Beyond the Monsters

Brandi Morey-Pols shares the story of her six-year-old son, Rowan, who was murdered by his biological father just days before a custody hearing that she hoped would finally bring him to safety. She recounts years of coercive control, stalking, emotional abuse, repeated warnings that went unheard, and the devastating failures of multiple systems that left Rowan unprotected despite mounting evidence and escalating concerns.Brandi and Chell explore what happens when coercive control is dismissed, warning signs are overlooked, and systems fail to recognize the danger children can face during custody disputes. Brandi also shares how honoring Rowan's life has become her purpose through the Rowan Project and Rowan's Promise, advocating for greater awareness of filicide, stronger protections for children, and legislative change aimed at preventing other families from experiencing the same unimaginable loss.Brandi’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/dollbb55https://therowanproject.org/https://www.facebook.com/brandi.brennan.3Resources:The Rowan Project - List of Resourceshttps://therowanproject.org/?page_id=1989Crisis Text Line741741National Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799-7233National Child Abuse Hotline1-800-422-4453 – push 1 to talk to a hotline counselorBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: filicide, family court failure, coercive control, domestic violence (DV), custody system failure, true crime

Marta Barreto shares her story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, sex trafficking, addiction, incarceration, and years of being blamed, disbelieved, and left without the protection she needed. She opens up about being harmed by family members beginning at nine years old, turning to methamphetamine to cope, serving in the United States Navy, losing her military career after becoming addicted to cocaine, and later being trafficked again while trapped in an abusive relationship. Marta also recounts losing her parental rights, facing a potential sentence of 40 years to life, and the moment her family finally learned that she had been telling the truth all along.Marta and Chell discuss childhood trauma, human trafficking, addiction, incarceration, family betrayal, religious shame, forgiveness, motherhood, second chances, and breaking generational cycles. After receiving a reduced sentence under Proposition 57, Marta returned home, earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honors, and became a propulsion technician for Virgin Orbit, where she helped build rocket engines that went into space. Today, she speaks inside prisons to people convicted of sexual offenses and trafficking, advocates for formerly incarcerated people, and uses her story to show that accountability, healing, mercy, and redemption can exist together.Resources:Crisis Text Line741741SAMHSA’s National Helpline1-800-662-HELP (4357)RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEBeyond the Monsters’ Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonstersDisclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: CSA, Human Trafficking, Family Abuse, Childhood Trauma, Trauma Recovery, Addiction Recovery, Prison Reform

Greg Kelley was a standout high school football player with a full scholarship, dreams of playing in the NFL, and what appeared to be a bright future ahead of him. At just 18 years old, everything changed when he was falsely accused and wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting a child, despite the absence of physical evidence. Greg shares the devastating reality of losing his freedom, spending years in a Texas maximum-security prison, and the emotional toll of being labeled one of society's most hated offenders while knowing he was innocent.Greg and Chell discuss wrongful convictions, false allegations, failures within the criminal justice system, prison survival, trauma, faith, forgiveness, resilience, and rebuilding a life after exoneration. Greg reflects on the lasting psychological impact of incarceration, the importance of choosing integrity even when the cost is unimaginable, and how his faith helped him survive the darkest years of his life. He also shares what life looks like today as a husband, father, entrepreneur, and man of faith, using his story to raise awareness about wrongful convictions while encouraging others to persevere through life's darkest moments. Greg’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/grkelley2https://www.youtube.com/@gregkelleyfreedomWatch Outcry:https://tv.apple.com/us/show/outcry/umc.cmc.4vx1rnu8swy3q1z2wn4nqei8lGreg’s Company - Tomahawk Targets:https://www.tomahawktargetsatx.comResources:RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEhttps://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/Crisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topics: Wrongful Conviction, Criminal Justice Reform, Prison Survival, Exoneration, Trauma Recovery, Texas Court System

Dasan "DJ" Jones was just 15 years old when he was murdered inside his own home by the man he had called dad for nearly a decade. His mother, Latrice, shares the devastating story of trying to escape an emotionally abusive marriage marked by stalking, surveillance, coercive control, and repeated failures by the courts to provide protection. In the aftermath of DJ's death, Latrice was left to navigate overwhelming grief while raising her two younger sons and seeking justice for the child she lost. Latrice and Chell explore how coercive control, stalking, and emotional abuse can escalate behind closed doors, the devastating gaps that can exist within the justice system, and the lifelong impact of losing a child to domestic violence. They also talk about grief, healing, and how Latrice is honoring DJ's legacy through the Dasan Jones Foundation while advocating for stronger protections for families facing abuse.The Dasan Jones Foundationhttps://www.instagram.com/dasanjonesfoundation0201?igsh=bTQwdXluYXpob2Znhttps://www.bonfire.com/store/djf-merch/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=store_page_share&utm_campaign=djf-merch&utm_content=default&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3Resources:Crisis Text Line741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: filicide, family court failure, coercive control, domestic violence (DV) true crime

Former Avalon members Michael Passons and Melissa Greene alongside country music artist Ty Herndon share the story behind their powerful re-recording of Testify to Love and the deeply personal journey that led them back to a song that now carries an entirely new meaning. Michael opens up about being removed from Avalon because he was gay, the years of silence and healing that followed, and what it meant to finally reclaim his voice nearly two decades later alongside longtime friends Melissa and Ty.Together, they discuss the lasting impact rejection from faith communities can have on LGBTQ+ people, the trauma of feeling forced to hide who you are, and the complicated relationship many carry with faith after experiencing exclusion and shame. They also reflect on forgiveness, authenticity, personal growth, and why they believe love, faith, and belonging should never be reserved for only a select few. What began as a beloved Christian music classic has become a message of healing, inclusion, hope, and the freedom to finally live as your authentic self.Listen to Testify To Lovehttps://c44.lnk.to/TestifyToLoveTestify To Love Music Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l7IPvr6b8sMichael’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/michaelpassonshttps://www.tiktok.com/@michaelpassonsmusichttps://www.youtube.com/@michaelpassonsmusicTy’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/tyherndonofficialhttps://www.youtube.com/@OfficialTyHerndonhttps://www.tyherndon.comTy’s book: What Mattered Mosthttps://www.harpercollins.com/pages/tyherndonMelissa’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/melissagreenehttps://linktr.ee/melissagreenehttps://www.melissagreene.nethttps://substack.com/@melissagreeneResources:The LGBT National Hotline888-843-4564The Trevor Projecthttps://www.thetrevorproject.orgBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topics: Religious Trauma, LGBTQ, Faith Journey, Christian Music Industry, Self Acceptance

Dawn Simmons and her daughter Katie DeRouen share the unimaginable story of losing Dawn's three children, Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn, in a head-on crash caused by a drunk driver going the wrong way on the interstate just days before Christmas. Dawn survived the collision with life-threatening injuries, while Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn were killed, forever changing the lives of everyone who loved them. Together, they recount the devastating hours that followed, the trauma of identifying their loved ones, and the reality of navigating grief after losing multiple children in a single night.Dawn and Katie talk about traumatic loss, surviving the unthinkable, grief after child loss, survivor's guilt, faith, healing, and finding purpose through tragedy. They share how their family's heartbreak led to the creation of The Simmons Three, a nonprofit dedicated to educating students about impaired driving, decision-making, and the lasting consequences of a single choice. Their story is one of profound loss, resilience, hope, and honoring the legacy of Lindy, Christopher, and Kamryn by helping save lives.Katie and Dawn’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/katiederouenhttps://www.tiktok.com/@katiederouen1https://bio.site/Katiederouen1The Simmons 3:https://www.simmons3.comhttps://www.instagram.com/simmons3incSupport their mission:https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/ieeapA?vid=1qzgvvBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: Child Loss, Drunk Driving, Survivor's Guilt, Grief Journey, Impaired Driving, Traumatic Loss

Chloe spent years carrying the trauma of a SA she never spoke about, burying the experience for nearly five years before PTSD, flashbacks, and overwhelming anxiety forced her to confront what happened. As she worked through therapy, marriage struggles, and the lasting impact of trauma, she found herself raising her husband’s young niece, Olivia, after the child was removed from her biological parents' care. What began as a temporary arrangement turned into a life-changing bond that would ultimately redefine Chloe’s future.While Chloe was dealing with the breakdown of her marriage, she learned her husband had become involved with another woman who was expecting his child, setting off a series of events that would lead to a high-conflict custody fight over the daughter she had spent years raising. She shares the emotional reality of navigating family court, parental abandonment, PTSD, divorce, childhood trauma, and the fight to protect a child caught in the middle. Chloe opens up about healing after SA, learning to advocate for herself, rebuilding her life, and the journey that eventually led to formally adopting the daughter she refused to leave behind.Resources:Crisis Text Line741741SAMHSA’s National Helpline (mental health and/or substance use)1-800-662-HELP (4357)RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEBeyond the Monsters’ Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters/https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonstersDisclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: Sexual Assault, PTSD Recovery, Child Custody, Family Court, Infidelity, Adoption Journey, Custody Battle

JaHana Holloway spent much of her life searching for love while carrying deep wounds from childhood trauma, abandonment, SA, and years of believing her worth depended on what she could give to other people. Those experiences shaped the relationships she chose and eventually led her into a marriage marked by infidelity, manipulation, emotional abuse, gaslighting, and the devastating reality of narcissistic abuse. She shares how growing up without consistent support left her vulnerable to predators, unhealthy relationships, and a lifelong struggle with self-worth.JaHana opens up about discovering her husband's affairs, surviving the chaos that followed, navigating divorce, and confronting the painful patterns that kept repeating throughout her life. She and Chell talk about narcissistic relationships, cheating, trauma bonding, emotional manipulation, childhood wounds, healing the inner child, setting boundaries, and learning that self-worth cannot be found through someone else's validation. After years of silence, JaHana shares her story for the first time and explains how speaking openly became part of reclaiming her voice and rebuilding her life.JaHana’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/vibewithjahanahttps://linktr.ee/jahanahollowayJaHana’s book - Metamorphosis: The Alchemy of Turning Wounds Into Wingshttps://a.co/d/0hUQWSOHResources:Crisis Text Line 741741RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEhttps://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotlineBeyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: Narcissistic Abuse, Narcissistic Relationship, Childhood Trauma, SA, Cheating Spouse, Emotional Abuse, Self Worth Healing

Attorney JoDee Neil spent years prosecuting crimes against children while carrying the truth about what she had survived herself. After hearing thousands of outcries from survivors throughout her career, she finally shared her own story and began writing Outcry Witness, a book focused on trauma, sexual violence, and the process of becoming “unfrozen” after years of silence. She opens up about working child abuse cases, what she has witnessed inside the criminal and family court systems, and how trauma reshapes the brain, nervous system, and sense of self over time.JoDee and Chell talk about childhood trauma, SA, addiction, EMDR therapy, recovery, dissociation, and the survival patterns many trauma survivors repeat for years without realizing it. They also discuss mandatory reporting, child abuse investigations, grooming, victim blaming, family court failures, workplace sexual violence, and why so many survivors become caretakers and protectors while quietly carrying unresolved trauma themselves. JoDee’s Links:https://www.instagram.com/jodeeneilattorneyhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jodeeneil.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@jodeeneilhttps://www.jodeeneil.comJoDee’s book - Outcry Witness: A Former Prosecutor's Guide to Healing and Justice After Sexual Violencehttps://a.co/d/0eE21UNMResources:RAINN24/7 confidential support, online chat & hotline 1-800-656-HOPEhttps://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/Crisis Text Line 741741Beyond the Monsters Socials:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemonsters https://linktr.ee/BeyondtheMonsters Disclaimer: This podcast shares personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your own care.Topic: family court system, CSA survivors, childhood trauma, trauma recovery, SA trauma, criminal justice system