Tag: #teachers

Episode 93: Kindness Is Sir Darius

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

The incredible Sir Darius Brown joins Anitha to talk about his initiative— combining his love of sewing and his love of animals to help shelter animals find loving, forever homes.

Sir Darius has made thousands of bow ties for shelter animals, taken their photo, and shared these photos on social media. These adorable bow ties have helped save many, many dogs.

An inspiring episode of love and kindness making a huge impact.

Letter from President Obama

To learn more about Sir Darius check out the following links:

Sir Darius Website

Sir Darius Instagram

As a thank you to Darius for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter in New Jersey. This shelter cares for homeless animals and works to find them permanent, loving homes. They also partner with shelters around the country to save at risk animals from being euthanized. Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter never euthanizes any animal for time or space reasons. Adoptable animals reside at the shelter until they find their forever home.

To learn more about this shelter, check out their website: Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 92: Kindness Is Creating Freedom Farmhouse

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Emily Bott joins Anitha to talk about purchasing a property in 2018 that turned out to house a colony of 16 feral/barn cats. Emily and her partner, Dylan decided not only to allow the cats to remain on the property, but worked hard to gain the trust of the cats so they could be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Life for the cats was so good, they eventually chose to live inside with Emily and Dylan!

These cats now enjoy being warm, safe, lounging on soft beds and so much more!

In the six years since moving to the property, Emily and Dylan have expanded their rescue journey to include farm animals such as donkeys and goats.

The farm’s mission is to provide compassionate care, rescue and sanctuary for animals in need. Emily shares some really heartwarming stories of the animals on the farm.

To learn more about Freedom Farmhouse, check out the following links:

Freedom Farmhouse Website

Freedom Farmhouse Instagram

As a thank you to Emily for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services.

This emergency veterinary hospital is fundraising to set up a new location to help more communities and more pets. To learn about what they do and what they are fundraising for, check out their website: REVS Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 90: Kindness Is Sammie’s Buddy Benches

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Fifteen-year-old Sammie Vance joins Anitha to talk about an initiative she started when she was eight years old, called Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project.

These benches not only help kids make friends, but they also help the environment since they are made from recycled plastic caps!

In the past seven years, Sammie has helped create over 500 buddy benches for schools all over the world.

Sammie is also the author of Inspire the World: A Kid’s Journey to Making a difference

And she shares her writing journey with Anitha.

An uplifting conversation with an incredible young person.

You can learn more about Sammie and all the wonderful things she’s doing here:

Website www.sammiesbuddybenchproject.com

IG: @sammiesbuddybenchproject

As a thank you to Sammie for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Project3R, a non-profit organization founded by sixteen-year-old Ryan Hickman. Project3R is dedicated to recycling and raising environmental awareness and education around the world. To learn more about this organization, click here: Project3R

To hear the full episode click here:

Episode 78: Kindness Is Making The Inside Scouts!

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Mitali Banerjee Ruths joins Anitha to talk about her journey from Medical Doctor . . . to author . . . to creating books about diverse characters, and how kindness intersects all these aspects of her life.

A very fun and engaging conversation.

To learn more about Mitali and the books she writes, click on the following links:

https://www.mitaliruths.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mitaliruths/

As a thank you to Mitali for coming on to the show, Anitha donated to Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres. This international humanitarian organization was founded by doctors and journalists in 1971. They travel all over the world, where people’s needs are greatest to provide neutral, impartial, and independent emergency healthcare to those affected by disaster, disease, conflict and exclusion. 

You can learn more about MSF here: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 72: Kindness Is Loving Sirga the Lioness

Published on by anitharobinson1 Comment

Valentin Gruener achieved his childhood goal to live in Africa and work with wildlife, and not just any wildlife. Val has spent the past twelve years raising, caring and loving Sirga, a lioness who came into his life when she was around ten days old.

Val talks about sharing his life with a wild lion, including some heart-warming stories. He also talks about the reasons for the devastating decline in the wild lion population, his conservation initiative—the Modisa Wildlife Project, and so much more.

A very special and important conversation about a man, a lioness and how together they are raising awareness to protect wildlife.

To learn more about Val, Sirga and the Modisa Wildlife Project, check out the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/valgruener/

https://www.instagram.com/sirgathelioness/

https://www.instagram.com/modisawildlifeproject/

You can support Val and Sirga and all they are doing here:

www.patreon.com/sirga

As a thank you to Val for sharing his story, Anitha donated to the Kalahari Research and Conservation (KRC). Kalahari is a unique and fragile ecosystem with a rich diversity of plants and animals. This organization works to understand and conserve Kalahari’s distinctive landscape in the face of increasing challenges.

To learn about KRC please click on the following link: https://www.krcbots.org/

To listen to the episode, click here:

Episode 71: Kindness Is Loving A Pig Named Esther

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Derek Walter’s life took a dramatic turn when his then partner, Steve Jenkins brought home a tiny little pig named Esther. Derek talks to Anitha about how this small being created huge and wonderful changes in his life.

Derek quickly fell in love with Esther, became one of her two dads, moved from a suburb to the country so Esther could have all the space a pig needed, welcomed even more farm animals, and eventually co-founded Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary (HEEFS)

This is an incredible conversation about love, family, community, grief, and an unbelievable legacy.

To learn more about Derek and HEEFS, please check out these links:

Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary 

http://www.happilyeveresther.ca 

Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/happilyeveresther?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Derek’s personal website

www.derekwalter.ca

Derek’s personal Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/EsthersDadDerek?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Esther the Wonder Pig Website

www.estherthewonderpig.com

As a thank you to Derek for sharing his story, Anitha donated to HEEFS. Having volunteered at HEEFS and seeing firsthand the beautiful and healing place it is for both the residents and the folks who spend time there, Anitha was thrilled to support this organization.

To listen to this heartwarming episode, click on the link below.

Episode 70:Kindness Is The Original Surfers

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Kaila and Waian, the incredible sisters who created The Original Surfers, join Anitha to talk about their initiative to reach out to teens and raise awareness to protect oceans and the marine animals who live there.

These amazing young women also share what it’s like working with a sibling and much more!

To learn more about The Original Surfers, please click on the following links: https://www.theoriginalsurfers.com/

As a thank you to Kaila and Waian for sharing their story, Anitha donated to the Dolphin Project, a non-profit charitable organization, dedicated to the welfare and protection of dolphins worldwide. It was founded by Richard O’Barry on Earth Day, April 22, 1970. The goal of this organization is to educate the public about captivity and, where feasible, retire and/or release captive dolphins.

To learn more about Dolphin Project, please check out their website:

Homepage

To listen to this episode- please click on the ‘play’ button above. Thank you!!

Episode 66: Kindness Is Helping The Homeless Community

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Many of us see and walk past folks who live in parks, street alcoves and under bridges, but rarely do we stop. Anitha’s guest, Lorraine Lam, not only stopped, she wanted to help. Lorraine chats with Anitha about the homeless crisis and her involvement in finding a solution.

Here are some action points for listeners who want to get involved in trying to solve the housing crisis.

·      Follow social media accounts of people and organizations that are directly engaged in this work

·      Look for local groups in your city that are engaged in direct outreach and systems advocacy and look for ways to dive in!

·      Host a conversation with your friends about things you have learned and questions you may have 

·      Look for your local councillor, MP, MPPs voting history on issues related to housing and homelessness, and contact them with your concerns. Develop this relationship; have ongoing dialogue

To learn more about Lorraine and/or support her endeavors to help the homeless community, check out her website: https://lorrainelam.me/about

As a thank you to Lorraine for being a guest on the podcast, Anitha donated to All Saints Toronto. This organization supports folks by providing a space of belonging and hope. They offer services such as counselling, advocacy, and nursing care. To learn more about All Saints, click here: https://allsaintstoronto.com/

Episode 65: Kindness Is Founding Farm Sanctuary

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Anitha was over-the-moon star struck to chat with the incomparable Gene Baur. Gene is the founder of the Farm Sanctuary, an animal advocate, author and so much more. He has been on shows such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Larry King Live, and now The Kindness Is Everything podcast!

Photo credit to Farm Sanctuary

Gene talks about his incredible journey from doing commercials for companies like McDonalds and KFC, to advocating for the shutdown of factory farms. Animals are forced to endure tortuous conditions at factory farms and these places supply companies like McDonalds and KFC.

Gene talks about his optimism for animal welfare and how he’s been able to help bring in legislation to end such cruel practices as gestational crates.

He also shares the amazing rescue story of Hilda the sheep. She was Farm Sanctuary’s first rescue.

Hilda & Gene (photo credit Farm Sanctuary)
Gene & Hilda (photo credit Farm Sanctuary)

As a thank you to Gene for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Farm Sanctuary. This sanctuary provides shelter to more than 400 rescued cows, pigs, turkeys and other farm animals. They help animals used and abused by the animal agriculture through rescue, education and advocacy.

Photo credits- Farm Sanctuary

Anitha is looking forward to personally visiting the sanctuary this summer.

To learn more about Farm Sanctuary, please check out their website or follow them on IG.

Homepage

https://www.instagram.com/farmsanctuary

Episode 64: Kindness Is That WylieVegan

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

With issues such as climate change, food insecurity and animal welfare all related to/caused by the animal agricultural industry, Anitha is thrilled to continue her discussion around veganism.

Anitha is joined by Kelly Chianciola and her two lovely daughters, Dani and Lana.

All three talk about how their decision to become vegan has impacted their lives. They also tackle questions like—Why don’t parents/caregivers want children to know how the animal they are eating lived and died? Why so much secrecy?

Please check out this episode for an open and interesting discussion about animal agriculture.

As a thank you to the Chianciola family for being guests on the show, Anitha donated to Unity Farm Sanctuary. This vegan sanctuary, located in Sherborn, Massachusetts, provides lifetime care for animals in need.

To learn more about Unity Farm, please check out their website: https://www.unityfarmsanctuary.org/

To learn more about Kelly, Dani and Lana, check out their Instagram account. It’s full of fun and cool information, such as recipes that kids love to make and eat and facts about animal welfare. https://www.instagram.com/thatwylievegan/