The Peel

Join hosts Shelley McGuire and David Blackburn as they have one on one conversations with government and industry leaders on trends, challenges, and opportunities in GovCon.

The Peel is a government podcast hosted by thepeel, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

thepeel hosts The Peel, a government show with 100 episodes published.

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  Episode #127

  GovDash's Latest Market Report Points to a Very Different FY2027

  Aug 17, 202616 min

  David Blackburn recently connected with Brittany Winkler of GovDash to discuss the trends, data, and competitive shifts that are reshaping the federal contracting landscape. GovDash continues to advance as an autonomous AI platform purpose-built for government contractors, bringing opportunity identification, capture, proposal development, and contract management together in a single end-to-end platform. Alongside that evolution, GovDash has been expanding its investment in market intelligence, publishing research and data-driven insights that help contractors understand not just where opportunities exist, but where the market is headed. Brittany has been helping lead those efforts, and GovDash's latest report takes a deep dive into the FY2027 landscape. Together, David and Brittany explore what record defense spending actually means once the headlines fade, how contractors can identify and position for more than $200 billion in pre-RFP opportunities before the broader market catches on, and why evolving requirements like CMMC, FedRAMP 20X, and AI governance are becoming strategic differentiators that could determine who is positioned to compete for tomorrow's work. Whether you're a CEO shaping growth strategy, a chief growth officer planning your pipeline, or a capture leader looking for an edge, this conversation offers practical insights into where the market is moving and how leading organizations are using better data, stronger intelligence, and AI to stay ahead of the competition. Give it a listen. To connect with Brittany, follow her on LinkedIn here . Learn more about GovDash by visiting their webpage here .

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  Episode #126

  Why Prevention Is Reshaping Healthcare with Brenda Blunt

  Aug 11, 202617 min

  On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Brenda Blunt , Senior Director at ORAU and former CMS Division Director, for a conversation about the future of healthcare and what it will take to build healthier, more resilient communities. Drawing on her experience in both the clinical and federal sectors, Brenda explores why prevention is finally taking center stage, how nutrition and education can improve long-term health outcomes, and why "food as medicine" is becoming a critical part of the healthcare conversation. The discussion also dives into ORAU's role in strengthening the nation's healthcare workforce, preparing communities for public health challenges, and advancing research that improves resilience across the country. Brenda shares details about ORAU's new Rural Health Research Innovation Cluster, designed to bring together researchers, universities, industry, and government to address workforce shortages, access to care, emergency preparedness, and women's health in rural America. If you're interested in the future of public health, healthcare innovation, or how collaboration can drive better outcomes for communities, this episode offers valuable insights into where healthcare is headed next. To connect with Brenda, follow her on LinkedIn here . Learn more about ORAU at their website here .

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  Episode #125

  CMMC Pause: Fact vs. Fiction with Eric Nusbaum

  Aug 10, 202619 min

  Is the CMMC program really on pause—or is that just one of the biggest misconceptions circulating through the defense contracting community? In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire and ENcompass Consulting Group's CEO, Eric Nusbaum , separate fact from fiction following the Department of Defense's announcement to pause Phase 2 of the CMMC rollout. Together, they break down what the pause actually means, the difference between CMMC levels and phases, and why Phase 1 requirements remain very much in effect. The conversation tackles some of the most common myths contractors are asking about, including whether CMMC has been canceled, if companies should stop implementing cybersecurity controls, whether compliance is prohibitively expensive, and how the government is responding to industry feedback. Eric also shares practical recommendations for navigating self-assessments, preparing for potential audits, and avoiding costly compliance mistakes while the future of Phase 2 is being evaluated. If you're a defense contractor or planning to enter the Defense Industrial Base, this episode provides the clarity you need to understand what's changing, what's staying the same, and what steps you should be taking right now. The CMMC Reform Task Force has an open RFI to collect more feedback: Click here to view . Make sure to respond by Aug 14! To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here . To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here .

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  Episode #124

  Rise8's Adam Furtado on Why the Future of Government Software Is Being Rewritten

  Aug 5, 202616 min

  David Blackburn recently connected with Adam Furtado , Vice President of Enablement at Rise8, for a conversation about one of the biggest shifts underway in federal technology. Adam's career spans the U.S. Air Force, the Department of the Navy, Kessel Run, startup leadership, and now Rise8, where he helps organizations transform how they build and deliver software for critical missions. Rise8 has emerged as one of the federal market's leading voices on modern software delivery. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, the company is helping agencies and contractors move beyond legacy development models by combining modern engineering, product thinking, and human-centered design to continuously deliver software that improves mission outcomes. Their mission is both simple and ambitious. Create a future where fewer bad things happen because of bad software. In this episode, David and Adam explore why AI-assisted software development is generating so much attention, what many organizations misunderstand about adopting it, and how federal teams can embrace these capabilities without compromising security, quality, or mission success. They also discuss why hands-on learning, modern engineering practices, and organizational culture may be just as important as the technology itself. Whether you're a government technology leader, software engineer, program executive, digital transformation leader, or GovCon executive trying to understand where software development is headed, this conversation offers practical insight into how forward-looking organizations are preparing for the next generation of mission delivery and what that could mean for the federal market in the years ahead. Learn more about Prodacity and register to attend the event happening August 25-27 here . To connect with Adam, follow him on LinkedIn here . Learn more about Rise8 at their website here .

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  Episode #123

  The Certification Myth: What Really Wins Government Contracts with Monica Randall

  Aug 4, 202635 min

  In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Monica Randall , founder and CEO of the Randall Group and a former SBA leader, to challenge the misconceptions surrounding 8(a), Woman-Owned, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and GSA Schedule programs. Together, they unpack what these certifications actually provide, why they should be viewed as contracting vehicles—not revenue generators—and how today's policy changes are reshaping the certification landscape. Monica explains the latest SBA rule changes, the growing importance of the GSA Schedule under the current administration, and the compliance pitfalls companies need to understand before investing time and money into a certification. She also shares practical strategies for turning certifications into a competitive advantage—without making them the centerpiece of your business development efforts. If you're pursuing federal contracts or wondering whether a certification belongs in your growth strategy, this conversation delivers a candid reality check on what certifications can—and can't—do for your business, along with actionable advice for building relationships, proving your capabilities, and competing successfully in today's federal marketplace. To connect with Monica, follow her on LinkedIn here . Learn more about The Randall Group at their website here .

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