#goodnews – Anitha Rao-Robinson

Episode 165: Kindness Is Comedy & Commitment

Published on April 22, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Comedian Aaron Foster joins Anitha to talk about his journey into comedy, his decision to share his struggles with mental health in his shows AND also reuniting with a dog he fostered twelve years ago!

Aaron and Anitha begin the conversation talking about Aaron’s decision to share his own struggles with mental health in hopes that it will help others who are also struggling.

The conversation then pivots to a call he received from an animal shelter in January 2026. A dog he had found in a Colorado snowstorm eleven years ago and fostered for three months, showed up as a stray in Las Vegas.

What did Aaron do? He jumped on a plane and brought the dog (Sadie) home. Aaron shares the story of how he first met Sadie and what her life is like now. A super sweet story of true commitment.

As Anitha continues her month-long celebration of Dr. Jane Goodall by chatting with folks who knew her or loved the animals she loved, this story of Aaron and Sadie seems perfect.

To follow Aaron for both his comedy and updates on Sadie, check out his Instagram page which has links to all the other places you can follow him.

Aaron’s Instagram

As a thank you to Aaron for sharing his story, Anitha donated to World Wildlife Fund. This charity works to conserve species at risk, protect threatened habitats and address climate change.

To learn more about them, check out their website:

World Wildlife Fund Canada

To hear the episode click here:

Episode 164: Kindness Is Caring For Those Left Behind—When someone dies, what happens to their beloved companion animal?

Published on April 15, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Anitha continues her month-long celebration of her hero Dr. Jane Goodall who passed on October 1, 2025 at the age of 91, by chatting with Lindsay Kirschner. Like Dr. Jane, Lindsay had a close relationship with her mom. Sadly, Lindsay’s mom unexpectedly passed away leaving behind a grieving family which included an adorable dog named Coconut.

Despite being devastated by the sudden loss of her mom, Lindsay didn’t hesitate to bring Coconut back home to live with her.

Lindsay talks about what their lives (hers and Coconut’s) are like now. She also shares stories of Coconut and her boyfriend, who used to be Lindsay’s boyfriend, before Coconut decided he was hers!

Often when someone dies without making arrangements for their companion animal, the dog or cat or bunny, who is already grieving the loss of their human, finds themselves alone and scared and at a shelter. Lindsay and Anitha talk about how important it is to make sure that someone will care for your beloved fur-baby should you die before they do. Coconut is one of the lucky ones. She had family ready and willing to step in and care for her.

An episode about healing and how from great loss there can be great love.

To follow Coconut’s journey, check out her awesome Instagram page.

Coconut on Instagram

As a thank you to Lindsay and Coconut for sharing their story, Anitha donated to Pet Orphans of Southern California. This is the rescue that cared for Coconut before Lindsay’s mom adopted her. To learn more about this rescue, check out their website:

Pet Orphans of Southern California Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 163: Kindness Is Loving Dogs—From fostering to creating an animal sanctuary

Published on April 8, 2026 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Anitha continues her month-long celebration of her hero Dr. Jane Goodall who passed on October 1, 2025 at the age of 91, by chatting with Alyssa Blackwell. Like Dr. Jane, Alyssa loves dogs. Alyssa has been fostering dogs since she was 16 years old.

For the past 20 years Alyssa has cared for, fallen in love with and had her heart broken each time her foster dog finds their forever family. And now she and her husband are opening their own animal sanctuary called SACRED PAWS DOG SANCTUARY.

An episode full of love and hope and inspiration of what it means to follow your dream of helping animals.

To learn more about Alyssa, the dogs she fosters, and her sanctuary, check out these links:

Alyssa’s Fostering Journey on Instagram

As a thank you to Alyssa for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Sacred Paws Dog Sanctuary.

To hear the full episode, click here:

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: