Do You Trust Me? Credibility is Currency
Tactical Tangents
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....
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Protecting your Parents: Fraud and Scams
Tactical Tangents
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...
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To Chase or Not to Chase: Are the Risks of a Pursuit Worth It?
Tactical Tangents
How do you stop a car that doesn’t want to stop? If you see a rabbit should you chase the rabbit? We talk about safety and statistics, what factors to weigh the risk versus reward, how policies play into decision making, what the Brits mean when they say “Red Mist,” and alternatives to vehicle pursuits including the role of Air Support, PIT, The Grappler, road spikes, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. 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,...
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“Don’t drop the airplane to fly the radio”: Managing Bandwidth
Tactical Tangents
How do you prioritize your attention in a world full of distractions and competing priorities? Most people understand triage as a concept, but are you ready to sort wounded people? Both operationally and in our personal lives, we have to choose what we pay attention to. That is true in everything from time management and budgeting to room clearing and in-flight emergencies. We talk through some models and analogies that might help you find balance in demanding professional settings and time sensitive situations. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube)...
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When the US invaded Panama: Operation JUST CAUSE and the War on Drugs
Tactical Tangents
The 1989 invasion of Panama was a quick and violent moment in the drug war. We revisit why we went and how it went down. The hung for Manuel Noriega, the messy Army Ranger airfield seizures, Navy SEAL assaults on escape air and water craft, the Little Bird Hostage Rescue of Kurt Muse, the first combat use of the F-117 (spoiler, it missed), the role AC/DC played at the Vatican Embassy, and like 20 other objectives in a joint US Special Operations and conventional forces endeavor. Links: Semi-Official AFSOC History Official Military History Six Minutes to Freedom by Kurt...
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So You Wanna Be an Air Force Pilot (…or Not?)
Tactical Tangents
Thinking about joining the Air Force? In this episode, we dig into the real questions behind the glossy recruiting pitch: commissioning sources, officer vs. enlisted life, active duty vs. Guard and Reserve, and what happens when the service downsizes. We’ll talk about “up or out,” promotions, cross-training opportunities, and the wide range of jobs that don’t make the brochure. Is the Air Force really the “softer” service? And are you still cool if you don’t fly jets? We share stories, lessons learned, and what you should really know before raising your right hand. Find us...
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Careers in Law Enforcement - Worth It?
Tactical Tangents
Law Enforcement offers a wide range of career paths—but finding the right fit takes more than just filling out an application. In this episode, Jim interviews Officer Mike about what it’s really like to build a career in law enforcement. Should you be a deputy Sheriff or an FBI agent? Do you need a degree? They discuss the pros and cons of different agencies, educational requirements, and how personal history—like prior drug use—can affect hiring. The conversation also covers safety risks, the realities of shift work, and how the job can impact relationships and social life. Whether...
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Stay in Your Lane? Maybe Not.
Tactical Tangents
When is it right to stick to your role—and when do you need to step up and act, even outside your formal job description? Mike and Jim tackle the age-old advice to “stay in your lane” by examining what it truly means in high-stakes environments. From a cop showing up to a burning house to Marines turning wrenches one moment and picking up rifles the next, we break down how flexibility, judgment, and initiative can make the difference between failure and mission success. Drawing on real-world examples like the 2012 Taliban attack on Camp Bastion—where Marine pilots and maintainers...
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Feeding the Machine: Range Nutrition for Tactical Athletes
Tactical Tangents
You train like a pro, shoot like a pro—so why fuel like a rookie? Mike and Jim break down practical, no-BS nutrition tips for high-performance days at the range or on duty for the night shift. Whether you're running drills in full kit, qualifying on a tight schedule, or sneaking in a range session on your day off, what you eat (and drink) matters. From no-fridge no-microwave hacks to high-protein gas station snacks, we’ll walk you through how to keep your edge when the sun’s beating down and there’s no fridge in sight. If your job demands readiness, your nutrition should match. Find...
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Teaching the Enemy: Lessons from The Dragons and the Snakes
Tactical Tangents
Jim and Mike dig into David Kilcullen’s The Dragons and the Snakes to explore how modern adversaries—from rogue states to criminal networks—are adapting faster than ever to Western tactics, tech, and psychology. Drawing from Kilcullen’s insights and a CIA review of the book, they unpack the idea that our enemies are evolving because of us—we’re shaping their strategy, and sometimes not in the way we want. From guerrilla warfare and liminal conflict to use-of-force doctrine and law enforcement tactics, this episode connects military theory to street-level realities. Are we in a new...
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Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
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Intro music credit Bensound.com