Navigating a Broken Vessel – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris steps away from childhood reflections to give an honest, "here and now" look into his current daily life, personal struggles, and the unique frameworks he uses to manage them.

Dave opens up about his busy dual callings within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—serving as a Stake Technology Specialist and as a Service Missionary alongside his wife at the St. George Tabernacle. Drawing from his 35-year background in audio and video production, he explains the logistics of setting up live events from scratch and how a lifetime on the road taught him the critical value of a good checklist.

The conversation goes much deeper than microphones and cables, however. Dave dives into how his neurodiversity—navigating both autism and ADHD—shapes his daily habits and spiritual journey. While religious counsel often warns against treating faith like a mindless checklist, Dave explains why rigid structure is exactly what his brain requires to fight procrastination and actively "do" the things that bring him closer to God. From his robotic morning routines to breaking scripture study down to just one single verse to get started, this episode offers a refreshing look at adapting spiritual habits to the way your brain is wired.

Inside this episode:

• Behind the Scenes at the Tabernacle: What it takes to run audio production for community performances and large stake conferences.

• The Neurodiverse Balancing Act: How Dave manages the structure-loving needs of autism alongside the novelty-seeking tendencies of ADHD.

• The Power of the "Bare Minimum" Checklist: Why micro-goals are a highly effective workaround for chronic procrastination.

• "Bring Everything for Anything": Taking a golden rule from an old production boss and applying it directly to mental health and spiritual preparation.

• Email: Reach out directly at dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com.

• Social Media: Find the community on Facebook and Instagram by searching Navigating a Broken Vessel.

Task completed. Enjoy the episode!

In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris sits down with Eric Dyches to discuss a topic that is too often shrouded in silence: postpartum depression, anxiety, and maternal mental health.

Eric opens up about his late wife, Emily, who developed severe postpartum anxiety and depression following the traumatic birth of their fifth child. He candidly shares the confusion of navigating her diagnosis, the heartbreaking loss of Emily, and his subsequent journey through grief, faith, and rebuilding a life. Now remarried to his wife, Leslie—who also lost a spouse to mental illness—Eric talks about the beautiful, complex reality of blending a family of eight children and finding joy after trauma.

This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, the critical importance of maternal mental health resources, and the reality that there is always hope, even in the darkest valleys.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The Reality of Postpartum Anxiety & OCD: Understanding that maternal mental health struggles can look like hyper-vigilance, panic, and worry, rather than just sadness.

• Grief as a Lifelong Journey: Eric shares how he handles the ongoing process of healing without trying to "move on" from Emily’s memory.

• The "Tossed Salad" of Blended Families: Navigating the shifting identities and challenges of blending five children and three children into one household.

• Post-Traumatic Growth & Empathy: How experiencing profound loss completely shifts how we view human suffering and extend compassion to others.

• Advocacy & Action: Turning pain into purpose through foundations and clinics dedicated to women's maternal and hormonal health.

Resources & Support Mentioned This Episode:

If you or a loved one are struggling with postpartum mood disorders, please know you are not alone. Reach out to the professional resources discussed by Eric:

• The Emily Effect: A foundation dedicated to raising awareness, erasing the stigma of maternal mental health dysphoria, and letting mothers know they are not alone.

• Serenity – A Healing Center for Moms: Offering intensive outpatient and general therapy support tailored specifically for mothers in Utah (Draper & Provo locations).Website: serenityrw.com

  Auri Medical: A clinic co-founded by Eric and his sister (a nurse practitioner) focusing heavily on women’s health, hormone replacement therapy, and perimenopause/menopause care.Website: ⁠aurimedicalutah.com

  
  

• Website: navigatingabrokenvessel.com

• Email Dave: Dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com

• Social Media: Find us on Facebook and Instagram at NavigatingaBrokenVessel

Disclaimer: The host and guest of this podcast are not medical professionals. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or severe postpartum symptoms, please consult a licensed medical professional or contact the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

In this poignant episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris sits down with longtime friend Melissa Barney to explore the often-overlooked perspective of the person behind the struggle.

Melissa shares her deeply personal journey as the spouse of Derek Barney, whose transformation from opioid addiction to becoming a professional therapist was featured in a previous episode. Melissa opens up about the isolation, fear, and sheer exhaustion of holding a family together while a loved one faces their darkest trials.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The loneliness of being a caregiver and the feeling of being forgotten by the community during a crisis.

• Why self-care is vital—yet seemingly impossible—when you are juggling the safety of your children and the survival of your spouse.

• How a timely blessing from a Church leader and a commitment to constant prayer provided the strength to endure.

• The healing that comes from the Church’s Addiction Recovery Program and realizing you are never as alone as you feel.

• Choosing a proactive path of discipleship and compassion rather than succumbing to anger or blame.

Melissa’s story is a testament to the refining power of trials and the incredible empathy that grows from surviving the fire. Whether you are currently in the middle of a trial or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers a grounded, honest look at finding hope on the other side.

Connect with us:

• Website: navigatingabrokenvessel.com

• Social Media: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @NavigatingABrokenVessel

• Email: Reach out to Dave at dave@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.

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.

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.

"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!

In this deeply personal and moving episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris sits down with his sister-in-law, Ashley Harris, to explore a journey of sudden joy followed by unimaginable trial.

Ashley shares the whirlwind story of meeting and marrying Dave’s brother, Ken—a man known for his quick wit and infectious humor. Their "blended" life was a beautiful chaos of nine children and a 16-passenger van with a very unique license plate. However, their happiness was soon met with a series of grueling health crises. While Ashley battled a life-threatening pregnancy, Ken was fighting a silent, worsening battle with ulcerative colitis.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Rabbits" Van: The humor and lightheartedness that defined Ken and Ashley’s relationship, even in the middle of a hectic household.

• A Season of Suffering: The physical and emotional toll of simultaneous medical emergencies, leading up to the birth of their son, "Giblets," on Thanksgiving.

• The Chinese Farmer Parable: A profound story Ken shared from his hospital bed that reframes how we view "good" and "bad" events in our lives.

• The Power of Proactive Service: Ashley reflects on the friends and neighbors who didn't just ask "what can I do?" but stepped in to carry her through the darkest days of grief.

• Refinement Through Fire: How Ashley’s experience with loss has shaped her new path toward becoming a marriage and family therapist.

Join us for a conversation about the exquisite pain of loss and the exquisite joy that eventually follows. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the strength found in the communities that surround us when our vessels feel most broken.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• ⁠The Parable of the Chinese Farmer⁠

• ⁠The Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant⁠

Connect with us:

• Website: ⁠navigatingabrokenvessel.com⁠

• Facebook/Instagram: @NavigatingABrokenVessel

• Email: dave@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.

In this deeply personal episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, Dave opens up about a staggering seven-year stretch that has fundamentally altered his family’s landscape. From the sudden loss of his father in a freak accident to the passing of two brothers and the life-altering injuries of another, Dave reflects on a series of tragedies that would leave anyone asking, "Who’s next?"

But this isn't just a story of loss—it’s a roadmap for survival. Dave shares the specific mental health tools and spiritual foundations that keep him from slipping into the pit of clinical depression and anxiety.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Story of the Ladder: A tribute to Dave’s father and the unexpected nature of grief.

• Family Dynamics: Remembering Ken’s humor and Brian’s legacy.

• The "Who’s Next?" Syndrome: How to handle the hyper-vigilance and fear that come after multiple family tragedies.

• The Crumpled Paper Technique: A practical visualization tool Dave uses to stop intrusive, negative thoughts in their tracks.

• The Triumph of Showing Up: Why recording this very episode is a victory over ADHD and depression.

Whether you are walking through your own "broken vessel" moment or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a candid look at how faith, thought control, and celebrating small wins can help you navigate the heaviest of trials.

Connect with us:

• Website: navigatingabrokenvessel.com

• Facebook/Instagram: @navigatingabrokenvessel

• Email: Dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris sits down with Derek Barney, a Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor and owner of A Way Back Counseling.

Derek opens up about his powerful personal journey, from battling a severe pain pill addiction and a life-altering arrest to finding healing through the support of others. Now a professional counselor, he shares his "three pillars" approach to wellness—physical, mental, and spiritual—and offers compassionate advice for those struggling with depression, ADHD, and the stigma of seeking help.

• The Turning Point: Derek discusses how an injury led to addiction and how a supportive therapist helped him reclaim his life.

• The Three Pillars: Why nourishing your physical, mental, and spiritual health is essential for alignment.

• Overcoming Depression: Practical first steps for those finding it hard to get out of bed, including the power of routine and "baby steps".

• Learn About Bowie: How Derek’s therapy dog-in-training provides emotional support and comfort to clients.

• A Way Back Counseling: Learn about Derek’s clinic in Washington, Utah, and their mission to provide affordable, expert therapy.

Whether you are navigating your own "broken vessel" or supporting a loved one, this episode serves as a reminder that small successes are worth celebrating and that nobody has to walk the path to recovery alone.

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.

Have you ever felt the crushing weight of unmet expectations? In this episode of Navigating a Broken Vessel, host Dave Harris dives deep into a phrase that has echoed throughout his life since seventh grade: "Capable of doing better".

Dave shares a vulnerable and honest look at his journey from being a "study hall" regular in elementary school to struggling with a 1.87 GPA in high school. He reflects on the psychological toll of perfectionism and how setting the bar at "perfect" can lead to a cycle of perpetual disappointment.

• The Mid-Term Trauma: How four simple words from a teacher in 1990 became a lifelong internal critic.

• The "Study Hall" Cycle: Memories of Mr. Oldoerp and the fear of falling short in the fourth grade.

• The Perfectionist’s Trap: A look at Dave’s career in live television and the stress of "post-mortem" meetings where anything less than flawless was a failure.

• Finding the "Game": How Dave learned to navigate higher education—earning multiple degrees by turning the challenge into a competition with himself rather than a quest for perfection.

• Be Ye Therefore Perfect... Eventually: A reflection on Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s 2017 talk and learning to embrace the "eventually" in personal growth.

Dave offers practical, grounded advice for anyone struggling to get out of bed or feeling "stuck" in their career or mental health journey. Learn why celebrating minuscule successes and "turning off the brain" to let the body take over can be the first step toward becoming unstuck.

"If we set the bar at perfection, we will always be disappointed because every single one of us is capable of doing better." — Dave Harris

Listen now to reframe your failures and find peace in the pursuit of "better."

Link to talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:

Be Ye Therefore Perfect -- Eventually

Connect with the Show:

• Our web site: https://www.navigatingabrokenvessel.com

Listen to Navigating a Broken Vessel

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingABrokenVessel
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-a-broken-vessel/id1871965350
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AhjZOhsDA97bJkUjLUuI9
• Amazon/Audible: 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/

Social:

• Facebook: 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.