Security Clearance Careers Podcast

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, it's a fitting time to look back at how we've protected the nation's most valuable asset: information. Long before security clearances, SCIFs, and cyber defense, there were trusted patriots carrying handwritten messages, writing in invisible ink, and operating spy rings behind enemy lines. George Washington understood that intelligence could be just as pow...

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...

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 introdu...

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 Colorad...

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...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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...

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 mode...

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 nat...

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 discussi...

At a time when military recruitment numbers continue to face historic challenges, the national conversation often focuses on incentives, advertising campaigns, and policy debates. But after a conversation with Navy officer, nonprofit founder, and transition advocate Jai Salters, we've found the answer may be far simpler. If we truly support our service members during and after their military caree...

Average compensation for cleared professionals has hit a record high of $126,125 — but what's driving that number, and what does it mean for you? ClearanceJobs Content Director Jill Hamilton breaks down the 2026 Compensation Report, covering why pay jumped 6% year over year, which clearance levels and certifications move the needle most, and how location, education, and experience combine into wha...

As artificial intelligence reshapes the workforce, one area seeing major transformation is the federal government. From cybersecurity to AI-powered customer support, government agencies are increasingly looking for professionals who can bridge technology, strategy, and innovation. In a recent podcast conversation with AI Product Manager and Career Rehab founder Kanika Tolver, the discussion center...

Can AI really help you navigate the security clearance process—or could it make things worse? Attorney Elisabeth Baker-Pham joins Lindy Kyzer to unpack the growing trend of using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude for legal and clearance guidance. From hallucinated legal advice to missing nuance in adjudication decisions, they discuss why relying too heavily on AI for clearance issues can create rea...

Government procurement has long been known for being slow, complex, and paperwork-heavy. From navigating lengthy RFPs to managing compliance requirements and proposal deadlines, both agencies and contractors often face a process that can take months—or even years—to complete. But artificial intelligence is beginning to change that. AI is rapidly transforming how organizations approach procurement...

In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Jacob Centeno, founder of Poor Bear Stories, to explore the power of storytelling within the national security community. From his personal journey as a Gold Star family member to building a mission-driven media company, Centeno shares how authenticity, vulnerability, and lived experience shape the stories he tells....

Economic uncertainty is hitting the workforce in uneven ways and new data suggests Black women are bearing a disproportionate share of the impact. Chiquita Hall-Jackson, a nationally recognized legal expert on workplace discrimination and equity, has been closely tracking these shifts. Known for her commentary across outlets like Essence , The 19th News, and major broadcast networks, Hall-Jackson...

Part II of our podcast with Hire Heroes USA, Redeployable, and Gerald Irvin (Hire Heroes USA client) to discuss a new report that takes a closer look at how AI is reshaping the workforce—and where veterans fit into that shift. What it finds is pretty compelling: veterans aren’t just employable in this changing landscape, they’re actually well aligned with many of the roles expected to see the most...

What makes the GEOINT Symposium 2026 a must-attend event for national security professionals? Lindy sits down with Jim McCool to break it down. From his experience at organizations like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, and the U.S. Air Force, McCool shares why GEOINT remains at the center of modern intelligence—and how it’s evolving fast. They dive into the...

 A new report from veteran empowering organizations  Hire Heroes USA  and  Redeployable  finds that as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how work is done, veterans are especially well positioned for many of the roles showing the strongest long-term growth, stability and opportunity. Veterans are not only employable — they are well aligned with roles that continue to re...

AI is moving fast—but are you moving with it? In this episode of ClearedCast , we sit down with Ryan Carpenter and Karina Barao from the Special Competitive Studies Project to break down what’s different about this year’s AI + Expo—and why it matters for national security professionals. From drone racing arenas and robot demos to hands-on workshops designed to build real AI skills, the expo is shi...

There’s a persistent narrative about federal employees: slow-moving, overly bureaucratic, and disconnected from urgency. But step inside the reality of government leadership—especially for women navigating high-stakes, mission-driven roles—and a very different picture emerges. In a recent conversation featuring federal workplace expert Mika Cross and executive coach and former Senior Executive Ser...

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-...

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...

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 intelligen...