Security Clearance Careers Podcast

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 rep...

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 camarade...

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 Dir...

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

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 alleg...

Created by professionals with over 50 years of expertise, Tru-Vetting revolutionizes security management. Their solutions enhance efficiency, turning complex security processes into simple operations. Tru-Vetting is your FSO companion, empowering your organization to focus on growth while keeping your business aligned with the latest policies and procedures. They join the podcast to talk about all...

In an era where cybersecurity challenges demand diversity, creativity, and resilience, The Cyber Guild is more than an organization—it’s a movement. For professionals pursuing or holding security clearances, the Guild’s community-driven, inclusive approach is a powerful complement to technical expertise. Whether you're transitioning from government service or seeking broader professional networks,...

Federal hiring is shifting fast—from law enforcement incentives and IT demand to new rules like the two-page USAJobs resume.  Join ClearanceJobs’ Lindy Kyzer in conversation with federal jobs coach Armand Curet as they unpack the latest hiring freeze updates, agency-specific trends, and the myths that keep applicants from landing government roles.  Whether you’re a veteran, a career-chan...

In part two of our conversation with former CIA officer and Global Leadership Lab CEO Rupal Patel, we explore women’s roles in intelligence, the value of community in cleared careers, and how a global perspective shapes authentic leadership. Patel also shares advice for the next generation of national security professionals and reflects on the importance of surrounding yourself with the right peop...

In this episode of ClearedCast , host Phoebe Wells sits down with Rupal Patel—former CIA officer, CEO of the Global Leadership Lab, and author of From CIA to CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better, and Being Bolder . Patel shares her unconventional path from war zones and classified briefings to the corporate boardroom, offering candid insights on resilience, confiden...

Transitioning from military service into the civilian workforce is rarely straightforward—but for Albert Bellamy, a retired Marine Corps officer, it was a journey defined by logistics, analytics, and adaptability. Now a marketing and business intelligence consultant, Bellamy shared with the Security Clearance Careers Podcast how his time in uniform prepared him to thrive in the data-driven world o...

Are you ready to take your place at the forefront of government technology? From September 11–13, 2025, GovTechCon takes over The Square (1850 K St NW, Washington, D.C.) with a hybrid, immersive experience designed to ignite your GovTech journey.  Creator, Symone Berry, joins the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to discuss why aspiring professionals should attend the in person or hybrid opt...

Reaching out to recruiters can be one of the smartest moves a job seeker makes in the hiring process, but how you do it matters. A quick, vague message like “When can we talk?” may feel like you’re showing initiative, but in reality, it can do more harm than good. Recruiters are busy, and without context, they’re less likely to respond. Recently, there was a viral post on social media from a recru...

The FBI warns that talent recruitment programs pose a serious risk to U.S. businesses, universities, and laboratories. What might appear as legitimate opportunities often serve as conduits for undisclosed transfers of intellectual property, proprietary technology, and sensitive research. All benefiting China, not U.S. innovation ecosystems. Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer highlight the issue, sometime...

Myth vs. Reality: What You Need to Know About Polygraphs Myth 1: Polygraphs Are 100% Accurate and Always Determine Truth Reality: Polygraphs are not “lie detectors.” They measure physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweat gland activity—signals that may indicate stress or anxiety. Trained examiners interpret these results, but several factors can influence the outcome: F...

With an exciting week ahead in Colorado Springs, the ClearanceJobs Content Team discusses what recruiters and job seekers can expect from attending the Nooks classified facility on this week's episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast. Get your last minute ticket to ClearanceJobs Connect CO here . Register here for the Career Conversations job fair happening after recruiting training. GREE...

As cyber threats surge and organizations scramble to protect digital infrastructure, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has never been higher. But for those aspiring to break into the field, the path can feel unclear. Whether you're transitioning from IT, switching careers entirely, or just starting out, cybersecurity offers diverse entry points—but standing out requires strategy and dedic...

In this episode of ClearedCast we’re joined by Elisabeth Baker Pham, national security attorney and personnel security expert, to unpack one of the most significant changes to the security clearance process in years—the rollout of the new Personnel Vetting Questionnaire (PVQ). Replacing the long-standing SF-86 and SF-85 forms, the PVQ represents a major shift in how the federal government approach...

In this episode of ClearedCast, ClearanceJobs legal correspondent Sean Bigley and VP Lindy Kyzer discuss one of the federal government’s most persistent personnel security challenges: security clearance reciprocity. Despite years of reform and policy promises, clearance holders continue to face delays and disruptions when moving between agencies—even when they already hold an active clearance. Sea...

In today’s ever-shifting security environment, both cyber operations and the defense industry at large are experiencing transformative growth. From humble beginnings of rudimentary attacks to the intricate global threat matrix of today, cyber operations have evolved dramatically. In parallel, defense-focused companies are re-evaluating their strategies to stay agile amid ongoing federal realignmen...

For cleared professionals, the idea of a career pivot can feel particularly complex. Whether you're shifting industries, moving from government to private sector (or vice versa), or simply seeking a new role within national security, making a strategic career change can open exciting new doors—if you approach it right. Joyce, career coach from Digital Humanity, joins the podcast to discuss how to...

Small and mid-sized government contractors are quietly using AI to erase the advantage the big primes have long enjoyed. Budgets are tight, recompetes are fierce, and many large incumbents are still dabbling with AI pilot projects. Meanwhile, leaner firms that go “all in” on AI are winning bids by pricing sharper, forecasting resources better, and delivering results faster. One example is Saalex C...

In 2003, Keith Richard—an accomplished logistics expert with no military background—made a decision that would forever alter the course of his life. Tasked with leading a rapidly mobilized operation to deliver critical fuel and supplies to U.S. military forces in Iraq and Kuwait, Richard stepped into a war zone as a civilian leader, navigating a role typically reserved for seasoned military person...

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Jaffer and Cadie Hopkins, the powerhouse duo behind the Iron Butterfly Foundation and Iron Butterfly Media, and now the groundbreaking documentary that amplifies the voices of women in the intelligence and national security community. If you’ve followed the Iron Butterfly podcast, you already know Megan and Cadie are passionate about highlighting the often u...

In a powerful step forward for military brain health, a research team led by Dr. James Stone at the University of Virginia School of Medicine has received a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance a game-changing tool: the Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV). This data-driven system is poised to revolutionize how we understand, measure, and ultimately protect service...