FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees - Love Rutledge

Latest Episodes:

238. Beyond FEGLI: Life Insurance Options for Federal Employees Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

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!

237. Federal Firing: Can It Be Fast and Fair? Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

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

236. How to Translate Your Federal Experience Into Your Next Career - FedsForward Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

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

235. The Future of Federal Service: Resilience, Identity & the Workforce in Transition Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

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

234. Proposed OPM Rule Could Rewrite Federal Employee Discipline: What Every Fed Needs to Know Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

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

233. Federal Leadership Teaching Legend Bob Tobias Reflects on Leadership, Labor, and Life After Service Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

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

232. National Association of Future Federal Executives - Breaking Into the SES with Kelly Foster Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

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.

231. Are Federal Workforce Protections Still a Thing? Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

What happens when one of the government's leading experts on federal employment law and human capital management steps away from public service—and into advocacy?

Raymond Limon returns to the FedUpward podcast for a timely conversation about the challenges facing today's federal workforce. After more than 30 years in federal service—including leadership roles at OPM, the State Department, the Department of the Interior, and the MSPB—Limon discusses why he launched Merit Service Advocates and what federal employees need to know as workplace policies continue to evolve.

The discussion explores the purpose of the merit-based civil service system, the impact of workforce restructuring efforts, concerns surrounding federal hiring and workforce protections, and the resources employees can use to stay informed. Limon also offers practical advice for federal employees navigating uncertainty, discusses potential reforms to federal hiring and appeals processes, and explains why resilience, professional development, and public service remain as important as ever.

Whether you're a current federal employee, retiree, supervisor, or simply interested in the future of the federal workforce, this episode provides valuable context from someone who has spent decades shaping and defending the systems that support public service.

Find out more about his work here.

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!

230. Here are the Headlines You Can't Ignore May 22, 2026

Show notes

We welcome back John Hatton with the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) to unpack the biggest issues impacting federal employees and retirees right now.

From concerns over OPM's request for sensitive health claims data to ongoing frustrations with retirement processing delays, the conversation dives into the policies, headlines, and workforce changes creating uncertainty across government.

The episode also explores the rollout of digital retirement modernization efforts, reduction-in-force impacts, proposed changes to appeals rights, and what federal employees should know about the administration's evolving workforce policies. Plus, the discussion highlights why staying informed has never been more important as agencies navigate staffing reductions, modernization challenges, and shifting federal employment rules.

Join NARFE: https://www.narfe.org/

Attend FedCon26 in Indianapolis Aug. 23-25: https://fedcon.narfe.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!

229. Public Service Recognition Week 2026 May 04, 2026

Show notes

Public Service Recognition Week is here—and it's a moment to reflect on the impact of federal service.

I share resources, events (there's one tomorrow!), and practical ways to engage:

Partnership for Public Service (PSRW resources): https://ourpublicservice.orgFormerGov (career support & events): https://formergov.com

Whether you're currently serving or exploring your next chapter, this episode is a reminder of the mission behind the work—and why it still matters.

🎧 Listen now and take a moment to reconnect with your "why."

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