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 ro…

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 C…

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 un…

hat’s really happening with Trusted Workforce 2.0? For years, it’s been billed as the game-changing reform effort to modernize how the government vets and clears its personnel. But with implementation lagging and key systems like NBIS still not fully operational, the big question remains: Are we making progress, or just stuck in process? In this ep…

The annual NCMS Seminar brings together security professionals from across the nation. In this episode of the ClearanceJobs Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of the NCMS Annual Seminar—the premier event for industrial security professionals. Joining us are special guests Stevie Dahl and Sarah Turner, members of the NCMS National Board of Direc…

Since its founding, The New IC has been the Intelligence and National Security Alliance's (INSA) premier workforce event—dedicated to supporting early- and mid-career professionals across the cleared community. Whether you're just getting your start or looking to take your next big step, this program is designed to help you build your skills, broad…

The 2025 AI Expo for National Competitiveness, held from June 2–4 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., brought together over 15,000 attendees from government, academia, and industry to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its role in national security and economic leadership. For today's episode of the Sec…

Google Public Sector joins the podcast to discuss Google Veterans Career Week. Mike Benedosso, global leader of Google's Veterans Network (VetNet), tells us more about his own transition, tips for veterans looking for a job at Google, and why he has stayed for nine years supporting Google's Brand Marketing (Brand Social): Influencer Marketing as a …

Today our episode of the Security Clerance Careers Podcast focuses on navigating ClearanceJobs.com as a job seeker. We have Brent, ClearanceJobs Manager of Client Success who runs our candidate how-to webinars. This is an engaging, informative episode that highlights both practical tips and strategic insights for cleared professionals navigating Cl…

Optimizing your online profiles for professional networking is essential in today’s digital-first professional landscape. Your ClearanceJobs profile is often the first interaction someone has with you—whether it's a recruiter, hiring manager, or other executive leader using our platform. Platforms like ClearanceJobs rank profiles against Boolean se…

Welcome back to the ClearanceJobs podcast—where national security professionals stay informed, inspired, and maybe even a little entertained. Today, we’re bringing you the official recap of SOF Week 2025—arguably one of the most impactful defense community events of the year. Whether you were boots-on-the-ground in Tampa or just watching from afar,…

Pay transparency—openly sharing salary ranges and compensation practices—has been gaining traction in both private and public sectors. But how does this shift impact employee morale? The answer: it depends on how it’s implemented. New pay transparency laws are shining a light on compensation—but they’re also exposing workplace tensions that many le…

Gwen Clavon, Senior Vice President for Digital Security and Analytics at Amentum, joins ClearedCast to discuss leadership, resilience, and wellness in cleared careers—and why it’s okay to not be okay in national security. To learn more about careers at Amentum, visit their ClearanceJobs profile. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor…

Lindy Kyzer and Sean Bigley of ClearanceJobs spitball about the truth and lies when it comes to the polygraph process. One of the realities of the polygraph is that even experts agree it's dubious at actually checking for lies. What it is good at is getting people to have a spiritual epiphany and suddenly start sharing details they hadn't before. T…

Mika Cross is a workplace expert known for her work in areas like government workforce innovation, flexible work environments, employee engagement, and talent management. She has held senior roles across federal agencies, including the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Labor. Mika often speaks about future of work tren…

Security clearance holders - they're just like us! Working in national security holds individuals to a higher standard, but it doesn't mean their perfect. Legal run ins cause clearance holders a lot of anxiety, but the only thing worse than getting caught on the familiar side of a pair of handcuffs is trying to hide that arrest or police incident f…

As thousands of service members prepare to leave the military each year, one of their greatest challenges isn’t found on the battlefield—it’s navigating the transition to civilian life. The move from a structured military environment to a more fluid civilian job market can be jarring, but with early preparation and the right tools, veterans can pos…

Ryan Carpenter and Nandita Balakrishnan of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonpartisan nonprofit working to advance U.S. national competitiveness in the age of artificial intelligence, join us on this episode of ClearedCast. Ryan and Nandita share how SCSP is shaping the future through two powerful initiatives: the AI + Expo, a th…

If you are like most people, your work life will not follow a straight line. The average person changes careers five to seven times during their working life. I’ve pivoted a few times myself. I went from marketing in college, to social work, to admin, to recruiter and now back to marketing. Each of these major shifts led me to a better place and re…

On this episode of the Security Clearance Careers podcast Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer discuss the finer points of why security clearance holders should report security concerns. With updated security clearance reporting requirements mandating reporting on not just yourself, but questionable actions by coworkers, it's worth understanding what a secu…

In recent months, significant federal workforce reductions have been implemented through initiatives led by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk. These cutbacks have profoundly affected federal employment opportunities, particularly impacting veterans, minority groups, public health servic…

If you haven't been on the job search for awhile, you may be surprised to see folks comparing today's job search to the dating journey. Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer discuss why maybe it's not great to think about your next employer as the great love of your life, but it may be a good thing for employers to take notions of gamification and online con…

Aisha Bowe, a trailblazer in the field of aerospace engineering, is making headlines once again as she prepares to embark on an extraordinary journey to space. This monumental achievement is not only a testament to her personal dedication and expertise but also highlights the groundbreaking work of her company, STEMBoard. She joins the Security Cle…

57% of Workers Believe AI in Hiring Would Reduce Bias HireVue, a leader in AI-based hiring tools, is gearing up to release the results of a new survey of over 4,000 HR leaders and employees revealing how both sides think about and interact with AI at work. This isn’t another AI hype report. This is what’s actually happening in hiring—right now. The…

Employment trends expert discusses the importance of the Workday lawsuit and how it can impact companies who use AI hiring tools. Current estimates show that around 50% of companies now use AI tools for recruitment and hiring. However, the wild west of AI usage will soon come under legal wrangling. Earlier this month, an applicant in a groundbreaki…

As we continue to see major cutbacks across the federal government, both cleared and uncleared, many states and organizations are offering support and resources for those laid off workers. Leaders across industries are highlighting companies and recruiters hiring, hosting online workshops and offering legal seminars so workers know their rights. Fo…

A former Navy sailor has pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago to plotting to attack Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago, Illinois, purportedly on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Xuanyu Harry Pang, 38, of North Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty to conspiring to and attempting to willfully injure and destroy na…

Author and former CIA operative Michele Rigby Assad joins the show to discuss her book ‘Get Off the X’. It’s Assad’s second book, and shares stories from the CIA that can help you face your hurdles, find your purpose and live authentically. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

While the goal for most job seekers is to capture the attention of recruiters, there are certain actions that can inadvertently lead to being overlooked or ignored. Understanding these missteps can help you avoid them and improve your chances of landing a job interview. Jill and Katie talk about some common mistakes and icky moves to avoid. Hosted …

Cyber threats are evolving—and so is the demand for talent. ManTech’s Chris Cleary discusses high-impact cyber careers in national security. Learn more about ManTech here: https://www.mantech.com/ Browse current openings here: https://www.clearancejobs.com/profiles/785425/mantech-international-jobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in…

Working from home offers flexibility and comfort, but it can also lead to the development of certain bad habits that hinder productivity and well-being. Here are some common habits you might want to consider breaking to improve your work-from-home experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

Former Army Public Affairs Officer and ClearanceJobs news site contributor, Aaron Knowles, has decided to write a book on Artifical Intelligence (AI). But not on the usual AI mantra. His book highlights the good tools, the scary ones that are a backdoor for China to surveil your phone data, and when to ethically implement AI, and maybe where to hol…

Before Elon Musk and DOGE walked into the USAID security office, one former employee and whistleblower was already calling the USAID clearance process into question. From the archives: Mark Moyar joins the show to discuss his book, which sheds light on the complex relationship between security clearance eligibility and employment decisions. The aut…

Tune in to this episode of ClearedCast where we have a special announcement - the ClearanceJobs Content Team has been hard at work researching and producing a new podcast that will focus on declassified programs within the Intelligence Community. Get all the details on the inspiration for the project, the research, and launch date. Hosted on Acast.…

Creating a job application that stands out can be a game-changer in today’s competitive job market. Here are some key steps to craft a compelling application that captures the attention of employers. 1. Understand the Job Description Before you start writing your application, thoroughly read the job description. Identify the key skills, qualificati…

Foreign intelligence assets are looking for opportunities to take advantage of national security workers. Whether it's oversharing on an airplane or leaving your badge in plane site, there are simple, stupid mistakes national security workers should avoid making in order to stay safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

ClearanceJobs Connect West is a networking and professional development event tailored for individuals and organizations associated with the national security and defense sectors. This event specifically targets professionals who hire for positions requiring security clearances. It serves as a platform for connecting cleared recruiters, HR professi…

Building better teams is a key goal across every organization. But all too many fail to put better data and insights into that team building process. A new book by COL Kris Saling, Data-Driven Talent Management, helps give people managers better tools to add to their team building toolkit, including considering what data is already available, how i…

Jay McKeown is the Director of Talent Acquisition at Red River, a defense contractor that brings together the ideal combination of talent, partners and products to disrupt the status quo in technology and drive success for business and government in ways previously unattainable. Red River serves organizations well beyond traditional technology inte…

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a challenging journey. However, there exists a vast "sea of goodwill" that can support veterans through this process. This metaphorical sea is made up of organizations, communities, and individuals committed to helping veterans successfully navigate their new path. A couple of podcasts hos…

Were you on the nice list this year and found yourself gifted an overseas experience? Foreign travel is one of the basic things that all security clearance holders need to report. Here are considerations to keep in mind if you're considering any travel outside of the U.S. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

The Security Clearance Careers Podcast is a valuable resource for individuals interested in or currently working in fields that require security clearances. It focuses on topics related to obtaining, maintaining, and understanding security clearances in various professional settings, particularly within government and defense sectors. The podcast o…

Prior to the Trusted Workforce 2.0 reform effort, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act had been the largest major overhaul of the Intelligence Community including the national security process. Despite the past several decades of trying to reform the process, however, many of the key topics of clearance reform, from reducing clearan…

Finding the perfect gift for someone with a security clearance can be a bit challenging. While you want to show thoughtfulness, it's essential to choose something that aligns with their unique lifestyle and professional responsibilities. From practical tools to help with daily tasks, to fun items that acknowledge their important role, there are ple…

A change in presidential administrations doesn’t just mean new policies and priorities in government – it also means new political appointees coming in and others moving out. Grant Haver, a former political appointee in the Department of Homeland Security, knows first-hand the experience of transitioning out of federal government, and the sprint of…

Marine Corps Logistics Officer Major Jackie Barnum is living her dream—and she’s dedicated to helping others do the same. In this compelling interview, Katie dives into Major Barnum’s journey, from her inspiration to serve after 9/11 to her time at the Naval Academy and her impactful military career. 00:00 Intro 02:29 9/11 & the Call to Service 03:…

A member of the Virginia Army National Guard and law enforcement officer has become an emerging social media sensation. The Content Team spoke with Sergeant First Class Tyler Butterworth in a special ClearedCast episode, exploring how he employs humor and viral videos to connect with those who serve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more …

News broke this week that President-elect Trump would be moving forward with the usual process of conducting background investigations for political appointees. Speculation that he might change that process was among some of the chatter about how Trump could affect clearance policy that came out after the election. How else might policies change wi…

If you get fired over employer monitoring issues, there is an added layer of concern over losing your security clearance due to integrity or misuse of IT systems. Employee monitoring has become an increasingly common practice in today's workplaces, largely due to advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on productivity and security. Howeve…

Trusted Workforce 2.0 is well underway, and as we await further progress on the National Background Investigations Bureau it’s worth asking what's next in reform, and why this transformation matters. This special podcast with the Honorable Susan M. Gordon, former Principal Deputy Director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and …