Defeating The Darkness

In this episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather sits down with former FBI agent and police officer Rob Preijers to unpack one of the most harrowing nights of his life. Rob shares the gripping, real-life story of an undercover drug sting gone sideways. An operation that ended in a deadly shootout, a paralyzed suspect, and Rob barely escaping with his life. With raw honesty and sharp detail, Rob...

In this episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather sits down with Julie Green, author of A Thousand Little Memories: A Mother’s Pilgrimage to Reclaim Joy After Traumatic Loss. Julie opens up about her journey through unthinkable grief, navigating the pain of loss while finding healing, faith, and hope along the way. Her story is a tender yet courageous reminder that even in the darkest valleys, jo...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Martha, founder of A Quarter Blue, we explore the journey of reclaiming value and purpose after trauma. Martha shares the hard but hope-filled process of healing, the power of speaking your truth, and why giving survivors both a voice and a choice changes lives. This is a conversation about courage, advocacy, and the kind of hope that turns pain into purpose.🎧 F...

For this episode, Heather sits down with Martha Wade, the founder of AQuarterBlue, an organization devoted to helping survivors of sexual abuse find healing, hope, and a voice. Martha opens up about her own story, what led her to create the nonprofit, and how her team is working to educate, equip, and empower individuals and communities through trauma informed care and advocacy. Whether you’re a s...

Join Heather Brown in Episode 46 of Defeating the Darkness as she sits down with Brady Finta, former FBI Special Agent turned forensic accountant extraordinaire. Together, they dig into the art of following the money. From shell corporations and offshore accounts to elaborate embezzlement schemes. Learn how Brady and his team unravel complex financial webs, use data analytics to pinpoint wrongdoin...

In Episode 45, Heather Brown sits down with Gina L. Osborn. She's a former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge and U.S. Army Intelligence Officer. This conversation cover things about cybercrime, cartels, and leadership in high stakes investigations. With decades of experience chasing down hackers, Gina offers an inside look into the digital threats facing our world and the mindset needed to lea...

In this episode, Heather Brown sits down with former Orange County Homicide Investigator Bob Taft for an unfiltered look into the world of homicide investigations. With decades of experience under his belt, Bob shares what it really takes to track down killers, the emotional weight of confronting violent crime, and how he processed the toll these cases took on his own life. From the adrenaline of...

In Episode 43 of Defeating the Darkness, Heather Brown sits down with longtime friend and fellow attorney Jeffrey “Sally” Salberg for a conversation about what it really takes to seek justice in some of the most heartbreaking and high stakes cases. Heather opens up about her time in the courtroom sharing powerful stories of child abuse, domestic violence, and homicide cases that changed her foreve...

In the final part of this gripping 3-part series, former Detective Ryan Peters and Heather Brown go even deeper into the aftermath of a brutal case that tested everything from investigative skill to emotional endurance. Ryan reflects on the toll this case took on him personally, the lessons learned, and why writing his book LEFT became a critical step in processing trauma and reclaiming truth. Thi...

The hunt for evil continues in Part 2 of our chilling conversation with former Detective Ryan Peters, author of LEFT. In this episode, Detective Ryan Peters shares deeper insights from one of the most traumatic cases of his career. See how it shaped his views on justice, trauma, and the human capacity for survival. We explore the moment when truth met tactics, the toll this work takes on the peopl...

In this gripping first part of a 3-part series, former detective Ryan Peters joins Heather Brown to share the chilling true story that inspired his novel Left . It’s the case he couldn’t shake. One involving torture, mutilation, and a victim left for dead in the desert… but who survived . Ryan opens up about the toll this investigation took on him personally, the emotional weight law enforcement o...

In this inspiring episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather Brown sits down with members of Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.), a dedicated group of motorcycle enthusiasts on a mission to protect and empower children who have experienced abuse. B.A.C.A. is not a biker club—it’s a lifeline for kids who need to know they are stronger than their fear, and that they are never alone. Through unwave...

In Part 2 of this jaw-dropping series, Heather Brown and former Orange County Sheriff Ray Wert dive deeper into the shocking case of Ed Shin, the conman-turned-killer who staged elaborate lies to cover his crime. This episode unpacks how investigators finally tracked Shin down, the interrogation that exposed his manipulations, and how prosecutor Matt Murphy built the case that brought him to justi...

In this gripping two-part series, Heather Brown sits down with former Orange County Sheriff Ray Wert to unpack one of Southern California’s most chilling white-collar murder cases—the story of Ed Shin. When Shin’s business partner suddenly vanished, no one suspected foul play… especially with emails still coming from his account. But what seemed like a routine disappearance unraveled into a calcul...

In Part 2 of this deeply human and powerful conversation, Heather Brown continues her discussion with Dr. Cheryl Arutt , a leading forensic psychologist, trauma expert, and media contributor. This episode goes even deeper into how trauma impacts the nervous system , why dissociation is a survival mechanism, and how healing happens when the body finally feels safe . Heather shares personal stories...

In this eye-opening two-part series, Heather Brown sits down with Dr. Cheryl Arutt, a nationally recognized forensic psychologist, trauma specialist, and media expert, to dive deep into the psychological layers behind crime, trauma, and healing. In Part 1, Dr. Arutt breaks down what forensic psychology actually is—and how it plays a crucial role in both the courtroom and the recovery process. From...

In this high-stakes episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather Brown sits down with Scott Gicking, former head of the FBI in Orange County, to take us behind the scenes of one of the most pivotal investigations in U.S. history. Scott shares his journey into the FBI and opens up about his involvement in the investigation following the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Africa — a tragic event that kille...

In this exciting continuation of our on-location series from  Cal State Fullerton , the mystery is finally revealed. In  Part 2 of “Mystery Guest,”  Heather Brown’s students discover the identities of the three special guests she brought to class—real-life professionals working on the frontlines of  justice, advocacy, and survivor support . As the masks come off, the room shifts. These aren’t just...

This week, we’re switching things up with a special on-location episode from Cal State Fullerton, where Heather Brown teaches as an adjunct professor on sex crimes and the criminal justice system. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Heather brings three mystery guests—friends from her real-life network of justice warriors—to the classroom. But here’s the twist: her students don’t know who they are...

In one of the most raw and revealing episodes yet, Heather Brown sits down with  Tiffany Hayes , founder of  Fearless Beauty —a thriving hair and skincare brand born from a story of survival. Tiffany was  trafficked as a child , placed into horrific situations no one should ever endure. Her story is one of  pain, betrayal, and unimaginable darkness —but it’s also one of  resilience, redemption, an...

In Part 2 of this powerful series, Heather Brown continues her conversation with Patrick Wall, a former priest turned truth-teller, as they go even deeper into the dark realities he witnessed inside the Catholic Church. This episode unpacks the systemic structures that allowed predators to thrive under the guise of religious authority and the devastating impact it had on victims. Patrick shares mo...

In this gripping two-part series, Heather Brown sits down with Patrick Wall—a former Benedictine monk and Catholic priest who made the unthinkable decision: to walk away from the Church and expose the truth hidden within its walls. As Patrick rose within the ranks of the priesthood, he began to uncover devastating patterns of abuse, cover-ups, and systemic silence. Instead of turning a blind eye,...

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, host Heather Brown continues her deep dive with Traci Lynn Cowan—a survivor of domestic violence who has transformed her pain into purpose. Now thriving as a health and fitness expert, motivational speaker, and host of Life Unleashed with TLC, Traci shares how she’s using her platform to help others heal, rise, and reclaim their lives. From coaching clients...

In this powerful episode of Defeating the Darkness, host Heather Brown sits down with special guest Traci Lynn Cowan... A survivor, warrior, and advocate who has turned her painful past into a mission to help others break free from domestic violence. Traci, the host of Life Unleashed with TLC, opens up about her personal journey and how she found the strength to escape abuse, heal, and now empower...

In this episode, we go deeper into Tom Brown’s experiences as an FBI agent and Operator with Swat, from rescuing kidnapping victims to tracking down a former cop turned criminal. Heather and Tom discuss the high-stakes moments, intense investigations, and what it takes to bring justice to those who need it most. Don’t miss this thrilling conclusion to his incredible story! Listen & Subscribe t...