“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” ~Jane Howard, British actress, model and novelist
This past week, I’ve been getting emails and phone calls from so many incredible people I worked with in my former position, and it was only then that I realized the impact my work had on others. My dear friend and co-worker, Lon, sent me this message, “I’m so proud of you! You are amazing. Knock ’em dead! I’m probably not your biggest fan (cause you have so many – and then, there is always your Mother – who can beat a Mother for fan-dom?) but I’m big and you are wonderful.” How can you ever fully thank someone for that kind of support? I did a little dance of gratefulness upon seeing this email in my inbox.
Today was my first day on the new job. As I sat in meetings today and worked through the volumes of information that I need to master to get up-to-speed, I realized how exciting it is to be behind the curve, with so much learning out ahead of me, and with so many people who are excited for me to get all of this new info straight in my head. At one point, almost everyone in one of my meetings had their smartphones of some variety out on the tables, and we were all comparing different capabilities across different platforms. We talked about social media and how to provide the best possible experience for our customers. We hashed what would be cool and useful, in balance with what was possible for roll-outs phase 1, 2, and 3. This is a dream assignment, not only because I love the work, but also because I think I found a new clan to take me in this new direction of my career.
In each area of our lives, we need a clan. Among our friends, at work, in our community, in our respective hobbies and interests. We need people cheering for us, and we need people we can cheer for. A clan makes everything in life easier, and we can accomplish more as a result of them being in our lives. With social media, our clan can certainly be online in different corners of the world. On this blog, in my city, among my friends, at my yoga studio, and in each interest area that I have I feel so much love and support from my clans. And I do everything I can think of to return the tremendous gift of their care and concern.
This post today is dedicated to all the members of my clans, to tell you how much I value and appreciate everything you’ve done for me, and to underscore the sentiment that I’m standing at the ready, always, to send that support and love back at you!
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
oh yes, clans can indeed be online. my clan is digital – it’s the people i continue to meet on twitter. they are, without a doubt, the more supportive, encouraging, generous people i may never meet live and in person. congratulations on that new job and expanding your clan.
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Thanks, Jeanne! I so love my online clans – I don’t know what I’d do without them. So glad we met via this medium 🙂
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Hi Christa:
The last clan I belonged to tossed me out of their home along with a broken oven, old newspapers and a lousy skunk. (By the way, I am often just facetious!). At which point you’re supposed to laugh out loud and roll over on the floor delirious with joy over my stupid joke. Anyway…
On a more serious note, however, I am glad your clans are working out for you. We need groovy people to hang out with in the big, bad red apple, don’t we?
Somebody who believes in us, despite our human frailties and limitations. Somebody who thinks we are cool without any qualifiers and so on. Life in the big apple can be such a lonely experience for so many people, isn’t it?
Study after study suggests that we are social animals. We need to connect with other people on a regular basis. That takes care of our social needs. And it raises our self-esteem when we have people who have faith in our abilities. Evidently, you have found yourself a great group of people to work with and with whom to spend time.
Congratulations, good for you, and keep up the good work.
And hip hip hooray for finding a brand new job, Christa!
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Thanks, Archan!
Our social nature is so necessary to our happiness. When I meet people who are really unhappy with their lives, the one thing they all lack is a really strong base of support from others. They can have great jobs, live in beautiful homes, and have every luxury money can buy, and without friends and family that they love and who love them, it doesn’t amount to much at all. Such a powerful lesson to keep in mind. Thanks as always for your perspective and research. You need to start writing a blog yourself!!
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So glad to be a part of your real life and online clan! And to think, we only met a year ago … online! How lucky I am. Wonderful post – I tweeted it too. 🙂
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Me, too, L!! Can you believe it was only a year ago? And think of everything both of our lives have been through – holy canoli. Without friend like you, everything else in my life would mean very little. 🙂 Thanks for the tweet!
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