Fishing Without Bait 488: Are You Being Fooled by Media? The Truth About Manipulation

Are you truly making your own choices—or are they being made for you?

In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike explore how media and advertising manipulate our decisions, shape our identities, and trigger anxiety, fear, and insecurity. From celebrity endorsements to influencer culture to the hidden algorithms behind our social feeds, we ask: what are we really buying into?

🧠 Topics:
• Emotional tactics in advertising
• Influencer culture & identity imitation
• Targeted ads and algorithmic tracking
• Social proof, FOMO, and insecurity
• Mindfulness tools to reclaim your power

“If you’re not paying for it, you are the product.”

🎣 Unplug your TV. Take a breath. Come fish without bait.

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