In Fishing Without Bait Episode 527, Jim Ellermeyer sits down with longtime co-host and Producer Mike to explore Buddhism not as an unreachable ideal, but as a practical way of approaching everyday life.

Being awake doesn't mean being perfect. It means noticing what is happening around us, recognizing what is happening within us, and becoming more intentional about what we do next.

That leads Jim and Mike into a discussion about living on autopilot. Jim even brings up the longtime Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel as a playful connection to the idea of “sleepwalking through life.” How many days do we simply go through the motions without really participating?

Learn more about Asleep at the Wheel:
https://www.asleepatthewheel.com/

The conversation moves through compassion, boundaries, time, emotional reactions, expectations, and the Buddhist “middle path.” Jim reminds us that compassion does not mean becoming a doormat. We can care about other people while still deciding where our time, effort, and resources belong.

Jim and Mike also explore non-attachment and the expectations we place on our future. Wanting a new job, a different career, a bigger house, or another version of life isn't inherently wrong—but suffering can begin when we convince ourselves that those outcomes must happen.

That discussion leads Mike back to the spoken-word track “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen),” a piece that has stayed with him since his teenage years. He reflects on its message about the role chance plays in our choices: sometimes things work, sometimes they don't, and we don't have to spend our lives regretting a road that didn't lead where we expected.

Listen to “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI

Throughout the episode, Jim and Mike return to one central idea: mindfulness creates a space between what happens and how we respond. In that space, we can make a choice instead of reacting automatically.

The challenge for this week is simple: stop trying to become perfect. Work on becoming more awake.

Observe. Describe. Participate. And take the next step.

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Pick up “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book”:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Vic is a designer, community advocate, and the creator of New Rust, a podcast exploring Pittsburgh’s transformation through the individual stories of people doing interesting things throughout the city.

Growing up surrounded by the enormous crowds of New York City, Vic expected proximity to people to create connection. Instead, it was moving to Pittsburgh that showed him what community could truly feel like.

Vic talks with Jim about discovering Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ community, building a found family, participating in the city’s creative and wonderfully unusual spaces, and realizing how helping others can create a support network in return. From jam nights and local zines to simply meeting people doing something they care about, Vic explains why Pittsburgh’s smaller communities became so important to him.

The conversation also explores judgment, curiosity, and what can happen when we approach unfamiliar experiences with a willingness to listen instead of immediately forming conclusions. Vic shares stories of talking with coworkers who had little or no previous experience with transgender people and choosing conversation as an opportunity to create understanding.

Vic also reflects candidly on his own journey toward authenticity. He discusses growing up without the language to understand what he was experiencing, repressing parts of himself, getting married to his high school sweetheart, and eventually recognizing that the life he was living did not feel like his own.

As Vic puts it, transitioning allowed him to “meet myself for the 1st time.”

What followed was more than a change in identity. Vic discovered a version of himself who loves being around people, participating in his community, sharing ideas, and embracing the wonderfully weird interests that make each person unique.

This is Part 1 of our conversation with Vic Costik. The conversation continues in the next episode of Fishing Without Bait.

Learn more about Vic’s New Rust podcast at NewRustPodcast.com.

Continue Your Fishing Without Bait Journey

Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player so you never miss an episode.

Support the show on Patreon and receive ad-free episodes:
https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait

Pick up “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book”:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Jessie opens up about the realities behind her wrestling journey—what it truly takes to pursue a passion while navigating injuries, setbacks, and the emotional toll that comes with them. She shares her experience with a recent wrist fracture, the frustration of repeated injuries, and the importance of patience and proper healing.

Beyond wrestling, Jessie explores her creative side through painting and artistic expression, revealing how creativity plays a role in her personal growth and recovery. She also reflects on mentorship, resilience, and the courage it takes to keep going—even when giving up feels easier.

This episode highlights the importance of acceptance, adapting to life’s challenges, and finding meaning in difficult moments. Jessie’s message is clear: even in adversity, there is always something to build from.

Part 3 of our conversation with The Unwilting Tatiana.

Through grounded insight, 12-step philosophy, and real-world examples, Jim explores:
• Why letting go feels so difficult
• How control and fear keep us stuck
• The connection between surrender and mindfulness
• How to recognize what you’re still carrying
• Practical ways to soften your grip and reclaim peace

This episode invites you to step out of old patterns and into a more open, honest, intentional life. If you’re ready to grow, breathe, and move forward—this conversation is for you.

🎧 Explore more episodes at www.FishingWithoutBait.com