Author: 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.
creativity

Wonder: Be everything that you are

Christa Avampato

“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.” ~Unknown

This quote bubbled to the top of my mind as I listened to Tom Friedman talk to Charlie Rose about his new book, Thank You for Being Late. We are pushed to go so quickly in this world, to change with the times. To keep up, grow, see, hear, and do faster, better, and more than ever before. It can lead us to be very tough on ourselves for not getting everything done perfectly every single time.

It’s no coincidence that this unprecedented level of change at an unprecedented pace has coincided with a happiness pandemic in the U.S. This article in MarketWatch outlines some of the reasons, but I think it’s Tom Friedman who’s really onto the crux of our deep unhappiness. We are much too hard on ourselves. We don’t let ourselves be beginners. We don’t let ourselves be works in progress. And we don’t let others do this either. We are going too fast.

So right now, take a moment. Think about what makes you marvelous, even the smallest slightest things. Maybe things no one else even knows about you. And then also think about all of the things you’re learning. Follow your curiosities with wild abandon. Don’t apologize for being at the start of your journey. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle, as Jon Acuff so beautifully said. Let yourself be amazing, and also be in the process of becoming someone even greater. And love all of you—who you were, who you are, and who will you be.

creativity

Wonder: My new podcast idea

Christa Avampato

For about a year, I’ve been thinking of creating a podcast. Several years ago, I received voice over training and made a commercial demo. I took a podcasting class through the DC Public Library in October. I’ve got all of the software and hardware that I need to get going. What I’ve been needing is the time, space, and an idea to make it happen. And now, those three stars have aligned and I want to run the idea by you for your feedback.

So here’s the idea: what if I invited a person or small group of people who are interesting and interested over to my house, made a meal, and let the conversation flow around a specific topic? And what if by listening to the podcast you would have a seat at the table, too, to hear everything that’s said? The conversation might go in any number of directions. It could be about about food, art, music, politics, a news event, society, fashion, technology, science, media, medicine, health, education, travel, books, movies, the past, the present, or the future. Or all of those things combined. Would you listen? Would you be a guest at the table and on the show?

Possible names might be:
– A Seat at the Table
– Sunday Dinner
– Sunday Night Dinner Party
– Breaking Bread

What do you think?

creativity

Wonder: Let’s be United Outside with REI in D.C. this summer

Christa Avampato

Tired of the election season already? Me, too. To take my mind off of the chaos, I’m excited about REI’s summer of events in and around D.C. just announced on Unitedoutside.com. Want to join me on some of these adventures (and have some s’mores along the way)?

This campaign is heralding the arrival of REI’s flagship store 2 blocks from my apartment in Washington, D.C. To gear up and celebrate its impending arrival on October 21st, REI has put together an incredible slate of events that kick off this week. Most of them are free and all of them are fun. From trivia nights to how-to workshops to outdoor movie screenings, there is something for everyone. They’ve also put together a handful paid excursions to places like Great Falls, Virginia, a kayak tour of the D.C. monuments, and outings to local restaurants like Cappy’s and Birch & Barley.

Getting outside into nature is one of my promises to myself this year and I’m so excited to have REI to help me plan and take those adventures! Let me know if this interests you and we’ll link up!

creativity

Wonder: Happy birthday, America, from the nation’s capital

Christa Avampato
Happy Birthday, America
Happy Birthday, America. Photo by Christa Avampato.

I went to the Nats game on Saturday night and when I heard that national anthem just before the game started, I got a little shiver. I know we have enormous, disgusting, hideous problems in this country. There are still too many people struggling and falling through the cracks in our economy and in our society. There is too much hate, too much intolerance, and too much violence. And still, I believe in this country because I know we can and will do better.

I got to Nats Stadium by taking a very long walk from my apartment right through the center of Capitol Hill. Every time I see that beautiful dome and the lawn that expands down the Washington Monument, I can’t help but fall in love with this city and this country again. America, you’ve come a long way in your 240 year history, and you’ve got a long way to go. Today, I celebrate your journey and promise to do my part to help you become all that you are capable of being for everyone who calls you home.

creativity

Wonder: Zoe

Christa Avampato
33967124_500x500
Zoe. “Life”

On Monday morning, Phineas and I are driving out to Virginia to meet Zoe, a beautiful 3-year-old chiweenie (half chihuahua / half dachshund) whom we hope to adopt. Zoe’s mom recently went into hospice care and passed away. One of her final wishes was for Dogs Deserve Better, an incredible dog rescue organization in Northern Virginia, to find Zoe a loving forever home.

Zoe means “life” in Greek. If she and Phin are a match, I promise her (and her mom, foster mom, and Dogs Deserve Better) that Zoe will have the happiest, healthiest, and most joyful life. She will be considered a gift that will be honored and respected and loved, as all lives should be, for all of her days.

creativity

Wonder: Narrative’s soul

Christa Avampato

“Specificity is the soul of narrative.” ~Judge John Hodgman

I’m using part of this long weekend to get back to writing. Emerson has been waiting for me for a few months while I traveled, moved, and got my life set up again in a new place. So today I dust off those cobwebs and look at her life and trials with new fresh eyes to begin the next and final round of edits.

As I take up the task of these edits, I’m reminded of what it means to literally create the soul of a character. Not a hollow shell with a name who faces challenges in a setting, but a living, breathing soul whom you root for, who conveys her emotions in a way that is visceral. You hurt when she hurts. You cry when she cries. You smile when she smiles. You win when she wins.

The only way to do that is to get specific, to place the reader right into her mind and her heart. That’s not an easy thing to do, but it’s always fun to do the impossible.

creativity

Wonder: Manifest what you need

Christa Avampato

Recently, I’ve had some pretty remarkable reminders that we can attract and create what we need. Even if it seems improbable or impossible, somehow once we decide we are ready for something to happen, the way opens. Our state of mind is especially important during difficult times, when all seems lost, when it seems that nothing we do will make things better. It’s times like these that I stop. I regroup. I let my mind and body relax. I breathe. I let go.

And then something rises up – an idea, an image, some untapped source of strength I didn’t even know was there. Just when I’m as down as I think I can be, I find myself floating back up to the surface. Life’s like that. A wave, a roller coaster, a trip with plenty of winding roads.

Maybe you’re in this cycle right now. Maybe something difficult or sad or disappointing happened. Maybe you’re worried, confused, or unsure. Close your eyes and imagine the best possible outcome. Imagine leading yourself out of your situation today and into a brighter tomorrow. Believe that it will get better and when you open your eyes, work hard to make it so. You can do this.

creativity

Wonder: A passing away

Christa Avampato

This week I was comforted, as I often am, by the words of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

My family faced a sad loss on Tuesday. Our dear family friend, appropriately named Faith, passed away. At the incredible age of nearly 85, she lived a happy, fulfilling life of service.  I was lucky to know her and she remains one of the kindest people I’ve known.

She was there for all of the milestones in my childhood, the good and the difficult. Birthdays, Sunday dinners, graduations. Her smiling face was there, camera in-hand to capture it all. She was a constant source of love and support. I think of her as one of my many aunties who helped me realize what kind of life I could have if I worked hard and was good to others. She instilled in me the sense that I mattered, and what I thought and felt and did was valued and valid.

When I heard she passed away this week, I was so sad. I felt a little light go out, but it was only a blip because immediately I felt that same light reignite, brighter and warmer than ever before. I’m sad that she’s gone from this plane and I’m so glad that she crossed over to a place free of pain and discomfort. I’ll see her on the other side, eventually, a long time from now. And I am as grateful for that as I am to have known her in this lifetime. RIL – Rest in Love.

creativity

Wonder: My post about optimism on Leadfully

Christa Avampato

“I have a blog post in mind for Leadfully that I think you’d be perfect to write. It would be a first-person piece sharing a time that you needed to boost a team’s optimism or creativity.”

This was a message from my friend, Amanda, a few weeks ago. And she was right. I have a very good story to showcase this. I’m very excited to say that this story, a reflection on the dark days of the recession in 2008 when I had just joined a financial services company, is now live on the Leadfully site. Would love your feedback, comments, and questions. And please feel free to share far and wide to anyone whom you think would benefit from it.

Check out “Using Optimism to Face an Impossible Assignment”.

 

 

 

creativity

Wonder: Stay open

Christa Avampato

Yesterday was a tough day. I got home and just felt wiped. You know that feeling, the one that says you can’t take even one more little thing. I just felt sad, and tired, and tapped out.

To get myself in a better frame of mind, I took a shower to wash off the day and then took Phin for a walk. I bumped into a few of my neighbors outside and had a nice conversation. We didn’t talk about anything life-changing – just our dogs and the humid weather. And then something shifted. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it was. All of a sudden, I felt at home.

To be honest, I’ve been mourning a few things – the change in neighborhood, the fact that my condo deal fell through and I’m still renting, Phin’s difficulties adjusting with separation anxiety again. We also lost a dear family friend this weekend. She lived a long, happy, beautiful life, and still, I wish it wasn’t her time. I have a lot of friends who are struggling right now with so many things in their lives, and all I can do for them is listen and love them. And this is just what’s happening in my tiny world to say nothing of what’s happening to the world at-large.

It seems that a lot of people are grieving. In times of grief and change, I tend to cocoon myself. Maybe it’s a protective reflex. Maybe it’s because I need some quiet time to figure out how I think and feel about something. What I do know is that if I can stay open to possibility, to new insights and ideas, to the beauty that can come from change if only I can give myself time to adjust, then eventually things click. What seemed like a burden becomes a gift. What seemed like work becomes play. What was foreign becomes familiar. Openness paves the way for transformation if we can allow it the space to do its work.