Sorgatron Media Master Feed

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.

Fishing Without Bait 489: Stochastic Rhetoric: The Scary Trick Politicians Use to Manipulate Minds

October 28th, 2025  |  20 mins 19 secs

anxiety reduction, behavioral health, choose kindness, cognitive bias, compassion, critical thinking, dog whistle politics, emotional intelligence, fear and awareness, fishing without bait, free thinking, information overload, jim ellermeyer, kindness, media literacy, media manipulation, mental health, mike sorg, mindful communication, mindfulness, mindfulness podcast, misinformation, obfuscation, plausible deniability, podcast, political language, politics and psychology, random acts of kindness, self awareness, social awareness, stochastic rhetoric

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.

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.”

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 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.

Fishing Without Bait 454: Chris Maverick on Mindfulness, Pop Culture, and Building a Joyful Life

January 28th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  16 mins 23 secs

academic analysis, balanced life, building connections, chris maverick, creative passions, hobbies, lego, life advice, mindful living, mindfulness, personal growth, personal journey, podcasting, pop culture, recreational activities, self-care, simple joys, stress management, stress relief, university of pittsburgh, unplugging, voxpopcast

In this enlightening episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer welcomes Chris Maverick, professor at the University of Pittsburgh and host of the VoxPopcast. Together, they explore the importance of hobbies and mindfulness in combating stress and living a fulfilling life. Chris shares his journey from a high-stress corporate career to academia, emphasizing the value of recreation and personal growth. They delve into the joy of simple pleasures, from building Lego sets with loved ones to podcasting with family, and how these activities foster connection and creativity.

Fishing Without Bait 452: From the Ring to the Classroom: Chris Maverick on Wrestling, Storytelling, and Mindfulness

January 14th, 2025  |  Season 11  |  19 mins 21 secs

chris maverick, digital narrative, escapism, identity, jim ellermeyer, mindfulness, pro wrestling personas, professional wrestling, social media, storytelling

Join Jim Ellermeyer in this fascinating episode of Fishing Without Bait as he welcomes Chris Maverick, professor of digital narrative interactive design at the University of Pittsburgh, and a former professional wrestler. Together, they dive into the world of pro wrestling, exploring its unique blend of storytelling, athleticism, and improv. Chris shares his personal journey, from developing larger-than-life wrestling personas to balancing his academic career and wrestling life, revealing the liberating power of performance.

Fishing Without Bait 450: A Mindful Holiday Season: Balance, Boundaries, and Joy

December 17th, 2024  |  Season 11  |  19 mins 48 secs

emotional wellness., family dynamics, fishing without bait, holiday stress, intentional living, jim ellermeyer, managing holiday expectations, mental clarity, mindfulness, self-care, stress-free holidays

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer tackles the stress and challenges many face during the holiday season. Jim shares practical strategies for navigating family dynamics, managing expectations, and prioritizing self-care during this busy time of year. With his signature blend of mindfulness and intentional living, he offers listeners tools to stay grounded, embrace the present moment, and rediscover the true meaning of the holidays.

Learn how to step back, set healthy boundaries, and avoid the common pitfalls of holiday stress. Whether you struggle with the pressures of perfection, overwhelming obligations, or seasonal emotions, this conversation provides thoughtful insights to help you create a more joyful and peaceful holiday experience.

Fishing Without Bait 449: Breaking the Chains of Generational Trauma with Bronwyn Schweigerdt

December 10th, 2024  |  Season 11  |  21 mins 15 secs

12-step recovery, anger management, boundaries, compassionate listening, emotional healing, emotional well-being, forgiveness, generational trauma, healing techniques, mental health, mindfulness, psychotherapy, self-discovery, self-reflection, shame recovery

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, host Jim Ellermeyer engages in a profound conversation with Bronwyn Schweigerdt, a psychotherapist and anger expert. Bronwyn delves into the impact of generational trauma and the importance of breaking cycles of shame. She shares transformative techniques for forgiveness, explaining the role of self-reflection and externalizing emotions in healing. The discussion extends to the philosophy of forgiveness, viewing it as a personal liberation rather than exoneration of others.