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.
Welcome to Season 2 of Navigating a Broken Vessel! After a four-week hiatus, Dave Harris returns to unpack what happens when ADHD hyperfocus takes the driver's seat.
In this season kickoff, Dave explores:
The Reality of Hyperfocus: How entering the "flow state" can feel like a superpower while simultaneously throwing daily routines, meals, and schedules completely off track.
The Plateau Problem: Why stopping a project at a natural resting point makes it almost impossible to start up again, and why leaving tasks "unfilled" keeps the brain hooked.
Flow vs. Function: The struggle of balancing deep-dive creative streaks with real-world obligations and personal health.
Hiatus Projects: A look into what captured Dave's focus over the last month, including software builds like steadywitness.com and joyfulaccord.com.
The Podcaster's Dilemma: Navigating the limited feedback loop of mass communication and why hearing from listeners makes all the difference.
Connect & Share Your Feedback:
Website: navigatingabrokenvessel.com (https://navigatingabrokenvessel.com?utm_source=gemini)
Email: dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com
Socials: @navigatingabrokenvessel on Facebook & Instagram
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.
22 Aug 2026
30 -- Tough People Do Tough Things
Host Dave Harris sits down with long-time friend Lara Jackson to discuss her extraordinary journey through chronic pain, medical misdiagnoses, and profound personal trials.
Lara opens up about feeling as though her body was "broken," detailing a decade-long battle with debilitating headaches, severe eye conditions, and painful miscarriages—until a surprising Celiac disease diagnosis finally brought answers. She also candidly shares the emotional toll of caregiver burnout while supporting her husband through severe physical pain, medication-induced mania, and complex mental health challenges, all while raising three young children.
In this episode, we discuss:
Uncovering Hidden Root Causes: How going gluten-free cured years of debilitating pain initially diagnosed as cluster headaches.
The Heartbreak of Infertility & Loss: Processing recurrent miscarriages, postpartum depression, and the emotional weight of medical finality.
Navigating Mental & Physical Crises in Marriage: Supporting a spouse through Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, and Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Finding Light in the Dark: The power of prayer, faith, and how her children served as daily "miracles" that kept her moving forward.
Laura’s story is a powerful testament to human resilience, reminding us that even when we feel under the water and breathing through a straw, we are strong enough to keep surviving.
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.
12 Aug 2026
29 -- Why I Believe
Dave Harris opens up about his personal journey of faith, mental health, and the defining moments that shaped his testimony. From childhood encounters with tragedy to navigating scrupulosity and returning home early from his LDS mission, Dave shares an honest reflection on why he continues to believe, even when life is far from a fairytale.
Key Topics in This Episode:
Life-Shaping Experiences: Reflections on witnessing tragedy as a young boy and how unspoken trauma impacts mental and spiritual well-being.
The Crucible of Scrupulosity: Facing religious OCD, feelings of inadequacy, and the difficult decision to return home early from the Wellington, New Zealand mission.
The Anchor Point: A powerful spiritual experience at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) while hearing the account of Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
Faith Over Perfection: Why trials aren't faith-destroyers, but invitations to stay humble, grounded, and reliant on Jesus Christ.
Connect & Share:
Email: dave@navigatingabrokenvessel.com
Website: navigatingabrokenvessel.com
Socials: Search @navigatingabrokenvessel on Facebook and Instagram
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.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
13 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
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