Build Back Mode: The Real Reboot is How Agencies Treat Their People
Former DHS and IRS CIO Richard Spires joins Francis Rose to break down what “build back” really means for agencies after months of disruption. He praises efforts to cut bureaucracy, reduce stovepipes, and modernize acquisition, pointing to OPM’s ambitious push to consolidate 119 HR systems into one as the kind of big swing government needs.But he argues the biggest problem isn’t tech—it’s people. Spires says workforce treatment has damaged morale and trust, especially among technologists, and rebuilding starts with a fundamental shift in how leaders view and support employees. He recalls DHS’s HR consolidation work: requirements and procurement moved, but leadership turnover created a vacuum and internal fear about job loss helped collapse the effort.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com
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17:38
The AI Advantage: Outsmarting America’s Adversaries
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, retired DISA Director Lt. Gen. Robert “Bob” Skinner breaks down who will truly win the AI race—and why the edge belongs to organizations that deeply understand both operations and emerging technology. Skinner explains how DISA’s upcoming 2025 Forecast to Industry equips companies to anticipate challenges, align with agency strategy, and deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions for the warfighter. He emphasizes the power of problem-based requirements, tighter industry collaboration, and the innovative spirit that keeps the United States ahead of adversaries who may have scale, but not creativity.Skinner details AI’s sweeping influence across cloud, cyber, and mission operations, noting that advantage will come to teams able to merge operational insight with AI-driven agility. He also discusses acquisition reforms—like OTAs and accelerated proof-of-concept pipelines—that aim to get cutting-edge technologies into government hands faster, even as contracting workforce shortages pose new obstacles.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com
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12:58
The 2026 Playbook: Capacity, Experience & Data That Drives Decisions
As agencies look ahead to 2026, the federal technology landscape is entering a period of realignment — and this time, the shift centers on people, experience, and data. In this episode, Former NASA CIO, Renee Wynn breaks down what leaders should expect as teams return to full operations post-shutdown and begin planning for long-term mission delivery.She explains why organizational capacity building must replace the old “do more with less” mindset, and how focusing on the individual — reducing friction, providing better tools, and creating room for talent to flourish — can unlock performance gains agencies have long struggled to reach. She also highlights the value of time in the saddle, describing how seasoned professionals provide critical guardrails while fresh perspectives help reimagine outdated processes.You’ll learn why understanding your agency’s data — not just the systems that hold it — is becoming the defining factor in whether analytics and AI can actually deliver meaningful insights. She also outlines how nonexistent or misunderstood data can derail mission outcomes, and why success often comes when teams finally feel confident they’ve identified the right data sources to solve the problem at hand.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com
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19:47
America’s New Cyber Playbook: Going on Offense to Stop Nation-State Hackers
The latest edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose breaks down the major shifts expected in the nation’s forthcoming cyber strategy. Former Pentagon CISO and SixGen CEO Jack Wilmer joins the show to explain why the new approach will take a more offensive posture and why raising the cost of cyberattacks for nation-state adversaries may be key to deterrence. Wilmer discusses how agencies like U.S. Cyber Command and the FBI fit into a whole-of-government response, why traditional “name and shame” tactics haven’t worked, and how pre-positioned access in critical infrastructure—like the recent Volt Typhoon activity—poses a growing threat. He also highlights the increasingly important role the private sector will play as both a target and partner in national cyber defense. Francis shares a programming note on the holiday schedule and reminds listeners they can watch the new Innovation in Government TV special from TechNet Indo-Pacific on demand.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com
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Rebooting Government: How Agencies Bounce Back After the 44-Day Shutdown
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.
Veteran host Francis Rose gives Federal government decision-makers news and information about management, workforce, IT, and acquisition, to help those leaders do their jobs better.
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