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—and moments where that hope seemed to disappear just as quickly.

As the journey unfolds, Emily shares what it was like to advocate fiercely for her daughter in life-or-death situations, including a critical moment where speaking up quite literally saved McKenna’s life. Through it all, time lost meaning, routines became survival, and resilience became essential.

This episode also explores the long road of recovery—rehabilitation, regaining movement, and the emotional milestone of bringing McKenna home. But the journey didn’t end there. Emily shares the next challenge: kidney failure, the transplant process, and her unwavering certainty that she would be the one to donate.

This is a story of courage, advocacy, and the deep connection between parent and child—where love becomes the driving force through unimaginable circumstances.

This is Part 2 of Emily’s story.

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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 overwhelming decisions, the devastating prognosis she was given, and the moments that tested her strength like never before.

Despite facing the possibility of losing her child, Emily found herself holding onto even the smallest signs of hope — a breath over a ventilator, a slight movement, a reason to keep going. She reflects on the emotional toll, the fear of the unknown, and how she navigated anxiety, trauma, and the temptation of relapse during the darkest moments.

This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the importance of support systems when life changes in an instant.

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Emily.

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 intentional living, he reframed setbacks as opportunities to grow and serve others. This episode explores the powerful connection between mind, body, and spirit, and how perspective and choice shape the quality of our lives.

Listeners are invited to examine their own blind spots, reclaim agency in difficult moments, and begin creating a life they don’t need a vacation from.

Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast platform.
Support the show and get ad-free episodes on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait

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

Shane opens up about growing up in an environment marked by addiction, violence, and scarcity, while still finding moments of community, guidance, and protection. Rather than becoming a victim of his circumstances, he made intentional decisions to stay grounded in sports, discipline, and work — even when easier and more destructive paths were readily available.

Throughout this episode, Shane reflects on learning from the mistakes of others, refusing to settle for less, and choosing action over self-pity. Jim connects these experiences to mindfulness principles, recovery thinking, and the idea that real change comes from effort, behavior, and consistent choices — not just intention or wishful thinking.

Topics explored include:

Growing up without a safety net

Making conscious “wise mind” choices

Learning resilience through adversity

Taking action instead of living in “ifs, buts, and maybes”

Betting on yourself when others doubt you

Speaking intention into existence through action

This is Part 1 of a continuing conversation that sets the foundation for deeper discussions on identity, growth, and mindful living in future episodes.

🎧 Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player
💙 Support ad-free episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait

📘 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

Key Discussion Points:

Estrangement and Self-Assertion: Mike opens up about his six-and-a-half-year journey of estrangement, prompted by standing up for himself and his family. This pivotal moment led him to confront inherited traits and beliefs, sparking a transformative self-reflection process.

The Power of Choice: A central theme of the conversation is the realization that individuals have the autonomy to define their identity and path in life, contrary to being shaped by external expectations and societal norms.

Navigating Life's Inequities: Mike and Jim discuss the futility of clinging to the concept of fairness in life. Emphasizing resilience, they explore the importance of reacting to life's challenges constructively, rather than being ensnared by the illusion of fairness.

The Essence of Being: Touching on philosophical underpinnings, Mike shares his belief in the spiritual nature of human existence, advocating for a perspective that embraces life's absurdities and the inherent unpredictability of our experiences.

Wisdom Through Adversity: Mike attributes his depth of understanding and empathy to the diverse and often painful experiences he has endured, highlighting the transformative power of navigating through darkness to find light.

Realism and Dreaming: The dialogue underscores the balance between harboring big dreams and maintaining a realistic approach to achieving them, emphasizing the significance of imaginative thought in human progress while advocating for grounded action.

Empathy, Healing, and Service: Mike's dedication to assisting others in overcoming mental health struggles, particularly anxiety and depression, is born from his personal battles. His approach is deeply rooted in empathy, understanding, and the desire to guide others towards healing and self-empowerment.

Selective Engagement for Impact: Mike discusses his selective approach to coaching, choosing to work only with those ready to engage in transformative work, ensuring that his efforts are directed towards meaningful and effective change.

Find out more about Mike Oglesbee at www.mikeoglesbee.com

Are you finding benefit from this show?  We appreciate any support with our Patreon page!  Pledge as little as $1 a month for extra clips, behind the scenes and more at www.patreon.com/fishingwithoutbait !

Subscribe to our Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Music, TuneIn or look for it on your favorite Podcatcher!

Listeners will gain invaluable insights into dealing with low self-esteem, breaking free from toxic situations, and the importance of nurturing one’s mental health. Oglesbee emphasizes the role of self-awareness, the necessity of conscious decision-making, and the concept of time as our most valuable asset. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom, this episode encourages a shift towards a more objective and truthful understanding of oneself and the world.

Find out more about Mike Oglesbee at www.mikeoglesbee.com

Are you finding benefit from this show?  We appreciate any support with our Patreon page!  Pledge as little as $1 a month for extra clips, behind the scenes and more at www.patreon.com/fishingwithoutbait !

Subscribe to our Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Music, TuneIn or look for it on your favorite Podcatcher!