Fishing Without Bait: A Full Impact Mindfulness Podcast

What if you aren’t broken and don’t need to be “fixed”? In Fishing Without Bait Episode 533, host Jim Ellermeyer welcomes Melissa Carey for Part 1 of a four-part conversation about mindfulness, anxiety, self-awareness, and reconnecting with ourselves. Melissa begins with a powerful reflection on learning to love who she is today. From there, she and Jim explore her belief that we are already whole, even when layers of experience, relationships, expectations, and our own self-talk make that wholeness difficult to recognize. Melissa discusses the anxiety and life transitions that often bring people looking for support and explains why listening is at the heart of her approach. Drawing from her background in music therapy and her work with sound, meditation, breathwork, and energy practices, she shares one deceptively simple starting point: notice your breath. Jim and Melissa also discuss mindfulness during both difficult and positive moments, learning from obstacles, practicing coping tools before a crisis arrives, and why sometimes the most helpful next step is simply encouraging someone to seek an impartial ear through counseling or therapy. This is Part 1 of our conversation with Melissa Carey. Learn more about Melissa and her work with Into the Spirit Healing at: intothespirithealing.life Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player. Support Fishing Without Bait on Patreon and receive ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait Pick 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 3 of our conversation with Austin Cairns, host Jim Ellermeyer explores what Austin has learned from working in professional wrestling and sports broadcasting—and how those experiences connect with the mindfulness principles at the heart of Fishing Without Bait. Austin opens up about the colorful personalities he has encountered in independent wrestling, along with a less glamorous side of the business: tribalism. He discusses the tension that can develop between promotions, the pressure of navigating different groups, and why he believes collaboration can ultimately make wrestling better. The conversation then moves beyond the wrestling ring and into Austin’s expanding broadcasting career. He shares his experience contributing Pittsburgh Steelers reports for radio, reflects on interviewing established Pittsburgh sports broadcasters, and talks about his long-term goal of traveling and working in broadcasting on a larger stage. Jim and Austin also explore changes in sports culture, including NIL, fantasy sports, sports gambling, and the increasingly common sight of fans watching their phones instead of the event happening directly in front of them. That observation leads directly back to mindfulness. Austin describes himself as someone who wants to live in the moment, and when Jim asks what advice he would give someone pursuing a dream, Austin’s answer is simple: put yourself out there. Growth rarely happens by waiting for the perfect opportunity or remaining completely comfortable. Austin reflects on going from a shy student to working across sports, wrestling, radio, television, and journalism by accepting opportunities that pushed him beyond what felt familiar. It’s a conversation about ambition without losing awareness of where you are right now—and having the courage to enter uncomfortable spaces in order to discover what you can become. Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player. Support Fishing Without Bait and receive ad-free episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait Pick 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

Sometimes the hardest accomplishment to recognize is your own. In Part 2 of Jim Ellermeyer's conversation with sportscaster Austin Cairns, Austin opens up about learning to slow down and appreciate the people, experiences, and accomplishments already in his life. Austin talks about the trusted circle of family and longtime friends who have been there for him and how, especially during college, constantly trying to “go, go, go” could quickly lead to burnout. More recently, he has learned to put down the phone, step away from the computer, spend time with his family, and remember that time may be more valuable than money. The conversation also follows Austin's educational and professional journey from CCAC to Point Park University and into the world of sports broadcasting. He recalls helping create a live charity event at Point Park that combined sports, entertainment, media, and professional wrestling and ultimately raised more than $365,000. But even after accomplishing something that significant, Austin admits that being proud of himself didn't come naturally. Jim and Austin discuss the difference between arrogance and confidence and why recognizing your own progress doesn't mean putting yourself above anyone else. For Austin, that lesson also meant realizing that the kid who grew up watching professional wrestling was now calling matches, working in sports, creating content, and meeting people he once watched on television. Austin also shares how an internship with an independent wrestling promotion gave him a foot in the door, what he learned from experienced broadcasters, and why storytelling is such an important part of professional wrestling commentary. It's a conversation about gratitude, purpose, family, ambition, burnout, confidence, and giving yourself permission to acknowledge how far you've already come. Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait wherever you listen to podcasts. Listen without the ads and support the show through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait Continue your mindfulness practice with “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 1 of our conversation with Austin Cairns, Jim Ellermeyer explores how a shy kid who wasn't sure what he wanted to do began creating a path toward broadcasting. Austin grew up in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, attending a small high school where opportunities could be limited. Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived during his high school years. Remote learning, isolation, uncertainty, fear for his frontline-worker parents, and spending most of his time at home left Austin feeling increasingly complacent and unsure about what came next. A seemingly ordinary moment with his father changed his perspective. While watching ESPN together, Austin's father told him he could imagine his son working in television. Austin didn't immediately believe him. At the time, he considered himself shy and struggled to imagine speaking comfortably into a microphone, much less appearing on camera. But Austin tried. He started looking for opportunities wherever he could find them. His first announcing experience came introducing his high school's marching band during football halftime. That small opportunity connected him with his first mentor in broadcasting and eventually led to announcing more school sports. Austin also began creating his own practice. He muted television broadcasts and attempted play-by-play himself. He practiced wrestling commentary. He cut mock promos. He recorded his voice and listened back, even when hearing himself made him cringe. That discomfort became part of the education. Jim and Austin discuss the importance of repetition, getting outside the comfort zone, learning through failure, and being willing to ask, “How can I improve this?” Austin also reflects on the people who helped him move forward, including his family and Pittsburgh broadcasting mentor Alby Oxenreiter. A relationship that began with Austin listening closely to an experienced broadcaster eventually developed into a moment where Austin was asked to take the lead himself. Underlying the entire conversation is something central to Fishing Without Bait: we don't have to wait until we feel completely ready before taking action. Sometimes the first step is simply trying. Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player and follow the conversation as Austin Cairns continues sharing how he got here from there. Support the podcast and receive ad-free episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait Continue your own mindfulness practice with “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

Why are we revisiting this episode now? As students head back to school, conversations around social media, young people, screen time, online identity, and mental health are once again dominating the news. Recent legal action involving major social media platforms has also renewed questions about how these spaces are designed and how they affect the people using them. That makes this conversation from Fishing Without Bait Episode 452, originally released January 14, 2025, feel particularly timely. Jim Ellermeyer is joined by Chris Maverick, professor of digital narrative interactive design at the University of Pittsburgh and a former professional wrestler, for a fascinating discussion about storytelling, performance, identity, escapism, and mindfulness. Chris draws a connection between professional wrestling and social media: both involve creating a version of yourself for an audience. The difference is that we usually understand that a professional wrestler is playing a character. On social media, those lines aren't always as clear. We see someone's vacations, accomplishments, relationships, perfect photos, opinions, and carefully selected moments—but rarely see the arguments, frustrations, insecurities, bills, bad days, or ordinary moments happening outside the frame. When we compare our complete lives to someone else's edited presentation, we create expectations that reality can never satisfy. Jim and Chris explore: • Why social media should be understood partly as a performance medium • The difference between a person's online identity and everyday reality • How comparison can distort our expectations of our own lives • Why professional wrestling offers an interesting lesson about personas and storytelling • The role of escapism and entertainment • How mindfulness helps us separate what is real from what is being presented to us • Why even successful relationships contain arguments, frustrations, and ordinary problems • The importance of paying attention to the life directly in front of us The technology continues to change, but the central Fishing Without Bait question remains the same: What do you know for sure, and what is actually right in front of you? Originally released January 14, 2025. Learn more about Chris Maverick and the VoxPopcast: www.voxpopcast.com Find more Fishing Without Bait: www.FishingWithoutBait.com Support Fishing Without Bait: www.patreon.com/fishingwithoutbait