Tag: #teachers

Episode 120: Kindness Is Being Friends Of Bonobos

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Anitha fell in love with bonobos when she first learned about these magnificent apes many years ago, and she is absolutely thrilled to have Ariel Rogers, the executive director of Friends Of Bonobos as a guest to talk about all things bonobos.

Ariel talks about the incredible characteristics of bonobos, the reasons they are critically endangered and the remarkable work being done to save them.

Surrogate mama Peguy and infant Welenge
Ariel Rogers
Welenge and Peguy

One of the many special facts Ariel shares about bonobos is that they are the only animal who can’t survive without love and affection. All the other apes, including humans can survive without being hugged and loved, but not bonobos—they will die. That’s why it’s so important to have Lola Ya Bonobo, the only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos, where human surrogate moms dedicate years to caring for and loving these babies.

A heartwarming conversation about the adorable bonobo.

To learn more about bonobos and the wonderful work being done by Friends of Bonobos, check out these links:

Friends of Bonobos on YouTube

Friends of Bonobos— Website

Lola Ya Bonobo – Instagram

Lola Ya Bonobo—Facebook

Lola Ya Bonobo tour on YouTube

As a thank you to Ariel for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Friends of Bonobos. 

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 119: Kindness Is Jarjeer Mules

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One of the highlights of Anitha’s time in Marrakech, Morocco was meeting Susan Machin and getting a tour of Jarjeer—the sanctuary she created for donkeys, mules and horses.

Anitha was thrilled when Susan agreed to be a guest on the podcast.

Susan talks about her journey from being a Barrister in the UK to moving to Morocco. She shares the ups and downs of those first few days, weeks, months of sanctuary life.

Susan also talks about the importance of community involvement and support in order to change the perspective of equines in a country where they are often seen as tools to accomplish tasks, and sadly treated and discarded as such.

An incredible conversation with an incredible woman who has dedicated her life to help sick and injured equines get the care they deserve.

To learn more about Jarjeer,  check out their website and Instagram:

Jarjeer website

Jarjeer Instagram

As a thank you to Susan for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Sunshine Animal Refuge in Agadir (SARA). This animal rescue was created in 2013 by Michele Augsburger in response to the dire living conditions of street animals in Morocco.  SARA is dedicated to providing animals a happy and healthy life by offering them refuge. To learn more about SARA, check out their website:

Sunshine Animal Refuge- Agadir

To hear the full episode, click here:

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 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 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:

Episode 103: Kindness Is Jamie’s Corner

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Animal activist, YouTuber and podcast host, Jamie Logan joins Anitha, as we continue to celebrate Veganuary—the month of January where folks from all over the world explore veganism and plant-based diets.

A vegan since 2018, Jamie shares how she found a way to help and raise awareness for animals— from her yoga practice to her creative animal rights campaigns.

Jamie also talks about the anger she feels at companies who make billions of dollars from the suffering of billions of animals, and how she takes this anger and uses it to fuel her actions of kindness and empathy.

An in-depth conversation with an incredible activist.

To learn more about Jamie and all the work she is doing to help animals, check out these links:

Instagram itsjamielogan

Instagram itsjamiescorner

Website

As a thank you to Jamie for being a guest on the podcast, Anitha donated to Compassion Kind. This charity is dedicated to ending the suffering of all beings through compassion.

To learn more about Compassion Kind, check out their website:

Compassion Kind

Episode 97: Kindness Is Sharing The S#!& No One Tells You About Writing

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Best-selling author and co-host of the podcast, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, Bianca Marias, joins Anitha as the two bring November and National Novel Writing Month to a close.

Bianca and her beloved Muggle

Bianca and Anitha chat about all things writing, including Bianca’s journey to becoming a published author. They also talk about Bianca’s podcast, which she co-hosts with literary agents Carly Watters and Cece Lyra. Bianca reveals what inspired her to start the podcast and shares some of her listeners’ success stories. For Bianca, one of the main benefits of her podcast is hearing from listeners who have achieved their dreams of getting published!

Bianca & CeCe Lyra (literary agent)
Bianca with authors Nita Prose & Mary Hannah McKinnon

Bianca and Anitha pivot from writing when Bianca talks about growing up in South Africa as a white child during the Apartheid and how this experience shapes her views on the many social issues in the world today.

Bianca and Eunice

An open and honest conversation!

To learn more about Bianca and her podcast, check out the following links:

Bianca’s Website

Podcast Link TSNTYAW

Website: The Shit About Writing

As a thank you to Bianca for sharing her story, Anitha donated to the Toronto Humane Society.

This charity is dedicated to improving the lives of animals by reducing animal homelessness, ensuring access to care and fighting to preserve the human-animal bond.

To learn more about the Toronto Humane Society, click here: Toronto Humane Society Website

You can listen to the full episode by clicking here:

Episode 96: Kindness Is Charlene Draws

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Author-illustrator, Charlene Chua joins Anitha as the podcast continues to feature authors during November and National Novel Writing Month.

In addition to talking about her journey as an artist, Charlene chats about her love for cats and how she used her artistic talents to help a cat named Max.

 She also discusses the pressures creators often feel when they decide to make the BIG move to working as a full-time artist.

A great episode for book lovers and cat lovers alike!

To learn more about Charlene, you can follow her here:

My website: www.charlenechua.com

Bookshop page: https://bookshop.org/shop/charlenedraws

As a thank you to Charlene for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Home At Last Rescue.  Founded in 2020, Home at Last Rescue (HALR) is a Registered Canadian Charity, that is 100% volunteer driven. They rescue cats from substandard living conditions and give them the loving homes they deserve.

To learn more about this rescue, click here: Home At Last Rescue

To hear the the full episode click here: