Retirement is one of the biggest transitions in a federal law enforcement career—but almost nobody talks about what it's really like.

In this episode, Heather, Mary, and Clare share their personal retirement journeys, from countdown calendars and retirement seminars to unexpected emotions, identity shifts, and figuring out what comes next. Whether you're five years away from retirement, six months away, or just starting your federal career, this conversation is full of lessons we wish we'd known sooner. 

In This Episode

• How all three hosts approached retirement differently.
• Why Clare took advantage of the Deferred Retirement Program (DRP).
• Why Mary retired sooner than she originally planned.
• Heather's "25 and out" retirement strategy.
• TSP, Roth TSP, FSA, HSA, sick leave, annual leave, and retirement planning lessons.
• The importance of verifying your SF-50s and service records before retirement.
• Why having something to retire to matters more than having something to retire from.
• The emotional reality of leaving behind a career that defined so much of your life.

Retire To Something

One of the most common themes in retirement research—and one echoed throughout this episode—is the importance of having a purpose after retirement.

Whether that's:

• Family
• Travel
• Volunteering
• A second career
• A small business
• A podcast
• Or finally watching Breaking Bad

Having something to look forward to makes the transition easier. 

Resources Mentioned

• Tammy Flanagan / Retire Federal www.retirefederal.com

• Chris Barfield / Barfield Financial www.BarfieldFinancial.com
• Dan Jamison's Federal Retirement Guide www.FERSGuide.com
• Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) www.FSAFeds.gov
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/health-savings-accounts/

Connect with FEDChicks

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6
Instagram: @fedchicks
Facebook: FEDChicks

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed on FEDChicks are our own and do not represent any government agency or the federal government. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, retirement, career, legal, or tax advice. Please consult qualified professionals regarding your specific circumstances. 

In this episode of FEDChicks, Heather, Mary, and Clare swap some of the funniest, most memorable, and occasionally mortifying stories from their years in federal law enforcement. From undercover marriages and helicopter mishaps to mistaken arrests and celebrity encounters, these are the moments that remind us why we loved the job—and why we can laugh about it now. 

In This Episode

• Mary shares the story of a major narcotics investigation—and the unforgettable comment a detainee made during an arrest.
• Clare recounts a surveillance mission that ended with an emergency helicopter landing.
• Heather learns the hard way why you should always lock your government computer before leaving for lunch.
• The squad-room pranks that taught all of us important lessons.
• A foot chase through Baltimore that ended with an arrest... of the wrong guy.
• The day Heather sent a woman reporting alien harassment to the FBI—because she meant actual aliens.
• Mary's Secret Service detail during a presidential campaign and the time she denied access to Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio.
• An unexpected encounter with the future members of Maroon 5 before they became famous.
• Stories of suspects, witnesses, and defendants who remembered kindness long after their cases were over.
• Clare's experience working aspects of the Beltway Sniper investigation.
• Mary reveals how she became an undercover bride in a marriage fraud investigation and ended up married to a Russian national for the case.
• Why treating people with dignity—even when they're being arrested—can leave a lasting impact.

Memorable Moments

"Nice job, Clare. Wrong guy."
One of the most memorable foot pursuits of Clare's career ends with a successful tackle—and a case of mistaken identity.

The Undercover Wedding
Mary goes undercover as a bride to expose a marriage fraud scheme and discovers that undercover work can be stranger than fiction.

The Unlocked Computer Lesson
Heather receives an email that nearly gives her a heart attack after a supervisor decides to teach a workplace security lesson.

Celebrities and Credentials
Mary learns that even Hollywood stars have to follow security protocols.

Kindness Matters
Several stories highlight something often overlooked in law enforcement: treating people with respect can make a difference long after the investigation ends.

Connect with FEDChicks

Follow FEDChicks for more stories, laughs, career lessons, and behind-the-scenes conversations from three retired federal agents.

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed on FEDChicks are our own and do not represent any government agency or the federal government. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, career, or retirement advice. 

Welcome to the very first episode of FEDChicks—the podcast where three retired federal agents share real stories, honest conversations, and absolutely zero agency talking points. In this inaugural episode, Heather, Mary, and Clare introduce themselves, share how they found their way into federal law enforcement, and explain how a late-night conversation in Savannah turned into a podcast. 

In This Episode

• The story behind the name FEDChicks and how the podcast was born during a nostalgic trip to Savannah, Georgia.
• Why this isn't a "war stories" podcast—and what listeners can expect instead.
• How three women from different agencies and different career paths all started in the former INS.
• Heather's journey from psychology major to federal agent and eventually the SSA Office of Inspector General.
• Mary's unexpected path from nursing school to a 27-year federal law enforcement career.
• Clare's career evolution from INS to ATF, including roles as investigator, negotiator, recruiter, public affairs officer, and digital forensics examiner.
• The hilarious story of how Mary and Clare met after unknowingly sharing a desk at the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
• How 9/11 reshaped federal law enforcement careers, agencies, and identities.
• Retirement reflections from all three hosts and how differently each experienced leaving the job.
• A preview of future topics, including retirement, federal careers, current events, true crime, leadership, and life after the badge.

Meet the Hosts

Heather

• Former Special Agent with the former INS and later the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.
• Served 25 years in federal law enforcement.
• Worked all over the country.
• Retired in 2022 after achieving her long-held goal of retiring at 25 years of service. 

Mary

• Started as a nursing major before discovering criminal justice.
• Joined INS through an internship and became an agent first with INS and later with Homeland Security Investigations.
• Served her entire 27-year federal agent career in Baltimore.
• Recently retired after balancing the demands of federal service and single motherhood. 

Clare

• Began as an INS intern in 1995 before becoming an agent in 1996.
• Later joined ATF, where she built a diverse career spanning investigations, recruiting, public affairs, negotiations, and digital forensics.
• Retired after 29 years of federal service. 

Connect with FEDChicks

Follow, subscribe, and join the conversation:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fedchicks
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fedchicks/id1896920829
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033xmMo1DDcIFczh0zq4S6
I

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed on FEDChicks are solely those of the hosts and do not represent any government agency or the federal government. This podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, career, retirement, or professional advice. 

From careers and retirement to true crime, current events, and life beyond the badge, FEDChicks is a life podcast with federal law enforcement as the backdrop.

Real women. Real life. Real talk.

Subscribe now and join us when FEDChicks launches on June 23, 2026.