FEDChicks

Episode 10: Michele Rigby Assad: Breaking Cover, Getting Off the X & Starting Over

Former CIA intelligence officer Michele Rigby Assad returns to FEDChicks for Part 2 of our conversation about life inside—and after—the CIA. This time, Michele takes us behind the story of her books Breaking Cover and Get Off the X, including the extraordinary post-CIA operation that helped nearly 150 displaced Iraqi Christians escape to a new life in Europe.

But this episode is also about what happens when the career ends. Michele talks candidly about leaving the CIA, starting over when she couldn’t put most of her experience on a résumé, separating identity from a federal career, finding purpose after government service, and learning to move forward even when you don’t feel ready.

For anyone approaching retirement, considering a career change, or wondering what comes after the badge, Michele’s message is simple: you don’t need the perfect next move—you just need a move that takes you forward.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why Michele and her husband knew it was time to leave the CIA
• Writing Breaking Cover and getting a CIA memoir through pre-publication review
• The remarkable operation that helped nearly 150 Iraqi Christians relocate to Europe
• What “Get Off the X” means in the CIA—and why Michele applies it to everyday life
• Leaving government when your résumé can’t explain what you actually did
• Why Type-A perfectionists can get stuck waiting for the “perfect” next move
• Practical advice for preparing for retirement or a major career change
• Why your identity can’t be entirely wrapped up in your career
• Faith, courage and saying yes before you feel ready
• Finding purpose and service after federal employment
• What Michele would tell herself on her first day at the CIA

Learn more about Michele, her books, speaking and leadership coaching: MicheleRigbyAssad.com

If you missed Part 1 of our conversation with Michele, start with Episode 9:
CIA Officer Michele Rigby Assad: Undercover, Underestimated & Unafraid

WATCH, LISTEN & FOLLOW FEDCHICKS

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
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Instagram: @fedchicks
Facebook: FEDChicks
Email: [email protected]

Please like, subscribe, share and leave us a review. It helps more women in federal law enforcement—and those preparing for life after it—find FEDChicks.

Three retired federal agents. Three voices. Zero agency talking points.

DISCLAIMER

FEDChicks is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are our own and do not represent any agency or the federal government. Nothing shared should be considered financial, legal, career or retirement advice. Consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.

#FEDChicks #MicheleRigbyAssad #CIA #GetOffTheX #BreakingCover #FederalLawEnforcement #FederalEmployees #FederalRetirement #LifeAfterTheBadge #CareerChange #WomenInLawEnforcement

Episode 9: CIA Officer Michele Rigby Assad: Undercover, Underestimated & Unafraid

Former CIA intelligence officer Michele Rigby Assad spent nearly a decade serving undercover, much of it in some of the most challenging parts of the Middle East. In this episode, she takes us beyond the Hollywood version of the CIA and into the real world of espionage, human intelligence, dangerous overseas assignments, and life as a woman in intelligence.

Michele shares how she unexpectedly became a CIA officer, what it was really like working undercover, and how being underestimated as a woman became one of her greatest advantages.

She also tells an incredible story about a dangerous encounter overseas when her CIA training kicked in and she realized she had to “get off the X”—immediately.

But this conversation isn’t only about espionage.

We talk about reading body language, building trust with difficult sources, navigating cultures very different from our own, working alongside her husband, and what happens when you decide to walk away from a government career that has defined nearly your entire adult life.

Michele opens up about leaving the CIA before traditional retirement eligibility after years of demanding overseas assignments—and the fear of starting over when you can’t simply put much of what you’ve done on a résumé. Her message now: sometimes you have to get off the X of your own life.

In this episode:

• How Michele Rigby Assad became a CIA intelligence officer
• What Hollywood gets wrong about the CIA
• The reality of undercover intelligence work
• Serving in dangerous locations in the Middle East
• Working alongside her husband in the CIA
• Reading body language and recognizing deception
• Building trust and rapport with intelligence sources
• Being underestimated as a woman—and using it as an advantage
• The terrifying moment her CIA training kicked in
• Why cultural knowledge matters in intelligence work
• Knowing when it’s time to leave government service
• Starting over when your government career doesn’t translate onto a traditional résumé
• Why Michele believes we sometimes need to “get off the X”

Learn more about Michele, her books, speaking, coaching, and work at MicheleRigbyAssad.com.

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If you enjoyed this conversation, like this video, subscribe, and leave us a comment. Tell us: What part of Michele’s story surprised you the most?

Sharing and commenting helps more women in federal law enforcement—and those considering the career or navigating life after government service—find FEDChicks.

Have an episode idea, want to share your story, or interested in being a guest?
📧 [email protected]

FEDChicks: Three retired federal agents. Three voices. Zero agency talking points.

This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed here are our own and do not represent any agency or the federal government. Nothing we share should be considered financial, career, or retirement advice.

This is FEDChicks, and this is where it gets real.

#CIA #MicheleRigbyAssad #WomenInIntelligence #FederalLawEnforcement #CIAOfficer #IntelligenceOfficer #WomenInLawEnforcement #FEDChicks

Episode 8: “9/11, 25 Years Later: The Day That Changed Us”

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, Heather, Mary, and Clare reflect on the day that changed America—and shaped the rest of their federal law enforcement careers.

They share where they were when the attacks began, the assignments they received in the aftermath, and the moments they still carry with them. Clare recalls reporting to her ATF office with a bag packed for two weeks. Mary describes watching the second plane strike from a San Francisco hotel room before supporting the INS command center near the Pentagon. Heather remembers returning to Manhattan on September 12 and later spending a month helping the FBI pursue 9/11-related leads.

The conversation also explores how September 11 transformed federal law enforcement: the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the evolution of INS and Customs into ICE and HSI, increased cooperation among agencies, expanded aviation security, and the specialized role of the former INS—now HSI—Forensic Laboratory in examining the hijackers’ travel and identity documents.

This is not a complete history of September 11. These are three federal agents’ personal memories—and one small part of a much larger story.

Twenty-five years later, what should “Never Forget” mean? Remembering not only the lives lost and the people who served, but also the unity, gratitude, patriotism, and shared purpose that followed.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Where Heather, Mary, and Clare were on September 11
• Their assignments in the immediate aftermath
• Running down 9/11 investigative leads
• How federal agencies and authorities changed
• The INS/HSI Forensic Laboratory’s role
• The images and moments they cannot forget
• What “Never Forget” means 25 years later

RESOURCE:

DHS Homeland Security Investigations Forensic Laboratory:
https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/centers-and-labs/forensic-lab

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS:

World Trade Center photos by John Celardo / National Archives

Pentagon immediately after the attack. Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael W. Pendergrass

Pentagon—smoke on September 11. Credit: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Telfair Brown

MUSIC ATTRIBUTION:

Music licensed through Soundstripe. Codes: EJXPLRNEP9ARFWS5, N3BJMJ4Y1BD1MRXJ

WATCH OR LISTEN:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
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CONNECT WITH FEDCHICKS:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/fedchicks
Facebook: https://facebook.com/FEDChicks
Email: [email protected]

Have an idea for an episode, want to share your story, or be a guest? We’d love to hear from you. Email us or leave a comment wherever you’re listening.

This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are our own and do not represent any agency or the federal government. Nothing we share should be considered financial, career, or retirement advice.

Episode 7: She Helped Jodie Foster Become Clarice Starling — But That Was Just the Beginning

What happens when a young FBI agent gets called into her boss’s office and is told she’s been selected to help with a movie?

For Mary Ann, that movie turned out to be The Silence of the Lambs.

Early in her FBI career, Mary Ann was chosen to work with the filmmakers and spent time with Jodie Foster at Quantico, helping give her a glimpse into the life, mindset and day-to-day work of a young FBI agent as Foster prepared to play Clarice Starling.

But that was just one chapter.

In this episode, Mary Ann joins Heather, Mary and Clare to look back on a remarkable FBI career that included undercover work connected to former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, surveillance during the Monica Lewinsky investigation, VICAP, international assignments, the investigation of Americans killed by Somali pirates, and more than 20 years as a firearms instructor—including three years teaching new agents at Quantico.

She also takes us back to what it was like to be a woman in the FBI in the 1980s: skirt suits, high heels, revolvers, paper maps, pagers and eventually one computer shared by an entire squad.

But some of the most powerful moments in this conversation have nothing to do with famous cases.

Mary Ann opens up about losing fellow agents, the lasting effects of trauma, responding to the Pentagon after 9/11, the role faith played throughout her career, mentoring the next generation, knowing when it was time to retire, and learning to build an identity and a life beyond the job.

Her advice to young women entering law enforcement is simple: you’re not a “female agent.” You’re an agent. Be yourself, walk with dignity and humility, keep learning, recognize opportunities when they come—and never underestimate the importance of treating people well.

It’s an episode about Hollywood and history, but even more than that, it’s about service, resilience, relationships, gratitude and choosing to be a person of joy.

🎙️ FEDChicks
Three retired federal agents. Real women. Real life. Real talk.

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📧 Email: [email protected]
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Disclaimer: The opinions and experiences shared on FEDChicks are personal and do not represent any federal agency or the U.S. government. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, career or retirement advice.

This is FEDChicks, and this is where it gets real.

EPISODE 6: DON’T LOVE YOUR AGENCY TOO MUCH
What No One Tells You Before Becoming a Federal Agent — Part 2

Becoming a federal agent is only the beginning. Building a long career without losing your identity, relationships, or sense of balance is the harder part.

In Part 2 of “What No One Tells You Before Becoming a Federal Agent,” Heather, Mary, and Clare share the lessons they learned about career choices, office culture, leadership, reputation, work-life balance, and life beyond the badge. They discuss why new agents should avoid limiting themselves too early, why professional relationships matter, and how worrying about everyone’s opinion can drain energy from the work that actually matters.

The FEDChicks also get honest about office gossip, keeping your personal life private, unexpected career paths, retirement, and the reality that an agency will replace your position and keep moving. Your contribution still matters—but your job should never become your entire identity.

Plus: slippery worksite raids, unsuccessful foot chases, a suspect with a wooden leg, a forgotten courthouse firearm, and one very practical surveillance tip.

IN THIS EPISODE:
• Finding balance in a demanding law enforcement career
• Exploring assignments without pigeonholing yourself
• Reputation, relationships, promotions, and office politics
• Protecting your privacy and avoiding toxic gossip
• Developing an identity beyond the badge
• Why your agency’s mission continues after you leave
• Advice the hosts would give themselves on day one

CONNECT WITH FEDCHICKS:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6
Instagram: https://instagram.com/fedchicks
Facebook: https://facebook.com/FEDChicks
Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:
FEDChicks is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The opinions expressed are our own and do not represent any government agency or the federal government. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered financial, legal, career, or retirement advice. Please consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.

What do three retired federal agents wish they knew before the job, the academy, the badge, and the endless paperwork? In Episode 5, Heather, Mary, and Clare talk about FLETC, fitness, long hours, surveillance, leadership, people skills, women in federal law enforcement, and the lessons that only come with time. Real talk, real laughs, and zero agency talking points from the women of FEDChicks.

 From figuring out how to conceal a duty weapon in work clothes to realizing how much of the job is waiting, this conversation is full of practical advice, honest reflection, and the kind of FEDChicks humor that only comes from surviving the job and laughing about it later.

In this episode:

• What they thought the job would be — and what they were completely wrong about
• The paperwork, waiting, long hours, surveillance, and “hurry up and wait” reality of federal investigations
• Why fitness matters before FLETC, especially running
• The confidence, officer presence, and people skills that only come with time
• Being women in a male-dominated field without losing yourself or setting yourself up to be “one of the guys”
• Why leadership does not always mean becoming a supervisor
• The importance of choosing your battles, reading the room, and trusting your gut
• Why you should write things down, take the pictures, and remember the moments
• What training prepared them for — and what life in the field had to teach them the hard way

Key takeaway:
You can prepare for the academy, the long hours, the cases, and the physical side of the job — but some of the most important lessons come from experience: learning how to talk to people, protect your time, handle yourself with confidence, and remember that the job is what you do, not all of who you are.

Have an idea for an episode, want to share your story, or want to be a guest? Email us at [email protected] or leave us a comment wherever you’re listening.

Listen, watch, and follow FEDChicks:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6
Instagram: https://instagram.com/fedchicks
Facebook: https://facebook.com/FEDChicks

Please like, subscribe, follow, share, and leave us a review. It really helps other women in federal law enforcement find the show.

Disclaimer:
FEDChicks is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are our own and do not represent any agency or the federal government. Nothing shared should be considered financial, legal, career, or retirement advice.

Our first guest is here!

In this episode of FEDChicks, we sit down with Tammy Flanagan, founder of Retire Federal and one of the nation's leading experts on federal retirement benefits. Over cocktails and plenty of laughs, Tammy answers some of the biggest retirement questions facing federal employees and law enforcement officers.

Whether you're years away from retirement or getting ready to submit your paperwork, this episode is packed with practical advice that could save you time, money, and stress.

In this episode:

• Should law enforcement retire as soon as they're eligible?
• Understanding the FERS Supplement and earnings test
• When to leave your money in the TSP—and when to consider other options
• FEGLI basics and common life insurance mistakes
• Survivor annuities vs. life insurance
• Tax planning tips retirees often overlook
• A real-life story of a retiree who recovered $117,000 after an overlooked retirement calculation
• Why working with a retirement specialist can make a huge difference

Resources Mentioned

Tammy Flanagan / Retire Federal
Website: https://www.retirefederal.com
Email: [email protected]

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RetireFederal

Investor Education:
https://www.investor.gov

Connect with FEDChicks

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Facebook:
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Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6

Email:
[email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend or colleague. Your support helps more federal employees find the show.

Disclaimer: FEDChicks is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The opinions expressed are our own and do not represent any government agency or the federal government. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered financial, legal, career, or retirement advice. Please consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.

Life After the Badge: Retirement, Identity & Reinvention

Retirement is one of the biggest transitions in a federal law enforcement career—but almost nobody talks about what it's really like.

In this episode, Heather, Mary, and Clare share their personal retirement journeys, from countdown calendars and retirement seminars to unexpected emotions, identity shifts, and figuring out what comes next. Whether you're five years away from retirement, six months away, or just starting your federal career, this conversation is full of lessons we wish we'd known sooner. 

In This Episode

• How all three hosts approached retirement differently.
• Why Clare took advantage of the Deferred Retirement Program (DRP).
• Why Mary retired sooner than she originally planned.
• Heather's "25 and out" retirement strategy.
• TSP, Roth TSP, FSA, HSA, sick leave, annual leave, and retirement planning lessons.
• The importance of verifying your SF-50s and service records before retirement.
• Why having something to retire to matters more than having something to retire from.
• The emotional reality of leaving behind a career that defined so much of your life.

Retire To Something

One of the most common themes in retirement research—and one echoed throughout this episode—is the importance of having a purpose after retirement.

Whether that's:

• Family
• Travel
• Volunteering
• A second career
• A small business
• A podcast
• Or finally watching Breaking Bad

Having something to look forward to makes the transition easier. 

Resources Mentioned

• Tammy Flanagan / Retire Federal www.retirefederal.com

• Chris Barfield / Barfield Financial www.BarfieldFinancial.com
• Dan Jamison's Federal Retirement Guide www.FERSGuide.com
• Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) www.FSAFeds.gov
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/health-savings-accounts/

Connect with FEDChicks

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6
Instagram: @fedchicks
Facebook: FEDChicks

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed on FEDChicks are our own and do not represent any government agency or the federal government. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, retirement, career, legal, or tax advice. Please consult qualified professionals regarding your specific circumstances. 

Case Files & Close Calls: Our Favorite Moments from the Field

In this episode of FEDChicks, Heather, Mary, and Clare swap some of the funniest, most memorable, and occasionally mortifying stories from their years in federal law enforcement. From undercover marriages and helicopter mishaps to mistaken arrests and celebrity encounters, these are the moments that remind us why we loved the job—and why we can laugh about it now. 

In This Episode

• Mary shares the story of a major narcotics investigation—and the unforgettable comment a detainee made during an arrest.
• Clare recounts a surveillance mission that ended with an emergency helicopter landing.
• Heather learns the hard way why you should always lock your government computer before leaving for lunch.
• The squad-room pranks that taught all of us important lessons.
• A foot chase through Baltimore that ended with an arrest... of the wrong guy.
• The day Heather sent a woman reporting alien harassment to the FBI—because she meant actual aliens.
• Mary's Secret Service detail during a presidential campaign and the time she denied access to Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio.
• An unexpected encounter with the future members of Maroon 5 before they became famous.
• Stories of suspects, witnesses, and defendants who remembered kindness long after their cases were over.
• Clare's experience working aspects of the Beltway Sniper investigation.
• Mary reveals how she became an undercover bride in a marriage fraud investigation and ended up married to a Russian national for the case.
• Why treating people with dignity—even when they're being arrested—can leave a lasting impact.

Memorable Moments

"Nice job, Clare. Wrong guy."
One of the most memorable foot pursuits of Clare's career ends with a successful tackle—and a case of mistaken identity.

The Undercover Wedding
Mary goes undercover as a bride to expose a marriage fraud scheme and discovers that undercover work can be stranger than fiction.

The Unlocked Computer Lesson
Heather receives an email that nearly gives her a heart attack after a supervisor decides to teach a workplace security lesson.

Celebrities and Credentials
Mary learns that even Hollywood stars have to follow security protocols.

Kindness Matters
Several stories highlight something often overlooked in law enforcement: treating people with respect can make a difference long after the investigation ends.

Connect with FEDChicks

Follow FEDChicks for more stories, laughs, career lessons, and behind-the-scenes conversations from three retired federal agents.

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed on FEDChicks are our own and do not represent any government agency or the federal government. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, career, or retirement advice. 

Badges, Bios & Bubbles

Welcome to the very first episode of FEDChicks—the podcast where three retired federal agents share real stories, honest conversations, and absolutely zero agency talking points. In this inaugural episode, Heather, Mary, and Clare introduce themselves, share how they found their way into federal law enforcement, and explain how a late-night conversation in Savannah turned into a podcast. 

In This Episode

• The story behind the name FEDChicks and how the podcast was born during a nostalgic trip to Savannah, Georgia.
• Why this isn't a "war stories" podcast—and what listeners can expect instead.
• How three women from different agencies and different career paths all started in the former INS.
• Heather's journey from psychology major to federal agent and eventually the SSA Office of Inspector General.
• Mary's unexpected path from nursing school to a 27-year federal law enforcement career.
• Clare's career evolution from INS to ATF, including roles as investigator, negotiator, recruiter, public affairs officer, and digital forensics examiner.
• The hilarious story of how Mary and Clare met after unknowingly sharing a desk at the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
• How 9/11 reshaped federal law enforcement careers, agencies, and identities.
• Retirement reflections from all three hosts and how differently each experienced leaving the job.
• A preview of future topics, including retirement, federal careers, current events, true crime, leadership, and life after the badge.

Meet the Hosts

Heather

• Former Special Agent with the former INS and later the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.
• Served 25 years in federal law enforcement.
• Worked all over the country.
• Retired in 2022 after achieving her long-held goal of retiring at 25 years of service. 

Mary

• Started as a nursing major before discovering criminal justice.
• Joined INS through an internship and became an agent first with INS and later with Homeland Security Investigations.
• Served her entire 27-year federal agent career in Baltimore.
• Recently retired after balancing the demands of federal service and single motherhood. 

Clare

• Began as an INS intern in 1995 before becoming an agent in 1996.
• Later joined ATF, where she built a diverse career spanning investigations, recruiting, public affairs, negotiations, and digital forensics.
• Retired after 29 years of federal service. 

Connect with FEDChicks

Follow, subscribe, and join the conversation:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6
I

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed on FEDChicks are solely those of the hosts and do not represent any government agency or the federal government. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, career, retirement, or professional advice.