Episodios

  • We Are Watching You - License Plate Readers and Modern Surveillance

    We Are Watching You - License Plate Readers and Modern Surveillance
    Feb 15 2026

    We dive into the real-world implications of living in a sensor-saturated society. From ALPR and private-sector camera networks to open-source data and pattern analysis, modern surveillance isn't just a policy debate — it's a tactical environment. We unpack how integrated surveillance systems create unprecedented investigative power while simultaneously introducing new vulnerabilities for police, military professionals, and everyday citizens.

    The conversation moves beyond headlines to explore the operational reality: how patterns are built, how they're exploited, and how tacticians can leverage these tools while denying the same advantages to their adversaries. Along the way, we tackle the enduring tension between liberty and security, drawing on insights from history and reminding us that while the technology is new, the dilemma is not. If surveillance is the new terrain, understanding it isn't optional.

    The question isn't whether the system exists — it's whether it works for you, or on you.

    Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

    Intro music credit Bensound.com

    Photo credit: Flock Safety
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    58 m
  • Guardians and Warriors: What type of Cop are you?

    Guardians and Warriors: What type of Cop are you?
    Feb 1 2026
    Police occupy an uneasy space between the government and the governed—simultaneously a symbol of state power and a human presence in people's daily lives. Sometimes we get a little too PUNISHER SHEEPDOG and we need to chill. Mike and Jim break down the archetypes cops often fall into and discuss how to adjust our approach to be a dynamic leaders.

    Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com

    Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

    Intro music credit Bensound.com
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    1 h y 10 m
  • Don't stand in front of cars! And other Pet Peeves

    Don't stand in front of cars! And other Pet Peeves
    Jan 15 2026

    Mike explores a list of pitfalls in law enforcement through the lens of critical thinking and best practices. Among the list are things related to balancing officer safety and legal justification, good tactics and having a perfect plan, communication quirks, arresting and searching people, and ways you might sound like a nerd.

    Photo Credit from https://youtu.be/vA0P92ddm2A

    Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.

    Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com

    Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

    Intro music credit Bensound.com
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    53 m
  • National Security Strategy Review

    National Security Strategy Review
    Jan 1 2026

    You don't fight in a vacuum—and neither do police officers, soldiers, or federal agents. In this episode, Jim analyzes the newly released 2025 National Security Strategy ( https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf ) and translates its broad language into practical meaning for people working at the tactical and operational levels. He explains how the NSS communicates priorities across government, how it influences downstream defense and security planning, and how it signals intent to allies, competitors, and adversaries alike.

    Check out this episode to gain a clearer understanding of how strategic documents shape budgeting, force posture, and mission design over time. We also explore why the NSS matters differently at different ranks and roles, and how leaders can use it to frame decisions, explain priorities to subordinates, and anticipate where institutions are likely to invest (or divest) next.

    Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.

    Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com

    Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

    Intro music credit Bensound.com
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    32 m
  • The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword… sometimes

    The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword… sometimes
    Dec 15 2025

    Everyone in a fight has their side of the story. That story is a crafted message that can keep someone in the fight, convince them to stop fighting, and convince bystanders you are the good guy worth helping or the bad guy worth piling onto.

    Police in America are struggling with an increasingly hostile public narrative that degrades morale, budgets, recruiting, and public cooperation when you need it most. In irregular warfare, the narrative may have more impact than the guided missiles.

    The conversation focuses on practical storytelling skills leaders need to operate effectively in contested environments. Check out this episode to learn how tactical actions reverberate at the operational and strategic levels, why "neutrality" is often a false posture, and how to communicate facts through compelling, ethical narratives that build credibility rather than erode it. This episode is essential listening for professionals who operate in public-facing roles where perception directly impacts mission success.

    The History of the Marine Corps: https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/who-are-the-marines/history.html

    The History of Special Forces: https://arsof-history.org/history.html#check-sf

    Storytelling Tactics https://pipdecks.com/products/storyteller-tactics

    Malcom Gladwell's TED Talk about his book The Tipping Point: https://youtu.be/RmXrwKydM9k

    The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell - https://amzn.to/48X1gg1

    Brian Willis TED talk most dangerous weapon in LE https://youtu.be/qwC-RHsC6gw

    Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.

    Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com

    Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

    Intro music credit Bensound.com
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    1 h y 11 m
  • Closing the Gaps: Building Competence in High Performing-Teams

    Closing the Gaps: Building Competence in High Performing-Teams
    Dec 1 2025

    Gaps in knowledge and performance happen naturally, even in high-performing teams. In this episode, Mike and Jim explore why blind spots develop despite good training, smart people, and strong intent. They walk through the realities of cognitive load—how much information a practitioner can realistically retain—and how this affects everything from tactical decision-making to compliance with policy and law. Using examples from aviation, policing, and military training, they illustrate how complexity, fatigue, and skill decay shape performance far more than most would acknowledge.

    The conversation also addresses how organizations should think about standards, instructor responsibilities, evaluation systems, and the realistic limits of human learning. They highlight tools leaders can use to expose and correct blind spots: independent evaluation, scenario-based application, and deliberate debriefing. Mike and Jim emphasize the importance of professional education, continual reinforcement, and maintaining a baseline that is both realistic and mission-appropriate.


    Take a moment and ask yourself: Are you tired of always having to work on the lowest common denominator? Do you know what your own weaknesses are and how they can impact you? This episode helps practitioners understand their own limitations, recognize when they need help, and apply structured thinking to improve safety, efficiency, and organizational credibility.


    UCSD Report: UCSD students can't do basic math: https://senate.ucsd.edu/media/740347/sawg-report-on-admissions-review-docs.pdf


    The Johari Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window


    Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.

    Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com

    Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

    Intro music credit Bensound.com
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    1 h y 21 m
  • Do You Trust Me? Credibility is Currency

    Do You Trust Me? Credibility is Currency
    Nov 15 2025
    Most of us see ourselves as leaders, but a whole lot goes into "Leadership." One of the most vital aspects of persuasion is the credibility and trust people see in you. Credibility can grow over time, and it can also be spent or wasted. In this episode, Mike and Jim will teach us about building cred with your team, how credibility shapes a leader's ability to influence decisions, maintain team cohesion, and drive mission success. Drawing from research, philosophy, and operational experience, they outline the behaviors that strengthen trust and the missteps that erode it. Strong leadership isn't always about rank or position—it's about credibility. In high-performance teams, the credibility you have determines if you are a true influence on those around you or if you merely hold a title.

    Pretty good research article on this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9309999/
    How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - https://amzn.to/49llmSO

    Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.

    Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com

    Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

    Intro music credit Bensound.com
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    1 h y 4 m
  • Protecting your Parents: Fraud and Scams

    Protecting your Parents: Fraud and Scams
    Nov 1 2025
    Even the best of us get played from time to time. From an Air Force pilot duped into buying thousands in Sephora gift cards, to clever banking and family scams that nearly fooled even the most skeptical of us, we talk about some of the psychology and tactics behind modern frauds: urgency, authority, distraction, and good old-fashioned trust. We'll look at how scams exploit our problem-solving instincts, how technology has supercharged the game, and why protecting your family from fraud might matter more than protecting them from burglars.

    Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.

    Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com

    Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.

    Intro music credit Bensound.com
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    1 h y 9 m