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 environments, and learning the “graceful art of leaving” situations that no longer serve you. Through relatable examples and practical techniques—like redirecting conversations or simply saying “I don’t need to know”—listeners gain tools to set boundaries without conflict.

Jim introduces a powerful mindfulness exercise centered on prioritizing who and what you “nourish” in your life, emphasizing the importance of investing energy into supportive relationships rather than draining ones.

This episode is a reminder that everyone is in recovery from something—and that choosing gratitude, awareness, and intentional action can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Check out Katie Dudas’ story at https://www.fishingwithoutbait.com/search?q=katie%20dudas
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• Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player
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• Pick up our book: “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book” https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

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Sorg and Podnar open with one of the week’s best feel-good tech stories: Artemis 2 made it home successfully, and Dave shares the unexpectedly charming story of the mission mascot RISE. In a week that needed some good news, the conversation lands on something larger than space hardware alone. This was about optimism, engineering, and a rare moment of collective excitement. 

Then the show pivots back to Earth with the kind of story that feels custom-made for AwesomeCast: yes, someone got early Mac OS X running on a Nintendo Wii. It is not practical. It is not necessary. It is absolutely wonderful. That same spirit carries into Sorg’s hands-on experiment with Mythic, a tool aimed at helping M-series Mac users access Windows games through the Epic ecosystem. The conversation explores how much better Apple Silicon has become for compatibility, even if some rough edges still show up in real-world testing. 

A big chunk of the episode also digs into Amazon Luna’s latest changes. Sorg reacts to the platform ending game purchases and outside store access, and the discussion quickly becomes about more than Luna itself. It becomes a conversation about trust in digital platforms, cloud gaming ownership, and what happens when convenience gets taken away after users have already bought in. It is one of the sharpest segments in the episode because it blends personal use with a bigger industry trend. 

There is also a lighter side this week. Dave shares The Weather Channel’s retro weather experience, which sends both hosts into a funny and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about the old cable era, nostalgic interfaces, and how channels drift from their original purpose. On the more practical side, they also touch on Overcast’s new transcript support and Waymo’s plan to help cities identify potholes using vehicle data. That latter topic turns into a very Pittsburgh-flavored discussion about 311 systems, local government tech, and whether cities are really taking advantage of the tools they have.

Finally, Dave closes with his Arab American History Month spotlight on Tony Fadell, best known for his work on the iPod and Nest. It is a fitting end to an episode that is really about the many layers of tech: breakthrough engineering, strange experimentation, product design, infrastructure, nostalgia, and how all of it shapes everyday life.  Links from this episode:

Artemis / RISE: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/how-artemis-2-commander-reid-wiseman-saved-the-missions-moon-mascot-its-hard-not-to-love-this-little-guy-i-cant-let-rise-out-of-my-sight

macOS on Wii: https://apple.news/AJdU3eghQT2-jfhrGvzI2_g

Mythic: https://getmythic.app/

Amazon Luna: https://www.ign.com/articles/amazon-luna-will-no-longer-allow-owners-to-buy-games-access-game-stores-or-third-party-subscriptions-starting-today?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Manual&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook

Amazon Luna alt link: https://apple.news/A2cb25SwgQX-AuvSPHdRsHw

Waymo potholes: https://apple.news/AnxW6o9QWQJOcCGLqCsW6XQ

Overcast transcripts: https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/08/overcast-launches-podcast-transcripts-in-new-app-update-for-iphone/

Retro Weather Channel: https://weather.com/retro/

Tony Fadell: https://design.mit.edu/community/people/tony-fadell

Subscribe for more tech talk from Pittsburgh and support the show at Patreon.

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, honesty, and empathy are essential in times of division
• The enduring wisdom of “Blessed are the peacemakers” and “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

Jim also reflects on the story of the Good Samaritan and closes with a reminder that hope—and helping others—remains our greatest prescription.

🎧 Listen now at FishingWithoutBait.com or on your favorite podcast platform.
✨ Do a kindness for yourself and for another. Forgive, reconnect, and live mindfully.

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 mindfulness in the face of manipulation. Jim and Mike offer practical ways to recognize these tricks, question what we’re told, and bring compassion back into our conversations.

“If you have a choice between being right and being kind, choose kind—and you’re going to be right every time.”

In a time of noise and division, Fishing Without Bait invites listeners to slow down, think critically, and reconnect with what truly matters: kindness, awareness, and authenticity.

🎧 Listen now at: www.FishingWithoutBait.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: Fishing Without Bait 489
💬 Join the discussion: #Mindfulness #MediaLiteracy #FishingWithoutBait

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?

In this episode:
• Why media makes us feel “less than”
• Celebrity endorsements vs. authentic influence
• Targeted ads, data mining, and algorithmic persuasion
• Unrealistic expectations and identity loss in the digital age
• The mental health toll of comparison culture
• What it really means to be unmanageable
• Mindful practices to resist manipulation

“It’s much easier to fool someone than to convince them they’re being fooled.”

Take a breath. Check the facts. And most importantly—remember who you are.

🎧 Listen, learn, and share at FishingWithoutBait.com