Best Priorities Protector Podcasts (2025)

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DLA introduces three basic priorities to support the war fighter 7:41

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2d ago7:41

7:41

Everything the Defense Logistics Agency does to support the war fighter is now based on three basic priorities, set the agency, set the globe and set the supply chains. For more on how DLA is using these three priorities to improve how it allocates resources and drives mission success. Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller spoke with…

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After testing to join Foreign Service, candidates must retake version approved by Trump administration 7:31

2d ago7:31

7:31

The State Department is in the process of hiring new Foreign Service officers after going through mass layoffs this summer, but candidates in the process must retake a new version of the Foreign Service officer test that the Trump administration recently introduced. Scores from an earlier version of the test will not be considered. It's just the la…

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We'll do some social security myth busting 11:15

2d ago11:15

11:15

Many federal employees are still unclear about how working affects their Social Security benefits. From spousal eligibility to the earnings test and delayed retirement credits, we clear up common misconceptions. Then we turn to rising retirement claims at OPM and what that means for processing times. Here to help us sort fact from fiction on these …

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Who's protecting the protectors when it comes to funding workplace safety? 11:22

2d ago11:22

11:22

The Trump administration proposed a 2026 budget that would gut the nation's top workplace safety research agency, leaving critical programs unfunded and hundreds of experts sidelined. The Senate Appropriations Committee reversed most of those cuts, but that's nowhere near final, leaving the future of federal safety oversight uncertain... and the st…

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Friday, September 12, 2025 55:55

2d ago55:55

55:55

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton President Trump’s census proposal could upend funding for programs that rely on population data Who's protecting the protectors when it comes to funding workplace safety? We'll do some social security myth busting See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://ar…

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President Trump’s census proposal could upend funding for programs that rely on population data 15:34

2d ago15:34

15:34

President Trump wants a new census that excludes undocumented immigrants and reflects post-election data. But experts say such a change would require congressional approval and disrupt years of planning for the 2030 count. Here to consider whether the proposal is even feasible and how it could reshape the $2.8 trillion in federal funding tied to ce…

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OPM finalizes long-awaited ‘rule of many’ to add flexibility to federal hiring 6:48

3d ago6:48

6:48

The Office of Personnel Management has put an official end to the 150 year old rule of three in federal hiring. Instead, it's telling agencies to begin implementing a technique called the Rule of many it's one of several changes OPM is making to federal recruitment this year, and here to break it all down for us is Federal News Network's Drew Fried…

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Here is what a separate cyber force could look like 8:54

3d ago8:54

8:54

The Pentagon has long pushed against the idea of a separate cyber service, but it is possible that President Donald Trump could decide to stand up a standalone cyber force at any time. Should the decision be made, a new Think Tank report provides a road map for how to build the new service, Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with more. S…

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Facial ID tech speeds up TSA lines without touching a thing 8:47

3d ago8:47

8:47

The TSA’s new Touchless Identity Solution is changing how travelers move through airport security. Using facial recognition and mobile boarding passes, the system verifies identity in seconds. No ID required, no contact needed. It’s already live at 15 major airports. Here to explain how it works, what it means for privacy, and why it’s a model for …

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Federal M&A deals stay active despite market uncertainty 9:08

3d ago9:08

9:08

Despite budget uncertainty and shifting priorities in the defense sector, mergers and acquisitions in government contracting remain robust. Strategic buyers are proceeding carefully, often behind the scenes, as they navigate risks like compliance hurdles and national security reviews. Sellers face a complex landscape, where even small disruptions c…

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Government contractors are under pressure, but optimism might be their sharpest tool 12:12

3d ago12:12

12:12

The 2025 GAUGE Report paints a picture of a federal contracting market rattled by budget volatility, shifting priorities, and political uncertainty. Resource management remains the top challenge, but firms with mature planning practices are finding ways to thrive. And yet, despite the chaos, 65% of contractors remain optimistic about future opportu…

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Thursday, September 11, 2025 48:24

3d ago48:24

48:24

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Government contractors are under pressure, but optimism might be their sharpest tool Facial ID tech speeds up TSA lines without touching a thing Federal M&A deals stay active despite market uncertainty See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv…

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DoD Space Development Agency's first operational satellites set to launch 7:04

4d ago7:04

7:04

It's a big day for DoD Space Development Agency, after years of planning and testing, SDA first operational satellites are set to launch from Southern California today. If all goes according to plan, officials say it will mean the start of a new era, not just for the agency, but for tactical communications throughout the military services, Federal …

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Cairncross calls for investing in cyber workforce, upping federal defenses 6:46

4d ago6:46

6:46

The White House's new cyber leader is calling for stronger partnerships with the private sector. National Cyber director Sean Cairncross says the Trump administration will advance US interests and thwart adversaries in cyberspace. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday is here with more on his remarks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priva…

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Wednesday, September 10, 2025 50:32

4d ago50:32

50:32

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton The one overlooked role that could keep agencies from missing the mark in tech deployments How federal tech leaders are rewriting the rules for AI and cyber hiring You can’t trust who’s investigating the toughest cases If you can’t track their training See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and …

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The one overlooked role that could keep agencies from missing the mark in tech deployments 14:06

4d ago14:06

14:06

Too many federal IT projects collapse under their own weight. They wind up with bloated contracts, shifting requirements, and tools no one wants to use. The fix is better ownership through product managers. Here to explain how they can make the difference is Former Director, Technology Transformation Services at GSA, Anne Lewis. See Privacy Policy …

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How federal tech leaders are rewriting the rules for AI and cyber hiring 9:34

4d ago9:34

9:34

GSA and FedRAMP are fast-tracking cloud authorizations for AI tools, while Congress is pushing to prioritize skills over degrees in federal cyber jobs. Together, these moves signal a shift in how agencies adopt innovation and build talent. Here to share how federal contractors can prepare is Jim Carroll, CEO of the Professional Services Council. Se…

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You can’t trust who’s investigating the toughest cases If you can’t track their training 10:32

4d ago10:32

10:32

Criminal investigators in the military face some of the toughest criminal cases in federal service. But a new GAO report finds that the agencies responsible for training them aren’t consistently tracking who’s completed what. Without clear oversight and program-wide evaluations, agencies may be sending investigators into the field without the full …

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House lawmakers advance steeper IRS cuts than what Trump proposed 7:09

5d ago7:09

7:09

Despite proposing major cuts to the IRS budget, the Trump administration asked Congress for funds to hire 1000s of customer service representatives ahead of next year's filing season, but House lawmakers are pushing for even steeper IRS budget cuts than what the Trump administration proposed. Here to help us sort this out is Federal News Network's …

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Tuesday, September 9, 2025 50:32

5d ago50:32

50:32

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton When feds leave, a new project makes sure their wisdom doesn’t walk out the door with them Is Congressional irrelevance a choice or just the cost of modern politics? We can't keep looking away from our $37 trillion national debt See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic…

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We can't keep looking away from our $37 trillion national debt 12:48

5d ago12:48

12:48

The U.S. national debt has surged past $37 trillion, raising alarms about its long-term impact on economic stability and generational equity. While some argue that low interest rates make high debt manageable, fiscal experts warn that relying on favorable conditions is a risky bet. Eroding public investment, budget gimmicks, and declining trust in …

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When feds leave, a new project makes sure their wisdom doesn’t walk out the door with them 10:07

5d ago10:07

10:07

After years of public service, many federal employees walk out the door with hard-earned insights about what works...and what doesn’t...in government. But those lessons rarely make it back to Congress. Departure Dialogues is a new project that gives departing civil servants a safe, nonpartisan way to share their wisdom and help fix the system they’…

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Army’s first barracks survey highlights same old military housing failures 6:50

5d ago6:50

6:50

The Army's first ever survey of soldiers living in barracks highlights the same problems that have plagued military housing for decades, including mold and pest infestation issues, security and privacy concerns and poorly maintained facilities. Federal News Network's Anastasia, Obis is here with the details. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/…

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Is Congressional irrelevance a choice or just the cost of modern politics? 11:03

5d ago11:03

11:03

Congress isn’t sidelined because it has to be. It's sidelined because lawmakers are choosing to sit out the tough decisions. In today’s hyper-partisan, president-driven politics, passivity has become a survival strategy. But when Congress steps back, the balance of power shifts, leaving fewer checks on the executive branch and fewer ways for the pu…

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These 3 agencies account for over half of total federal workforce losses 7:50

6d ago7:50

7:50

Trump administration's push to reduce the federal workforce has affected virtually all agencies, but just three agencies are responsible for more than half of the total staff reductions so far. Those numbers are expected to continue climbing for the next several months or longer. Here with more analysis, is Federal News Network's Drew Friedman See …

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Patchy cyber workforce efforts face uncertain future under Trump 7:58

6d ago7:58

7:58

Federal agencies have embarked on numerous initiatives in recent years to recruit and develop more cyber talent, but those efforts have been hobbled by a lack of good data, and now they face an uncertain future amid the Trump administration sweeping workforce changes. For more on what's happening with the cyber workforce Federal News Network's Just…