Several years after their first appearance, Eamon and Merlin return to discuss the significant changes that have shaped their lives. Central to the conversation is their decision to leave Texas and relocate to Pittsburgh, a move motivated by concerns about personal rights, safety, and the desire to live in a community where they could more fully express who they are.

The latest episode of Fishing Without Bait continues Jim Ellermeyer’s powerful conversation with returning guest Joanna Lowe in a deeply honest discussion about grief, trauma, anger, and survival.

Joanna shares the reality of living through devastating loss and what it means to survive when life no longer feels recognizable. Rather than offering easy answers, this episode explores the uncomfortable truths of grief — the loneliness, the rage, the exhaustion, and the need for human connection even when you feel disconnected from everything around you.

The latest episode of Fishing Without Bait continues Jim Ellermeyer’s powerful conversation with returning guest Joanna Lowe in a deeply honest discussion about grief, trauma, anger, and survival.

Joanna shares the reality of living through devastating loss and what it means to survive when life no longer feels recognizable. Rather than offering easy answers, this episode explores the uncomfortable truths of grief — the loneliness, the rage, the exhaustion, and the need for human connection even when you feel disconnected from everything around you.

In this powerful continuation of our conversation with Joanna Lowe, we step into one of the most difficult human experiences: profound, life-altering grief.

Joanna shares the unimaginable reality of losing her husband just months after their marriage—a loss that didn’t just break her heart, but changed her entire sense of identity, time, and connection to the world.

We’re excited to welcome Joanna Lowe back to Fishing Without Bait as we begin a new multi-part conversation.

In this first installment, Joanna shares the origin story of her spoken word career—something she never planned. In fact, it started in a moment where she felt small and powerless. Instead of retreating, she stepped onto a stage, terrified, and performed for the first time.

In episode 513 of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and Mike return to the fundamentals of mindfulness and recovery—focusing on gratitude, awareness, and the people we surround ourselves with.

At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: everyone is in recovery from something. Whether it’s habits, thought patterns, or emotional reactions, growth begins with awareness and intentional change.

In this final part of our conversation with Jessie Notarius, known to wrestling fans as The Unwilting Tatiana, we explore what it truly means to persevere.

Jessie shares the difficult reality behind her journey—recovering from injuries, facing unexpected setbacks, and managing the emotional weight that comes with both. A recent wrist fracture has once again forced her to slow down, but instead of giving up, she’s focusing on healing and rebuilding.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Jessie Notarius—better known as The Unwilting Tatiana—we explore what it really means to value yourself and the life you’re building.

What happens when you lose what you thought was your dream job?

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jessie Notarius—also known as The Unwilting Tatiana—returns to share what life has looked like since her last appearance. After losing her position as a set painter for the Pittsburgh CLO due to budget cuts, Jessie found herself navigating uncertainty, disappointment, and a complete shift in direction.

What does it mean to live through something you never thought you could survive?

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Emily returns to continue sharing her journey following her daughter McKenna’s life-saving kidney transplant. But this conversation goes beyond the medical story—it’s about what comes after.

In this continuation of Emily’s story, she shares the emotional rollercoaster of her daughter McKenna’s recovery—from moments of hope to devastating setbacks in the ICU. Through resilience, advocacy, and unwavering love, Emily recounts how she fought for her daughter’s life and ultimately prepared to give her the ultimate gift: a kidney.

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, we continue our conversation with Emily as she shares one of the most intense and emotional experiences a parent can face. What started as a normal day quickly became a medical emergency that turned her world upside down.

Returning guest Emily once shared her recovery journey with us. In this episode, she returns with a story of a different kind of strength — the strength of a mother who knew something wasn’t right.

Growth isn’t always about adding something new — sometimes it’s about letting something go.

In Part 4 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer, we revisit the idea of “planting flowers and pulling weeds.” Zeke opens up about recognizing that wrestling, while still deeply loved, has become something she may need to step back from. Not out of resentment, but out of awareness. As she explains, things work… until they don’t.

Our conversation with Zeke Mercer continues in Part 3, and this episode moves into some deeply reflective territory.

We explore how beliefs can sometimes overpower facts, particularly in healthcare and societal narratives. Zeke offers candid perspectives on bias, misinformation, and the lived experience of being talked over or misunderstood.

Part 2 of our conversation with Zeke Mercer continues with an honest look at sacrifice, expectations, and the cost of pursuing a dream.

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer sits down with pro wrestler Zeke Mercer (she/her) for a reflective conversation about burnout, identity, and mindful decision-making. Zeke shares her long-term plan to step away from wrestling after nearly a decade—not because she’s stopped loving it, but because she recognizes the need for balance.

In Part 4 of our ongoing conversation with Shane Chojnacki — pro wrestler and fighter known as The Savage Gentleman Victor Benjamin — we explore what happens when life forces us to slow down and truly look at where we are.

In Part 3 of our powerful conversation with Shane Chojnacki — MMA fighter, boxing coach, personal trainer, and pro wrestler known as The Savage Gentleman Victor Benjamin — we dive deeper into resilience, purpose, and perspective.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Shane Chojnacki—MMA fighter, boxing coach, and professional wrestler known as The Savage Gentleman Victor Benjamin—we dive deeper into the decisions that shaped his life and career.