Earlier this year Advancement Resources conducted on the most daunting aspects of working on transformational level gifts. In this episode Advancement Resources President Mauria Brough discusses the findings with Scott Arthur, Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Jim Hodge, Jim has 43 years of experience in philanthropy inspiring remarkable gifts with the last 13 spent working with Scott as Chief Strategist. Hear Scott and Jim candidly tackle the most anxiety-inducing challenges in transformational philanthropy. Through vivid real-world examples and hard-earned wisdom, they reveal how to transform fear into fuel for bigger, bolder donor conversations. Discover why the "perfect pitch" is a myth, how to reframe ambitious fundraising targets, and why stewardship might be your secret weapon for transformational giving. Scott and Jim share powerful insights on creating "no surprise philanthropy," including a fascinating shift from traditional metrics to measuring the quality of donor conversations. Most compelling is their radical take on fear itself, instead of trying to eliminate it, learn how to harness that nervous energy to push boundaries and dream bigger. Whether you're new to major gifts or a seasoned professional, this episode offers a fresh perspective on turning anxiety into aspiration and fear into forward momentum. With authenticity and vulnerability at its core, this conversation provides practical strategies for navigating the high-stakes world of transformational philanthropy while staying true to both your donors and yourself. Don't miss this masterclass in turning fundraising fears into philanthropic opportunities. If you enjoy this episode you should consider attending our workshop: Campaigns of One: Inspiring Transformational Giving