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 servants and the real-world consequences: burnout, resignations, and a chilling effect on civic participation.
Ulloa also introduces the Public Service Alliance's approach to solving the problem—from a first-of-its-kind marketplace offering vetted security and support resources, to advocacy efforts aimed at driving policy change and awareness. A standout initiative, the "security map," uses aggregated data and storytelling to visualize the scale of the issue across all 50 states.
This episode is both a wake-up call and a roadmap—highlighting how public servants can better protect themselves, and why addressing this issue is critical to the future of public service itself.
Learn more: https://thepublicservicealliance.com/ 
Connect with Love:
Coaching: https://www.fedupwardcoaching.com/ 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge

Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward

The FedUpward Podcast gives federal employees and friends of feds strategies and tips for navigating everyday problems. This is a place for federal employees to network, share ideas, and get better.
Don't get fed up. Get FedUpward!

In this episode of the FedUpward Podcast, I sit down with Robyn Kehoe from the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) to explore how the Feds in Motion Challenge blends fitness, community, and meaningful support for the federal workforce.
The challenge encourages participants to complete 37 miles in 37 days—walking, running, biking, or moving however they choose. But beyond the fitness goal, it serves as FEEA's largest annual fundraiser, helping fuel programs that provide emergency financial assistance, no-interest loans, and scholarships for federal employees and their families.
Robyn shares how FEEA has stepped up during times of crisis, including distributing over $1 million in microgrants to furloughed federal workers, and why building community through initiatives like Feds in Motion is more important than ever.
Whether you're looking to improve your health, connect with others, or support the federal workforce, this episode highlights how small, everyday actions can create lasting impact.
Learn more: https://feea.org/  Join me on the FedUpward Podcast team! Shoot me an email ([email protected]) for our team password to get registered.
Connect with Love:
Coaching: https://www.fedupwardcoaching.com/ 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge

Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward

The FedUpward Podcast gives federal employees and friends of feds strategies and tips for navigating everyday problems. This is a place for federal employees to network, share ideas, and get better.
Don't get fed up. Get FedUpward!

Thinking about starting a business after federal service ... or maybe while you're still a fed?
In this episode of FedUpward, Love sits down with Rebecca Geller, founder of The Geller Law Group, to talk through the legal realities federal employees need to understand before launching a consulting firm or small business.
They cover:
Why forming an LLC matters (and why not to sign contracts as an individual)



County and local business license requirements in the DMV



Trademark mistakes that can lead to lawsuits



Federal ethics considerations if you're still employed



Why contracts are non-negotiable (even with friends)



Privacy concerns when using your home address



Succession planning and operating agreements



Whether you're considering a pivot or were pushed into one, this episode offers practical, protective guidance to help you launch smart.
Connect with Rebecca at: thegellerlawgroup.com
Connect with Love:
Coaching: https://www.fedupwardcoaching.com/ 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge

Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward

The FedUpward Podcast gives federal employees and friends of feds strategies and tips for navigating everyday problems. This is a place for federal employees to network, share ideas and get better.
Don't get fed up. Get FedUpward!

A major shift in federal workforce policy just became final — and its implications reach far beyond HR paperwork.
Audrey Roofeh, founder of Integrity Matters, joins FedUpward to unpack the newly finalized Schedule P/C rule from the Office of Personnel Management. The rule creates a new category of federal employees who no longer have traditional civil service tenure protections — expanding the number of "at-will" positions across government. Learn more about the policy here.
But the ripple effects don't stop there.
Audrey explains how Schedule P/C could dramatically expand who qualifies as a "covered branch official" under the Lobbying Disclosure Act — potentially requiring small businesses, consultants, and government contractors to register as lobbyists simply for communicating with certain federal employees about contracts, grants, permits, or loans.
Together, they discuss:
How Schedule P/C differs from Schedule F

Why civil service protections exist in the first place

What it means to lose Merit Systems Protection Board appeal rights

How businesses may face new lobbying registration burdens

Why this change could create a chilling effect within federal agencies

Whether you're a federal employee, government contractor, consultant, or small business owner working with the federal government, this conversation breaks down what's happening — and why it matters now.
Learn more about Integrity Matters here: https://integritymatters.org/ 
Connect with Love:
Coaching: https://www.fedupwardcoaching.com/ 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge

Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward

The FedUpward Podcast gives federal employees and friends of feds strategies and tips for navigating everyday problems. This is a place for federal employees to network, share ideas and get better.
Don't get fed up. Get FedUpward!

Federal service is changing—and for many LGBTQ+ federal employees, the loss of employee resource groups, shifting policies, and declining morale have made community harder to find than ever. 
Luke Schleusener (he/him), CEO and co-founder of Out in National Security, joins the podcast to discuss how his organization is stepping in to support LGBTQIA+ professionals across the national security and public-sector workforce.
The organization is a growing hub for community following the dissolution of federal employee resource groups. Out in National Security offers connection, advocacy, and moments of joy through in-person gatherings, wellness events, and cross-agency networking.
The conversation explore how community can counter isolation and fear and what it means to sustain pride in public service during challenging times.
Learn more, explore upcoming events, and access the transgender veteran toolkit at outinnationalsecurity.org.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect with Love:
Coaching: https://www.fedupwardcoaching.com/ 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge

Facebook: facebook.com/fedupward

The FedUpward Podcast gives federal employees and friends of feds strategies and tips for navigating everyday problems. This is a place for federal employees to network, share ideas and get better.
Don't get fed up. Get FedUpward!