Welcome to GovCon After Hours, where the world of GovCon meets the art of conversation, one drink at a time. Join Dr. Robin Desmore and Ms. Caitlin Ruiz, our seasoned industry experts, as they lead you through relaxed evenings of insights and inspiration. <br /><br />Each episode is an exploration of the stories and experiences of good and successful humans who have thrived in the competitive world of government contracting. <br /><br />But we're not just about business here; we're about connections, cocktails, and real conversations. Every episode features a signature cocktail of the week, tying the theme to a delightful drink recipe for you to enjoy while tuning in. <br /><br />At GovCon After Hours, we believe that meaningful conversations hold the key to success. Join Dr. Robin Desmore and Ms. Caitlin Ruiz, sip alongside them, and elevate your understanding of the industry. It's not just a podcast; it's a community of professionals finding clarity amidst the chaos, one drink and one conversation at a time.<br />
GovCon After Hours
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Podcast Overview
Welcome to GovCon After Hours, where the world of GovCon meets the art of conversation, one drink at a time. Join Dr. Robin Desmore and Ms. Caitlin Ruiz, our seasoned industry experts, as they lead you through relaxed evenings of insights and inspiration. <br /><br />Each episode is an exploration of the stories and experiences of good and successful humans who have thrived in the competitive world of government contracting. <br /><br />But we're not just about business here; we're about connections, cocktails, and real conversations. Every episode features a signature cocktail of the week, tying the theme to a delightful drink recipe for you to enjoy while tuning in. <br /><br />At GovCon After Hours, we believe that meaningful conversations hold the key to success. Join Dr. Robin Desmore and Ms. Caitlin Ruiz, sip alongside them, and elevate your understanding of the industry. It's not just a podcast; it's a community of professionals finding clarity amidst the chaos, one drink and one conversation at a time.<br />
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Publishing Since
9/5/2024
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Recent Episodes
February 19, 2026
Grit on the Rocks: Sarcasm, set-asides, and surviving the new era of GovCon
In this powerful episode of GovCon After Hours, hosts Dr. Robin Desmore and Caitlin Ruiz sit down with Colonel (Retired) Irene V. Glaeser, CEO of Spahr LLC, an SBA certified SDVOSB and WOSB small business. Irene brings 31 years of military service as a Military Police Officer, federal leadership experience, and hard-won entrepreneurship wisdom to discuss what it really takes to survive and thrive as a veteran and woman-owned business in today's complex federal contracting environment.<br /><br /><b>Key Takeaways</b><br /><ul><li>Grit, Resilience & The Three Ps</li><li>Leadership Through Crisis</li><li>The Reality of Set-Asides</li><li>Community Over Competition</li><li>Barriers for Emerging Small Businesses</li></ul><b>Timestamped Chapters</b><br /><ul><li>00:00:00 - Welcome & Introduction</li><li>00:03:15 - What We're Drinking</li><li>00:08:42 - Disruption Isn't New</li><li>00:14:20 - The Three Ps: Pivoting, Perseverance & Pinot Grigio</li><li>00:19:56 - The Fork in the Road</li><li>00:26:33 - The Human Cost of DOGE</li><li>00:33:18 - Humor as Leadership Strategy</li><li>00:42:30 - The Politics Pause</li><li>00:51:12 - Set-Asides: Leverage or Liability?</li><li>00:58:29 - Cultural Lessons from Kuwait</li><li>01:06:45 - What's Not Being Talked About</li></ul><b>What Veteran & Women-Owned Founders Face vs. What They're Told</b><br />The Reality We Face<br /><ul><li>DOGE cuts decimating contracts overnight</li><li>Employees with families to support being laid off</li><li>CMMC, FAR Part 2, and compliance costs piling up simultaneously</li><li>Zero past performance but expected to compete with established firms</li><li>Absorbing pressure from every direction as leaders</li><li>Being told "don't rest on your categories" while needing every advantage</li></ul>What We're Told to Do<br /><ul><li>"Just pivot to commercial"</li><li>"Don't rely on your socioeconomic categories"</li><li>"Get DCAA compliant, hire HR, get CMMC certified"</li><li>"Join a team" (but have no past performance to offer)</li><li>"Stay positive and keep networking"</li><li>"It's not because you're a woman"</li></ul><b>Guest Information</b><br /><br />Colonel (Retired) Irene V. Glaeser CEO of Spahr LLC, an SBA certified SDVOSB and WOSB small business delivering IT services including cyber strategy, software enterprise solutions, and cloud migration to DOD and federal customers. Irene served 31 years in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer in Cold War Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan. After military retirement, she held federal leadership roles at the DOD Office of Inspector General and U.S. AbilityOne Commission. She holds degrees from George Mason University, Webster University, and the U.S. Army War College. She serves on the Board of Directors for the National Veteran Small Business Coalition and recently authored "Choose Your Battles," chronicling her journey as a woman in the armed forces.<br /><ul><li>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenevglaeser/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/irenevglaeser/</a></li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.spahrllc.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.SpahrLLC.com</a></li><li>Book: "Choose Your Battles" by Irene V. Glaeser</li></ul>Call to Action<br /><ul><li>Connect With Your Tribe</li><li>Help Other Small Businesses</li><li>Use Humor as a Survival Tool</li><li>Don't Rest on Categories Alone</li><li>Shore Up Your Resources</li><li>Stay in the Fight</li></ul>
September 29, 2025
The GovCon Martini: 1 Part Access, 2 Parts Timing, Served with a Twist of Power
Welcome to GovCon After Hours. In this episode, hosts Caitlin Ruiz and Dr. Robin Desmore engage in a meaningful discussion on government contracting. Joining them is Cherylyn Harley LeBon, co-chair of the Government Contracting group at Cohen Seglias, bringing over 25 years of expertise in legal, government, and strategic advisory services for small business contractors.<br /><br />Together, they explore the critical factors that determine success in GovCon. Cherylyn highlights the importance of timing and strategic intelligence, identifies common mistakes small businesses encounter in long-term growth planning and acquisition preparation, and offers actionable advice. The conversation covers building robust company foundations, managing complex transactions, selecting appropriate legal partners, and leveraging the federal budget for business expansion.<br /><br />The episode also addresses significant challenges, including the upcoming FAR rewrite and its implications for small businesses, as well as the complexities of mergers and acquisitions. For a straightforward and insightful perspective on navigating the government contracting landscape, join us for this enlightening episode of GovCon After Hours.<br /><br /><b>Chapters:</b><br /><br />00:00 - Introduction<br />00:09 - "Govcon Expert and Advocate"<br />05:02 - Defining Client Business Goals<br />07:19 - GovCon Strategy: Follow the Budget<br />13:03 - "Preparing Small Businesses for Acquisition"<br />17:05 - Valuation Expertise in Professional Services<br />19:13 - Valuing Unique Business Ventures<br />23:20 - "Follow the Plan, Not Feelings"<br />27:36 - Strategic Business Planning for Profitability<br />31:02 - Navigating New Opportunities<br />34:08 - "CMMC Impact on Small Businesses"<br />36:16 - Confidential Legislative Rewrite Concerns<br />39:23 - Outro<br /><br /><b>Quotes:</b><br /><br />"Build and scale your business—the path is clear and success awaits."- Cherylyn Harley LeBon<br /><br />"Trust your plan over your feelings. That's how you win in GovCon."- Caitlin Ruiz<br /><br />"Resilience lets you pivot, survive, and emerge stronger from any storm."- Dr. Robin Desmore<br /><br /><b>Key Takeaways:</b><br /><br />Timing is Tied to Intel—Stop Throwing Darts<br />Start With a Goal—Not Just a Plan<br />Deviating from the Plan? Get Back On Track Fast<br />Invest, Reinvest, and Find Real Strategic Partners<br />Follow the Money—Budgets Leave Clues<br />Legal Problems? Be Proactive, Not Reactive<br />Thinking About Selling Your Business? Clean House NOW<br />Valuation is a Science—Find the Right Experts<br />Emotional Intelligence—Check Your Feelings at the Door<br />The FAR Rewrite: Advocate, Don’t Stay Silent<br /><br /><b>Connect with the Guest Mrs. Cherylyn Harley LeBon,</b><br />LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylyn-harley-lebon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylyn-harley-lebon/</a><br /><br /><b>Connect with the Hosts</b><br /><br /><b>Caitlin Ruiz</b><br />LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-ruiz-m-s-cir-65a8962b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-ruiz-m-s-cir-65a8962b/</a><br /><br /><b>Robin Desmore</b><br />LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robindesmore/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/in/robindesmore/</a><br /><br /><b>Call To Action:</b><br />Listen or watch more episodes on our other platforms<br />Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/31jlhc2mmefwdlnf7il4inxlzgue?si=d12f5108888f4dbd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://open.spotify.com/user/31jlhc2mmefwdlnf7il4inxlzgue?si=d12f5108888f4dbd</a><br />LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcon-after-hours-podcast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcon-after-hours-podcast/</a><br />YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@GovConAfterHours"...
January 12, 2025
Behind the Bar: Mixing ROI-Driven Investments for GovCon
Caitlin Ruiz and Robin Desmore discuss ROI-driven investments in government contracting with Lisa Shaye Mundt, co-founder of The Pulse of GovCon, highlighting the importance of strong industry relationships and optimizing investments for maximum return.
7 total episodes available
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Lisa Shaye Mundt
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- What is GovCon After Hours?
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This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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