“The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
When I was little, Jiminy Cricket and his famous saying of “let your conscience be your guide” had a strong impact on me. I have always imagined our conscience, of consciences as the case may be, to be that little entity sitting on our shoulder, helping us navigate the world as good and honest people. Lately, I’ve also found that little voice serving the purpose of reminding me of my dreams and encouraging me to seek out new territory in many different areas of my life.
While our minds may riddle our thoughts with self-doubt, the conscience’s voice is clear and confident. In our hearts, we always know the right thing to do, the correct way to jump. We just second-guess our conscience and intuition, and this is caused by letting others put their expectations upon us. Who should we be? Where should we work? Who should we spend time with? If I do x, y, or z, what will others think of me? So rather than following our hearts and our conscience, we just turn down the dial on them, and focus on how others want us to live our lives.
My friend, Amanda, posted up a a quote by Michael Pollan, prolific author and healthy food advocate that really resonated with me this morning. My favorite line is, “without its daydreams, the self is apt to shrink down to the size and shape of the estimation of others.” He advocates for day dreaming as a tool in our lives that can guide us toward our best self. In day dreaming, the conscience’s voice is not only clear, but also strong. In day dreaming, we’re reminded that the voice of the conscience never goes away. We may put it on mute while running through our daily lives, but eventually, in the dead of night and the soft hush of morning, on our yoga mat, or during any time of silence, there it is, whispering our dreams back to us.
By silencing the conscience, we ensure a mid-life crisis, or a crisis of faith, that moment of “what the heck am I doing with my life?” And it can all come crashing down, this carefully constructed, “right way of doing things” sort of life. This crash isn’t inevitable. It just requires work to avoid it, strength and courage to live the lives that we want to live instead of ceding to the expectations of others. You can’t get rid of the conscience; in the long-term it’s going to win. So just listen. Now. It wants to be your guide, so just let it do its job.
The image above is not my own. It can be found here.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
“The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi 
Beautiful post! Great cheer here, “If I do x, y, or z, what will others think of me?” LOL
My own dilemma is from the opposite end of the spectrum. I have the fortune/misfortune of having a one ton gorilla as a conscience rather than the darling little jiminy cricket. It’s a bit daunting at times. I could never understand how others are able to stick a “real” job and walk the walk others have outlined for them – but I have been momentarily envious on many occasions. On those occasions I generally get a dumb job and relax (as in not driving myself 24/7 doing my own thing) for 6 months until it drives me out of my mind and back to my heart. It’s all rather tricky finding our way between the heart and paying the rent :). I wish all of us luck with that balancing act.
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Hi Trish – isn’t that the big question for all of us!? How do I do only what I love and still pay the rent. A delicate balance in indeed. It’s my big focus for 2010 and so far so good. It’s all falling into place. I want us all to find our way there. Thanks as always for your honesty and sharing your experience – I love reading your comments and blog 🙂
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catching up on my reading of your blogs — love them, and this Jiminy one is really insightful.
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Well, Christa, what can I say? How nice. Great post, as usual.
You know what?
I will have a hard time forgiving you if you don’t rent this really fabulous movie and watch it all by yourself.
Want to know the name of that movie? Ta da, ta da…
“Dead Poet’s Society” starring the inimitable Robbin Williams. Watch it when you feel like vegetating over buttered popcorn, soda, pizza and becoming a couch potato. Nothing wrong with a little down time…
Just check it out, Christa, you won’t regret it.
In a way, your blog post reminded me of this movie, so I thought of sharing. What an inspiring film. It resonated with me just like your posts resonate with your readers.
Carpe Diem: Seize the Day. Make your life remarkable!
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I love that movie, Archan! One of my very favorites. Robin Williams is so brilliant. Carpe Diem – something we should carry with us every day!
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What I love about blogs is that often they provoke a thought in my mind. Once that happens, I feel as I must comment with the hope it can be valuable to other people. As there are various weblogs with many points of view, they challenge your thinking. It is at these moments when you have fantastic insignt other people might not have had, which include the blogger himself/herself. I find myself coming back to your blog site because you have several great insights and you have been at this a very long time, and that is very inspiring and tells me you know your stuff. Keep triggering imagination in other people!
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Hi Parker! Thank you so much for your comment, your visits, and your kind words. I hope you keep coming back to the blog and commenting. I love the conversation!
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