Fed Gov Today

The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.

Former FBI Chief Information Officer and current Executive Vice President for Public Sector at ITI, Gordon Bitko, joins Francis to unpack what agency leaders and contractors should expect when the doors open again. Bitko explains how months of uncertainty disrupt technology rollouts, contract execution, and long-term modernization efforts, especially as critical initiatives like the FAR rewriteand AI implementation lose valuable momentum.You'll learn how the shutdown’s ripple effects extend beyond paused projects. Many agencies will find themselves facing a changed workforce — missing contracting officers, retired experts, and vacant leadership roles — making coordination and communication even more essential. Bitko emphasizes that the first major challenge will be simply locating and realigning the work left behind. Some projects continued under funded contracts, others halted entirely, leaving agencies struggling to sync progress across departments.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

Francis speaks with Dina Saleh, Federal Solutions Architect at Synack, who explains how C-ATO replaces the old, static ATO system with continuous testing, monitoring, and updates that improve both security and efficiency.You’ll learn how continuous authorization helps eliminate the “death loop” of paperwork and compliance fatigue that once overwhelmed federal teams. Dina notes that many agencies still struggle with data overload—drowning in endless vulnerability reports and alerts that make it difficult to prioritize real threats. Synack’s approach, she says, acts like a “cheat sheet for the exam,” filtering out noise and focusing on the most exploitable, high-impact vulnerabilities that truly matter.Dina stresses that every agency’s environment is unique and warns against cookie-cutter solutions. Success with C-ATO, she concludes, depends on combining automation with human insight to build customized, continuous security strategies that evolve with each organization’s mission and risk landscape.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.

The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.

Former GAO Managing Director Chris Mihm joins the show to unpack the realities of the ongoing government shutdown — now on day seven. Mihm, now an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, shares stories from shutdowns past that blend humor and hard-earned wisdom. From the unforgettable “refrigerator incident” after the 2018–2019 shutdown — when the stench of forgotten lunches greeted returning employees — to his unique experience representing GAO overseas during the 2013 lapse in appropriations, Mihm’s anecdotes reveal that not every shutdown implication is mission critical… but some are unforgettable.Beyond the stories, Mihm discusses the real operational and human challenges that arise when the government grinds to a halt. They explore the complexity of managing mission backlogs, maintaining communication with furloughed staff, and leading teams through uncertainty — all while following the strict rules that prohibit most federal employees from working during a lapse in appropriations. Mihm outlines key lessons learned from GAO’s studies of previous shutdowns, emphasizing the importance of transparent communication, empathy from managers, and thoughtful planning for the inevitable restart.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

On this special edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, Former Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Julie Dunne, now principal at Monument Advocacy, joins the show to share leadership strategies for navigating the return to work once the government reopens. Dunne compares the uncertainty of the current moment to the early days of COVID-19 and emphasizes the importance of stepping back, identifying top priorities, and leading with clear, proactive communication.You’ll hear how federal leaders can motivate and support their teams during the transition back to full operations — from reestablishing coordination and prioritization through daily stand-up meetings, to managing the emotional and logistical challenges that come with restarting work after a pause. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

On Day 3 of the government shutdown, there is at least one area where federal employees can find reassurance—the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) remains fully operational. In this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, James Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, explains how TSP participants are protected during a lapse in appropriations. From automatic loan payment adjustments to reliable call center support, Kaplan details the steps the TSP has taken to ensure participants don’t need to take additional action during the shutdown.You’ll also hear about recent improvements, including streamlined customer service, safeguards for those with loans, and the growing popularity of Roth contributions. These updates underscore how the TSP is continuing to evolve to better serve federal employees and retirees, even in uncertain times.Throughout the shutdown, Fed Gov Today will bring you daily insights from leaders who have managed through past closures and restarts—helping you prepare for what’s ahead. Be sure to subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

On this special edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, the federal government shutdown officially begins — and with it come questions about what’s closed, what’s open, and what federal leaders can do to prepare for the return to business. Former Undersecretary of Defense Comptroller Mike McCord and Gov Navigators CEO Robert Shea, a former OMB leader, discuss the immediate impacts on agencies, employees, and taxpayers, and why communication and leadership are more critical than ever. Former GSA leaders Sonny Hashmi and Jim Williams join Francis to examine the operational realities of a shutdown, from cybersecurity and acquisition backlogs to the challenges of keeping federal missions on track with reduced staff and resources. Together, they unpack the human, managerial, and operational toll of a shutdown — and the lessons leaders must apply to navigate the crisis and prepare for what comes next.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

In Part 3 of his conversation with Francis Rose, Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), shares the bottom line up front: what warfighters, the Secretary of Defense, the DNI, and even the President need from NGA right now. In the third and final part of our exclusive conversation from the Intelligence and National Security Summit, Admiral Whitworth explains how NGA is building a more fluent, AI-enabled workforce to meet the challenges of the future. From AI and machine learning bootcamps to mobile training teams, NGA is investing in fluency that empowers analysts to innovate faster and smarter.Admiral Whitworth also discusses NGA’s innovation ecosystem—how partnerships with emerging tech companies, academia, and industry are shaping the next generation of geospatial intelligence. He highlights the agency’s expanding presence in St. Louis, the upcoming opening of NGA’s new campus, and how community engagement is key to long-term mission success.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.