Jim Ellermeyer

Fishing Without Bait 488: Are You Being Fooled by Media? The Truth About Manipulation & Identity Loss

October 21st, 2025  |  20 mins 19 secs

advertising influence, algorithmic persuasion, anxiety, behavioral health, celebrity endorsements, comparison culture, consumerism, critical thinking, digital detox, emotional advertising, emotional intelligence, fishing without bait, fomo, identity loss, influencer culture, insecurity, jim ellermeyer, marketing psychology, media literacy, media manipulation, mental health, mike sorg, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, recovery podcast, self-awareness, self-discovery, self-reflection, social media addiction, targeted ads

In this eye-opening episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer is joined once again by producer Mike Sorg to explore how modern media shapes our identities, fuels our purchases, and even distorts our sense of self-worth.

From emotional manipulation in advertising to influencer culture and data-driven targeting, Jim and Mike unpack the psychological tactics behind today’s media and tech. How does a Power Glove from the ’80s connect to the viral influencer culture of today? Are we in control of our choices—or are we reacting without realizing it?

Fishing Without Bait 487: Navigating Anxiety and Uncertainty with Mr. Rogers’ Wisdom

October 14th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  20 mins 56 secs

anxiety, behavioral health, being present, depression, emotional resilience, fred rogers, full impact mindfulness, helpers, inspirational podcast, kindness, leveling up, mental health, mindfulness, motivational, mr. rogers quotes, personal growth, pittsburgh podcast, podcast, self-acceptance, self-awareness, self-compassion, self-love, substance abuse recovery, therapy, uncertainty

Jim Ellermeyer and Mike Sorg explore the wisdom of Fred Rogers to help us navigate fear, overwhelm, and uncertainty through mindfulness and kindness. With reflections on self-acceptance, emotional resilience, and “leveling up” in life, this episode reminds us: “I like you just the way you are.”

AwesomeCast 752: We Built a Livestream Studio in a U-Haul at an Off-Road Motorsport Event!

October 8th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  1 hr 5 mins

ai video generation, alba colon, amazon prime login, awesomecast, baja sae, cancer survivor surfing, dave podnar, event livestreaming, first descents, game pass price increase, gopro crash, hendrick motorsports, katie dudas, meta ai editing, michael sorg, microsoft game pass, minecraft climate change game, mini baja rc, missy sorg, mobile livestream setup, off-road racing, openai sora, podcasting, production tips, romcom sabotage, sae international, santa cruz surfing, sidekick media services, slice on broadway, sorgatron media, streaming cautionary tale, tech podcast, u-haul studio, video production, wireless camera setup, women in motorsports

Surfboards, Baja Cars & Broken GoPros — This Week on AwesomeCast!

Katie returns with stories from the waves as she shares her inspiring First Descents surf adventure in Santa Cruz, designed for cancer survivors. Meanwhile, the team gives a full behind-the-scenes breakdown of their latest wild production at Baja SAE Carolina — from broadcasting out of a U-Haul van to dealing with dusty terrain, wireless camera chaos, and even a GoPro that didn’t survive.

Fishing Without Bati 486: “Not Today”: The One Phrase That Will Change Your Life

October 7th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  15 mins 58 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

Fishing Without Bait 485: Feeling Stuck? You Might Be Living on Autopilot

September 29th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  17 mins 1 sec

behavioral therapy, daily mindfulness, digital detox, fishing without bait, human being vs human doing, i choose mindset, intentional living, jim ellermeyer, journaling, life balance, mental health, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, personal growth, podcast wellness, self-awareness, self-discovery, self-help, self-reflection, stress relief

In this episode, Jim Ellermeyer invites you to reflect on one of the most fundamental shifts you can make in life: choosing to live intentionally rather than simply existing.

Together with producer Mike Sorg, Jim explores the concept of being a human being rather than a human doing, and how small mindful changes—like replacing “I have to” with “I choose to”—can radically transform your daily experience.

Fishing Without Bait 484: Reclaim Your Emotional Sovereignty Today

September 23rd, 2025  |  Season 11  |  17 mins 34 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike explore the powerful concept of cognitive clarity—the antidote to anxiety and the constant mental noise of modern life.

Learn how to manage racing thoughts, move from fear-based reactivity to logical clarity, and reclaim your emotional sovereignty by choosing your own narrative over external expectations.

Fishing Without Bait 483: World Religions Agree on THIS… Why Can’t We?

September 16th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  13 mins 30 secs

christianity vs islam vs buddhism, compassion and faith, core values of religion, ethics in religion, interfaith dialogue, mindfulness podcast, religious tolerance, shared values of religions, spiritual podcast, world religions

In this thought-provoking episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and co-host Mike Sorg engage in a profound exploration of the core values shared by the world’s major faiths—from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Confucianism, to Taoism.

Wrestling Mayhem Show 973: Forks, Hoagies & AJ Lee

September 9th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  1 hr 7 mins

pittsburgh, podcast

Fishing Without Bait 482: This Mindset Shift Changes Everything

September 9th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  15 mins 33 secs

addiction recovery, behavioral health, emotional wellness, fishing without bait, focus on success, full impact mindfulness, growth mindset, how to change your life, inspirational podcast, jim ellermeyer, journaling, life skills, mental clarity, mental health, mindfulness, mindset shift, personal growth, podcast on recovery, positive reinforcement, positive thinking, recovery, recovery journey, recovery podcast, self-awareness, self-improvement, self-reflection, sidekick media, success habits, therapy

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg take a transformative dive into a concept often overlooked in recovery, education, parenting, and everyday life: positive chain analysis.

Classic Fishing Without Bait 378: Dealing with Addiction with Tara V

September 2nd, 2025  |  Season 11  |  23 mins 32 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

In this episode of the show, Jim Ellermeyer his conversation with his friend Tara V, who has successfully achieved long-term recovery from addiction. Tara shares her experience entering the 12 step program and that decision. She discusses starting her Podcast, Keep Coming Back to share speakers and how she helps living the 12 step process for herself and others. 

Fishing Without Bait 481: Jesus’ Message Was Simpler Than You Think

August 26th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  11 mins 38 secs

alternative gospels, be kind to yourself, compassionate living, connecting with your true self, divine spark, emotional wellness, fishing without bait, fishingwithoutbait.com, forgiveness, freedom from religion, gospel of mary magdalene, gospel of thomas, holistic wellness, how to find inner peace, inner peace, jesus teachings, jim ellermeyer, kingdom of god within, living authentically, love your neighbor, mental health, mindful living, mindfulness meditation, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness practice, mindfulness recovery, nurture your spirit, overcoming fear, personal development, personal growth, personal spirituality, podcast on spirituality, self compassion, self discovery, self validation, spiritual awakening, spiritual journey, spiritual mindfulness, spirituality vs religion

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer and co-host Mike explore the difference between spirituality and organized religion and what it truly means to nurture your spirit.

Together, they revisit the timeless teachings of Jesus, focusing on his central message of love, compassion, and self-discovery — a message that’s often been overshadowed by societal control, rigid traditions, and centuries of interpretation.

Fishing Without Bait 480: The 3 Big C’s That Drain Your Happiness (And How to Avoid Them!)

August 19th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  11 mins 20 secs

choose kindness, daily mindfulness practices, emotional vampires, fishing without bait, inspirational podcast, jim ellermeyer, life coaching, live in the moment, living well, mental health awareness, mindful living strategies, mindfulness podcast, mindfulness tips, overcome negativity, personal growth, plant flowers not weeds, positive living, recovery podcast, self help podcast, self improvement, stop comparing, stop complaining, stop criticizing, stress management, three big c’s

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike explore the “Three Big C’s” that drain joy and positivity from our lives: comparing, criticizing, and complaining. We discuss how these habits act like emotional vampires, sucking the energy from every room, and why avoiding them leads to a more mindful, fulfilling life.

Fishing Without Bait 479: Finding Your Moral Compass: Mindfulness, Recovery & Navigating a Divided World

August 12th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  29 mins 13 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

Join host Jim Ellermeyer, behavioral health therapist, for a powerful Fishing Without Bait conversation on living with integrity, building internal validation, and focusing on solutions rather than problems—even in the face of political division and global conflict. Jim shares the five core attributes that shape a grounded life: knowing right from wrong, having a moral compass, being dependable, being honest, and treating others with courtesy and respect.

AwesomeCast 744: Cat Wars, Retro Macs & the Coolest AI Trick Yet

August 6th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  1 hr 4 mins

pittsburgh, podcast

This week’s episode dives into a mix of tech, toys, and travel adventures. From a Nickelodeon-themed indoor amusement park and the quirky “Cat Wars” calendar to the upcoming Hello Kitty × Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Happy Meal toys, we cover it all. We also explore a retro Macintosh-style USB-C hub, try out live AI object recognition, fold our way through a paper airplane STEM kit, and get nostalgic with the Retro Bowl College Edition mobile game.

Fishing Without Bait 478: Redefining Success: Vulnerability, Sobriety & the Executive Mindset with Nick Jonsson

August 5th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  17 mins 6 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

Fishing Without Bait—hosted by Jim Ellermeyer—continues our conversation (Part 3) with TEDx speaker and best‑selling author Nick Jonsson (Executive Loneliness). We unpack executive mental health, burnout, and recovery as Nick describes moving from “I have to” to “I choose,” owning financial insecurities, confronting toxic masculinity, and evolving from command‑and‑control leadership to an identity grounded in values rather than titles or status.

AwesomeCast 743: Grok This! Google AI, Chainsawed Sandwiches & Mario Paint Returns

July 30th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  59 mins 49 secs

pittsburgh, podcast

Join Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar for another wild ride through the latest in tech, geek culture, and digital oddities. From chainsawed sandwiches and pygmy hippos to new AI-powered tools from Google and fun gaming tie-ins, AwesomeCast 743 dives into the fun, weird, and sometimes terrifying world of tech.

Whether you’re curious about Google Search’s AI makeover, craving a McDonald’s-themed Joy-Con fry holder, or wondering why a zoo staged a fake hippo escape with an inflatable costume — we’ve got you covered.