214. Building the Future Workforce: Skills-Based Hiring and GovHR Innovations
Building the Future Workforce: Skills-Based Hiring and GovHR Innovations Michelle Amante, Senior Vice President of Government Programs at Partnership for Public Service returns to the FedUpward podcast, joined by Blair Corcoran de Castillo from Opportunity@Work. We dive into what’s ahead for the second annual GovHR Conference, taking place September 16–18 both in Washington, D.C. and virtually. Learn how government agencies are embracing skills-based hiring, supporting non-traditional talent pipelines like STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes), and leveraging AI and data tools to meet modern workforce needs. Discover what’s happening in states like Maryland and cities like Philadelphia—and how these examples can transform federal, state, and local HR practices. Register for the GovHR Conference: https://events.ourpublicservice.org/2025-govhr Explore the Federal Support Hub and free resources: https://ourpublicservice.org Learn more about Opportunity@Work and the STARs initiative: https://opportunityatwork.org Helpful Resources: Work with Love: www.fedupwardcoaching.com State of Maryland resources: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-launches-resource-website-for-maryland-workers-impacted-by-recent-federal-actions.aspx Connect with Love: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge
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213. Are You Missing Out on Better Federal Benefits? Advice from Tammy Flanagan
Federal benefits expert Tammy Flanagan is here to share essential tips for making smarter insurance choices, navigating open season, and preparing for retirement. Learn how to avoid common mistakes, understand Medicare decisions, and use tools like the Checkbook Guide and OPM plan comparison to save money and boost your coverage. 00:00 – Intro 00:49 – Tammy Flanagan on Planning for Open Season Early 03:32 – Tools to Compare and Choose the Right Federal Health Plan 05:55 – Common Mistakes Feds Make with Insurance and Medicare 09:15 – What to Know About Health Coverage in Early Retirement 12:01 – Why NARFE Advocacy Matters and How to Get Involved Regardless of if you're early in your career or planning retirement, this episode will help you get the most from your federal benefits. Helpful Resources: Learn more about NARFE: https://www.narfe.org Visit OPM’s plan comparison tool: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information Meet with Tammy: https://plan-your-federal-retirement.com/talking-with-tammy/ Work with Love: www.fedupwardcoaching.com Connect with Love: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward
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212. Reinventing Life After Federal Service: Dr. Nola Haynes on Owning the Pivot
“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 Dr. Nola Haynes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nola-haynes-50050158/ IG: @nolahaynes Substack: https://nolahaynes1.substack.com/ Globally:  https://globally.org/ Work with Love: www.fedupwardcoaching.com Connect with Love: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward Â
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211. David Spirk on Scaling What Works and Cutting What Doesn’t
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: Follow David Spirk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-spirk-a21a37126/ Work with Love: www.fedupwardcoaching.com Connect with Love: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward
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210. Inside the EEOC: What Federal Employees Should Know
Inside the EEOC: What Federal Employees Should Know What actually happens when a federal employee files an EEOC complaint? In this episode, I sit down with Courtney Mickman, a former EEOC Administrative Judge who’s seen it all—from inside the agency to now representing employees in private practice. We cover the basics of the EEOC process, why return-to-office mandates are triggering a surge in accommodation issues, and how long federal EEO cases really take. Hear important distinctions between DEI policy and what’s actually enforceable under federal law. 00:00 – Intro: Meet Courtney Mickman 01:22 – Courtney’s Role at EEOC and Federal Background 03:48 – What Is an EEOC Administrative Judge? 05:01 – Discrimination Types EEOC Covers 07:23 – Current Trends: Return-to-Office and Disability Accommodations 10:22 – The Burden of the Accommodation Process 12:31 – Interim Accommodations and Systemic Delays 14:11 – Advice for Employees Seeking Accommodation 16:42 – How Long Do EEO Cases Take? 20:55 – DEI vs. EEOC Law: What’s the Difference? 22:42 – Resources for Federal Employees and Managers 25:08 – Final Thoughts + Resource Roundup ⚠️ Reminder: This is an informational discussion and not legal advice. If you’re facing an EEO issue, always consult an attorney. Helpful Resources: EEOC Resources: https://www.eeoc.gov Alan Lescht & Associates Blog: https://www.dcemploymentattorney.com/resources/blog/ Follow Courtney Mickman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-mickman-36145633a/ Work with Love: www.fedupwardcoaching.com Connect with Love: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge Â
About FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees
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