Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

In Fishing Without Bait 526, we continue our conversation with Vic Costik of the New Rust Pittsburgh Podcast. In Part 2, Vic joins Jim Ellermeyer for a thoughtful discussion about identity, community, safety, recovery and the daily work of becoming a more compassionate person.

Vic explains why they try to approach ignorance through “neutral inquiry,” beginning with questions rather than immediate confrontation. The conversation examines the experiences of transgender people navigating public spaces, the importance of listening to people when they tell us who they are and the need to create communities in which people feel welcomed rather than mere...

In Episode 525 of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer welcomes Vic Costik for Part 1 of a conversation about community, authenticity, connection, and finding the courage to become more fully yourself.

Vic is a designer, community advocate, and the creator of New Rust, a podcast exploring Pittsburgh’s transformation through the individual stories of people doing interesting things throughout the city.

Growing up surrounded by the enormous crowds of New York City, Vic expected proximity to people to create connection. Instead, it was moving to Pittsburgh that showed him what community could truly feel like.

Vi...

Fishing Without Bait 524 presents the third and final part of Jim Ellermeyer’s conversation with Missy Sorg about political differences, social-media behavior and the possibility of maintaining meaningful relationships with people who do not share our beliefs.

Rather than trying to win a debate, Jim and Missy examine what happens when people listen to respond instead of listening to learn. They discuss the echo chambers created by social media, the pressure to react immediately and the assumptions people make based on political labels. Jim introduces the space between stimulus and response as the place where choice and fr...

In Episode 523 of Fishing Without Bait, we continue our conversation with Missy Sorg in Part 2 of a thoughtful and challenging discussion about politics, responsibility, family support, and respectful disagreement.

Missy and Jim Ellermeyer begin by examining the complicated realities surrounding abortion and the question of what happens after a child is born. Their conversation moves beyond political slogans to consider infertility, adoption, foster care, support systems, special-needs care, financial responsibility, and the difficult decisions families may face.

Missy shares personal experiences that have shaped her perspective, including going through infertility treatments and seeing family members...

In Fishing Without Bait 522, Jim Ellermeyer begins a new conversation with Missy Sorg about one of the most difficult challenges many people face today: how to stay connected when political differences feel personal, painful, and divisive.

Missy shares why she wanted to return to the show and talk openly about strained friendships, lost connections, and the fear of being reduced to a political label. Jim and Missy explore the idea that even when people disagree, there may still be a shared “ice cream” — a common point of connection that allows a real conversation to begin.

This P...

In Fishing Without Bait 521, we conclude our four-part conversation with returning guests Eamon and Merlin, hosts of A Gay and His Enby.

This final part brings the discussion into questions of faith, culture, identity, queer history, personal freedom, and the importance of community. Jim, Eamon, and Merlin talk about the many ways people interpret the divine, how history and education shape understanding, and why queer and trans people have always been part of humanity.

The conversation also turns toward Pittsburgh, where Eamon and Merlin reflect on how their lives, relationship, podcast, and voices have grown...

Part 3 of our conversation with returning guests Eamon and Merlin continues an honest and thoughtful discussion about curiosity, personal growth, and the courage to question long-held beliefs.

The conversation explores how choosing facts over assumptions can lead to greater understanding, why asking "What if I'm wrong?" creates opportunities for growth, and how embracing uncertainty can become a pathway toward mindfulness.

Eamon also shares deeply personal experiences involving trauma, faith, and the difficult process of deconstructing beliefs that no longer aligned with compassion or truth. Together, the discussion reflects on spirituality, healing, forgiveness, and finding hope...

In Part 2 of our conversation with returning guests Eamon and Merlin, we continue exploring the intersection of mindfulness, acceptance, personal growth, and human connection.

The discussion moves through deeply personal experiences involving family relationships, coming out, marriage, forgiveness, faith, and the challenges of overcoming long-held beliefs. Eamon and Merlin share how authentic relationships can challenge stereotypes and why spending time with people from different backgrounds often breaks down fear and misunderstanding.

We also discuss the role of community, the impact of isolation on prejudice, lessons learned from faith traditions, and the importance of remaining open...

Returning guests Eamon and Merlin are back on Fishing Without Bait for Part 1 of a deeply personal and timely conversation about identity, community, and creating a life that aligns with your values.

Several years after their first appearance on the show, Eamon and Merlin reflect on the events that led them to leave Texas and build a new life in Pittsburgh. They discuss the importance of feeling safe, finding supportive communities, and navigating a world that often challenges authenticity and self-expression.

Jim Ellermeyer guides a thoughtful discussion about fear, prejudice, acceptance, and the ways people...

In Part 4 of our continuing conversation, returning guest Joanna Lowe joins host Jim Ellermeyer for an emotional and deeply honest discussion about grief, creativity, healing, and reclaiming life after devastating loss.

Joanna shares how the death of her husband transformed her life and ultimately inspired her one-woman performance piece Widow. Through poetry, storytelling, humor, and raw vulnerability, Joanna explains how art became a way to survive grief and eventually begin living again.

The conversation also explores:

Performing Widow as an act of healing
The physical and emotional realities of profound grief
...

In Part 3 of our continuing conversation, Jim Ellermeyer welcomes back returning guest Joanna Lowe for an unfiltered discussion about grief, anger, trauma, survival, and the complicated reality of healing after profound loss.

Joanna opens up about the experience of widowhood, the emotional isolation of grief, and the well-meaning things people say that often miss the mark. She discusses the importance of allowing yourself to fully feel emotions instead of hiding them, how friends and family supported her during suicidal ideation, and the ways grief reshaped her relationship with her daughter.

The conversation also explores:

In Part 2 of our conversation with Joanna Lowe, we move into a deeply personal and profound discussion about grief, trauma, and what it means to rebuild a life after devastating loss.

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
...

In Fishing Without Bait 514 (Part 1), we welcome back Joanna Lowe for the beginning of a powerful and personal conversation.

Joanna shares the unexpected story of how she became a spoken word artist—born from a moment of fear, vulnerability, and the decision to take control. From stepping on stage terrified to finding her voice through performance, this episode explores how courage isn’t the absence of fear—but the willingness to move through it.

The conversation dives into personal responsibility, emotional awareness, and the idea that we “allow” others to influence how we feel. Joanna also share...

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and Mike dive into the transformative power of gratitude and what it means to live as a “high-frequency” person.

Drawing from principles rooted in 12-step recovery and mindfulness, Jim explains how shifting your mindset—away from comparison, criticism, and complaint—can fundamentally change your thinking, relationships, and even your brain chemistry. Together, they explore how gratitude isn’t just a feeling, but a disciplined practice that reshapes perspective and attracts more positive, authentic connections.

The conversation also tackles real-world challenges: handling gossip, navigating negativity in professional environmen...

This episode of Fishing Without Bait concludes our powerful conversation with Jessie Notarius, known in the wrestling world as The Unwilting Tatiana.

Jessie opens up about the realities behind her wrestling journey—what it truly takes to pursue a passion while navigating injuries, setbacks, and the emotional toll that comes with them. She shares her experience with a recent wrist fracture, the frustration of repeated injuries, and the importance of patience and proper healing.

Beyond wrestling, Jessie explores her creative side through painting and artistic expression, revealing how creativity plays a role in her personal gr...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Jessie Notarius—known in the wrestling world as The Unwilting Tatiana—we take a deeper dive into self-worth, boundaries, and personal growth.

Jessie reflects on what it truly means to deserve respect, understanding, and equality in relationships, and why settling for less can cost us valuable time and energy. Through thoughtful discussion, we explore how mindfulness and self-awareness can help us build stronger self-esteem and healthier connections.

The conversation also uncovers the contrast between confidence in performance environments—like stepping into the wrestling ring—and the self-doubt that can creep in...

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer welcomes back Jessie Notarius—also known as pro wrestler The Unwilting Tatiana—for an honest and reflective conversation about life transitions, resilience, and rebuilding after disappointment.

Jessie shares what happened after losing her dream job as a set painter for the Pittsburgh CLO and how that unexpected change forced her to pivot into a completely new career path. From working difficult interim jobs to finding fulfillment in a benefits administration role, Jessie reflects on discovering appreciation, purpose, and contribution in unexpected places.

The conversation explores the impo...

In this powerful continuation of our conversation with Emily, we explore what life looks like after surviving the unimaginable.

Following her daughter McKenna’s life-saving kidney transplant, Emily shares how her perspective on life, fear, and mindfulness has fundamentally shifted. From navigating the uncertainty of a rare genetic condition to balancing the emotional needs of her entire family, Emily opens up about what it truly means to live in the moment.

This episode dives deep into resilience—not as an idea, but as something lived in real time. Emily discusses how focusing on “the next thing”...

This week on Fishing Without Bait, we continue our powerful conversation with returning guest Emily as she shares the next chapter in her daughter McKenna’s incredible journey.

From the uncertainty of the PICU to the first small signs of awareness, Emily walks us through the emotional highs and devastating lows of recovery. She recounts moments of hope—like McKenna responding for the first time—and moments where that hope seemed to disappear just as quickly.

As the journey unfolds, Emily shares what it was like to advocate fiercely for her daughter in life-or-death situations, includ...

This week on Fishing Without Bait, we continue our deeply moving conversation with returning guest Emily.

In this episode, Emily shares the intense and emotional journey following her daughter McKenna’s sudden medical crisis. What began as a normal day quickly turned into a life-threatening situation involving emergency surgery, strokes, and unimaginable uncertainty. Emily walks us through the overwhelming decisions, the devastating prognosis she was given, and the moments that tested her strength like never before.

Despite facing the possibility of losing her child, Emily found herself holding onto even the smallest signs of hope — a br...

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim welcomes back returning guest Emily — whose recovery journey inspired many listeners in her previous appearance. This time, she shares a new chapter marked not by addiction, but by maternal instinct, fear, and extraordinary courage.

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 t...

Part 4 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer dives deep into personal evolution, self-awareness, and the courage to reassess life’s direction. Zeke candidly discusses recognizing when wrestling — something she deeply loves — has become “one of the weeds,” using the metaphor of “planting flowers and pulling weeds” to frame growth and change.

Jim and Zeke explore how “things work until they don’t,” the nature of ignorance (both willful and systemic), and the importance of developing critical thinking skills. The conversation expands into individuality versus group identity, referencing themes echoed in 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, and how society often claims uniqueness while gra...

In Part 3 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer, we dive deeper into themes of identity, perception, and personal growth. Zeke discusses healthcare bias, longstanding societal beliefs, and how misinformation shapes real-world experiences.

The conversation explores the dangers of bitterness and resentment, the balance between ego and skill, and the importance of cultivating environments where people can truly grow. Drawing parallels between wrestling and life, Zeke shares insights on authenticity, competence, and self-respect.

This episode is a reflective and honest exploration of mindfulness, awareness, and the courage to live truthfully.

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Part 2 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer dives deeper into the realities behind ambition, sacrifice, and self-worth. Zeke speaks candidly about guiding younger wrestlers, confronting the harsh truth that “wrestling doesn’t owe you a thing,” and the emotional crossroads between acceptance and bitterness.

The conversation expands into integrity, ethical living, and how actions reveal character more than words ever can. Zeke also opens up about her personal evolution, sharing reflections on transitioning, self-discovery, and navigating a world that isn’t always accepting.

This episode is a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and choosing authenticity in the f...

In Fishing Without Bait 502 (Part 1), Jim Ellermeyer welcomes back pro wrestler Zeke Mercer (she/her) for a thoughtful and honest discussion about burnout, identity, and intentional change.

Zeke shares her carefully planned decision to step away from wrestling after years of dedication—not as a reaction, but as a wise mind choice. She talks openly about the physical toll of wrestling, emotional fatigue, and the risk of allowing one passion to define an entire life.

The conversation moves through mindfulness, impermanence, and acceptance, highlighting how growth often requires letting go without resentment or shame. Zeke re...

In Part 4 of our conversation with Shane Chojnacki — known in the ring as The Savage Gentleman Victor Benjamin — we dive deeper into faith, mindfulness, personal values, and living with intention.

Shane shares how moments of upheaval led him toward clarity, spiritual grounding, and a renewed sense of purpose. Together, we explore how constant noise, digital distraction, and negativity pull us away from presence — and how reclaiming awareness allows us to respond rather than react. From the idea of “controlling the controllable” to surrounding yourself with people who align with your values, this episode is about choosing purpose over chaos...

In Fishing Without Bait 500, we continue Part 3 of our in-depth conversation with Shane Chojnacki — MMA fighter, boxing coach, personal trainer, and professional wrestler known as The Savage Gentleman Victor Benjamin.

Shane opens up about pivotal moments in his life, including losing his job, navigating divorce, physical injury, and rebuilding from the ground up. Through mindfulness, faith, and intentional living, he reframed setbacks as opportunities to grow and serve others. This episode explores the powerful connection between mind, body, and spirit, and how perspective and choice shape the quality of our lives.

Listeners are invited to ex...

In Fishing Without Bait 499, we continue our conversation with Victor Benjamin, also known as Shane Chojnacki—MMA fighter, boxing coach, and professional wrestler known as The Savage Gentleman.

Part 2 dives deeper into the discipline and mindset that shaped Shane’s life. He reflects on learning to “play the film all the way through,” weighing consequences instead of chasing short-term gratification. Shane discusses burnout, stepping away from mixed martial arts, and the emotional toll of working in a system that no longer aligned with his values.

The conversation explores the difference between a risk and a gamble...

Host Jim Ellermeyer welcomes Shane Chojnacki — a professional fighter, trainer, health advocate, and pro wrestler known as Victor Benjamin — for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about resilience, choice, and personal responsibility.

Shane opens up about growing up in an environment marked by addiction, violence, and scarcity, while still finding moments of community, guidance, and protection. Rather than becoming a victim of his circumstances, he made intentional decisions to stay grounded in sports, discipline, and work — even when easier and more destructive paths were readily available.

Throughout this episode, Shane reflects on learning from the mistak...

In Fishing Without Bait 497, we continue our thoughtful conversation with returning guest Clairvoyant Santina Grace in Part 4 of this series.

This episode centers on listening — to ourselves, to others, and to the deeper awareness that helps us release fear, judgment, and mental clutter. Jim Ellermeyer and Santina discuss compassion, choice points, and the stories we hold onto, as well as the freedom that comes from letting them go.

Through reflection and shared experience, this conversation invites listeners to slow down, practice mindfulness, and approach life with greater understanding and non-judgment.

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In this special holiday message, Fishing Without Bait takes a mindful pause to reflect on resilience, intention, and moving forward with purpose.

Jim Ellermeyer shares why traditional New Year’s resolutions often set us up for disappointment — and why setting intentions, grounded in small, achievable actions, can lead to meaningful change. This episode explores gratitude, relationships, impermanence, and the idea that what we focus on and “plant” in our minds is what grows.

A calm, compassionate reminder that January 1st is just another day — and every day is an opportunity to live intentionally, create memories, and take b...

This holiday message from Fishing Without Bait is a moment of pause and gratitude.

Jim Ellermeyer shares a short reflection for the season — acknowledging the challenges and emotions that often come with the holidays, while offering encouragement, mindfulness, and compassion. Whether the holidays are joyful, difficult, or somewhere in between, this message reminds us to stay present and gentle with ourselves.

Thank you for listening, for growing, and for being part of this community. We’re grateful to walk this journey with you.

In Fishing Without Bait Episode 496 – *Clearing the Etch-A-Sketch: Letting Go of What Isn’t Ours, we continue Part 3 of our conversation with returning guest and Clairvoyant **Santina Grace. This episode focuses on healing trauma without rewriting or reliving the past. Through grounding visualizations, breathwork, and recovery-based insights, Santina and the *Fishing Without Bait team discuss how emotional experiences can be deconstructed so they no longer control our present moment. Using metaphors like clearing an Etch-A-Sketch or rooting into the earth through mindful breathing, the conversation highlights how releasing emotional energy that doesn’t belong to us creates space for clarit...

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, we welcome back our imaginative, energetic returning guest Santina Grace for Part 2 of a deeply insightful conversation about mindfulness, self-awareness, grounding practices, and the inner battles so many of us face every day. Together, Santina and Jim dive into themes of anchoring thoughts, depersonalization, perspective shifts, emotional resilience, and reclaiming personal agency.


Santina shares a powerful example of using sensory-based anchors—in this case, strawberry essential oil—to help a client overcome cravings by reconnecting with a memory tied to freedom, comfort, and identity. The discussion expands into how ground...

In Episode 494 of Fishing Without Bait, we welcome back returning guest and clairvoyant medium Santina Grace for the first part of a warm, insightful, and deeply grounding conversation on reconnecting with joy, presence, and peace in today’s chaotic world.

Jim and Santina explore some of the most important emotional and spiritual challenges of our time, including:
• Finding joy in a world that feels overstimulated and overwhelming
• The myth of productivity and how tying your value to output diminishes your sense of self
• How fear fuels anxiety, and why anxiety can only live in the futu...

In Episode 493 of Fishing Without Bait, we continue our powerful two-part conversation on the lifelong impact of religiously reinforced guilt, shame, and fear. Building on the foundation set in Episode 492, Jim Ellermeyer and host Mike Sorg peel back the layers of how religious structures shape personal identity, relationships, sexuality, and self-worth.

This episode dives deep into how early conditioning around sin, purity, and punishment affects the human psyche for decades — especially for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and anyone raised in shame-based environments. We explore how these rigid systems influence romantic relationships, create lifelong anxiety, damage self-esteem, and push pe...

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.

Through grounded insight, 12-step philosophy, and real-world examples, Jim explores:
• Why letting go feels so difficult
• How control and fear keep us stuck
• The connection between surrender and mindfulness
• How to recognize what you’re still carrying
• Practical ways to soften your grip and reclaim pea...

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, counselor and mindfulness guide Jim Ellermeyer takes listeners on a thoughtful and practical journey into the world of inherent truths—the deep personal values and qualities that define who we really are beneath expectations, judgment, and fear.

Jim opens the conversation by reminding us that self-discovery isn’t about finding a ready-made identity—it’s about creating ourselves with honesty, open-mindedness, and a willingness to try. He introduces the idea that inherent truths are fundamental aspects of identity that aren’t shaped by outside forces. These truths include qualities like empathy, h...

Welcome back, friends, to Fishing Without Bait: A Lifetime Without Definitive Expectations.

In Episode 490, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg explore what leadership truly means through the lens of Jesus of Nazareth. From the radical humility and servant leadership he modeled 2,000 years ago to his timeless call for justice and compassion, Jim examines how these teachings apply to the world’s political and social climate today.

This thoughtful conversation covers:
• How Jesus’s example challenges modern power and ego
• The moral responsibility of leaders to serve everyone—not just their supporters
• Why integrity, h...

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.

But this episode isn’t just about politics; it’s about mindfulnes...