Forensics Unfiltered with Gap Science

About Forensics Unfiltered with Gap Science

Welcome to Forensics Unfiltered, where we uncover real-life stories and challenges of the forensic world. Hosts Ashley Church and Erin West from Gap Science share the highs, lows, and lessons from their careers, offering insights to help you avoid pitfalls, spark meaningful conversations, and drive positive change. With no topic off-limits, a dash of colorful language, and dark humor, this podcast delivers raw honesty and a refreshing take on forensic science. Tune in for relatable advice and unfiltered truth!

Publisher

Gap Science

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

1 Feb 2023

Latest episode

29 May 2026

Latest episodes

71 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 May 2026

   🧠 What We Learned from Mental Health Awareness Month in Forensics

   JOIN THE MENTAL HEALTH IN FORENSICS SUMMIT VIP WAIT LIST (https://gapscience.com/summit-wait-list/) We’re closing out our Mental Health Awareness Series with a reflection on everything this month has brought into focus. Over the past several episodes, we’ve revisited conversations around burnout, trauma exposure, leadership pressure, recovery, and the emotional weight of long-term work in forensic science. And while each story is different, a few themes show up again and again: the slow build of stress over time, the normalization of exhaustion, and the moment many professionals start questioning whether they can (or should) keep going the way things are. We also want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who listened, shared episodes, or opened up about their own experiences this month. These aren’t always easy conversations to have, especially in this field, but they matter more than we can probably measure. A special thank you as well to Matt Davis, Letty Ramirez, Jason Cole, Kat Pope, and Alice White for being willing to share their stories so openly about trauma exposure, burnout, leadership, and recovery in forensic science. Their honesty is what makes conversations like this possible. And while this series is wrapping up, the conversation definitely isn’t. A quick announcement before you go... We’re excited to share that this year’s virtual summit will be the: Mental Health in Forensics Summit This free virtual summit takes place during National Forensic Science Week and continues the conversation we’ve been having all month focused on burnout, trauma exposure, leadership, and what it actually takes to build sustainable careers in forensic science. If you’d like early access and updates as soon as registration opens, you can join the VIP waitlist here: 👉 https://gapscience.com/summit-wait-list/ (https://gapscience.com/summit-wait-list/)

2. 

   22 May 2026

   68. Case Reopened: When It’s Time to Let Go of Your Forensic Career (MHA Series)

   What happens when the job you built your identity around is no longer sustainable to stay in? As part of our Mental Health Awareness Series, we’re revisiting a deeply honest conversation with forensic supervisor Alice White about one of the hardest decisions in the profession: walking away from a forensic career. In this episode, Alice reflects on years in forensic leadership marked by high responsibility, chronic stress, and the emotional weight of managing both people and performance in high-stakes environments. She discusses the cumulative impact of long-term stress, the pressure to always “hold it together,” and how many professionals begin normalizing stress just to keep up. Alice also shares how major critical incidents, including mass casualty events, shaped her perspective and ultimately contributed to the realization that something had to change. This conversation unpacks burnout, identity, and the emotional complexity of knowing when it’s time to let go. 🎙️ This episode is part of our Mental Health Awareness Series, where we’re revisiting some of the most impactful conversations we’ve had around stress, burnout, trauma, and wellness in forensic science.

3. 

   22 May 2026

   67. Case Reopened: Leaving the Agency Doesn’t Mean You Failed (MHA Series)

   In forensic science, changing agencies or leaving a position can feel strangely personal… almost like admitting failure. As part of our Mental Health Awareness Series, we’re revisiting an honest conversation about career changes in forensics and why so many professionals feel pressured to stay quiet about wanting something different. In this episode, Ashley opens up about the emotional reality of leaving an agency, including the anxiety of telling supervisors, the fear of rumors and backlash, and the guilt that can come with prioritizing your personal life, health, or future goals over loyalty to a job. We're also challenging an outdated expectation that many professionals still feel trapped by: the idea that you should spend your entire career at one agency no matter the cost. 🎙️ This episode is part of our Mental Health Awareness Series, where we’re revisiting some of the most impactful conversations we’ve had around stress, burnout, trauma, career sustainability, and wellness in forensic science.

Who has been a guest on Forensics Unfiltered with Gap Science

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• LISA GILBERT
• Becca Nick
• Walter Hiller

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

49

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Contact Forensics Unfiltered with Gap Science

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.