Defeating The Darkness

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 calculated murder, an elaborate cover-up, ...

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 from her own life—touching on childhood...

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 working with trauma survivors and t...

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 killed hundreds and marked one of Al Qaid...

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 titles—they’re people with powerfu...

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 or what they do.What unfolds is a po...

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, and the power of choosing freedom.

She opens up ...

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 more eye-opening truths about the inst...

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, he chose to become a voice for the v...

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 through their physical and emotiona...

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 others to reclaim their lives. As a...

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!

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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 into his early journey into law enforcement. Hear firsthand how his experiences shaped his approach to justice, investigations, and protecting the innocent.Don’t miss Part 2, where the...

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 challenges of exposing predators, and the impact these cases have on survivors and those fighting for them. Hear firsthand how Heather’s relentless determination helped bring a predator to light...

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 unraveled the killer’s story, and how justice was ultimately served. From the mistakes that nearly let a murderer walk free to the relentless pursuit of truth, this episode sheds light on the power o...

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 story behind this case—one that seemed like a suicide but unraveled into something far more sinister. They discuss the twists, the hunt for the killer, and the journey to uncover the truth.Was it...

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 purpose. Through his work with Pollen Initiative, Jesse is proving that redemption is possible, and that even in the darkest places, light can break through.

Tune in to hear how Jesse’s journey from...

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 forensic nursing in uncovering the truth behind cases of sexual assault and trauma. From providing compassionate care to survivors during their most vulnerable moments to meticulously gathering eviden...