The Reagan dinner table from the CBS hit show Blue Bloods. The dinner table scenes have been hailed as the best part of the show.“People are at their best when they eat together.” ~ Matthew Sanford
I heard Matthew Sanford speak at the Yoga Journal Conference in New York this past weekend. I recently finished up his book Waking, about the car accident that left him paralyzed at age 13 and his yogic path that truly created his healing process. Matthew talks about how much he wanted to eat and how much he missed the act of eating in the early days of his physical recovery after the accident. His simple statement above really touched me so deeply – togetherness is the very best part of cooking, eating, and food in general.
In the past few months, I’ve started to cook more often. Every week, I take a few simple recipes, make my list, and take myself over to my local Whole Foods to gather the key ingredients. I’ve also had more people over to my tiny apartment to share a meal. My friends feel so grateful though they all always say, “You don’t need to go to any trouble for me.” It’s actually no trouble at all. It’s a joy for me to cook for them. In Matthew Sanford’s words, “It is a healing story.”
Food brings us together, and together, all healing is possible. Bon appetit! Mangia! Enjoy!
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
10 thoughts on “Beginning: The Healing Story of Eating”
This hits home!! No wonder we as a society really like holidays — it’s the food!!!
Funny how attitudes have changed- how eating now is a truly communal thing- something we can all enjoy together- often in parties people congregate in kitchens and it is very much thought of as the heart of home. Just recently saw an excellent (BBC) documentary serioes on the history of rooms (in our houses) and not too long ago- the upper classes thought of food and cooking smells so vulgar, they especially desiged houses so that kitchens would be as far away as possible from any living areas…
Right on, food definitely brings people together! The inner-baker in me came out while I was away on exchange, and my love for food has only grown. Be it cooking or baking, it’s all suc a powerful act of therapy and relaxation 🙂
What a terrific post: thank you so much for your contribution.
You are bang on target here, as usual. The best thing you can do for yourself is to invite people over to your home. Share a nice meal with them. Chat and have a jolly, good time.
What a great way to spend your time. How nice of you too.
Once you break bread and share wine, it is difficult to hold a grudge. Anger dissolves over a dinner table. How true.
I want to encourage you, however, to experiment more with your culinary skills. Broaden your horizons and expand your choices. Our world is so rich with cuisines and recipes.
It gladdened my heart to know that you are a good cook.
This is something you should be proud of. I am secretly a wee bit jealous. How I wish I had your fab talent. Great work.
So awesome to read this one – I’ve had people to many of my tiny apartments for years, even if it’s just the salad I made and the pizza I ordered! There’s something so incredibly awesome to me about having my dining room table’s 8 chairs filled with family and friends while we enjoy a meal….
You’re due a visit Christa…. you’re gonna fit right in!!!
This hits home!! No wonder we as a society really like holidays — it’s the food!!!
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Holidays are best – for the food and the company!
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Funny how attitudes have changed- how eating now is a truly communal thing- something we can all enjoy together- often in parties people congregate in kitchens and it is very much thought of as the heart of home. Just recently saw an excellent (BBC) documentary serioes on the history of rooms (in our houses) and not too long ago- the upper classes thought of food and cooking smells so vulgar, they especially desiged houses so that kitchens would be as far away as possible from any living areas…
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Such a silly notion right? If I ever get the chance to design my own house, I’m putting a big ol’ kitchen right in the middle of it!
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Right on, food definitely brings people together! The inner-baker in me came out while I was away on exchange, and my love for food has only grown. Be it cooking or baking, it’s all suc a powerful act of therapy and relaxation 🙂
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You said it – cooking = relaxation, therapy, and then of course the delicious reward of getting to eat the goods 🙂
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Christa,
What a terrific post: thank you so much for your contribution.
You are bang on target here, as usual. The best thing you can do for yourself is to invite people over to your home. Share a nice meal with them. Chat and have a jolly, good time.
What a great way to spend your time. How nice of you too.
Once you break bread and share wine, it is difficult to hold a grudge. Anger dissolves over a dinner table. How true.
I want to encourage you, however, to experiment more with your culinary skills. Broaden your horizons and expand your choices. Our world is so rich with cuisines and recipes.
It gladdened my heart to know that you are a good cook.
This is something you should be proud of. I am secretly a wee bit jealous. How I wish I had your fab talent. Great work.
Cheerio.
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Archan,
I love that line “anger dissolves over the dinner table.” Ain’t that the truth, and how lucky we are to know that!
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So awesome to read this one – I’ve had people to many of my tiny apartments for years, even if it’s just the salad I made and the pizza I ordered! There’s something so incredibly awesome to me about having my dining room table’s 8 chairs filled with family and friends while we enjoy a meal….
You’re due a visit Christa…. you’re gonna fit right in!!!
❤
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Totally agree, Urs. The food that’s made (or ordered!) barely matters. It’s the company that counts 🙂 Can’t wait to visit!
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