204. Mental Health Break for Feds
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
Release Date: 03/09/2025
223. Appropriations in Flux: Shutdown Risks, CRs, and What Feds Need to Know
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
Congressional funding negotiations are anything but straightforward—and the stakes for federal employees couldn’t be higher. We welcome John Hatton of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) back to the podcast to break down where federal appropriations stand. We unpack continuing resolutions, stalled funding bills, Homeland Security complications, and the real possibility of another government shutdown—plus how unexpected factors like weather and congressional scheduling can further delay decisions. This conversation is very much “as of today,” (which...
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222. We the Doers: Inside the Push to Fix Government from the Inside Out
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
What happens when federal leaders stop waiting for permission to fix what’s broken? On this episode of the FedUpward podcast, host Love Rutledge is joined by Maureen Klovers and April Mohr Harding, co-founders of We the Doers, a new movement created by current and former federal executives determined to reform government where policy meets reality. Drawing on decades of experience across agencies like Treasury, USDA, IRS, and the intelligence community, Maureen and April break down the real barriers to effective government—from broken budget cycles and outdated performance metrics to...
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221. FEVS Is Paused — Your Voice Doesn’t Have to Be: The New 2025 Federal Workforce Survey
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
The Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) isn’t happening in 2025 — but the need to hear from federal workers has never been greater. Michelle Amante, Senior Vice President for Government Programs at the Partnership for Public Service, returns to the podcast to unpack the OPM pause on FEVS this year and how the Partnership is ensuring federal employees still have a voice. Michelle explains the newly launched Public Service Viewpoint Survey, why employee feedback is mission-critical in a transitional year, and how the Partnership designed a shorter, 23-question survey that mirrors...
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220. Final Days of Open Season: How Premiums, Shutdowns & RIFs Affect You
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
John Hatton, Vice President of Policy and Programs at the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), returns to the podcast. John breaks down what federal employees need to know during Open Season—from steep premium increases to how to confidently evaluate changing plans without feeling overwhelmed. He dives into NARFE’s member resources, including webinars and expert guidance that help employees and retirees make informed decisions that could save thousands annually. John also unpacks the latest developments from Capitol Hill: back pay assurances, the temporary...
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219. Navigating 2026 Open Season: Health Plan Changes Every Fed Should Know
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
Love welcomes back Kevin Moss, Senior Editor of Consumers’ Checkbook, to the podcast to break down what’s new for this year’s Open Season. From premium increases and IVF coverage expansion to flexible spending accounts and hidden health plan perks, Kevin shares essential insights every federal employee needs to make smart, cost-saving healthcare decisions. Learn why average premiums are rising 12.3% in 2026, how GLP-1 medications and healthcare utilization are impacting costs, and what benefit adjustments could affect out-of-pocket spending. Kevin also explains how to use Consumers’...
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218. Pivoting Parents: How a former Federal Contractor's Layoff led to Purpose
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
Layoff Led to Purpose: How Kathleen Borgueta Built a Lifeline for Working Parents When federal contractor Kathleen Borgueta received her termination letter just 11 weeks postpartum, she could have let it break her. Instead, she built Pivoting Parents—a growing community helping caregivers navigate job transitions, childcare challenges, and career reinvention. In this episode of The Fed Upward Podcast, Kathleen talks about the power of community, the realities of caregiving while job-hunting, and why federal parents need holistic support now more than ever. 👉 Visit 👉 Connect with...
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217. Micro Grants and More - Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
When a government shutdown hits, it’s not just politics—it’s people. Robyn Kehoe with the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) joins FedUpward to talk about the emergency microgrants, loans, and resources available to help federal employees and their families weather financial hardship. FEEA, a nonprofit that has supported feds for nearly 40 years, is stepping up once again to provide direct relief during the shutdown—alongside scholarships, emergency loans, and year-round programs that serve the federal workforce. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to apply for...
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216. Transitioning Feds -- Build Your Next Chapter with Former Gov
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
If you’ve recently left government—or are thinking about it—this one’s for you. Brian Levine, former DOJ cybercrime prosecutor and founder of Former Gov, joins FedUpward to share how his growing community is helping former public servants rebuild their networks, discover new opportunities, and step confidently into their next chapter. Brian shares his story of walking away from a high-paying consulting job to build something meaningful—a platform designed by and for people who’ve served. From free memberships and networking events to practical career resources, he’s creating a...
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215. POPVOX Foundation’s Departure Dialogues Give Former Feds a Voice
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
POPVOX Foundation’s Departure Dialogues Give Former Feds a Voice Anne Meeker from the POPVOX Foundation joins the FedUpward Podcast to talk about the Departure Dialogues Project—a unique initiative empowering former federal employees to share candid feedback that can help shape better laws and policies. The POPVOX Foundation, led by former congressional staffers, focuses on strengthening the policymaking “feedback loop” between Congress, the executive branch, and constituents. With Departure Dialogues, they’re creating a safe and constructive platform where departing feds can...
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214. Building the Future Workforce: Skills-Based Hiring and GovHR Innovations
FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
Building the Future Workforce: Skills-Based Hiring and GovHR Innovations Michelle Amante, Senior Vice President of Government Programs at Partnership for Public Service returns to the FedUpward podcast, joined by Blair Corcoran de Castillo from Opportunity@Work. We dive into what’s ahead for the second annual GovHR Conference, taking place September 16–18 both in Washington, D.C. and virtually. Learn how government agencies are embracing skills-based hiring, supporting non-traditional talent pipelines like STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes), and leveraging AI and data tools...
info_outlineHow MindfulFED is Creating Connection Amid Changes
Change is hard. And right now, the federal workforce is undergoing a major shift. But one government-wide community is offering an anchor in the storm. Longtime federal employee, writer, and meditation facilitator Alex Snider joins the show to share more about MindfulFED, the first-ever government-wide mindfulness community he co-created.
00:00 Intro
01:22 Origins of Mindful FED
03:22 Sign up by emailing subscribe@mindfulfed.com
04:22 Alex Snider’s Recent Psychology Today Article
05:45 Coping with Constant Change
07:45 Power of Positivity
If you’re a federal employee, join MindfulFED by emailing subscribe@mindfulfed.com for their weekly newsletter and meditation session. To learn more about Alex and read his publications, visit the links below.
Join Alex and other feds on March 12th in person for mindful support. Register at this link:
Helpful Resources:
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slowmindfulness.com
Connect with Love:
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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge
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Instagram: Love (@fedupwardpodcast)
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Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward