Podcast
NAPS Chat
Hosted by Bob Levi · EN
NAPS Chat is a weekly podcast intended to inform NAPS members and others interested in the U.S. Postal Service about the latest legislative and political goings-on within our nation’s capital. Hosted by NAPS Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Bob Levi.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Fulfilling the Postal Promise of Universal Service and Financial Stability
2w ago00:26:39Tap to summarizeElena Patel, Co-Director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute, joins Bob to discuss the extraordinary economic impact the Postal Service has on rural and postal-reliant communities, as well as the importance of the agency's universal service obligation to the entire country. Elena and Bob also talk about the difficulty the Postal Service has in effectively meeting this obligation in light of its current financial pressures, and potential fixes. Dr. Patel has recently authored two scholarly papers on the Postal Service.
Transcribe →Maximizing Opportunities for Legislative and Political Engagement
4w ago00:24:43Tap to summarizeAt the 2026 NAPS Legislative Conference, in Washington, NAPS bestowed it annual Gold Standard for Legislative Leadership Award to former New Jersey Legislative Chair George Barrett. George joins Bob to discuss his tactics and strategies to maximize his opportunities to promote the interests of EAS level postal employees and retirees. Also, George shares his "tricks of the trade" and reflects on memorable congressional engagements he had during his career. In addition, Bob summarizes recent actions taken by the Postal Board of Governors and the Postal Regulatory Commission relating to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Transcribe →Reflecting on the State of the Postal Service with NALC President Brian Renfroe
Mar 2600:26:13Tap to summarizeNational Association of Letter Carriers President Brian Renfroe joins Bob to discuss the postal outlook from the perspective of the nation's largest postal union. Brian and Bob talk about the the necessity for unity among postal stakeholders to confront the daunting challenges confronting the USPS, as well as the steadfast commitment the community must have to ensure the agency's public service obligations are not jettisoned. They also talk about the recent House postal hearings, postal finances and the recent nomination of 3 individuals to the Postal Board of Governors.
Transcribe →The Latest USPS News, the Upcoming NAPS Legislative Conference and House Postal Hearing, and the Congressional Postal Roundtable
Mar 1200:29:23Tap to summarizeNAPS President Ivan Butts, joins Bob to discuss the late-breaking postal news that includes the USPS' hiring of a restructuring and "turnaround" consultant and the nomination of three new individuals to the Postal Board of Governors. In addition, Ivan and Bob talk about the upcoming NAPS legislative conference in Washington and the recent Congressional Postal Caucus round table, at which Ivan participated. Ivan also recounts his legacy as NAPS President, highlighting his success in securing a 20% increase in the median pay for EAS level postal employees and the soon-to-be operational NAPS Training Academy.
Transcribe →Measuring Postal Performance and Effectiveness
Feb 1300:21:35Tap to summarizeSnailworks President Dave Lewis, joins Bob to discuss postal performance, mail tracking and the effectiveness of direct mail. Snailworks is a Maryland-based company that assists corporations, charitable organizations and political entities monitor mail performance, calibrate mailing campaigns and plan direct marketing to effectively use the mail. Among the issues David and Bob discuss are the differences, if any, between the USPS' intelligent mail program and Snailworks' mail tracking, the effectiveness of direct mail, and the recently introduced committee-passed legislation to track vote by mail election ballots (H.R.7265). Bob also talks about some issues discussed at the February 5, 2026, USPS Board of Governors meeting.
Transcribe →"Is the Postal Service Still Sustainable?"
Jan 2300:26:15Tap to summarizeGovernment Accountability Office (GAO) Director of Physical Infrastructure David Marroni, joins Bob to discuss key policy decisions that Congress must make if the U.S. Postal Service is to be sustainable and continue to provide the essential services to which Americans are entitled and expect. Director Marroni, a 22-year veteran of the GAO, lays out key choices that Congressneeds to make and reviews recent GAO evaluations of the USPS. Among the issues David and Bob discuss are the USPS' universal service obligation and postal finances. Bob also summarizes a few congressional, administrative, and judicial actions relating to the Postal Service.
Transcribe →Priming for 2026 NAPS Legislative Advocacy
Jan 900:29:55Tap to summarizeNAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore, joins Bob to discuss preparations underway for the 2026 NAPS legislative conference in our nation's capital (March 15 - 18) and the anticipated agenda. In addition, Chuck and Bob talk about recent changes relating to the meaning of the USPS "postmark" and the growing vacancies on the USPS Board of Governors.
Transcribe →Best-Selling Author Steve Grant: A Love Letter to the Postal Service
Dec 900:28:42Tap to summarizeFormer postal employee Steve Grant, author of the best-selling book, Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home, joins Bob to discuss his book and share his views about the U.S. Postal Service. The book, published during this past summer by Simon & Schuster, recounts Steve’s personal experiences and reflections on working for the Postal Service and the customers he served. Steve and Bob also talk about the extraordinary outpouring of interest in the publication and how Steve’s narrative should inform America’s views about the Postal Service.
Transcribe →In the Midst of the 2025 Postal Service Health Benefits Program Open Season
Nov 2000:24:22Tap to summarizeAngelo Cueto, Office of Personnel Management Program Manager of Operations and Program Services, joins Bob to discuss the Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP) Open Season (November 10- December 8). Angelo and Bob talk about navigating the complexity of the open season and how participants should make the best use of the open season resources.
Transcribe →Preparing for the 2025 Postal Service Health Benefits Program Open Season
Nov 500:30:25Tap to summarizeKevin Moss, editor of the Consumers' Checkbook Guide to PSHBP Plans, joins Bob to discuss strategies to choosing a health insurance plan during the Postal Service Health Benefits Program Open Season (November 10 - December 8). Kevin and Bob talk about how to maximize health coverage, premium increases and benefit changes. In addition, they explore how Medicare participants may exercise their health plan options. Also, Bob talks about 2026 Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) cost-of-living-adjustments.
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