Fishing Without Bait

What does it actually mean to fish without bait? In Episode 529 of Fishing Without Bait, behavioral health therapist Jim Ellermeyer sits down with Producer Mike for a return to the fundamental ideas that have shaped the podcast through more than 500 episodes. At the center of the conversation is a simple relationship between expectations and serenity: “The greater your expectations, the lower your serenity. The lower your expectations, the greater your serenity.” Jim and Mike explore the difference between setting rigid expectations and setting intentions. An expectation can turn life into a pass/fail exercise where anything short of a particular outcome feels like failure. An intention gives us direction while allowing us to remain present, curious, and responsive to what actually happens. That leads to another question Mike asks himself: “What am I working so hard to get to?” Jim's answer is equally simple: “There is no there.” The conversation expands into emotional honesty and the ways people avoid