The Government Technology Insider Podcast

​Modernizing the technology that supports government services is a primary way state agencies are working to deliver services more efficiently and meet constituent demand. But while implementing new technology is a significant milestone, the challenge of ensuring that systems are capable of delivering on the mission extends far beyond launch day. A perpetually adaptive system—and a mindset to match—are critical to keep systems functional and relevant.
​In our previous podcast, Amber Shultz, Kansas’s Secretary of Labor, shared the four keys to successfully delivering a complex digital transformation project. In today’s episode, we welcome Secretary Shultz back to share her insights on ensuring that the new unemployment insurance system in Kansas can adapt to user needs, evolving policies, and ever-changing technology.

​​Today, technology is a critical part of delivering state services like unemployment insurance, but many states still rely on decades-old systems that struggle to meet demand. Like many agencies, the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) reached a turning point when unemployment claims surged at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legacy system, created in the 1970s, was unable to support the volume of claims and calls, causing delays in service and overburdening state staff. KDOL needed to not only stabilize its current unemployment insurance system but modernize it so it could become more agile and perpetually adaptive.
​In today’s episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast, guest host Monica Mayk spoke with Amber Shultz, Secretary of Labor for the State of Kansas, about the state’s unemployment insurance modernization program. The landmark transformation, which now enables the state to better support Kansans during critical and vulnerable times, was honored with a 2025 State IT Recognition Award for Digital Experience: Agency and Program Solutions by the National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO). Secretary Shultz shares the story of KDOL’s transformation effort, the outcomes for constituents and state staff, and the four key factors that led her department to success.

The potential for data to power government systems and transform service delivery has made maximizing the value of their data a top priority for many state agencies. But states still struggle to transform raw data into actionable insights that can drive economic growth and social benefits. Solving this conundrum may depend on data sharing: pooling information and insights among state agencies to optimize resources and support staff and citizens.
In today’s episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast, guest host Dale Smith, Director of Labor and Workforce at TCS – Tata Consultancy Services, speaks with Rick Maher, CEO of Adaptive Human Capital, about how state agencies can become data sharing organizations and put that data to use for constituents.

The pressures that are reshaping the broader business environment also affect government contracting. These shifts reflect major trends impacting government contracts, and according to Cohn Reznick and Unanet’s 2025 GAUGE Report, 57 percent of GovCon firms cite finding new revenue streams as their biggest challenge, and 79 percent of them are having trouble winning new contracts. While demand and funding cycles become more unpredictable, resource management continues to be one of the most persistent operational challenges, with firms reporting persistent understaffing, increasing compliance hours, and growing pressure to improve efficiency.
In this episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast, host Lucas Hunsicker discusses the latest GAUGE findings on resource planning, competitive resilience, and project execution with Kim Koster, Vice President of GovCon Strategy at Unanet. They explore why hybrid PMO structures are becoming more popular, where AI is delivering measurable value, and how GovCons can improve forecasting and reduce dependency on spreadsheets to successfully navigate a more competitive and complex market.

​​​​​​​In the second half of this ​​two-part Government Technology Insider podcast, Bryan Schromsky, Managing Partner for 5G Public Sector at Verizon, and Todd Maxwell, Director of Regulated Business Development at Samsung Electronics America, explore how artificial intelligence (AI), IoT, and next-generation wearables are reshaping the military’s mobile ecosystem. In this new era, mobile devices are not just communication tools but intelligent hubs that enhance awareness, simplify workflows, and protect the warfighter in every environment. ​