EPISODE 199
The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword…
sometimes
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
CLICK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE NOW ON YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! PLEASE GO CHECK THEM OUT
Recent Episodes
Don’t stand in front of cars! And other Pet Peeves
Mike talks about tensions such as balancing officer safety with legal justification, the false tradeoff between sound tactics and the pursuit of a “perfect” plan, and how communication quirks can undermine clarity under stress. The discussion also covers practical issues in arresting and searching people, along with how over-technical language or “sounding like a nerd” can erode rapport, credibility, and command presence in the field.
National Security Strategy Review
This episode focuses on helping listeners understand where tactical action fits inside national-level strategy. Jim breaks down key themes, regional priorities, and notable shifts in emphasis, then explains what those signals may mean for military professionals, law enforcement leaders, and anyone operating inside large institutions. The goal is not agreement or disagreement, but comprehension—because understanding the strategy is a prerequisite to operating effectively within it.