Jim Ellermeyer

Be More Awake: Lessons From the Buddha | Episode 526

August 11th, 2026  |  26 mins 16 secs

12 step recovery, acceptance, being awake, boundaries, buddhism, buddhist philosophy, compassion, compassion with boundaries, emotional regulation, emotional wellness, expectations, healthy habits, intentional living, jim ellermeyer, letting go, living in the present, meditation, mental health, mental wellness, michael sorg, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, non attachment, personal growth, positive habits, producer mike, recovery, recovery podcast, self awareness, self improvement, spirituality, wellness, wise mind

What does it actually mean to “be like the Buddha”? Jim Ellermeyer and Producer Mike explore how being more awake, compassionate, intentional, and less attached to outcomes can help us participate more fully in the life happening right now.

Vic Costik’s Love Letter to Pittsburgh | Episode 526

August 3rd, 2026  |  35 mins 50 secs

12-step recovery, accepting flaws, accountability, authentic living, authenticity, belonging, community building, compassion, emotional wellness, empathy, healthy boundaries, jim ellermeyer, kindness, lgbtq community, lgbtq inclusion, local podcasts, love letter to pittsburgh, making amends, mental wellness, mind of awareness, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, neutral inquiry, new rust pittsburgh, new rust pittsburgh podcast, overcoming fear, people-pleasing, perfectionism, personal growth, pittsburgh artists, pittsburgh community, pittsburgh culture, pittsburgh makers, pittsburgh podcast, pittsburgh small businesses, pittsburgh weird, privilege, queer pittsburgh, recovery, self-acceptance, social awareness, toxic relationships, trans visibility, transgender community, transgender safety, vic costik, wellness podcast

In Part 2 of our conversation with Vic Costik of the New Rust Pittsburgh Podcast, we explore community-building, LGBTQ+ belonging, authentic living and the importance of approaching unfamiliar experiences with curiosity instead of contempt. Vic also shares how Pittsburgh’s artists, makers, local businesses and unexpected corners inspired a podcast that serves as a love letter to the city.

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Vic’s Story: Identity, Transition & Finding Community | Episode 525

July 28th, 2026  |  18 mins 20 secs

acceptance, authentic self, authenticity, belonging, community, community advocacy, connection, curiosity, empathy, found family, human connection, identity, jim ellermeyer, lgbtq community, life transitions, mental wellness, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, new rust, new rust podcast, overcoming judgment, personal growth, personal transformation, pittsburgh, pittsburgh community, pittsburgh creatives, pittsburgh culture, pittsburgh lgbtq, pittsburgh podcast, queer community, recovery, self acceptance, self discovery, trans identity, trans masculine, transgender community, understanding, ux design, vic costik, wellness

Fishing Without Bait welcomes Vic Costik, creator of the New Rust podcast, for the first part of a conversation about Pittsburgh, community, identity, and finding the freedom to live authentically. Vic shares how moving from New York City to Pittsburgh helped him discover found family, embrace his community, and ultimately begin meeting himself for the first time.

Political Differences Without Losing Each Other | Episode 524

July 21st, 2026  |  26 mins 6 secs

active listening, ad-free podcast, bipartisan friendship, bridging political divides, civil discourse, compassion, critical thinking, curiosity, doomscrolling, echo chambers, emotional regulation, empathy, forgiveness, friends across the aisle, friendship, healthier habits, hostile comments, jim ellermeyer, kindness, listening to learn, mental wellness, mindful communication, mindfulness, mindfulness journal, mindfulness podcast, missy sorg, online arguments, pause before reacting, personal growth, physical books, political conversations, political differences, political identity, political polarization, recency bias, recovery, reducing screen time, relationships, respectful disagreement, screen time, sleep hygiene, social media, social media echo chambers, stimulus and response, understanding, wellness

In the third and final part of their conversation, Jim Ellermeyer and Missy Sorg explore how active listening, critical thinking and a mindful pause before reacting can help people move beyond political labels and social-media echo chambers. Missy shares a personal story about revealing her political affiliation to a longtime friend and explains how their disagreement became a conversation rather than the end of their friendship. The episode closes with a challenge to become more open, informed and willing to understand people across the political aisle.

Beyond the Party Line | Episode 523

July 14th, 2026  |  23 mins 54 secs

abortion discussion, accountability, adoption, bipartisan conversation, civic engagement, communication, community, compassion, critical thinking, difficult conversations, emotional intelligence, family support, forgiveness, foster care, infertility, jim ellermeyer, lifelong caregiving, listening to learn, mental health, mindful living, mindfulness, mr. rogers, personal responsibility, political dialogue, political representation, producer mike, recovery, representative democracy, republican perspective, respect, respectful disagreement, social media echo chambers, special needs care, teenage pregnancy, voter education, wellness, wise mind

In Part 2 of our conversation with Missy Sorg, we explore difficult questions surrounding abortion, adoption, foster care, family support, voter education, and personal responsibility. Missy and Jim Ellermeyer also examine how political labels and social media echo chambers interfere with our ability to listen, learn, and treat one another with respect.

Respect Across Political Lines | Episode 522

July 7th, 2026  |  26 mins 28 secs

abortion discussion, birth control, common ground, contempt prior to investigation, difficult conversations, emotional wellness, fertility treatments, friendship, full impact mindfulness, jim ellermeyer, mental health, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, missy sorg, patriotism, personal growth, podcast, polarization, political differences, recovery, recovery podcast, respectful disagreement, social media, wellness, women’s health

In Fishing Without Bait 522, Jim Ellermeyer welcomes Missy Sorg for Part 1 of a thoughtful conversation about political differences, friendship, respect, and the search for common ground. Together, they discuss how people can move beyond labels, assumptions, and anger to have more honest conversations about difficult topics.

Fighting Ideas, Not People with Eamon and Merlin | Episode 521

June 30th, 2026  |  22 mins 38 secs

In Fishing Without Bait 521, we conclude our four-part conversation with returning guests Eamon and Merlin, hosts of A Gay and His Enby. Jim, Eamon, and Merlin explore faith, identity, queer history, community, personal freedom, and the importance of finding your voice.

Eamon & Merlin on Faith, Curiosity, and Healing | Episode 520

June 23rd, 2026  |  26 mins 48 secs

a gay and his enby, authentic conversations, compassion, curiosity, deconstruction, eamon, emotional wellness, faith, forgiveness, healing, hope, identity, jim ellermeyer, meditation, mental health, merlin, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, personal growth, recovery, resilience, self awareness, self reflection, sorgatron media, spirituality, trauma recovery, wellness

In Part 3 of our conversation, Eamon and Merlin explore the power of curiosity, challenging deeply held beliefs, and finding healing through honest self-reflection. They share personal experiences around faith, identity, trauma, and spiritual growth while encouraging listeners to embrace compassion—for themselves and others.

Eamon and Merlin on Why Bigotry Can't Survive Proximity | Episode 519

June 16th, 2026  |  23 mins 22 secs

In Part 2 of our conversation with returning guests Eamon and Merlin, we explore how personal relationships challenge prejudice, why forgiveness is often a gift to ourselves, and how meaningful human connection can overcome fear and misunderstanding.

Through stories of family, faith, community, and personal growth, this episode highlights the power of proximity, empathy, and open-mindedness.

Eamon and Merlin Return: Community, Identity, and Courage | Episode 518

June 9th, 2026  |  20 mins 49 secs

Returning guests Eamon and Merlin join Fishing Without Bait for the first part of a thoughtful conversation about community, identity, belonging, and the life-changing decision to leave Texas and relocate to Pittsburgh. Together with Jim Ellermeyer, they explore authenticity, acceptance, fear, faith, and what it means to create a life where you can truly be yourself.

Joanna Lowe on Turning Pain Into Purpose | Episode 517

May 26th, 2026  |  23 mins 49 secs

In Part 4 of our conversation with returning guest Joanna Lowe, Joanna shares how poetry, storytelling, and performance became a path through profound grief after the loss of her husband. She discusses creating her stage show Widow, launching The Grin Reapers Club podcast, and embracing grief as an expression of love rather than something to suppress.

Listen as Joanna and Jim explore healing, authenticity, creativity, and the courage to truly live again.

Joanna Lowe on Grief, Art, and Learning to Live Again | Episode 516

May 19th, 2026  |  16 mins 41 secs

bereavement, depression support, edinburgh fringe festival, emotional honesty, emotional resilience, emotional wellness, grief, grief support, healing, jim ellermeyer, joanna lowe, mental health, mental wellness, mindfulness, mindfulness and grief, mindfulness podcast, parenting through grief, podcast interview, recovery, self help podcast, sorgatron media, suicide awareness, surviving loss, trauma, trauma recovery, wellness podcast, widow, widowhood

In Part 3 of our conversation with Joanna Lowe, we explore the complicated reality of grief, anger, survival, and support after devastating loss. Joanna shares deeply personal reflections on widowhood, parenting through trauma, and what people can truly do to support someone who is grieving.

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Joanna’s work:

The Occasional Epiphany by Joanna Lowe
Cup A Joe Productions Facebook

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Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book

Joanna Lowe on Grief That Changes You Forever | Episode 515

May 12th, 2026  |  23 mins 40 secs

coping with grief, emotional trauma, grief, grief support, healing, joanna lowe, life after loss, loss, mental health, mental wellness, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness practice, podcast interview, prolonged grief disorder, ptsd, recovery journey, self discovery, trauma recovery, wellness

In Part 2 of our conversation with Joanna Lowe, we explore the deeply personal and life-altering impact of grief after the sudden loss of her husband. Joanna shares how trauma reshaped her identity, faith, and ability to feel, offering an unfiltered look at prolonged grief and recovery. This episode is a powerful reflection on loss, survival, and rediscovery.

Joanna Lowe Returns: Spoken Word, Courage & Creating Your Own Path | Episode 514

May 5th, 2026  |  22 mins 1 sec

courage, creativity, cup a joe productions, fear, grin reapers club podcast, independent artist, joanna lowe, mental health, mindfulness, occasional epiphany, personal growth, recovery, self expression, spoken word, storytelling, wellness podcast

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, we begin Part 1 of our conversation with returning guest Joanna Lowe. Joanna shares how she unexpectedly became a spoken word artist and reflects on fear, courage, and reclaiming personal power through creativity.

Fishing Without Bait 513: Gratitude, High-Frequency Living & Letting Go

April 27th, 2026  |  19 mins 7 secs

12 step recovery, addiction recovery, avoiding negativity, behavior change, boundaries, emotional intelligence, gratitude, gratitude practice, high frequency people, jim ellermeyer, life coaching, mental health, mental wellness, mike sorg, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, mindset, personal development, personal growth, positivity, recovery, self awareness, self improvement, wellness

In episode 513 of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and Mike explore the power of gratitude, mindfulness, and surrounding yourself with high-frequency people. They break down how avoiding comparison, criticism, and complaint can transform your mindset and relationships. This episode offers practical tools for setting boundaries, redirecting negativity, and living with intention.

From Injury to Insight: Jessie Notarius on Strength & Patience | Episode 512

April 14th, 2026  |  20 mins 18 secs

acceptance, adversity, art therapy, creativity, fishing without bait, healing, jessie notarius, mental health, mindfulness discussion, mindfulness podcast, motivation, overcoming injury, patience, perseverance, personal growth, podcast interview, recovery, resilience, self improvement, the unwilting tatiana, wellness, wrestling journey

In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with Jessie Notarius, aka The Unwilting Tatiana, as she shares her journey through injury, recovery, and resilience. From wrestling setbacks to artistic expression, Jessie reflects on perseverance and finding purpose in adversity.