loader from loading.io

212. Reinventing Life After Federal Service: Dr. Nola Haynes on Owning the Pivot

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Release Date: 07/25/2025

237. Federal Firing: Can It Be Fast and Fair? show art 237. Federal Firing: Can It Be Fast and Fair?

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

What does it actually take to remove a federal employee for serious performance or conduct issues—and can the process be improved without sacrificing due process? We welcome Maureen Klovers of We the Doers back to the FedUpward Podcast to discuss the organization’s new report, “Fast but Fair Federal Firing,” which examines the experiences of federal managers who have navigated the removal process firsthand. Their research found that removing an employee took an average of 21 months in the cases studied, consuming hundreds of hours of supervisors’ time before accounting for the work...

info_outline 236. How to Translate Your Federal Experience Into Your Next Career - FedsForward show art 236. How to Translate Your Federal Experience Into Your Next Career - FedsForward

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

Federal service builds a unique set of skills—but figuring out how those skills translate to your next opportunity isn’t always easy. Karen Lee, founder of FedsForward, joins the podcast to discuss how federal employees can navigate career transitions without leaving their public service identity behind. Karen shares how FedsForward is helping current and former federal employees better understand their value, identify career pathways across government, industry, nonprofits, academia, and beyond, and connect their experience to real opportunities. She also gives listeners a preview of the...

info_outline 235. The Future of Federal Service: Resilience, Identity & the Workforce in Transition show art 235. The Future of Federal Service: Resilience, Identity & the Workforce in Transition

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

The federal workforce has changed dramatically over the past two years—but what do those changes mean for the people behind the mission? In this special episode, I join WUSA9's Larry Miller to discuss the human side of today's federal workforce. From navigating career disruptions and identity shifts to finding new purpose after public service, we discuss what I’ve learned through six years of interviewing federal employees and the organizations supporting them. We also explore the need for civil service modernization, the challenges facing recruitment, and why community matters now more...

info_outline 234. Proposed OPM Rule Could Rewrite Federal Employee Discipline: What Every Fed Needs to Know show art 234. Proposed OPM Rule Could Rewrite Federal Employee Discipline: What Every Fed Needs to Know

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

A proposed rule from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) could significantly reshape how federal agencies handle employee performance, discipline, and removals. But what do these changes actually mean for federal employees and supervisors? Former MSPB executive Raymond Limon joins the FedUpward podcast to break down the proposed rule and explain why it has sparked concern across the federal workforce. They discuss the potential elimination of the long-standing Douglas Factors, the legal framework that has guided disciplinary decisions for...

info_outline 233. Federal Leadership Teaching Legend Bob Tobias Reflects on Leadership, Labor, and Life After Service show art 233. Federal Leadership Teaching Legend Bob Tobias Reflects on Leadership, Labor, and Life After Service

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

For decades, Bob Tobias has helped shape the federal workforce—from fighting landmark legal battles on behalf of federal employees to founding the renowned Key Executive Leadership Program at American University. In this episode of FedUpward, Bob reflects on his remarkable career, the leadership principles that continue to influence thousands of federal managers, and why trust, vulnerability, and relationships are the foundation of effective leadership.  Bob also shares the deeply personal story behind his transition to writing poetry after retirement, discussing how childhood...

info_outline 232. National Association of Future Federal Executives - Breaking Into the SES with Kelly Foster show art 232. National Association of Future Federal Executives - Breaking Into the SES with Kelly Foster

FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

What does it take to reach the Senior Executive Service (SES) in today's federal workforce? In this episode of the FedUpward Podcast, I sit down with Kelly Foster, Director of Mentoring for the National Association of Future Federal Executives (NAFFE), to discuss the resources, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities available to aspiring federal executives. Kelly shares her remarkable journey from starting as a GS-1 student employee to serving nearly 39 years in federal government before transitioning into entrepreneurship and executive mentoring. The conversation explores how...

info_outline 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...

info_outline 230. Here are the Headlines You Can’t Ignore show art 230. Here are the Headlines You Can’t Ignore

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...

info_outline 229. Public Service Recognition Week 2026 show art 229. Public Service Recognition Week 2026

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.”  

info_outline 228. The Rising Threats Facing Public Servants show art 228. The Rising Threats Facing Public Servants

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...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

“Do that thing you’ve always wanted to do.” 

In this inspiring episode of the Fed Upward Podcast, host Love Rutledge sits down with returning guest Dr. Nola Haynes—a longtime federal employee, academic, and media voice—to discuss how federal employees can navigate uncertain times, build a personal brand, and thrive in a post-DEI backlash environment.

Whether you're stepping out of public service, considering your next pivot, or just curious how to carry your mission into a new space, Dr. Haynes offers candid advice and deep wisdom—along with a reminder to always show up fabulous. ✨

Dr. Haynes 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 – Intro
00:50 – Dr. Nola Haynes on career pivots and the anti-DEI backlash
02:54 – Advice for Feds considering what's next: "Take a breath, then take the leap"
04:57 – Bridging the gap between academia and federal service
08:17 – Developing a personal brand: femininity as power, not a liability
11:17 – Why showing up authentically leaves a lasting impression
13:21 – Where to follow Dr. Haynes and her new projects
15:56 – Final thoughts: This moment of chaos is your moment of opportunity

Helpful Resources:

Connect with Love:

Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward