Tag: #youth

Episode 142:Kindness Is Continuing To Fight For Rainbow Spaces—Protecting LGBTQ+ youth 

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

**This episode does mention suicide and may trigger or be challenging for some listeners. Please be kind to yourself.**

Nadia Kean-Ayub returns to talk to Anitha about her organization called Rainbow Spaces and the current environment in the United States towards folks in the LGBTQ+ community.

It has been just over a year since Nadia was originally on the show and sadly, a lot of communities in the United States feel unsafe, including LGBTQ+. Fortunately, there are people like Nadia who continue to support and advocate for communities who have been marginalized and in some cases fear for their safety.

Nadia created Rainbow Spaces, a place where youth can gather and be who they are, without fear of discrimination.

To learn more about Rainbow Spaces, check out these links:

Website Rainbow Spaces

Instagram-Rainbow Spaces

As a thank you to Nadia for coming back as a guest to update listeners on the well-being of folks in the LGBTQ+ community under the current US administration’s policies, Anitha donated to Rainbow Spaces.

If you or anyone you know is in crisis, help is available. Please reach out to someone.

In Canada and the US: Suicide Crisis Hotline- text or call 9-8-8 

International: www.crisistextline.org/

You can hear the full episode here:

Episode 133: Kindness Is Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary—A place where primates heal & recover from trauma.

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Rachelle Hansen joins Anitha to talk about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, located in Ontario, Canada. Rachelle shares stories of the residents who currently live and have lived at the sanctuary. She talks about the friendships they have made, things they enjoy doing and how the folks at the sanctuary do their best to make the lives of the residents as happy and comfortable as possible, given they can never be returned to their natural homes in the wild.

Bob & Collette
Nora & Mojo
Njeri
Max under his blanket
Darwin
Boo & Gerdie

Of course, Rachelle talks about Pockets Warhol, the famous white-capped capuchin monkey who loves to paint. His art work is highly sought after.

Pockets

Rachelle also talks about the residents’ lives before coming to the sanctuary—many were victims of the pet trade, bio-medical experiments and zoos.

During their conversation, Rachelle shares the horrific plight of more than 6,000 endangered Cambodian macaques arriving in Canada for the past 19 months to be used in laboratory testing. These wild-caught primates, typically between one and two years of age, are illegally trafficked from Cambodia to Montreal, Canada in tiny crates, often without food or water. If they survive the trip, they then endure immense pain, suffering and terror as they are subjected to experiments, even though it is well documented that these drug experiments consistently fail to improve human health. This is such a tragedy, BUT there is something everyone can do to help. Rachelle, shared the following link, where folks can sign a petition and email the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Julie Dabrusin to urge her to stop the importation of long-tailed macaques into Canada.

Horrible things are happening in the world, but here is one instance where you can help. Please click on the link and sign the petition.

Help Cambodian Macaques

To learn more about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary and to book a visit, check out their website and Instagram account.

Story Book Farm Website

Story Book Farm Instagram

As a thank you to Rachelle for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.  Located in Sierra Leone, Tacugama is dedicated to enforcing wildlife laws, and rescuing and rehabilitating critically endangered orphaned Western chimpanzees. To learn more about Tacugama, check out their website. You can also listen to episode 55 of the Kindness Is Everything podcast, where Dr. Izzy Hirji, a veterinarian, talks about volunteering with both Tacugama and Story Book Farm.

Tacugama Website

Episode 55: Kindness Is Dr. Izzy Goes Wild

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

Published on 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 31st.

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 124: Kindness Is Speaking Up—How more than ever, standing up against injustice matters.

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Dr. Crystal Heath generously joins Anitha for a third time. During her previous two appearances on the podcast, Dr. Heath focused on the importance of speaking up for animal welfare. This time, she talks about the injustices many humans are facing and why she is standing up for those who can’t protect themselves.

Like others who are upset by the actions of the current US administration at detaining immigrants, Dr. Heath was documenting a peaceful protest in Los Angeles outside a federal detention centre, when she and others were ‘kettled’ and arrested.

In addition to sharing this harrowing experience, Dr. Heath talks about the inaccurate depiction of LA as a place filled with violent demonstrators.

She and Anitha also discuss how folks who stand up for human justice, just like those who stand up for animal rights, are mistreated and coerced into silence.

An incredible episode for anyone who wants to know what is actually happening in Los Angeles.

To learn more about this issue and the other injustices Dr. Heath bravely speaks out against, check out the following links:

Our Honor Website

Our Honor Instagram                         Dr. Heath Instagram

Our Honor FaceBook                          Dr. Heath Facebook

Our Honor LinkedIn                            Dr. Heath LinkedIn

Our Honor BlueSky                             Dr. Heath BlueSky

Our Honor YouTube                            Dr. Heath YouTube

As a thank you to Dr. Heath for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Our Honor, a non-profit organization that supports veterinary students, veterinarians, and other animal professionals in speaking their conscience to create more ethical systems that consider the best interests of all species.

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 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 121: Kindness Is Saving 25 Cats From Qatar

Published on 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.

This was such a privilege for Anitha to speak with Mye, who donates profits from the documentary and from the sale of merchandise to local rescues.

The film is being shown throughout the United States and Mye hopes to take the film to other countries.

To learn more about 25 CATS FROM QATAR and find out when it’s coming to your area, check out their website and these social media links.

25 Cats From Qatar website

Instagram

Trailer on YouTube

As a thank you to Mye for sharing her story, Anitha donated to 25 CATS FROM QATAR so Mye can continue to support local rescues.

To hear the full episode, please click here:

Episode 118: Kindness Is Pikala Bikes & More

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

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

Published on by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

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: