Episodios
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Today, the spotlight is on zero trust—not just as a cybersecurity strategy, but as a cultural and operational shift across government. With the Department of Defense aiming to fully operationalize its zero trust strategy by 2027, the pressure is on agencies to go beyond checklists and truly embed zero trust principles into their missions. Joining Francis is Ryan Zacha, Solution Architect at Booz Allen, who shares deep insights into what it takes to make zero trust work—beyond the buzzwords.
Ryan highlights successful government-industry partnerships like the Thunderdome program, which provides a scalable model for delivering cutting-edge security capabilities across the Department of Defense. He emphasizes the need for collaborative engagement where industry partners help federal teams analyze their current environments, identify capability gaps, and chart strategic implementation roadmaps.
One of the biggest challenges, Ryan notes, is cultural—not technological. Many agencies have the tools and architectures they need, but fear and uncertainty around data classification and access control often stall progress. He urges agencies not to wait for perfect standards or top-down direction but to begin now with foundational data analysis and strategic planning.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Today’s conversation turns to one of the most pressing and controversial issues facing the Department of Defense: a sweeping mandate for workforce reduction. Former Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Dov Zakheim joins the show to unpack the urgent memo issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which gives military services and agencies just two weeks to analyze and recommend personnel cuts.
Zakheim warns that while the intention behind the workforce realignment—boosting efficiency and modernizing operations—is commendable, the rushed timeline may lead to damaging and shortsighted decisions. Drawing on his experience and a recent piece he authored for The Hill, Zakheim outlines why the process must extend all the way down the chain of command and allow new leaders time to find their footing.
For a link to Zakheim’s article and the official memo, visit the show page at fedgovtoday.com. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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We dive deep into the future of the Defense Department’s cyber and technology workforce with retired Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence, former Army CIO/G-6 and current President and CEO of AFCEA International. As one of the key leaders at the recent 2025 Cyber Workforce Summit, General Lawrence shares exclusive insights into the event’s genesis, its explosive growth, and the collaborative efforts between government and industry to address the critical cyber talent gap.
General Lawrence also reveals how today’s evolving threat landscape—what she calls “the speed of the threat”—requires rapid innovation and an all-hands-on-deck approach that includes civilian partners. She previews TechNet Cyber, AFCEA’s flagship event, which will feature the largest number of stages ever, showcasing thought leadership from DISA, OSD, Cyber Command, academia, and industry alike.
Learn more about TechNet Cyber and register at fedgovtoday.com/events, and catch Fed Gov Today TV every Sunday on ABC 7 and YouTube for more exclusive insights from federal leaders.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Francis welcomes Dawn Simpson, Director of Financial Management and Assurance at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), to discuss the IRS's notable improvements in internal controls and the reliability of its financial data.
Dawn outlines how the IRS addressed 21 prior-year deficiencies in information systems, leading to the removal of a previously reported significant deficiency. She explains the key areas of progress — particularly in access controls and configuration management — and why these enhancements matter not only for accurate year-end financial statements but also for real-time confidence in financial data throughout the fiscal year.
She also offers insights into the ongoing nature of GAO’s audit work — highlighting how it’s common to resolve past issues while uncovering new ones — and stresses the critical role of manual monitoring in tandem with automated controls. One standout recommendation: agencies must ensure the data they extract from financial systems truly reflects their intended policies, such as depreciation calculations.
Find links to Dawn’s work on IRS financial management and more details about upcoming events and episodes at FedGovToday.com.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Former GSA Administrator, Emily Murphy, joins Francis to break down the implications of an executive order tasking GSA to once again become the government’s central buying authority. Murphy shares her insights on what it will take to successfully transition procurement functions from multiple agencies into GSA, including the structural, personnel, and cultural shifts required to make it work.
Francis and Emily explore the lessons learned from early pilots with SBA and OPM, the complexities of retraining 1102s, and how GSA must retain its hard-won customer-first culture to avoid the pitfalls of the past. She underscores the importance of speed, agility, and agency collaboration to meet mission needs—warning that savings alone mean little if agencies can’t get what they need, when they need it.
In addition, Emily shares candid reflections on GSA’s physical footprint, including the historical yet aging headquarters at 1800 F Street, and how the agency can remain operationally effective even if it relocates. She also discusses the ongoing federal property disposal process, the challenges of building decommissioning, and the future of the Public Building Service.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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It’s business as usual at one key government agency—even as the federal workforce faces uncertainty. Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, joins the show to talk about a major milestone: the G Fund’s 38th birthday. Kaplan reflects on the TSP’s growth from its humble beginnings to serving over 7.2 million participants with $900 billion in assets.
He breaks down why the G Fund remains a foundational piece of many retirement portfolios, especially as part of the increasingly popular lifecycle (L) funds. Kaplan also highlights record-high participation in matching contributions—88.5% for FERS and nearly 90% for the Blended Retirement System—crediting successful auto-enrollment and personalized outreach strategies that nudge federal employees to maximize their benefits. Find more details about your TSP account and the G Fund’s birthday at FedGovToday.com.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and current CEO of the Navy League, Mike Stevens, joins Francis to deliver a stark message: the nation owes it to its sea service members to give them the tools, funding, and support they need—not only to accomplish the mission but to come home safely.
Stevens dives deep into the persistent challenges the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard face, from budget uncertainty and the constraints of continuing resolutions to the critical weaknesses in the maritime industrial base. With global tensions rising and Navy carrier groups actively engaging threats, the conversation underscores the high stakes for readiness and sustainability. Stevens also shares a powerful perspective on the mental and emotional toll that long deployments and high-stress combat environments can take on enlisted service members—effects that often don’t surface until years later.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Big changes are on the horizon for the FedRAMP cloud security program — and the reasons behind them are more than just procedural. Former Acting FedRAMP Director, Brian Conrad, joins Francis to break down what’s evolving, what’s staying the same, and why the ultimate goal is about delivering real security outcomes for federal data. Brian shares insights into the most common pain points industry partners faced under the old model — from finding an agency sponsor to navigating complex continuous monitoring requirements — and why upcoming automation efforts and direct authorization pathways could be game changers.
He also dives into the potential for AI, the importance of industry-government collaboration, and the role emerging initiatives like GovRAMP could play in harmonizing requirements across all levels of government.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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The face of identity verification is changing—literally. Arun Vemury, Senior Advisor for Biometric and Identity Technologies at the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, joins the show to break down the Remote Identity Validation Rally, an ambitious initiative tackling the growing challenge of verifying digital identities in an age of deepfakes, AI-generated fraud, and high-tech document forgeries.
Arun shares how DHS is partnering with TSA, Homeland Security Investigations, and NIST to rigorously test remote ID verification technologies—technologies that surged in use during the pandemic and are now under the microscope. From testing selfies and document photos against advanced fraud tactics, to analyzing solutions in sequestered environments without relying on the public cloud, DHS is pushing to ensure that these tools are accurate, secure, and reliable.
Read more about the Remote Identity Validation Rally full today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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We’re getting real about cloud strategy in government. If agencies are moving to the cloud—and most are—it’s time to stop treating it like a buzzword and start managing it like a business. Vijay D’Souza, Director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), joins Francis to share insights from a brand-new guide that compiles 19 leading cloud practices from 18 private sector companies. Spoiler: it’s not just about tech. It’s about leadership, workforce readiness, acquisition smarts, and visibility into costs—especially through the emerging discipline of FinOps.
D’Souza talks about what the federal government can learn from industry leaders, why workforce challenges are universal, and how multi-cloud strategies offer both flexibility and complexity. He also emphasizes the importance of strong leadership in cloud success and explains how fragmented cost management in government is holding agencies back from realizing the full potential of their cloud investments.
Read Vijay’s full report on today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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The General Services Administration is making a bold move to centralize procurement across the federal government, but not everyone is on board. In this episode of Fed Gov Today, former Pennsylvania Chief Procurement Officer, David Yarkin, joins Francis to discuss the challenges and opportunities of strategic sourcing. Yarkin shares insights from his time in Pennsylvania, where similar efforts led to significant cost savings—and the lessons learned along the way. He explains why agencies often push back against consolidation and how procurement leaders can navigate these challenges to deliver better results for taxpayers.
Later, Yarkin dives into the measurable impact of procurement reform and why data-driven decision-making is key to success. He also discusses the lessons learned from past procurement failures and why technology is now essential in tracking vendor performance.
For more details and to read David’s piece, visit today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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We’re diving into a software problem that even DOGE would raise an eyebrow at. Federal agencies are sitting on a mountain of idle software licenses, sometimes with more subscriptions than employees to use them. Former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Chief Technology Officer, Bob Gourley, joins Francis to discuss how agencies can cut waste, streamline software procurement, and adopt smarter licensing models.
Gourley breaks down staggering audit findings—like an agency with 13,000 employees owning 37,000 WinZip licenses—and explains why this inefficiency persists. He outlines how the government’s $6 billion software budget could be optimized through enterprise-wide agreements, usage-based pricing, and open-source solutions with enterprise support. While centralizing procurement through GSA could bring cost savings, agencies also need the flexibility to make mission-driven decisions at a local level.
For more details and to read Bob’s full analysis, visit today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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The latest executive order on Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs) leaves as much unsaid as it does stated—and that could have major implications for the future of federal HR leadership. Former DHS Chief Human Capital Officer, Jeff Neal, joins Francis to break down what the EO doesn’t say about turning CHCOs into political appointees and why that matters. Jeff shares his own experience transitioning his role from a political appointment to a career SES position and explains how this change could influence agency leadership, decision-making, and the independence of HR leaders across government.
Neal shares the real-world challenges CHCOs face in balancing politics with policy, the potential chilling effect on career executives, and why some fights are worth picking—and others aren’t. Plus, the latest insights on federal workforce trends, including why the government struggles to attract young talent and how hiring decisions today could shape the future of federal HR.
For more details and to read Jeff’s full analysis, visit today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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Former DHS Chief Information Security Officer, Ken Bible, joins the show to discuss how agencies like DHS, FEMA, and CISA are navigating cyber workforce challenges under the Cyber Talent Management System (CTMS). He highlights the risks of attrition in an increasingly competitive cybersecurity landscape and explains why investing in and retaining cyber talent is crucial for securing operational technologies, industrial control systems, and the next wave of AI-driven security challenges.
Tune in to Fed Gov Today TV this Tuesday, March 18, at 8:30 PM ET on WJLA 24/7 News. If you miss the live broadcast, catch it anytime on FedGovToday.com or the Fed Gov Today YouTube channel.
Don’t miss the next episode, where we explore a major shakeup in federal human capital policy—converting every career agency Chief Human Capital Officer into a political appointee.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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As federal employees approach the pivotal decision of retirement, understanding the ins and outs of the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is crucial. Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, sits down with Francis to break down the latest updates to the TSP fact sheet for departing federal employees. He clarifies common misconceptions—like the fact that you don’t have to close your TSP when you leave federal service—and explains the options for maintaining, rolling over, or withdrawing funds.
Kaplan also sheds light on the top concerns from TSP participants, including required minimum distributions, tax forms, and installment payments for retirees. He discusses the infrastructure behind distributing over 1.3 million 1099-R forms and how the TSP’s recordkeeping contract ensures a high level of customer service—boasting a 94% satisfaction rate and an impressive average wait time of just 20 seconds.
Plus, get a sneak peek into the future of TSP services, including upcoming in-plan Roth conversions, new financial planning calculators, and ongoing innovations to enhance participant experiences.
Don’t miss the next episode, where we’ll dive into the future of the federal cyber workforce with Ken Bible, former Chief Information Security Officer at DHS.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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We explore the growing challenge of AI risk assessment across federal agencies. Artificial intelligence is already playing a crucial role in protecting critical infrastructure, but ensuring these AI applications are secure from cyber threats remains a major concern. Tina Won Sherman, Director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), joins the show to break down the latest findings on AI risk management and why no agency has fully met the necessary risk assessment standards.
Tina explains how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with other federal agencies, is responsible for assessing AI risks in 16 critical infrastructure sectors, ranging from transportation and healthcare to energy and communications. While agencies submitted the required risk assessments, GAO found that none fully addressed all six foundational activities necessary for a thorough evaluation. The most significant gap? Not a single agency effectively evaluated the level of AI risk impact—a critical step in understanding vulnerabilities and implementing mitigation strategies.
As the federal government continues to refine its approach to AI risk management, GAO makes a careful recommendation to DHS. With AI use cases expanding across agencies and private-sector partners, ensuring comprehensive risk assessments is more important than ever. You can find a link to the full GAO report on today’s show page at FedGovToday.com.
Don't forget to catch Fed Gov Today TV this Sunday at 10:30 AM on ABC 7 Washington and on the Fed Gov Today YouTube channel, where top federal technology leaders discuss critical issues, including contract challenges, decision-making with data, and the enterprise approach to solving government tech problems. On the next episode of the podcast, we’ll tackle frequently asked questions about federal retirement as employees face major career decisions.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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Want to learn more about this conversation? Check out today's show page.
Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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