“All quests worth undertaking … require audacity. And willpower. (Of course.) And persistence. (Of course.) But frankly, a persistent misreading of the odds.” ~ Tom Peters
The History Channel is running a series called America: The Story of Us. In each episode, the series talks about a specific chapter of American History. VSL highlighted it last week in their daily listing and I added it to my calendar. I could always use a little more history in my life.
I saw the series premiere and thought about how unlikely it was that we’d ever become a nation. The odds of success at the beginning of the Revolution had to be near zero. We are the most unlikely story ever told, and lived. This week I’ve been thinking about that episode in the context of pursuing my most unlikely dreams. The quote above by Tom Peters showed up in my inbox, and it reminded me how much courage comes from consistently misreading the odds, or seeing them and paying them no mind. If the people who fought for our early nation got out some paper, drew up a business plan, and calculated the NPV of America, risk factors and all, we’d have British accents.
I’m not suggesting that we throw every caution and hesitation to the wind. I’m suggesting that we have this one life, this one opportunity to do something extraordinary. People may not understand where we’re going. They may not understand why we’re making certain choices or taking a chance on a dream. That’s okay. They don’t need to understand. They’re crunching numbers and drawing up pro-cons lists and calculating odds. You’re out there living the life that you want to live, the way you want to live it. And in that scenario, there’s so such things as odds. You either live fully, or you don’t.
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
“All quests worth undertaking … require audacity. And willpower. (Of course.) And persistence. (Of course.) But frankly, a persistent misreading of the odds.” ~ Tom Peters
Christa:
Once again, it is remarkable how much we have in common.
This is a brilliant post. Thanks for your contribution.
Tom Peters and Peter Drucker are two of my favorite authors: they write books about business and management.
You should read–was it (if memory serves)–“In Search of Excellence.” What an inspiring book that deals with the scenarios you just mentioned, but in a business context.
In fact, if you want to be an entrepreneur soon, the works of Tom Peters should be a must read. Peters is synonymous with creativity: he left a prestigious consulting firm at a young age to march to the beat of his own drummer. Cheers to you and people like him.
And you are right: too many bright ideas never amount to anything due to a phenomenon known as “paralysis through analysis.” We don’t achieve dreams by sticking to a business plan and figuring out ways why our ideas can’t work.
You have to be willing to go out on a limb and catch the bull by the horns. That’s what separates the lion from the flock of sheep. If only management people paid more attention to the role and function of intuition…maybe entrepreneurs could be given the benefit of the doubt.
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They are two of my favorite authors as well, Archan! I am so glad we’re able to connect on this blog and share so much of our lives here. I like the idea of having a plan, and making it flexible enough so that it allows for changes as we get more information about ourselves and the world around us. That image of grabbing the bull by the horns as the calculated risks that entrepreneurs take. Well-said.
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Hi Christa,
Another excellent topic!
Seven years ago four friends and I left our comfortable jobs and established life in Arizona for a new start in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Most everyone we knew thought we were crazy (at some points along the way I thought we were crazy!) However, we were on a quest to establish an esoteric school dedicated to encouraging meditation, Soulful Living and the evolution of human consciousness and, after a lot of meditation, discussion and some research, we knew picking up and moving was what we needed to do. Once we made up our minds, doors just started to open. I think Life likes us to live on the cutting edge of inspiration.
It’s been my experience that as Souls or the Authentic Self, we want to be learning and growing, so that we can bring more wisdom into everyday life. As personalities, we tend to calculate the odds, because we want to be safe.
I like what Archan said about being willing to go out on a limb, and I’m glad he brought up the idea of business plans. I like the idea of having a flexible plan in place so that inspirations and daring can come forth into successful, practical living/projects.
Namaste, Jan
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Hi Jan,
What a cool adventure to Arizona! Yes, I agree that as the Authentic Self, we absolutely want to keep learning and growing. And I find that the more I learn and grow the more I want to keep learning and growing! It’s a lovely cycle.
Namaste,
C
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Christa, thanks for reminding me to live fully which sometimes requires misreading the odds! I hope all is well with you.
Best,
Amber
(Toys R Us)
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Hi Amber! Thanks so much for reading and for your comment. How great to hear from you! How are you doing at TRU?
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