Jim Ellermeyer

Fishing Without Bait 500: Turning Pain Into Purpose with Shane Chojnacki

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.

AwesomeCast 764: Animal Crossing 3.0 Changed Everything?! + Final Cut Updates, Premiere AI, and ChatGPT Health

January 21st, 2026  |  57 mins 58 secs

a little to the left, adobe ai video, adobe premiere pro, ai editing tools, ai safety, animal crossing 3.0, animal crossing switch, animal crossing update, apple creator studio, are you dead app, artificial intelligence news, chatgpt, chill games, chore games, compressor, content creation, cozy games, creator tools, daily check-in app, dave podnar, digital culture, digital safety apps, final cut pro, gaming discussion, gaming podcast, geek culture, indie games, iphone apps, katie dudas, logic pro, mattel sora, media workflows, michael sorg, mobile apps, motion, nintendo switch, openai, openai age prediction, personal safety technology, podcast production, powerwash simulator, skeletor ai, sora ai, tech for creators, tech podcast, technology news, video editing, video game news

This week on AwesomeCast 764, cohosts Michael Sorg, Dave Podnar, and Katie Dudas dive into the week’s biggest tech and creator stories—plus a special Animal Crossing 3.0 update field report from Charlotte. Katie checks in with her Animal Crossing–obsessed niece Charlotte to break down what’s new, what’s addictive, and how “slumber islands” change the way you build and share your island adventures. 

Fishing Without Bait 499: Shane Chojnacki on Discipline, Failure, and Playing the Film All the Way Through

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.

Fishing Without Bait 498: Refusing to Let My Past Define Me with Shane Chojnacki

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.

Fishing Without Bait 497: The Stories We Carry — and the Ones We Release with Santina Grace

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.

A Mindful New Year Message: January 1st Is Just Another Day

December 29th, 2025  |  3 mins 20 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

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 Holiday Message from Fishing Without Bait

December 23rd, 2025  |  3 mins 23 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

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.

Fishing Without Bait 496: Clearing the Etch-A-Sketch: Letting Go of What Isn’t Ours

December 16th, 2025  |  21 mins 18 secs

breathwork, emotional healing, emotional regulation, fishing without bait, grounding exercises, healing the past, letting go, mental health podcast, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness practices, mindfulness tools, present moment awareness, recovery from life, recovery podcast, santina grace, self growth, trauma healing

In Fishing Without Bait 496, we continue Part 3 of our conversation with returning guest and Clairvoyant Santina Grace. This episode explores mindfulness, recovery, and healing trauma without reliving the past, using grounding exercises, breathwork, and practical metaphors to help release emotional weight and stay present.

Fishing Without Bait 495: Creating Yourself Through Choice Points with Santina Grace

December 9th, 2025  |  23 mins

pittsburgh, podcast

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.

Fishing Without Bait 494: The Myth of Productivity & the Path to Real Joy with Santina Grace

December 2nd, 2025  |  27 mins 49 secs

anxiety relief, clairvoyant medium, coping skills, emotional healing, emotional resilience, fear and anxiety, finding joy, gratitude practice, grounding techniques, inner peace, joy, mental health, mental wellness, mindfulness, mindfulness journey, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness tips, overcoming fear, personal growth, present moment awareness, recovery tools, santina grace, self-compassion, self-worth, spiritual guidance, spirituality, stress management, trauma healing

Clairvoyant medium Santina Grace returns for a powerful conversation about finding joy in a chaotic world. Jim and Santina explore the myth of productivity, how fear shapes anxiety, how to anchor yourself through gratitude and memories, and how to reclaim your inner peace—even when life feels overwhelming.

Wrestling Mayhem Show 985: Hangman Bleeds, Dom Believes, and Sorg Can Take the Train Now

November 26th, 2025  |  1 hr 31 mins

pittsburgh, podcast

In Wrestling Mayhem Show 984, the crew gathers for a Thanksgiving edition filled with AEW chaos, Survivor Series debate, nostalgia, and community stories.

Sorg returns from Defy Wrestling with fresh notes from the Seattle scene—including Sting’s son’s first indie match, The Righteous, and Vert Vixen—before diving into AEW Full Gear’s biggest moments: Samoa Joe’s cage match victory, Hook joining the Ops, Swerve’s return, and the Continental Classic block breakdown featuring Okada.

Fishing Without Bait 493: Why So Many Struggle With Guilt — The Religion Effect Explained

November 25th, 2025  |  15 mins 28 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

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.

Fishing Without Bait 492: A Culture Of Guilt Imposed By Religious Structure

November 18th, 2025  |  15 mins 34 secs

12-step recovery, acceptance, behavior health, compassion, emotional healing, fishing without bait, healing journey, intentional living, jim ellermeyer, letting go, mental health, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, personal development, recovery, recovery podcast, resilience, self-discovery, self-growth, spiritual wellness, stress management, surrender

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.

Fishing Without Bait 491: Discover Your Inherent Truths: The Secret to Confidence & Self-Worth

November 11th, 2025  |  17 mins 48 secs

breathing techniques for anxiety, confidence building, creating your own life, daily gratitude practice, emotional resilience, emotional wellness, fear of judgment, identity and values, inherent truths, inner peace practices, jim ellermeyer, letting go of fear, living without expectations, mental health podcast, mindful living, mindfulness exercises, mindfulness podcast, overcoming self-doubt, personal development tools, personal growth, positive affirmations, recovery and mindfulness, self-awareness techniques, self-discovery, self-worth

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 fundam

AwesomeCast 756: How ChatGPT Helped Plan a Dream Trip to Japan (+ AI Life Hacks You Can Try Now!)

November 4th, 2025  |  1 hr 1 min

pittsburgh, podcast

In this week’s episode, Sorg and Dudders get geeky about AI in everyday life — from redesigning homes with ChatGPT to tracking calories with conversational AI. Then guest Brian Crawford takes us on a deep dive through Japan’s advanced transit tech, immersive art museums, and cultural quirks.
We also preview Pittsburgh’s AI & Robotics Demo Day and catch up with Chachi’s gaming news minute.

Perfect for fans of AI tools, travel tech, and real-world innovation.

Fishing Without Bait 490: What Would Jesus Say to Today’s World Leaders?

November 3rd, 2025  |  16 mins 44 secs

behavioral health, compassion, emotional awareness, empathy, empathy in leadership, faith, fishing without bait, forgiveness, good samaritan, honesty, hope, humility, inspiration, integrity, jesus of nazareth, jim ellermeyer, justice, kindness, leadership, mental health, mike sorg, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, moral courage, moral responsibility, motivation, peace, personal growth, podcast, positivity, reconciliation, self compassion, self improvement, self reflection, servant leadership, spiritual growth, spirituality, truth

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.