Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

Finding Your Voice: Austin Cairns on Taking the First Opportunity | Episode 530

September 8th, 2026  |  17 mins 33 secs

action and effort, alby oxenreiter, broadcasting, career development, comfort zone, confidence, covid 19 pandemic, creating yourself, family support, finding your voice, full impact mindfulness, honest feedback, jim ellermeyer, media career, mental wellness, mentorship, mindfulness, motivation, overcoming fear, pandemic isolation, perseverance, personal development, personal growth, pittsburgh broadcasting, pittsburgh media, podcasting, point park university, practice, professional wrestling, recovery, resilience, self doubt, self improvement, social isolation, sports broadcasting, sports media, wellness, young professionals

Jim Ellermeyer begins a new conversation with Pittsburgh broadcaster Austin Cairns about finding direction during the uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Austin shares how encouragement from his father, early announcing opportunities, supportive mentors, repeated practice, and a willingness to hear difficult feedback helped a shy young man begin finding his voice behind a microphone.

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A Reintroduction to Fishing Without Bait | Episode 529

August 25th, 2026  |  20 mins 11 secs

12 step recovery, acceptance, awareness, compassion, creating yourself, difficult conversations, emotional honesty, emotional regulation, expectations, full impact mindfulness, healthy communication, impermanence, intentional living, intentions, jim ellermeyer, letting go, living in the moment, mental health, michael sorg, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, non attachment, paying attention on purpose, personal growth, personal responsibility, present moment, producer mike, recovery, recovery podcast, relationships, resilience, responding versus reacting, self awareness, self reflection, serenity, spirituality, wellness, wellness podcast

In Fishing Without Bait 529, Jim Ellermeyer and Producer Mike return to the heart of the show: living with intention instead of being trapped by expectations. They discuss emotional honesty, the courage to face uncomfortable truths, responding instead of reacting, and remembering that ultimately “we live by moments.”

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

June 23rd, 2026  |  26 mins 48 secs

a gay and his enby, authentic conversations, compassion, curiosity, deconstruction, eamon, emotional wellness, faith, forgiveness, healing, hope, identity, jim ellermeyer, meditation, 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.

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

April 14th, 2026  |  20 mins 18 secs

acceptance, adversity, art therapy, creativity, 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.

Building a Foundation After Setbacks with Jessie Notarius | Episode 510

April 6th, 2026  |  18 mins 59 secs

career change, community support, confidence vs arrogance, creative journey, emotional resilience, fishing without bait, jessie notarius, jim ellermeyer, life transitions, mental health, mindfulness podcast, overcoming setbacks, personal growth, recovery podcast, resilience, self esteem, self improvement, the unwilting tatiana, wellness podcast, wrestling mindset

Jessie Notarius, known as The Unwilting Tatiana, returns to discuss life after losing a dream job and the unexpected path that followed. Through career changes, creative pursuits, and wrestling, she shares how resilience, community, and taking risks helped her rebuild her foundation. This episode explores confidence, support systems, and finding purpose through change.

Fishing Without Bait 507: Holding On to Hope with Emily

March 17th, 2026  |  22 mins 4 secs

addiction recovery, coping strategies, emily guest, emotional healing, family support, fishing without bait, hope, life challenges, mckenna story, medical journey, mental health, mindfulness podcast, overcoming adversity, parenting crisis, podcast interview, recovery podcast, resilience, sobriety, trauma, wellness

In this powerful continuation, Emily shares the unimaginable medical crisis her daughter faced and the emotional toll it took on her and her family. Through devastating uncertainty, she reveals how hope, resilience, and support carried her forward. This episode is a raw and honest look at survival, trust, and taking life one moment at a time.

Emily’s Mother’s Intuition: The Night Everything Changed | Episode 506

March 10th, 2026  |  27 mins 25 secs

addiction recovery, advocacy, anxiety and fear, behavioral health, childhood illness, ecmo, emily, fishing without bait 506, fishing without bait podcast, jim ellermeyer, mindfulness podcast, motherhood, mother’s intuition, open heart surgery, parental strength, pediatric emergency, picu experience, recovery journey, resilience, spiritual awakening, trauma recovery, wellness podcast

Returning guest Emily shares the beginning of an unimaginable chapter — when mother’s intuition told her something was wrong with her two-year-old daughter. What followed was panic, emergency transport, and open heart surgery. This is Part 1 of a powerful story of fear, resilience, and faith.

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.

Zeke Mercer: Sacrifice, Identity & Self-Discovery | Episode 503

February 17th, 2026  |  22 mins 59 secs

authenticity, ethical living, expectations, fishing without bait, fishing without bait podcast, fwb503, identity, integrity, mental health, mental wellness, mindfulness, personal growth, recovery, resilience, sacrifice, self discovery, self worth, transition, zeke mercer

In Part 2 of our conversation, Zeke Mercer reflects on sacrifice, expectations, and the emotional realities of chasing dreams. She shares deeply personal insights about identity, integrity, and her transition journey. A thoughtful discussion on self-worth, resilience, and living authentically.

Turning Pain Into Purpose with Shane Chojnacki | Episode 500

January 27th, 2026  |  18 mins 56 secs

faith and recovery, holistic wellness, life perspective, mental health, men’s wellness, mind body spirit, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness practice, mindset coaching, overcoming adversity, personal growth, purpose driven living, recovery community, resilience, shane chojnacki, sobriety and wellness, transformation stories, victor benjamin

In Fishing Without Bait 500, we continue Part 3 of our conversation with Shane Chojnacki, also known as pro wrestler The Savage Gentleman Victor Benjamin. Shane shares how adversity, faith, and mindful choice helped him turn career loss, injury, and personal upheaval into purpose-driven living. This episode focuses on perspective, resilience, and creating a life you don’t need a vacation from.