Career disruption and side hustles are increasingly common — but how do they impact your security clearance?

In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs sits down with federal career coach and FedUpward host Love Rutledge to discuss navigating unexpected federal career pivots, translating government experience for the private sector, and the emotional impact of leaving civil service.

They also share transition resources for federal employees, including:

• Volcker Alliance — https://www.volckeralliance.org
• Partnership for Public Service — https://ourpublicservice.org
• FormerGov — https://www.formergov.com
• FedUpward Podcast — https://www.fedupwardcoaching.com/podcast

Later, security clearance attorney John Berry joins the show to break down how job hopping, gig work, outside employment, tax issues, and timecard fraud can raise clearance concerns — and what to do to stay compliant.

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The federal government can no longer treat artificial intelligence as optional—but what does true AI readiness actually look like?

On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Jennifer Ewbank, former Deputy Director of the CIA for Digital Innovation, to unpack how AI is reshaping national security missions, workforce expectations, and accountability across government.

Rather than focusing on tools or pilot programs, Ewbank makes the case for a mission-first approach to AI—one that prioritizes readiness, governance, and human judgment. The conversation explores why digital literacy must become foundational for the entire federal workforce, how AI and cybersecurity skills are increasingly intertwined, and why uniquely human skills like critical thinking, ethics, and adaptability matter more than ever.

They also dive into the realities holding agencies back—from messy data environments and compliance-driven culture to slow hiring pipelines and outdated talent systems—and why the greatest risk to government may be standing still while technology accelerates.

Whether you’re a clearance holder, hiring leader, policymaker, or technologist, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at what it will take to responsibly scale AI across federal missions—without losing accountability, transparency, or trust.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Security Clearance Insecurity podcast welcomes new legal contributors Elisabeth Baker-Pham of Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C. and John Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC to the mic. In this episode, the panel breaks down how security clearance decisions intersect with employment law, why agencies handle cases differently, and what cleared professionals should know before filling out an SF-86, responding to investigators, or facing a statement of reasons. A must-listen for anyone navigating the cleared workforce this year.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does flexibility really mean for the national security workforce—and why does it matter now?

In this episode, ClearanceJobs’ Lindy Kyzer is joined by workforce strategist and former federal executive Mika Cross for a timely conversation on the future of federal and cleared work. Drawing from congressional testimony, workforce data, and decades of public service experience, they unpack how telework, hybrid models, and strategic flexibility directly impact mission readiness, talent retention, and national security outcomes.

The discussion explores:

• Why flexibility is a national security imperative, not a workplace perk
• The real costs of losing high-performing cleared professionals
• Military spouse employment and its impact on readiness
• What the President’s Management Agenda signals for the federal workforce
• How national security agencies can lead on agility, trust, and innovation

This episode offers critical insight for cleared professionals, federal leaders, recruiters, and policymakers navigating the evolving realities of government work.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, Lindy Kyzer sits down with Elisabeth Baker Pham, attorney and federal employment expert, to unpack how government shutdowns trigger far more than political drama, they create real financial strain that can jeopardize a cleared worker’s livelihood and their security clearance.

Elisabeth breaks down the most immediate financial impacts she sees when federal employees and contractors suddenly lose income, from missed paychecks to debt that spirals faster than many expect. She explains how those shutdown-driven money problems often resurface later in a clearance file - late mortgage payments, credit card delinquencies, even tax complications - and how adjudicators typically view financial issues that clearly started during a lapse in appropriations.

For clearance holders staring down bills they can’t pay, Elisabeth offers practical, actionable steps: how to talk to creditors, what to document for future mitigation, and how to communicate with your agency during the shutdown itself. And with shutdown threats becoming a regular occurrence, she outlines the long-term financial and legal strategies every cleared professional should put in place now so the next disruption doesn’t put their bank account or their clearance at risk.

Whether you’re a federal employee, a contractor, or a security-clearance professional supporting a cleared workforce, this episode delivers the guidance you need to navigate financial uncertainty without compromising your national-security career.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the ClearanceJobs Podcast, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Leslie Reid, Vice President of Defense Programs at iWorks and former senior leader at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), for a deep-dive conversation into the reality and the future of Trusted Workforce 2.0.

With more than two decades of leadership experience across the national security and defense community, Leslie has been at the center of some of the most significant vetting reforms of the past decade. From driving modernization at DCSA to championing agile, scalable solutions that support mission requirements, Leslie brings unmatched insight into how the personnel-vetting enterprise is transforming and what’s coming next.

Together, Lindy and Leslie unpack the big questions shaping TW 2.0 today:

• How are agencies implementing modernization at scale?
• What challenges remain around reciprocity, system adoption, clearance mobility, and workforce readiness?
• How are new tools including automation, AI, and continuous vetting technologies changing expectations for applicants, employers, and security professionals?
• And what does the future look like as the government prepares for the next era of risk-based, data-driven vetting?

Whether you’re an FSO, recruiter, HR leader, cleared professional, or simply someone trying to make sense of the alphabet soup of vetting reforms, this is a conversation that pulls back the curtain on what Trusted Workforce 2.0 really means—and how it will reshape national security hiring for years to come.

Tune in for an expert-driven, mission-focused discussion on security clearance modernization.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does a government shutdown really impact security clearance holders and applicants? In this timely episode, Lindy Kyzer sits down with security clearance and employment law expert John Berry to break down the real-world consequences beyond the headlines.

From delayed investigations and paused adjudications to furlough fears and continuous vetting confusion, we explore how shutdowns can ripple through every stage of the clearance process. Can your clearance be at risk if you’re not being paid? What if you’re an applicant waiting on paperwork or a contractor stuck in limbo?

John brings his legal insight and decades of experience representing federal employees and contractors, while Lindy adds perspective from the cleared workforce and industry trends.

We cover:

• How shutdowns disrupt clearance processing and timelines
• What applicants should do if their investigation stalls
• Financial stress, furloughs, and reporting requirements
• Practical advice to protect your career during government uncertainty

Whether you’re active duty, a contractor, federal employee, or just clearance-curious, this episode gives you the clarity and action steps you need to stay prepared no matter what happens in Washington.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal hiring is never simple. And right now, it’s changing faster than ever. From new incentives for law enforcement and the growing demand for IT talent, to changes like the two-page USAJobs resume rule, the landscape can feel overwhelming.

On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity on Federal News Network, ClearanceJobs’ Lindy Kyzer sits down with federal jobs coach Armand Curet to break it all down. They’ll unpack the latest on hiring freezes, agency-specific trends, and the myths that stop great candidates from landing government roles.

Whether you’re a veteran, a career-changer, or just curious about what it takes to work for the federal government, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and get clarity on your next steps.

And if you’re looking for even more insight into federal careers, don’t miss FedWork, the new resource from ClearanceJobs designed to help you navigate federal hiring, applications, and career growth.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.