The Brave and Balanced Fundraiser

A somatic look at stress, pressure, and the internal signals fundraisers ignore. Fundraising anxiety isn’t a mindset problem — it’s a nervous system response. In this episode, Erin breaks down why fundraisers experience tight chests, clenched stomachs, throat pressure, and racing thoughts when preparing to make an ask… and why none of this means you’re bad at your job. Drawing on somatic practice,...

Understanding the emotional cost of fundraising—and why it’s not your fault. 📘 Episode Summary Why do fundraisers leave their jobs every 16–24 months? In this episode, Erin reveals the hidden pattern driving burnout: the chronic under-resourcing of the fundraiser’s inner life. Erin shares how rising goals, shifting funders, and donor pressure interact with deeper, often unconscious beliefs about...

Why fundraisers burn out—what it costs us, and what becomes possible when we finally turn inward and get free. Episode Summary In this opening episode, Erin McQuade-Wright—former professional fundraiser of 15 years—shares why she created The Brave & Balanced Fundraiser and why focusing on the inner life of the fundraiser is not only healing… but essential for our sector’s sustainability. Fundr...

A podcast for fundraisers ready to stop burning out and start showing up whole. Summary Welcome to The Brave and Balanced Fundraiser , a podcast created for fundraisers who are committed to their mission and ready to care for their inner world. Hosted by former professional fundraiser and coach Erin McQuade-Wright , this show is your space to breathe, realign, and reconnect with the part of you th...