Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

Fishing Without Bait 490: What Would Jesus Say to Today’s World Leaders?

November 3rd, 2025  |  16 mins 44 secs

behavioral health, compassion, emotional awareness, empathy, empathy in leadership, faith, fishing without bait, forgiveness, good samaritan, honesty, hope, humility, inspiration, integrity, jesus of nazareth, jim ellermeyer, justice, kindness, leadership, mental health, mike sorg, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, moral courage, moral responsibility, motivation, peace, personal growth, podcast, positivity, reconciliation, self compassion, self improvement, self reflection, servant leadership, spiritual growth, spirituality, truth

In Episode 490, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg explore what leadership truly means through the lens of Jesus of Nazareth. From the radical humility and servant leadership he modeled 2,000 years ago to his timeless call for justice and compassion, Jim examines how these teachings apply to the world’s political and social climate today.

Stochastic Rhetoric: The Scary Trick Politicians Use to Manipulate Minds | Episode 489

October 28th, 2025  |  20 mins 19 secs

anxiety reduction, behavioral health, choose kindness, cognitive bias, compassion, critical thinking, dog whistle politics, emotional intelligence, fear and awareness, fishing without bait, free thinking, information overload, jim ellermeyer, kindness, media literacy, media manipulation, mental health, mike sorg, mindful communication, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, misinformation, obfuscation, plausible deniability, podcast, political language, politics and psychology, random acts of kindness, self awareness, social awareness, stochastic rhetoric

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg wade into some deep—and dangerous—waters. Together, they explore how stochastic rhetoric and obfuscation have become the most powerful tools in modern political communication.

What do those words mean? In short, they describe how leaders and media use vague, coded, or confusing language to manipulate emotions, create division, and dodge accountability. From “dog whistles” to “plausible deniability,” Jim explains how these tactics quietly shape behavior and beliefs—without ever saying things outright.

Are You Being Fooled by Media? The Truth About Manipulation & Identity Loss | Episode 488

October 21st, 2025  |  20 mins 19 secs

advertising influence, algorithmic persuasion, anxiety, behavioral health, celebrity endorsements, comparison culture, consumerism, critical thinking, digital detox, emotional advertising, emotional intelligence, fishing without bait, fomo, identity loss, influencer culture, insecurity, jim ellermeyer, marketing psychology, media literacy, media manipulation, mental health, mike sorg, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, recovery podcast, self-awareness, self-discovery, self-reflection, social media addiction, targeted ads

In this eye-opening episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer is joined once again by producer Mike Sorg to explore how modern media shapes our identities, fuels our purchases, and even distorts our sense of self-worth.

From emotional manipulation in advertising to influencer culture and data-driven targeting, Jim and Mike unpack the psychological tactics behind today’s media and tech. How does a Power Glove from the ’80s connect to the viral influencer culture of today? Are we in control of our choices—or are we reacting without realizing it?

Fishing Without Bait 487: Navigating Anxiety and Uncertainty with Mr. Rogers’ Wisdom

October 14th, 2025  |  20 mins 56 secs

anxiety, behavioral health, being present, depression, emotional resilience, fred rogers, full impact mindfulness, helpers, inspirational podcast, kindness, leveling up, mental health, mindfulness, motivational, mr. rogers quotes, personal growth, pittsburgh podcast, podcast, self-acceptance, self-awareness, self-compassion, self-love, substance abuse recovery, therapy, uncertainty

Jim Ellermeyer and Mike Sorg explore the wisdom of Fred Rogers to help us navigate fear, overwhelm, and uncertainty through mindfulness and kindness. With reflections on self-acceptance, emotional resilience, and “leveling up” in life, this episode reminds us: “I like you just the way you are.”

Fishing Without Bait 482: This Mindset Shift Changes Everything

September 9th, 2025  |  15 mins 33 secs

addiction recovery, behavioral health, emotional wellness, fishing without bait, focus on success, full impact mindfulness, growth mindset, how to change your life, inspirational podcast, jim ellermeyer, journaling, life skills, mental clarity, mental health, mindfulness, mindset shift, personal growth, podcast on recovery, positive reinforcement, positive thinking, recovery, recovery journey, recovery podcast, self-awareness, self-improvement, self-reflection, sidekick media, success habits, therapy

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg take a transformative dive into a concept often overlooked in recovery, education, parenting, and everyday life: positive chain analysis.

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.

Lessons from the Brink | Episode 403

January 2nd, 2024  |  18 mins 31 secs

12-step programs, addiction recovery, behavioral health, compassion, empathy, facing death, fishing, honesty, integrity, letting go, life lessons, mindful living, nature, personal growth, podcast, prescription for living, spirituality

Jim Ellermeyer and Mike discuss life, death, spirituality, and recovery. Jim shares his recent brushes with death and how he faced them without fear due to his spiritual grounding and making amends through recovery. They talk about the importance of living fully in the present moment rather than worrying about the future or past. Jim stresses the value of empowering oneself, identifying fears, always telling the truth, treating people with respect, and carrying positive messages to help others.