An Inspired Chat with Courtney Fretwell of Irvine

Courtney Fretwell shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Courtney, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Either getting lost in a great psychological thriller or deep in the research rabbit hole for a case. Both have the same effect on me—time disappears, but I come out of it feeling re-centered and reminded of why stories matter.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Courtney Fretwell, and I’m the creator and host of Forensic Tales, a true crime podcast I launched in January 2020. Since then, we’ve produced over 300 episodes, reaching listeners around the world every week. What makes Forensic Tales unique is our focus on the forensic science behind the stories—we dive into the evidence, the technology, and the small details that often make or break a case. I’ve always been fascinated by how science and storytelling intersect, and the podcast has given me the chance to explore that passion while building a community of listeners who care deeply about justice. Right now, I’m also working on my second podcast, Find My Killer, which focuses on unsolved cases in a shorter format, and I’m finishing my debut psychological thriller novel. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful every day to get to tell these stories.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world handed me a label, I was the kid who asked “why?” until someone answered — or until I dug up the answer myself. I spent afternoons devouring mysteries and thrillers, making mixtapes that told a story, and poking around the edges of things other people said were finished. I was also the friend who people came to with a problem: I listened, organized details, and tried to make sense of messy stories. Those small habits — curiosity, a stubborn need for facts, and a love for storytelling — quietly became my compass. They led me into podcasting, into studying forensic science the way a musician studies scales, and eventually into writing fiction. Even now, whether I’m chasing a cold case for Forensic Tales, drafting a chapter of my upcoming book, or teaching a fitness class to reset my head, I’m still that same person: someone who prefers questions to neat answers, and who believes the truth is worth following wherever it leads.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
My biggest fear has been causing harm through my work—getting a detail wrong, sensationalizing a tragedy, or exploiting someone’s trauma for clicks. That fear made me conservative at first: triple-checking sources, slowing releases, and leaning hard on experts. It’s a good fear in that it keeps me ethical, but bad when it prevents me from taking necessary creative risks. I try to balance it by letting transparency and respect guide my choices.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that success was a straight line—you pick a career, work hard, and everything falls into place. I thought if I followed the “rules,” checked the boxes, and played it safe, the rest would sort itself out. Looking back, that was pretty naive. Life, and especially creative work, is never linear. Podcasting taught me that. The best opportunities have come from detours, risks, or flat-out failures that forced me to try something new. Now I see success as a messy map instead of a straight path, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had ten years left, I’d stop overthinking and second-guessing myself. I have a habit of replaying conversations, worrying about what people think, or waiting until something feels “perfect” before I share it. The truth is, none of that would matter if the clock was ticking down. I’d spend more time creating, traveling with my family, and saying “yes” to experiences instead of letting fear or self-doubt take up space.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.forensictales.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forensictales/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtney.fretwell/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/courtneycj/?hl=en

Image Credits
NA – I own rights