Security Clearance Careers Podcast

What happens when government, industry, academia, startups, and cleared talent all come together in one place? In this episode of ClearedCast, Phoebe Wells sits down with Tyler Johnson and Carlos Romero of eMerge Americas to talk about why this year’s conference matters for national security professionals.They break down how eMerge has evolved into a major hub for technology, policy, and public-private collaboration, and why cleared professionals, veterans, and innovation-minded leaders should be paying attention. From dual-use technology and workforce development to live Army pitch competitions, hackathons, venture capital, and veteran-focused programming, this conversation explores how emerging tech is moving from idea to mission impact.If you work in national security, hold a clearance, or want to better understand where AI, defense innovation, and talent strategy are headed next, this episode offers a strong preview of the conversations shaping that future.Register now, and we'll see you in Miami.

What makes a great boss—and why do so many get it wrong?In this episode, Lindy sits down with former CIA Chief of HR Mike Mears to unpack the real driver behind employee engagement, retention, and performance: certainty at the local level.Drawing on decades of experience inside the intelligence community—and insights from his book Certainty—Mears explains why employees don’t leave missions, they leave managers. He breaks down how the brain responds to uncertainty, why psychological safety is critical in high-stakes environments, and how small leadership habits can dramatically improve team performance.From fixing broken clearance processes to building trust in ambiguous environments, this conversation offers practical tools for leaders across government and industry.Plus: what cleared professionals should know about insider risk, disengagement, and why “soft skills” may be the most critical national security asset.If you lead people—or want to—this is a must-listen.Purchase Certainty: www.certaintyleadershipbook.com

The modern battlefield isn’t confined to war zones overseas, it’s evolving rapidly along the U.S. border. Criminal organizations like the Juarez and Sinaloa cartels are leveraging commercial technology, decentralized networks, and real-time adaptability in ways that challenge traditional intelligence models. At the center of this shift is a growing gap between how threats evolve and how intelligence systems respond.Former military intelligence specialist, Stefano Ritondale, and current the Chief Intelligence Officer at Artorias joins the podcast to provide insights on UAV threats, OSINT, and strategic implications for the U.S. from a national security perspective.

For decades, the cleared workforce followed a fairly predictable path: long tenures, stable programs, and careers built within a single agency or contractor. But today, cleared professionals are moving faster between roles, contracts, and even employment models. Some are chasing better pay, others are seeking flexibility, and many are responding to the realities of contract-driven work.To help unpack what this shift means for both employees and employers, I’m joined by John Berry, security clearance attorney with Berry & Berry and someone who has had a front-row seat to cleared hiring trends for years.In this conversation, we’ll talk about why job hopping has become more common, how the idea of “gig work” is showing up even in highly regulated cleared environments, and what recruiters, hiring managers, and cleared professionals should be thinking about as career mobility accelerates.

What happens when the uniform comes off—or your federal service ends—and the identity that once defined you suddenly shifts?In this episode of Security Clearance and Security, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Lisa Parmeter, Executive Director of Merging Vets and Players (MVP), to explore the often-overlooked challenges of transition for veterans, active duty service members, and former professional athletes.From the loss of identity and purpose to the need for intensity, structure, and community, this conversation dives into what it really takes to rebuild after high-performance careers. Parmeter shares how MVP helps individuals rediscover meaning through peer support, whole-health approaches, and mission-driven community.The discussion also tackles mental health stigma, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and the real risks of isolation—along with practical ways to navigate change, build resilience, and find your next chapter.Plus, in the second segment, security clearance attorney John Berry joins Lindy to break down one of the most common clearance pitfalls: misuse of IT systems. From downloading unauthorized software to AI-related risks and repeat violations, they unpack what can jeopardize your clearance—and how to avoid it.Whether you’re transitioning careers, supporting someone who is, or navigating the evolving clearance landscape, this episode offers critical insights you won’t want to miss.

Transitioning out of the military is often framed as a career decision — finding the next job, updating a resume, or navigating the cleared workforce. But for many service members and their families, it’s much more than that. It’s an identity shift, a lifestyle change, and a redefining of purpose.In this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, we had the opportunity to sit down with Herb and Corrie Thompson for a candid and deeply insightful conversation about what transition really looks like.