Now – Andy Smallman

What I’ve been up to lately…

Last updated: October 31, 2025

I’ve been selected to be a songwriter for the Songs of Love Foundation, writing personalized lyrics and using Suno’s music tools to create free, original songs for children facing medical, physical, or emotional challenges. This work also supports older adults with dementia and others with serious health issues. (10/31/25)
I’m offering my “3 Steps to Thoughtful Action” activity to interested people twice in November as part of Pieces of I’s Compassion in Action initiative. It’s free! Learn more. (10/15/25)
Earlier this month I posted a memoir on my personal blog about a crazy day of travel my family had on Vancouver Island back in 2007. I’m proud of the writing and invite you to check out what I hope you’ll find to be an enjoyable read here. (8/22/25)
I’m offering free, 25-minute, one-on-one social and emotional learning lessons for youth ages 10-18 on Zoom through August. These lessons operate on a gift economy model, meaning there’s no obligation to pay, but contributions are welcome. Learn more. (7/3/25)
On Tuesday, I facilitated the graduation ceremony at Spring Academy, introducing staff and addressing our five graduates and their families. Here’s what I shared. (6/21/25)
Now available on my Kind Living website, a place I’ve been posting ad-free, kindness-based content at no charge, is a kindness project I created to accompany the reading Parker Palmer’s inspiring book “A Hidden Wholeness.” (5/17/25)
Between 2018 and 2020, I translated each Tao Te Ching chapter into kindness poems, shared online. Beginning last year, I started using Suno AI to create modern pop songs from these poems, resulting in the five-volume “The Tao of Kindness.” The final volume is now complete, offering 81 poems and songs available for free streaming and download on Bandcamp, inviting listeners to explore balance and kindness. (4/16/25)
I’m just getting started on Substack, both to promote my efforts in spreading thoughtfulness and to help offset the costs I incur doing so. While there are paid subscription options available, there is a free option, too. Subscribe. (3/15/25)
I’m keeping a Spotify playlist of songs I’ve been listening to lately. If you’re interested, take a listen and let me know what you think. (2/15/25)
I’ve created 6 new “Secret Agent of Compassion” missions for the upcoming 40 Days of Peace & Greatness, part of the Compassion Games. Learn more. (1/3/25)

For years, I’ve maintained an email list for people interested in receiving twice-per-month messages about simple acts of kindness they can complete. The latest one went out today. To sign up to receive them, click here. (12/15/24)
I apologize to those less interested in my songwriting exploits on Suno, but I’m excited to say I won $100 in another one of their contests. In this one, you had to take a “stem” from a song and remix it into a new song based on how you want it to sound. I used part of a song lyric I wrote back in the mid 1980’s, an odd combination of genre prompts (Eastern European, Gypsy, Punk, Surf, Synth, Rap), and some minor editing to get this final result that apparently was judged worthy of a $100 prize. (11/1/24)
I continue to have an absolute blast adapting lyrics and poems I’ve written into songs using Suno. Here’s one I wrote about my wife’s and my first kiss back in 1990, a poem that’s been languishing in a notebook for 34 years and that I repurposed this week as a song. (10/2/24)
I’m about to start my second year as the principal at Spring Academy in Seattle. Spring provides individualized education programs for middle & high schoolers whose needs are not being met in mainstream settings. (9/2/24)
I was one of 200 creators on Suno, the AI song-generator, who were awarded $500 for our creations in July, part of their Summer of Suno promotion. Here is my winning submission (8/26/24).
We spread my father’s ashes on the finish line at Emerald Downs, a wonderful way to bring closure to his life a year after he died. See some photos and learn more here. (7/31/24)