Best Human Centered Design Network Podcasts (2025)

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Designing Human-Centered Security Operations 40:16

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8d ago40:16

40:16

Security analysts are drowning in tools, alerts, and tabs. In this episode of Threat Vector, David Moulton, Senior Director of Thought Leadership for Unit 42, talks with Patrick Bayle, SecOps Consulting Manager, and Liz Pinder, SecOps Consultant, both with deep experience in Security Operations Centers. They explore how constant context switching i…

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IRS ignored performance when it fired probationary employees, watchdog says 8:57

1d ago8:57

8:57

The IRS, like many agencies, fired probationary employees earlier this year at the Trump administration's direction, but a new inspector general report shows that when the IRS terminated those workers, it didn't account for employee performance. The findings come as the government wide probationary firings remain tied up in legal battles. Here with…

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DoD-commissioned report seeks to overhaul confusing reserve duty status system 10:19

3d ago10:19

10:19

Unlike active duty troops who remain in one status, reservists and National Guard members move between multiple duty statuses depending on the type of service they perform over time, the duty status system has become too complex and confusing and created inequities in pay and benefits. The Defense Department is now seeking to overhaul it. Federal N…

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Thursday, August 21, 2025 53:49

2d ago53:49

53:49

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Considering the economic impact of the president’s law enforcement measures in DC Human-centered design could help Medicaid recipients meet new work rules—without losing coverage Can better communication rebuild trust in government? A new movement says yes—and it’s catching fire See Privacy Policy at htt…

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Considering the economic impact of the president’s law enforcement measures in DC 10:48

1d ago10:48

10:48

If you live in Washington D.C., you’ve probably noticed National Guard troops around the city. The Trump administration says they’re here to help tackle rising violent crime—but what’s this move really costing the federal government and the local economy? To break that down, Federal News Network’s Eric White spoke with Michael Negron, Senior Fellow…

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Human-centered design could help Medicaid recipients meet new work rules—without losing coverage 10:47

1d ago10:47

10:47

New federal work reporting requirements are changing how Medicaid recipients maintain their coverage. To help people navigate the system successfully, states are turning to human-centered design—an approach that puts users’ real-world needs at the center of digital services. Joining me now to explain how this kind of design can help keep vulnerable…

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Can better communication rebuild trust in government? A new movement says yes—and it’s catching fire 10:21

2d ago10:21

10:21

Public trust in government is near historic lows—but a new coalition of federal, state, and local communicators is working to change that. The Bonfire Collective, launched by the National Association of Government Communicators and George Washington University, is rethinking how agencies engage with the public. Their goal: to make government commun…

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Communicating Cyber Risk Effectively to Your Board 39:14

1d ago39:14

39:14

In this episode of Threat Vector, host David Moulton speaks with Abby Adlerman, CEO of Boardspan, about how boards approach cybersecurity oversight. Drawing on decades of experience advising Fortune 100 companies and non-profits, Abby shares the OARS framework—Oversight, Accountability, Risk, and Strategy—as a practical guide for engaging boards on…

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Trump administration takes another big step in FAR overhaul efforts 11:30

3d ago11:30

11:30

The Trump administration's effort to overhaul the Federal Acquisition Regulations took a big step forward last week with the update to several major sections, including parts 812, and 40. At the heart of these changes is the mandate to use best in class or preferred contract vehicles for common goods and services. For more on the Office of Federal …

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DARPA eyes transition of AI Cyber Challenge tech to ‘widespread use’ 7:34

3d ago7:34

7:34

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has wrapped up a novel cybersecurity competition. The goal of the AI cyber challenge was to use artificial intelligence to quickly find and patch vulnerabilities in software. Now, DARPA and the finalists are looking to put their new AI systems to use in the real world. Federal News Network's Justin Doub…

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From Apollo to Artemis—Air and Space gets a high-tech reboot 11:09

3d ago11:09

11:09

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is undergoing its most dramatic transformation since opening nearly 50 years ago. With new exhibits that spotlight the future of flight and space exploration—from Mars habitats to commercial spacecraft—the museum is shifting its focus from history to possibility. It’s a bold reimagining timed to coinc…

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Smart investing includes knowing when not to max out your TSP 9:30

3d ago9:30

9:30

For federal employees, contributing the maximum to the Thrift Savings Plan is often seen as a financial win. But in some cases, it may not be the best use of available funds. Balancing long-term investments with emergency savings, insurance coverage, and debt reduction can offer greater financial security—especially for those nearing retirement. He…

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Veterans face delays and denials in discharge upgrades—costing them benefits and a fair review 13:41

3d ago13:41

13:41

Many veterans are being denied critical benefits due to inconsistent and delayed discharge upgrade decisions. A new GAO report reveals that military review boards often fail to apply guidance meant to support veterans with PTSD or military sexual trauma. Here to explain the impacts of those systemic shortcomings and how DoD could fix them is Direct…

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 56:02

3d ago56:02

56:02

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton From Apollo to Artemis—Air and Space gets a high-tech reboot Smart investing includes knowing when not to max out your TSP Veterans face delays and denials in discharge upgrades—costing them benefits and a fair review See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:…

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Leave, awards and more for federal employees: A roundup of OPM’s latest guidance 19:34

3d ago19:34

19:34

Agencies are facing tons of changing expectations from the Office of Personnel Management this year. In the last few weeks alone, OPM has told agencies how to think differently about awarding employees for good work, as well as how to implement recent changes to the federal probationary period. To help make sense of it all Federal News Network's Dr…

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CDC's HR staff overwhelmed, causing real-life problems for former employees 9:22

4d ago9:22

9:22

Meet Paul. Paul was a CDC employee for more than 20 years. He left CDC in February and only got officially out processed in June. Paul's experience is all too common these days at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where months of delays are normal, as well as a lot of other agencies. In this week's Federal Report, Federal News Network…

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Tuesday, August 19, 2025 52:43

5d ago52:43

52:43

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton A warning from inside the NSF, staff say science itself is under threat AI could help scientists decode nuclear events faster, saving time when every second counts Federal contractors feel the push to comply on new cybersecurity requirements See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California …

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AI could help scientists decode nuclear events faster, saving time when every second counts. 8:51

4d ago8:51

8:51

When a nuclear explosion or accident occurs, time is critical. Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed an AI-powered method to speed up the complex chemical analysis needed to understand what happened. By guiding lab steps more efficiently, this breakthrough could help officials identify nuclear materials faster—boosting …

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Federal contractors feel the push to comply on new cybersecurity requirements 11:06

3d ago11:06

11:06

The Trump administration is tightening the leash of sort to push contractors on complying with cybersecurity requirements, as well as ensuring their charging the government a fair price. This comes at a time when the government's biggest purchaser is conducting a whirlwind of new activities. Here to break it all down for us, President of the Profes…

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A warning from inside the NSF, staff say science itself is under threat 10:48

3d ago10:48

10:48

Nearly 150 employees at the National Science Foundation have sent a letter to Congress warning that deep staffing cuts, forced relocations, and political interference are threatening the agency’s mission and independence. One-third of NSF’s workforce is already gone, and senior executives are being pushed out. Dr. Jesus Soriano, who leads the agenc…

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Federal leaders wrestle with attracting and keeping top tech talent 9:32

4d ago9:32

9:32

Across the federal government, leaders are wrestling with the challenge of attracting and keeping top tech talent. Salaries in the private sector are often higher. Government hiring can be slow and recent changes across the federal government add a new level of uncertainty, but agencies are finding creative ways to cultivate the talent they need. F…

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Security clearance reforms advancing in 2026 defense bill 8:41

5d ago8:41

8:41

Improving the security clearance background investigation process continues to be a major priority for government and industry. Several provisions in the fiscal 2026 national defense authorization bill are aimed at expanding the pool of clear talent for more on these efforts federal news networks. Justin Doubleday spoke with the Vice President of T…

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Congress' next session may look different, with federal and National Guard troops roving the Capitol 9:18

5d ago9:18

9:18

Congress has been out for a while, but next session may look a little different, such as the increase in federal and National Guard troops stationed around the Capitol now, as well as many other pressing issues. Deputy news director for Bloomberg Government, Lauren Duggan joined me earlier to break down what things on the Hill will look like the ne…

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What happens when government opens its data and its doors to new ideas? 9:56

6d ago9:56

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For the past decade, The Opportunity Project has quietly transformed how government tackles big challenges—by inviting the public in. Through short, focused development sprints, federal agencies have partnered with technologists, advocates, and entrepreneurs to turn open data into real-world solutions. Here with his reflections on what’s worked, wh…

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We have the defense industrial base we contracted for a generation ago. Can it meet today’s demands? 12:30

6d ago12:30

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The defense industrial base we rely on today was shaped by decisions made decades ago. Now, contractors and policymakers are working to adapt that legacy system to meet modern demands—from supply chain security and acquisition reform to workforce readiness and emerging technologies. David Norquist, president and CEO of the National Defense Industri…

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Monday, August 18, 2025 49:59

6d ago49:59

49:59

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton We have the defense industrial base we contracted for a generation ago. Can it meet today’s demands? What happens when government opens its data—and its doors—to new ideas? Congress' next session may look different, with federal and National Guard troops roving the Capitol See Privacy Policy at https://a…