Ep. 23: *You’re* Right to Petition: Nicole Tisdale on Making Government Work for You
What does it actually take to make government work for you? In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, host Laura Edwards sits down with Nicole Tisdale, former White House National Security Council advisor, longtime congressional staffer, and founder of Advocacy Blueprints, for a candid, practical conversation about advocacy, public service, and reclaiming your right to be heard.
Nicole shares her journey from growing up in Mississippi and discovering public service through programs like Girls State, to advising senior Members of Congress and shaping national security and cybersecurity policy at the highest levels of government. Along the way, she explains why Congress remains the most accessible branch of government, how everyday people misunderstand advocacy, and what it really means to make an effective “ask.”
The conversation goes deep into Nicole’s work through Advocacy Blueprints, where she helps nonprofits, companies, and community organizations translate complex policy challenges, including cybersecurity, open-source software risk, and rural cyber workforce gaps, into strategies policymakers can act on. She also breaks down a real-world cyber advocacy case study that led to meaningful federal action, showing how education, timing, and coordination can drive lasting change without always requiring new legislation.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in government, cybersecurity, technology policy, nonprofit advocacy, or public service — especially those who feel frustrated by bureaucracy but still believe change is possible.
Nicole’s message is clear: you don’t need to be an insider to influence policy, but you do need to understand how the system actually works.
Topics include:
☕Why most advocacy efforts fail before they start
☕Cybersecurity policy, open-source risk, and educating policymakers
☕Advocacy Blueprints’ model for supporting both large institutions and under-resourced communities ☕Practical advice for anyone who wants to engage government more effectively
Learn more about Nicole’s work:
Right to Petition: A Practical Guide to Creating Change in Government