I tell wonder-filled stories about hope and healing
A chilly start and a chilly end to Thanksgiving Eve. All beautiful thanks to Central Park, my pup, Phin, and the Macy’s Day Parade balloons. All bright thanks to the sun and the moon. A good day and night in NYC. Wishing you and yours a Thanksgiving full of light and gratitude.
Bit of a day. I was in Miami for a long weekend to receive the Readers Favorite Gold Award for my novel and to attend the Miami Book Fair. I’m honored! I had an incredible time and am so grateful for the support and encouragement of my work as an author. I have to admit that I teared up several times – seeing my book at the book fair and receiving the award. Thank you to all of you who have believed in this story and shown me so much love in this process. I couldn’t have done it without you. And a big shout out to my publisher, Possibilities Publishing Company. Now back to work finishing Emerson’s second book! You can pick up a copy of the first book in the series on Amazon and at all book stores.
If you want to really know me, listen to this interview. The big question for me in this lifetime is, “Does everything matter or does nothing matter?” A few months ago, I gave the most personal interview I’ve ever done. My friend, mentor, and storytelling hero, John Bucher, introduced me to Josh Chambers and Leiv Parton, hosts and producer of the podcast, How Humans Change. My interview is now live. our wide-ranging conversation includes career, science, sustainability, the health of the planet, biomimicry, dinosaurs, product development, therapy, curiosity, change, the economy and capitalism, time, technology, work, culture, implicit bias, life-changing moments, storytelling, writing, poverty, trauma, writing, my book, mental health, strength, resilience, therapy, fear, courage, my apartment building fire, how my plane got struck by lightning, and so much more. Despite these dark topics, there is a lot of light, fun, laughter, and healing in this interview. It’s the most personal interview I’ve ever given, and some of the details I reveal about my personal path and past I have never discussed publicly before now. I hope you enjoy the podcast episode and that it inspires you to live the best life you can imagine.
If I’ve learned anything this past year of saying yes, it’s this: your past failures and disappointments only define you if you give them permission to do so. I’ve fought against this a lot this year in every area of my life. It’s hard & necessary work. The truth is we get bitter or we get better. And it’s as simple and as difficult as that. I chose better. You with me?
Good morning and happy Friday! In an attempt to bring some good news into the world, I restarted my monthly newsletter. It talks about what I’m doing, where I’m going, and how I’m staying inspired with links to books, podcasts, and products that I’m currently enjoying / learning from. Check it out here and if you’d like to subscribe, there’s a little “Subscribe” button in the upper left-hand corner. https://mailchi.mp/18a…/more-good-news-from-christa-avampato
This month’s news includes: books, storytelling, dinosaurs, my trip to Iceland, fossils, mental health, the healing power of writing, and tours of secret NYC places.
You can also find the links to all newsletters going forward here: https://christaavampato.com/subscribe-to-my-newsletter/
It’s still a month away and I’m already bonkers excited about this A+ lineup of expert storytellers spinning wild stories about secret NYC history for NYC’s Secrets & Lies show at Caveat on December 6th, 7pm. Four are telling the truth and one is a liar. Guess the liar correctly, and you’ll be in the running for great prizes from Untapped Cities and a few secret surprises that I’m cooking up! Look, it’s the holidays and I love giving presents.
This show’s stars include Dustin Growick, Vicki Eastus, Sandi Marx, Jackie Peters, and Nate Charles. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-tickets-52038003068. See you there!
While I’m glad to see the flip in the House, and the election of the first Muslim women to Congress, the first openly gay governor, and the largest number of women to ever serve our country, I can’t help but think about how much it took for those narrow wins and the painful narrow losses. I know many of you worked hard phone and text banking, canvassing, posting, donating, volunteering, and running. And a huge thank you to those who turned out to vote.
We have elected the most diverse set of candidates this country has ever had! I know you’re tired. I’m tired, too. And I also know that 2020 begins now. Literally today. We have a huge amount of work ahead of us. And this isn’t about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about the bedrock of our democracy. This is about basic human decency and dignity. And I’m ready to do what’s needed today and every tomorrow I have. I love this country, and I believe in its future. I believe in our ability to collectively restore what’s been gutted by this administration.
Not voting is voting – it’s voting to hand your power over to someone else. The greatest enemy to our democracy is not a person, a party, or a policy. It’s apathy. It’s a lack of action. It’s not voting. Today, claim your power. Vote. Your rights depend on it. My rights depend on it. We are in this together. Please vote.
What’s your plan to vote? I’m ready to use my fully-healed tattoo of Thor’s hammer in the name of justice tomorrow by casting my vote for the midterms. I hope you will, too. NY doesn’t have early voting and I expect long lines in my district so I will be there as soon as the polls open. Get to the polls. Help other people get to the polls. Stay in line. Care. Be heard. Participate. Vote! (And thank you Mehai Bakaty of fineline tattoo nyc!)
A bit of bright news on a dark morning in New York City. I went to my mailbox this morning to find a check for my first paid speaker fee as an author. I’ve done a lot of public speaking for the companies I’ve worked for and owned. I’ve had expenses covered and expensive conference fees waived. Today is the very first time I’ve received a speaking fee for just being me and for telling my own personal story. And that feels amazing.
Christa Avampato 