FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

What does it mean to be a wingman, and how can that mindset help federal employees navigate uncertainty, build stronger teams, and become better leaders? In this episode of FedUpward, I welcome my longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Eric Jorgensen, a retired Air Force colonel, former federal civilian employee, executive coach, and author of Wingman Life: Living and Leading Like a Fighter Pilot. Drawing on his decades of military and civilian service, Eric shares leadership lessons from the cockpit and the Pentagon, including the importance of trust, accountability, continuous learning, and simply showing up for one another. We discuss how federal employees can cultivate a coaching culture, why debriefing and learning from mistakes make teams stronger, and how small acts of compassion can have a lasting impact on someone's career. Eric also shares the unforgettable story behind his fighter pilot call sign, "Rabbit," and a leadership moment that changed how he thinks about supporting others. Whether you're leading a team, navigating organizational change, or looking for ways to better support your colleagues, this conversation is a reminder that great leadership starts with having each other's backs. Connect with Eric Jorgensen: Executive Coaching: https://wingmanexecutivecoaching.com Book: Wingman Life: Living and Leading Like a Fighter Pilot — Available through https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/eric_jorgensen Email: [email protected] Connect with Love: Coaching: https://www.fedupwardcoaching.com/  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/love-rutledge 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!  

What happens when your federal career takes an unexpected turn? For Monique Fortenberry, the answer began with community. In this episode of FedUpward, we welcome Monique Fortenberry to the show, former federal senior executive and founder of SisterFeds, a new online community for Black women across the federal ecosystem. After her federal position was abolished, Monique reached out to fellow public servants navigating similar challenges. What began as an informal Zoom gathering grew into SisterFeds, a space dedicated to connection, belonging, restoration, and moving forward together. Monique discusses navigating federal workforce changes, finding identity and purpose beyond a job title, and the importance of community during career transitions. She also shares what members can expect from SisterFeds, including group coaching, wellness programming, career celebrations, and opportunities to connect. Links & Resources SisterFeds: https://sisterfeds.com Request a SisterFeds invitation: [email protected] Connect with Monique Fortenberry: linkedin.com/in/moniquefortenberry 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 employees are facing another year of rising healthcare costs, with FEHB premiums increasing an average of 10.9% in 2027. But that's only part of the story. In this episode we welcome back Kevin Moss of Consumers' Checkbook to break down the biggest changes coming to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and what federal employees and retirees need to know before Open Season. From significant premium increases and disappearing plans to new GLP-1 coverage requirements, Kevin explains why sticking with your current health plan could cost you more than you think. In this episode: Why FEHB premiums are rising an average of 10.9%, with some plans seeing increases exceeding 100%. Major changes to GLP-1 coverage, including new authorization requirements and higher out-of-pocket costs. Which FEHB plans are disappearing and what happens to affected enrollees. How high-deductible health plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) could offer significant savings. Why more federal employees should consider Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). How to compare total healthcare costs, not just premiums, before choosing a plan. 2027 FEHB Open Season runs November 9 through December 14, 2026. Explore your options with Consumers' Checkbook's Guide to Health Plans at www.guidetohealthplans.org. Many federal agencies provide free access, or listeners can use promo code fedupward for 20% off individual access. https://www.checkbook.org/newhig2/hig.cfm Don't let automatic enrollment or rising premiums make your healthcare decisions for you. Tune in to make a more informed choice this Open Season. 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!  

When was the last time you reviewed your life insurance coverage? In this episode of the FedUpward Podcast, Love welcomes back Tony Zerante, Chief Strategy Officer at WAEPA, to talk about why federal employees should regularly reevaluate their coverage—especially as their families, careers, incomes, and financial responsibilities change. Tony breaks down how WAEPA coverage differs from FEGLI and shares details about newly expanded coverage options, including up to $2 million in term life insurance for eligible members under age 60 and up to $800,000 for eligible spouses. They also explore some of the benefits federal employees may not realize are available through WAEPA, including short-term disability insurance, complimentary access to certified financial planners through Ernst & Young, WAEPA's premium refund program, and scholarships for members' children pursuing college, vocational, and technical education. Whether you're starting a family, buying a home, approaching retirement, or simply haven't reviewed your coverage lately, this episode is a reminder to make sure your financial protection still fits your life. Learn more at: https://www.waepa.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!  

What does it actually take to remove a federal employee for serious performance or conduct issues—and can the process be improved without sacrificing due process? We welcome Maureen Klovers of We the Doers back to the FedUpward Podcast to discuss the organization's new report, "Fast but Fair Federal Firing," which examines the experiences of federal managers who have navigated the removal process firsthand. Their research found that removing an employee took an average of 21 months in the cases studied, consuming hundreds of hours of supervisors' time before accounting for the work of HR, legal teams, unions, and others. Love and Maureen discuss why those delays matter for high-performing employees, team morale, and agency missions; the inconsistencies between agencies; and why lasting civil service reform may ultimately need to come from Congress rather than executive action. They also explore We the Doers' recommendations for creating a clearer, more consistent system that preserves employee due process while giving managers better tools to address genuine performance and conduct problems—and what the organization plans to tackle next. Learn more about We the Doers and read the report here: https://wethedoers.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 builds a unique set of skills—but figuring out how those skills translate to your next opportunity isn't always easy. Karen Lee, founder of FedsForward, joins the podcast to discuss how federal employees can navigate career transitions without leaving their public service identity behind. Karen shares how FedsForward is helping current and former federal employees better understand their value, identify career pathways across government, industry, nonprofits, academia, and beyond, and connect their experience to real opportunities. She also gives listeners a preview of the next generation of the organization's free career technology platform, coming in fall 2026, which will offer improved career insights, job matching, and tailored application support. Plus, Karen discusses Career Forward, Feds Forward's seven-week cohort-based career program designed for professionals who are actively job searching, exploring what comes next, or struggling to turn their experience into a focused career strategy. Whether you're preparing to leave federal service, considering a move to another sector, or simply wondering what your experience could qualify you to do next, this conversation offers a reminder that your federal career isn't just where you've been—it's an asset you can carry forward. Learn more about FedsForward here: https://www.fedsforward.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!  

The federal workforce has changed dramatically over the past two years—but what do those changes mean for the people behind the mission? In this special episode, I join WUSA9's Larry Miller to discuss the human side of today's federal workforce. From navigating career disruptions and identity shifts to finding new purpose after public service, we discuss what I've learned through six years of interviewing federal employees and the organizations supporting them. We also explore the need for civil service modernization, the challenges facing recruitment, and why community matters now more than ever. Whether you're a current federal employee, recently transitioned out of government, or simply interested in the future of public service, this conversation offers thoughtful perspective, practical resources, and a reminder that no one has to navigate these changes alone. Subscribe to Larry Miller's YouTube channel: youtube.com/@larrymillerd/videos  Federal Fallout reporting on WUSA9: wusa9.com/federal-fallout  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 proposed rule from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) could significantly reshape how federal agencies handle employee performance, discipline, and removals. But what do these changes actually mean for federal employees and supervisors? You need to know so you can comment officially via the Federal Register by August 3, 2026. Former MSPB executive Raymond Limon joins the FedUpward podcast to break down the proposed rule and explain why it has sparked concern across the federal workforce. They discuss the potential elimination of the long-standing Douglas Factors, the legal framework that has guided disciplinary decisions for more than four decades, and what their removal could mean for consistency, due process, and agency accountability. The conversation also explores the proposal's requirement for 30-day Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), annual supervisory training, and the broader implications of OPM and MSPB issuing joint regulations. Ray explains how these changes could affect managers, employees, and the future independence of the MSPB, especially in light of recent Supreme Court decisions. So listen for some much needed context to understand one of the most consequential federal workforce proposals in years—and why participating in the public comment process matters. Read the Douglas Factors: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/reference-materials/douglas-factors/ The proposed rule: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-13445.pdf Check out Ray's website: https://www.meritserviceadvocates.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!  

For decades, Bob Tobias has helped shape the federal workforce—from fighting landmark legal battles on behalf of federal employees to founding the renowned Key Executive Leadership Program at American University. In this episode of FedUpward, Bob reflects on his remarkable career, the leadership principles that continue to influence thousands of federal managers, and why trust, vulnerability, and relationships are the foundation of effective leadership.  Bob also shares the deeply personal story behind his transition to writing poetry after retirement, discussing how childhood experiences, leadership, and self-reflection inspired his new collection, "What Lives in Me." Whether you're an aspiring supervisor, an experienced executive, or simply interested in personal growth, this conversation offers timeless lessons about leadership, resilience, and leaving a meaningful legacy.  Ger your copy of "What Lives in Me" - https://finishinglinepress.com/product/what-lives-in-me-by-robert-m-tobias Key Executive Leadership Program at American University - https://www.american.edu/spa/key/mpagpt.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!  

What does it take to reach the Senior Executive Service (SES) in today's federal workforce? In this episode of the FedUpward Podcast, I sit down with Kelly Foster, Director of Mentoring for the National Association of Future Federal Executives (NAFFE), to discuss the resources, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities available to aspiring federal executives. Kelly shares her remarkable journey from starting as a GS-1 student employee to serving nearly 39 years in federal government before transitioning into entrepreneurship and executive mentoring. The conversation explores how NAFFE helps federal employees prepare for SES careers through mentoring, ECQ mastery training, resume development, and structured interview preparation. Kelly also explains the evolving SES application process, the role of the Qualifications Review Board (QRB), and practical advice for federal professionals looking to advance into executive leadership positions. Whether you're a GS-11 planning your next promotion or a GS-15 considering the SES, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating the path to executive leadership. Learn more about the National Association of Future Federal Executives at https://naffee.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.