178: “Be Curious, Not Judgmental.” How to Deal with a Big Ego
Release Date: 02/01/2025
186: Hazing vs. Hardening: Building Strong Teams Without Breaking People
Tactical Tangents
In this episode, we explore the fine line between hazing and hard training in high-performing teams like law enforcement, the military, and the fire service. Mike and Jim talk about how shared hardship, onboarding rituals, and team standards can strengthen—or sabotage—unit cohesion. When does “paying your dues” cross the line? How do we build tough, resilient people without creating toxic culture? We tackle the definitions, intent, and impact of hazing, and offer practical insight on setting the tone for new teammates through strong leadership, clear expectations, and purposeful...
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185: Kids These Days - Leading Across Generations
Tactical Tangents
Have you noticed that the new guys coming in to your program aren’t as good as you remember yourself being? Does it seem like they need a WHOLE LOT of teaching, cajoling, and coaching? Let’s figure out why and figure out what to do about it. Links: 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...
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184: “Fire As A Weapon, Chapter 12” -Sun Tzu, Probably.
Tactical Tangents
Mike & Jim discuss the tactical considerations for critical incidents involving fire as a weapon. Should we send fire fighters in with cops? Should we add one more training requirement to overtasked police? If someone is making a threat with fire can you shoot him? Should you? Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our . Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website Like what we’re doing? Head over to and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make...
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183: HONOR: Your Own Rules
Tactical Tangents
Mike & Jim discuss what honor means in the tactical jobs. Is honesty the best policy? What if other people on your team are lying, cheating, or stealing? Does honor still matter in today’s world? Is it okay to cheat on your girlfriend or your workout? Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our . Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website Like what we’re doing? Head over to and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution...
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182: Catching Up After a Busy Week
Tactical Tangents
Mike tells us about recent lessons from training, and Jim tells us about arguments he had on the neighborhood facebook page about CHEMTRAILS and whether birds are real. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our . Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website Like what we’re doing? Head over to and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at . Intro music credit Bensound.com
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181: Times Jim Has Called 911
Tactical Tangents
Jim tells Mike about some of the emergencies he has faced on the ground. We discuss when to call 911, what to tell them, and what first aid Jim applied as well as whether he got sued for helping someone. Did he thwart a murder plot in a hot air balloon? What exactly is degloving? Tune in and find out. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our . Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website Like what we’re doing? Head over to and give us a buck for each new...
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180: Balance: Pace Yourself, it's a Marathon, not a Sprint
Tactical Tangents
The boys talk us through how to achieve work-life balance in full-commitment jobs like aviation, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other critical roles. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our . Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website Like what we’re doing? Head over to and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at . Intro music credit Bensound.com
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179: The Boogeyman of Coeur d'Alene – The Crimes of Joseph Duncan
Tactical Tangents
We delve into the horrifying crimes of a convicted serial predator whose reign of terror culminated in the brutal murders of the Groene family in 2005. We’ll explore Duncan’s dark past and the stalking and execution-style killings that led to the abduction of Shasta and Dylan Groene. We talk about managing our consumption of evil things in the world, the impact that has on our parenting, and we unravel how media efforts helped bring one of the most dangerous offenders in U.S. history to justice. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join...
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178: “Be Curious, Not Judgmental.” How to Deal with a Big Ego
Tactical Tangents
Cops, military folks, pilots, medical professionals have some things in common. One of the BIG commonalities is a collection of BIG egos. Mike & Jim will walk us through how to navigate those egos to create a tactical advantage in a high performing team. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our . Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website Like what we’re doing? Head over to and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time...
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177: Bad Advice
Tactical Tangents
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. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our . Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website Like what we’re doing? Head over to and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time...
info_outlineCops, military folks, pilots, medical professionals have some things in common. One of the BIG commonalities is a collection of BIG egos. Mike & Jim will walk us through how to navigate those egos to create a tactical advantage in a high performing team.
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
Photo Credit: DVIDS