I’ve had the great good fortune to have a lot of dads in my life in the truest sense of the world. Men who showed up in my life who loved me, took care of me, and have always been supportive of me and my decisions. On this Father’s Day, a little tribute to each of them:
Joe – my mom’s long-time boyfriend whom we call my step-father because he’s a much more central figure in our lives than just being termed my mom’s boyfriend. We never asked if we could call him our step-father, and he’s never objected to it. We have a good understanding that way. He helped move me in and out of college dorms, then in and out of countless apartments and storage units after college. He danced the Father’s dance with my sister at her wedding. He’s been a big part of all of our holidays, birthdays, and special occasions for 17 years and this summer he and my mom are moving down to Florida to be in the warm weather and be closer to my sister and her family. Without him, I’m not sure my mom would have made this move and I know it’s the best thing for her health. I’m certain that they’re adding years to their lives with this move and for his leadership is moving this idea forward, I’m forever grateful.
Joey – my older brother always felt responsible for my sister and I as kids, though I have to say that sometimes I think we tried to take even better care of him. He bore a large burden growing up as the only son and eldest child. He’s 6 years older than me and almost 8 years older than my sister. When we were little he never shooed us away when he was with his friends. He took us along, taught us to swing a baseball bat, play kickball and tackle football by the rules, catch tadpoles, and climb trees. All those good tom boy traits we always wanted.
Uncle Tom – my mom’s younger brother. I think in some ways he kind of adopted us as his own. He paid for my braces (which were sorely needed!), always encouraged my studies, came to my college graduation, and now is someone I exchange business philosophy with. I looked up to him for his career and independence. He inspired my first interests in business and management, and now inspires me as an entrepreneur.
Great Uncles Joe and John – we always saw them for a bit during every holiday at my grandmother’s house. Joe is my grandmother’s younger brother and John is married to my Aunt Rosie, who is my grandmother’s younger sister. They came to my high school graduation, were always proud of the school work I did, and are always interested in my various travels and careers, of which there have been many. They’re in all of our holiday photos from when we were kids, and they never forget a birthday. I always love hearing their stories about their lives when they were younger, about my family members who I never got to meet, and their lives in the early part of the century. The amount of change they’ve witnessed in one lifetime is staggering.
For all these men who stepped up to raise me in some way, there is never away for me to say thank you enough. Every one should be so lucky to have the dads I’ve had. My Uncle Joe is in the hospital this Father’s Day so I’m especially sending out a little prayer for him, hoping for a speedy recovery. If you could say one for him, too, I’d very much appreciate it.
Happy Father’s Day!
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
I’ve had the great good fortune to have a lot of dads in my life in the truest sense of the world. Men who showed up in my life who loved me, took care of me, and have always been supportive of me and my decisions. On this Father’s Day, a little tribute to each of them:
Christa:
Sorry to hear about Uncle Joe.
Today, I will send out a prayer especially for Uncle Joe.
Uncle Joe is going to do just fine, just you wait and see.
I think it is a good thing to write about your family.
Whenever you write about your personal life, the reader feels an empathy for you. And it is also interesting and remarkable to be able to relate to your writing.
Try to personalize your writing when and if you can. That’s your USP. It’s always a pleasure to read your posts. And it is great to learn about your family. You have a wonderful family.
You are lucky to have so many people in your life who care for you, and are willing and able to help you when the chips are down. Good for you. Bless your heart. Cheers!
LikeLike
Hi Archan,
I never know quite how much to write about my personal life. Thanks for encouraging me to put these types of posts out into the world 🙂
LikeLike
There are no words that I can voice to tell you how beautiful and appreciated this tribute is. xxxooo
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Mom 🙂
LikeLike