The latest installment of my thank you notes in a collective format. I’ve also begun to send out my individual thank you notes – whenever possible, I try to send out these notes recorded here on this blog to the actual person, company, or organization they’re dedicated to. I’ll let you know if I hear back from any of them.
Thank you, ISHTA Yoga, for opening the way forward on a new teaching path for me. And for having a sense of humor about it.
Thank you, New York Lottery, for climbing so high that even I, someone who NEVER buys lottery tickets, found it within myself to dig out a dollar and a dream all in the name of more money for education (and the potential to win a whole big pile o’ cash.) And thanks to my mom for the text reminder to do so.
Thank you, man from out west who sat next to me on the subway. He offered his seat to a stranger (without being shamed into it), took up only the 1 seat he paid for, and when people looked at him skeptically he replied, “You city folk really confuse me.” Poor guy. If he’s confused by us on the subway, I can’t imagine what he thinks of us when we get above ground.
Thank you, Sesame Street, for proving that profound life lessons can come from colorful furry monsters who never leave their block. My favorite Sesame lesson: take care of your community and it will take care of you.
Thank you, writer friend Katherine Jenkins, who wrote a beautiful book entitled Lessons from the Monk I Married that shows courage may just be the most valuable resource when it comes to building a life we’re proud of. (Review forthcoming on this blog next month!)
Thank you, Suzanne Collins, for not being afraid to invent a new story for the young adult audience, even in the aftermath of Harry Potter which most people assumed could never be topped.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
Christa Avampato 
LOVE the Hunger Games Trilogy! Cannot WAIT to see the movie! Loving the Lottery; loving your subway story (how COOL is that???) and THANK YOU CHRISTA for telling me this week you stuck up for your tech peeps and told me you were “channeling your inner Urs”…. you MADE MY WEEK!!!
🙂
Luv
Urs
LikeLike
Ditto, Urs. It’s a great story. I think everyone should be channeling their inner Urs. Lord knows, we need it these days 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Christa for agreeing to review my book and for your inspiring blog and all the great work you are doing in this world. Keep shining!
LikeLike