Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

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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A Culture Of Guilt Imposed By Religious Structure | Episode 491

November 18th, 2025  |  15 mins 34 secs

12-step recovery, acceptance, behavior health, compassion, emotional healing, fishing without bait, healing journey, intentional living, jim ellermeyer, letting go, mental health, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, personal development, recovery, recovery podcast, resilience, self-discovery, self-growth, spiritual wellness, stress management, surrender

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer guides listeners through one of the most transformative practices in mindfulness and recovery: letting go. Whether it’s old fears, expectations, resentments, or the emotional weight we’ve carried for years, Jim explains how release is not weakness—it’s liberation.

Transformative Tales with Tara | Episode 419

April 30th, 2024  |  22 mins 22 secs

12-step recovery, addiction recovery, mindfulness, self-service, sobriety, spirit guides, spiritual growth, spiritual practices, substance relapse

In this thought-provoking episode of "Fishing Without Bait," host Jim Ellermeyer is joined by the insightful Tara from KeepComingBack.net. Tara delves into her poignant journey through the 12-step recovery process, exploring the deep connections between addiction recovery and spiritual growth. Her candid discussion reveals personal anecdotes about overcoming substance relapses with marijuana and the transformative power of spiritual connections, both in the context of the 12-step program and her unique experiences with spirit guides.

Transformative Journeys: Tara and the Power of 12-Step Recovery | Episode 418

April 23rd, 2024  |  22 mins 48 secs

12-step recovery, addiction recovery, behavioral health, community support, keepcomingback.net, life principles, personal transformation, recovery programs, sobriety stories, tara vieira

In this deeply engaging episode of "Fishing Without Bait," host Jim Ellermeyer welcomes back Tara Vierria, the passionate force behind KeepComingBack.net, a platform dedicated to sharing 12-step recovery stories. This episode not only delves into the mechanics of Tara's service work but also explores the profound impact of the 12-step recovery process on individuals' lives.