Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

Shane Chojnacki on Discipline, Failure, and Playing the Film All the Way Through | Episode 499

January 20th, 2026  |  22 mins 33 secs

12 step philosophy, addiction recovery, athlete mental health, betting on yourself, burnout recovery, character development, consequences of choices, corrections officer experience, discipline, discipline over motivation, emotional regulation, full impact mindfulness, future thinking, integrity, leaving a toxic job, life transitions, long term thinking, mental toughness, mindfulness podcast, mixed martial arts life lessons, mma mindset, overcoming fear, personal growth, prison system realities, professional wrestling mindset, purpose over comfort, recovery mindset, resilience, risk vs reward, self awareness, self responsibility, shane chojnacki, the savage gentleman, victor benjamin

In Part 2 of our conversation with Victor Benjamin (Shane Chojnacki), we explore discipline, burnout, and the moment when staying safe becomes more dangerous than taking a risk. From MMA and corrections work to professional wrestling, this episode focuses on integrity, future thinking, and choosing growth over comfort.

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.

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.

The Burnout Doctor Part 2 | Episode 231

February 25th, 2020  |  19 mins 21 secs

achievable goals, burnout culture, business burnout, career burnout, goals, life change, mindfulness, self awareness, successes, vision board

Jim Ellermeyer is joined by Stephanie Nock, PhD, The Burnout Doctor, to continue their discussion about burnout as we talk bout Stephanie’s own experience in corporate environments, visualization and goal making.

The Burnout Doctor Part 1 | Episode 230

February 18th, 2020  |  18 mins 30 secs

burnout culture, business burnout, career burnout, goals, life change, mindfulness, self awareness, successes

Jim Ellermeyer is joined by Stephanie Nock, PhD, The Burnout Doctor, who returns for the first time since our 100th episode as we discuss her practice in helping with burnout in the business world. They discuss how to assess burnout and some of her techniques to help her clients.