#goodnews – Anitha Rao-Robinson

Episode 162: Kindness Is Carrying On A Legacy–How the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada continues the work of Dr. Jane Goodall.

Published on April 1, 2026April 1, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Dr. Jane Goodall passed on October 1, 2025 at the age of 91. She was and still is Anitha’s hero. To honour her, Anitha is dedicating the month of April (Dr. Goodall was born on April 3^rd) to showcase folks who are helping the animals Dr. Jane loved.

We start off with Bella Lam, the CEO of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. Bella shares memories of Dr. Jane, the legacy she created and of course, the chimps Dr. Jane loved.

An inspiring and uplifting conversation about one of the most incredible and kind humans who ever existed.

To learn more about the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, check out their website where you can access all of their social media links.

JGI Website

As a thank you to Bella for sharing her story, Anitha donated to JGI Canada.

Kindness Is Carrying On A Legacy–How the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada continues the work of Dr. Jane Goodall.

We start off with Bella Lam, the CEO of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. Bella shares memories of Dr. Jane, the legacy she created and of course, the chimps Dr. Jane loved.

An inspiring and uplifting conversation about one of the most incredible and kind humans who ever existed.

To learn more about the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, check out their website where you can access all of their social media links.

JGI Website

As a thank you to Bella for sharing her story, Anitha donated to JGI Canada.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 160: Kindness Is Food Empowerment—How the power of one’s food choices can create a just & sustainable world.

Published on March 25, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Lauren Ornelas, the founder of The Food Empowerment Project (FEP) joins Anitha to talk about all the amazing work this organization does.

From encouraging healthy, vegan food choices to spotlighting the abuse of farm animals to raising awareness about the unfair working conditions for produce workers and the lack of healthy foods in low-income areas and so much more!

Providing backpacks to farmer’s families

Lauren believes we have great power to bring about a kinder world just by our food choices. At least three times a day when we have a meal, we decide if that meal is going to result in harm to animals, the environment and people or if the food we eat will build a just and sustainable world.

This was such an uplifting and empowering conversation.

To learn more about The Food Empowerment Project, check out their website & the following links:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

As a thank you to Lauren for sharing her story, Anitha donated to FEP.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 159: Kindness Is The Caregivers Journey—A podcast helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Published on March 11, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan join Anitha to talk about their podcast, The Caregivers Journey.

Both Nancy and Sue share their personal stories of caring for someone with dementia and how that not only brought them together but inspired them to create a platform for others who are facing the difficult and often lonely ordeal of being a caregiver. Their goal is to help folks who feel overwhelmed caring for a loved one to feel supported on their caregiving journey.

An episode full of insight and incredibly helpful suggestions on caring for yourself so you can support loved ones in the best possible way.

To learn more about The Caregivers Journey, check out their website full of helpful information:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

As a thank you to Nancy and Sue for sharing their story, Anitha donated to The Caregivers Journey.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 157: Kindness Is Creating Transfarmation—Helping to build a just & sustainable food system.

Published on February 25, 2026March 3, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Katherine Jernigan, the Director of the Transfarmation Project, joins Anitha to answer a question Anitha has often wondered about—What would it take to transform an animal agricultural farm to a farm that grows vegetables, fruits and other plants for human consumption?

Katherine also talks about the harm to animals AND farmers who raise animals for food, the cost of transforming a farm and the advantages to animals, humans and the environment when a farm becomes more plant-based.

This was such an interesting conversation and shone a new light on not only the issues around animal agriculture, but more importantly, provided a valid option.

To follow learn more about The Transfarmation Project, click on the following links:

The Transfarmation Project’s Website

The Transfarmation Project on Facebook

The Transfarmation Project on IG

As a thank you to Katherine for sharing her story, Anitha donated to the Iowa Farm Sanctuary, who provide a safe haven for rescued farm animals. To learn more about what they do and how you can support them, check out their website: Iowa Farm Sanctuary

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 156: Kindness Is Furball Confidential—A podcast all about folks and the adorable animals they share space with.

Published on February 18, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Jen Moroz has run some of Canada’s largest radio shows, including CBC’s The Current and Q. She has also developed several popular podcasts. Now she has her own podcast called Furball Confidential. She joins Anitha to talk about the inspiration behind the podcast (a lovable dog named Clutch), how it feels to be on the other side of the camera, and she shares conversations she’s had with some of her guests.

An uplifting episode all about folks and their fur-babies!

As a thank you to Jen for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Save Our Scruff. This dog rescue advocate for dogs in many different spaces. To learn more about Save Our Scruff, check out their website:

Save Our Scruff

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 155: Kindness Is Keeping Neighbours Safe—Helping black & brown folks in Minneapolis/St. Paul as ICE descends upon this community.

Published on February 11, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Mike Hotz joins Anitha to talk about what is happening in the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul as ICE rounds up people of colour. Mike shares stories of law-abiding folks who have been detained by ICE based solely on the colour of their skin. He also talks about how some of his neighbours are afraid to leave their homes and go to work, take their kids to school, shop, walk their dogs . . . and how he and others are doing all they can to help them.

In the midst of the cruelty, racism and often lawless actions committed by ICE and the current US Administration, this conversation provides hope that kindness and empathy do make a difference.

For those who want to help, Mike provided the following links of places that are doing good work by supporting members of the community:

Whittier Wildflowers Preschool Website

Ice Hurts Animals, Too: Website

Urban Village: Website

Indigenous Roots: Website

As a thank you to Mike for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Whittier Wildflowers Preschool, a licensed, non-profit preschool for 2- to 5-year-olds in the Whittier Neighbourhood of Minneapolis. Their mission is to provide children and families from all backgrounds an innovative, affordable early childhood education. Donations help families by subsidizing their tuition costs.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 154: Kindness Is Social Media For Good—Using the power of social to advocate for animals

Published on February 4, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Johnny Oberg is an animal advocate dedicated to making the world a kinder place for animals by utilizing the power of social media.

He joins Anitha to talk about his journey to becoming a full-time animal activist, what it means to bear witness as these sentient beings are transported to their death and using the power of social media to advocate for them. Johnny’s posts have been viewed 500 million times and thousands of people have been influenced by his work.

This episode is for animal lovers and also those who want to use social media to make a difference.

To learn more about Johnny, check out these links:

As a thank you to Johnny for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Plant Dining Partnerships. This organization provides resources for businesses to increase plant-based food options. To learn more about what they do, check out their website:

Plant Dining Partnerships Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 153: Kindness Is Making Poetry—Creating meaningful poems for strangers

Published on January 28, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Hannah Monsour joins Anitha to talk about creating moving and thoughtful poems almost instantly. Hannah calls herself a typewriter poet. She can be found in Central Park in New York City meeting strangers who share personal parts of their lives.

Hannah transforms their words into on-the-spot meaningful poems. She shares some of these encounters, including taking part in wedding proposals. Hannah even creates a poem for Anitha during the episode.

A testament to the healing power of words.

To find out more about Hannah, her poetry and her podcast!!, check out these links:

Hannah’s Instagram

Podcast—Poking Around

As a thank you to Hannah for sharing her story, Anitha donated to The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. To learn more about what they do, check out their website:

The Trevor Project

To hear the full episode click here:

Episode 152: Kindness Is Remembering Esther—Continuing the legacy of Esther the Wonder Pig.

Published on January 21, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Steve Jenkins, often known as one of Esther the Wonder Pig’s dad’s, joins Anitha to talk about his life with Esther, grieving her passing and creating a legacy in her name.

Steve talks about being back at the farm where he lived with Esther and so many other beautiful individuals. He gives a fun update about the animals he currently shares his home with, both inside and outside the house, AND he talks about Operation Angels, his new initiative to help other farm sanctuaries.

An emotional and uplifting conversation with one of the kindest humans.

To follow Steve and learn more about his continuing efforts to help animals, check out the following links:

Steve Jenkins – Website

Steve on Facebook

Esther The Wonder Pig-Facebook

Operation Angels – Website

As a thank you to Steve for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Ralphy’s Retreat Animal Sanctuary. Their mission is to provide a safe haven for abandoned, neglected, and abused pot-bellied pigs, as well as those piggies that can no longer stay with their families. The sanctuary is also home to alpacas, horses, donkeys, cats, feathered friends, goats and sheep. To learn more about them, check out their website:

Ralphy’s Retreat

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 151: Kindness Is The Vegan Report—A space for all fronts of the animal liberation movement.

Published on January 14, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Animal activist and podcast host, Rayane Laddi joins Anitha to talk about his wonderful podcast, The Vegan Report. Rayane shares some of his favorite episodes and his guest wish list—Ricky Gervais & Bruce Friedrich, the founder of Good Food Institute!! Rayane also offers tips for anyone considering starting their own podcast!

To follow Rayane and listen to his awesome podcast, click here:

Vegan Report- Podcast

To learn more about Map Your Health, the initiative Rayane spoke about, click here:

Map Your Health

As a thank you to Rayane for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Dharma Voices for Animals, a non-profit dedicated to ending animal suffering within Buddhist communities by promoting plant-based living and a cruelty-free lifestyle.

To learn more about them, check out their website: Dharma Voices For Animals

To hear the full episode, click here: