Dave sits down with his lifelong friend of 35 years, Rowdy Reeve, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC). Rowdy shares his fascinating career pivot from law enforcement and owning an indoor shooting range to dedicating his life to community mental health and suicide prevention.

Together, they dive into the complex realities of mental health, unpacking what it really means to find a way out when life feels entirely overwhelming.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The Power of Pivoting: Rowdy opens up about how a tragic suicide at his indoor shooting range, Rowdy’s Range, served as a profound turning point that ultimately led him into clinical therapy.

• Conquering Imposter Syndrome: Even professionals feel like phonies sometimes. Rowdy discusses his own battles with imposter syndrome and explains how the DBT skill "Check the Facts" can ground you when you feel like you don't fit the mold.

• De-stigmatizing Suicide Prevention: Dave and Rowdy bust common myths surrounding suicide—including the false belief that talking openly about it plants the idea in someone's head. Rowdy explains that suicidal ideation is rarely about wanting to end life, but rather a desperate desire to end unbearable pain.

• Crucial Advice for Parents: How to establish a non-judgmental, open-door policy with your children so they never feel "stuck" or isolated in their struggles.

• Healing with Equine Therapy: A fascinating look into Rowdy's current work using horses to help clients process deep-seated emotional challenges, alongside an exciting preview of his private practice, Reevive Counseling.

Important Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges or thoughts of suicide, please know that you are not stuck and you are not alone. Reach out to a professional, talk to someone you trust, or contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately at 988.

Help is always available.

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 (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.

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

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: 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.