On this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, Lindy Kyzer sits down with Elisabeth Baker Pham, attorney and federal employment expert, to unpack how government shutdowns trigger far more than political drama, they create real financial strain that can jeopardize a cleared worker’s livelihood and their security clearance.

Elisabeth breaks down the most immediate financial impacts she sees when federal employees and contractors suddenly lose income, from missed paychecks to debt that spirals faster than many expect. She explains how those shutdown-driven money problems often resurface later in a clearance file - late mortgage payments, credit card delinquencies, even tax complications - and how adjudicators typically view financial issues that clearly started during a lapse in appropriations.

For clearance holders staring down bills they can’t pay, Elisabeth offers practical, actionable steps: how to talk to creditors, what to document for future mitigation, and how to communicate with your agency during the shutdown itself. And with shutdown threats becoming a regular occurrence, she outlines the long-term financial and legal strategies every cleared professional should put in place now so the next disruption doesn’t put their bank account or their clearance at risk.

Whether you’re a federal employee, a contractor, or a security-clearance professional supporting a cleared workforce, this episode delivers the guidance you need to navigate financial uncertainty without compromising your national-security career.

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In this episode of the ClearanceJobs Podcast, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Leslie Reid, Vice President of Defense Programs at iWorks and former senior leader at the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), for a deep-dive conversation into the reality and the future of Trusted Workforce 2.0.

With more than two decades of leadership experience across the national security and defense community, Leslie has been at the center of some of the most significant vetting reforms of the past decade. From driving modernization at DCSA to championing agile, scalable solutions that support mission requirements, Leslie brings unmatched insight into how the personnel-vetting enterprise is transforming and what’s coming next.

Together, Lindy and Leslie unpack the big questions shaping TW 2.0 today:

• How are agencies implementing modernization at scale?
• What challenges remain around reciprocity, system adoption, clearance mobility, and workforce readiness?
• How are new tools including automation, AI, and continuous vetting technologies changing expectations for applicants, employers, and security professionals?
• And what does the future look like as the government prepares for the next era of risk-based, data-driven vetting?

Whether you’re an FSO, recruiter, HR leader, cleared professional, or simply someone trying to make sense of the alphabet soup of vetting reforms, this is a conversation that pulls back the curtain on what Trusted Workforce 2.0 really means—and how it will reshape national security hiring for years to come.

Tune in for an expert-driven, mission-focused discussion on security clearance modernization.

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How does a government shutdown really impact security clearance holders and applicants? In this timely episode, Lindy Kyzer sits down with security clearance and employment law expert John Berry to break down the real-world consequences beyond the headlines.

From delayed investigations and paused adjudications to furlough fears and continuous vetting confusion, we explore how shutdowns can ripple through every stage of the clearance process. Can your clearance be at risk if you’re not being paid? What if you’re an applicant waiting on paperwork or a contractor stuck in limbo?

John brings his legal insight and decades of experience representing federal employees and contractors, while Lindy adds perspective from the cleared workforce and industry trends.

We cover:

• How shutdowns disrupt clearance processing and timelines
• What applicants should do if their investigation stalls
• Financial stress, furloughs, and reporting requirements
• Practical advice to protect your career during government uncertainty

Whether you’re active duty, a contractor, federal employee, or just clearance-curious, this episode gives you the clarity and action steps you need to stay prepared no matter what happens in Washington.

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