Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

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 la...

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 und...

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 p...

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 rela...

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 s...

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 vulnerab...

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 import...

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 y...

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 absen...

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 ch...

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 fru...

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 mindfuln...

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...

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, Em...

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—an...

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 ove...

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 i...

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,” t...

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...

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 mo...

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 fa...

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...

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 in...

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 gratificatio...

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 prot...