Best Telework Policy Podcasts (2025)

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The FED Weekly 2-8 Nov 2025 (Episode 23) 20:00

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4h ago20:00

20:00

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we deliver a comprehensive update on critical issues affecting federal employees and retirees during the ongoing government shutdown. Highlights include missed paychecks, reliance on emergency resources, and intense financial strain across the federal workforce. Legislative deadlock persists, with debates over hea…

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Episode 147: Top Technical Assistance Questions with the Southeast ADA Center 25:52

9d ago25:52

25:52

In this episode, we talk about some of the most common questions that the Southeast ADA Center received this year related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the legal rights of people with disabilities. We have received over 1,600 questions this year. As a team, we focus on each request for information and send specific resources to h…

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The FED Weekly 25 Oct - 1 Nov 2025 (Episode 22) 19:42

4d ago19:42

19:42

We cover the ongoing government shutdown, highlighting the deadlocked budget negotiations that have left 730,000 federal employees working without pay. Primary legislation discussed includes the Shutdown Fairness Act (S. 3012), which aims to secure immediate pay for essential staff, and proposed changes to retroactive pay guarantees, raising uncert…

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Episode 21: Long COVID: An Emerging, Essential Research Area 38:07

10d ago38:07

38:07

Vidya Sundar and Debra Brucker, co-principal investigators of the University of New Hampshire’s new Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Living and Working with Long COVID and Disabilities, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDLRR), discuss their proposed research ac…

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Episode 20: Long COVID and Disability Employment Policy 54:21

10d ago54:21

54:21

Sharon Rennert, senior attorney with the ADA Division of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, has played a leading role in the development of their policy interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. In this podcast, Sharon explains the protections for people with disabilities in employment and how they…

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Episode 19: Accommodations in the Era of Long COVID 38:40

6d ago38:40

38:40

Professor Yana Rodgers, Rutgers University and Professor Jennifer Cohen, Miami University discuss their collaborative research about Long COVID, disability and accommodation. Their research examines the prevalence of Long COVID across different demographic groups, and the extent with which workers with impairments associated with Long COVID have be…

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Episode 18: Advocating for Long Haulers 39:31

6d ago39:31

39:31

Pandemic Patients founder Andrew Wylam discusses the reasons he created the organization, and his vision for future national efforts to address issues facing individuals with disabilities with Long COVID. The organization also manages a COVID 19 Advocacy Center to connect individuals with Long COVID with policy makers in support of legislative prop…

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Episode 17: Disability and Telework: An Encouraging and Concerning Trend 37:39

12d ago37:39

37:39

Mason Ameri, associate professor at the Rutgers University Business School, describes how the pandemic has transformed the outlook of disability employment. Tight labor markets have demonstrated an increased willingness by employers to have remote workers, and people with disabilities are helping meet this demand. However, the growth of telework is…

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Episode 16: Advancing Disability Inclusion in Apprenticeship Programs 34:01

11d ago34:01

34:01

Nicholas Wyman, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Skills and Innovation, describes the value that apprenticeships offer in addressing disability employment disparities. In doing so, he describes the obstacles that people with disabilities face in seeking employment, whether outright discriminatory assumptions or longstanding practic…

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Episode 15: Unraveling Disability Employment Statistics: Impact of COVID 41:11

13d ago41:11

41:11

Ari Ne’eman, doctoral candidate in health policy at Harvard University, says that the numbers demonstrate the extraordinary impact the COVID-19-induced shift to expanded telework had on the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, but even those don’t tell the complete story regarding what remote work means for disability employment. …

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Episode 14: Envisioning a Future of Disability Inclusion 50:56

8d ago50:56

50:56

Lydia Brown, director of public policy at the National Disability Institute, discusses two issues preventing people with disabilities from excelling in the workforce and in general: policies that trap them in poverty and artificial intelligence that discriminates. Antiquated Social Security rules with asset and income limits create a poverty trap t…

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Episode 13: Re-Evaluating Support Systems for People with Disabilities 32:36

10d ago32:36

32:36

Zach Morris, Assistant Professor, Stony Brook University School of Social Work, calls for a re-evaluation of the systems in place to support people with disabilities. We must recognize that people with disabilities not only earn less than people without disabilities. They also face extra expenditures to cover disability-related out-of-pocket costs.…

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Episode 12: Increasing Employment Outcomes 34:29

6d ago34:29

34:29

Lisa Mills, Owner, Moving to a Different Drum, Disability Policy and Services Consulting, discusses opportunities to increase employment outcomes by braiding and blending resources across funding sources such as vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid, and Ticket to Work.By Southeast ADA Center

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Episode 11: Modernizing the AbilityOne Program 45:36

6d ago45:36

45:36

Chai Feldblum, Vice Chair of the AbilityOne Commission and former EEOC Commissioner, discuss the importance of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and describe the strategic plan to modernize the AbilityOne program. She also talks about the recent rule that prohibits payment 14(c) subminimum wage on contracts within the AbilityOne Program.…

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Episode 10: Disability-Owned Business Enterprises 37:16

6d ago37:16

37:16

Jay Burks, Director of Supplier Diversity at the Comcast Corporation, shares about the importance of ensuring that large companies like Comcast buy goods and services from diverse suppliers, including Disability-owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs).By Southeast ADA Center

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Episode 9: Four Principles of Disability Inclusion 44:26

6d ago44:26

44:26

Jim Sinocchi, Former Head, Disability Inclusion JPMorgan Chase, lays out four principles of disability inclusion in the workplace: attitude, assimilation, accommodations, and accessibility. He notes that these are principles that extend to life itself, where people with disabilities have lives that cost more and are deemed socially inferior.…

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Episode 8: Increasing Disability Inclusion 46:38

13d ago46:38

46:38

Carol Glazer, President of the National Organization on Disability, discusses how companies are interested in increasing disability inclusion but struggle with how to encourage employees to disclose their disability.By Southeast ADA Center

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Episode 7: Advancing Opportunities for Autistic People of Color 37:12

12d ago37:12

37:12

Finn Gardiner, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Autistic People of Color Fund, talks about intersectionality from personal and professional perspectives. He explains why single-identity politics are problematic. It is important to recognize how race, disability, gender, and sexual orientation work together as policies and practices marginaliz…

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Episode 6: Helping Employers Identify Qualified Candidates with Disabilities 30:43

16d ago30:43

30:43

This sixth episode features a conversation with Debra Ruh, CEO, Ruh Global Impact and Executive Chair of Billion Strong. Debra reveals the policies that prevent people with disabilities from seeking employment and the changes that need to happen. Debra also shares insights about the changing perception of corporations when it comes to hiring people…

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Episode 5: Overcoming Barriers to Employment 35:19

10d ago35:19

35:19

This fifth episode features a conversation with Doug Kruse, PhD, Professor at Rutgers University. Doug discusses some of the misconceptions that employers have which prevent them from hiring people with disabilities. He also discusses how telework has benefited workers with disabilities and how to prepare those workers for the future of work.…

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Episode 4: Pursuing Economic Justice for People with Disabilities 29:07

10d ago29:07

29:07

Rebecca Cokley, U.S. Disability Rights Program Officer for the Ford Foundation joins the program for this fourth episode. Rebecca shares the importance of economic justice for people with disabilities. Rebecca also discusses some of the challenges that young people with disabilities are facing when it comes to employment and what motivates her in h…

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Let's Get To Work! Episode 3: Social Security and the Economic Well-Being of People with Disabilities 30:25

10d ago30:25

30:25

This third episode features an interview with Dr. Nicole Maestas, Associate Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School and Research Associate in the National Bureau of Economic Research. Discover the impact of the social security system on the economic well-being of people with disabilities. Nicole also shares trends and potential po…

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Let's Get To Work! Episode 2: Advancing Competitive Integrated Employment 32:29

10d ago32:29

32:29

Taryn Williams, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy for the U.S. Department of Labor, joins the program for this second episode. Taryn shares the Department of Labor’s overall vision for a more inclusive workforce and the steps needed to achieve this vision. Discover the holistic view of what policies are needed to advance competit…

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Let's Get To Work! Episode 1: The Impact of the “Great Reshuffle” 38:53

10d ago38:53

38:53

In this first episode, Peter Blanck, Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute, joins the program to discuss the history of disability inclusive employment policy, as well as his own background and how he came to his current position. Discover how the changing nature of work and an evolving view of individuals in the workplace has impacted disability …

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The FED Weekly 19-25 Oct 2025 (Episode21) 20:10

11d ago20:10

20:10

This episode of The FED Weekly covers key updates affecting federal employees and retirees from October 19–25, 2025. We discuss steep 2026 health insurance premium hikes—12.3% for Federal Employees Health Benefits participants and 11.3% for Postal Service enrollees—which far outpace the modest cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees (2.8% f…

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The FED Weekly 12-18 Oct 2025 (Episode 20) 20:21

18d ago20:21

20:21

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we cover the critical challenges facing federal employees and retirees for the week of October 12-18, 2025. Key topics include the deepening financial crisis from the ongoing government shutdown, with hundreds of thousands missing paychecks and facing uncertainty over back pay. Military pay was protected through a…

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The FED Weekly 5-11 Oct 2025 (Episode 19) 20:02

25d ago20:02

20:02

This episode of The FED Weekly covers the significant changes affecting federal employees and retirees for the week of October 5–11, 2025. Key topics include the announcement of the 2026 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) open season, with average premium increases of 12.3%—the second year of double-digit hikes—and notable carrier discontinua…

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The FED Weekly 28 Sep - 4 Oct 2025 (Episode 18) 17:36

1M ago17:36

17:36

This episode of The FED Weekly covers significant developments for federal employees and retirees from September 28 to October 4, 2025. A government shutdown defined the week after the Senate failed to pass a funding bill, with health care subsidies at the center of the dispute. The episode also details the massive culmination of the Trump administ…

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Episode 146: Transforming Disability Employment Services in Rhode Island 35:42

1M ago35:42

35:42

Archive, Bios, Description, Resources and Transcripts for Episode 146: In Celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Transforming Disability Employment Services in Rhode Island https://adalive.org/episodes/episode-146/Barry Whaley and Kiernan O'Donnell discuss the impact of the Olmstead case in Rhode Island, which led to a conse…

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The FED Weekly 21-27 Sep 2025 (Episode 17) 16:03

1M ago16:03

16:03

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap critical issues for federal employees and retirees during the week of September 21-27, 2025. The primary focus is the escalating government shutdown crisis, which has been heightened by the Senate's rejection of a House funding bill and the cancellation of key votes, raising fears of furloughs and disrupt…

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The FED Weekly 14-20 Sep 2025 (Episode 16) 14:58

2M ago14:58

14:58

This week’s episode of The FED Weekly covers the escalating threat of a government shutdown as Congress remains deadlocked over funding bills ahead of the September 30 deadline. Lawrence explains how competing short-term funding proposals are fueling uncertainty for federal workers and retirees. President Trump’s 2026 alternative pay plan—offering …

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The FED Weekly 7-13 Sep 2025 (Episode 15) 17:40

2M ago17:40

17:40

This week on The FED Weekly (7-13 Sep 2025), we cover major updates affecting federal employees and retirees. Congress introduced the Claiming Age Clarity Act to simplify Social Security claiming age terms, aiming to help retirees make more intelligent decisions about when to start benefits. Another bill, the Keep Billionaires out of Social Securit…

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The FED Weekly 31 Aug - 6 Sep 2025 (Episode 14) 18:40

2M ago18:40

18:40

This week, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program announced a historic 13.5% premium hike for 2025—significantly outpacing proposed federal pay raises and eroding purchasing power for employees and retirees. Expanded IVF and anti-obesity drug coverage are driving up costs. In retirement news, the Thrift Savings Plan topped $1 trillion…

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Episode 145: Boys & Girls Clubs of America Empower Youth With and Without Disabilities 26:15

2M ago26:15

26:15

Archive, Bios, Description, Resources and Transcripts for Episode 145: Boys & Girls Clubs of America Empower Youth With and Without Disabilities https://adalive.org/episodes/episode-145/Since 1860, Boys & Girls Clubs of America have unlocked the unlimited potential of youth in a safe, inclusive, and engaging setting. Each year these clubs serve ove…

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The FED Weekly 24-30 Aug 2025 (Episode 13) 15:07

2M ago15:07

15:07

In this week’s episode of The FED Weekly, Lawrence covers urgent updates for federal employees and retirees. The 2025 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premiums are set to rise by a historic 13.5%, the most significant increase in almost 20 years, while dental and vision plan hikes are more moderate. With government funding still stalled in…

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The FED Weekly 17-23 Aug 2025 (Episode 12) 17:47

2M ago17:47

17:47

This episode of The FED Weekly covers crucial updates for federal employees and retirees for August 17-23, 2025. Host Lawrence outlines the impending 2026 pay freeze, significant increases in FEHB health insurance premiums, and the removal of gender-affirming care coverage from all federal health plans starting in 2026. The “One Big Beautiful Bill”…

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The FED Weekly 10-16 Aug 2025 (Episode 11) 25:07

3M ago25:07

25:07

With Congress adjourning for the August recess, a government shutdown looms as key budget bills remain unresolved. Divided proposals over federal spending heighten uncertainty, threatening paychecks and agency services. Major union battles escalate, including terminations of collective bargaining agreements at the VA and EPA, while unions mobilize …

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The FED Weekly 3-9 Aug 2025, Episode 10 27:06

3M ago27:06

27:06

This episode of The FED Weekly covers major updates affecting federal employees and retirees for August 3-9, 2025. Key topics include OPM’s directive to remove COVID-19 vaccine records from personnel files, new legislation to protect employee access to personnel files, and revised rules for probationary periods that make it easier to terminate new …

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Episode 144: The California Project on Psychiatric Advanced Directives 36:35

3M ago36:35

36:35

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-144/. Individuals in mental health crisis often cannot make informed choices for themselves. Far too often, law enforcement or first responders must quickly assess a situation and make judgments about keeping the public and the individual in crisis safe and re…

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The FED Weekly 27 Jul - 2 Aug 2025 (Episode 9) 14:19

3M ago14:19

14:19

This episode of The FED Weekly covers key policy updates impacting federal employees and retirees for the week of July 27 to August 2, 2025. Major tax changes from the Big Beautiful Bill Act, including adjustments to federal tax rates, deductions for seniors, and new credits for overtime and family leave. The episode examines President Trump’s Exec…

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The FED Weekly 20-26 Jul 2025 (Episode 8) 18:20

3M ago18:20

18:20

This is your essential briefing for the week of 20-26 July 2025. It has been a watershed week for the federal civil service. A landmark Supreme Court decision has fully unleashed the administration's workforce reduction plans, and a stunning court filing has revealed exactly which offices are in the crosshairs. Meanwhile, the massive "One Big Beaut…

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The FED Weekly 13-19 Jul 2025 (Episode 7) 20:13

4M ago20:13

20:13

This week, the foundations of the federal civil service experienced seismic shocks. A landmark Supreme Court decision effectively dismantled long-standing job protections, unleashing a wave of workforce reduction actions across multiple agencies. Simultaneously, the administration advanced a legal theory of "at-will" employment and created new hiri…

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The FED Weekly 6-12 July 2025 (Episode 6) 20:56

4M ago20:56

20:56

The second week of July 2025 brought seismic shifts to the U.S. federal workforce, marked by a coordinated effort to reshape the civil service. A landmark Supreme Court ruling on July 8 cleared the way for the administration to proceed with mass layoffs, known as Reductions-in-Force (RIFs), across the government. President Trump signed the "One Big…

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The FED Weekly 29 Jun - 5 Jul 2025 (Episode 5) 14:30

4M ago14:30

14:30

During the week of June 29 to July 5, 2025, major federal legislative developments preserved key benefits for current and retired federal employees. The Senate version of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” removed all proposed cuts to pensions and health benefits previously included in the House version, including elimination of the FERS supplem…

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Episode 143: The Importance of Music in the Disability Rights Movement 35:36

4M ago35:36

35:36

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-143/. Jeff Moyer, a musician and disability rights advocate, discusses his role in the disability rights movement, including the 504 sit-in in San Francisco in 1977, where his song "Hold On" became an anthem. Moyer recounted his experiences at the signing of t…

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The FED Weekly 22-28 June (Episode 4) 15:03

4M ago15:03

15:03

Welcome to the FED Weekly, the go-to podcast for current and retired U.S. federal employees who need to stay informed on the issues that matter most. In a rapidly changing political landscape, we deliver concise, weekly updates on the legislative, executive, and agency-level actions that have a direct impact on your professional life and financial …

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The FED Weekly 15-21 June 2025 (Episode 3) 16:04

5M ago16:04

16:04

The FED Weekly: June 15–21, 2025 report highlights significant developments impacting federal employees and retirees. A major focus is the Senate’s draft of a budget reconciliation bill that preserves controversial measures requiring new federal employees to either pay a higher retirement contribution or forfeit civil service protections. While som…

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The FED Weekly 8-14 June 2025 (Episode 2) 23:44

5M ago23:44

23:44

Welcome to the Federal Workforce Roundup, the go-to podcast for current and retired U.S. federal employees who need to stay informed on the issues that matter most. In a rapidly changing political landscape, we deliver concise, weekly updates on the legislative, executive, and agency-level actions that have a direct impact on your professional life…

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The FED Weekly 1-7 June 2025 (Episode 1) 21:02

5M ago21:02

21:02

The first week of June 2025 brought several important developments for the federal community. Below is a roundup of key news affecting U.S. federal employees and retirees, organized by category for clarity.By Dave Faulk

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Episode 142: The ADA and Employment Rights for Employees with Alcohol or Substance Use Disorders 41:12

5M ago41:12

41:12

For more information, bios, resources, and transcripts visit adalive.org/episodes/episode-142/. According to 2023 data from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), in the U.S., 13.6 million workers or nine percent of all employed adults have current alcohol or illicit drug use disorders. In addition, 13.4 million workers, an almost equal …