Fishing Without Bait 533: You Are Already Whole w/ Melissa Carey

What if you are already whole? In Fishing Without Bait Episode 533, Jim Ellermeyer begins a four-part conversation with Melissa Carey about mindfulness, anxiety, self-love, breathwork, and learning how to return to the moment in front of us. Melissa explains why anxiety is so often beneath the struggles people bring into her work and why her first response is often simply to listen. With a background in music therapy, she discusses sound, meditation, breathing, and the importance of giving people room to reconnect with themselves. Jim and Melissa also explore: • Learning to love and accept yourself • The idea that we may already be whole • Anxiety and feeling disconnected from ourselves • Listening instead of immediately trying to fix • Music therapy and guided meditation • Returning to the breath • Mindfulness and gratitude • Learning through obstacles • Living life moment by moment • Practicing coping skills before you desperately need them • Knowing when professional counseling or therapy may help This is Part 1 of our conversation with Melissa Carey. Learn more about Melissa: intothespirithealing.life 🎧 Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player. ❤️ Support the show and receive ad-free episodes:   / fishingwithoutbait   📖 Pick up “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book”: https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-eller... 00:00 Welcome to Fishing Without Bait 00:51 Meet Melissa Carey 02:38 Helping People Find Their Authentic Selves 05:00 Why People Seek Support 06:00 Anxiety, Disconnection, and Regulation 06:44 Melissa’s Approach: Listening First 07:48 Music Therapy, Breath Work, Reiki, and Meditation 09:48 Understanding Energy and the “Feel” of a Room 11:47 Trust, Openness, and Willingness to Try 12:35 Melissa’s Early Life and Path to Music Therapy 14:47 A Gay and His Enby Promo 15:14 Fishing Without Bait Patreon Update 16:21 How Obstacles Help Shape Our Lives 16:56 Mindfulness, Gratitude, and Life’s Challenges 17:50 Training Your Mind to Notice the Positive 19:18 We Live Our Lives in Moments 20:25 What Does It Mean to Be “Awake”? 21:08 Using the Breath to Quiet Mental Chatter 22:24 Practice Coping Skills Before You Need Them 23:40 You Can’t Take Someone Further Than You’ve Gone 24:06 Meeting Basic Needs Before Spiritual Growth 25:44 Knowing When Therapy or Counseling Can Help 26:34 Closing Thoughts and Fishing Without Bait Wisdom