Kindness is Everything

Kindness Is Being Annick Press—How a Canadian publisher is standing up for diversity & representation in their books, their authors, and their publishing team.

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

Kindness Is Oscar’s Place—A sanctuary for donkeys.

For the inaugural audio and video episode of the podcast, Ron King joins Anitha to talk about Oscar’s Place, a sanctuary for donkeys to heal and live happy donkey lives.

Ron talks about the many individuals at the sanctuary and how people don’t realize that donkeys are incredibly affectionate, smart and love to hug!


Ron also shares his journey of healing and how the sanctuary and the donkeys helped him.

An incredible conversation about the power of love.

To learn more about Oscar’s Place check out their website. It’s full of information about donkeys, how to sponsor or adopt a donkey, and of course photos of adorable donkeys to fall in love with.

Oscar's Place Website

As a thank you to Ron for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Jarjeer Mules. Anitha and Ron have both visited this donkey and mule rescue located in Marrakech, Morocco. Anitha also had the pleasure of chatting with the founder of Jarjeer Mules on episode 119.

To learn more about Jarjeer Mules and listen to their podcast episode, click the following links:
Jarjeer Mules Website

Kindness Is Jarjeer Mules

Kindness Is Fauna Foundation—Canada’s only chimpanzee sanctuary offers refuge for those who suffered from medical research.

Mary Lee Jensvold joins Anitha to talk about Fauna Foundation, a place of healing for chimpanzees used and abused in the medical research industry.

Mary Lee shares stories of the many primates rescued by Fauna Foundation. She speaks about the incredible capacity of these individuals to heal from years of painful and invasive experiments. And most remarkable of all—their willingness to forgive the very species who caused them so much harm.

Though these chimpanzees can never return to their rightful home in Africa, Mary Lee talks about the ways Fauna provides residents with as much comfort and enrichment as possible.

Mary Lee and Anitha also talk about the many cruelty-free alternatives to animal testing and hope listeners will support companies who opt for these kinder alternatives.

To learn more about Fauna Foundation and fall in love with the chimpanzees, check out their website and YouTube channel.

Fauna Foundation Website
Fauna Foundation YouTube Channel

As a thank you to Mary Lee for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Fauna Foundation.

Kindness Is Being Dr. Grace Gilbert—The journey from being a home-schooled conservative to bravely speaking out against current US Government policies.

Dr. Grace Gilbert joins Anitha to talk about what it was like growing up in a Christian Conservative home, being home-schooled and the obstacles she faced to go to college and eventually become a doctor.

She shares why she no longer adheres to Conservative Christian beliefs and instead uses her medical knowledge and social media platform to share how recent changes to Medicaid, Planned Parenthood, Immigration and other policies are negatively affecting the healthcare of her patients and the healthcare industry as a whole.

A timely and honest conversation about issues many folks are dealing with.

To follow Dr. Gilbert check out the following links.

Dr. Grace on TikTok
Dr. Grace on Instagram

As a thank you to Dr. Gilbert for sharing her story, Anitha donated to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide information & support, including suicide prevention and crisis management, to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.

To learn more about The Trevor Project, check out their website: The Trevor Project

Kindness Is Otis The Handsome Hound—How an Animal Testing Survivor Is Living His Best Life & Raising Awareness''

Otis, a coonhound, was born into the cruel world of animal testing and subjected to many invasive and painful procedures. But Otis is one of the lucky ones, he was rescued by Robert Sturman who joins Anitha to talk about Otis’ life—then and now.

Robert talks about the harsh world of animal testing that subjects millions of animals to painful procedures despite their being cruelty free alternatives.

But the majority of the conversation focuses on Otis, from his favourite things to do (car rides, running on the beach, and joining Robert on the yoga mat) to his immense capacity for forgiveness. Despite being harmed by humans, Otis loves people.

An incredible episode showcasing the healing power of love.

To learn more about Otis and follow him as he celebrates life while also raising awareness about the animal testing industry, check out his Instagram account:

Otis The Handsome Hound

Kindness Is Wild By Nurture—One woman’s dedication to opossums, porcupines, foxes and many animals often neglected when it comes to rescue.

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.

Kindness Is Moonman Photography—How photos have the power to connect us with the wonders of wildlife.

Kyle Moon joins Anitha to talk about his journey to becoming a wildlife photographer and guide at Yellowstone National Park. Kyle shares stories of photographing wild animals from birds to wolves to bison, including an incident when he accidentally found himself far too close to a grizzly mom and her cubs.

Having had the privilege of spending time with many animals in their natural habitat, Kyle talks about the ethics of trophy hunting.

Kyle also shares his interest in collaborating with others on environmental projects. To learn more about Kyle and browse through his gorgeous photos, check out the following links:

Website: Moonman Photography
Instagram: Moonman on IG
YouTube: Moonman on YouTube

As a thank you to Kyle for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Yellowstone Forever, the official non-profit partner of Yellowstone National Park. This non-profit protects and preserves Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. To learn more about them, check out their website:
Yellowstone Forever

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

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

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 WebsiteOur Honor Instagram                         Dr. Heath InstagramOur Honor FaceBook                          Dr. Heath FacebookOur Honor LinkedIn                            Dr. Heath LinkedInOur Honor BlueSky                             Dr. Heath BlueSkyOur 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.

Kindness Is Creating Rainbow Spaces (an Encore episode)- How one woman created a safe space for youth in the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2021 Nadia Kean-Ayub created Rainbow Spaces. She joins Anitha to talk about what motivated her to start this organization, how this group helps youth in the LGBTQ+ community, and how much they have grown in just three years.

Nadia also shares her favourite ways to support folks in the queer community by being an A+ Ally

1. Affirm who they are
2. Accept that their path is their own
3. Acknowledge
4. Don’t offer Advice on who they should share their queerness with
5. Adapt by letting the youth guide you

An emotional and honest discussion of the best and most difficult aspects of creating a safe and inclusive space for all youth.

To learn more about the amazing events Rainbow Spaces creates, check out their Instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/rainbowspacessb/

As with all her guests, Anitha offered to donate to a charity of Nadia’s choice. At the time of this episode’s airing, Nadia was still deciding on a charity.