How cognitive distortions drive fundraising anxiety—and a simple progressive muscle relaxation practice to shift your nervous system back into ease, clarity, and authentic confidence.

Ever feel like you have to be “palatable” to donors—like you need to shrink, mask, or perform to succeed? In this episode, Erin sits down with Kelly Hint, LMHC, NCC, and OCD specialist, to unpack the difference between cognitive dissonance (the body-level discomfort of not being your authentic self) and cognitive distortions (the anxious thought-loops that fuel perfectionism, catastrophizing, mind-reading, and the “shoulds”).

You’ll hear how these patterns show up in fundraising pressure—like tying your self-worth to results, assuming a “no” means you failed, or believing you can’t be fully yourself without losing the donor. Then Kelly guides a progressive muscle relaxation practice you can use before donor meetings, after tough interactions, or anytime anxiety takes over—helping you release tension and regain steadiness.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Common cognitive distortions that drive fundraising anxiety
• Why uncertainty triggers the mind to “fill in the gaps” with fear
• How the body holds stress—and why job changes don’t automatically reset it
• A step-by-step progressive muscle relaxation exercise (quick, practical, and repeatable)

About Kelly Hint: Kelly is a licensed mental health counselor in New York, a nationally certified counselor, a nationally certified clinical mental health counselor, an OCD specialist, and the author of Kick Ass Coping Companion.

Find Kelly:

• Book: Kick Ass Coping Companion (https://a.co/d/7slRbZ7)
• Therapy: KellyMHint.com
• Coaching: CoachKellyHint.com
• Podcast: The Hint Hive: Amplifying Women’s Voices

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