Season Two

Episode 20: Managing perfectionism: Embracing Imperfect Creativity

“There are no limitations to who we can be” — Chelene Knight

How long has it taken you, dear listener, to acknowledge the truth behind your perfectionist nature? As creatives, the fight between freedom to be ourselves and dependence on how our work is received can feel like a never-ending spiral. But it can also be a good indicator of what we choose to prioritize. Finding creative balance requires a strong understanding of what our needs are and how they can be met.

In today’s episode, we will address the significance of comparison, encourage the mess of our projects' early drafts, and explore Chelene’s concept of “goal dominoes”, that can help you move away from perfectionism’s rigid direction, and toward your own path, at your own pace.

Want to stay updated with the latest podcast news? Join our email list!

If you’re looking to join a community of brand new and seasoned writers to build processes, establish wellness & care, and gain publishing clarity, sign up for the Forever Writers Club! Our mission is to bring back the joy, confidence and balance of creation.

Episode 19: Are your limiting beliefs causing you to feel guilty about your creative life?

Take a deep breath, folks. This episode was created to shine a light on our creative kryptonite: guilt. As you listen, think of how guilt creeps into your room as you finally sit down to feed your creativity. Is it an obvious, nagging voice reminding you of all the things you haven’t yet done? Or is it disguised as a feeling of numbness that stops you from coming up with new ideas?

Whatever the case, invite that guilt into today’s conversation as we discuss how guilt affects us, not only as creatives, but in how we relate to others, and how we show up for ourselves.

Check out our free worksheet on building your emotional narrative to protect your priorities.

Want to stay updated with the latest podcast news? Join our email list!

Episode 18: Mind, Money, and time: How recovering people pleasers and protect their energy

Here at Breathing Space Creative, we view time-blocking as more than just scheduling tasks - it’s about:

Peeling back the layers of why we want to dedicate time to them
Tracking our energy levels so we know when we can make the most of it
Building on these priorities through intentional actions and becoming who we are trying to be.

In today’s episode, Chelene reflects on how effective time-blocking has opened doors to a deeper perspective of creative entrepreneurship.

As you listen to this episode, consider how you can take accountability for your creative projects while fostering a healthy relationship with your priorities and why you feel the need to strengthen it.

As mentioned in this episode, you can listen to Episode 14: Make space for creative joy, releasing expectations of yourself, wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Don’t forget to sign up for our Say No With Love Workshop, held virtually on October 5th, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PST!

Want to stay updated with the latest podcast news? Join our email list!

Episode 17: Mind, Money, and time: How recovering people pleasers and protect their energy

“We feel the pressure to give everything for free, and then we don’t understand why this burnout is here.”

In Episode 12 of this season, Chelene discusses how to make your creative project ideas saleable in a gatekept industry. This leads us to consider the importance of protecting our energy while going into these spaces.

Chelene discusses the importance of protecting our time, energy, and MONEY in a world where people expect free or discounted products for your specialty.

The balance between overextending yourself and getting your foot in the door can be hard to achieve, especially as a recovering people pleaser, so as you listen to this one, consider how you can protect your energy when it comes to your creative work.

Don’t forget to sign up for our Say No With Love Workshop, held virtually on October 5th, 11 am - 12:30 pm PST!

Want to stay updated with the latest podcast news? Join our email list!

Episode 16: Relearn the self: Navigating Burnout Recovery, with guest Meiyoko Taylor

“What is the cost of not doing the inner work?”

“You’re either going to move forward, or you’re going to move backward. No one ever stays the same. It might feel like it… but you’re actually regressing.”

In today’s special episode, follow a discussion between two coaches who specialize in burnout prevention. Chelene interviews coach Meiyoko Taylor on the importance of understanding The Self as a way to navigate burnout.

As a two-time best-selling author, speaker, and a life transformation coach for business professionals, Meiyoko shares his insights on facing the root cause of burnout.

Stay tuned for his upcoming book Yes is Back.

Are you a creative professional juggling multiple tasks and feeling overwhelmed? Let us help you design the creative life you've been envisioning. Apply to the Thrive Coaching Program discover valuable insights about yourself, enabling you to cultivate a more aligned and fulfilling creative practice.

Want stay updated with latest podcast news? Join our email list!

Episode 15: Showing up authentically in a limiting environment

At Breathing Space Creative, we are always prioritizing emotional freedom and mindfulness practices for burnout prevention in creatives. By creating a space that fosters authenticity for everyone, it easily fuels the work we do. While this is a strong value for us, we recognize that there are many creatives who may not have spaces to show up authentically as themselves. Especially if they have a job that drains them.

In this episode of The Balanced Creative, we are asking you, What does authenticity mean to you? And how can you protect that in an environment that isn’t accommodating?

When you can no longer grow in an environment that seems to be holding you back, it can be hard to overcome self-doubt, or embrace positivity within your creative projects. That’s why it’s important to stay true to your vision and realign with yourself, until you are able to leave this environment, or change it.

In this episode we will discuss:

Finding flexibility within your environment in places you’ve never looked
Addressing where we are looking to get our needs met
How easily we compromise our authenticity without realizing it.

Limiting environments can really test your boundaries. Check out our free worksheet on infusing rock solid boundaries into your daily life to remind yourself of the space you need!

Want stay updated with latest podcast news? Join our email list!

Episode 14: Make space for creative joy; release expectations of yourself

How many times have you heard the term “don’t get your hopes up” when submitting your project to a contest or publishing organization? Whether this is a voice that comes externally, internally, or both, it can certainly throw a curveball in your emotional journey as a creative.

The last thing you need when putting yourself out there is a voice telling you to reign your expectations in. But where do these expectations come from? Are they all negative? And how can they play a role in renewing your life?

In today’s episode we’ll discuss:

Not all expectations are negative. There are empowering expectations that can remind us of our “Why”.
Why some expectations that may start off positive, can result in holding us back.
Pulling the curtain back on these expectations to reveal narratives that need to be released.

Always remember to be aware of your intentions, and take accountability for the expectations that could make or break your creative journey.

Want stay updated with latest podcast news? Join our email list!

Apple POdcasts

Episode 13: Symbiosis of the body and the creative mind

As creatives, we often spend a LOT of time in our heads, and in our emotions. Most of us rely on our creative practice as a healthy form of expression. It allows us to create a safe space to let go of limiting beliefs and to explore our inner worlds and their relation to our outer worlds.

But we can’t just live in our heads, can we?

In today’s episode, we’ll discuss the importance of prioritizing your body’s needs and how it affects the creative mind. You might be thinking to yourself, “I already know to take care of my body” That’s nice, but are you doing it?

In this episode, we will explore

Three ways to enhance your everyday life by building a healthy creative practice.
Brain Fog and how to work with it, not against it
The importance of tracking your energy levels

Get your free Burnout Prevention Worksheet today.

Want stay updated with latest podcast news? Join our email list!

Episode 12: Make your creative ideas "Saleable" in a gatekept industry

A beautiful thing about working behind the curtain of a gatekept industry is being the one who can later pull this curtain back for others who have been denied entry. In today’s episode, Chelene draws from her experience working in publishing and how it’s helped her turn industry blind spots into a path of joyful living for creatives.

Reflecting on Chelene’s project pillars, redefining success, and reshaping of the language behind the word “gatekeeping”, this episode is here to plant the seeds for mindset shifts around your place in this creative world and how you can make it your own.

Shoutout to House of Anansi, Canada’s leading independent publisher for creating such a positive experience for Chelene in her upcoming guided journal for writers, Safekeeping, you can pre-order today.

Episode 11: Balancing Corporate Life and personal passions with Keyaira Horne

Here at The Balanced Creative, we like to prioritize discussions around burnout prevention and personal growth to help foster our creative endeavours. In today’s episode, guest Keyaira Horne takes on the topic of creative balance as a corporate professional.

As a self-published children’s book writer, multidisciplinary artist, and corporate professional, Keyaira's journey involves weaving creativity and responsibilities, and emphasizing proactive self-care to combat burnout.

Find Keyaira on Instagram

Check out her books:

All Around the world

The Magic of Gratitude

Are you a busy professional looking to carve time in your daily or weekly routines for creative practice? Check out our burnout prevention worksheet to help you identify your limits and create with intention, a balanced, creative life.

Visit Breathing Space Creative for more insights and tools to help you navigate your priorities, and bring your ideas to reality.

If you like our content, tell us your thoughts! Comment, review, or subscribe to The Balanced Creative and stay up to date on new episodes and exciting events.

apple podcasts

amazon Music

iheart Radio

castbox

Episode 10: The hidden role of language in making a living as a creative

One of the most powerful tools we can use to combat limiting beliefs in our creative lives is language. The way we speak to and about ourselves can make or break our journeys as creative entrepreneurs.

In today’s episode, Chelene investigates the ripple effects that emerge from intentional self-talk.

Intentional self-talk doesn’t always look like saying words of affirmation in a mirror, or using positivity when we aren’t in the space for it. While those tactics can be helpful in some ways, we’re taking a look into shifting our critical mind into a place of neutrality when it comes to self-perception.

As you listen along, consider the language you use on yourself. This could be through talking with others, or the way you respond to certain thoughts. It can even determine how you show up for yourself.

Language is also a great tool for building strong boundaries! Check out these 5 steps to infuse rock solid boundaries in your daily life!

Episode 9: Embodying your uniqueness for creative branding

One of the hardest things to consider when putting yourself out there as a creative entrepreneur, is showcasing your work. It’s easy to hide behind perfectionist tendencies as we go back into the planning, drafting or revising stages of our creative projects, but it’s another thing to say “this is it, this is me, here you go!”

Today's episode delves deeply into the concept of authentic self-expression, emphasizing the importance of genuinely putting yourself out there. It highlights the significance of clarity in both intentions and messaging, illustrating how this clarity facilitates stronger connections with your audience.

As you listen, consider how you show up for yourself as a creative entrepreneur. How can you embrace positive change and confidence in what you do?

Looking to infuse rock solid boundaries in your daily life so you can keep moving forward along your creative journey? Check out our free Build Stronger Boundaries worksheet!

AMazon Music

Episode 8: What are you making time for?

So… at this point into Season Two, you’ve made time to reflect on your “why”, you’ve been honest with yourself about the spaces that no longer align with you, and you understand what cleansing the creative palette means to you. Now what?

In today’s episode, get ready for some mindset shifts as we explore the role of accountability in our creative lives. Much of this is related to bringing awareness to your energy levels.

At Breathing Space Creative, we are always encouraging folks to consider their energy before taking action with their projects. This looks like:

Assessing their priorities
Observing limiting beliefs that set you back
And being honest with how you can meet your needs right now.

Open your mind to the idea that it’s not about needing more time, but learning how to better manage your energy.

If you’re interested in learning more about protecting your energy and the things you want to focus on this season, join our free Say No With Love workshop on April 27th, 2024.

Episode 7: entrepreneurial mindset and life balance with Carol Good

Today's episode is for all the listeners who are trying to balance creative work with entrepreneurship alongside all the other demands of daily life.

Life won't always take us where we might want or expect it to, and our special guest is here to remind us that ultimately, the detours and setbacks are often meant to show us that something better is coming.

Carol Good is a writer, artist, and crafter, living the entrepreneurial life. When she isn't creating new journals and greeting cards for her shop ⁠Good Wares⁠, she's busy working on her manuscript.

Follow Carol on Instagram ⁠@c.a.good⁠ and ⁠@good.wares⁠ to learn more about her journey!

Carol is also a long-time member of the ⁠Forever Writers Club⁠, and a contributor and associate editor for ⁠lifeasahuman.com⁠.

Episode 6: Leaving spaces that don't align with who you are

At Breathing Space Creative, we are always discussing the evolution of our own creative journeys. Sometimes this involves letting go of spaces that no longer align with who we are.

In today’s episode, Chelene discusses the importance of prioritizing our needs to make space for a healthy creative balance with guest Natasha “Tash” Helwig.

Natasha is the Founder of Broken Heals Inc. where she works as a Facilitator, Coach, and Writer helping women grow, love, heal, and be heard for over 9 years, and recently she has become the Founder and COO of The Birdhouse, an initiative focused on providing workshops focused on inclusivity and creating a sense of belonging within organizations and amongst teams through storytelling and active listening workshops.

Today’s heartfelt discussion takes an honest look at what burnout truly looks like in a post-pandemic world.

As you listen to this episode, take an honest look at the spaces you’re already in.

How are they holding you?

What changes might you need to implement in order to protect your energy and time for things you love?

You can learn more about Tash’s Deep Work/Soft Landing workshop or find her on Instagram:
Natasha Helwig and Broken Heals.

Episode 5: Cleansing your creative palette

Here at Breathing Space Creative, we don't believe in writer's block... The reason you're not writing or creating probably has a LOT to do with how you're approaching your work.

In today's episode, Chelene discusses the importance of cleansing your creative palette - otherwise known as learning when to reset your mind so you can go back to doing what you love the most.

Give yourself a chance to truly pause and be present with yourself. How can you give yourself more space to cleanse your creative palette? What kind of unstructured play brings life into your art?

Looking for more essential tips and guidance to keep you aligned with your creative energy? ⁠⁠Start with our Identifying, Preventing, & Resisting Burnout worksheet!⁠⁠

Check out: Butter and Trello

iHeart Radio

Episode 4: Common mistakes creatives make that keep us dreaming small

What happens to big ideas with small dreams?

They're easy to abandon.

In today's episode, Chelene taps into her coaching experience to explore what holds creatives back from following through and having confidence in their work.

Listen to this episode through the lens of your own creative journey:

Are you more focused on the end goal rather than how you feel during your creative journey?
Can you slow down and pay attention to your inner dialogue?
Are you supporting yourself in a way that welcomes change?

It’s time to start dreaming big!

Looking for more essential tips and guidance to keep you aligned with your creative energy? ⁠Start with our Identifying, Preventing, & Resisting Burnout worksheet!⁠

Episode 3: Creativity as an act of Self-love with D Fretter

"The tortured artist trope is out of style, it's dead, we need to leave it there." — D Fretter.

In today's special episode, guest D Fretter is here to talk all things creativity and self-love to remind you that... it's okay to let your art be a part of you.

Step into that vulnerable space of understanding who you are. When you discover what you need in order to be yourself, you'll learn exactly how to ⁠prioritize your creative pursuits.⁠

Today’s guest has a lot to say about that. He is a poet/spoken word artist who teaches workshops in schools. On Tiktok he’s developed the reputation for being a mental health advocate and a big believer in self-love/healing. Some of you may know him from his poetry books, The Journey is All the Same⁠ and Joy + Misery.

Find him on Instagram: _dfretter

Interested in the THRIVE coaching program? ⁠⁠Visit our website.⁠

iHeart Radio

Episode 2: Discovering your project's Why

In today’s episode, we’ll dive deep into reflecting on your project’s why, and explore how that seeps into your everyday life. Many people in the creative field like to make the assumption that we all have the same why. This can often lead to feeling misunderstood by others, and misguided in your own direction.

Take some time for yourself during this episode to really pay attention to your responses to the insights shared. You might find yourself anchored in a whole new perspective that can help you carry through your project.

Interested in other methods that are part of the THRIVE coaching program? Visit our website.

Episode 1: Let it Go: Free Yourself from Old Beliefs and Find a New Path to Joy

Welcome to Season Two of The Balanced Creative where we will be centering conversations around bringing your project into the world, despite the noise of your everyday life. For more insights and clarity, sign up for our Say No With Love Newsletter!

In today’s episode, we are kicking off a new year with the launch of Chelene’s fourth book, Let it Go: Free Yourself from Old Beliefs and Find a New Path to Joy

Tune into another episode where Mar interviews Chelene on everything behind the scenes of writing this book, along with the first ever read excerpt from Let it Go!

Season One

EPISODE 18: Entrepreneurial by Design with Chelene Knight

Hello friends! In this very special episode, your host Chelene Knight will be in the hot seat. We’re going to learn more about who she is, what she does, and most importantly, her WHY. Let’s get to know our host even better with some personal Qs.

Producer Mar Tezak will be hosting this episode, asking Chelene about her journey of leaving the 9-5 to pursue the creative life of her dreams.

Looking for a good read that can help you make space for yourself along your creative journey?

Checkout Chelene’s book Let it Go: Free Yourself from Old Beliefs and Find a New Path to Joy

Looking for tools to learn about the Say No With Love Method? ⁠Sign up for our free workshop!⁠

Google Podcasts

EPISODE 17: Make space for creation using your 9-5

This one’s for all the nine-to-fivers out there! As you know, being a creative, your brain doesn’t just shut off during your day job. There are always ideas waiting to be expressed through your preferred medium of creation, but how can you keep that going when you’ve got other tasks to prioritize during the day?

In today’s episode, let’s dive deep into the ways creativity can be used to give you what you need during your day, so you can feel refreshed when you turn to your creative practice.

EPISODE 16: Spilling the Tea on Self Promo for Writers with Sophie Jai

Promoting yourself and your book is often hard for a lot of writers, but it is also a necessary part of the job. But how do we make sure that we take care of ourselves in the process? In this episode of The Balanced Creative, Guest Sophie Jai and I dive deep into the pros and cons of self-promotion for authors and why author care is an essential consideration for all authors.

Sophie Jai is the author of WILD FIRES, her debut novel. Most recently, it was shortlisted for 2023 Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize and the 2023 Fred Kerner Book Award. It was the winner of the 2019 Borough Press x The Good Literary Agency Prize, and longlisted for the 2019 Bridport Prize Peggy Chapman-Andrews Award. Jai has been a Writer-in-Residence & Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford, where is currently working on her second novel.

Free Say No With Love Workshop

EPISODE 15: Say No With Love

In today’s episode of The Balanced Creative, I hope to clarify what it means to say no with love, how this connects to ripples out into your creative practice, and how this is the nucleus for the work we do in the Thrive Coaching Program.

What does it even mean to say no with love?

To know something isn't for you right now and to accurately and confidently communicate it based on how you want to show up that year, what your “word” or general focus is for the year, and what are the handful of priorities you want to touch this year.

Apple podcasts

Google podcasts

EPISODE 14: Show Me the Money! Making a Living as a Creative with Guest Jen Sookfong Lee

In today’s episode of The Balanced Creative I am excited to chat with author editor extraordinaire, Jen Sookfong Lee about all things writing and money:

Where does our ‘writing' income come from?
What are all the ways we can make money from our books aside from just book sales?
How can we get excited about money?

You don't wanna miss this one!

JEN SOOKFONG LEE was born and raised in Vancouver’s East Side, and she now lives with her son in North Burnaby. Her books include The Conjoined, nominated for International Dublin Literary Award and a finalist for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, The Better Mother, a finalist for the City of Vancouver Book Award, The End of East, The Shadow List, and most recently, Superfan. Jen acquires and edits for ECW Press and co-hosts the literary podcast Can’t Lit.

Link to Superfan: How Pop Culture Broke My Heart by Jen Sookfong Lee

EPISODE 13: our mind may manage stress well, but chances are, your body doesn't

In today’s episode of The Balanced Creative, I hope to inspire you to flip the narrative on how you manage stress by calling on your creativity.

I think it’s fair to say that we have all been taught to view stress in a negative light and we’ve fallen into the narrative that when we are stressed out it should be a terrible time, it’s supposed to be a terrible time.

But what if we wanted to unlearn this?

Using our ALARTT method as a way of slowing down long enough to take a bit more control over how you respond to stress is the focus of this month’s episode!

Learn more about our Thrive Coaching Program here.

Google Podcasts