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On this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, ClearedCast, host Phoebe Wells talks with Tom Tice, President & CEO of Warrior Strong—a nonprofit delivering free health and wellness programs to veterans, military spouses, family members, and first responders. From yoga, meditation, and breathwork to fitness, aquatic therapy, and nutrition seminars, Warrior Strong rebuilds camaraderie and supports mental resilience—in person and online.
Tom shares the organization’s origins (idea in 2016, founded in 2017), why virtual classes still create real community, how members encourage each other to seek care (including via the VA), and who’s eligible to join. You’ll also hear how removing cost and access barriers helps veterans break isolation and improve overall well-being.
📲 Want to get involved? Listeners can download the Warrior Strong app on Apple or Google, visit the website, and follow on social.
https://www.warriorstronginc.org/
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Where do spies, diplomats, soldiers, and FBI agents turn when their official service comes to an end? For most, full retirement isn’t an immediate option. The choice to step away from government service is difficult enough—deciding what comes next can feel even harder.
Author and Career Coach Alison P. Bouwmeester knows this journey firsthand. She spent 28 years as a senior leader in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, followed by nearly a decade as a senior executive in the defense contracting industry, ultimately serving as Vice President for Business Development. In 2018, she became a Certified Professional Career Coach and founded Futurity to guide others through successful career transitions—drawing on her own experience as someone who has “walked the walk.”
In this book, dozens of former intelligence, diplomatic, military, and national security professionals share candid insights, practical strategies, and timeless advice.
Considering a job change? Exploring a second career? Wondering what retirement could look like? This guide is here to help you take the next step with confidence.
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To “resign under unfavorable circumstances” generally means that an employee chose to resign from a job before being formally terminated or while facing serious workplace issues that reflect negatively on them.
It often indicates the resignation was not entirely voluntary or amicable, but instead prompted by:
Background investigators reach out to former employers - best to be honest about if you actually quit or quit before you were fired. "Better for you to say it first," Lindy Kyzer notes.
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Federal hiring is shifting fast—from law enforcement incentives and IT demand to new rules like the two-page USAJobs resume.
Join ClearanceJobs’ Lindy Kyzer in conversation with federal jobs coach Armand Curet as they unpack the latest hiring freeze updates, agency-specific trends, and the myths that keep applicants from landing government roles.
Whether you’re a veteran, a career-changer, or simply federal-curious, this live discussion will give you the clarity you need to navigate today’s federal job market.
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In this episode of ClearedCast, host Phoebe Wells sits down with Rupal Patel—former CIA officer, CEO of the Global Leadership Lab, and author of From CIA to CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better, and Being Bolder. Patel shares her unconventional path from war zones and classified briefings to the corporate boardroom, offering candid insights on resilience, confidence, and leadership.
Hear how she navigated the clearance process, built credibility in male-dominated spaces, and developed the tools to quiet imposter syndrome. Patel also reveals how intelligence tradecraft can be applied to everyday leadership—helping executives and professionals lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
Whether you’re navigating your own cleared career or striving to build bold leadership skills, this episode offers lessons for thriving in high-pressure environments. Come back next week for part two.
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Transitioning from military service into the civilian workforce is rarely straightforward—but for Albert Bellamy, a retired Marine Corps officer, it was a journey defined by logistics, analytics, and adaptability. Now a marketing and business intelligence consultant, Bellamy shared with the Security Clearance Careers Podcast how his time in uniform prepared him to thrive in the data-driven world of consulting.
While logistics was his operational focus in the Marines, Bellamy gradually transitioned into the world of analytics. That shift became the foundation for his post-military career. The core skills were the same, problem-solving under pressure, working with diverse teams, and telling a story with data. Analytics was the natural next step.
For service members eyeing their own transitions, Bellamy left listeners with three takeaways:
Your clearance opens the door, but it’s your ability to adapt as a former military member and apply your skills that drives long-term success.
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Are you ready to take your place at the forefront of government technology? From September 11–13, 2025, GovTechCon takes over The Square (1850 K St NW, Washington, D.C.) with a hybrid, immersive experience designed to ignite your GovTech journey.
Creator, Symone Berry, joins the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to discuss why aspiring professionals should attend the in person or hybrid options and why recruiters should utilize the venue to secure top talent.
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Reaching out to recruiters can be one of the smartest moves a job seeker makes in the hiring process, but how you do it matters. A quick, vague message like “When can we talk?” may feel like you’re showing initiative, but in reality, it can do more harm than good. Recruiters are busy, and without context, they’re less likely to respond.
Recently, there was a viral post on social media from a recruiter. They were complaining that after posting a position calling for applications, candidates instead reached out with their "when can we talk?" messages...not helpful, and not respecting the process outline by the recruiter in the first place.
Tune in to this episode of ClearedCast about respecting the process and the do's / dont's of reaching out to recruiters.
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The FBI warns that talent recruitment programs pose a serious risk to U.S. businesses, universities, and laboratories. What might appear as legitimate opportunities often serve as conduits for undisclosed transfers of intellectual property, proprietary technology, and sensitive research. All benefiting China, not U.S. innovation ecosystems. Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer highlight the issue, sometimes advertised as OCONUS job opportunities, on this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast.
While there may be instances of genuine collaboration, the norm is far more troubling: these programs tend to facilitate one-way, undocumented sharing that carries significant risks. Not only do U.S. institutions lose competitive or scientific advantages, but the individuals (i.e. students, researchers, or employees) who participate might unwittingly compromise their careers, funding eligibility, and professional credibility.
Moreover, if proprietary information is stolen or research funding is misused, institutions may suffer irreversible reputational and financial harm, even if prosecution eventually follows.
Veterans can be a target for these sometimes-tempting OCONUS job listings – utilizing their clearance for a decent wage overseas. But clearance holders should note that failure to disclose foreign affiliations, contracts or contracts can breach institutional policies, federal conflict-of-interest rules, national security laws, and your commitment to self-reporting. Transparency is thus essential, both to protect institutions and to safeguard the careers of the individuals involved.
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Reality: Polygraphs are not “lie detectors.” They measure physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweat gland activity—signals that may indicate stress or anxiety. Trained examiners interpret these results, but several factors can influence the outcome:
Reality: A polygraph is only one piece of the broader adjudication puzzle. Even if you “fail” a test, you may still move forward in the process. The full review includes:
Many applicants are given another chance to take the polygraph or explain their answers before any decision is made.
Reality: The internet is full of “tips” for beating the polygraph. Examiners are well aware of these tactics, and attempting them can:
Trying to game the polygraph can backfire badly—often worse than just answering honestly.
Polygraphs can be stressful, but they’re not the final word in your clearance journey. The most important thing you can bring into the exam is honesty—both with the examiner and yourself. Understanding how polygraphs work, and knowing that a single test doesn’t determine your fate, can go a long way toward reducing the anxiety that comes with this infamous step in the process.
If you’re heading into a polygraph soon, take a deep breath, skip the internet “hacks,” and focus on telling the truth. The rest is just part of the process.
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With an exciting week ahead in Colorado Springs, the ClearanceJobs Content Team discusses what recruiters and job seekers can expect from attending the Nooks classified facility on this week's episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast.
Get your last minute ticket to ClearanceJobs Connect CO here.
Register here for the Career Conversations job fair happening after recruiting training.
Recruiters: as you prepare for Connect and Career Conversations, you should stay alert to subtle and overt signs of inappropriate behavior from job seekers. Red flags include overly personal questions, lingering without purpose, and disregarding professional boundaries—such as standing too close or continuing conversations after clear social cues. Flirtatious comments, physical contact beyond a handshake, or sharing overly personal stories are not just unprofessional; they can create an uncomfortable or even unsafe environment. Attempts to bypass the hiring process through charm or pressure tactics, like requesting off-site meetups, are also concerning. Job seekers: don't be an offender of these!
Other warning signs involve persistent or obsessive behavior, such as showing up at multiple events to find a specific recruiter or reaching out on personal social media channels. Language that is demeaning or gendered—like calling a recruiter “sweetheart” or using patronizing tones—is unacceptable in any professional setting. When these red flags appear, it’s important for hiring teams to document the behavior, set firm boundaries, and, if needed, involve event security or HR to maintain a respectful and safe environment for all participants.
But recruiters aren't immune to red flags either - so stick to GREEN FLAGS, everyone. Be professional and kind. When conversations are two-way, respectful, and genuinely curious—not transactional or self-promotional—it points to a strong networking culture. Attendees who listen as much as they talk, offer helpful insights or connections, and follow up thoughtfully are often the most valuable contacts. When people are generous with their time and ideas, it’s a strong signal that the event is fostering real relationship-building, not just business card collecting.
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As cyber threats surge and organizations scramble to protect digital infrastructure, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has never been higher. But for those aspiring to break into the field, the path can feel unclear. Whether you're transitioning from IT, switching careers entirely, or just starting out, cybersecurity offers diverse entry points—but standing out requires strategy and dedication.
Caleb Mattingly is the founder of Secure Cloud Innovations. He has built an incredible reputation in the cybersecurity space, particularly for his work helping early-stage startups overcome the challenges of compliance and security frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. He joins the podcast to talk about compliance, lessons learned, threats, and pivoting to the cybersecurity field.
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In this episode of ClearedCast we’re joined by Elisabeth Baker Pham, national security attorney and personnel security expert, to unpack one of the most significant changes to the security clearance process in years—the rollout of the new Personnel Vetting Questionnaire (PVQ).
Replacing the long-standing SF-86 and SF-85 forms, the PVQ represents a major shift in how the federal government approaches background investigations and personnel vetting. Elisabeth walks us through what’s changed, why it matters, and how it impacts both applicants and security professionals.
Whether you’re a first-time applicant, seasoned security officer, or national security policymaker, this episode delivers essential insight into a foundational change in the clearance world.
🎧 Tune in for a practical, expert-led breakdown of the PVQ—and what it means for the future of personnel security.
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In this episode of ClearedCast, ClearanceJobs legal correspondent Sean Bigley and VP Lindy Kyzer discuss one of the federal government’s most persistent personnel security challenges: security clearance reciprocity.
Despite years of reform and policy promises, clearance holders continue to face delays and disruptions when moving between agencies—even when they already hold an active clearance. Sean and Lindy break down the latest GAO report, which sheds light on why reciprocity still lags and where implementation gaps persist.
If you're a security-cleared professional, HR lead, or anyone navigating the federal hiring ecosystem, this conversation offers a critical reality check on one of Trusted Workforce 2.0’s core promises—and why it’s yet to be delivered.
🎧 Listen in for practical insights and policy perspectives on the path toward real clearance transfer of trust.
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In today’s ever-shifting security environment, both cyber operations and the defense industry at large are experiencing transformative growth. From humble beginnings of rudimentary attacks to the intricate global threat matrix of today, cyber operations have evolved dramatically. In parallel, defense-focused companies are re-evaluating their strategies to stay agile amid ongoing federal realignments.
A retired Army Colonel with nearly 25 years of intelligence, cyber operations, and strategic leadership, David Tohn offers a powerful combination of military and business expertise on this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast.
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For cleared professionals, the idea of a career pivot can feel particularly complex. Whether you're shifting industries, moving from government to private sector (or vice versa), or simply seeking a new role within national security, making a strategic career change can open exciting new doors—if you approach it right. Joyce, career coach from Digital Humanity, joins the podcast to discuss how to successfully pivot careers.
Tune in to learn how to confidently navigate a career pivot and come out stronger on the other side.
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