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Navigating a Broken Vessel

Navigating a Broken Vessel

By: David Harris
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Finding real peace in the middle of the storm shouldn't feel like a solo voyage. Hosted by David Harris, PhD, Navigating a Broken Vessel is a podcast for Latter-day Saints managing the complexities of Major Depressive Disorder, ADHD, and Anxiety. We move past simple "Sunday School answers" to explore the intersection of clinical science and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Whether you are a "high-achiever" struggling to unmask or a loved one seeking understanding, join us as we navigate faith and mental health with honesty, hope, and purpose. You aren't sailing alone.David Harris Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • 009 - The Lazy Perfectionist
    Mar 24 2026

    In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris takes listeners on a deep dive into his personal ADHD world and what he calls "The Lazy Perfectionist."

    Dave shares a story from his 6th grade days when he tried to woo a girl named "Sally" by telling her to "Shut up!" This funny and relatable anecdote sets the stage for a discussion on how perfectionism and a fear of failure can often lead to a mental paralysis that keeps us from taking the first step.

    Throughout the episode, Dave explores:

    • The Planning Trap: How over-planning can feel like progress while actually preventing action.

    • Mental Paralysis: The feeling of being physically unable to start a task, even when you know it's important.

    • Breaking the Cycle: Dave's practical strategy of focusing on just the very first step, like sitting in a chair or opening a computer.

    • The Power of Medication: How understanding ADHD and using appropriate tools can help manage symptoms like rumination and procrastination.

    Whether you struggle with ADHD yourself or just find yourself stuck in a cycle of planning without doing, this episode offers a humorous and insightful look at how to overcome the hurdles of your own mind.


    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.

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    24 mins
  • 008 - The Golf Ball in My Brain: Kristi's Journey
    Mar 16 2026

    For Kristi—known to some of her friends as "Cute as a Button"—a sudden, massive seizure was the beginning of a life-altering medical odyssey.

    In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, Dave Harris sits down with his long-time friend, Kristi, to discuss the terrifying discovery of a golf ball-sized brain tumor that had likely been growing since birth. Kristi opens up about the missing months of her life, the grueling process of learning to walk and catch a ball again, and the heavy mental toll of being "stuck in her head" while recovering at home.

    It’s a story of survival, but more importantly, it’s a story of community. From envelopes of cash to a town-wide benefit dinner, Kristi shares how a "broken vessel" moment revealed the incredible strength of the people around her—and the new perspective she’s found while watching the sunrise over the Idaho mountains.

    Join the conversation at www.navigatingabrokenvessel.com

    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.

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    29 mins
  • 007 -- Waiting for Rowdy: Why the Right Friend Changes Everything
    Mar 10 2026

    "I was the kid who got bullied, and I was the kid who did the bullying."

    In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, Dave Harris opens up about the messy, complicated reality of middle school social dynamics. From the "Indian burns" at the kindergarten crosswalk to the lonely shifts as a junior high "hall monitor," Dave explores the isolation of being the "nerdy" kid and the misguided attempts to find "coolness" by literally tearing down chain-link fences and acting out.

    But this isn't just a story of being a victim. With refreshing candor, Dave reflects on the guilt he still carries 40 years later for the times he was the one causing pain to others.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • The Kindergarten "Wrong Bus" Incident: A lesson in being book-smart vs. street-smart.

    • The Dual Perspective: What it feels like to be on both sides of the bullying cycle.

    • The Power of One Friend: How meeting Rowdy changed the trajectory of Dave's life.

    • Scriptural Strength: Finding perspective in Doctrine & Covenants 122 and the trials of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail.

    • The Path to Peace: Why returning kindness is the ultimate way to navigate a broken vessel.

    Whether you are currently feeling the weight of being mistreated or looking back on your own past mistakes, this episode offers a message of hope: It gets better, and there is always a "Rowdy" out there for you.

    Connect with us:

    • Email: dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com

    • Socials: @navigatingabrokenvessel on Facebook and Instagram

    • Subscribe: Don't miss an episode—hit the follow button on Spotify!

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    28 mins
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