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Security Clearance Careers Podcast
Trusted Workforce 2.0 - Is the Government's Security Transformation on Track?
hat’s really happening with Trusted Workforce 2.0? For years, it’s been billed as the game-changing reform effort to modernize how the government vets and clears its personnel. But with implementation lagging and key systems like NBIS still not fully operational, the big question remains: Are we making progress, or just stuck in process?
In this episode, we talk with Alyssa Czyz, Director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), to unpack GAO’s latest report on the federal government’s personnel vetting overhaul. From the promise of Continuous Vetting to the pitfalls of missed timelines and unfinalized policies, Czyz gives a look at what’s been done—and what’s just been drafted.
We break down:
- What’s working (hello, Continuous Vetting) and what’s stalling (looking at you, NBIS).
- Why critical policies like the Personnel Vetting Management Standards are still sitting on the shelf.
- Whether NBIS is gaining—or losing—confidence as the tech backbone of the clearance process.
- How close we are to a truly mobile, modern, and streamlined vetting system.
Whether you’re deep in the weeds of personnel security or just trying to keep up with the alphabet soup of federal reform, this episode cuts through the noise and gives you the Trusted Workforce 2.0 update you actually need.
👉 Listen now to find out where we are, what’s missing, and what it’ll take to finally get this reform effort across the finish line.
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The Secret History of Women at the CIA – A Conversation with Liza Mundy
23:01|Women have been integral to the intelligence community since its earliest days, yet for decades their contributions remained obscured—hidden not only by secrecy but also by policy and silence. In her recent book, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA, author Liza Mundy brings these untold stories to light. She traces the journeys of pioneering women who entered the CIA at pivotal moments and helped shape the agency from within. From Eloise Page, the first female chief of station, to Lisa Harper, among the first women to rise into the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, Mundy weaves together a powerful narrative of trailblazers whose impact has long gone unrecognized. In this conversation, she shares how she uncovered and connected these remarkable histories of women in the Agency.
ODNI and UVA's National Security Data and Policy Institute
16:26|Charles Luftig, Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy and Capabilities, joined the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to discuss the National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). He shared insights on the origins of the institute, why UVA was a natural match for this partnership, and the interdisciplinary nature of the NSDPI’s work.The National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI) is a university-level institute launched by the University of Virginia (UVA) in August 2024—UVA's sixth such institution—backed by a $20 million contract. It unites expertise from academia, government, and industry to tackle national security challenges using data science, artificial intelligence, research computing, and public policy frameworks.
Secure BYOD in a World with Increasing Threats
22:22|In today’s mobile-first world, organizations juggle a tough balancing act: enabling employees to use personal devices while safeguarding sensitive data. BYOD, which stands for Bring Your Own Device, is a policy that allows employees to use their personal devices (like smartphones, laptops, and tablets) for work-related tasks. This practice has become increasingly common, offering convenience and flexibility for employees while potentially reducing costs for the employer. However, BYOD also presents security challenges that organizations need to address. Hypori, a company that offers a solution that reimagines BYOD, delivering uncompromising privacy, security, and compliance...all through a seamless virtual workspace... joins the podcast to discuss privacy, data, CMMC, compliance and more.
Law Practice Shares Insights for Federal Workers
24:18|There are many law practices in the DMV that proudly champion the workplace rights of federal employees, supervisors, and senior executives across agencies nationwide—helping preserve what is often their most valuable asset: their government career.Shehan Legal joins the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to talk about the current state of affiars for federal workers.
Federal Worker? How to Keep Calm and Carry On
15:25|The "Fork in the Road" email was sent to federal employees on January 28, 2025. This email, from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), introduced a deferred resignation program, offering employees a choice between continuing their current employment or resigning with full pay and benefits until September 30, 2025. Almost a year after the federal shake up, Jill Hamilton and Lindy Kyzer report on how federal workers should focus on the mission.As a part of ClearanceJobs' Expand the Mission, we created FedWork.net, a federal news, career advice, and community platform for both cleared and uncleared federal workers. It offers discussions on federal workforce issues, news analysis on government changes, and opportunities for federal employees to connect and share insights.
Warrior Strong: Free Wellness & Community for Veterans — with CEO Tom Tice
23:51|On this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, ClearedCast, host Phoebe Wells talks with Tom Tice, President & CEO of Warrior Strong—a nonprofit delivering free health and wellness programs to veterans, military spouses, family members, and first responders. From yoga, meditation, and breathwork to fitness, aquatic therapy, and nutrition seminars, Warrior Strong rebuilds camaraderie and supports mental resilience—in person and online.Tom shares the organization’s origins (idea in 2016, founded in 2017), why virtual classes still create real community, how members encourage each other to seek care (including via the VA), and who’s eligible to join. You’ll also hear how removing cost and access barriers helps veterans break isolation and improve overall well-being.📲 Want to get involved? Listeners can download the Warrior Strong app on Apple or Google, visit the website, and follow on social.https://www.warriorstronginc.org/
A Career Change Guide for Intel, Military, Foreign Affairs, & NatSec Professionals
19:39|Where do spies, diplomats, soldiers, and FBI agents turn when their official service comes to an end? For most, full retirement isn’t an immediate option. The choice to step away from government service is difficult enough—deciding what comes next can feel even harder.Author and Career Coach Alison P. Bouwmeester knows this journey firsthand. She spent 28 years as a senior leader in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, followed by nearly a decade as a senior executive in the defense contracting industry, ultimately serving as Vice President for Business Development. In 2018, she became a Certified Professional Career Coach and founded Futurity to guide others through successful career transitions—drawing on her own experience as someone who has “walked the walk.”In this book, dozens of former intelligence, diplomatic, military, and national security professionals share candid insights, practical strategies, and timeless advice.Considering a job change? Exploring a second career? Wondering what retirement could look like? This guide is here to help you take the next step with confidence.
Prescription Drug Use and Your Security Clearance
15:01|Using illegal drugs is obviously a problem... just check out the DOHA cases we review every month on ClearanceJobsBlog(dot)com and News(dot)ClearanceJobs(dot)com. What we see more confusion surrounding is prescription use (+ abuse). Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer report on the topic.
Lying About Being Fired on Your SF-86
09:06|To “resign under unfavorable circumstances” generally means that an employee chose to resign from a job before being formally terminated or while facing serious workplace issues that reflect negatively on them.It often indicates the resignation was not entirely voluntary or amicable, but instead prompted by:Pending termination (e.g., the employer was about to fire them).Serious misconduct allegations (such as fraud, harassment, or policy violations).Poor performance after warnings or performance improvement plans.Conflicts of interest or ethics violations.Other issues making continued employment untenable (e.g., loss of required clearance or certification).Background investigators reach out to former employers - best to be honest about if you actually quit or quit before you were fired. "Better for you to say it first," Lindy Kyzer notes.