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211. David Spirk on Scaling What Works and Cutting What Doesn’t

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Release Date: 07/14/2025

231. Are Federal Workforce Protections Still a Thing? show art 231. Are Federal Workforce Protections Still a Thing?

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

What happens when one of the government's leading experts on federal employment law and human capital management steps away from public service—and into advocacy? Raymond Limon returns to the FedUpward podcast for a timely conversation about the challenges facing today's federal workforce. After more than 30 years in federal service—including leadership roles at OPM, the State Department, the Department of the Interior, and the MSPB—Limon discusses why he launched Merit Service Advocates and what federal employees need to know as workplace policies continue to evolve.  The...

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FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

We welcome back John Hatton with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) to unpack the biggest issues impacting federal employees and retirees right now.  From concerns over OPM’s request for sensitive health claims data to ongoing frustrations with retirement processing delays, the conversation dives into the policies, headlines, and workforce changes creating uncertainty across government. The episode also explores the rollout of digital retirement modernization efforts, reduction-in-force impacts, proposed changes to appeals rights, and what federal...

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FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Public Service Recognition Week is here—and it’s a moment to reflect on the impact of federal service. I share resources, events (there’s one tomorrow!), and practical ways to engage: Partnership for Public Service (PSRW resources): FormerGov (career support & events): Whether you're currently serving or exploring your next chapter, this episode is a reminder of the mission behind the work—and why it still matters. 🎧 Listen now and take a moment to reconnect with your “why.”  

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FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Violent threats against public servants aren’t isolated incidents anymore—they’re escalating nationwide, impacting federal, state, and local officials alike. In this episode of FedUpward. I sit down with Isabella Ulloa, founder of the Public Service Alliance, to unpack what the data is showing—and why it should concern everyone. Drawing on her experience at the Department of Homeland Security, Ulloa explains how threats have surged over the past decade, increasingly targeting not just officials, but their families. The conversation explores the growing gap in protections for public...

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FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

In this episode of the FedUpward Podcast, I sit down with Robyn Kehoe from the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) to explore how the Feds in Motion Challenge blends fitness, community, and meaningful support for the federal workforce. The challenge encourages participants to complete 37 miles in 37 days—walking, running, biking, or moving however they choose. But beyond the fitness goal, it serves as FEEA’s largest annual fundraiser, helping fuel programs that provide emergency financial assistance, no-interest loans, and scholarships for federal employees and their...

info_outline 226. Fed to Founder: Legal Must-Knows Before You Launch show art 226. Fed to Founder: Legal Must-Knows Before You Launch

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Thinking about starting a business after federal service ... or maybe while you're still a fed? In this episode of FedUpward, Love sits down with Rebecca Geller, founder of The Geller Law Group, to talk through the legal realities federal employees need to understand before launching a consulting firm or small business. They cover: Why forming an LLC matters (and why not to sign contracts as an individual) County and local business license requirements in the DMV Trademark mistakes that can lead to lawsuits Federal ethics considerations if you’re still employed Why contracts...

info_outline 225. Merit Protections and Small Business Relationships at Risk? Breaking Down the New Schedule P/C show art 225. Merit Protections and Small Business Relationships at Risk? Breaking Down the New Schedule P/C

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

A major shift in federal workforce policy just became final — and its implications reach far beyond HR paperwork. Audrey Roofeh, founder of Integrity Matters, joins FedUpward to unpack the newly finalized Schedule P/C rule from the Office of Personnel Management. The rule creates a new category of federal employees who no longer have traditional civil service tenure protections — expanding the number of “at-will” positions across government. Learn more about the policy . But the ripple effects don’t stop there. Audrey explains how Schedule P/C could dramatically expand who qualifies...

info_outline 224. Community, Courage, and Federal Service: Inside Out in National Security’s 2026 Work show art 224. Community, Courage, and Federal Service: Inside Out in National Security’s 2026 Work

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Federal service is changing—and for many LGBTQ+ federal employees, the loss of employee resource groups, shifting policies, and declining morale have made community harder to find than ever.  Luke Schleusener (he/him), CEO and co-founder of Out in National Security, joins the podcast to discuss how his organization is stepping in to support LGBTQIA+ professionals across the national security and public-sector workforce. The organization is a growing hub for community following the dissolution of federal employee resource groups. Out in National Security offers connection, advocacy, and...

info_outline 223. Appropriations in Flux: Shutdown Risks, CRs, and What Feds Need to Know show art 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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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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David Spirk on Scaling What Works and Cutting What Doesn’t

David Spirk, a Marine Corps veteran and Senior Counselor at Palantir, joins FedUpward to talk about driving real transformation in government. He discusses how to operationalize data, the trap of failing programs, and what efficiency should actually mean in federal service. David joined the FedUpward Podcast during the annual conference hosted by Globally, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating communities of emerging leaders who are committed to addressing the most pressing global challenges of our time.

00:00 – Meet David Spirk

01:20 – How federal workers can build technical and data literacy

03:10 – Operationalizing AI: Why transformation starts at the workflow level

04:55 – Why failing programs keep getting funded

07:46 – Rethinking efficiency: Better, faster, cheaper (with meaning)

Spirk doesn’t mince words. He calls out the persistent funding of underperforming programs and urges federal leaders to stop rewarding PowerPoint progress over real-world impact. He also shares why mindset—especially around acquisition and budgeting—is often the biggest barrier to innovation.

Connect with the Globally community here.

Book Recommendation:

Freedom’s Forge: https://www.amazon.com/Freedoms-Forge-American-Business-Produced/dp/0812982045

Helpful Resources:

Connect with Love:

Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward