Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

Refusing to Let My Past Define Me with Shane Chojnacki | Episode 498

January 13th, 2026  |  22 mins 24 secs

acceptance and change, action and effort, addiction recovery themes, athlete mindset, behavioral change, betting on yourself, breaking the cycle, childhood adversity, choosing a better path, combat sports mindset, discipline, fighter mentality, growing up in poverty, inspirational podcast, learning from mistakes, life choices, manifestation mindset, mental health, mental wellness, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness practices, mindset, motivation through action, never settle, overcoming adversity, personal growth, personal responsibility, professional wrestler interview, recovery podcast, recovery stories, resilience, self awareness, self improvement, shane chojnacki, speaking intentions, taking responsibility, trauma and resilience, victor benjamin, wise mind

In Part 1 of of our discussion, Jim Ellermeyer sits down with Shane Chojnacki — professional fighter, trainer, and pro wrestler known as Victor Benjamin — for a powerful conversation about resilience, choice, and refusing to let your past define your future. Shane shares his journey growing up in difficult circumstances, learning from the mistakes of others, and choosing action and effort over excuses. This episode explores how real change begins with conscious decisions, mindful action, and the courage to bet on yourself.

The Stories We Carry — and the Ones We Release with Santina Grace | Episode 497

January 6th, 2026  |  19 mins 39 secs

choice and freedom, clairvoyant perspectives, compassion, emotional regulation, emotional wellness, empathy, fishing without bait, healing conversations, inner peace, intentional living, jim ellermeyer, letting go, life stories, listening skills, mental clarity, mental health podcast, mindfulness, mindfulness and recovery, mindfulness podcast series, mindfulness practice, non judgment, personal growth, recovery podcast, recovery support content, santina grace, self awareness, spiritual growth

In Part 4 of our conversation with returning guest Santina Grace, we explore listening, compassion, and the stories we carry — and the ones we’re ready to release. This episode reflects on mindfulness, choice, and letting go of mental noise in order to live with greater clarity and freedom.

Clearing the Etch-A-Sketch: Letting Go of What Isn’t Ours | Episode 496

December 16th, 2025  |  21 mins 18 secs

breathwork, emotional healing, emotional regulation, fishing without bait, grounding exercises, healing the past, letting go, mental health podcast, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness practices, mindfulness tools, present moment awareness, recovery from life, recovery podcast, santina grace, self growth, trauma healing

In Fishing Without Bait 496, we continue Part 3 of our conversation with returning guest and Clairvoyant Santina Grace. This episode explores mindfulness, recovery, and healing trauma without reliving the past, using grounding exercises, breathwork, and practical metaphors to help release emotional weight and stay present.

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.

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 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.

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.