Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

Political Differences Without Losing Each Other | Episode 524

July 21st, 2026  |  26 mins 6 secs

Compassion, Kindness, Social Media, active listening, ad-free podcast, bipartisan friendship, bridging political divides, civil discourse, critical thinking, curiosity, doomscrolling, echo chambers, emotional regulation, empathy, forgiveness, friends across the aisle, friendship, healthier habits, hostile comments, jim ellermeyer, listening to learn, mental wellness, mindful communication, mindfulness, mindfulness journal, mindfulness podcast, missy sorg, online arguments, pause before reacting, personal growth, physical books, political conversations, political differences, political identity, political polarization, recency bias, recovery, reducing screen time, relationships, respectful disagreement, screen time, sleep hygiene, social media echo chambers, stimulus and response, understanding, wellness

In the third and final part of their conversation, Jim Ellermeyer and Missy Sorg explore how active listening, critical thinking and a mindful pause before reacting can help people move beyond political labels and social-media echo chambers. Missy shares a personal story about revealing her political affiliation to a longtime friend and explains how their disagreement became a conversation rather than the end of their friendship. The episode closes with a challenge to become more open, informed and willing to understand people across the political aisle.

Beyond the Party Line | Episode 523

July 14th, 2026  |  23 mins 54 secs

Civic Engagement, Communication, Compassion, Emotional Intelligence, abortion discussion, accountability, adoption, bipartisan conversation, community, critical thinking, difficult conversations, family support, forgiveness, foster care, infertility, jim ellermeyer, lifelong caregiving, listening to learn, mental health, mindful living, mindfulness, mr. rogers, personal responsibility, political dialogue, political representation, producer mike, recovery, representative democracy, republican perspective, respect, respectful disagreement, social media echo chambers, special needs care, teenage pregnancy, voter education, wellness, wise mind

In Part 2 of our conversation with Missy Sorg, we explore difficult questions surrounding abortion, adoption, foster care, family support, voter education, and personal responsibility. Missy and Jim Ellermeyer also examine how political labels and social media echo chambers interfere with our ability to listen, learn, and treat one another with respect.

Respect Across Political Lines | Episode 522

July 7th, 2026  |  26 mins 28 secs

Social Media, abortion discussion, birth control, common ground, contempt prior to investigation, difficult conversations, emotional wellness, fertility treatments, friendship, full impact mindfulness, jim ellermeyer, mental health, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, missy sorg, patriotism, personal growth, podcast, polarization, political differences, recovery, recovery podcast, respectful disagreement, wellness, women’s health

In Fishing Without Bait 522, Jim Ellermeyer welcomes Missy Sorg for Part 1 of a thoughtful conversation about political differences, friendship, respect, and the search for common ground. Together, they discuss how people can move beyond labels, assumptions, and anger to have more honest conversations about difficult topics.

Eamon & Merlin on Faith, Curiosity, and Healing | Episode 520

June 23rd, 2026  |  26 mins 48 secs

Compassion, Meditation, a gay and his enby, authentic conversations, curiosity, deconstruction, eamon, emotional wellness, faith, forgiveness, healing, hope, identity, jim ellermeyer, mental health, merlin, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, personal growth, recovery, resilience, self awareness, self reflection, sorgatron media, spirituality, trauma recovery, wellness

In Part 3 of our conversation, Eamon and Merlin explore the power of curiosity, challenging deeply held beliefs, and finding healing through honest self-reflection. They share personal experiences around faith, identity, trauma, and spiritual growth while encouraging listeners to embrace compassion—for themselves and others.

Joanna Lowe on Grief, Art, and Learning to Live Again | Episode 516

May 19th, 2026  |  16 mins 41 secs

bereavement, depression support, edinburgh fringe festival, emotional honesty, emotional resilience, emotional wellness, grief, grief support, healing, jim ellermeyer, joanna lowe, mental health, mental wellness, mindfulness, mindfulness and grief, mindfulness podcast, parenting through grief, podcast interview, recovery, self help podcast, sorgatron media, suicide awareness, surviving loss, trauma, trauma recovery, wellness podcast, widow, widowhood

In Part 3 of our conversation with Joanna Lowe, we explore the complicated reality of grief, anger, survival, and support after devastating loss. Joanna shares deeply personal reflections on widowhood, parenting through trauma, and what people can truly do to support someone who is grieving.

Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player and support ad-free episodes on Patreon.

Joanna’s work:

The Occasional Epiphany by Joanna Lowe
Cup A Joe Productions Facebook

Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes:
Fishing Without Bait Patreon

Pick up the book:
Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book

Joanna Lowe Returns: Spoken Word, Courage & Creating Your Own Path | Episode 514

May 5th, 2026  |  22 mins 1 sec

Creativity, Fear, Storytelling, courage, cup a joe productions, grin reapers club podcast, independent artist, joanna lowe, mental health, mindfulness, occasional epiphany, personal growth, recovery, self expression, spoken word, wellness podcast

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, we begin Part 1 of our conversation with returning guest Joanna Lowe. Joanna shares how she unexpectedly became a spoken word artist and reflects on fear, courage, and reclaiming personal power through creativity.

Fishing Without Bait 513: Gratitude, High-Frequency Living & Letting Go

April 27th, 2026  |  19 mins 7 secs

12 step recovery, Emotional Intelligence, Positivity, addiction recovery, avoiding negativity, behavior change, boundaries, gratitude, gratitude practice, high frequency people, jim ellermeyer, life coaching, mental health, mental wellness, mike sorg, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, mindset, personal development, personal growth, recovery, self awareness, self improvement, wellness

In episode 513 of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and Mike explore the power of gratitude, mindfulness, and surrounding yourself with high-frequency people. They break down how avoiding comparison, criticism, and complaint can transform your mindset and relationships. This episode offers practical tools for setting boundaries, redirecting negativity, and living with intention.

From Injury to Insight: Jessie Notarius on Strength & Patience | Episode 512

April 14th, 2026  |  20 mins 18 secs

Creativity, acceptance, adversity, art therapy, fishing without bait, healing, jessie notarius, mental health, mindfulness discussion, mindfulness podcast, motivation, overcoming injury, patience, perseverance, personal growth, podcast interview, recovery, resilience, self improvement, the unwilting tatiana, wellness, wrestling journey

In this episode, we wrap up our conversation with Jessie Notarius, aka The Unwilting Tatiana, as she shares her journey through injury, recovery, and resilience. From wrestling setbacks to artistic expression, Jessie reflects on perseverance and finding purpose in adversity.

Knowing Which Weeds to Pull with Zeke Mercer | Episode 505

March 3rd, 2026  |  16 mins 28 secs

change, critical thinking, identity, life transitions, mindfulness, personal growth, podcast, recovery, self awareness, sorgatron media, wellness, zeke mercer

In Part 4 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer, we explore growth, identity, and recognizing when something no longer serves you. Zeke reflects on stepping back from wrestling, the role of critical thinking, and the balance between individuality and belonging. A thoughtful discussion on change, awareness, and self-respect.

Zeke Mercer on Identity, Ego & Respect | Episode 504

February 24th, 2026  |  19 mins 1 sec

authenticity, bias, ego, fishing without bait, fishing without bait 504, identity, mental health, mindfulness, personal growth, recovery, resilience, self awareness, wellness, wrestling and life, zeke mercer

Part 3 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer explores bias, identity, and how bitterness, ego, and respect shape both wrestling and life. Zeke shares powerful reflections on authenticity, personal growth, and navigating judgment. A thoughtful discussion on mindfulness, self-awareness, and resilience.