FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Meet Laura Maristany of the Democracy Fund, whose mission includes increasing inclusivity in the offices of folks who represent us on the Hill. She and others created Capitol Strong, a network of organizations offering support to staff members on Capitol Hill to work through issues resulting from the events of January 6th. HR support in congressional offices differs from one office to the next. La...

Have you checked out the resources Blacks in Government offers its members? As Alesia Smith discusses, BIG offers opportunities for mentoring, networking, and leadership. Learn how this organization can help you move up and around in your career. Ms. Smith is a motivated young professional looking to help her peers find the right resources to enhance their government careers. http://www.bignet.org...

Founded during Black History Month back in 2002, AAFEA is here to help you reach your career goals. They offer tons of scholarship, recognition and networking opportunities you can find here: https://aafea.org/ This Black History Month, listen to my interview with Executive Director Ms. Tyra Dent Smith outline what AAFEA does and how they can help you.

I interviewed Becky Brown, fed and owner of Federalisms - a card company that focuses on products for federal employees. We talk through what it's like to get our own businesses off the ground while following the guidelines for federal employees. She's gotten amazing press for her work and sets a great example for those of us working on our entrepreneurial pursuits! h ttps://www.federalisms.com/ O...

I sat down with Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs.com to talk about the impact participation in the chaos of January 6th could have real implications for your security clearance adjudication. While we try to steer clear of over political discussions (which is hard at this point), I want to be clear that I in NO WAY endorse or support feds who participated in acts of violence on January 6th. I wanted to...

We've been teleworking (mostly) for months. What happens when - hopefully - COVID infection rates slow down and things are back to normal (whatever that means anymore)? Will we keep teleworking? Change our duty station locations and all live in rural areas that are cheaper while doing the same jobs? See reductions in locality pay? More positions that are exclusively telework? Transformation and go...

How can we start 2021 strong? I have a few ideas. I'm doing my best to tackle issues that 2020 made way worse - what about you? I'll give you a few tips for getting organized and focusing on what's important. Subscribe and leave a review. While you're at it, head to FedUpward.com to sign up for the mailing list today.

Rules about lunch breaks in the federal government are basically urban myths - no one knows where they originated and aren't sure if they're true. Government Worker Fi - my friend with a blog about fed gov finances - breaks down what he found researching lunch break rules. The answer is - it depends. Listen to hear the ins and outs of breaks and then head over to his blog to learn more. https://go...

How you gonna win when you ain't right within? Lauryn Hill knew. And so does Dr. Patrick Malone at American University. If you don't have yourself straight, you can't lead. You can't win.  How many of us have worked for a boss who got promoted based on his or her technical skills, but that person can't lead, isn't empathetic, and wants to stay in the weeds instead of think strategically? We've all...

This one's for the federal employee parents out there. If you make less than $100k and you're a fed, you're eligible to get FREE help for your children in ANY subject, as well as parent coaching from professionals. The director of the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund, Joyce Warner, discussed how you can take advantage of this offer. Listen and then head over to: https://feea.org/our-...

It's that time of year again. As we near the start of 2021, you should review all your benefits elections and your Thrift Savings Plan contributions. Back to give you professional advice, Chris Kowalik of FedImpact.com delivers a tutorial on TSP, the funds you can choose, what the Lifecycle Funds are and why they were created and why you ABSOLUTELY should designate a beneficiary, despite what the...

Most of the problems we face as feds aren't new and there are tons of orgs out there doing great work we should leverage. Think tanks are one of the main producers of research products we can use - and you should understand what's out there in your area of expertise. The amazing Benjamin Wittes joined me to discus what think tanks are and how you can use their output to work smarter, not harder. I...

I've developed an online course to help YOU learn the terms and frameworks in the federal government, how to navigate the day-to-day issues that eat up your time, and find training and promotion opportunities. Listen to learn more or sign up now here: https://fedupward-llc.mykajabi.com/fundamentals I can't wait to help you reach your goals. 

The non-profit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility helps protect public employees who protect our environment, natural resources and public health. I interviewed attorney Paula Dinerstein, PEER's Senior Counsel for 12 years, representing public employees who face interference with their work to protect the environment. Just a small sample of her enormous range of work, which has tapp...

We all HOPE we never face a situation as a federal employee that requires us to blow the whistle on behavior that is illegal or just plan wrong. But many feds do end up in that situation and have no idea where to go. The hour long yearly training most of us get doesn't explain the expense, emotional toll and time suck that these cases generally become. Jackie Garrick knows just how taxing the proc...

Chris Kowalik knows Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and she's here to help you navigate through this year's open season, which starts November 9th and ends December 14th. Chris helps feds via courses she teaches and she trains financial planners to help folks like us, too. In this episode, she talks about how to compare plans and what you should consider before you make a change. She also...

A friend who works at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency reached out to me months ago about the good work her leadership was doing to promote honest conversations about diversity and inclusion. This episode should have come out MONTHS ago. But due to scheduling and technical issues, it's coming to you during election week 2020, and perhaps this message is exactly what we all need right now. In th...

Y'all. I have thoughts on the election. You can use admin leave to vote - more info in the episode. Just vote, ok?

IN the federal government bureaucracy, one thing is for certain - ideas get recycled ALL THE TIME. If you're given a research project, fear not. You can absolutely leverage the work of others. I'm going to explore the work of other people over the course of the next few episodes. In this episode, you'll learn the basics of the Congressional Research Service and the Congressional Budget Office. The...

A few weeks ago, I saw a Tweet about a website called Cloture.app for tracking hearings held by congressional committees. Y'all - you NEED to check out this tool. It scrapes data from committee websites and compiles it all in one site that's set up as a calendar. It's easy to use and free thanks to journalist Harrison Cramer of the National Journal. During my interview with him, he ran through why...

October is LBGTQ history month and October 11th is National Coming Out Day. To recognize the contributions of LGBTQ feds and understand how inclusivity fosters a more productive environment, listen to my interview with Out in National Security's Luke Schleusener and head to Out in National Security's website here:   https://www.outinnationalsecurity.org/   Other helpful links Luke recommended:   G...

If reading a USAJOBS vacancy announcement leaves you frustrated, you're not alone. Adele Dantzler of Dantzler Career Solutions walks us through the most important parts of the announcement and how to respond to get through the initial phases of the selection process.  She has lots more to offer on her website here: https://www.dcslearn.com/blog/  

Heard about the Sammies?  The Sammies, or Service to America Medals, known as the "Oscars" of government service, are a highly respected honor with a rigorous selection process. Named for the Partnership for Public Service's late founder who was inspired by President Kennedy's call to serve in 1963, these awards align with his vision of a dynamic and innovative federal workforce that meets the nee...

The Federal Employee Paid Leave Act becomes real this week but most of our agencies and departments haven't published implementing guidance and many of us don't know the key provisions of the law. Enter Government Worker (aka a fed just like us who wishes to keep his name out of the media). He publishes a blog about living frugally as a fed that you should DEFINITELY check out.  Here are two links...