The GovNavigators Show

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Charles Cooper , Managing Partner and Founder of the Brumidi Group, returns to offer his no-nonsense forecast for what’s next on Capitol Hill. From budget reconciliation drama and appropriations gridlock to tariff tensions and the 2026 election, Charles breaks down the policy, politics, and personalities shaping the months ahead—and why even a missed vote could...

The GovNavigators take a moment to honor Memorial Day and reflect on the sacrifices made in service to our country. With Congress narrowly advancing a reconciliation package before the long weekend, Robert and Adam also remember longtime good government champion Gerry Connolly.

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Joshua Seawell , Head of Policy at the Inclusive Abundance Initiative, joins to break down the thinking behind the Abundance Agenda. Joshua shares how this emerging framework blends high-return public investment with regulatory reform to tackle challenges in housing, energy, AI, and government modernization.  Show Notes GAO : 2025 Annual Report Book : Abundance...

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Justin Baer , Senior Vice President at Fors Marsh, returns to share his perspective on the future of federal evaluation. Drawing from his recent article, Justin outlines why traditional approaches to evidence building are falling short—and what needs to change.  Show Notes GovExec : The Baer Method: A Roadmap for Agile Evidence Building  Events on the GovNaviga...

This week on the GovNavigators Show, former Comptroller General David M. Walker joins to discuss his tenure leading the Government Accountability Office and his mission to drive lasting reform across the federal government. He reflects on how he transformed GAO into a more efficient, strategically focused agency and makes the case for why the rest of government must follow suit. Show Notes GSA : O...

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Norm Dong, Partner at FD Stonewater, joins to share insights from his distinguished career managing the federal government’s vast real estate portfolio. Reflecting on his tenure in public service, he discusses the complexities of property disposal, the impact of return-to-office policies on government facilities, and how agencies are adapting their real estate...

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Andrew Pavord joins to reflect on a career that spans academia, local and federal government, and the private sector. As President of the American Association for Budget and Program Analysis and CEO of the Federal Consulting Alliance, he unpacks the budget reconciliation process and its impact on fiscal policy. Recorded just before the latest bill’s passage, th...

This week, the GovNavigators are joined by Tim Brennan , Vice President of Government Relations at Professional Services Council, to discuss how PSC is helping its members navigate today’s uncertain political climate. Tim highlights PSC’s role in sharing information, identifying opportunities, and keeping a close eye on developments at the Capitol. He also previews PSC’s annual conference and why...

This week on the GovNavigators Show, we wrap up our two-part conversation with David Lebryk, former Fiscal Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Treasury. In Part 2, David reflects on nearly 40 years of public service, the power of leadership, and what really happens inside Treasury. He shares lessons learned and offers timely advice for today’s federal workforce. Show Notes OMB Memo:  Accelerating Fede...

This week on the GovNavigators Show, we welcome David Lebryk, former Fiscal Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, for Part 1 of a two-part conversation. David shares the path that led him from a childhood shaped by public service to a decades-long career in government. He reflects on the people, programs, and pivotal moments that influenced his journey, and why his story migh...

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Allison Brigati , former Deputy Administrator of the General Services Administration, and Daniel Heckman , CEO of MSI Consulting , to share lessons learned from the first Trump administration’s push for government efficiency. They discuss overcoming resistance to change, and harnessing automation and AI to modernize government functions. Additionally, they refl...

Ed Amorosi , partner at Haynes Boone, joins the GovNavigators this week to discuss the legal battles over executive orders, personnel dismissals, and contract cancellations. He unpacks the jurisdictional disputes complicating these cases, their broader implications, and the upcoming court decisions that could set major precedents—including long-awaited clarity on the Impoundment Act. Happy St. Pat...

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Nikki Clowers, Managing Director of the Office of Congressional Relations at GAO, to explore the vital role GAO plays in supporting oversight on Capitol Hill. She breaks down the GAO High Risk List—why it matters, how it guides government reform, and what it reveals about agencies in need of transformation.  Show Notes GAO : High-Risk Report Trump's Joint...

From Silicon Valley to just north of Capitol Hill, Betsy Beaumon joins the GovNavigators Show to share how she brought tech-driven transformation to the Social Security Administration. She reflects on her personal connection to SSA’s mission, the creation of the Office of Transformation, and the major strides made in improving security, operations, and customer experience. Show Notes GAO : High-Ri...

This week, The GovNavigators welcomes one of our favorite guests, Kelly Morrison , Senior Vice President at HumanTouch . With a distinguished 16-year tenure in the federal government she shares insights from her federal service and explores how data management and modernization can drive efficiency within DOGE's mission.  Show Notes Presidential Actions:   Radical Transparency about Wasteful...

The GovNavigators would like to take a moment to honor Presidents Day as we prepare for another busy week. The DOGE mania is in full swing, and Congress is scheduled to hear a budget resolution on the House floor following the Presidents' Day recess. Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter! Visit our website here to sign up.

As the new administration takes shape, C-SPAN's Director of Communications, Howard Mortman , joins the GovNavigators to share insights on the network's coverage, from confirmation hearings to shifts between administrations and what's on the network's horizon. Show Notes Trump Administration Actions : Deferred Resignation Program Blocked by Federal Judge Find Federal Expenditure...

As the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence marks its 10th anniversary, Executive Director Amy Edwards Holmes joins the GovNavigators show to reflect on GovEx ’s impact and unveil her next steps. She discusses the center’s strides in modernizing data for real-world change and shares her insights on the future of AI in government. Show Notes OMB Memo : Federal Financial Assistance Pause Resci...

As the new administration takes control, government efficiency takes center stage. Congressman Pete Sessions , Chair of the DOGE Caucus, joins the GovNavigators to discuss the role of the DOGE Caucus, his vision for government modernization, and his efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in government. Show Notes Trump Administration's First Week : Presidential Actions Congressional Testim...

Loren DeJonge Schulman , Associate Director of the Office of Performance and Personnel Management within the Office of Management and Budget, joins the GovNavigator show to reflect on her experiences in the federal government and celebrate her team's achievements. In her discussion with Adam and Robert, Loren shares her favorite memories from OMB, what she is most proud of, and what she would...

With January 20 approaching, Federal News Network Executive Editor Jason Miller joins the show to discuss DOGE and brings some much needed reality to the reported trillion-dollar cuts to the federal budget. He also shares his insights on the upcoming presidential transition and shares an update on the current efforts of the agency landing teams. Show Notes Trump Administration Announcement : 100 E...

Charles Cooper, Founder and Managing Partner of the Brumidi Group, celebrated the new year with Robert and Adam by crafting significant predictions for 2025. His expert insights on the infamous Department of Government Efficiency and the future of Congress under the Trump Administration are sure to pique your interest. Happy New Year! Show Notes Congressional Updates : Speaker Johnson Re-elected B...

Robert and Adam wrap up the year with a look back at the season’s podcast highlights, a dive into DOGE mania, and insights into what’s ahead for next year. Wishing you happy holidays! Show Notes GAO : Fraud Risk Management Report Biden EO: Executive Order on the safe, secure, and trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence    FedRAMP : Securing Cloud Services for the federal Governm...

#FOGN Ann Dunkin joins the show shortly before departing the federal government after her second tour of duty running the IT shop of a major federal agency. Ann shares her reflections on the good, the bad, and the ugly of working in federal IT, the importance of collaboration, and some of the things she's learned along the way. Show Notes Axios : Vivek Ramaswamy: Firing federal workers will b...

The Lacey Lewis #Era has begun at GovNavigators. Our first employee joins the show to talk about her background and Texas roots, interest in public policy, and spills the tea about her internship at OMB. Don't miss this one!    Show Notes WashPost: ‘DOGE’ tweets illustrate an almost impossible budget-cutting agenda OMB Releases Annual Data Showing Lowest Government-wide Improper Payment Rate...