This week, FEDtalk is discussing Neurodiversity and National Security. It is no secret that our nation needs to harness a wide variety of skills, talents, and abilities to meet growing national security concerns. On this episode, agencies will learn how they can harness the potential of unique cognitive talents to improve their workforce and mission delivery. FEDtalk host Natalia Castro sits down with Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg, President of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, and the Intelligence and National Security Foundation; Teresa Thomas, Neurodiverse Talent Enablement and Cyber Engagement Program Lead at MITRE Corporation; and Cortney Weinbaum, Senior Management Scientist at RAND Corporation. The show is based around the 2023 RAND Corporation report “Why National Security Needs Neurodiversity: Drawing on a Wider Range of Cognitive Talents to Tackle National Security Challenges.” Read the full report here: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1875-1.html Check out a shorter research brief here: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA1875-1.html  FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

This week, we are covering South by Southwest – an annual conference centered around technology, film, music, education, and culture. The 10-day event rapped up last week, and FEDtalk sits down with government attendees to learn about what they saw and why government attendance is important. FEDtalk host Jason Briefel sits down with Trish Martinelli, Executive Director of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum; Michele Perez, Assistant Deputy Secretary Office of Field Policy and Management for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Mika Cross, Workforce Transformation Strategist & Strategic Advisor. FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

FEDtalk is celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women's Day with a discussion on women in the federal workplace. Guests will discuss how agencies can create a more inclusive space, elevate intersectionality, and improve the gender diverse leadership pipeline. FEDtalk host Natalia Castro sits down with Catrina M. Bonus, newly appointed President of Women in Federal Law Enforcement; Pamela Richards, President of Federally Employed Women; and Lauren McNally, Director of the Women’s Leadership Center (American Management Association). FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

Federal HR has not been the subject of much attention in recent years. Nonetheless, this week’s FEDtalk guests view it as critical for improving human capital management across government. FEDtalk host Jason Briefel sits down with Jenny Mattingley of the Partnership for Public Service and Rob Seidner of edX to discuss the path forward for professionalizing federal human resources. Mattingley serves as the Partnership’s Vice President of Government Affairs. She previously has served at OMB focusing on hiring reform efforts and the workforce priority of the President’s Management Agenda. Seidner is the Director of Government Partnerships at edX – an online learning platform offering courses on executive education as well as online degree programs and professional certifications. Rob previously worked at OMB doing federal human capital policy. FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

In honor of the State of the Union this week, the FEDtalk team is hosting a “State of the Workforce”–an open and honest conversation about the state of the executive branch. Regular FEDtalk hosts Jason Briefel and Natalia Castro are sitting down to the politicization of the federal workforce, congressional investigations, the President’s Management Agenda, and so much more. Briefel and Castro bring to the conversation their experience working as advocates for the federal community in Shaw Bransford & Roth’s Government and Public Affairs practice, where they serve as Director and Deputy Director respectively. FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

In 2022, the technology industry laid off over 150,000 employees. Thus far in 2023, an additional almost 70,000 employees across 210 tech companies have lost their jobs. As the private sector tech industry undergoes a major transition, government can step up to support transitioner workers. In this episode, guests discuss how the federal government can attract tech talent and why technologists should look to public service. FEDtalk host Jason Briefel sits down with Angie Quirarte and Jennifer Anastasoff from the Tech Talent Project, Peter Morrissey from the Volcker Alliance, and Jessica Watson from the U.S. Digital Response. The group recently worked with the Office of Personnel Management on a job fair with representatives from more than 50 government agencies highlighting opportunities for technologists to transition into government work. Whether you currently work with an agency in need of tech talent or are a recently laid off tech employee, this program provides key information on how to bridge the tech talent gap in the federal government. FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

This week on FEDtalk, host James Heelan–Senior Counsel at Shaw Bransford & Roth–joins the program with colleagues Conor Dirks and Michael Sgarlat. Mr. Dirks is a Partner at Shaw Bransford & Roth, and Mr. Sgarlat is an Associate Attorney. The Attorneys author the weekly case law updates on FEDmanager and FEDagent and speak from a combined almost three decades of experience representing federal employees in federal district and appellate courts, and administrative forums. From the first decisions coming from the newly confirmed Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to law enforcement retirement, the attorneys recap the most impactful cases for feds in 2022. Tune in to hear about their number one case in which the MSPB overruled ten years of case law on the Douglas factor ‘disparate penalty’ analysis, limiting the scope of comparators that employees may use when arguing they have been disproportionately punished. FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

This week, FEDtalk hosts Natalia Castro and Jason Briefel recap on this year’s programs and discuss their favorite programs to host this year. Castro discusses the honor of hosting Assistant Secretary of Defense (ASD) for Readiness Shawn Skelly on the Celebrating Pride in Government program. The program includes ASD Skelly’s keynote conversation about the value of inclusivity across government. Briefel discusses the opportunity to host all three newly confirmed members of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Briefel notes his work on restoring a quorum at the MSPB for over five years. In segment three, the MSPB Members tell the federal community the board is back in business and ready to serve federal employees. Finally, Castro discusses the Hispanic Heritage Month program with the American Museum of the American Latino’s inaugural Direct Jorge Zamanillo. In the final segment, Zamanillo discusses how the Smithsonian I keeping Hispanic Heritage alive all year long, with regular exhibits online and in a variety of museums. FEDtalk is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental. Members get fully-covered, in-network preventive care, including up to three covered cleanings a year, plus no deductibles for in-network services, like fillings and root canals. Visit bcbsfepdental.com to learn more. FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

This week is FEDtalk’s annual Open Season Special. We sit down with insurance experts to demystify the plan selection process. We will cover what’s new in insurance this year, why employees should re-evaluate a range of coverage options, and what federal and private plans have to offer. Joining host Jason Briefel this week Tony Zerante, Chief Strategy Officer at WAEPA, and Jay Fritz, Chief of Program Analysis and Systems Support in OPM’s Federal Employees Insurance Operations Division. From OPM, Fritz shares the important numbers, resources, and dates to keep in mind while doing Open Season shopping. Given the concerning state of the economy, the group discusses ways feds can save money while shopping for coverage and reviewing their options. WAEPA is a non-profit association providing current and former federal employees with affordable life insurance options. Zerante discusses why feds should take some time after Open Season to reconsider their life insurance coverage and WAEPA new offerings for former Feds. The show airs on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 11:05 am EST on Federal News Network. You can stream the show online anytime via the Federal News Network app and listen to the FEDtalk podcast on all major podcasting platforms. FEDtalk is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental. Members get fully-covered, in-network preventive care, including up to three covered cleanings a year, plus no deductibles for in-network services, like fillings and root canals. Visit bcbsfepdental.com to learn more. FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.

In times of economic uncertainty, it is important to know how to navigate the real estate market to protect your investments and financially plan for your family. This week on FEDtalk, we break down the state of the market, key considerations for relocating, and tips for making better homebuying decisions. Don’t let the fear paralyze your investments, hear from industry experts about how to get ahead of the market. Joining host Jason Briefel this week is Joe Vultaggio and Gavin Luckman from Cardinal Financial and Amber Tucker from BGRS Worldwide Relocation. Cardinal Financial is a nationwide financial company that assists homebuyers with purchasing a mortgage, refinancing, and home loans. Cardinal also provides education services to home buyers whether you are purchasing your first home or looking into additional investments. Cardinal recently launched a public service program providing specialized services and rates to those working in the public sector. Luckman and Vultaggio serve as Branch Managers with the company. BGRS is a global leader in relocation and move services. BGRS provides relocation services to many federal agencies, corporations, and foreign governments. BGRS also provides thought leadership on a variety of topics from government relocation and household goods to commercial moving and storage. Tucker serves as a Vice President specializing in linking relocation issues to government workforce issues. The show airs on Friday, November 4, 2022, at 11:05 am EST on Federal News Network. You can stream the show online anytime via the Federal News Network app and listen to the FEDtalk podcast on all major podcasting platforms. FEDtalk is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental. Members get fully-covered, in-network preventive care, including up to three covered cleanings a year, plus no deductibles for in-network services, like fillings and root canals. Visit bcbsfepdental.com to learn more. FEDtalk is brought to you by Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm. Bringing you the insider’s perspective from leaders in the federal community since 1993.