The Economics of Everyday Things 104. Private Investigators
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Aug 25, 2025 Ashley Wardlow, the Chief Operating Officer at Nathans Investigations and owner of Wardlow Consulting, shares her journey as a licensed private investigator. She debunks myths about the profession, highlighting the mix of mundane tasks and dramatic cases, from tracking down infidelity to fraud. The conversation dives into the ethical dilemmas investigators face and the impact of digital tools on surveillance. Wardlow also reveals the complexities of real-life investigations and the vital skills needed to navigate this intriguing field.
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Childhood Forensics Spark
- Ashley Wardlow recounts investigating childhood theft using fingerprint tape as a kid.
- That curiosity foreshadowed her career as a private investigator.
Reality Vs. TV Detective Work
- TV detective tropes misrepresent real PI work as dramatic and glamorous.
- Real investigators spend long hours on surveillance and digital evidence-gathering.
Historical Roots And Backgrounds
- The PI industry traces to Vidocq in 1833 and the Pinkertons in the 1850s, showing long private investigation roots.
- Modern PIs often come from police or military backgrounds and require state licensing.