How to Stop Believing the Stories That Keep You Small

What if the loudest voice in your head isn't the wisest one?

In this special collaboration episode, Erin sits down with Tania Cervoni, host of Banish the Lies, to explore the stories we unknowingly carry about ourselves—and how those stories shape our confidence, our relationships, our careers, and our willingness to pursue what matters most.

Together, they discuss the inner critic, nervous system regulation, curiosity, perfectionism, and the surprising truth that ready isn't a feeling—it's a decision.

Whether you're a fundraiser, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to stop second-guessing yourself, this conversation offers practical tools for recognizing the voices that keep you small and choosing a different path.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why your inner critic developed in the first place—and what it's trying to protect.
• How curiosity can interrupt anxiety and create new possibilities.
• Why success often triggers fear before it creates confidence.
• What The Big Leap taught both Erin and Tania about expansion and upper-limit problems.
• How childhood strategies can quietly shape our careers and relationships decades later.
• Why "ready" isn't a feeling you wait for—it's a decision you make.
• A compassionate way to relate to the younger parts of yourself that still fear rejection and failure.

About Tania Cervoni

Tania Cervoni is the host of Banish the Lies, a podcast that helps listeners recognize and challenge the unconscious beliefs that quietly shape their lives. Through thoughtful conversations and practical insights, she explores self-awareness, self-compassion, leadership, and the stories we inherit about who we are.

If this conversation resonated with you, I encourage you to listen to Banish the Lies and connect with Tania for more conversations about quieting the inner critic and creating a life based on truth rather than fear.

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If you're enjoying The Brave & Balanced Fundraiser, be sure to subscribe and join The Brave &Balanced Note, my free newsletter with practical tools for emotional mastery, sustainable fundraising, and living with greater courage and ease.

And if this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to leave a review or share it with someone whose inner critic has been a little too loud lately.

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Book a Brave & Balanced Breakthrough Call:
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👉 https://calendly.com/vitalistcoaching/brave-balanced-breakthrough

Learn more about Erin’s coaching & nervous-system based support:
VitalistCoaching.com

Connect on Instagram:
@erinmcquadewright

How Plants Can Help You Return to Calm, Healing, and Self-Sovereignty

In this personal episode, I'm stepping outside my usual fundraising conversations to share one of the practices that has profoundly shaped my own healing journey: working with medicinal plants.

When I became seriously ill in early 2020, I found myself searching for ways to support my body while the world felt uncertain. That search led me into the study of herbalism—a path that reminded me of something our ancestors once knew well: that many of the plants growing around us have been trusted allies for generations.

This isn't about rejecting modern medicine. Quite the opposite. It's about expanding our understanding of what caring for ourselves can look like. Alongside the incredible gifts of modern healthcare, there's also something deeply empowering about learning simple ways to support our nervous system, our rest, and our everyday well-being.

In this episode, I share:

• Why studying herbalism changed my relationship with healing
• The connection between plants, intuition, and self-sovereignty
• Four gentle herbs I reach for regularly (and why)
• How to prepare nourishing herbal teas and relaxing herbal baths
• Why slowing down and reconnecting with nature may be one of the greatest forms of self-care available to us

Whether you're simply curious about herbs or you've been longing to reconnect with the natural world, I hope this conversation encourages you to explore with wonder, wisdom, and respect.

Mentioned in this episode

Penn Herb — Quality dried medicinal herbs and supplies
https://www.pennherb.com

Strictly Medicinal Seeds — Medicinal herb seeds and plants for growing your own herbal garden
https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com

If you're enjoying these conversations about living with greater courage, balance, and authenticity, I'd love to have you join my free newsletter, The Brave & Balanced Note, where I share practical reflections and tools to help you create an inner climate that supports the life you're here to live.

Subscribe here: https://brave-balanced-note.kit.com/profile?_gl=1*qniw91*_gcl_au*MjEwODgyNzI0OS4xNzc1NzY5ODE1

Send Erin a text

Book your 1:1 Brave and Balanced Breakthrough Coaching Session here: https://calendly.com/vitalistcoaching/brave-balanced-breakthrough

✨ Stay Connected & Continue Your Fundraising Growth

Listen to all episodes + subscribe:
https://thebraveandbalancedfundraiser.buzzsprout.com

Join the community:
The Brave & Balanced Fundraiser Facebook Group
👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/braveandbalancedfundraiser

Book a Brave & Balanced Breakthrough Call:
A personalized 1:1 session to support your inner clarity and fundraising wellbeing.
👉 https://calendly.com/vitalistcoaching/brave-balanced-breakthrough

Learn more about Erin’s coaching & nervous-system based support:
VitalistCoaching.com

Connect on Instagram:
@erinmcquadewright

The Fear That Keeps Brilliant Women Playing Small

Have you ever downplayed your accomplishments, brushed off a compliment, or hesitated to celebrate a win because you didn't want to seem arrogant?

Many of us were taught that being humble is a virtue. But what if some of what we've been calling humility is actually fear?

In this episode of The Brave & Balanced Fundraiser, Erin McQuade-Wright explores the hidden emotional patterns that keep so many caring, capable people from stepping fully into their gifts. Together, we'll unpack why we shrink ourselves to stay safe, how old stories about criticism and belonging shape our behavior, and what it really means to lead with confidence without losing our humility.

If you've ever worried about "getting too big for your britches," felt uncomfortable receiving recognition, or found yourself holding back even though you know you're capable of more, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why humility and self-doubt are not the same thing.
• How fear of criticism can quietly keep you playing small.
• The surprising cost of dismissing your accomplishments instead of celebrating them.
• Why you are not responsible for managing other people's emotional reactions to your success.
• A simple daily practice to help you build an internal sense of safety instead of searching for it through other people's approval.

The goal isn't to become louder, more boastful, or more self-promotional. It's to become free—free to accept appreciation, celebrate your growth, and pursue the work you're uniquely here to do without apologizing for taking up space.

Enjoying the podcast?

Follow The Brave & Balanced Fundraiser, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who has a habit of making themselves smaller to keep everyone else comfortable.

Want more practical tools for leading with courage, clarity, and emotional resilience?

Sign up for The Brave & Balanced Note, my free newsletter, where I share coaching insights, reflections, and practical exercises to help you lead from alignment instead of anxiety.

Join here: https://brave-balanced-note.kit.com/profile?_gl=1*qniw91*_gcl_au*MjEwODgyNzI0OS4xNzc1NzY5ODE1

Send Erin a text

Book your 1:1 Brave and Balanced Breakthrough Coaching Session here: https://calendly.com/vitalistcoaching/brave-balanced-breakthrough

✨ Stay Connected & Continue Your Fundraising Growth

Listen to all episodes + subscribe:
https://thebraveandbalancedfundraiser.buzzsprout.com

Join the community:
The Brave & Balanced Fundraiser Facebook Group
👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/braveandbalancedfundraiser

Book a Brave & Balanced Breakthrough Call:
A personalized 1:1 session to support your inner clarity and fundraising wellbeing.
👉 https://calendly.com/vitalistcoaching/brave-balanced-breakthrough

Learn more about Erin’s coaching & nervous-system based support:
VitalistCoaching.com

Connect on Instagram:
@erinmcquadewright