Episodes
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In Fishing Without Bait 522, Jim Ellermeyer begins a new conversation with Missy Sorg about one of the most difficult challenges many people face today: how to stay connected when political differences feel personal, painful, and divisive.
Missy shares why she wanted to return to the show and talk openly about strained friendships, lost connections, and the fear of being reduced to a political label. Jim and Missy explore the idea that even when people disagree, there may still be a shared “ice cream” — a common point of connection that allows a real conversation to begin.
This Part 1 episode moves through themes of political polarization, patriotism, social media, assumptions, “contempt prior to investigation,” and the need to focus less on identifying problems and more on finding solutions. Missy also opens up about women’s health, fertility treatments, abortion, birth control, and the way women’s bodies are often discussed or legislated without enough listening or understanding.
Rather than a shouting match, this is a conversation about conversation itself: how to disagree without dehumanizing, how to listen without surrendering your values, and how to look for the person behind the label.
Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player. Support the show and receive ad-free episodes on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait. You can also pick up our book, “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book,” at 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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In Fishing Without Bait 521, we conclude our four-part conversation with returning guests Eamon and Merlin, hosts of A Gay and His Enby.
This final part brings the discussion into questions of faith, culture, identity, queer history, personal freedom, and the importance of community. Jim, Eamon, and Merlin talk about the many ways people interpret the divine, how history and education shape understanding, and why queer and trans people have always been part of humanity.
The conversation also turns toward Pittsburgh, where Eamon and Merlin reflect on how their lives, relationship, podcast, and voices have grown over the past several years. They share what it means to find community, create space for others, speak with empathy, and stay curious about the lives and experiences of people around us.
For anyone struggling with fear, uncertainty, identity, or belonging, this episode offers a compassionate reminder: you do not have to figure it all out today. There will be people who accept you exactly as you are, and life can be lived one day at a time.
Listen to Eamon and Merlin’s podcast A Gay and His Enby: https://agayandhisenby.fireside.fm/
Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player.
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: 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 -
Missing episodes?
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Part 3 of our conversation with returning guests Eamon and Merlin continues an honest and thoughtful discussion about curiosity, personal growth, and the courage to question long-held beliefs.
The conversation explores how choosing facts over assumptions can lead to greater understanding, why asking "What if I'm wrong?" creates opportunities for growth, and how embracing uncertainty can become a pathway toward mindfulness.
Eamon also shares deeply personal experiences involving trauma, faith, and the difficult process of deconstructing beliefs that no longer aligned with compassion or truth. Together, the discussion reflects on spirituality, healing, forgiveness, and finding hope beyond fear while emphasizing empathy instead of division.
This episode continues the spirit of Fishing Without Bait—encouraging listeners to examine their own lives with openness, curiosity, and mindfulness.
Learn more about Eamon and Merlin's podcast:
https://agayandhisenby.fireside.fm/More episodes from Sorgatron Media:
https://www.sorgatronmedia.comSubscribe on your favorite podcast platform.
Support ad-free episodes:
https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbaitPick up 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 -
In Part 2 of our conversation with returning guests Eamon and Merlin, we continue exploring the intersection of mindfulness, acceptance, personal growth, and human connection.
The discussion moves through deeply personal experiences involving family relationships, coming out, marriage, forgiveness, faith, and the challenges of overcoming long-held beliefs. Eamon and Merlin share how authentic relationships can challenge stereotypes and why spending time with people from different backgrounds often breaks down fear and misunderstanding.
We also discuss the role of community, the impact of isolation on prejudice, lessons learned from faith traditions, and the importance of remaining open to learning from others. Throughout the conversation, themes of compassion, curiosity, forgiveness, and acceptance remain at the forefront.
This episode serves as a reminder that understanding often begins with simply getting to know one another as human beings.
Learn more about Eamon and Merlin's podcast, A Gay and His Enby:
https://agayandhisenby.fireside.fm/Calls to Action
Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player.
Support the show and get ad-free episodes:
https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbaitPick 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 -
Returning guests Eamon and Merlin are back on Fishing Without Bait for Part 1 of a deeply personal and timely conversation about identity, community, and creating a life that aligns with your values.
Several years after their first appearance on the show, Eamon and Merlin reflect on the events that led them to leave Texas and build a new life in Pittsburgh. They discuss the importance of feeling safe, finding supportive communities, and navigating a world that often challenges authenticity and self-expression.
Jim Ellermeyer guides a thoughtful discussion about fear, prejudice, acceptance, and the ways people use faith and belief systems to either divide or connect. The conversation explores what it means to live mindfully, advocate for yourself, and build relationships rooted in understanding rather than judgment.
This episode is Part 1 of an ongoing conversation that examines identity, belonging, spirituality, and the courage it takes to create yourself rather than simply find yourself.
Learn more about Eamon and Merlin's podcast, A Gay and His Enby:
https://agayandhisenby.fireside.fm/Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast platform.
Support ad-free episodes:
https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbaitPick 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 -
In Part 4 of our continuing conversation, returning guest Joanna Lowe joins host Jim Ellermeyer for an emotional and deeply honest discussion about grief, creativity, healing, and reclaiming life after devastating loss.
Joanna shares how the death of her husband transformed her life and ultimately inspired her one-woman performance piece Widow. Through poetry, storytelling, humor, and raw vulnerability, Joanna explains how art became a way to survive grief and eventually begin living again.
The conversation also explores:
Performing Widow as an act of healing
The physical and emotional realities of profound grief
Why grief should never be hidden or suppressed
Friendship and surviving “big grief”
Launching The Grin Reapers Club podcast
Finding meaning, authenticity, and purpose after tragedy
“Grief is the other side of love”Joanna also discusses the creation of her new podcast, The Grin Reapers Club, where she and co-host Lauren openly discuss life through the lens of loss, honesty, humor, and resilience.
Learn more about Joanna Lowe and her work:
The Grin Reapers Club Podcast
Joanna Lowe BandcampSubscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player.
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes:
Fishing Without Bait PatreonPick up our book:
Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book -
In Part 3 of our continuing conversation, Jim Ellermeyer welcomes back returning guest Joanna Lowe for an unfiltered discussion about grief, anger, trauma, survival, and the complicated reality of healing after profound loss.
Joanna opens up about the experience of widowhood, the emotional isolation of grief, and the well-meaning things people say that often miss the mark. She discusses the importance of allowing yourself to fully feel emotions instead of hiding them, how friends and family supported her during suicidal ideation, and the ways grief reshaped her relationship with her daughter.
The conversation also explores:
How to support someone who is grieving without smothering them
Why “How are you?” can feel impossible to answer
Anger toward God, loved ones, and life itself
Trauma, emotional honesty, and parenting through grief
The balance between needing solitude and needing connection
Why every person experiences grief differentlyJoanna also discusses her one-woman show Widow, which she is bringing to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and how storytelling can help teach people how to truly love and support those who are grieving.
Joanna’s work:
The Occasional Epiphany by Joanna Lowe
Cup A Joe Productions FacebookSubscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player.
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes:
Fishing Without Bait PatreonPick up our book:
Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book -
In Part 2 of our conversation with Joanna Lowe, we move into a deeply personal and profound discussion about grief, trauma, and what it means to rebuild a life after devastating loss.
Joanna shares the story of losing her husband just months after their marriage—a loss that didn’t just take a partner, but reshaped her entire world. She opens up about experiencing prolonged grief disorder, losing years of her life to trauma, and the physical, emotional, and neurological effects that followed.
This conversation explores:
The reality of grief beyond what society expects
How trauma impacts the body and mind
The loss of identity, faith, and emotional connection
Why “I know how you feel” can be harmful
The importance of sitting with pain instead of trying to fix itThis is not a conversation about “moving on.” It’s about learning to exist again.
Beyond her personal journey, Joanna continues to create across multiple platforms:
🎶 The Occasional Epiphany:
https://ceeteecee.bandcamp.com/album/the-occasional-epiphany🎙️ The Grin Reapers Club Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/66bwzvlXpuOcdxbk3a2ygo🎬 Cup a Joe Productions:
https://www.facebook.com/cupajoprod
🎧 Calls to Action
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player
Support us on Patreon (ad-free episodes): 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 -
In Fishing Without Bait 514 (Part 1), we welcome back Joanna Lowe for the beginning of a powerful and personal conversation.
Joanna shares the unexpected story of how she became a spoken word artist—born from a moment of fear, vulnerability, and the decision to take control. From stepping on stage terrified to finding her voice through performance, this episode explores how courage isn’t the absence of fear—but the willingness to move through it.
The conversation dives into personal responsibility, emotional awareness, and the idea that we “allow” others to influence how we feel. Joanna also shares her journey through creative work, including her music, podcasting, and production projects.
The Occasional Epiphany (Album)
👉 https://ceeteecee.bandcamp.com/album/the-occasional-epiphanyThe Grin Reapers Club Podcast
👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/66bwzvlXpuOcdxbk3a2ygoCup a Joe Productions
👉 https://www.facebook.com/cupajoprodSubscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait
Pick up our 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 -
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and Mike dive into the transformative power of gratitude and what it means to live as a “high-frequency” person.
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⸻
🎯 Calls to Action
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast playerSupport us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbaitPick 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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This episode of Fishing Without Bait concludes our powerful conversation with Jessie Notarius, known in the wrestling world as The Unwilting Tatiana.
Jessie opens up about the realities behind her wrestling journey—what it truly takes to pursue a passion while navigating injuries, setbacks, and the emotional toll that comes with them. She shares her experience with a recent wrist fracture, the frustration of repeated injuries, and the importance of patience and proper healing.
Beyond wrestling, Jessie explores her creative side through painting and artistic expression, revealing how creativity plays a role in her personal growth and recovery. She also reflects on mentorship, resilience, and the courage it takes to keep going—even when giving up feels easier.
This episode highlights the importance of acceptance, adapting to life’s challenges, and finding meaning in difficult moments. Jessie’s message is clear: even in adversity, there is always something to build from.
Part 3 of our conversation with The Unwilting Tatiana.
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In Part 2 of our conversation with Jessie Notarius—known in the wrestling world as The Unwilting Tatiana—we take a deeper dive into self-worth, boundaries, and personal growth.
Jessie reflects on what it truly means to deserve respect, understanding, and equality in relationships, and why settling for less can cost us valuable time and energy. Through thoughtful discussion, we explore how mindfulness and self-awareness can help us build stronger self-esteem and healthier connections.
The conversation also uncovers the contrast between confidence in performance environments—like stepping into the wrestling ring—and the self-doubt that can creep into everyday life. Jessie shares how she manages anxiety, organizes her responsibilities, and approaches challenges with a problem-solving mindset.
We also discuss:
• The power of gratitude and shifting perspective
• How to engage with negativity in a constructive way
• The importance of asking for help and building knowledge
• Translating wrestling preparation into real-life organizationThis episode is a powerful reminder that the way we speak to ourselves shapes the life we create.
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• Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app• Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: 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
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In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer welcomes back Jessie Notarius—also known as pro wrestler The Unwilting Tatiana—for an honest and reflective conversation about life transitions, resilience, and rebuilding after disappointment.
Jessie shares what happened after losing her dream job as a set painter for the Pittsburgh CLO and how that unexpected change forced her to pivot into a completely new career path. From working difficult interim jobs to finding fulfillment in a benefits administration role, Jessie reflects on discovering appreciation, purpose, and contribution in unexpected places.
The conversation explores the importance of taking risks versus gambling, building a stable foundation through relationships, and leaning on community during uncertain times. Jessie also discusses her continued connection to creativity through art and wrestling, including launching a small-scale art venture.
Jim and Jessie dive into deeper themes of mindfulness, including how we minimize our accomplishments, the role of support systems, and the difference between confidence and arrogance—especially in the world of professional wrestling.
This episode is a powerful reminder that life’s direction isn’t always linear, and with support, willingness, and self-awareness, we can rebuild stronger foundations.
🎯 Calls to Action
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: 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 -
In this powerful continuation of our conversation with Emily, we explore what life looks like after surviving the unimaginable.
Following her daughter McKenna’s life-saving kidney transplant, Emily shares how her perspective on life, fear, and mindfulness has fundamentally shifted. From navigating the uncertainty of a rare genetic condition to balancing the emotional needs of her entire family, Emily opens up about what it truly means to live in the moment.
This episode dives deep into resilience—not as an idea, but as something lived in real time. Emily discusses how focusing on “the next thing” helped her get through overwhelming circumstances, how her recovery journey intersects with motherhood, and why she now sees life as incredibly precious.
Her story is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we are capable of more than we think.
This is Part 3 of our conversation with Emily.
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This week on Fishing Without Bait, we continue our powerful conversation with returning guest Emily as she shares the next chapter in her daughter McKenna’s incredible journey.
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.
👉 Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app
👉 Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: 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 -
This week on Fishing Without Bait, we continue our deeply moving conversation with returning guest Emily.
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.
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In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim welcomes back returning guest Emily — whose recovery journey inspired many listeners in her previous appearance. This time, she shares a new chapter marked not by addiction, but by maternal instinct, fear, and extraordinary courage.
Emily describes how she sensed something was wrong with her healthy two-year-old daughter weeks before doctors confirmed it. Despite multiple visits and reassurances that it was “just a virus,” her body told her otherwise. The anxiety built until one terrifying afternoon when her daughter collapsed in her arms.
From calling 911, to the helicopter ride to Children’s Hospital, to hearing the words “open heart surgery,” Emily walks us through the moment-by-moment unfolding of crisis. She reflects on fear, being unheard, trust in medical professionals, and the power of intuition.
This is Part 1 of a deeply moving story about resilience, advocacy, recovery, and the spiritual strength that carried her through.
Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you don’t miss Part 2.
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait
Pick up Jim’s book: Learn to Fish Without Bait https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4 -
Part 4 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer dives deep into personal evolution, self-awareness, and the courage to reassess life’s direction. Zeke candidly discusses recognizing when wrestling — something she deeply loves — has become “one of the weeds,” using the metaphor of “planting flowers and pulling weeds” to frame growth and change.
Jim and Zeke explore how “things work until they don’t,” the nature of ignorance (both willful and systemic), and the importance of developing critical thinking skills. The conversation expands into individuality versus group identity, referencing themes echoed in 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, and how society often claims uniqueness while gravitating toward conformity.
The episode closes with a powerful message from Zeke about being yourself, questioning your choices, and understanding that nothing is permanent. This discussion is about reflection, transitions, and knowing which weeds to pull in your own life.
Calls to Action:
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player.
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: 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 -
In Part 3 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer, we dive deeper into themes of identity, perception, and personal growth. Zeke discusses healthcare bias, longstanding societal beliefs, and how misinformation shapes real-world experiences.
The conversation explores the dangers of bitterness and resentment, the balance between ego and skill, and the importance of cultivating environments where people can truly grow. Drawing parallels between wrestling and life, Zeke shares insights on authenticity, competence, and self-respect.
This episode is a reflective and honest exploration of mindfulness, awareness, and the courage to live truthfully.
👉 Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player
👉 Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: 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 -
Part 2 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer dives deeper into the realities behind ambition, sacrifice, and self-worth. Zeke speaks candidly about guiding younger wrestlers, confronting the harsh truth that “wrestling doesn’t owe you a thing,” and the emotional crossroads between acceptance and bitterness.
The conversation expands into integrity, ethical living, and how actions reveal character more than words ever can. Zeke also opens up about her personal evolution, sharing reflections on transitioning, self-discovery, and navigating a world that isn’t always accepting.
This episode is a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and choosing authenticity in the face of judgment.
Calls to Action:
Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player.
Support us on Patreon for ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbaitPick up our book: Learn to Fish Without Bait
https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4 - Show more
