“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours — it is an amazing journey — and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” ~Bob Moawad, author
This is a magical moment. It’s also scary as hell. All of a sudden you wake up and you realize your life is really all up to you. You steer it. You make the choices. You build your own road. It’s a lot of responsibility. It’s also one of the greatest privileges of being an adult. You aren’t trapped. Starting right now, you can make choices to change anything and everything in your life. The road to where you want to go may be long and winding but you can start your journey in that direction right now. One tiny step leads to another.
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
5 thoughts on “This just in: Your life is in your hands”
Nice post Christa! I started following your journey via a different wordpress id back when you were blogging under Christa in New York. When the life you created in NYC was dissipating, my life here in Arkansas was also on a path of dissolution and re-creation. Your sharing and wisdom helped to keep me going one tiny step after another during that time. Thanks for that! Look forward to hearing about your next steps in life and in D.C.
Hi Jan! This is such a nice comment to receive. Yes, the URL is still Christainnewyork.com but I just changed the title to my full name for now. Life is DC is going really well. One week here and I already love it. Our lives are always in the process of creation. I’m so glad me sharing my journey has helped you as well. It’s certainly helped me to write about it. Are you still in Arkansas or have you moved to a new place?
I am still in Arkansas and in a fantastic new home in the woods. The entire moving process came together with so much support from all directions I just had to trust it was the perfect next step. Look forward to keeping up with your transition into a wonderful life in D.C.
Hi Christa, Thanks for your support. The photos in my blog posts were all taken at my home or in my “neighborhood.” There aren’t many but I hope to be adding more in the weeks to come.
Nice post Christa! I started following your journey via a different wordpress id back when you were blogging under Christa in New York. When the life you created in NYC was dissipating, my life here in Arkansas was also on a path of dissolution and re-creation. Your sharing and wisdom helped to keep me going one tiny step after another during that time. Thanks for that! Look forward to hearing about your next steps in life and in D.C.
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Hi Jan! This is such a nice comment to receive. Yes, the URL is still Christainnewyork.com but I just changed the title to my full name for now. Life is DC is going really well. One week here and I already love it. Our lives are always in the process of creation. I’m so glad me sharing my journey has helped you as well. It’s certainly helped me to write about it. Are you still in Arkansas or have you moved to a new place?
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I am still in Arkansas and in a fantastic new home in the woods. The entire moving process came together with so much support from all directions I just had to trust it was the perfect next step. Look forward to keeping up with your transition into a wonderful life in D.C.
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Jan, that’s awesome! Congratulations. Are there pictures on your blog?
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Hi Christa, Thanks for your support. The photos in my blog posts were all taken at my home or in my “neighborhood.” There aren’t many but I hope to be adding more in the weeks to come.
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