Stories from Inside the CIA

The Security Clearance Insecurity podcast welcomes new legal contributors Elisabeth Baker-Pham of Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C. and John Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC to the mic. In this episode, the panel breaks down how security clearance decisions intersect with employment law, why agencies handle cases differently, and what cleared professionals should know before filling out an SF-86, responding to investigators, or facing a statement of reasons. A must-listen for anyone navigating the cleared workforce this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the male-dominated world of international espionage, the stories of the women who quietly shaped history have too often been overlooked. Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA by Christina Hillsberg brings those stories into the spotlight, revealing how courage, resilience, and grit helped women redefine what it means to be a spy.A New Lens on Intelligence HistoryFor decades, popular culture has portrayed female spies as glamorous sidekicks or exotic figures. But the real history of women in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) tells a very different story: one of trailblazers who fought systemic bias, navigated dangerous operations, and forged paths in one of the most secretive institutions in the world.Agents of Change charts that history from the 1960s “secretarial era” through decades of steady progress toward leadership and influence. Along the way, Hillsberg weaves together firsthand accounts from female CIA officers who broke barriers, tackled espionage missions, and reshaped the agency from within. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polygraphs, often called “lie detector tests”, have long been surrounded by mystery, pop culture myths, and a fair amount of anxiety. While they’re frequently portrayed as foolproof truth machines, polygraphs are better understood as tools that measure physiological responses rather than lies themselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does flexibility really mean for the national security workforce—and why does it matter now?In this episode, Lindy is joined by workforce strategist and former federal executive Mika Cross for a timely conversation on the future of federal and cleared work. Drawing from congressional testimony, workforce data, and decades of public service experience, they unpack how telework, hybrid models, and strategic flexibility directly impact mission readiness, talent retention, and national security outcomes.The discussion explores:Why flexibility is a national security imperative, not a workplace perkThe real costs of losing high-performing cleared professionalsMilitary spouse employment and its impact on readinessWhat the President’s Management Agenda signals for the federal workforceHow national security agencies can lead on agility, trust, and innovationThis episode offers critical insight for cleared professionals, federal leaders, recruiters, and policymakers navigating the evolving realities of government work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For cleared professionals, the recruiter phone screen is often the deciding factor in whether you move forward. In just 20–30 minutes, a recruiter is assessing one thing: alignment. Stephanie Holman, a technical recruiter who has likely conducted hundreds, if not thousands of phone screens, joins the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to share her tips for job seekers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From breaking through burnout to mapping new career paths, we are diving into the realities of change in a mission-driven world. And because growth is not only professional, our lifestyle stories tap into the season’s spirit: giving back, decluttering the noise, and setting fresh goals for the year to come.ClearanceJobs' Content Director and Graphic Designer discuss the magazine and where to learn more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast, we we explore leadership, ethics, and excellence in high-stakes environments. Today’s episode will reshape how you think about leadership, especially leadership where character and trust are at the foundation of leading groups in national security missions.Today we are thrilled to be joined by Harry Wetherbee, a former senior executive officer of the CIA, and author of The Character of a Leader: Lessons on Honor and Integrity in Command. In this short but powerful book, Harry draws on decades of work at the intersection of national security, intelligence, and moral responsibility to show what truly separates fleeting authority from enduring leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindy Kyzer and Jill Hamilton talk about holiday party rules of engagement when working federal contracts. Would you normally dance to Cotton Eyed Joe if you didn't have that wine at the holiday party? Learn in this episode about other alcohol issues and your security clearance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women have been integral to the intelligence community since its earliest days, yet for decades their contributions remained obscured—hidden not only by secrecy but also by policy and silence. In her recent book, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA, author Liza Mundy brings these untold stories to light. She traces the journeys of pioneering women who entered the CIA at pivotal moments and helped shape the agency from within. From Eloise Page, the first female chief of station, to Lisa Harper, among the first women to rise into the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, Mundy weaves together a powerful narrative of trailblazers whose impact has long gone unrecognized. In this conversation, she shares how she uncovered and connected these remarkable histories of women in the Agency. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles Luftig, Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy and Capabilities, joined the Security Clearance Careers Podcast to discuss the National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI). He shared insights on the origins of the institute, why UVA was a natural match for this partnership, and the interdisciplinary nature of the NSDPI’s work.The National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI) is a university-level institute launched by the University of Virginia (UVA) in August 2024—UVA's sixth such institution—backed by a $20 million contract. It unites expertise from academia, government, and industry to tackle national security challenges using data science, artificial intelligence, research computing, and public policy frameworks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.