Defeating The Darkness
Defeating the Darkness is a true crime podcast hosted by Heather Brown, featuring real stories of survival, justice, and redemption. Each episode delves into cases of abuse, crime, and recovery, with insights from survivors, law enforcement, judges, former criminals, and advocates. Discover how people find strength and light in the darkest moments as we uncover the truth behind these powerful stories. Join us in the fight for justice and healing as we work toward Defeating the Darkness. Artwork: Gabe Leonard
Episodes
Intentionally Disturbing: Inside the Mind of a Forensic Psychologist with Dr. Leslie Dobson Part 1
Some stories are hard to hear but that’s exactly why they need to be told.In this chilling and necessary conversation, Dr. Leslie Dobson joins Heather to expose the unseen world of sexual abuse, trauma, and what really happens when the Dr. …
The Marathon That Shook a Nation: Behind the FBI’s Investigation with Kristen Von KlonSmid
When the bombs went off at the 2013 Boston Marathon, the world watched in horror. But behind the headlines was a team of federal agents racing against time to track down the perpetrators and former FBI agent Kristen Von KlonSmid was one of …
Tom Brown Returns | Surviving The Funnel of Death with Tom Brown & Heather Brown
Former SWAT operator and FBI agent Tom Brown returns to Defeating the Darkness with more stories from the frontlines. From training with flashbangs and shotguns to the chilling reality of the “funnel of death,” Tom breaks down the tactics, …
Smoke Em Easy | John Kelly's Ode To Tobacco
In this episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather Brown sits down with John Kelly, the larger-than-life founder of Kelly’s Smoke Shop in Tustin.From opening his tobacco shop at just 17, to becoming the youngest city councilman in Tustin at…
Defending The Darkness | The Unseen Side of Murder Defense with Michael Molfetta
What happens when your loved one is on trial but you’re the one seeking justice?In this special episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather Brown sits down with criminal defense attorney Michael Molfetta to talk about the cases you don’t see…
Beyond The Gun: Rob Preijers on Psychology, Spies and Redemption | Part 2
After surviving a near-fatal undercover sting, former FBI agent Rob Preijers stepped out from behind the badge. In Part 2 of this powerful two-part series, Rob sits down with Heather to share the next chapter of his story: chasing mafia bos…
Undercover, Outgunned, and Still Alive: Rob Preijers’ True Story | Part 1
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 …
A Thousand Little Memories: Finding Joy After Loss | with Julie Green
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, navi…
Part 2 | A Quarter Blue: Giving Survivors A Voice And A Choice | with Martha Wade
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 …
A Quarter Blue: Giving Survivors A Voice And A Choice | Part 1 with Martha Wade
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…
Follow The Money: How Brady Finta Hunts White Collar Criminals | with Brady Finta & Heather Brown
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 corporation…
Cyber Crimes & Covert Ops: The Badass Chronicles of Gina L. Osborn
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 inve…
Chasing Killers | An Inside Look At Homicide Investigations with Bob Taft and Heather Brown
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 t…
Inside The Justice System | From Victims To Verdicts with Salberg and Heather Brown
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 stake…
Part 3 | Tortured, Mutilated, and LEFT in the Desert for Dead with Detective Ryan Peters
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 …
Part 2 | Tortured, Mutilated, and LEFT in the Desert for Dead: The Hunt for Evil with Ryan Peters
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 …
Tortured, Mutilated and LEFT in the Desert for Dead: The Hunt For Evil with Detective Ryan Peters
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…
Bikers Against Child Abuse | Riding For The Voiceless | with Downtown Heather Brown
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 experience…
Vanished Part 2 | He quit his job, traveled the world & wrote home. Only 1 problem: he's dead.
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 inv…
Vanished | He quit his job, traveled the world & wrote home. Only one problem: he was already dead. With Heather Brown and Ray Wert
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 v…
Trials, Trauma, Healing & True Crime Part 2 | Get The Lowdown w/Forensic Psychologist Dr. Cheryl
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 imp…
Trials, Trauma, Healing & True Crime | Get The Lowdown w/Forensic Psychologist Dr. Cheryl Arutt
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 hea…
Tracking Terror | Inside FBI’s Hunt After Embassy Bombings In Africa | with Scott Gicking
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 …
Mystery Guest Pt. 2 | The Reveal at Cal State Fullerton with Heather Brown and Friends
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 clas…
Mystery Guest Pt. 1 | with Heather Brown and Friends
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 b…
From Child Victim To Fearless Fighter | with Heather Brown and Tiffany Hayes
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 horrif…
He Took a Vow to God... Not to Corruption | Part 2 with Heather Brown & Patrick Wall
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…
He Took a Vow to God... Not to Corruption | Part 1 with Heather Brown & Patrick Wall
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 Patric…
She Escaped The Abuse Pt. 2 | with Heather Brown & Traci Lynn Cowan
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 sp…
She Escaped the Abuse | Now She’s Helping Others Do the Same | with Heather Brown & Traci Lynn Cowan
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…
The Man, The Myth, The Legend | Part 2 with Heather Brown & Tom Brown FBI
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 inve…
The Man, The Myth, The Legend | Part 1 with Heather Brown & Tom Brown FBI
In this two-part series, Heather Brown sits down with Tom Brown "FBI". From his days in the Marines to serving in the FBI and SWAT in Los Angeles, Tom has seen it all. In Part 1, Heather and Tom share the story of how they met before diving…
The Brown Widow | Taking Down A Child Predator with Heather Brown & Salberg
In this gripping episode, Heather shares the story behind the name, “The Brown Widow” and the intense child molestation case that earned her the title. Joined by special guest Jeffrey Salberg, they dive deep into the pursuit of justice, the…
Murder By Suicide Part 2 | The Shocking True Story with Heather Brown & Larry Welborn
In Part 2 of our conversation with veteran crime reporter Larry Welborn, we dive deeper into the shocking twists and turns of the Murder by Suicide case. Larry shares more chilling details about the investigation, the key evidence that unra…
Murder By Suicide | The Shocking True Story with Heather Brown & Larry Welborn
In this episode, Heather sits down with veteran journalist and author Larry Welborn to dive deep into his gripping new book, Murder by Suicide. With decades of experience covering high-profile criminal cases, Larry shares the shocking true …
He Served Time, Now He's Serving Others | with Heather Brown & Jesse Vasquez
In Part 2 of Heather’s powerful conversation with Jesse Vasquez, we dive deeper into his life after incarceration. Once imprisoned for a murder charge at 17, Jesse now dedicates his life to helping those still behind bars find hope and purp…
Behind Bars, Beyond Expectations | A Remarkable Story with Heather Brown
What’s life really like behind bars? In this gripping episode, Heather sits down with Jesse Vasquez to uncover the unfiltered truth about prison life. From being incarcerated at 17 for a murder charge to finding purpose and growth, Jesse sh…
Forensic Nursing | On the Frontlines of Survivor Care
In this episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather sits down with forensic nurses Gina Daquilla and Jennifer Dineen, two incredible women who work tirelessly on the frontlines of survivor care. Together, they explore the vital role of foren…
Safe Passage | Rescuing Human Trafficking Survivors.
In this episode of Defeating the Darkness, Heather sits down with Isaac McKeithen to talk about rescuing survivors of human trafficking. Isaac shares the journey of partnering with organizations like Epik Project to provide security, transp…
The Ashley Higgins Project | A Story of Survival and Hope with Heather Brown
In this episode, Heather sits down with Melissa Whiteman, a survivor of human trafficking who was taken at the age of 12. Melissa shares her harrowing journey, the struggles she faced, and how she found her voice to rise above the trauma. N…