Cleared for Discussion is the essential podcast for security clearance professionals, defense contractors, and government employees working with classified information. We deliver practical guidance on the topics that matter most to your career and security responsibilities in digestible 10-minute episodes.

Our podcast is designed for:

• Security clearance professionals at all levels

• Defense contractors and government employees

• Facility Security Officers (FSOs) and security personnel

• Anyone working with classified information or in secure environments

• Both newcomers to the cleared community and seasoned professionals

Each episode provides actionable insights on:

• Security Clearance Process: Investigations, adjudications, and appeals

• Personnel Security: Ongoing responsibilities and reporting requirements

• Facility Security: NISPOM compliance and secure area management

• Information Security: Classified material handling and spillage prevention

• Advanced Topics: ITAR compliance, counterintelligence awareness, and SCIF operations

Tabetha Baume-Chandler serves as host and executive producer. She brings over 25 years of national security experience, having consulted for industry and government across the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and private sector. As a certified FSO and former owner of FSO TO GO and Facility Technology Services, Inc., Tabetha understands the practical challenges facing security professionals.

Episodes are designed to fit your busy schedule at approximately 10 minutes each. We also offer subscription episodes that provide deeper dives into expanded topics, with resources and private communications.

You can find Cleared for Discussion on all major podcast platforms:

• Spotify (free with account)

• Apple Podcasts (free with Apple ID)

• Amazon Music (free with Amazon account)

• Direct RSS feed (completely anonymous)

• Our website (stream directly without any signup)

For listeners with security clearance or privacy concerns:

Most Secure: Apple Podcasts

• Minimal social features by default

• No automatic social media sharing

• Listening activity remains private to your Apple ID

Second Choice: Amazon Music

• Limited social features

• No automatic social media posting

• Private listening by default

Requires Extra Caution: Spotify

• Has social features that should be disabled during setup

• Can auto-share to Facebook if not configured properly

• Review privacy settings immediately after signup

Yes! Several options for anonymous listening:

• Direct RSS feed: Subscribe using our RSS feed in any podcast app without platform accounts

• Website streaming: Listen directly on our website without signing up

• Downloaded episodes: Download for offline listening to avoid streaming data

• VPN usage: We don't block or track VPNs

This depends on your workplace network:

• Corporate networks: IT may log all internet traffic including podcast streaming

• Personal devices on corporate WiFi: Potentially visible depending on monitoring

• Personal devices on personal networks: Not visible to employer

For maximum workplace privacy:

• Download episodes on personal WiFi for offline listening at work

• Use cellular data instead of corporate WiFi

• Consider VPN usage if allowed by workplace policies

We take your privacy seriously:

What We DO Collect:

• Email addresses (only when voluntarily provided and approved)

• Basic subscription preferences you choose to share

What We DON'T Collect:

• Listening habits across platforms

• Personal information without explicit consent

• Third-party tracking data

• Cookies or website tracking technologies

What We DON'T Sell:

• We never sell, rent, or share email addresses or personal information

• We do not monetize your data in any way

• Your information stays with us for podcast updates only

We minimize website tracking:

• No Google Analytics or similar tracking tools

• No social media tracking pixels

• Basic server logs only (automatically deleted after 30 days)

• Essential cookies only for website functionality

We practice data minimization:

• Email subscribers: Until you unsubscribe

• Website server logs: 30 days maximum, then automatically deleted

• Contact form submissions: Deleted after responding

• No long-term data retention for analytics or marketing

Our data breach response:

• Notify affected users within 72 hours

• Provide specific details about information involved

• Outline steps being taken to address the breach

• Maintain minimal data to limit breach impact

Current security measures:

• Encrypted data storage

• Regular security updates

• Limited access to collected information

• No storage of sensitive personal information beyond email addresses

Yes, we follow privacy-first principles:

• GDPR compliant (EU residents)

• CCPA compliant (California residents)

• Right to deletion: Contact us to remove your information

• Right to access: Request a copy of data we have about you

• Right to portability: Data provided in standard format

We're launching a extended/premium subscription offerings soon that will include deeper dives into complex security topics and expanded episode content.

When we launch Need To Know Subscriptions:

• Credit card transactions will be fully secured through encrypted, PCI-compliant payment systems

• Premium content protected behind username and password authentication

• Clear terms and conditions detailing minimal data collection for subscription management

• Same privacy-first principles applied to all paid offerings

• No selling of payment information or unauthorized marketing use

Absolutely:

• Anonymous donations: We accept cryptocurrency and privacy-focused payment methods

• Word of mouth: Share episodes without tagging us on social media

• Direct RSS sharing: Share our RSS feed instead of platform links

• Privacy-conscious reviews: Leave reviews using pseudonyms if preferred

After subscribing, you'll create an account on our website. All premium content is accessible through our secure member portal when you're logged in.

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and corporate purchase orders for enterprise subscriptions.

You can update your billing information at any time through your account settings on our website.

We focus on providing current information on evolving regulations and requirements. Episodes cover both timeless security principles and the latest updates in the cleared community.

We're working on providing transcripts for accessibility. When available, these will be processed with the same privacy standards as all our other content. Several podcast platforms create transcripts and a available online.

Yes! We welcome topic suggestions from our community. You can contact us through our website or email, and feel free to use pseudonyms if you prefer.

Cleared for Discussion is specifically designed for cleared professionals, focusing on practical, actionable guidance rather than general security concepts. Our host's 25+ years of FSO and consulting experience provides real-world insights you can immediately apply.

Contact us through our website or email. We respond to all technical support requests, and you're welcome to use pseudonyms and throwaway email addresses – we completely understand privacy concerns.

Yes! All major podcast platforms allow episode downloads. You can also download directly from our website or RSS feed for completely private offline listening.

Yes! Our RSS feed is available on our website and provides the most private way to subscribe without any account creation or data collection.

We apply the same strict privacy standards to guests:

• Guest contact information never shared or sold

• Interview recordings stored securely and deleted after editing

• No sharing of guest personal details without explicit permission

• Guests can request removal of their episodes at any time

We focus on the podcast content itself rather than maintaining social media communities, in line with our privacy-first approach. However, we encourage professional networking through appropriate cleared community channels. The podcast maintains social media accounts and will post weekly for podcast advertising and episode details. In the future, we are planning for a “Private Community Platform” through a Subscription model to participate.

We welcome qualified security professionals as guests. Contact us through our website with your background and proposed topic. All guest communications are handled with the same privacy standards as listener information.

This podcast provides educational and informational content only. Always consult with your organization's security office, legal counsel, or appropriate authorities for specific compliance guidance. Content should not be considered official government policy or legal advice.

Our host's extensive experience and current involvement in the security community helps ensure accuracy, but regulations and requirements can change. We encourage listeners to verify current requirements with appropriate authorities.