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Fed Thread

Federal News Network | Hubbard Radio

We pull the thread on the questions you’re asking, with experts who can actually answer them

Am I making a million-dollar TSP mistake?

How can I tell if I’m burning out, and what should I do about it?

Should I start a GLP-1—and would it be covered?

Am I better off in or out of a union?

Do those workplace step challenges actually make anyone healthier?

The Fed Thread podcast pulls the thread on topics that matter most to the federal workforce, uncovering practical insights and sharing stories you can relate to.

Each episode explores real-world situations shaping federal careers, benefits, wellbeing, finances, leadership and life on and off the job. In a series of candid conversations with government leaders, subject-matter experts, researchers and the people living these experiences, Fed Thread weaves together fresh perspectives, community highlights and useful takeaways, whether you're a new hire or a seasoned civil servant.

Join host Alex Witt for a smarter, more human conversation about what it means to work in public service—only on Federal News Network.

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#34
Yesterday · 44 min
No Mulligans Allowed: Federal retirement choices you can't do over
Retirement may feel like the finish line, but some of the biggest federal retirement decisions need to be made well before you get there. On this episode of Fed Thread, Neil Cain, founder and CEO of Capital Financial Planners and lead trainer for RETFED, takes us through the choices that can become difficult—or impossible—to undo after a certain point. We talk through technicalities of TSP moves, FEHB and Medicare elections, survivor benefits, tax implications, Roth conversions, beneficiary decisions and what can happen when an unexpected separation from federal service changes your timeline. The underlying takeaway? Don't wait until retirement is right in front of you to start connecting the dots. For a quick-reference guide to some of the most consequential, time-bound rules impacting decisions you should make before leaving federal service, listen to the full Fed Thread episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#33
Friday · 48 min
Hiring Up, Headcount Down: Is the federal workforce rebound real or repair?
Federal hiring is up 26 percent this year, yet headcount continues to fall. So is the federal workforce recovering, reinventing itself—or just trying to staunch the bleed? On this episode of Fed Thread, Jeff Neal, retired DHS Chief Human Capital Officer and principal at ChiefHRO, provides color commentary on what’s really happening behind the OPM hiring numbers. Which jobs are coming back, which aren’t, why some positions were eliminated only to be needed again, and what the loss of institutional experience could mean for the government years from now. We also dig into a less obvious problem: If the federal HR workforce itself has been reduced, who’s left to do the hiring? And how much does that matter when government hiring rules and processes are fundamentally different from the private sector—and also fundamentally flawed? Whether you’re an HR wonk or simply a current fed needing practical advice on what to watch to predict changes for your role, listen to the full Fed Thread conversation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#32
Thursday · 42 min
When trauma comes with the job: Understanding PTSD and mental health in the federal workforce
How do you know when it’s just a tough experience and when your job is causing you real trauma? On this episode of Fed Thread, Faust Ruggiero, psychologist, author and clinical trainer of federal employees, takes a closer look at PTSD and mental health in the federal workforce. He explains: - what qualifies as PTSD, - why it can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, - how trauma can build over time, and - the first critical steps to addressing work-related mental distress. The conversation also gets into the stigmas that can keep people from seeking help, how colleagues and supervisors can respond when they’re concerned about someone, and what happens when you raise the bar from simply surviving to thriving. If you’re white-knuckling it through the day or know someone who’s struggling, check out the full episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#31
Wednesday · 51 min
The Outsourcing Dilemma: Can getting help make government helpless?
Government can’t do everything itself. But what happens when outsourcing goes beyond operations, and the very judgment and institutional knowledge it needs to oversee the outsourced work is compromised? On this episode of Fed Thread, Elliott Parker, founder and CEO of venture-builder Alloy Partners, explains where outside expertise can make government faster, more innovative and more capable—and where it can create a dangerous dependency. We talk about: - the difference between partnership and reliance, - why the people overseeing increasingly automated and outsourced systems may become more important, not less, and - how government can create safe environments for experimentation without putting the mission at risk. Parker also shares a real-world example of when outsourcing is a win for everyone, including government and the public, with the recent launch of Perenna Health, an AI-powered Medicaid coverage navigation company in collaboration with Alloy Partners, the University of Notre Dame and Parkview Health. Listen to the full Fed Thread episode to hear Parker’s perspective, not simply on what government should outsource, but what it can never afford to lose. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#30
September 15 · 59 min
Feds in Film: When Hollywood nailed government—or whiffed
Hollywood loves a good federal thriller, but how much of what we see on screen accurately portrays government behind the scenes? On this episode of Fed Thread, entertainment critic and Navy veteran Kuya P. of Nerds Rule the World and Federal News Network DOD reporter Rachel Cohen put five movies to the test, depicting multiple federal agencies, the armed services, Congress and the White House. What did Hollywood nail about federal work? Where did it take a healthy dose of dramatic license? And which movies are worth watching this weekend? From FBI office life and interagency silos to NASA mission control, missile defense and pandemic response, Kuya brings the popcorn score while Rachel rates their Fed Cred. Plus: Hear which movie wins Kuya’s pick for best film—and which he calls out for his “favorite movie death.” Check out the full episode to find out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#29
September 14 · 38 min
When doing your job isn't a defense: What feds need to know about professional liability insurance
Federal employees often assume that if they’re acting on behalf of the government, it will have their back if something goes wrong. But what happens when the government’s interests and yours stop being the same? On this episode of Fed Thread, Tony Vergnetti, founder and president of FEDS Protection and former co-host of FEDtalk, breaks down the three kinds of legal exposure federal employees can face. He explains when the government may defend you, when it may not, and how rapidly costs can add up when you have to go it alone. If you want a better understanding of how vulnerable your role may be to personal liability, why employees acting in good faith can find themselves under investigation, and what can happen when a new administration brings renewed scrutiny and accountability, listen to the full episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#28
September 11 · 41 min
Another Org’s Treasure: Uncovering the market for federal talent
Public service and mission-driven work are not exclusive to the federal government, and many organizations that offer these roles are intent on hiring people with federal experience. So why aren’t more displaced feds being matched with positions outside of government that are a natural continuation of their purpose-filled work? In this episode of Fed Thread, Karen Lee, founder and executive director of the nonprofit FedsForward, says one of the reasons is that feds will instinctively downplay personal achievement in deference to the federal team ethic—which can unfortunately cost them the recognition they’re due as a private sector job candidate. This conversation also covers: Hidden-in-plain-sight businesses and organizations where mission-driven federal talent can find meaningful work What appeals to non-government employers about candidates with federal experience Why a job description isn’t always the full scope of a private sector role How to reframe your mindset to not feel like you’re bragging And why leaving government doesn’t mean leaving your identity or sense of purpose behind If you’ve spent your career in federal service and are wondering if your skills are marketable outside of it, this conversation is a good place to start. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S1 · E28
September 10 · 35 min
Uncle Sam’s image problem and the feds caught in the middle
Americans may distrust government, but they don't necessarily distrust the people who work for it. While the Partnership for Public Service found this year that just 27 percent of Americans say they trust their government overall, 65 percent say federal employees are competent. So what's driving the disconnect? On this episode of Fed Thread, Vice President of Public Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Jenny Mattingley and Senior Research Manager Paul Hitlin of the Partnership for Public Service clear up - where American distrust in government is really coming from - what Americans think about federal employees specifically, - how low trust in government affects federal workforce morale, recruitment and retention, and - what happens when agencies lose the people and institutional knowledge needed to deliver essential services. Uncle Sam gets a prescription for his image problem, so don’t forget to check this one out. Because the prevailing dissatisfaction with “government” as a whole is a far cry from how the public majority feels about the feds operating it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S1 · E27
September 9 · 1 hr
What if prior success is one of the biggest threats to your mission?
That’s cautionary wisdom that Mike Ciannilli, retired NASA Test Director and Landing Recovery Director, wants other feds to think about. In his last government role as NASA’s program manager for the Apollo, Challenger and Columbia Lessons Learned program, his entire job was to understand how things went wrong and help make sure his agency didn’t make the same tragic mistakes twice. Perhaps one of his most surprising lessons is that it’s not the literal rocket science where things go wrong. Failure rarely starts with one giant mistake. More often, it’s smaller, simpler transgressions that appear in warning signs we overlook or dismiss. We get comfortable. We stop questioning what’s worked fine before. We communicate without really listening. We check the box and move on. And when everyone is under pressure to get to the finish line, sometimes the hardest thing to do is speak up that something just doesn’t feel right. Check out this episode of Fed Thread to hear Ciannilli explain what NASA’s most consequential failures can teach federal employees and agency leaders about vigilance, institutional knowledge, the courage to use your instincts, and what it really means to learn from failure. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
S1 · E26
September 8 · 46 min
The Breakthrough Problem: Can government innovate without creating bigger risks?
What happens when technology moves faster than government can govern it? AI is transforming biological research by accelerating drug discovery, protein design and pandemic preparedness in ways that weren’t possible just a few years ago. But that same acceleration can create new security and public health risks. On this episode of Fed Thread, Hayley Severance, deputy VP of the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s biosecurity program lays out the high-stakes balancing act facing government: How do you protect the public without regulating new capabilities so aggressively that you choke off potentially lifesaving innovation? And the terrifying flipside of what happens when government waits too long to act? From AI-designed drugs to biosecurity safeguards, plus a cautionary lesson from the history of gene therapy, this is a conversation about how innovation and responsibility are indelibly intertwined, and how federal employees can check that they’re threading that needle. If you’re part of a federal program that walks that tightrope regularly, don’t miss this Fed Thread episode. Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#27
September 4 · 47 min
What happens to a mission deferred? When priorities change, but the people don't
What happens when the mission changes, but the people doing the work stay the same? For federal employees, a change in administration or organizational priorities can mean more than a new set of marching orders. It can mean putting years of expertise on hold, watching programs get redesigned, and trying to stay motivated when the work you believed in suddenly isn't the priority anymore. On this episode of Fed Thread, retired FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and former FEMA Assistant Administrator John Rabin talk about what it takes to lead a workforce through relentless change. The conversation covers: - why leaders have to get comfortable admitting they don't have all the answers, - what it means for operations to be led rather than managed, - how to recognize when your employees are at their limit - and why you can't separate the mission from the people. Criswell and Rabin’s advice isn't just for emergency managers, but for any federal employee trying to do meaningful work when everything around them is a moving target. Listen to the Fed Thread episode to hear the full conversation, because even when priorities change, the mission—and the people—still matter. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#26
September 3 · 43 min
Move your money or let it ride? Staying in the TSP after retirement
You’ve spent decades building your TSP. Now that you’re retired, should you move some of it, all of it, or let the money ride? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and blindly rolling your money into something else can create a whole new set of problems. On this episode of Fed Thread, Chris Campbell of CJC Wealth Management and the DC Society for Financial Awareness tells us what changes once your TSP shifts from an accumulation account to a source of retirement income. He also offers guidelines for questions like: - How should withdrawals affect my investment mix? - Can Roth do more for me than Traditional TSP? - When does the G Fund make sense—and when can “playing it safe” be risky? - What should I know about my tax exposure? - And is my financial advisor worth it? Before you decide what to do with your TSP, figure out what you want your retirement savings to do for you. Then check out this Fed Thread episode for complementary financial advice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#24
September 2 · 31 min
Keeping your head down if you don’t want to lose it: Are feds quiet quitting or just protecting themselves?
When is it quiet quitting versus playing it safe to keep your career? On this episode of Fed Thread, we hear from Love Rutledge, retired DoD senior executive and host of the FedUpward podcast. She’s unpacking what happens when feds stop raising their hands, speaking up or going the extra mile, when they’re worried about what it could cost them. Rutledge says many feds are surviving more than thriving. And when experienced employees leave, the government loses institutional knowledge, repeats costly mistakes, lacks mentorship for the next generation, and the American public suffers. To hear her assessment of the current climate and what’s at stake, listen to the full Fed Thread episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#23
September 1 · 35 min
I’ve submitted my retirement paperwork. Now what?
Sometimes submitting your federal retirement paperwork isn’t the end to your procedural questions, but another beginning: Where is my application now? When will I get paid? How much will I receive while I wait? What could delay my case? And who do I call if something goes wrong? On this episode of Fed Thread, we follow the paperwork from your agency to OPM and what happens along the way with two people who know the process from different angles: Ben Amos, a former OPM insider who now helps federal employees navigate retirement, and Thiago Glieger, a private wealth advisor at RMG Advisors. They explain: - how interim pay works, - what can cause a case to get stuck, - why keeping your own records matters, and - how much cash to have available while waiting for regular payments to kick in. The conversation also wades into what life looks like when federal service is no longer structuring your days. Because submitting your retirement paperwork may be the end of your federal career, but it’s just the beginning of the life you’ve been saving for. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#21
August 31 · 48 min
The Job You Want Isn’t Posted Yet: How federal careers really take off
The government’s hiring process is not just merit-based. Many roles are earmarked for the candidate with the strongest reputation, relationships and team-oriented attitude before the job is even posted. On this episode of Fed Thread, Angela Bailey, retired DHS CHCO and former OPM COO, reveals how federal careers really take off, and why your résumé and job application are only part of the story. You’ll hear about the unspoken importance of - who knows you (and what they know you for), - what makes senior leaders endorse candidates before a position is announced, - why you may be thinking of mentors all wrong, and - how your reputation travels through networks you don’t even realize you have. If you’ve been waiting for your dream job to appear online or applying with little success, this conversation has the inside track to your next federal career win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#20
August 28 · 43 min
The Price of Walking Away: When does selling out to the private sector pay?
What would you do with a private sector job offer that was double your federal salary? On this episode of Fed Thread, Private Wealth Advisor Thiago Glieger and his client, retired DOD senior executive Don Heckman, tell us that scenario isn’t so unusual. But walking away from a government career can mean leaving behind more than a paycheck: FEHB in retirement, future pension upside, TSP benefits, annual leave and other pieces of total compensation can outweigh that big salary bump over time as foregone opportunities. At the very least, they can be used as strategic negotiating chips. Glieger and Heckman share the countervailing math on how overlooked federal benefits add up, including intangibles that make your job more enjoyable or your life better balanced. Before you say yes to an eye-popping offer, listen to this conversation so you compare apples-to-apples, account for what you already have, and potentially use it as leverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#19
August 27 · 37 min
Don’t short-change your long horizon: How your life insurance and long-term care elections can fall short
When was the last time you really looked at your FEGLI election? If your answer is “I don’t remember,” you’re not alone. Many federal employees make their life insurance and long-term care decisions early in their careers, then leave them unchanged for years, or even decades. But neither your life nor your financial needs stay frozen in time, which could put you and your survivors at risk of being over- or under-insured. On this episode of Fed Thread, Thiago Glieger, partner and private wealth advisor at RMG Advisors, lays out why and how your life insurance and long-term care elections need to evolve throughout your career. The conversation covers: - Easy ways to differentiate FEGLI Basic from Options A, B and C - Why premiums can rise dramatically as you get older - When it makes sense to supplement with private life insurance - How your pension and Social Security affect how much life insurance you need - Why Medicare and FEHB can’t substitute for long-term care insurance - What the suspension of the federal long-term care program means for feds - And the financial milestones to help you thread the needle on right-sizing the amount of insurance you carry Set-it-and-forget-it may be convenient, but it isn’t a financial plan. Don’t miss this episode, because not knowing can cost you—and the ones you love—after you’re gone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#18
August 26 · 39 min
The Levers Behind Federal Work: Who’s really making the rules?
Federal employees hear about new laws, executive orders, OPM policies, reorganizations and changes to the workforce all the time. But who makes those changes happen, and how can feds tell the difference between a sensational headline and a policy that could affect their careers? On this episode of Fed Thread, Jason Briefel, manager of U.S. government affairs at the Project Management Institute, pulls back the curtain on who has a hand in shaping federal workplace rules, why the traditional federal career “ladder” may no longer apply, and what employees can do when the ground beneath their career keeps shifting. The conversation also gets into workplace AI adoption, job stability, the challenge of keeping up with rapid organizational change, and how leaders can give their team clarity when priorities are shifting. If you’re wondering where your federal career grows from here in a future that looks uncertain, give this episode a watch See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#17
August 25 · 57 min
ARPA-H's Big Bets on Medical Moonshots: What feds can learn from an agency built to take risks
What if “impossible” isn’t necessarily impossible? What if the problem just hasn’t been approached the right way yet? That’s the question at the heart of this Fed Thread episode featuring Dr. Kimberley Steele, a surgeon, researcher and program manager at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Steele's path to ARPA-H is deeply personal. After her son Michael developed an ultra-rare lymphatic disease that doctors struggled to diagnose and treat, she saw firsthand what happens when a complex problem falls between silos and when the system doesn’t have the tools, funding or urgency to tackle it. Now she and the federal government are making big bets on the lymphatic system through programs designed to make what’s invisible visible and develop new therapies for lymphatic dysfunction. If you’re wondering how to make progress when the deck feels stacked against you, this conversation isn’t just about medical research. It’s about how everyday feds can take smart risks to make meaningful changes in a system designed to play it safe. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
#16
August 24 · 42 min
Who you gonna call? Finding the right fed when your problem crosses agencies
When a problem doesn’t fit neatly inside one agency, who gets it solved? Former FEMA Region 3 Administrator MaryAnn Tierney spent more than 25 years in emergency management, where she faced that question regularly, coordinating people and organizations she didn’t directly control, while the clock was ticking. This episode of Fed Thread explores what federal employees can learn from high-stakes disaster response about solving problems that cross agency lines, from finding the right people, to building trust before you need a favor, to aligning people who don't share the same priorities, and knowing when to stop chasing the perfect solution. We also pull the thread on why the most difficult problems often live in the “seams” between organizations, and why one of the best things you can do today is build the network you’ll need tomorrow. What can feds borrow from emergency management when the path forward isn’t clear, and nobody is technically in charge? Watch now to find out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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