Episodes
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Episode 97: Kindness Is Sharing The S#!& No One Tells You About Writing
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 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 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.
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 -
Episode 96: Kindness Is Charlene Draws
Author-illustrator, Charlene Chua joins Anitha as the podcast continues to features 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:
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 -
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Episode 95: Kindness Is Anoosha Draws
Critically acclaimed author-illustrator Anoosha Syed joins Anitha to kick off November and National Novel Writing Month.
Anoosha talks about her journey as an artist, the many books she’s created, including SARI SISTERS, the picture book she illustrated and Anitha authored, and so much more, including why she's willing to share how much money she earns, on social media.
The two also delve a little into parenting, as Anoosha recently became a mom!
An interesting and fun episode for anyone who loves books and art!
To learn more about Anoohsa, you can follow her here:
https://www.anooshasyed.com/
https://www.instagram.com/anooshadraws
https://www.tiktok.com/@anooshadraws
https://anooshasyed.substack.com/
As a thank you to Anoosha for sharing her story, Anitha donated to DALLAS STARS ADAPTIVE SPORTS.
Dallas Stars Adaptive Sports provides adaptive ice hockey programs for athletes of all abilities, including those with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities.
To learn more about this non-profit, click here:
https://www.nhl.com/stars/starcenters/adaptive-sports/ -
Episode 94: Kindness Is ASK A DOCTOR About INVISIBLE ILLNESSES
On this month’s session of ASK A DOCTOR, Anitha and her husband, Dr. Matt Robinson, talk about illnesses often described as invisible, such as chronic pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
These ailments can be debilitating and frustrating for the patient as they try to navigate the medical system.
This episode addresses symptoms, causes and potential supports available for people living with invisible illnesses.
**DISCLAIMER** THIS EPISODE IS MEANT FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND NOT MEANT TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS. ALWAYS SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN MEDICAL PROVIDER
If you have a medical issue you’d like discussed on the podcast, please send Anitha an email through her website,anitharobinson.com
If your question is selected, Anitha will donate to a registered charity of your choice* as a thank you.
* Registered Charity must support animals, the environment, or people. And also, no religious organizations, zoos or marine aquariums please. -
Episode 93: Kindness Is Sir Darius
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.
To learn more about Sir Darius check out the following links:
Sir Darius Website
Sir Darius Instagram -
Episode 92: Kindness Is Creating Freedom Farmhouse
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 -
Episode 91: Kindness Is A Dog Named Indi
Eleanor Booth joins Anitha to share a story of immense loss that created immense kindness.
A regular Sunday morning walk to the dog park turned into a nightmare for Eleanor and her dog, Indi.
In an instant, their lives changed forever, when two dogs, off-leash and trained to hunt and kill other animals, pursued and trapped Indi on the muddy bank of the river. Despite Eleanor’s heroic efforts to fend off these dogs and save Indi, Indi did not survive and Eleanor herself was severely injured in the attack.
In spite of this great loss, Eleanor and her husband Tom have focused on the kindness they received from their family, their community and people from all over the world.
Eleanor shares that Sunday walk with listeners but she also shares the many moments of compassion and kindness that have provided so much comfort to her and helped with her healing.
A tear-jerker for sure, but definitely worth the listen.
As a thank you to Eleanor for sharing her story, Anitha donated to WIRES. This charity is Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization. They rescue and care for sick, injured and orphaned native animals.
To learn more about WIRES, click here: WIRES -
Episode 90: Kindness Is Sammie’s Buddy Benches
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
Twitter: @Sammiebenches
Facebook: Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project (group)
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 -
Episode 89: Kindness Is ASK A DOCTOR About MENOPAUSE
October is National Menopause Awareness Month, so in this ASK A DOCTOR session, Anitha and her husband, Dr. Matt Robinson, will focus on issues surrounding menopause such as—
What is Menopause?SymptomsRemedies- are there any?Hormone Replacement Therapy vs Non-hormonal medications vs Herbal alternativesRisks and Benefits of each
**DISCLAIMER** THIS EPISODE IS MEANT FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND NOT MEANT TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS. ALWAYS SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN MEDICAL PROVIDER
If you have a medical issue you’d like discussed on the podcast, please send Anitha an email through her website,anitharobinson.com If your question is selected, Anitha will donate to a registered charity of your choice* as a thank you.
Registered Charity must support animals, the environment, or people. And also, no religious organizations, zoos or marine aquariums please. -
Episode 88: Kindness Is Remembering Wildlife
Margot Raggett is a wildlife photographer, wildlife warrior and a cancer survivor. She joins Anitha and generously talks about these parts of her life.
After witnessing the death of a young elephant, a tragic victim of poaching, Margot felt compelled to help protect wild animals . . .and thus was born Remembering Wildlife.
The first book in the series, Remembering Elephants, brought together photographers from all of the world, including Margot, donating stunning photographs for the book, which came out in 2015. Since then, eight more books have been produced and to date $1.5 million dollars has been raised through the sale of these books to support 74 projects in 33 countries across Africa, North & South America, Asia and Europe.
The latest book in the series, Remembering Tigers, will be available October 2024.You can purchase one or more or all of these gorgeous books and help protect wildlife by visiting the Remembering Wildlife website: Remembering Wildlife
To learn about some of the projects Remembering Wildlife supports, click here: Projects
On October 9th, Remembering Wildlife will host a special event to celebrate the release of Remembering Tigers. It will be an evening to showcase tiger conservation and wildlife photography. To attend the event in London, England in person or virtually, click here:Remembering Tigers Live & Virtual Launch
As of the date of airing of this episode, Margot was still deciding on a charity she would like Anitha to donate to. Once Margot decides, Anitha will donate and provide details and a link to the charity. -
Episode 87: Kindness Is Blankets For Baby Rhinos
September 22 is World Rhino Day and to mark this special day when the world recognizes these incredible beings who are critically endangered, Anitha chatted with Elisa Best.
Elisa is originally from South Africa and works as a small animal veterinarian in the UK. Elisa talks about the plight of rhinos and her desire to help them, and how this evolved into the creation of Blankets For Baby Rhinos (BFBR).
This lovely group began by knitting blankets for orphaned rhinos, who are often both emotionally and physically traumatized when their mothers are killed by poachers. Rhino rescue groups discovered that baby rhinos find comfort when wrapped in these blankets.
BFBR has now grown to provide blankets for other animals such as injured and rescued pangolins, lions, leopards, as well as the dogs and humans who are part of anti-poaching units. These dogs and humans work bravely to protect rhinos from poachers.
To find out more about Blankets For Baby Rhinos and how you can support this incredible group, check out their website and their Facebook Page:
Website: Blankets For Baby Rhinos
Facebook: Blanket For Baby Rhinos FB
Elisa talked about an amazing place called Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary. This is one of the rhino rescue groups, Blankets for Baby Rhinos supports. Care For Wild rescues, rehabilitates, releases, re-wilds and protects orphaned rhinos. In 2016, Anitha's daughter had the privilege to volunteer at this sanctuary. Her daughter's experience with the baby rhinos at Care For Wild inspired Anitha's debut picture book, A Family For Faru. Care For Wild will always hold a special place in Anitha's heart.
To learn more about Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary, please click on this link: Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary
Elisa also mentioned the importance of the anti-poaching unit to protect rhinos and the personal risk these brave men, women and dogs face every day. She mentioned a feature length documentary called RHINO MAN. This film focuses on the life of Anton Mzimba, who was the Head of Ranger Services at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Anton dedicated his life to protecting and conserving South African wildlife, and made great sacrifices to himself and his family to do so. Sadly, he was murdered in July of 2022. To learn more about this film, check out the following link:
Rhino Man
As a thank you to Elisa for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Blankets For Baby Rhinos. -
Clarissa Dery, a certified canine nutritionist joins Anitha to talk about what motivated her to create healthy supplements for dogs.
Clarissa not only creates products to help dogs, but after volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation centre in South Africa, she decided to donate the profits from Clarissa Clover to help wild animals in South Africa.
Clarissa talks about her time in South Africa, the animals she worked with, such as hippos and pangolins, and how this experience affected her
To learn more about Clarissa and the products she makes, check out these links:
clarissa's website
Clarissa's instagram
As a thank you to Clarissa for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Umoya Khulula Wildlife Rehab Centre. This non-profit rehabilitation facility in Limpopo, South Africa is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of local wildlife that have been orphaned, injured, displaced or confiscated from the illegal trade.
To learm about this wildlife rehab centre, please check out their website:
umoya khulula wildlife -
Episode 85: Kindness Is ASK A DOCTOR About FEVER
Anitha and the Kindness Is Everything Podcast welcome listeners to the second ASK A DOCTOR session. In this back-to-school session, Anitha and her husband, Dr. Matthew Robinson, talk about children getting fevers.
If you’ve ever wondered about—
What is a feverCauses of feverWhen to worry about a feverAntibiotics- Yes or no?Advocating for your sick child—then this episode is for you!
**DISCLAIMER** THIS EPISODE IS MEANT FOR GUIDANCE ONLY AND NOT MEANT TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS. ALWAYS SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN MEDICAL PROVIDER
If you have a medical issue you’d like discussed on the podcast, please send Anitha an email through her website,anitharobinson.com
If your question is selected, Anitha will donate to a registered charity of your choice* as a thank you.
Registered Charity must support animals, the environment, or people. And also, no religious organizations, zoos or marine aquariums please. -
Kathryn Nicolai, the creator of the number one sleep podcast Nothing Much Happens® joins Anitha to talk about how she makes SO much happen for others.
With her soothing voice, her promise of holding on to your worries while you sleep, and gently tucking listeners in for the night, Kathryn has helped so many folks fall asleep
For many, including Anitha, the quiet of nighttime is not conducive to sleep, instead it’s a time for negative thoughts to spiral and past traumas to impose themselves. That’s where Kathryn and her stories step in. They give listeners something else to attach their minds to and amazingly fall asleep!
Kathryn talks about the gratitude and responsibility she feels knowing that sometimes her voice is the last thing someone in hospice care will hear, or how folks who have suffered traumas and unbearable losses and night terrors are finally able to fall asleep because of her stories and her podcast.
In addition to helping people through her podcast and books, Kathryn donates to a charity every week!
To learn more about Kathryn and her podcast, check out her website: nothingmuchhappens.com
As a thank you to Kathryn for sharing her story, Anitha donated to I Heart Dogs Rescue and Animal Haven, a no-kill shelter that rescues, rehabilitates, re-homes and provides a refuge for homeless dogs.
To learn more about this rescue, click here: Iheartdogs -
Episode 83: Kindness Is Katy Brink & the dodo
The incredible, Katy Brink from the dodo joins Anitha to talk about her love for animals, fostering dogs, and being a part of an amazing organization all about animals.
Katy shares what it’s like working as an executive editor at the dodo, (which may be Anitha’s dream job) The dodo is a wonderful organization that highlights heart-warming stories about animals . . . and the stories always have happy endings
In addition to working as an editor, Katy generously devotes a lot of her time to fostering dogs. She talks about the devastating overcrowding situation at animal shelters and how fostering literally saves lives.
Katy has some wonderful stories about the dogs who are and have been in her life, including her current foster, a sweet girl named Cartier.
To learn more about Katy, Cartier and the dodo, click on the following links.
Katy's Instagram
Dodo Instagram
Cartier's story
Cartier's adoption profile
As a thank you to Katy for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Mr. Bones & Co.— a volunteer-run animal welfare non-profit. They specialize in helping dogs who face extraordinary challenges, such as extensive emergency veterinary care/surgery, unfair breed discrimination or those languishing in municipal shelters with behavioral issues that make them harder to place.
To learn more about this rescue, click here:
mrbonesandco -
Episode 82: Kindness Is Our Honor
Dr. Crystal Heath, a veterinarian and animal rights activist joins Anitha to talk about the surprising dichotomy that exists holding both of these spaces.
Like a lot of listeners, Anitha assumed that folks who go into veterinary medicine are also strong advocates for animal rights, but that may not always be the case.
Dr. Heath shares her experience of what it was like speaking out for animals during veterinary school and why this inspired her to create Our Honor, a non-profit 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.
She was named one of Vox’s 2023 Future Perfect 50, which honors the scientists, thinkers, scholars, writers, and activists working on solutions to today's (and tomorrow’s) biggest problems.
She is also on the board of LEAP - Leaders for Ethics Animals and the Planet, known as the humane alternative to 4-H and FFA, which aims to transform today’s youth into the humane leaders of tomorrow who advocate for and work towards an equitable future for all living beings and the planet.
Well respected in her field, Dr. Crystal Heath is quoted and featured in numerous articles about animals including:
New York TimesVoxThe GuardianLos Angeles Times Animal Liberation Hour Vegan For the Animals Modern Farmer
To learn more about Dr. Heath andOur Honor, click on the following links:
Website: http://ourhonor.org
Twitter @drcrystalheath @OurHonorVets
Instagram @dr.crystalheath @OurHonorVets
Facebook Crystal Heath Our Honor
As a thank you to Dr. Heath for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Our Honor. -
Anitha and the Kindness Is Everything Podcast welcome listeners to the first ASK A DOCTOR session. Once a month, Anitha and her husband, Dr. Matthew Robinson, will discuss a topical medical issue. In this inaugural episode, they talk about cognitive decline and aging.
If you’ve ever wondered about—
Normal memory issues as one ages versus early signs of dementiaSupports in the community to help someone who has dementiaCare options for those with limited financial resourcesExtent to which hospitals can help care for those with dementiaHow kindness fits into all of this—then this episode is for you!
If you have a medical issue you’d like answered, please send Anitha an email through her website, anitharobinson.com
If your question is selected to be addressed on the show, Anitha will donate to a registered charity of your choice* as a thank you.
*Registered Charity must support animals, the environment, or people. And also, no religious organizations, zoos or marine aquariums please. -
Ryan and Mallory Phillips were brought together by a mutual love for a tiny calf. They join Anitha to talk not only about their incredible ‘how did you meet’ story, which Anitha thought should be made into a movie, but also what it’s like to share a home with a menagerie of animals, such as pigs, chickens, cows and many other amazing beings, they call family.
Ryan also talks about his path to sanctuary life and how it all began when he received a call about a pig named Pumpkin, who needed a home, and needed one fast. Soon after, came Pumpkin’s daughter Charlotte, and thus began Ryan’s life with pigs.
An inspiring story of love and hope.
To learn more about Ryan and Mallory and their Life With Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary, check out the following links:
Facebook www.facebook.com/lifewithpigs
Instagram www.instagram.com/lifewithpigsfarmsanctuary
Youtube www.youtube.com/lifewithpigs
Website is lifewithpigs.com
As a thank you to Ryan and Mallory for sharing their story, Anitha donated to Life With Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary. -
Episode 79: Kindness Is Helping Parents Age With Compassion
Anitha’s sister, Shaila Rao, joins her to talk about the realities of life with aging parents. They share the heartache of witnessing their mom’s health decline due to a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects her mobility and cognitive function. They also discuss their concern and admiration for their 90-year-old dad's determination to be their mom’s primary caregiver.
A personal and honest conversation about the difficult and heartbreaking issues many of us face as our parents age.
To learn more about Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), click this link: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/progressive-supranuclear-palsy-psp
As a thank you to Shaila for coming on to the show, Anitha donated to Oakville & Milton Humane Society. This organization is dedicated to protecting and making a better life for animals. To learn more about the Oakville & Milton Humane Society, click this link:
https://omhs.ca/ -
Episode 78: Kindness Is Making The Inside Scouts!
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/ - Montre plus
