The federal government is filled with programs that shape the daily lives of Americans, yet the people most familiar with how those programs actually work often leave public service without their knowledge being captured. To address this gap, on September 2, 2025, the POPVOX Foundation and a coalition of civic partners have launched Departure Dialogues, a new initiative that collects insights from departing federal employees and contractors.
The project functions as a structured “exit interview” for government service, giving participants an opportunity to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of federal programs. Through short questionnaires or self-guided recorded interviews, participants can share observations on what worked well, what created unnecessary burdens, and what changes could improve outcomes. Submissions can be attributed to the individual or remain anonymous, depending on the participant’s comfort level.
The goal is straightforward: create a permanent, searchable archive of implementation insights that can inform policymakers, Congressional staff, researchers, and the public. By learning directly from the experiences of those who administered laws and programs, Congress can better identify statutory fixes, streamline reporting requirements, and strengthen successful practices.
POPVOX emphasizes that Departure Dialogues is not a whistleblower channel. Allegations of fraud, abuse, or criminal misconduct should be directed to Inspectors General or appropriate oversight authorities. Instead, the project seeks constructive, implementation-level feedback, such as outdated statutory language, program design flaws, or bottlenecks that slow down service delivery.
To build this archive, the initiative uses oral history tools to capture interviews and employs AI to synthesize recurring themes. The result is a curated, interactive resource designed to highlight patterns across agencies and programs. Partners in the project include the POPVOX Foundation, Niskanen Center, Civil Service Strong, Partnership for Public Service, and the Foundation for American Innovation.
For departing federal employees and contractors, participating is simple: sign up through the website, respond to the guided questions, and decide whether to be named or remain anonymous. Each submission is reviewed before being added to the archive, ensuring that the final product is constructive, accessible, and useful for those shaping future legislation.
In many ways, Departure Dialogues is an attempt to close a critical feedback loop in governance. Laws are written on Capitol Hill, but they are carried out by thousands of people across the federal workforce. By preserving their lessons learned, the project ensures that experience does not walk out the door with them and that Congress has a clearer picture of how policy translates into practice.
For more information, visit https://www.popvox.org/departure.
