What if the tools you’re using are actually slowing you down?

In this episode, I sit down with Noura Bashshur, Senior Director of Growth at Vultron, to explore how proposal writing is being turned on its head by AI, compressed deadlines, and non-FAR procurement methods.

We dive into smarter, faster ways to win—and how contractors must shift from boilerplate compliance to strategic persuasion.

On this episode, we cover:

🚀 What today’s evaluators actually look for in proposals

📚 How to use Noura’s Proposal Strategy Workbook with or without AI

🤖 Leveraging generative tools to amplify—not replace—your thinking

💼 Why traditional FAR-based workflows are becoming obsolete

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Meet Noura Bashshur and intro to today’s topic

[03:05] - The end of template-based proposal writing

[06:13] - OTAs, CSOs, and the shrinking GovCon timeline

[10:09] - AI as your proposal team’s new co-pilot

[17:56] - “Ladder logic” and how to link responses to national priorities

[21:11] - Inside Noura’s Proposal Response Strategy Workbook

[24:06] - Using AI to validate strategy, not just generate content

[32:59] - Getting teams into their “zone of genius”

[38:17] - What makes Voltron different from other platforms

[43:30] - How to contact Noura and download her workbook

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

🔹 JOIN OUR #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here's a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

Links and Resources:

• Noura Bashshur’s LinkedIn

• Vultron Website

• Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, F-15E Strike Eagle pilot-turned-innovator Clark "Slider" Haymond (COO of DEWM) reveals how his team is solving one of DoD’s biggest training gaps: realistic electronic warfare (EW) at 1/100th the cost.

Key Takeaways:

🎯 The $15M Training Gap: Why current EW range systems fail pilots (and how DEWM’s Dart fixes it).

✈️ From Spark Tank to SBIR: How winning an Air Force "Shark Tank" led to a Phase II SBIR and TRL 9 tech.

💡 Attritable ≠ Disposable: The art of building low-cost, high-fidelity threat emitters for mass adoption.

🛠️ Operator-Led Innovation: Why DEWM’s team of ex-pilots gives them an edge in customer discovery.

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Clark’s transition from F-15E pilot to disruptor.

[11:50] - How the F-15’s 20-year EW gap inspired DEWM.

[17:14] - Dart: The $150K alternative to $15M range systems.

[25:24] - SBIR Phase II wins (and why TPOCs make/break success).

[34:56] - Why SEAD training is broken (and how F-35s will force change).

[42:04] - The million-dollar question: “Have you found program funding?”

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

🔹 JOIN OUR #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here's a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

Links & Resources:

Chelsea Meggit's LinkedIn

DEWM’s Website

Clark Haymond’s LinkedIn

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Christine Hopkins—CEO of ASCII and 2025 Alaska Small Business Person of the Year—shares her gritty journey from near-collapse in the oil industry to thriving in federal contracting. Discover how she navigated scams, remote business development from Alaska, and the whiplash of recent policy changes.

Key Takeaways:

🚨 Scam Alert: The predatory emails and contracts targeting new GovCon entrants (and how to avoid them).

🏔️ Remote Hustle: Building federal relationships from Alaska during COVID—and making it stick.

📜 Policy Whiplash: Overnight contract mods, scrubbed DEI language, and dodged greenhouse gas reporting.

🏆 Resilience Wins: How Christine’s "slow growth" strategy earned her a SBA award—and a shot at the national title.

Timestamps:

[00:00] - From oil crisis to GovCon: Christine’s pivot story.

[10:27] - The SAM.gov scam flood (and costly lessons learned).

[16:39] - The $120 NDAA guide that never arrived.

[24:47] - Winning Small Business Person of the Year—without self-nominating.

[34:27] - How admin changes impacted her contracts (good and bad).

[40:08] - Why she caps growth at 1-2 contracts/year to protect her reputation.

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

🔹 JOIN OUR #govcon #community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here's a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

Links & Resources:

Christine Hopkins’ LinkedIn

Chelsea Meggitt's LinkedIn

ASCI Website

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I’m joined by Stacey Piper, founder and CEO of Piper Strategies. Stacey brings 30+ years of experience in federal contracting—from her early days in the intelligence community to launching her own marketing firm helping government contractors grow.

We discuss marketing challenges in GovCon, personal branding, visibility in a crowded market, and why contractors need to shift from “proposal mills” to strategic storytelling.

On this episode, we discuss:

💡 Why visibility is critical in the federal space

🧭 How marketing can serve as the “true north” for your GovCon business

📈 The power of personal branding, purpose, and authenticity

🎯 Tactical advice on building a GovCon marketing strategy that resonates

[00:00] - Chelsea welcomes Stacey Piper and introduces her GovCon journey

[04:10] - Transitioning from intelligence to federal contracting and early career roles

[09:32] - Founding Piper Strategies and launching during a government shutdown

[14:45] - Why marketing is more than color palettes—it's about value and clarity

[21:07] - Using thought leadership and content strategy to get “found”

[29:55] - Government buyers as humans: trust, familiarity, and storytelling

[37:20] - Balancing personal and company brands in a niche market

[44:01] - Stacey’s advice for small GovCon businesses ready to scale

[51:14] - Where she sees the future of GovCon marketing heading

Links & Resources:

•  Stacey Piper’s LinkedIn
•  Piper Strategies
• Piper Strategies Messaging Pivots
• GovCon Unscripted Podcast

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I'm your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I sit down with David Doerrier—GovCon trainer, Army veteran, and public speaking expert.

We dive deep into the power of clear communication in the world of federal contracting. David shares his insights on how even the most qualified contractors can lose opportunities if they fail to effectively deliver their message.

We talk about:

🎤 Why effective communication is a game-changer in GovCon

🧠 The power of message alignment in proposal delivery

💥 How contractors unintentionally confuse the customer

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Chelsea introduces David Doerrier

[01:10] - David’s background in training and communication

[03:30] - Mistakes contractors make in message delivery

[06:00] - Importance of aligning visuals and spoken words

[08:45] - The "listener first" mindset for contractors

[12:00] - Speaking with clarity during proposal presentations

[15:00] - Advice for GovCon teams to improve communication

Links & Resources:

• Present Your Way to Success Website
• Chelsea's LinkedIn
• David Doerrier's LinkedIn

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I sit down with JL Hancock—a retired Naval cryptologist and innovation expert with two decades of experience in defense technology.

We talk about his work with SEAL teams, innovation funding, overcoming acquisition hurdles, and his pivot into writing techno-thrillers.

On this episode, we discuss:

🧠 What it takes to innovate within the bureaucracy of the Department of Defense

💡 How JL leveraged labs and OTAs to build cutting-edge solutions

📚 Why he turned to writing and what inspires his techno-thriller novels

[00:00] - Chelsea introduces JL Hancock and his background as a cryptologist and SEAL team innovator

[04:22] - Working with autonomous systems and the early days of defense robotics

[16:40] - Tapping into national labs for cutting-edge special operations tech

[28:06] - Navigating traditional acquisition vs. OTAs and DIUx

[43:27] - Building cross-branch collaboration and managing prime contractor relationships

[57:27] - JL’s post-military journey as a consultant and author of "The Hawk Enigma"

[01:05:13] - Over-the-horizon targeting, unmanned systems, and future warfare

Links and Resources:

• Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile

• JL Hancock’s Website

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I sit down with Mark Wigginton to discuss key insights on how businesses can navigate the complexities of government contracting.

We explore:

🔍 How to turn chaos into opportunity

💼 Why the top of your resume is your prime real estate

💡 Tools to identify and articulate your strengths

🧠 How mindset and perspective shape career outcomes

In This Episode:

00:00 - Chelsea welcomes Mark and introduces his expertise in GovCon

05:15: Helping individuals prepare for the opportunities on the other side of chaos

10:45: Why the top half of your resume matters most 

16:30: Identifying your strengths and highlighting them effectively

22:50: Using tools to conduct a strengths analysis

28:10: How to shift your attitude and perspective on a career transition

Links and Resources:

Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile

Mark’s LinkedIn Profile

Focusing On Results Website

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I'm your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I sit down with Tim Balz, CEO of Kalogon to discuss key GovCon strategies, industry trends, and the biggest challenges facing government contractors today.

We discuss: 

🔍 The most pressing challenges GovCon businesses face in today’s market

💡 Strategies for navigating government contracts successfully

🚀 Key insights on business growth and sustainability in the federal space

In This Episode:

[00:00] - Chelsea introduces Tim and his experience in the GovCon industry

[05:15] - Common pitfalls businesses face in government contracting

[10:30] - How to position your company for federal contract success

[16:45] - Emerging trends and opportunities in the GovCon space

[22:00] - The importance of networking and building relationships in GovCon

[27:40] - Tim’s top advice for businesses looking to scale in GovCon

Links and Resources:

Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile

Tim’s LinkedIn Profile

Kalogon LinkedIn Page

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I'm your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I sit down with my co-author and GovCon expert, David Neal, to discuss our new book, Hey, GovCon, Get Help! —a survival guide for government contractors.

We cover:

🔍 The pitfalls and scams in federal contracting

💡 Why success requires more than a "one-trick pony"

🚀 How to orient yourself in the GovCon market

If you're serious about surviving—and thriving—in the GovCon space, this is the must-have guide everyone’s been waiting for.

[00:00] - Chelsea introduces David Neal and their book

[01:00] - Why this book helps frustrated contractors

[03:00] - The "carnival barker" scams to avoid

[05:00] - Building the right team for GovCon success

[10:00] - Advice for federal employees becoming contractors

[13:00] - How to pre-order (launching April 10!)

• Pre-order Hey, GovCon, Get Help!
• Chelsea's LinkedIn
• David Neal's LinkedIn

Welcome back to GovCon Unscripted! I’m your host, Chelsea Meggitt, and in this episode, I sit down with Barry Furey, a public safety expert and 911 consultant with over 55 years of experience in emergency response and public safety communications.

We explore:

🚨 How different government agencies manage 911 services and emergency response.

🔑 Why staffing shortages are the biggest crisis facing 911 centers today.

📡 How new technologies—like video calls and text-to-911—impact public safety.

If you want to understand the evolving landscape of 911 services and how innovation is shaping the future of emergency response, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

[00:00] - Chelsea introduces Barry Furey and his extensive experience in 911 operations.

[03:30] - The biggest challenges in modernizing 911 services.

[07:45] - How different agencies coordinate emergency response.

[12:15] - Why staffing shortages are delaying emergency call responses.

[18:30] - The impact of video calls, AI, and text-to-911 technology.

[23:00] - How technology professionals can transition into public safety roles.

• Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile
• Barry Furey’s LinkedIn Profile
• Public Safety Resources & 911 Training Programs