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.