THE PODCAST
Elevating the conversation about all things tactical.
Calling Bull$h!#: Responding to Swatting Hoaxes
EPISODE 167 Calling Bull$h!#: Responding to Swatting Hoaxes No one should die over a false report. Internet gamers, celebrities and public figures, and maybe even one of your neighbors have been the victim of this sort of prank. These hoax emergency calls that can...
Run the Clock: Time, Talk, Tear Gas, Tactics
EPISODE 166 Run the Clock: Time, Talk, Tear Gas, TacticsThe 6th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Downs v. United States was a benchmark case for domestic law enforcement that establishes our requirement to attempt negotiations for a peaceful resolution. We define...
Separating the Wanna-Bes from the Gonna-Bes: Motivation, Grit, and Discipline
EPISODE 165 Separating the Wanna-Bes from the Gonna-Bes: Motivation, Grit, and DisciplineYour Recipe for Success looks something like equal parts of three things. Motivation, the spark and desire. Discipline, your habits and structure. And Grit, your capacity to...
Power Lines and Wildfires: 2023 Maui Disaster
Over 100 people were killed, more than 2,000 structures destroyed, and over $5 billion in damage were left behind after wind and fire tore through the historic Lahaina district and adjacent areas in Maui, Hawaii. We dive into some of the public safety and disaster planning takeaways from this event including evacuations, notifications, misinformation, planning, and risk.
Strategy for Door Kickers
What’s the difference between strategy and tactics? Some definitions might help, but it’s also important to learn how to think critically about complex problems. Strategy is about the big picture. Learn more here.
Ordering Troops to their Deaths
EPISODE 162 Ordering Troops to their DeathsIs the American military prepared for the sacrifices that we can expect in a World War? Mike and Jim discuss whether commanders can lead and whether the troops will follow when it comes time to storm the beaches knowing many...
Tactical ADHD: Managing Attention
EPISODE 161 Tactical ADHD: Managing AttentionSituational awareness demands focus and selective attention. Sometimes playing on your phone can help, and sometimes it can kill you. Most people can’t multitask as well as they think, but Mike and Jim will give you...
Lights in the Sky: Aliens or Drones? Jim Spills the Beans on UFOs
Some of you are too young to remember the tagline “The Truth is Out There,” but Mike and Jim went full X-Files on this one… If you don’t know what any of that means, you definitely need to listen to this episode!
What’s up with the beards? Setting and Enforcing Standards
Green Berets have to work with a different rule book than the troops guarding nuclear weapons—and for good reasons. We explore the balance between strict adherence to rules and the often necessary flexibility to go off-script in tactical operations and your organization’s culture.
“Your Children Are Not Safe”: DC Beltway Snipers
In October 2002, a 17 and 41 year old carried out a series of serial murders, killing 10 and wounding 3 others in what were described as random attacks against people doing every day tasks like pumping gas and mowing their lawn. We cover lessons from this large scale, multi-agency investigation with takeaways for individual cops and police leaders related to public relations, investigative rigor, and interagency cooperation.
Bad Advice
Should your sister carry wasp or bear spray if she feels threatened by a human? Should you trust that dude behind the gun counter at your local gun shop because he’s got a sweet beard? Mike and Jim explore your options and how to sort good advice from bad advice.
Read the Room – Who is Leading You?
Most leadership and management training has a top-down approach, but real human interaction involves influence in all directions – especially during a negotiation or confrontation. Mike and Jim discuss how to recognize when the other party is trying to influence or manipulate you, and how to lead your way through a tense situation. This is the essence of de-escalation and conflict management.
The Last Traffic Stop: Kyle Dinkheller’s Story
This episode examines the tragic 1998 murder of Deputy Kyle Dinkheller, a young Georgia sheriff’s deputy killed during a routine traffic stop. Using dashcam footage, we recount the chilling escalation of the encounter, explore the decision making and mindset to reconcile deadly force, and delve into the lessons this event teaches about officer safety, de-escalation, and situational awareness.
De-Escalate? Escalate? When can you taser them?
Through this discussion, Mike and Jim examine the challenges of balancing split-second decisions with the need for critical thinking, training, and adherence to policy. They touch on how models like the Critical Decision-Making Model (CDM) and Integrated Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) are shaping modern law enforcement training, while also addressing the limits of these frameworks.
Dancing With Exotic Weapons
The discussion covers actionable steps to evaluate and enhance preparedness, insights into emerging CBRN risks, and the importance of aligning training and resources with the current threat environment. Whether you’re in emergency management, military operations, or public health, this episode offers essential strategies to help you stay ahead of these high-stakes threats.
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Dry Fire
WANNA SHOOT BETTER? There is no magic to becoming a great shooter—like most skills, it is mostly...
Not Much Has Changed…
WHAT'S CHANGED SINCE SEPTEMBER 11 2001? Prior to September 11th, 2001, the face of America’s...
The People Ideas Hardware Paradox
People, Ideas, Hardware. Right? Back in the day, a fighter pilot named John Boyd investigated why...
Why go to a trauma center?
TRAUMA CENTERS: LOAD AND GO! Several times in my career, I’ve had interactions with other police...
Should kids talk to Strangers?
STRANGER DANGER! WHY "NEVER TALK TO STRANGERS" IS WRONG At Tactical Tangents, one of our goals is...