Advertise on podcast: Game Changers for Government Contractors

Rating

★★★★★

4.8

from

68 reviews

Description

Game Changers for Government Contractors was designed BY government contractors FOR government contractors. Every episode delivers actionable tips, tricks, and strategies to help you find and win more government contracts. Each episode features Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), companies actively winning contracts, and nationally recognized professional speakers and authors. The show is hosted by government contracting expert Michael LeJeune of RSM Federal. RSM Federal has trained over 25,000 government contractors, and their coaching programs have helped clients win over $14 Billion in government contracts. New episodes release every week. Keywords: Government Contractor, Government Contracting, Government Contracts, Government Sales, Government Subcontracting, How to Win Government Contracts, Where to Find Government Contracts, Small Business Government Contracting, Federal Contracting, Government RFP, How to Write a Proposal, Capability Statement, FPDS Training, The Government Sales Manual, Government Contract Coaching, Government Contract Training, Government Contract Consultant, GSA Schedule, SBIR, Set-Aside Contracts, Government Proposal Writing, Federal Sales Strategy.

Unlock Game Changers for Government Contractors podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Game Changers for Government Contractors podcast

Victim Language is Destroying Your GovCon Growth

2026/04/20

Most government contractors think they have a pipeline problem. They don’t. They have an identity problem. In this episode, Michael breaks down how your language is programming your future. Every time you say “We’re just a small business,” “It was political,” or “We can’t win as a prime,” you are installing a growth ceiling inside your company. Language shapes belief. Belief shapes behavior. Behavior shapes revenue. If you’re stuck subcontracting, reacting to RFPs, or feeling like the system is rigged, this episode will challenge you to audit the words you’re using and rebuild your leadership posture from the inside out. This is not a motivational talk. It’s a strategic intervention.

How Smart Entrepreneurs Are Actually Using AI

2026/04/13

In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Smith to talk about how we’re actually integrating AI into real businesses. Not hype. Not fear. Not shortcuts. We cover using AI for research, refining your voice instead of replacing it, building efficiency into contracts and client work, and why AI should enhance your expertise, not mask the absence of it. We also talk about workflow systems, project management, and how tools like ChatGPT and Claude are changing how entrepreneurs operate behind the scenes. If you want to use AI to sharpen your edge without losing your authenticity, this conversation will challenge how you’re thinking about it.

Stop Networking. Start Hunting!

2026/04/06

Most government contractors confuse activity with strategy. They attend events. Collect business cards. Monitor SAM.gov. Wait for RFPs to drop. That’s movement. It’s not momentum. In this episode, Michael explains why networking without intention creates random revenue, and why true growth requires a hunter mindset. Hunters target agencies. They study budgets, contract vehicles, incumbents, recompete cycles, and decision makers. They shape opportunities before the RFP is released. If your pipeline depends on SAM.gov alerts and hope, this episode will challenge you. Winning contracts is not about being known by everyone. It’s about being known by the right agency at the right time. Stop spraying. Start stalking.

What the 2026 NDAA Really Means for Government Contractors

2026/03/30

The 2026 NDAA is out, and most contractors won’t read it. That’s a mistake. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dolores Kuchina-Musina to break down what actually matters. We cover changes to Commercial Solutions Openings, the gray areas around developmental work, what’s happening with SBIR reauthorization, and why OTAs are once again being pushed as a priority tool. More importantly, we talk about what this means for small and mid-sized contractors trying to position themselves for growth. Policy changes don’t just affect Washington. They shape your capture strategy, your compliance posture, and your relationship with contracting officers. If you want to stop reacting and start anticipating, this conversation will sharpen your edge.

The Safety Trap, How Playing it Safe is Creating Weak Leaders

2026/03/23

We are living in an era of over-optimization for comfort. Safe spaces, avoided confrontation, emotional outsourcing, and leaders who think protecting their teams from pressure is kindness. It is not. In this episode, Michael breaks down the safety trap and explains why hard times create strong leaders, and why soft times create weakness. He challenges the belief that discomfort is danger and shows why friction is necessary for growth, clarity, and resilience. From emotional regulation to risk tolerance to doing hard things on purpose, this episode is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs who want to build strong teams instead of fragile ones. If you want confident, decisive leaders inside your organization, it starts with you stepping out of your comfort zone first.

Why Most 7-Figure Businesses Stall at $1M

2026/03/16

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Jensen, CEO of NVSBC and author of The Owner’s Playbook, to unpack what actually breaks when a business grows. We talk about why brute force gets you to seven figures but won’t get you past it, how fractured systems quietly bleed money, why most owners misunderstand the role of accountants, and the mental discipline required to level up. We also dig into team dynamics, culture clarity, and a concept Scott calls “auto suggestion” that might change how you think about performance and leadership. If you’re under $1M trying to grow, or just crossed it and feel operational chaos creeping in, this conversation will hit home.

Ep 413: If 1+1 Equals 2, You Chose the Wrong Partner

2026/03/09

Most entrepreneurs think growth is about adding people. Add a partner. Add an employee. Add a tool. But if 1+1 equals 2, you did not create leverage. You created maintenance. In this episode, Michael explains why real growth requires multiplication, not addition. He breaks down how to evaluate business partners, employees, and romantic partners through the lens of exponential return. Then he introduces the MULTIPLY framework, a practical filter for identifying who truly accelerates your momentum and who simply occupies space. If you feel like you are working harder but not moving faster, this episode will challenge how you choose the people around you. Exponential growth is intentional. Multipliers are selected. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 412: Brand Confusion Is Costing You Revenue

2026/03/02

Most businesses don’t have a marketing problem. They have a clarity problem. In this episode, I sit down with Tori Humphreys of Cumberland Marketing to talk about why so many companies struggle to explain what makes them different. We dive into why logos aren’t brands, why “on time and under budget” isn’t differentiation, and why it feels illegal to pause long enough to get clear. If you’ve ever thrown money at a new website, business card, or ad campaign hoping it would fix your growth… this conversation will hit home. Clarity drives confidence. Confidence drives messaging. Messaging drives revenue. Let’s talk about how to slow down long enough to get it right. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 411: How to Protect Your Time Without Becoming a Jerk

2026/02/23

“Got a minute?” Those three words are quietly draining your business. In this episode, I break down why five minute meetings are the most expensive thing on your calendar. They fragment your focus, destroy strategic thinking, and send you into what I call the productivity death spiral. You’ll learn how context switching kills performance, how interruptions secretly cost you revenue, and how to retrain your team to respect structure without becoming the “unapproachable” leader. If you want deeper work, higher quality decisions, and more revenue without working longer hours, this one is mandatory. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 410: Building a Startup in a Small Town Why You Don't Need a Big City to Win

2026/02/16

What if building your business in a small town is actually an advantage? In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Mullins, co-founder of Personality Pool, to talk about what startup life really looks like outside of big cities and venture-capital hype. We unpack the real pros and cons of building a company in a smaller community, from cost of living and mental health to networking challenges and unexpected opportunities. Lauren also shares how her own hiring struggles inspired Personality Pool, a video-based screening platform designed to help businesses hire for culture and personality, not just resumes. If you’ve ever wondered whether you need to move to a big city to grow your business, or how to build something meaningful exactly where you are, this episode will challenge a lot of assumptions. This one’s honest, practical, and refreshingly real. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: 👉 https://federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, I’m New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start? 👉 https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: 👉 https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 409: Cups and Chaos Why Every Dream Deserves a Fair Fight

2026/02/09

What do you do when everyone around you tells you your idea is ridiculous? In this episode, Michael LeJeune shares a hilarious but powerful story from a recent small business conference that sparked the unexpected creation of “Cups and Chaos,” a fictional drive-through coffee shop featuring baby raccoons. What started as a joke quickly turned into a lesson about vision, courage, and why most people abandon their dreams far too early. Michael breaks down why big ideas almost always sound crazy at first, why employees and institutions resist risk, and how momentum and belief can transform ridicule into opportunity. If you’ve ever let doubt, fear, or other people’s opinions stop you from pursuing something meaningful, this episode is a reminder that every dream deserves a fair fight. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 408: Why Your Best Technical People Hate Proposals (And How to Fix It)

2026/02/02

Technical SMEs are critical to winning government contracts, yet many dread proposal work. In this episode, Michael LeJeune sits down with Dawn Ward, former technical lead on $100M contracts and founder of Trusted Insight, to unpack why engineers resist proposals and how leaders can change that. You’ll learn how poor onboarding, unclear expectations, and lack of feedback create frustration, and what to do instead. Dawn shares real-world stories, practical frameworks, and leadership strategies to turn proposal participation into an engaging, high-impact experience for technical teams. If you want better proposals, stronger collaboration, and higher win rates without burning out your best people, this conversation is a must-listen. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 407: Own the Room Before You Say a Word

2026/01/26

Public speaking isn’t just for keynote stages, it’s a foundational life skill. In this episode, Michael LeJeune breaks down practical, real-world strategies to become a more confident and effective speaker, whether you’re presenting on stage, leading a meeting, selling, or simply communicating ideas clearly. You’ll learn how to own the room before you say a word, why stories outperform data, how to trim your message so it lands, and how to use your voice as an instrument instead of a monotone delivery system. Michael also explains how to structure talks around heroes and villains, why slides should be on a strict diet, and how to practice in a way that builds lasting confidence. If you want to stand out in business and in life, this episode gives you tools you can use immediately. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 406: How the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program Really Works (From People Who Run It)

2026/01/19

The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program is one of the most powerful and misunderstood growth tools in government contracting. In this episode, Michael LeJeune sits down with Lisa Mays and Victoria Tripiano from the Catalyst Center to break down how the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program actually works, how it differs from the SBA version, and why it’s not the right fit for early-stage companies. They explain where the funding really goes, what makes a strong protégé, why mentors participate, and the role authorized subcontractors play in delivering real value. You’ll also hear real success stories, common misconceptions, and practical advice for companies considering the program. If you’ve ever wondered whether the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program is worth pursuing, this episode will give you clarity before you invest the time and effort. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 405: The psychology behind the goals you never achieve

2026/01/12

Most people think they’re failing at their goals because of discipline, strategy, or time. That’s rarely the truth. In this episode, Michael LeJeune breaks down the real reason high performers still miss their biggest goals: they haven’t assigned enough value to them. Drawing from personal experience, psychology, and real-world examples, Michael explains why vague goals don’t demand action, how comfort quietly sabotages progress, and why every meaningful goal requires sacrifice. You’ll learn how to get painfully specific about what you want, identify what you’re protecting instead of pursuing, create daily non-negotiables, and design your environment so the right behaviors become automatic. If you’ve ever wondered why certain goals stay stuck on your list year after year, this episode will help you finally understand why, and what to do about it. ----- Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contracting. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Podcast reviews

Read Game Changers for Government Contractors podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5

68 reviews

★★★★★

Jay JS. 2025/07/30

Best podcast on GovCon

Michael L. With RSM Federal has the best content on GovCOn. Short and effective!

★★★★★

One improvement needed! 2025/07/28

Great podcast for anyone in government contracting

This podcast covers many topics and provides direction based on experiences from seasoned professionals. I definitely recommend this to anyone even r...

★★★★★

MarkNewlan 2025/07/28

Essential Listening for Government Contractors

A must-listen for anyone in the federal contracting space. Each episode is packed with practical tips, expert insights, and real-world strategies that...

★★★★★

April Molina 2025/07/28

Wow!

I am very glad I found you, I have missing pieces in my business, a few episodes in,and I have the clear vision of what I need to do in order to scale...

★★★★★

RobinLK 2023/09/02

Worth your Time!

7+ episodes in two commuting days & 1 housecleaning day. On point, helpful, and approachable… like a chat over coffee. Thanks, Michael LeJeune!

★★★★★

isk24 2023/05/09

Taught me so much

I have listed to hours upon hours of Game Changers. These podcasts are packed with info that is incredibly helpful!

★★★★★

CAN1000$ 2023/03/16

Best of the best for the GovCon community!

I stumbled upon this Podcast a few weeks ago and as a senior executive at a small business, I have found it invaluable. This show has validated what I...

★★★★★

Cindy J with MD 2023/01/03

Best GovCon podcast

I’ve been listening to this podcast for years. The information is always up to date and informative. We also subscribe to federal-access.com, which h...

★★★★★

Lchristian5577 2021/12/08

My go to podcast.

I love Game Changers for For Government Contractors podcast. It provides great subject matter experts, impactful content and genuine hosts who truly ...

★★★★★

Drew, GovCon Contractor 2021/12/07

Must Listen Podcast

I have been in the GovCon business about 10 years now for a Large multi billion dollar contractor. The training that these guys provide for free in th...

check all reviews on apple podcasts