Stay engaged without burning out.

A weekly note for people whose work involves caring for other people.

Teachers, nurses, therapists, nonprofit workers, social workers, helpers of all kinds: each week, I share a short story, question, or practice for staying engaged without burning yourself out or giving up.

    From readers + collaborators:

    “Andrew is great with structures and systems—both understanding them and creating them. And he does it all with a really light and playful touch that makes big things feel manageable.”

    – James A. Pearson, author of The Wilderness that Bears Your Name


    “Andrew is a role model when it comes to powerful questions and playful practices.”

    – Caryn Berley, somatic practitioner and Catalyst Certified Leader & Facilitator


    “Andrew is a phenomenal teacher who creates a safe, vibrant space in which to learn and grow.”

    – Gina A., reader

    What you'll find in Gentle Change:

    Past Issues of the Gentle Change Newsletter
    Walking our Neighborhoods: A Practice of Community-Orienting in Tacoma
    Walking our Neighborhoods: A Practice of Community-Orienting in Tacoma

    Want to feel more connected to your community? Try exploring your own city on foot or wheel, noticing your neighborhood, visiting local spaces, and practicing curiosity about where you live.

    Read more →
    What If Being Right Isn't the Point?
    What If Being Right Isn't the Point?

    How do we disagree without turning every conversation into a battle? Mónica Guzmán's CARE questions offer a practical way to build curiosity, connection, and better conversations.

    Read more →
    Throw a Party (Or Don’t): How to Connect With Your Neighbors and Build Community
    Throw a Party (Or Don’t): How to Connect With Your Neighbors and Build Community

    You don't need to throw a party to build community. But you could! Here’s a story about a simple get-together and some more ways to connect with your neighbors, create belonging, and strengthen the community around you.

    Read more →

    Like these ideas?

    I send one short, thoughtful Gentle Change newsletter every week, with practical ways to stay engaged without burning yourself out.

      Past collaborations include…

      Kaitlin Curtice

      Kaitlin Curtice
      Storytelling + Belonging

      Kazu Haga
      Practicing Nonviolence

      David Gate, author of A Rebellion of Care

      David Gate
      A Rebellion of Care

      Dorcas Cheng-Tozun, author of Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul

      Dorcas Cheng-Tozun
      Social Justice + Activism

      James Pearson, author of The Wilderness that Bears Your Name

      James Pearson
      The Messiness of Change

      "We never know how our small activities will affect others through the invisible fabric of our connectedness.” – Grace Lee Boggs

      For the past decade, I’ve worked with teachers, coaches, retirees, local governmental committees, schools, school districts – folks in all different life seasons and organizations in all different areas of work.

      And my guiding question is always the same:

      How can we embody healing and justice in the ways we’re moving within our communities?

      This is the core question of a “gentle change” approach to activism that meets us where we are and helps us carry a posture of experimentation rather than perfection.

      If this approach resonates with you and your story, I invite you to sign up for the Gentle Change newsletter.

      Note: All of my offerings are financially free-of-charge. This is one of the ways I’m countering the pressures of capitalism and choosing relationships of reciprocity and trust over transaction.