Loren DeJonge Schulman

Sirens: A Bombshell production: Appointees, Schedule Cs, and Deputies The ladies bring you a mini-episode answering a question you never thought to ask: what makes for a good political appointee? They discuss why we have political appointees, how they can be useful (or ...

The ladies bring you a mini-episode answering a question you never thought to ask: what makes for a good political appointee? Listen to hear the good, bad, and not so ugly!

sites.libsyn.com/92063/appoin...

@donmoyn.bsky.social and @ajosephoconnell.bsky.social may appreciate

Appointees, Schedule Cs, and Deputies Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 08/02/2025 · 33m

As we watch the Trump admins actions, a key question: why do we actually have political appointees? What makes a good one? Does the US have a super weird system (yes)? All that and more on latest @sirenspod.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

To the victor goes the spoils system? Schedule G and the consequences of Trump’s “Fire and Fill” strategy

5. Erica Newland, Walt Shaub, Jules Torti, and Ellinor Heywood: "Schedule G and the consequences of Trump’s “Fire and Fill” strategy"
www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/to-the-vic...

Reductions, Retention, and Reimagining Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 07/29/2025 · 14m

Check out our latest mini-episode: an extended interview with Cristin Dorgelo detailing the longer tail impacts the American people and the federal workforce can anticipate from the current chaos of RIFs

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...

‘A never-ending nightmare’: Federal workers detail mental health toll of government downsizing Federal employees say in a new survey that they are experiencing high levels of anxiety, stress, sleep deprivation, anger outbursts and depression.

The show is well, if depressingly, paired with this latest from @federalnewsnetwork.com federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-repo...

Reductions, Retention, and Reimagining Sirens: A Bombshell production · Episode

In this mini-episode, @sirenspod.bsky.social continues the conversation with Cristin Dorgelo, detailing the longer tail of impacts the American people and federal workforce can anticipate from RIFs, and if it's a chance to reimagine federal talent management.

open.spotify.com/episode/2ckB...

Assistant Secretaries, Abundance, And RIFs Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 07/23/2025 · 1h 6m

Which is better: @lorenraeds.bsky.social creating a theme song for “Abundance” or a new gong sound effect?? Listen to @sirenspod.bsky.social to find out! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

Social Security issued a press release yesterday claiming it's improved customer service. I'm skeptical, for 4 reasons:

1. SSA's career comms staff are mostly gone
2. SSA comms are now very partisan
3. Performance metrics are mostly gone
4. SSA is now cherrypicking misleading stats

Receipts in 🧵

Has there ever been a problem that you can't solve with a new NDAA mandated assistant secretary? That and more in the latest episode.

Assistant Secretaries, Abundance, And RIFs Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 07/23/2025 · 1h 6m

Plus, what exactly is Schedule G or, frankly the political appointee system overall? is the Fed Chair getting fired? are there TikToks where you create beauty analogies for use in business settings? And can you still sing The Wellermen? @sirenspod.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

Assistant Secretaries, Abundance, And RIFs Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 07/23/2025 · 1h 6m

New @sirenspod.bsky.social with all you could desire about Abundance (and its theme song!)--what is it? is it a useful frame for debate? Who is it leaving out?

Also, an incredible deep dive on process + impacts of RIFs with first special guest, Cristin Dorgelo. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

The heroes at @protectdemocracy.org and @citizensforethics.org have secured summary judgment granting a permanent injunction in this case!!! Unsurprising since the law is crystal clear, but great news.

The injunction has been stayed for 3 days. Expect an appeal.
protectdemocracy.org/work/omb-req...

Revolving Doors, RIP USAID, and Resistance. Sirens: A Bombshell production · Episode

Attempting to have a pop culture discussion on @sirenspod.bsky.social:

"RADHA, what were you DOING in the 90s?!!
"
Reading a book. Probably about women overcoming adversity.

Help us create an Independence Day / Pride and Prejudice mashup to meet everyone's needs!
open.spotify.com/episode/1BLT...

Revolving Doors, RIP USAID, and Resistance. Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 07/09/2025 · 1h 7m

"Noting that in this last segment, we have basically talked through the Velvet Revolution, the Civil Rights movement, Hot Girl Summer, fast fashion, @chenoweth.bsky.social and the Arab Spring."

#Onbrand @sirenspod.bsky.social analysis on political protest

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...

Planes, Tanks, and Autonomous Vehicles Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · S1 Bonus · 20m

Catch that nugget and more as the sun never sets on the defense budget: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

Fun facts from the latest @sirenspod.bsky.social mini-episode on the defense budget: did you know that Secretary Hegseth signed a memo on drone dominance that he had delivered to him ...via drone? no? how could any of us ever forget this iconic moment.

Remember more than 80% of US federal career employees work outside of the Washington DC area. EPA is shutting down its scientific research division, which helps keep our air & water safe. It’s overwhelmingly staffed in Cincinnati, Ohio, with ~1000 employees there. The OH & KY Senators don’t care?

I hypothesize 1 reason the Trump admin created Sched G is b/c they, like may of us, can't figure out how to get OPM (love you OPM!) to change non-statutory guidance that's very of man-behind-the-curtain (sched C caps)
(or maybe they want to give SecVa a political appointee system, I dunno)

Sirens: A Bombshell production News Commentary Podcast · Updated Biweekly · Sirens, a new podcast from the ladies of Bombshell, dissects the institutions of American power. With their trademark wit and charm, join Loren DeJonge Sch...

Just discovering that Bombshell is BACK with the same glorious hosts on a bigger playground of American institutions and power? Listen up! Tell a friend! Send us a note! Leave a rating! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

Planes, Tanks, and Autonomous Vehicles Sirens: A Bombshell production · Episode

DID YOU KNOW DOD released a budget last month, JUNE (!!) Despite the lack of fanfare, Radha and Erin dive deep into what's in, what's out, and why it's different in our latest mini-episode, Planes, Tanks, and Autonomous Vehicles
open.spotify.com/episode/1Pvm...

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

Planes, Tanks, and Autonomous Vehicles Sirens: A Bombshell production · Episode

NEW @sirenspod.bsky.social mini-episode. Did you know DOD released a defense budget (in JUNE)? Probably not, without the usual festival of briefings! Radha and Erin review process and substance of DoD's behemoth budget and what makes it different than all others. open.spotify.com/episode/1Pvm...

This is an entirely defensible choice* IF YOU RELENTLESSLY PLAN IT OUT WITH EVERYONE UNDERSTANDING NEW ROLES AND WHAT TO EXPECT - most critically, Americans

*not mine.

Thumbnail of the "Sirens: A Bombshell production" national security podcast by Loren DeJonge Schulman, Radha Iyengar Plumb, and Erin Simpson.

Cover of the book "How Good It Is I have No Fear of Dying: Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko's Fight for Ukraine" by Lara Marlowe. It features a photo of Mykytenko in body armour and ballistic helmet.

@ecfr.eu's annual summer entertainment list is out! 👉 ecfr.eu/article/ecfr... 🏝️😎

My picks: @sirenspod.bsky.social and Lara Marlowe's "How Good It Is I have No Fear of Dying"

Ep 3 - Revolving Doors, RIP USAID, and Resistance

Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...

Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/1BLT...

Amazon music.amazon.in/podcasts/a1a...

Episode 3 of @sirenspod.bsky.social is out! Revolving Doors, RIP USAID, and Resistance

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1BLT...

Amazon: music.amazon.in/podcasts/a1a...

And Erin gives us an incredible lesson on the history and efficacy of political protest. The Gong Show closes with 4th of July traditions.

Bigger picture in Warning Signs, they dive deep into the death of USAID (long live USAID?) and the crazy competition for AI talent.

On the cocktail circuit, we chat the on and off again relationship with Ukraine munitions, Social Security Performance Data, and the ever-revolving door.

Episode 3 of @sirenspod.bsky.social is out! Revolving Doors, RIP USAID, and Resistance

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1BLT...

Amazon: music.amazon.in/podcasts/a1a...