Kindness is Everything

Animal lover Aliesha Verma joins Anitha to talk about all she does to help stray animals in India, including rescuing a puppy who couldn’t walk.

Aliesha who lives in Canada, regularly returns to India to visit family. Most of her visits are spent helping the many stray animals she comes across. From feeding them to providing shelter to getting them medical care such as spaying and neutering. But on one visit, she came across a puppy who was in such dire condition she knew they wouldn’t survive if she left them behind. So, Aliesha brought Baby Girl (the name she gave to the puppy) and her two sisters back to Canada.

Aliesha talks about the journey from India to Canada with three puppies and updates us on how they are all doing now.

An episode for all animal lovers.

To learn more about Aliesha, check out her Instagram account:

Alisha For Animals on IG

As a thank you to Aliesha for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Animal Aid Foundation Trust’s Go Fund Me page. This fundraiser was created to build an animal hospital and shelter in Hisar, India. Animal Aid Foundation Trust is an NGO providing free veterinary services to street animals. They are dedicated to creating a nation where each and every stray animal receives all the basic medical treatment. 

To learn more about this organization check out their website and Instagram account:
Website
Instagram

Jon Seymour, the founder of Tielmour Press, joins Anitha to talk about the world of publishing and how he united his love for the environment and his love of books.

By their very nature, books destroy trees. Books are made from paper and paper is made from trees. As someone who cares about the environment and the preservation of trees, it was important for Jon to find a way to reduce the environmental harm the publishing industry causes. And he has—Every book sold supports reforestation!

Tielmour Press, an independent Canadian publisher, promises that when someone buys one of their hardcover books, they donate to One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization focused on global reforestation.

Jon also talks about some other kind initiatives he has brought to publishing, such as amplifying books of other publishers. And of course, he and Anitha talk about books and what Tielmour Press is looking for in terms of submissions.

**UPDATE** As of June 2, 2026, Jon shared that unfortunately, Tielmour Press is winding down production and operations and will not be accepting any submissions until further notice. THEY STILL WILL be selling books and supporting reforestation.

To learn more about Tielmour Press and find out when they will be accepting submissions, check out these links:

Website

Instagram

As a thank you to Jon for sharing his story, Anitha donated to One Tree Planted. To learn more about this organization, check out their website:

One Tree Planted Website

What would you do if you saw a shark struggling near shore? And not just a shark—a Great White Shark.

Rebecca Puckett joins Anitha to talk about what she did in this exact situation. She and her partner worked for hours to help a Great White shark break free of the sandbar and swim away. Their efforts were captured on video which has gone viral!

Rebecca also talks about her love for all non-human animals and her efforts to help as many individuals as she can.

An incredible conversation of the lengths some folks go to help other beings.

To follow Rebecca and her conservation efforts, click on the following links:

On Instagram

On Facebook

On TikTok

As a thank you to Rebecca sharing her story, Anitha donated to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This charity saves gorillas and the ecosystems in which they live. To learn more about the work they are doing, check out their website:

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Tom joins Anitha to talk about his Instagram account JustAsking.US.CA, which he created to raise awareness about so many topical issues in the US and Canada. From healthcare to gun violence to racism to LGBTQ+ rights to the environment, Tom asks questions about all of these topics and more, in hopes of initiating healthy and respectful conversations from his followers. 

He and Anitha also talk about the difference between Canada and the US when it comes to healthcare, access to guns, religion in politics and environmental protection.

A fascinating and timely conversation.

To follow Tom check out his Instagram page:
Just Asking on Instagram

You can also check out Tom’s sobriety journey here:
Practically Sober on Instagram

As a thank you to Tom sharing his story, Anitha donated to War Child Canada which supports children affected by war. To learn more about this charity, check out their website:
War Child Canada

Stef Vachon joins Anitha to talk about his life growing up in Montreal, Canada in the 1970’s as a young boy who loved to figure skate and the trauma that followed.

Stef shares how the bullying and hate he endured as a child forced him to stop doing what he loved—skatiWebsiteng, but he also shares how, with the help of his son, he has returned to the ice and reclaimed his joy.

Stef talks about creating his podcast TOGETHER MOVING FORWARD in hopes that others would not have to go through all the struggles he faced.

An episode about healing, self love and giving back to your community.

To follow Stef and his podcast check out the following links:
Together Moving Forward  Website
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Amazon Music

As a thank you to Stef for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Refugio Animal Holbox, an animal rescue in Mexico. This shelter rescues, advocates and cares for animals by sterilizing them and educating the people in the community. To learn more about this rescue, check out their website:

Website

Dean Wyrzykowski joins Anitha to talk about the incredible recent rescue of beagles from Ridglan Farms. Located in Wisconsin, Ridglan Farms is the second largest breeding and lab testing facility in the United States, with 2000 dogs bred and subjected to cruel and inhumane forms of testing without anesthetic. 

Dean takes us back to 2017, when investigators witnessed firsthand the horrible conditions beagles, one of the most docile breeds of dogs, endure—living in cages that are a mere 2 feet by 4 feet in size, never going outside and having painful procedures performed without any anesthetic.

After almost ten years of protesting, gathering signatures, writing letters and a huge public outcry about what was happening to dogs at Ridglan Farms, it was finally time to celebrate. In May of 2026, several rescue organizations negotiated with Ridglan Farms for the release of 1500 of the 2000 dogs.

Dean hopes that all the dogs will be freed from Ridglan and this facility will forever be closed.

A story that shows that our voices do make a difference.

To follow Dean, check out these links:

Dean on Instagram

Dean on YouTube

Dean on Substack

As a thank you to Dean for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Save The Dogs, an organization determined to end the breeding of dogs for lab testing. To learn more about what they do, check out their website:

Save The Dogs Website

Anitha is so grateful to have Dr. Izzy Hirji back on the show. Izzy talks about becoming a veterinarian, an animal activist, a conservationist and of course a friend to Dr. Jane Goodall. He also shares his journey into spirituality and wellness. 

Anitha and Izzy spend a great deal of the episode talking about their mutual hero, Dr. Jane Goodall. Izzy shares stories of their time together and how he continues to carry Dr. Jane’s light with him.

A perfect way to bring this month-long celebration of Dr. Jane Goodall, who passed on October 1, 2025, to a close.

To follow Izzy and see all the ways he helps make the world a better place for all beings, check out his Instagram page.

Dr. Izzy on Instagram

As a thank you to Dr. Izzy for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, one of the many places Dr. Izzy helps animals. This charity believes all animals have the right to live free of fear or pain from humans. They are a place of healing and recovery from trauma. Check out Anitha’s conversation with Rachelle Hansen from Story Book Farm which aired September 10, 2025 and the sanctuary’s website to learn more:

Story Book Farm Website

Comedian Aaron Foster joins Anitha to talk about his journey into comedy, his decision to share his struggles with mental health in his shows AND also reuniting with a dog he fostered twelve years ago!

Aaron and Anitha begin the conversation talking about Aaron’s decision to share his own struggles with mental health in hopes that it will help others who are also struggling. 

The conversation then pivots to a call he received from an animal shelter in January 2026. A dog he had found in a Colorado snowstorm eleven years ago and fostered for three months, showed up as a stray in Las Vegas.

What did Aaron do? He jumped on a plane and brought the dog (Sadie) home. Aaron shares the story of how he first met Sadie and what her life is like now. A super sweet story of true commitment. 

As Anitha continues her month-long celebration of Dr. Jane Goodall by chatting with folks who knew her or loved the animals she loved, this story of Aaron and Sadie seems perfect.

To follow Aaron for both his comedy and updates on Sadie, check out his Instagram page which has links to all the other places you can follow him.

Aaron's Instagram

As a thank you to Aaron for sharing his story, Anitha donated to World Wildlife Fund. This charity works to conserve species at risk, protect threatened habitats and address climate change.

To learn more about them, check out their website:
World Wildlife Fund Canada

Kindness Is Caring For Those Left Behind—When someone dies, what happens to their beloved companion animal?

Anitha continues her month-long celebration of her hero Dr. Jane Goodall who passed on October 1, 2025 at the age of 91, by chatting with Lindsay Kirschner. Like Dr. Jane, Lindsay had a close relationship with her mom. Sadly, Lindsay's mom unexpectedly passed away leaving behind a grieving family which included an adorable dog named Coconut.

Despite being devastated by the sudden loss of her mom, Lindsay didn’t hesitate to bring Coconut back home to live with her.

Lindsay talks about what their lives (hers and Coconut's) are like now. She also shares stories of Coconut and her boyfriend, who used to be Lindsay’s boyfriend, before Coconut decided he was hers!

Often when someone dies without making arrangements for their companion animal, the dog or cat or bunny, who is already grieving the loss of their human, finds themselves alone and scared and at a shelter. Lindsay and Anitha talk about how important it is to make sure that someone will care for your beloved fur-baby should you die before they do. Coconut is one of the lucky ones. She had family ready and willing to step in and care for her.

An episode about healing and how from great loss there can be great love.

To follow Coconut’s journey, check out her awesome Instagram page.

Coconut on Instagram

As a thank you to Lindsay and Coconut for sharing their story, Anitha donated to Pet Orphans of Southern California. This is the rescue that cared for Coconut before Lindsay’s mom adopted her. To learn more about this rescue, check out their website:
Pet Orphans of Southern California Website

Kindness Is Loving Dogs—From fostering to creating an animal sanctuary

Anitha continues her month-long celebration of her hero Dr. Jane Goodall who passed on October 1, 2025 at the age of 91, by chatting with Alyssa Blackwell. Like Dr. Jane, Alyssa loves dogs. Alyssa has been fostering dogs since she was 16 years old.

For the past 20 years Alyssa has cared for, fallen in love with and had her heart broken each time her foster dog finds their forever family. And now she and her husband are opening their own animal sanctuary called SACRED PAWS DOG SANCTUARY.

An episode full of love and hope and inspiration of what it means to follow your dream of helping animals.

To learn more about Alyssa, the dogs she fosters, and her sanctuary, check out these links:

• Alyssa's Fostering Journey on Instagram
• Sacred Paws Dog Sanctuary on Instagram
• Sacred Paws Dog Sanctuary on YouTube
• Sacred Paws Dog Sanctuary on TikTok
• Sacred Paws Dog Sanctuary Website

As a thank you to Alyssa for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Sacred Paws Dog Sanctuary.