Breathing Space for Goodness: A Creative Philosophy
My guiding philosophy is to always seek out the small spark of goodness—the glimmer in people. This doesn’t mean turning away from hardship, darkness, or difficulty. Instead, it’s about recognizing those realities while choosing to nurture the light, allowing it to gain strength and, in time, outweigh the not-so-good. Goodness, and the choice to cultivate it, is an act of intention.
This perspective is woven into everything I create—across my five books, my coaching and mentorship, and the creative studio I’ve built. Each book I’ve written explores resilience, self-discovery, and the complex layers of human experience, always with an eye toward uncovering light in unlikely places. Through my work with writers, I help them do the same: to honour their stories in their fullness, to write boldly, and to trust in the glimmers of possibility even in difficult narratives.
At Breathing Space Creative, this ethos extends to how I support creatives. Whether through coaching, editing, or community building, my focus remains on reimagining what’s possible, making space for transformation, and ensuring that writers feel seen, supported, and empowered. Everything I create, write, or speak about connects to this idea of goodness amidst hard living—because when we choose to nurture what is good, we shape a world where more of it can thrive.
Keynote | The Transformative Power of Saying No With Love and Showing Up As Your Best Self
Embrace the wisdom of Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and bell hooks in Chelene Knight’s insightful talk about love. Chelene explores the transformative power of saying no with love and the art of letting go by slowing down and investigating the language we use with ourselves. Let Chelene inspire you by showing you how making intentional choices and calling in self-care can guide us towards self-discovery and ultimately—love.
Chelene’s Speaking Style
“I thrive on genuine connections. For me, it's all about building trust with my audience. While I'll always have my notes handy, and rarely memorize what I want to say, I cherish being fully present in the moment. For a long time, I used to think I had to fit into a template and show up as someone else. But over the years I've learned that embracing my true self is the key to truly captivating an audience. When I enter a room I bring an outline, an idea, and an open mind, ready to adapt to the energy around me. It's the dynamic exchange of vibes that shapes the stories I share. This flexibility allows me to pivot seamlessly, ensuring each moment feels genuine.
I'm an inspirational storyteller. I use personal narratives, raw emotion, and lived experiences to spark deep introspection. Whether it's a cozy gathering or a bustling auditorium, I thrive on expanding horizons and challenging perspectives. I believe that the magic happens in the interactive dialogue between myself and the audience. I revel in our collaborative journey, where every voice adds to the collective experience. I enjoy incorporating slides and visuals to enhance my storytelling. Together, we don't just listen; we actively engage, sparking transformation and curiosity.”
Interested in booking Chelene to present one of her three core workshops to your community or organization?
Let’s build something powerful
“I believe in the transformative power of personal stories. Sharing my own journey allows me to connect deeply with audiences, creating a genuine and interactive experience. I'm passionate about customizing my speaking engagements to fit the unique needs of each event. Whether it's a small gathering or a large conference, I tailor my approach to ensure that every presentation is impactful and resonates with those in attendance. Let's create something meaningful together.”
Interested in custom-built sessions like the examples above? Check out my creative studio offerings for organizations. If you already have a predetermined speaking opportunity, please contact my speaking agent, Rob Firing below.
Testimonials
“Chelene was fantastic! Great gratitude for these thoughtful insights and grounded tips, and the generous offering of materials and connection.”
“This was so excellent. I have to watch it again to absorb more of the information and I have ordered Chelene’s book.”
“Honest, thoughtful and inspiring!”
“I love how practical this webinar was considering it was about "energy" rather than craft. We got helpful ways of looking at our creative life and I'm excited to try them and see the benefits.”
—audience members
The Writer’s Union of Canada
“Chelene Knight’s wealth of wisdom about the lifestyle, craft, and business of writing is rivaled only by the generosity with which she shares it.
Her candor and warmth create a welcoming space for audience participation and meaningful discussions. The invaluable insights she shared with our writing group will support them in building a strong foundation for their writing journey.”
— GG Renee Hill
Author + Creative Development Coach
“On behalf of Diaspora Dialogues I would like to express our thanks for your masterful presentation of the concepts behind Energy Is Currency: 8 Ways To Cultivate a More Sustainable Writing Career. Clear and thoughtful, with excellent slides and examples, you demonstrably engaged the online audience and left them with important takeaways after your hour-long presentation and Q and A. We’ll have you back again!”
— Christian Sharpe | Manager, Business Operations
Diaspora Dialogues
“We have been privileged to work with Chelene as both an event curator for our 2024 festival, and through her safekeeping sessions, offered to our festival community. Chelene’s insightfulness and generosity of spirit are evident in every role she takes on. Though her connections with our festival community were in the virtual realm, an often isolating medium, she is skilled at creating a safe and welcoming space, enabling workshop participants and festival authors to be honest and vulnerable about their creative struggles, and to form connections and community.”
— Laura Trunkey, Festival Producer
Victoria Festival of Authors
Chelene also specializes in moderating intimate, 1:1 conversations with best-selling authors such as:
If you are an organization and you’d like to book Chelene as a speaker for a predetermined event/topic, please contact Rob Firing rob[at]transatlanticagency.com
For publicity queries for Chelene’s latest book, Safekeeping, please contact emma[at]anansi.ca
