“Your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.” – Unknown via MJ, one of this blog’s readers
MJ, a reader of this blog and constant source of inspiration and ideas for me, sent through this quote in a recent comment on my post about negotiating the balance between fear and boredom as we take on new projects. New beginnings can be frightening; many times we must let go of old conceptions of ourselves, our lives, and the world around us so that we can try something new. This release is a death of sorts that allows for new life.
A few years ago I was recounting the story of my NBC job interview to my friend, Brooke. Many of the people I interviewed with were horrified that I didn’t have any TV experience. I was feeling pretty down about the interview until Brooke said to me, “Well have they known about TV since birth? We all start out not knowing anything!” That idea pops into my head every time I start a new project and have any moments of self-doubt.
We all start somewhere. At some point, everything we now know was uncharted territory. Your new beginnings today are no less scary and no more certain that those you experienced yesterday. Just begin. Life is a lottery – you’ve got to be in it to win it so do the things that light you up!
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
6 thoughts on “Beginning: Finding Comfort Outside Your Comfort Zone”
I love all our posts – I remember doing MBA Recruiting at Duke many years ago with another Amex colleague and I was feeling REALLY insecure – ya see, not only do I NOT have and MBA, I don’t have a degree, period. My friend said to me “these guys would love to have had the experiences you’ve had and be in YOUR job. You got here in a non-traditional way, but you got here”. And that’s what pops in MY head every time I start a new project and have moments of self-doubt!
Unfortunately, some people demonstrate a holier-than-thou attitude, as if they are all that and giving you, the intervieew, the sermon on the mount.
The fact is, they were in your shoes once too. These panelists did not know a darn thing about the news and entertainment/media sectors. They also had to learn, step by step, and gain confidence over time.
As long as you are in the learning mode, well, that’s what matters. Just because some fancy pants said “you are not good enough” counts for zilch. The willingness to learn is what separates you from the rest.
After all, a lot of CEOs started out without a degree and in the company’s mail-room or dockyard. Over time, they worked their way up the corporate ladder because they were willing and able to learn about the business.
Learning from scratch is how we started our career: nursery school.
Step by step, we learn the tricks of the trade. Interviewers should not be horrified by your lack of experience. That only means you have a lot to learn and most of the learning happens on the job anyway. Cheers.
I love this post! So important to take chances even if they are scary. I’m doing that today (hopefully if Mail Chimp works ok) in combining my very public blog with my more private and local yoga teaching site. I’ve been nervous to do it for a year but it feels like time. So I’m jumping in!!!
I love all our posts – I remember doing MBA Recruiting at Duke many years ago with another Amex colleague and I was feeling REALLY insecure – ya see, not only do I NOT have and MBA, I don’t have a degree, period. My friend said to me “these guys would love to have had the experiences you’ve had and be in YOUR job. You got here in a non-traditional way, but you got here”. And that’s what pops in MY head every time I start a new project and have moments of self-doubt!
🙂
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Urs, I love that story! How awesome. I know that I learn from you every single day! 🙂
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Christa,
Unfortunately, some people demonstrate a holier-than-thou attitude, as if they are all that and giving you, the intervieew, the sermon on the mount.
The fact is, they were in your shoes once too. These panelists did not know a darn thing about the news and entertainment/media sectors. They also had to learn, step by step, and gain confidence over time.
As long as you are in the learning mode, well, that’s what matters. Just because some fancy pants said “you are not good enough” counts for zilch. The willingness to learn is what separates you from the rest.
After all, a lot of CEOs started out without a degree and in the company’s mail-room or dockyard. Over time, they worked their way up the corporate ladder because they were willing and able to learn about the business.
Learning from scratch is how we started our career: nursery school.
Step by step, we learn the tricks of the trade. Interviewers should not be horrified by your lack of experience. That only means you have a lot to learn and most of the learning happens on the job anyway. Cheers.
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So true, Archan. We all start from zero and build our way up. It’s important to never lose that insight on our way to accomplishment!
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I love this post! So important to take chances even if they are scary. I’m doing that today (hopefully if Mail Chimp works ok) in combining my very public blog with my more private and local yoga teaching site. I’ve been nervous to do it for a year but it feels like time. So I’m jumping in!!!
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So exciting!!! How did it go with Mail Chimp? Can’t wait to see the two sites combined!
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