FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
The FedUpward Podcast gives federal employees and friends of feds strategies and tips for navigating everyday problems. This is a place for federal employees to network, share ideas and get better. Don't get fed up. Get FedUpward!
Episodes
Thinking about starting a business after federal service ... or maybe while you're still a fed?
In this episode of FedUpward, Love sits down with Rebecca Geller, founder of The Geller Law Group, to talk through the legal realities federal employees need to understand before launching a consulting firm or small business.
They cover:
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A major shift in federal workforce policy just became final — and its implications reach far beyond HR paperwork.
Audrey Roofeh, founder of Integrity Matters, joins FedUpward to unpack the newly finalized Schedule P/C rule from the Office of Personnel Management. The rule creates a new category of federal employees who no longer have traditional civil service tenure protections — expanding the number of "a...
Federal service is changing—and for many LGBTQ+ federal employees, the loss of employee resource groups, shifting policies, and declining morale have made community harder to find than ever.
Luke Schleusener (he/him), CEO and co-founder of Out in National Security, joins the podcast to discuss how his organization is stepping in to support LGBTQIA+ professionals across the national security and public-sec...
Congressional funding negotiations are anything but straightforward—and the stakes for federal employees couldn't be higher.
We welcome John Hatton of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) back to the podcast to break down where federal appropriations stand. We unpack continuing resolutions, stalled funding bills, Homeland Security complications, and the real possibility of ...
What happens when federal leaders stop waiting for permission to fix what's broken?
On this episode of the FedUpward podcast, host Love Rutledge is joined by Maureen Klovers and April Mohr Harding, co-founders of We the Doers, a new movement created by current and former federal executives determined to reform government where policy meets reality.
Drawing on decades of experience across agenc...
The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) isn't happening in 2025 — but the need to hear from federal workers has never been greater. Michelle Amante, Senior Vice President for Government Programs at the Partnership for Public Service, returns to the podcast to unpack the OPM pause on FEVS this year and how the Partnership is ensuring federal employees still have a voice.
Michelle explains the newly la...
John Hatton, Vice President of Policy and Programs at the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), returns to the podcast. John breaks down what federal employees need to know during Open Season—from steep premium increases to how to confidently evaluate changing plans without feeling overwhelmed.
He dives into NARFE's member resources, including webinars and expert guidance th...
Love welcomes back Kevin Moss, Senior Editor of Consumers' Checkbook, to the podcast to break down what's new for this year's Open Season. From premium increases and IVF coverage expansion to flexible spending accounts and hidden health plan perks, Kevin shares essential insights every federal employee needs to make smart, cost-saving healthcare decisions.
Learn why average premiums are rising 12.3% in 202...
Layoff Led to Purpose: How Kathleen Borgueta Built a Lifeline for Working Parents
When federal contractor Kathleen Borgueta received her termination letter just 11 weeks postpartum, she could have let it break her. Instead, she built Pivoting Parents—a growing community helping caregivers navigate job transitions, childcare challenges, and career reinvention.
In this episode of The Fed U...
When a government shutdown hits, it's not just politics—it's people.
Robyn Kehoe with the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) joins FedUpward to talk about the emergency microgrants, loans, and resources available to help federal employees and their families weather financial hardship.
FEEA, a nonprofit that has supported feds for nearly 40 years, is stepping up once again to...
If you've recently left government—or are thinking about it—this one's for you.
Brian Levine, former DOJ cybercrime prosecutor and founder of Former Gov, joins FedUpward to share how his growing community is helping former public servants rebuild their networks, discover new opportunities, and step confidently into their next chapter.
Brian shares his story of walking away from a high-paying c...
POPVOX Foundation's Departure Dialogues Give Former Feds a Voice
Anne Meeker from the POPVOX Foundation joins the FedUpward Podcast to talk about the Departure Dialogues Project—a unique initiative empowering former federal employees to share candid feedback that can help shape better laws and policies.
The POPVOX Foundation, led by former congressional staffers, focuses on strengthening...
Building the Future Workforce: Skills-Based Hiring and GovHR Innovations
Michelle Amante, Senior Vice President of Government Programs at Partnership for Public Service returns to the FedUpward podcast, joined by Blair Corcoran de Castillo from Opportunity@Work.
We dive into what's ahead for the second annual GovHR Conference, taking place September 16–18 both in Washington, D.C. and vi...
Federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan is here to share essential tips for making smarter insurance choices, navigating open season, and preparing for retirement. Learn how to avoid common mistakes, understand Medicare decisions, and use tools like the Checkbook Guide and OPM plan comparison to save money and boost your coverage.
00:00 – Intro
00:49 – Tammy Flanagan on Planning for Open Season...
"Do that thing you've always wanted to do."
In this inspiring episode of the Fed Upward Podcast, host Love Rutledge sits down with returning guest Dr. Nola Haynes—a longtime federal employee, academic, and media voice—to discuss how federal employees can navigate uncertain times, build a personal brand, and thrive in a post-DEI backlash environment.
Whether you're stepping out of public servi...
David Spirk on Scaling What Works and Cutting What Doesn't
David Spirk, a Marine Corps veteran and Senior Counselor at Palantir, joins FedUpward to talk about driving real transformation in government. He discusses how to operationalize data, the trap of failing programs, and what efficiency should actually mean in federal service. David joined the FedUpward Podcast during the annual conference hoste...
Inside the EEOC: What Federal Employees Should Know
What actually happens when a federal employee files an EEOC complaint? In this episode, I sit down with Courtney Mickman, a former EEOC Administrative Judge who's seen it all—from inside the agency to now representing employees in private practice.
We cover the basics of the EEOC process, why return-to-office mandates are triggering a s...
Former Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security Milancy Harris joins FedUpward at Globally's Shaping America's Next 25 Summit to talk candidly about her career across intelligence, counterterrorism, and policy roles—and what it really takes to lead in government today.
From navigating bureaucracy to developing talent and fostering public-private understanding, Harris shares clear-eyed ...
Globally's Vision for the Next Generation of Leaders with Josh Marcuse
Live from the Shaping America's Next 25 Summit, Love Rutledge sits down with Josh Marcuse, co-founder of Globally, to discuss the power of mission-aligned careers, tri-sector leadership, and how to scale authentic communities of impact.
00:49 – Meet Globally co-founder Josh Marcuse: From DoD to Google
03...
Free UMGC Career Expo for Feds on June 16
Join me in welcoming back Justin Hasty from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) to the podcast as he shares how federal employees can take charge of their careers—no matter where they're starting from.
Whether you're concerned about job security or simply looking to grow your skill, UMGC offers:
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