“Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.” ~ Phyllis Theroux
In this year of new beginnings I’ve been thinking a lot about eradicating fear. The most wonderful thing about having a beginner’s mind is that it gives us the space and the freedom to experiment. We aren’t trying to be perfectionists or people who get it right. We’re playing, and in play, mistakes are welcome and expected.
The idea behind Phyllis Theroux’s quote concentrates on the utility and prevalence of mistakes. They take us from a place of ignorance to a place of knowledge. Last week I heard someone give a presentation in which one of his team’s annual goals is to “build a culture intolerant of defects.” My gut reaction to that language made me want to hide under the table or run out of the room. “That’s what’s wrong with his company,” I thought to myself. “Mistakes are not expected, accepted, or even allowed. No wonder there’s very little innovation here! People are too scared of being cast out to even try to do anything new.” And as a side note, there’s also very little wisdom in his company.
I thought about writing the speaker an anonymous note with Theroux’s quote on it and sending it off to him. The sad part is I really feel that once someone is that far gone down the path to perfection, there’s very little hope of pulling him back to reality until there is a burning platform underneath him. Instead, I’m going to show by example that if we can have even a hint of acceptance, or dare I say celebration!, of mistakes then all of a sudden the creativity really gets juiced up, the culture opens, and inertia of innovation can’t be stopped.
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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
“Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.” ~ Phyllis Theroux 
i’ve worked in places with that culture. it’s a macho mindset. detached from the way of the world.
no tolerance for failure means no risks means no change means no upside means … extinction!
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It’s such a draining kind of culture to be a part of, and I feel badly for the team there. They feel paralyzed which will mean 1 of 2 things: they’ll stay and growing more unhappy or they’rell leave for greener pastures! I hope it’s the latter.
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It’s all about learning and growing — without mistakes we really can’t get to the next level or plan in life…whatever it may be. Great quote!
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Ain’t that the truth! Without learning and growing, what’s the point right? Hope is everything in beautiful Canada?
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