Security Clearance Careers Podcast

How do you build a strong professional reputation when much of your work happens behind the scenes? Lindy Kyzer sat down with Shana Cosgrove, Founder and CEO of Nyla Technology Solutions, about leadership, entrepreneurship, and building a lasting brand in the national security community.Whether you're early in your career or leading teams of your own, this conversation offers practical advice for professionals looking to grow their careers while making an impact in the cleared community.

Walking into a career fair or networking event can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. The candidates who leave with meaningful connections aren't always the loudest in the room—they're the ones who come prepared, ask thoughtful questions, and focus on building relationships.Before you attend your next event, do a little homework. Research the companies you'll meet, have a brief introduction ready, and think of a few questions you'd genuinely like to ask. During conversations, listen more than you talk, be respectful of everyone's time, and remember that networking isn't about collecting business cards—it's about creating connections that last beyond the event.Listen to our latest ClearanceJobs Podcast featuring Events Manager Danielle Pickus as we break down networking do's and don'ts, share stories from past career events, and offer practical tips to help you make the most of your next opportunity.

Quantum technology is no longer just the stuff of science fiction. From cybersecurity and advanced sensing to communications and navigation, quantum innovations are rapidly moving from the laboratory into real-world applications that could reshape both industry and national security. On a recent episode of the ClearanceJobs podcast, we sat down with Chris Muldrow, Executive Director of the Colorado Quantum Incubator (COQI), to discuss the evolution of quantum technology, where the industry is headed, and what it all means for the cleared workforce.

What happens when a true crime podcaster and two national security professionals team up to explore espionage, insider threats, terrorism, and military mysteries?In this episode of ClearedCast, Lindy Kyzer sits down with ClearanceJobs' Phoebe Wells and Katie Helbling to discuss the origins of The Secret Squirrel Files, a podcast that blends true crime storytelling with real-world lessons for the cleared community. From Aldrich Ames and Operation Bojinka to the Oklahoma City bombing and unsolved military cases, they discuss how history, security policy, and storytelling intersect—and why these cases still matter today. 

The White House is taking an aggressive step to address one of the federal government's biggest workforce challenges: competing with the private sector for highly specialized talent. Katie Helbling and Jill Hamilton discuss what job seekers should pay attention to on our most recent episode of the security clearance careers podcast.

Let's clear something up right away: having a mental health condition doesn't automatically put your security clearance on life support. Despite what your buddy's cousin's former coworker swears happened to "a guy he knew," the government isn't out here revoking clearances simply because someone sought therapy, took medication, or admitted they weren't feeling their best. One of the biggest myths in the cleared community is that getting mental health treatment is somehow worse than ignoring a problem and hoping it magically disappears. Spoiler alert: it isn't. Federal adjudicators care far more about judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness than they do about whether you've had a conversation with a therapist. Seeking treatment is often viewed as a sign of good judgment, not a red flag. John Berry and Lindy Kyzer frequently collaborate to demystify complex security clearance and federal employment laws. Kyzer is the Director of Content at ClearanceJobs, while Berry is a founding partner at the security clearance law firm Berry & Berry, PLLC. They talk this week about mental health issues, degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's, and other cognitive health matters.

Facility Security Officers are navigating an increasingly complex security landscape.In this episode, Lindy Kyzer and Ike Rivers, NISPAC representative and advisory board member for TechnoMile Security Information Management, break down findings from the latest ClearanceJobs and TechnoMile State of the Facility Security Officer Survey, covering CUI compliance, clearance reciprocity, security modernization, Trusted Workforce 2.0, and the growing responsibilities facing FSOs across the Defense Industrial Base.Access the report here: https://about.clearancejobs.com/employers/recruiting-resources/2026-fso

The public often views organizations like the State Department, FBI, DHS, and INTERPOL through the lens of movies and headlines. In reality, their work is far less about dramatic operations and far more about building relationships, sharing information, and preventing crises before they happen. At their core, these organizations are people-focused, relying on collaboration and trust to protect national and global security. On this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, we sit down with Dexter Ingram to discuss his remarkable journey, from serving in the U.S. Navy to leadership roles within the FBI and INTERPOL, helping shape public understanding of intelligence and espionage at the International Spy Museum, and inspiring the next generation through his nonprofit work and podcast, Dexter Ingram: Declassified.

What happens when a federal employee loses access to their security clearance — and why is the process so different from the contractor world? On this episode, security clearance attorney John Berry joins Lindy Kyzer to break down the difficult reality facing cleared federal employees dealing with suspended clearances, indefinite suspensions without pay, and lengthy appeals processes.The discussion explores how agencies handle clearance suspensions, why federal employees often have fewer options than contractors, and what role the Merit Systems Protection Board actually plays in these cases. Berry explains why many employees face months — or even years — without pay while waiting for their clearance issues to be resolved, and shares practical advice on navigating appeals, outside employment, and long-term career recovery.If you work in the cleared community or federal workforce, this episode offers an honest look at one of the most stressful scenarios a national security professional can face — along with insight into how some employees successfully rebuild their careers after a suspension.