From CIA to CEO Pt. 1: Rupal Patel on Resilience, Leadership, and Life Lessons

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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:Leverage military lessons. Problem-solving and efficiency are universal skills.Don’t waste your SkillBridge. Treat it like a career pipeline, not a checkbox.Think like a consultant. Data and problem-solving translate across industries, not just the cleared space.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Myth vs. Reality: What You Need to Know About PolygraphsMyth 1: Polygraphs Are 100% Accurate and Always Determine TruthReality: 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:False positives and false negatives happen.Anxiety, medical conditions, or medications can affect readings.Polygraphs are investigative tools, not final proof of truthfulness.In the clearance process, a failed or inconclusive test often just means further review or a retest.Myth 2: Failing a Polygraph Automatically Disqualifies You from ClearanceReality: 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:Background checksInterviewsSF-86 form reviewCorroborating evidence from multiple sourcesMany applicants are given another chance to take the polygraph or explain their answers before any decision is made.Myth 3: You Can Beat the Polygraph with Tricks or TechniquesReality: The internet is full of “tips” for beating the polygraph. Examiners are well aware of these tactics, and attempting them can:Raise red flags and trigger suspicionLead to invalidated resultsDamage your credibility more than a poor showing on the test itselfTrying 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.GREEN AND RED FLAGS AT EVENTSRecruiters: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.In this episode:What the PVQ is—and how it differs from previous vetting formsHow the changes aim to streamline and modernize the clearance processWhat applicants should know before filling out the new formPotential benefits and lingering concerns from the security communityWhether 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.In this episode:What the GAO uncovered about reciprocity in practice versus policyWhy cleared professionals often get stuck in re-vetting purgatoryHow cultural, technical, and bureaucratic obstacles continue to derail seamless transfersWhat can be done—from Congress to hiring managers—to fix the systemIf 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.