Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

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.”

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.

Fishing Without Bait 448: From Suppressed Anger to Self-Attunement: A Therapist’s Journey with Bronwyn Schweigerdt

December 3rd, 2024  |  23 mins 55 secs

anger management, boundaries, emotional intelligence, emotional well-being, healing, mental health, mindfulness, self-attunement, shame, suppressed anger, therapy

Dive into an enlightening conversation on Fishing Without Bait with host Jim Ellermeyer as he welcomes Bronwyn Schweigerdt, a psychotherapist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and anger expert. Together, they unravel the complexities of anger, its role in mental health, and its connection to emotions like shame and validation. Bronwyn shares her personal journey through depression, revealing how suppressed anger and societal conditioning shaped her path to becoming a therapist.

The Gift of Desperation with Tara From keepcomingback.net | Episode 444

November 5th, 2024  |  17 mins 53 secs

12-step program, addiction, addiction stories, community support, complacency, enabling behavior, fishing without bait podcast, gift of desperation, jim ellermeyer, mental health, mindfulness, overcoming addiction, personal growth, recovery, resilience, sobriety, sobriety challenges, spiritual growth, tara keepcomingback.net, tough love

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer welcomes Tara from the KeepComingBack.net Podcast. They delve into the nuances of recovery, discussing the crucial concept of “the gift of desperation” and the role of tough love in sobriety. Tara reflects on her experiences in the 12-step community, exploring the balance between supporting loved ones and avoiding enabling behaviors. She candidly shares her journey of overcoming complacency and recognizing personal growth through the program. Together, Jim and Tara discuss the importance of community, humility, and staying connected to like-minded individuals who offer unique support in recovery. Tara also opens up about the challenges of applying these principles in daily life outside recovery meetings. This heartfelt conversation provides insight into the resilience required for lasting change, making it a must-listen for those interested in addiction recovery, mindfulness, and personal growth.Are you finding benefit from this show?  We appreciate any support with our Patreon page!  Pledge as little as $1 a month for extra clips, behind the scenes and more at www.patreon.com/fishingwithoutbait !

Finding Harmony: kidmental Talks Music, Life, and Mindfulness | Episode 439

October 1st, 2024  |  18 mins 33 secs

artistic freedom, balance in life, breaking free, creative process, creativity, custom theme songs, event coordination, fatherhood, fishing without bait, jim ellermeyer, kid mental, kidzilla, life challenges, live artist, mental health, mindfulness, music journey, music production, personal growth, podcast, spirituality

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer continues an insightful conversation with multi-talented artist and live performer, Kid Mental. Kid Mental shares his personal journey of balancing life as a father, artist, and event coordinator while seeking to reignite his passion for creating music. He reflects on the spiritual aspects of breaking free from limiting environments and the importance of mindfulness and questioning the status quo. Kid Mental also discusses his collaborative project “Kidzilla” and the challenges he’s faced in finding time to work on new music due to life’s demands. Throughout the episode, Kid Mental emphasizes his desire to create custom theme songs for individuals and brands as part of his effort to raise funds and reconnect with his artistic roots. Listen in to hear about the struggles, triumphs, and creative insights that define his path. Support Kid Mental by visiting his website at kidmental.com.

The Power of Choice and Small Victories with Kid Mental | Episode 438

September 24th, 2024  |  17 mins 43 secs

artistic expression, creative passion, creativity, fan interactions, fishing without bait, freedom of choice, inspirational stories, jim ellermeyer, kid mental, mental health, mindfulness, music, personal freedom, personal growth, podcast, self-discovery, small victories, spiritual journey, spirituality, spoken word artist, streaming

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer welcomes back Kid Mental, a spiritual spoken word artist, for an inspiring conversation about choice, personal freedom, and artistic expression. Kid Mental discusses his unique journey, from growing up with a pastor father and minister mother to discovering the power of choosing his own path. He shares moving stories about reconnecting with fans who recognize him by his voice rather than his appearance, and how those interactions have rekindled his passion for music and streaming. The episode delves into the significance of small victories, the impact of planting seeds through art, and the importance of living authentically. Kid Mental also reflects on the spiritual and personal growth that has shaped his life and creative work.