Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

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.

Discover Your Inherent Truths: The Secret to Confidence & Self-Worth | Episode 491

November 11th, 2025  |  17 mins 48 secs

breathing techniques for anxiety, confidence building, creating your own life, daily gratitude practice, emotional resilience, emotional wellness, fear of judgment, identity and values, inherent truths, inner peace practices, jim ellermeyer, letting go of fear, living without expectations, mental health podcast, mindful living, mindfulness exercises, mindfulness podcast, overcoming self-doubt, personal development tools, personal growth, positive affirmations, recovery and mindfulness, self-awareness techniques, self-discovery, self-worth

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, counselor and mindfulness guide Jim Ellermeyer takes listeners on a thoughtful and practical journey into the world of inherent truths—the deep personal values and qualities that define who we really are beneath expectations, judgment, and fear.

Jim opens the conversation by reminding us that self-discovery isn’t about finding a ready-made identity—it’s about creating ourselves with honesty, open-mindedness, and a willingness to try. He introduces the idea that inherent truths are fundam

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?

Feeling Stuck? You Might Be Living on Autopilot | Episode 484

September 29th, 2025  |  17 mins 1 sec

behavioral therapy, daily mindfulness, digital detox, fishing without bait, human being vs human doing, i choose mindset, intentional living, jim ellermeyer, journaling, life balance, mental health, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, personal growth, podcast wellness, self-awareness, self-discovery, self-help, self-reflection, stress relief

In this episode, Jim Ellermeyer invites you to reflect on one of the most fundamental shifts you can make in life: choosing to live intentionally rather than simply existing.

Together with producer Mike Sorg, Jim explores the concept of being a human being rather than a human doing, and how small mindful changes—like replacing “I have to” with “I choose to”—can radically transform your daily experience.

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.

Jesus’ Message Was Simpler Than You Think | Episode 481

August 26th, 2025  |  11 mins 38 secs

alternative gospels, be kind to yourself, compassionate living, connecting with your true self, divine spark, emotional wellness, fishing without bait, fishingwithoutbait.com, forgiveness, freedom from religion, gospel of mary magdalene, gospel of thomas, holistic wellness, how to find inner peace, inner peace, jesus teachings, jim ellermeyer, kingdom of god within, living authentically, love your neighbor, mental health, mindful living, mindfulness meditation, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness practice, mindfulness recovery, nurture your spirit, overcoming fear, personal development, personal growth, personal spirituality, podcast on spirituality, self compassion, self discovery, self validation, spiritual awakening, spiritual journey, spiritual mindfulness, spirituality vs religion

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer and co-host Mike explore the difference between spirituality and organized religion and what it truly means to nurture your spirit.

Together, they revisit the timeless teachings of Jesus, focusing on his central message of love, compassion, and self-discovery — a message that’s often been overshadowed by societal control, rigid traditions, and centuries of interpretation.

The 3 Big C’s That Drain Your Happiness (And How to Avoid Them!) | Episode 480

August 19th, 2025  |  11 mins 20 secs

choose kindness, daily mindfulness practices, emotional vampires, fishing without bait, inspirational podcast, jim ellermeyer, life coaching, live in the moment, living well, mental health awareness, mindful living strategies, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness tips, overcome negativity, personal growth, plant flowers not weeds, positive living, recovery podcast, self help podcast, self improvement, stop comparing, stop complaining, stop criticizing, stress management, three big c’s

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike explore the “Three Big C’s” that drain joy and positivity from our lives: comparing, criticizing, and complaining. We discuss how these habits act like emotional vampires, sucking the energy from every room, and why avoiding them leads to a more mindful, fulfilling life.

From the Ring to the Classroom: Chris Maverick on Wrestling, Storytelling, and Mindfulness | Episode 452

January 14th, 2025  |  19 mins 21 secs

chris maverick, digital narrative, escapism, identity, jim ellermeyer, mindfulness, pro wrestling personas, professional wrestling, social media, storytelling

Join Jim Ellermeyer in this fascinating episode of Fishing Without Bait as he welcomes Chris Maverick, professor of digital narrative interactive design at the University of Pittsburgh, and a former professional wrestler. Together, they dive into the world of pro wrestling, exploring its unique blend of storytelling, athleticism, and improv. Chris shares his personal journey, from developing larger-than-life wrestling personas to balancing his academic career and wrestling life, revealing the liberating power of performance.