Navigating a Broken Vessel

017 - Ask Us Anything

In this highly requested episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris is joined by his absolute favorite guest—his wife, co-adventurer, and the show's producer, Shelly Harris! Instead of our usual deep-dive interviews, Dave and Shelly are pulling back the curtain to answer listener-submitted questions. Together, they open up about the raw, day-to-day realities of managing mental health, neurodivergence, and relationships. Inside the Episode: * The Secret to a Resilient Marriage: How they have navigated decades of stress, anxiety, and depression together while staying happily married (hint: it’s all about communication). * Practicing Metacognition: Dave shares a powerful perspective shift from his therapist on how to look at yourself from the outside in to stop a negative downward spiral before it starts. * Social Anxiety vs. Outgoing Personality: How Dave manages social anxiety (even around family) and why "faking it till you make it" is sometimes part of the journey. * The ADHD Revelation: Shelly breaks down how discovering Dave's ADHD and utilizing tools like "body doubling" completely transformed how they support each other. * What a "Bad Mental Health Day" Actually Looks Like: Dave shares a powerful metaphor of what depression feels like and how he relies on "treading water" routines to make it through. * A Sneak Peek at What's Next: Shelly previews upcoming, deeply powerful episodes featuring Dave's best friend Rowdy, Eric Dyches, and Kim Dellis. A note from Dave: "Life is not designed to be easy or perfect. By experiencing these trials, we become better people. Trust your past self, take it one day at a time, and remember—you are doing better than you think you are." Connect with Us! We want to hear from you! If you have a question or a topic you want us to unpack in Part 2, reach out: * Email: Dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com * Website: navigatingabrokenvessel.com [http://navigatingabrokenvessel.com] (Listen to all past episodes here!) * Socials: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @navigatingabrokenvessel * Watch on YouTube: Prefer video? Subscribe and watch our full studio video podcast! Disclaimer: We are not medical or mental health professionals. This podcast is based entirely on our personal perspectives and lived experiences and should not be taken as medical advice.

016 - A Transformative Mental Health Treatment

Dave welcomes back Kody, a nurse practitioner with over six years of experience, to dive deep into the world of ketamine infusions and their role in modern mental health. This conversation explores ketamine’s transformative shift into the mental health space over the last ten years. Kody breaks down the science behind sub-anesthetic dosing, explaining how it targets NMDA receptors and glutamate to help the brain form new neural pathways and "reset" from conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. In this episode, we discuss: * The "Kids in the Car" Analogy: A unique look at the dissociative state and how it allows the mind and body to heal independently of one another. * Treatment Methods: The differences between IV infusions, injections, and the FDA-approved nasal spray, Spravato. * The Patient Experience: Dave shares his personal journey with treatments, describing the visual and spiritual clarity often found during the process. * Preparation & Intention: Why coming in with an intention rather than an expectation is crucial for a successful session. * Safety & Accessibility: Addressing the financial aspects, insurance hurdles, and the importance of professional medical supervision. Whether you are a skeptic or someone looking for new hope in your mental health journey, this episode offers a grounded, expert perspective on one of the most promising tools in clinical psychology today. Our web site: https://www.navigatingabrokenvessel.com [https://www.navigatingabrokenvessel.com] Listen to Navigating a Broken Vessel: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingABrokenVessel [https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingABrokenVessel] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-a-broken-vessel/id1871965350 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-a-broken-vessel/id1871965350] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AhjZOhsDA97bJkUjLUuI9 [https://open.spotify.com/show/3AhjZOhsDA97bJkUjLUuI9] Amazon/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8044ee2c-27fd-49af-b3e4-deac81905161/navigating-a-broken-vessel [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8044ee2c-27fd-49af-b3e4-deac81905161/navigating-a-broken-vessel] iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-navigating-a-broken-vessel-319371772/ [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-navigating-a-broken-vessel-319371772/] Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navigatingabrokenvessel [https://www.facebook.com/navigatingabrokenvessel] Instagram: @navigatingabrokenvessel Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or therapist before beginning any new treatment.

015 - How to Differentiate Faith from Obsessive Thoughts

Dave Harris sits down with Lennon Jones, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety, to tackle one of the most confusing intersections of mental health and religion: Scrupulosity. Have you ever found yourself paralyzed, wondering if a thought was a prompting from the Spirit or just an intrusive, obsessive doubt? This conversation dives deep into how Religious OCD manifests as an extreme intolerance of uncertainty, often turning faith into a cycle of fear rather than a source of peace. In this episode, we explore: * Why OCD is less about perfectionism and more about a relentless cycle of intrusive thoughts and temporary relief through compulsions. * Scrupulosity: How members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints might struggle with black-and-white thinking regarding commandments and repentance. * Spirit vs. OCD: Learning to distinguish between the calm, encouraging nature of the Spirit and the negative, relentless, obsessive thoughts that come from some other source. * The Reassurance Trap: Why telling someone to "just stop worrying" doesn't work and why seeking constant reassurance can actually feed the OCD cycle. * Tools for Recovery: An introduction to Exposure Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as paths to reclaiming your mental and spiritual well-being. Living with OCD can feel like trying to have a meaningful conversation while a smoke alarm is blaring in the background. Join us as we discuss how to turn down the noise and find genuine peace. Connect with Navigating a Broken Vessel: * Website: navigatingabrokenvessel.com [http://navigatingabrokenvessel.com] * Socials: @navigatingabrokenvessel * Email: Dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional healthcare or therapy.

014 - My Breakthrough

Host Dave Harris shares a major personal breakthrough that has been a week in the making. What started as a return to therapy to tackle a food addiction turned into a life-altering revelation about how his brain actually works. Dave leans into his expertise in Artificial Intelligence to navigate this new territory, using AI to bridge the gap between a professional observation and a deeply personal understanding of neurodivergence. Inside the Breakthrough: * The Reveal: After a three-year hiatus, Dave’s therapist drops a "lightbulb" observation: he likely fits the profile for AuDHD—a combination of ADHD and autism. * AI as a Mirror: As an AI professional, Dave uses Gemini to decode the tug-of-war between his ADHD’s craving for novelty and his autistic need for routine. * The Project Graveyard: A look at why Dave is "Mr. 80%," from unfinished sweaters and oil paintings to a double bass that’s currently more of a bedroom ornament than an instrument. * A New Map: Understanding the analogy of using a map of London while in Tokyo—realizing he isn't a failed version of a "normal" person, but a perfectly functional version of a different kind of person. "I spent years trying to use a map for London while I was trying to drive in Tokyo. Both are great cities, but the directions just don't work if you've got a map for the wrong city." Connect with Dave: * Website: navigatingabrokenvessel.com [http://navigatingabrokenvessel.com] * Facebook/Instagram: @navigatingabrokenvessel * Email: dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com If this episode resonated with you, check out the previous episode, "The Lazy Perfectionist," for more context on the "80%" struggle. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and personal storytelling purposes only. Dave is not a medical professional. If you are exploring neurodivergence or mental health concerns, please consult with a qualified professional.

013 -- Anchored in the Storm

What happens to a marriage when the foundational beliefs of one spouse begin to shift? Following our conversation with Tifani Holt, we sit down with her husband, Kody Holt, to hear the other side of the story. In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris explores the emotional and spiritual journey of a husband navigating his wife’s faith crisis within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kody opens up about the moment he realized Tifani’s questions were moving beyond simple curiosity into a deep-seated crisis of faith. He shares the struggle of fighting his natural "fixer" instinct and how he learned to replace judgment with unconditional love. * The "Toolbox" vs. the "Trash Can": Why Kody had to stop trying to "fix" Tifani’s doubts and start simply listening. * A Stake President’s Profound Advice: The specific counsel Kody received during a temple recommend interview that sustained him through the darkest months. * Parenting Through Transition: How the Holts navigated church attendance and spiritual education for their three children while holding different beliefs. * Setting Boundaries with Love: The difficult conversations regarding lifestyle changes, new social circles, and maintaining the sanctity of their home. * The Turning Point of Counseling: Why taking divorce "off the table" was the most critical step in their healing process. "If I would have tried to control that situation, we would not be together today. She needed to go through this... and if I would have tried to control the situation, it would have pushed her away 100%." — Kody Holt Kody’s story is a testament to the idea that a marriage can not only survive a faith transition but emerge stronger, more honest, and more deeply rooted in love than ever before. Our web site: https://www.navigatingabrokenvessel.com [https://www.navigatingabrokenvessel.com] Socials: * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/navigatingabrokenvessel [https://www.facebook.com/navigatingabrokenvessel] * Instagram: @navigatingabrokenvessel Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional, and this should not be taken as any kind of medical advice. If you need assistance, I highly recommend working with mental health professionals. I use many myself.