The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester

157: The One with the Election Security Cyber Expert

Jim Richberg, Head of Cyber Policy and Global Field CISO at Fortinet & the former US National Intelligence Manager for Cybersecurity joins the show to discuss the biggest barriers or challenges to improving the election security. We also talk about the primary concerns that voting officials have going into this year’s election and he provides last-minute advice that election officials can do right now leading into November.

156: The One with the Education Industry Experts

Taylor Parry & ​​Brian Eschbacher, consultants and experts in the education space join the show to discuss some of the biggest trends impacting the industry including how declining birth rates are impacting enrollment and funding. We also discuss the trickle down effect this has on programs like social security and medicare and the advice they would give to policymakers and government leaders who want to ensure that their governments are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

155: The One with the TSA Contracting Officer

Aubrey Gainfort, Contracting Officer at Transportation Security Administration the host of the podcast, Breaking the Standard, joins the show to talk about the best ways for companies to be successful at the end of the Federal fiscal year. We also discuss common mistakes she sees companies make during the procurement process, she explains the dynamics between contracting officers and program leaders, and we deep dive into ways companies can stand out in this crowded marketplace.

154: The One with the Centre for Public Impact Executive Director

Adrian Brown, Strategic Advisor and the Former Executive Director for the Centre for Public Impact joins the show to discuss why long-term, strategic thinking is essential for governments, especially in the face of dynamic challenges and technological disruptions. We also define the key barriers that governments face when trying to adopt this approach and how they overcome these challenges. Plus in light of the upcoming US election, we talk about how governments can ensure that long-term policies are not derailed by short-term political cycles and changes in leadership.

153: The One with the WaTech Chief Privacy Officer

Katy Ruckle, Chief Privacy Officer for the State of Washington and a Member of the State’s Executive Committee for AI joins the show to discuss the privacy implications involving artificial intelligence in government. We also talk about the evolution of the Chief Privacy Officer role, her role on the AI executive order released by the State of Washington, and where she goes to stay on top of the latest trends and information on this evolving and dynamic technology.

152: The One with the Emerging Technology Myth Debunker

Robert D. Atkinson, bestselling author of the book "Technology Fears and Scapegoats" joins the show to address the widespread myths and misconceptions surrounding modern technologies and their impact on society. He also discusses the most common misconceptions about AI and ways to address them, the balance between technological advancement and privacy protection, and the criticality of STEM education in overcoming these myths and fostering a culture of innovation.

151: The One with the Former US Olympic Athlete

Linda Miller, Founder & CEO of Audient Group, Former Deputy Director for Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) and a Member of the US Olympic Rowing Team at the 2000 Sydney Games joins the show to discuss for Olympics experience and how her sports background has shaped her life and career. We also lean into her experience as a fraud SME to discuss the current state of government digital identity and her thoughts on how AI will impact this space moving forward. 

150: The 150th Episode

Brian Chidester, Head of Industry Strategy for Public Sector at Adobe and Host of The Government Huddle Podcast invites Phillip Naithram, Host of The Jumping Point Podcast to interview him in honor of the show’s 150th episode. Together they cover a lot of topics including Brian’s personal and professional journey. They also talk about how his athletic background shaped his mindset and drive, his transition from professional sports into his career,  and the importance of empathy, gratitude, and positive habits in personal growth.

149: The One about the Future of National Security & Defense

Dr. David Bray, Distinguished Fellow at both the Stimson Center and Principal at LeadDoAdapt joins the show along with Bob Gourley, former CTO of the Defense Intelligence Agency and now the CTO of OODA LLC, to talk about some of the aspects of GenAI that are particularly difficult for government to tackle in today’s society. We also discuss why issues that used to be solely the domain of U.S. intelligence & defense departments are now also in the domain of commercial companies and they share some advice to leaders in these sectors that are negotiating the pressing national and international security issues of our time.

148: The One with the U.S. Navy SEAL Executive Coach

Mathew Lehnig, a former combat-proven Veteran & Navy SEAL Officer, accomplished author, keynote speaker, executive coach, and the Vice President of Programs at EXCELR8 joins the show to share leadership insights from his military background that align to both government and industry professionals alike. We also discuss what a day with Independence Day means to him and dive into the most common leadership challenges he witnesses in the corporate world and his advice on how to address them.