

A great episode for anyone who loves a good news story!

To learn more about Adam and his photography, check out his website: AGold Pet Photography

As a thank you to Adam for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Tampa Bay Humane Society. Since 1912, this organization has been dedicated to ending animal homelessness and providing care and comfort for animals in need.

To learn more about Tampa Bay Humane Society, check out their website: Tampa Bay Humane Society

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 114: Kindness Is Being METAHATEM Aly

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NYT bestselling illustrator, Hatem Aly joins Anitha to share his up and down journey into illustration.

The two talk about the wonderful initiative which brought them together—Coffees For Gaza. Hatem was one of the many creators to donate art that raised funds to help families devastated by the war in Palestine. Anitha successfully bid on not one, but two of Hatem’s beautiful pieces of art!

Hatem also talks about the pushback he unfortunately received from some schools for being outspoken about what’s happening in the Middle East.

An open and honest conversation with one of today’s sought after illustrators—Everything from illustration to standing up for what you believe in.

Hatem’s cats
Hatem’s bunnies

To learn more about Hatem Aly, his books, his activism, check out the following links:

Website

BlueSky

Instagram

To learn more about groups helping those in Gaza, check out these links:

Coffees For Gaza Website

Tabkha Book Website

Project Love Brocade Instagram

As a thank you to Hatem sharing her story, Anitha donated to Honey’s Bunnies. Located in Nova Scotia, Canada, Honey’s Bunnies Rabbit Rescue helps unwanted, orphaned and homeless bunnies find a place to be loved, appreciated and well cared for. To learn more about this organization, check out their website: Honeys Bunnies Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 113: Kindness Is Speaking Out For Our Honor

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Dr. Crystal Heath, a veterinarian and animal rights activist returns to the podcast to talk about the link between animal agriculture and viruses such as H5N1 and COVID.

Dr. Heath was raising alarms about the spread of H5N1 from chickens to cows to other wildlife and to humans, long before it caught the attention of mainstream media. She and Anitha talk about the shocking reason for this time lag.

Dr. Heath also talks about the devastating conditions animals, who are part of the agricultural industry, are forced to endure—such as living in cramped filthy spaces. These inhumane conditions are not only awful for the animals, but they allow for the rampant spread of viruses which we’ve seen, eventually affects humans.

An important conversation about the undeniable link between the way we treat other species and our own well-being.

A must listen for anyone concerned about animal welfare and also anyone concerned about the growing number of viruses that are spreading from the non-human population to the human population.

To learn more about this incredibly relevant issue, check out the following links:

Our Honor Website

Our Honor Instagram                         Dr. Heath Instagram

Our Honor FaceBook                          Dr. Heath Facebook

Our Honor LinkedIn                            Dr. Heath LinkedIn

Our Honor BlueSky                             Dr. Heath BlueSky

Our Honor YouTube                            Dr. Heath YouTube

As a thank you to Dr. Heath for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Our Honor.

To hear the full episode click here:

Episode 112: Kindness Is Helping Horses

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Theresa with two of her rescues

Theresa Nolet and Eva Shortt from the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) join Anitha to talk about the terrible fate many horses face and what their organization is doing to stop the transport of live horses to slaughter.

Instead of providing hard-working horses such as race horses to show horses to those used for carriage rides a kind a loving place to retire when they can no longer provide humans with a source of income, these majestic animals are often sold to be slaughtered

The CHDC is dedicated to banning the slaughter of equines for human consumption in Canada, as well as the live export of horses from Canada to other countries to then be slaughtered for meat.

Theresa and Eva talk about the traumatic conditions these horses endure during transport. They also share their frustration at being so close to getting a Bill passed which would finally make this cruel practice illegal, but then coming up short.

Fortunately, these two women continue to work hard to advocate for horse welfare and raise awareness about the inhumane plight of horses who no longer earn income for humans.

Theresa and Eva talk about the many caring individuals who are also dedicated to helping horses, including celebrity Jann Arden. Arden started the HORSESHIT campaign to help fight against the live horse shipments to Japan.

To learn more about CHDC, the important work they are doing and how you can join the effort to help horses, check out their website.  Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

To learn more about Jann Arden’s campaign, click here:  Horse Shit

As a thank you to Theresa and Eva for sharing their story, Anitha donated to the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition. 

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 111: Kindness Is Being Ben Kennedy

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Anitha is joined by Ben Kennedy who helps care for animals from kittens to wildlife, and also helps humans by raising awareness for the trans community, all while working on his PhD.

Ben shares heartwarming stories of fostering kittens, dogs and getting married at the humane society. He also talks about the social media post that went viral (and not in a good way) when he shared Cross Fit’s new anti-trans policy. Ben also generously talks about going through fertility treatments.

An open and honest conversation with an incredibly open and kind person.

To learn more about Ben, check out his Instagram account: Ben Kennedy

As a thank you to Ben for sharing their story, Anitha donated to the San Diego Humane Society. This organization started in 1880 and has grown to provide many services including taking in abandoned dogs and cats and working to find them new and forever homes, community spay and neuter programs, community pet pantry and more. To learn more about the San Diego Humane Society, check out their website: San Diego Humane Society

To hear the full episode click here:

Episode 110: Kindness Is The Trans Comedian

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Chris McAllister shares what it’s like to be a comedian, including first-time performing jitters and if the comedic space is expanding beyond the cis white male. They also talk about their social media #ICANTELL. Chris came up with this initiative in hopes of turning around the negative comments folks in the trans community were receiving. The response was incredible and Chris shares some of the positive comments posted using #ICANTELL.

Chris also talks about their role in helping trans and queer Ugandan refugees.

A wonderful conversation about kindness and community.

To learn more about Chris, their comedy, #ICANTELL, check out the following links:

To be on the mailing list for upcoming comedy shows: Mailing List

Instagram: The Trans Comedian

As a thank you to Chris for sharing their story, Anitha donated to Rainbow Railroad. This global not-for-profit organization helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people get to safety worldwide. 

To learn more about Rainbow Railroad, check out their website:

Rainbow Railroad

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 109: Kindness Is Being Cole The Deaf Dog & Friends

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Cole & Sullivan

Anitha chats with Chris Hannah, a music teacher and the lucky human who shares his life with not one, but four incredible dogs who show people that being deaf, deaf and blind, or deaf with a cleft palate are superpowers.

Cole, an adorable pitbull, was the first to come into Chris’ life. Chris talks about Cole’s journey as a therapy dog and the positive impact Cole has made on so many lives—both within Chris’ school community and beyond.

Chris also shares stories about Cece, Alice and Sullivan, also rescue dogs.

A heartwarming episode about resilience, acceptance, kindness and love.

To learn more about Chris, Cole, Cece, Alice and Sullivan, click on these links:

Website: cole the deaf dog

Instagram: cole the deaf dog

Facebook: Cole The Deaf Dog

TikTok: @deafcole

As a thank you to Chris for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Cole The Deaf Dog and Friends Foundation, so that Chris, Cole, Cece, Alice and Sullivan can continue to raise awareness about acceptance, kindness, compassion for all beings. 

To hear the full episode, click here: