Defeating The Darkness

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 forever. Together, they unpack what it’s l...

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.

This is more than a case file. This is w...

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 people behind the badge, and the path th...

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 often carries behind the scenes, and ho...

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 unwavering support, rides, and an unbreaka...

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 justice.From digital deception to courtro...

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!

Listen & Subscribe to Defeating the Darkness on your fav...

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...