We Are The Government

Dipka Hesse

We Are The Government is a collection of short stories from federal employees who are either still in the government, or who have left of their own volition, or otherwise. This is a capsule for the 250th anniversary of the United States of America so future generations can see who built the federal government we rely on daily.

  1. Jun 18

    Former Justice Department Cybercrime Prosecutor on How to Take Down the World's Smartest and Worst Cybercriminals

    Brian Levine spent years at the Justice Department prosecuting cybercrime, intellectual property theft, and complex international Internet-based extortion rings.  In this episode, Levine talks with We Are The Government Host Dipka Hesse about the increase in cybercrime, how the U.S. Justice Department investigates and prosecutes scammers who stole more than $20 billion from Americans last year, and how Americans can protect themselves. The cases take years of intense collaborative investigation to resolve. Bringing criminals to justice and convincing a lay jury of their guilt on a subject matter esoteric to most people is Levine’s superpower. Levine delves into the notorious Bayrob takedown of Romanian cybercriminals, which he recently discussed on Darknet Diaries. He explains how cybercriminals operate and how the Justice Department, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security rely on international cooperation to take them down. Levine reveals how unwitting accomplices are also subject to prosecution. Today Levine is the founder of FormerGov.com,  a platform designed to increase the visibility of former federal workers and help companies mine high-level former federal professionals with precision. This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic. Host: Dipka Hesse  X: @DBHesse LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/dipkabhambhani⁠ YouTube: @theenergyodyssey  Thank you to our great team who helped make this  episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible. Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro (richard@richardtaliaferro.com) Graphic Artist: David Zerba (zerba.david@gmail.com) Editor: Axel Soderland (axelfromdc@gmail.com) #FormerGov #PublicService  #Government #CareerTransition #Cybercrime #Cybersecurity #JusticeDepartment #DOJ #FBI #DHS #FederalWorkforce #GovTech #PublicServants #WeAreTheGovernment #DarknetDiaries #hackers #breaches #EBAY #Bayrob

  2. Jun 5

    Rethinking America’s Social Welfare Programs: Clarence Carter on Empowering the Vulnerable and Curbing Fraud

    In this episode of We Are The Government, Clarence H. Carter, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services, discusses with host Dipka Hesse how America’s safety net of social welfare programs enables, does not empower, the country’s most vulnerable–the elderly and the impoverished. About half of the U.S. federal budget is dedicated to social welfare programs that do not address or help eliminate the root cause of the vulnerability.   Drawing on decades of experience in federal, state and local government, Carter explains why he believes the nation’s safety net should be redesigned around a clearer goal: helping vulnerable Americans build capacity, increase self-sufficiency and move beyond dependency whenever possible. Carter provides a unique view of social program reform, and the impact of leaving millions of people dependent on government assistance indefinitely, without a path to their independence.  Carter describes how President Bill Clinton’s Welfare Reform Law became the scaffolding for the Bush and Trump administrations, where he served in both as an expert in social program management, reform and policy.  Carter shares anecdotes from his bestselling book, Our Net Has Holes In It, which also addresses the flaws and opportunities in U.S. foreign aid policy.    The conversation explores: Why the current safety net is made up of disconnected programsHow federal and state governments share responsibility for administering benefitsLessons from welfare reform efforts in Virginia and TennesseeThe role of SNAP and other public assistance programsFraud prevention, oversight and accountability This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic. Host/Executive Producer: Dipka Hesse X: @DBHesseLinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/dipkabhambhani⁠YouTube: @theenergyodyssey Thank you to our great team who helped make this episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible. Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro (richard@richardtaliaferro.com)Graphic Artist: David Zerba (zerba.david@gmail.com)Editor: Axel Soderland (axelfromdc@gmail.com)#SocialSafetyNet #WelfareReform #PublicPolicy #SNAP #Elderly #SocialSecurity #Medicare #Medicaid #FraudPrevention #FraudTaskForce #EconomicMobility #FederalGovernment #Tennessee #Arizona #Virginia #WeAreTheGovernment

  3. Apr 30

    Former ICE Director Talks Illegal Immigration and Public Safety

    In this episode of We Are the Government, Dipka Hesse speaks with Jonathan Fahey, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, about the flashpoint of immigration enforcement. Fahey discusses the impact of the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding gap on federal workers, their families, and public safety.  He explores the evolution of the Democratic party, which had prioritized deportations and illegal immigration enforcement during the Clinton administration.  Fahey shares stories about public safety challenges, prosecuting the country’s most heinous crimes in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the connection between progressive policies in the Commonwealth and the rise in violent crimes, and the vital role of lobbyists in a democracy. Fahey is a partner at Holtzman Vogel Baran Torchinsky & Josefiak in Washington, D.C. and a lobbyist for its partner firm, the Vogel Group.  Hashtags: #ImmigrationPolicy #ICE #DepartmentOfHomelandSecurity #DHS #JonathanFahey #HoltzmanVogel #TheVogelGroup #JusticeSystem #FederalService #PublicSafety #LawEnforcement #Trump   #WeAreTheGovernment This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic. Host/Executive Producer: Dipka Hesse  X: @DBHesse LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/dipkabhambhani⁠ YouTube: @theenergyodyssey  Thank you to our great team who helped make this episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible. Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro (richard@richardtaliaferro.com) Graphic Artist: David Zerba (zerba.david@gmail.com) Editor: Axel Soderland (axelfromdc@gmail.com)

  4. Apr 16

    The Energy Transition, War and Diplomacy: Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt, on Dynamics of the New Wars

    Energy, global conflict and diplomacy are inextricably linked. In this episode of We Are The Government, Host Dipka Hesse speaks with Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt about the new forces shaping geopolitics. From Russia’s weaponization of energy to the rapid quest for critical minerals, Pyatt explains how global competition for resources is influencing international alliances, military planning, trade and diplomacy at every level. Pyatt, who led the now-largely-defunct Bureau of Energy Resources at the State Department among his other roles, discusses the future of U.S. energy diplomacy, the consequences of losing institutional knowledge inside the government, and why the wars in Ukraine and the Gulf cannot be viewed in isolation. This episode offers an inside look at how American foreign policy works when global stability, energy access, and market power are all on the line — and why diplomatic experience still matters in moments of crisis. This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic. Host and Executive Producer: Dipka Hesse  X: @DBHesse LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/dipkabhambhani⁠ YouTube: @theenergyodyssey  Thank you to our great team who helped make this episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible. Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro (richard@richardtaliaferro.com) Graphic Artist: David Zerba (zerba.david@gmail.com) Editor: Axel Soderland (axelfromdc@gmail.com) #EnergyDiplomacy #GeoffPyatt #Ukraine #MiddleEast #CriticalMinerals #Diplomacy #EnergyTransition #GlobalAffairs #GovernmentPodcast #federalgovernment #InternationalRelations #EnergyPolicy #Iran #Iraq #Qatar #UAE #Russia #USStateDepartment #McLartyAssociates

  5. Apr 2

    Neil Chatterjee on Working With Mitch McConnell, Traversing Political Partisanship and FERC’s Role in the AI Race

    Former FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee tells We Are the Government Host Dipka Hesse about his journey from House Ways and Means to serving one of the most prominent Senate leaders in U.S. history–Mitch McConnell.  Chatterjee shares some riveting stories about how he came to lead FERC twice, including during the global pandemic, with an unmatched style and success. As a political appointee during President Trump’s first term, Chatterjee shares how he governed the independent agency in an era of acute political partisanship. He reflects on taking the helm from his friend, the late FERC Chairman Ken McIntyre. This is a candid, thoughtful conversation about public service, Chatterjee’s legacy, lessons learned, and his lasting impact on energy policy. This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic. If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on We Are The Government, please reach out.  Host and Executive Producer: Dipka Hesse (wearethegovernment250@gmail.com)  X: @DBHesse LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/dipkabhambhani⁠ YouTube: @theenergyodyssey  Thank you to our great team who helped make this  episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible. Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro (richard@richardtaliaferro.com) Graphic Artist: David Zerba (zerba.david@gmail.com) Editor: Axel Soderland (axelfromdc@gmail.com ) #Podcast #WeAreTheGovernment #NeilChatterjee #FERC #EnergyPolicy #PublicService #FederalGovernment #GovernmentLeadership #EnergyMarkets #GridReliability #ClimateTech #CapitolHill

  6. Mar 19

    From Combat Pilot to the White House and Back: Ravi Chaudhary on the Opportunities in Military Service, the Essence of Patriotism, and Energy Efficiency 

    From Combat Pilot to the White House and Back: Ravi Chaudhary on the Opportunities in Military Service, the Essence of Patriotism, and Energy Efficiency  In this episode of We Are the Government, veteran United States Air Force pilot and decorated officer, the Honorable Dr. Ravi Chaudhary shares his remarkable story of courage in the skies over enemy territory and his experience in the Pentagon as a political appointee. Dr. Chaudhary tells WATG host Dipka Hesse how he expanded energy innovation and resilience across American installations in his recent post as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force for Energy Installations, and the Environment. Dr. Chaudhary is the first and only Indian-American to have served in that leadership role. He was also appointed by President Obama to join the White House Initiative and President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.  Dr. Chaudhary reflects on his catalysts–his grandfather who served in the Indian Army during WWII, his father who dedicated his career to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and his mother, who founded a leading non-profit supporting underrepresented communities in Minnesota. #DrRaviChaudhary #WeAreTheGovernment #FighterPilot #Pentagon #AviationInnovation #AirForceVeteran #ServingAmerica #NationalSecurityLeadership #PublicServicePodcast #DefenseInnovation #MilitaryInfrastructure #FederalLeadership Host: Dipka Hesse X: @DBHesseLinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/dipkabhambhani⁠YouTube: @theenergyodyssey  Thank you to our great team who helped make this  episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible. Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro (richard@richardtaliaferro.com)Graphic Artist: David Zerba (zerba.david@gmail.com)Editor: Axel Soderland (axelfromdc@gmail.com)

  7. Mar 5

    Behind the Scenes of America250: Inside the Programs and Plans Powering America’s Semiquincentennial

    On July 4, 2026, the country will commemorate 250 years since the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia establishing the United States of America. But events and engagement that have already started, will continue into, and long after, the holiday weekend.  In this episode, Jen Condon, Executive Vice President and Executive Director of America250.org, tells We Are The Government host Dipka Hesse about the development of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, and how its supporting nonprofit continues to prepare for a national and international celebration designed to educate, engage, and unite 350 million Americans.  Jen outlines the strategy behind America250’s major program pillars and how this patriotic moment unites all Americans, regardless of race, color, creed, or generation. Jen also discusses her journey as a federal civil servant and her ascent to this pivotal role.  This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic. Host: Dipka Hesse  X: @DBHesse LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/dipkabhambhani⁠ YouTube: @theenergyodyssey  Thank you to our great team who helped make this  episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible. Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro (richard@richardtaliaferro.com) Graphic Artist: David Zerba (zerba.david@gmail.com) Editor: Axel Soderlund (axelfromdc@gmail.com) #America250 #Freedom250 #Semiquincentennial #July4th2026 #AmericanHistory #CivicEngagement #Education #Patriotism #Volunteerism #AmericaGives #CommunityService #PublicPrivatePartnership #GovernmentLeadership #AmericanStories #GenZ #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #NonprofitLeadership

  8. Feb 19

    Powering America from Washington: A Federal Worker’s Quest for Grid Reliability Through National Transmission Expansion

    In this episode of We Are the Government, host Dipka Hesse sits down with energy policy expert Poonum Agrawal to explore one of the most critical—and least understood—issues facing the United States: electric grid reliability and transmission expansion. From her early days as a Presidential Management Fellow in the George W. Bush administration to leading the Department of Energy’s groundbreaking National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors study, Agrawal shares what it takes to modernize America’s power grid under intense political, legal, and budgetary pressure. The conversation covers grid congestion, energy affordability, microgrids, Puerto Rico’s grid insecurity, AI-driven electricity demand, and the real challenges of implementing energy policy inside the federal government. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how federal workers navigate complexity, politics, and public scrutiny to strengthen America’s energy future. This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic. Host: Dipka Hesse X: @DBHesseLinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/dipkabhambhani⁠YouTube: @theenergyodyssey Thank you to our great team who helped make this  episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible. Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro (richard@richardtaliaferro.com)Graphic Artist: David Zerba (zerba.david@gmail.com)Editor: Axel Soderland (axelfromdc@gmail.com )#EnergyPolicy #ElectricGrid #TransmissionExpansion #GridReliability #FederalGovernment #EnergySecurity #PublicService #Infrastructure #AIandEnergy #DOE

See All (13)

4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

We Are The Government is a collection of short stories from federal employees who are either still in the government, or who have left of their own volition, or otherwise. This is a capsule for the 250th anniversary of the United States of America so future generations can see who built the federal government we rely on daily.

Information

  • Creator
    Dipka Hesse
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dipka Hesse
  • Show Website
    We Are The Government