As a boy growing up on a ‘piece of dirt’ near Gunnedah, country New South Wales, James Knight spent endless hours whacking a cricket ball against a fence and commentating himself scoring a test century for Australia. Sadly, only one obstacle ever stopped him from achieving his dream: lack of talent! Nevertheless, stirred by his mother’s advice that ‘there is a world beyond the gate, go and find it,’ James found his feet through reading and listening to stories about far-flung places and people. This journey eventually led to him becoming a television reporter who covered numerous Australian cricket tours. These experiences, in addition to covering other international sports and news events (including Olympic Games) and backpacking and volunteering in off-beat locations across the globe, have helped shape James’s philosophy that ‘there is not a single person from whom I cannot learn.’
Widely respected by his peers for his evocative and insightful storytelling across many mediums, James uses his professional and personal experiences to make corporate audiences think deeply about their workplaces, particularly in relation to personal and mass communication, and culture. With unique insights driven by an age-long fascination about people, James encourages deeper connections, challenges assumptions, and shifts perspectives. In his work, he often conducts interviews that stretch many days with personal subjects for autobiographies, memoirs, and television documentaries; from this, he has developed a reputation for his respectful questioning and ability to develop rapports with a wide cross-section of society—from politicians to business leaders, gold medallists to movie stars, and everyday people in the street. These skills and James’s genuine interest in people ensure the ‘boy from Gunny’ is a versatile MC, panellist and facilitator for a wide variety of functions. Before leaving books too far behind, we should also mention James wrote with youth worker and former Australian Local Hero of the Year, Bernie Shakeshaft, the best-seller ‘Back on Track’ which was long-listed for the 2020 Indy Book Awards (non-fiction). Currently, his children’s novel ‘Spirit of the Warriors’ is being adapted as a movie that is planned for international release in about 2028.
In addition to his communications’ work, James (Master of Education—specialising in contemporary literacy) is a sought-after educator who conducts literacy and storytelling (including for wellbeing) workshops in schools, including in Botswana, India, Scandinavia and New Zealand. Again, his skills enable him to transition easily into corporate, NFP and government training environments. James is also a goal-setter who is currently training to run a marathon, a journey of discovery and resilience, in which he’s aiming to beat the time he set in his first 42k’er in 2000. A father, husband and dog owner, James never stands still for long.
We are extraordinary creatures.
‘People and Place’ may as well be the ‘brand’ that best describes James Knight. Whether as a journalist, author, broadcaster, speaker, educator or off-beat traveller James has made a career of learning from people and places across the world. In listening to and telling stories, James staunchly believes that he can learn from every single person on the planet. His philosophy is the foundation from which he launches into a far-reaching motivational, inspirational, and invariably heart-warming keynote or after-dinner presentation that rollicks through the most unexpected places and situations. At times hilarious and heart-warming, and at other times shocking and provocative, James makes everyone think about what it means to be human. Drawing from a vast collection of personal photos and videos, this truly is a unique presentation that is delivered by a widely respected and distinctive storyteller whose words leave a lasting impact on a wide cross-section of audiences.
Be prepared for topics and observations about corporate cultures, brothels, potholes, chocolate wrappers, elite athletes, pikelet makers, community stalwarts, schools, cockatoos, fatherhood…JUST BE PREPARED! Reflecting James’s sense of humanity, he donate 20% of his fee for this presentation to a reputable charity, NFP or social enterprise chosen by the client. He does, however, prefer recipients are aligned with supporting vulnerable populations or enhancing literacy among the disadvantaged.
To say this presentation is different is quite an understatement.
Key takeaways:
- The people make the place, and the place makes the people.
- You never talk TO someone. You talk WITH them!
- From boardroom to factory floor, sporting fields to community events, be inspired to be a better person.
How we can best communicate in the workplace
Once upon a time, some of us secretly swapped notes to each other under our desks in school classrooms. Not anymore! Let’s try a green-faced vomiting emoji or a pulsing love heart!
This engaging presentation, which can also be transformed into a highly practical and fun workshop, is a lifetime in the making. Digging deep into his experiences across the world, including as an award-winning broadcast journalist, best-selling author, and off-beat traveller, James reveals his observations about effective communication and how different approaches reflect and affect different cultural settings. Using his vast collection of unique photos and videos to illustrate points, James not only discusses history, neuroscience and strategies, but importantly, he stresses the critical need for us to understand that each of us communicates in different ways, and this in turn influences interpretations and can, in fact, lead to the potentially damaging practice of making assumptions. However, if we negotiate this domain well, we learn that the best communication enhances personal connections and that can help deepen an understanding of who are and how we behave. Communication-Connection-Humanity. James offers tools from his storyteller’s kit that can be transformed into essential tools for any workplace. This includes the need for true awareness, curiosity and proper context. From leadership to chatting with customers, from idea generation to problem solving, storytelling is at the heart of being human. It helps us make sense of our world (including our workplaces).
- Key Takeaways:
- Learn how to best use the key tools of curiosity and asking questions.
- Remember the importance of understanding and using context.
- The meaning you intend to make will not necessarily be interpreted the same way by your audience. BEWARE the power of assumption.
- Suitable for Anyone.
Note: James can also be an after- dinner speaker (can tailor content according to briefs), an MC, panellist and facilitator. For more information, please contact.
A huge thank you for being such a fantastic MC at the 2025 LBW Trust Annual Dinner! You brought exactly the right mix of warmth, humour, and professionalism – and your personal touches made the evening feel truly special. Your ability to read the room, keep the energy high, and navigate (a lot of!) last-minute changes and time delays so smoothly was incredibly impressive. You kept everything flowing beautifully and created such a positive, engaging atmosphere throughout the night. We’ve had so many wonderful comments about your hosting. It really elevated the event and helped make it such a success. Thank you > again for being such a joy to work with.
LBW TRUST
You have been a breath of fresh air for NSWRDN. Whether it has been in your role as MC at numerous functions, an online interviewer of our staff, or media training on an all-day workshop, your expertise and positivity has been invaluable. You are an inspiring communicator whose warmth and authenticity shine through.
NSW Rural Doctors Network
James has exceptional talent for poetic, explicit language, and a unique sensitivity for his subject.
Bill Woods, Media specialist
When James and I spoke together at a fundraiser in Queensland, I was captivated by his presence and ability to connect with everyone in the room. Put simply, James is a commanding speaker.
Peter Overton, Channel Nine News Presenter
You and your stories are legendary. Thank you for sharing them on the stage. You were incredible at the showcase. Such a powerful presence in the room and so grateful to have you with us…
Leanne Christie, House of O