#teachers – Anitha Rao-Robinson

Episode 147: Kindness Is Bags Without Barriers—Providing essential supplies so all individuals can be successful.

Published on December 18, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Justin Osei-Dwumoh joins Anitha to talk about his amazing initiative called Bags Without Barriers.

When Justin realized that not everyone has access to essential school supplies—items that are not only necessary to succeed in school, but also can affect one’s self worth, he decided to help.

Partnering with organizations such as Herschel Supply Co., Justin fills backpacks with paper, pencils, markers, and more. Then, he hands them out in areas where the need is great.

In addition to helping students, Bags Without Barriers also supports underserved new moms by providing them with diaper bags filled with vital supplies to help them and their children.

The perfect episode to showcase the meaning of compassion, important all year round, but especially meaningful at this time of the year.

To find out more about Bags Without Barriers and the wonderful work they are doing, check out their website:

Bags Without Barriers

As a thank you to Justin for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Save Our Scruff. A dog rescue that grew organically from a community wanting to give their time and efforts to 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 145:Kindness Is Teachers for Future Turtle Island—Educating on colonialism, equality, climate crisis & more.

Published on December 3, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Kim Benson wears many hats—teacher, human rights advocates, animal activist, climate activist and all-around kind human. She joins Anitha to talk about Teachers for Future Turtle Island, a group working to dismantle systems of colonialism, capitalism, patriarchy and white supremacy. Kim talks about how these systems have caused and continue to cause ecological collapse, war, genocide & the suffering of all beings, human and non-human alike. Kim believes it is important to teach children about these issues in an age-appropriate manner.

Kim also shares the meaning behind the name of the group. Turtle Island is the Indigenous name for the continent of North America. This name represents the Indigenous community’s deep connection to the land and appreciation for nature. Something we can all learn from.

To find out more about Teachers For Future Turtle Island, check out their Instagram account:

Teachers For Future Turtle Island on IG

As a thank you to Kim for sharing his story, Anitha donated to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). As the largest animal liberation organization in the world, PETA focuses their efforts on helping animals who suffer in laboratories, the food industry, the clothing trade and the entertainment business. To learn more about PETA, check out their website:

PETA

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 132: Kindness Is Being Annick Press—How a Canadian publisher is standing up for diversity & representation in their books, their authors, and their publishing team.

Published on September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Rick Wilks, the co-founder of Annick Press joins Anitha to talk about publishing children’s books. He shares his journey, memories and even his list of favourite books.

The two also talk about book banning—what it is, the harm it causes creators, publishers and children. Rick talks about how important it is for books to showcase all voices, especially those that have been underrepresented in the past, (LGBTQ+, black, indigenous, and people of colour).

Annick press is determined to advocate for books from underrepresented communities. One way is through their Mentorship Program, launched in 2021. This yearly program supports works in progress of emerging, underrepresented writers whose access to children’s publishing may have been limited. The application window is for the month of September 2025! Check out Annick’s website for all the details.

Of course, Anitha asked Rick what he is looking for in submissions—always a key question for writers. Here is link to their submission guidelines: Submission Guideline

A great conversation about books, diversity and how important it is for folks in positions of power and privilege to use their position to help others.

To learn more about Annick Press as they celebrate 50 years in publishing, check out their website. It’s full of information about books, sources for educators and for the month of September, the Mentorship Program!

Here’s Rick’s list of recommended books, which can be found on Annick’s website.

Nonfiction:

*More Than Money: How Economic inequality affects EVERYTHING

*Fatty Legs

Comics and graphic novels

*The Wolf Suit

Picture Books

*The Man with the Violin

*Abuelita and Me

*The Paper Bag Princess

As a thank you to Rick for sharing his story, Anitha donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). NCC is a non-profit organization that partners with individuals, corporations, foundations, Indigenous communities and other non-profit organizations and governments at all levels to protect Canada’s plants and wildlife. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect more than 15 million hectares, coast to coast.

To learn more about the Nature Conservancy of Canada, check out their website.

Nature Conservancy of Canada

To hear the full episode, click hear:

Episode 128: Kindness Is Otis The Handsome Hound—How an Animal Testing Survivor Is Living His Best Life & Raising Awareness

Published on August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Otis, a coonhound, was born into the cruel world of animal testing and subjected to many invasive and painful procedures. But Otis is one of the lucky ones, he was rescued by Robert Sturman who joins Anitha to talk about Otis’ life—then and now.

Robert talks about the harsh world of animal testing that subjects millions of animals to painful procedures despite their being cruelty free alternatives.

But the majority of the conversation focuses on Otis, from his favourite things to do (car rides, running on the beach, and joining Robert on the yoga mat) to his immense capacity for forgiveness. Despite being harmed by humans, Otis loves people.

An incredible episode showcasing the healing power of love.

To learn more about Otis and follow him as he celebrates life while also raising awareness about the animal testing industry, check out his Instagram account:

Otis The Handsome Hound

As a thank you to Robert for sharing Otis’ story, Anitha donated to Gentle Jake’s Coonhound Rescue. This Ontario based not-for-profit is dedicated to the memory of the founder’s beloved Coonhound, Jake. This rescue is dedicated to helping homeless and abandoned Coonhounds find their loving and forever homes.

To learn more about this rescue, check out their website: Gentle Jake’s Coonhound Rescue

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 127: Kindness Is Wild By Nurture—One woman’s dedication to opossums, porcupines, foxes and many animals often neglected when it comes to rescue.

Published on July 30, 2025 by anitharobinson3 Comments

Claire Peters-Lunny, the founder of Wild By Nurture, joins Anitha to share stories about her Wildlife Rehab & Sanctuary.

Claire’s love for animals began at a very early age so it makes sense that she now spends her days and often nights, caring for orphaned and injured opossums, porcupines, groundhogs and many others.

The majority of animals come to her after being injured or orphaned from human activity, such as being hit by a car.

Claire shares heartwarming stories of some of the individuals whose injuries were too severe to be released back in the wild and who now call her home, their home. Animals like Hazel the groundhog and Bramble the porcupine. Claire also talks about how affectionate opossums are and how they are incredible mothers.

Did you know that baby opossums can survive in their mother’s pouch even after she has been struck and killed by a car? Many of the orphaned opossums who come to Wild By Nurture, were found by folks who were kind enough to stop and check on animals struck by a car, as some may still be alive or may have babies who are alive.

To learn more about Wild By Nurture, the many animals they care for, and what you can do if you come across an injured animal, check out the following links:

Facebook: Wild By Nurture

Instagram: Wild By Nurture

Website: Wild By Nurture

As a thank you to Claire for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Wild By Nurture.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 126:Kindness Is Moonman Photography—How photos have the power to connect us with the wonders of wildlife.

Published on July 23, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Kyle Moon joins Anitha to talk about his journey to becoming a wildlife photographer and guide at Yellowstone National Park. Kyle shares stories of photographing wild animals from birds to wolves to bison, including an incident when he accidentally found himself far too close to a grizzly mom and her cubs.

Having had the privilege of spending time with many animals in their natural habitat, Kyle talks about the ethics of trophy hunting.

Kyle also shares his interest in collaborating with others on environmental projects. To learn more about Kyle and browse through his gorgeous photos, check out the following links:

Website: Moonman Photography

Instagram: Moonman on IG

YouTube: Moonman on YouTube

As a thank you to Kyle for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Yellowstone Forever, the official non-profit partner of Yellowstone National Park. This non-profit protects and preserves Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. To learn more about them, check out their website:

Yellowstone Forever

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 125: Kindness Is PETA KIDS—How PETA is showcasing kids & their compassion for animals.

Published on July 16, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Samantha Crowe, PETA’s associate director of science education, joins Anitha to talk about the ethical treatment of animals, providing teachers humane alternatives to dissection, and so much more, including some really super kind kids.

Samantha also announces PETA’s upcoming ALL STAR FOR ANIMALS contest. This contest is for kids 12 and under. If you know a compassionate kid, nominate them to win some awesome prizes! Deadline is July 31^st.

Go to the PETA Kids website to find out more about the contest and also some kid friendly ways to be kind to animals: PETA Kids website

To follow PETA Kids check out their Instagram account: PETA kids Instagram

To find out more about Harvey and the Lightning Herd, the children’s book Samantha recommended, click here: Harvey and the Lightning Herd

As a thank you to Samantha for sharing her story, Anitha donated to PETA’s Global Compassion Fund. This fund helps animals around the world by sponsoring vital rescue work, spay/neuter programs, innovative outreach, and educational campaigns.

To learn more about PETA’S Global Compassion Fund, check out their website:

GLOBAL COMPASSION FUND

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 123: Kindness Is Theo & 3 Sisters—How one couple took the phrase ‘adopt don’t shop’ to heart & welcomed a family of four kittens into their lives.

Published on June 25, 2025June 25, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

What could be better than chatting about one adorable kitten— chatting about four! Anitha is joined by Lindsay Fortune who shares why she and her partner adopted four kittens all at once and how their life has changed. Theo, Sadie, Bailey and Stella, went from tiny feral babies, whose bodies stiffened when touched, to healthy, happy and oh-so playful kittens.

Lindsay credits the kittens’ foster mom, who goes by @soccercatmom on social media, for the incredible transformation.

Lindsay talks about each of the kittens personalities—including who dominates the coveted honey pot!

An uplifting conversation for anyone who needs a smile!

To follow Theo and his super cute sisters, check out their Instagram: Theo.and.3sisters

As a thank you to Lindsay for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Motley Zoo Animal Rescue.

Despite its name, Motley Zoo is not a zoo at all. This non-profit is a volunteer-run, foster-based, no-kill animal rescue dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need. To learn more about them, check out their website: Motley Zoo Animal Rescue

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 122: Kindness Is Secondhand Stories

Published on June 18, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Animal advocate Liz Wheeler has been drawn to animals her entire life. She talks to Anitha about Secondhand Stories, a non-profit sanctuary for chickens she and her husband founded in 2022.

In the short time since inception, Secondhand Stories has rescued and cared for numerous chickens and is currently home to 22 very special birds.

Liz talks to Anitha about the importance of seeing chickens as individuals. She shares stories of some of the fortunate chickens who now call the sanctuary home.

Liz and Anitha also talk about what the terms ‘care-free’ and ‘free-range’ chickens really mean—and spoiler alert, they don’t mean ‘happy, free running chickens’.

A super fun and interesting conversation where listeners are sure to fall in love with chickens like Bubba, Oscar, Ezra and Hershey.

To learn more about Secondhand Stories Chicken Sanctuary, check out these links. Perhaps one day, you might even be lucky enough to visit the sanctuary and meet one or more of these loving and full of personality chickens.

Website—Secondhand Stories

Instagram—Secondhand Stories

Email: liz@secondhandstories.ca

As a thank you to Liz for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Secondhand Stories.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 121: Kindness Is Saving 25 Cats From Qatar

Published on June 11, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Filmmaker Mye Hoang joins Anitha to talk about her latest documentary, 25 CATS FROM QATAR.

Mye is a cat lover who shares her home with five cats so it makes sense that a visit to a cat café in Milwaukee, USA lead to her filming a documentary about the owner of the café, Katy McHugh. Mye films Katy’s rescue mission to Qatar where she brings 25 cats back to the US and finds them their forever homes.

Mye shares what it was like being a part of this incredible journey to Qatar, a country with so much wealth yet at the same time filled with so many suffering animals. The cats are not native to Qatar. They were brought in years ago to help control the rat population. Sadly, the cats weren’t spayed or neutered and their numbers increased to the point that local rescuers are overwhelmed and cannot care for all the cats.