Joanna shares the story of losing her husband just months after their marriage—a loss that didn’t just take a partner, but reshaped her entire world. She opens up about experiencing prolonged grief disorder, losing years of her life to trauma, and the physical, emotional, and neurological effects that followed.

This conversation explores:

The reality of grief beyond what society expects
How trauma impacts the body and mind
The loss of identity, faith, and emotional connection
Why “I know how you feel” can be harmful
The importance of sitting with pain instead of trying to fix it

This is not a conversation about “moving on.” It’s about learning to exist again.

Beyond her personal journey, Joanna continues to create across multiple platforms:

🎶 The Occasional Epiphany:
https://ceeteecee.bandcamp.com/album/the-occasional-epiphany

🎙️ The Grin Reapers Club Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/66bwzvlXpuOcdxbk3a2ygo

🎬 Cup a Joe Productions:
https://www.facebook.com/cupajoprod
🎧 Calls to Action
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player
Support us on Patreon (ad-free episodes): https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait
Pick up our book:
“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

Emily describes how she sensed something was wrong with her healthy two-year-old daughter weeks before doctors confirmed it. Despite multiple visits and reassurances that it was “just a virus,” her body told her otherwise. The anxiety built until one terrifying afternoon when her daughter collapsed in her arms.

From calling 911, to the helicopter ride to Children’s Hospital, to hearing the words “open heart surgery,” Emily walks us through the moment-by-moment unfolding of crisis. She reflects on fear, being unheard, trust in medical professionals, and the power of intuition.

This is Part 1 of a deeply moving story about resilience, advocacy, recovery, and the spiritual strength that carried her through.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you don’t miss Part 2.
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait
Pick up Jim’s book: Learn to Fish Without Bait https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Rather than dwelling on mistakes or missteps, Jim challenges us to ask a better question—What worked? When something goes right in your life, your recovery, your work, or your relationships, how often do you pause and examine the people, places, and circumstances that helped make it happen?

Through stories from the production world, recovery work, and even the brewing of a perfect glass of iced tea, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and mindful reflection.

✨ Topics include:
• Why we need to reinforce success, not just correct failure
• How to build confidence in teams and individuals
• Ways to encourage children and students through curiosity
• The power of journaling to document what did work
• A sneak peek into our new 365-day mindfulness activity calendar

🎣 As always, this podcast is about living life without definitive expectations, and making choices with honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. So ask yourself today—not what went wrong, but what went right.

👉 Join the conversation and share your own moments of success at www.FishingWithoutBait.com