The Alicia Kozak Podcast

The 8 Side
  • 5.0 (9)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by Alicia Kozak (Kozakiewicz), the first known survivor of child abduction by an online predator, motivational speaker, and national advocate, this podcast goes beyond true crime to reveal the hidden side of real crime. In each episode, Alicia has raw, powerful conversations with the people who confront the darkest crimes against children. These are the heroes and protectors who work behind the scenes: law enforcement, forensic experts, analysts, and those on the front lines and in the trenches.They are the voices the world rarely hears. The stories the public doesn’t see. The side of these crimes that isn’t talked about. Yet even in the darkest corners, hope remains. For more on Alicia's work, follow @AliciaKozakPod and @ItsAliciaKozak on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X.  

Episodes

  1. Aug 6

    Can Offenders Really Change?

    Alicia Kozak sits down with Rachel, a former leader of a sex-offender supervision unit who now works in victim services. Drawing from years spent monitoring offenders and protecting communities, Rachel shares what she has learned about manipulation, risk, rehabilitation and the gaps that allow victims to fall through the system. With blunt honesty and unexpected dark humor, they examine whether meaningful change is possible, and what public safety requires when there are no perfect answers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Jul 30

    Dark Fiction, Real Victims with Ray Oliver

    Alicia sits down with Ray Oliver, a Special Agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Computer Crimes Unit, to explore the realities of tracking online predators and examining digital evidence. Ray shares the emotional toll of the work, the cases that have stayed with him, and how investigators balance family life while protecting children. They also confront the complicated line between entertainment and exploitation and asking what responsibility readers, writers, and true crime creators have when fictional darkness reflects trauma that real people have survived.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Jul 23

    Breaking the Silence: Chaz Balogh’s Survivor Story

    In Part 2, former Detective Sergeant Chaz Balogh shares publicly how he survived childhood sexual abuse and carried that secret for more than 40 years, even while investigating crimes against children. Chaz and Alicia discuss the silence and stigma faced by male survivors, why viewing child sexual abuse material is never a victimless crime, and the devastating mental-health toll this work can take on investigators. They also reflect on the victims Chaz continues to support, the healing power of speaking out, and how his K-9 partner Spike helped save his life.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Jul 16

    Searching for Evidence and Giving Support with Chaz Balogh and Spike

    In Part 1, Alicia sits down with retired Detective Sergeant Chaz Balogh to discuss his path into law enforcement and his work investigating crimes against children. Chaz also discusses his relationship with his partner, an electronic-storage detection K-9 named Spike, and explains how these remarkable dogs uncover hidden evidence, support survivors and help change the outcome of investigations.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Jul 9

    What Evil Looks Like: Inside Rusty's Investigations (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of Alicia's conversation with investigator Rusty, they go deeper into one of the most disturbing child exploitation cases he's ever worked and the realities of tracking some of the internet's most dangerous offenders. Along the way, Rusty shares how investigators cope with the emotional weight of the job, why humor can be a survival tool, and the perspective that keeps him fighting for children every day. It's a sobering but ultimately hopeful look at the people working behind the scenes to make the world a safer place.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Jul 2

    Inside the Digital Underworld: Investigator Rusty (Part 1)

    What really happens on the dark web—and how do investigators find the people hiding there? Alicia sits down with investigator Rusty in Part 1 of a 2 part episode, for an eye-opening conversation about tracking child exploitation networks, exposing the growing threat of nihilistic violent extremist (NVE),  and how predators recruit vulnerable young people online. Rusty explains why offenders don't "accidentally" end up on the dark web, what parents need to know to protect their children, and the emotional toll of investigating some of the most disturbing crimes imaginable.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Jun 25

    Protecting Kids Online: ICAC Investigator Karen O'Connor & Bogey the Digital Detection Dog

    How do investigators stay one step ahead of online predators? Alicia Kozak sits down with the D ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) investigator Karen O'Connor for a fascinating look inside the fight to protect children from online exploitation. Karen shares how she and her electronic storage detection dog, Bogey, work together to locate hidden phones, hard drives, USB devices, and other digital media that can contain critical evidence in child exploitation cases. She also discusses the realities of investigating these crimes, and the practical steps her and Alicia take to keep kids safer online.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Jun 18

    The Opera Ranger (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of The Opera Ranger, Alicia Kozak continues her conversation with child exploitation investigator and opera singer Will Britt, exploring the challenges of protecting children, confronting evil, and maintaining hope in the face of unimaginable darkness. Will shares the cases that shaped his career, the rescue that reinforced his purpose, and how music, compassion, and connection help him support survivors and earn the trust of victims. Filled with powerful stories, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode offers an inspiring look at resilience, service, and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting others.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  9. Jun 11

    The Opera Ranger (Part 1)

    What does it take to hunt down society’s worst offenders while protecting its most vulnerable? In part one of this compelling two-part episode, Alicia sits down with Agent Will Britt to explore his intense, high-stakes work in the Internet Crimes Against Children task force. He also opens up about his unexpected creative side that keeps him grounded. From opera singing to The Power Rangers and SpaceGodzilla, Will leans into his unique hobbies to help him decompress and cope with the darkest realities of the job.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  10. Trailer

    Introducing: The Alicia Kozak Podcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Hosted by Alicia Kozak (Kozakiewicz), the first known survivor of child abduction by an online predator, motivational speaker, and national advocate, this podcast goes beyond true crime to reveal the hidden side of real crime. In each episode, Alicia has raw, powerful conversations with the people who confront the darkest crimes against children. These are the heroes and protectors who work behind the scenes: law enforcement, forensic experts, analysts, and those on the front lines and in the trenches.They are the voices the world rarely hears. The stories the public doesn’t see. The side of these crimes that isn’t talked about. Yet even in the darkest corners, hope remains. For more on Alicia's work, follow @AliciaKozakPod and @ItsAliciaKozak on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X.  

Information

  • Creator
    The 8 Side
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    The Alicia Kozak Podcast