The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Teri Takai, Former Chief Information Officer for the US Department of Defense, State of California, & State of Michigan & the SVP at e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government joins the show to discuss the current drivers of change in government modernization. We also talk about what “putting the citizen in the center” really means to a CX leader, how she has seen this focus change since she joined government, and what she sees being the biggest opportunity for artificial intelligence in the public sector.