I’m a few days late on this post because I wanted to write a week-long series about public education, though I’ve been mulling it over in my mind for a few days. The list of October goals is short. October is always a rejuvenating month for me. It always comes as a relief after a busy / hectic / frenetic summer that lasted well into September. October is my take it easy and take good care of myself month, and so it is my favorite of the year.
September Accomplishments:
1.) E-book marketing and expansion continues for Hope in Progress.
I’ve been working on the new formats and spoke with my brother-in-law about a new cover design. It took him about 5 seconds to think of something brilliant, and my sister, Weez, also had some good adds. I’ll post it when the cover is complete and the new formats are ready to roll.
2.) Secure some more sub or regular teaching gigs and private clients for Compass Yoga.
This one worked out better than I expected. This month I start teaching at Columbia Law School and New York Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn. I’m exploring some other avenues as well and will continue to track that progress here. I also made some decisions about Compass Yoga to really follow my passion of teaching to under-served populations who can benefit greatly from a regular practice. More to come on that front, too.
3.) Online writing portfolio needed.
I did some investigation into this with a variety of platforms. All of them had their pluses and minuses. Ultimately, I decided to set up a WordPress blog with just my writing as the center stage. I really like Michael Pollan’s website and started to use it as inspiration for the design. When the site is complete, there will be a link on this website and I’ll announce it in a post as well.
4.) My apartment needs a makeover.
It’s amazing what a little paint and some new soft goods will do. My home feels a little more homey now with some color and more personal touches.
5.) I need to put some more time into my new book idea around yoga and personal finance.
I started to sketch out a structure finding inspiration in a lot of how-to guides and workbooks. It’s a fun project that has my mind making new connections all the time between yoga and personal finance. The two are even more linked than I originally suspected.
6.) Continue to grease the skids of Innovation Station.
This one needs some work that I didn’t get to in September. I’ve got lost of notes and ideas scattered about but not the action plan I need and want. And I also want to do some more work on the actual contact. I’ll turn my attention toward that in October, speaking of which…
October Goals:
1.) Continue work on Innovation Station content and action plan.
2.) Spend some quality time with my new pup, Phineas. I adopted him unexpectedly in September, which was a huge surprise goal that has brought so much richness to my life in a very short time. This month I’ll take him in for an evaluation to become a therapy dog. I’d love to get us into the Reading to Dogs program.
3.) Continue working on yoga and personal finance book. Now that I’ve got a loose structure in place, I can start to fill it in with the fun stuff.
That’s it – 3 goals. Short and sweet, just like the glorious month of October. It will be gone before we know it, so I intend to enjoy it while it’s 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
I’m a few days late on this post because I wanted to write a week-long series about public education, though I’ve been mulling it over in my mind for a few days. The list of October goals is short. October is always a rejuvenating month for me. It always comes as a relief after a busy / hectic / frenetic summer that lasted well into September. October is my take it easy and take good care of myself month, and so it is my favorite of the year. 
Good luck, goals are always good…..
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Agreed! I was like to know where I’m trying to go. Make my chances of getting there more likely.
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