The Tactical Empire

The Tactical Empire

Having served at the highest levels of the U.S. Army Special Operations in 2nd Ranger Battalion, Jeff Smith came to understand the relationship between discipline, strategic action, and success. However, the transition back to civilian life - and civilian work - introduced Jeff to the unhappy, sedated daily life of the average corporate slave. So, he found a way to achieve on his own terms. Jeff is now a successful entrepreneur with more than a decade of real estate investing experience along with owning a thriving fitness and performance business. And he wants to help you blow past “average” and build your own definition of success in business, in life, and within your family, too. If you’re a high-achieving family man with an entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to relentlessly pursue higher goals and more knowledge, this is the show for you. With every episode, the Tactical Empire Show will bring you the stories, insights, and wealth creation strategies of the top-performing entrepreneurs in a range of industries. No holds barred here - you’ll hear the honest wins, losses and no-bullshit advice you need to create abundance, cultivate discipline, and realize your full potential as a leader and a man. We’re not wasting any time. Let’s go win!

Episodes

October 30, 2025 7 mins
You didn’t start a business to be its prisoner. Freedom doesn’t come from working longer hours, it comes from learning how to buy back your time. In this episode, Shawn breaks down the key lessons from Dan Martell’s book Buy Back Your Time and shows how to apply them through a new free course inside the Tactical Empire Network on Skool. Learn how to calculate your buyback rate, delegate the right tasks, and focus on what truly dri...
Mark as Played
Join the Tactical Empire Skool Community and Connect with Us! https://www.skool.com/the-tactical-empire-network-9319/about?ref=0e1763423ccf4815883d9364731d15de Most men chase success only to realize they’ve built a life that looks good on paper but feels empty inside. This episode is about Grant Walker, the man who had it all but lost himself in the process. If you’ve ever felt like your business owns your time, your energy is r...
Mark as Played
In this episode, Shawn announces something big for the Tactical Empire community. After months of planning, the free Tactical Empire Network on Skool is now live. This is where driven entrepreneurs and business owners can connect, learn, and grow without the distractions of traditional social media. Inside the community, you’ll get access to several free courses, real conversations, and opportunities to engage directly with Shawn ...
Mark as Played
In this episode, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider talk about what real growth actually looks like. It’s not about grinding harder or chasing more. It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people, slowing down long enough to think clearly, and building connections that challenge and sharpen you. They dig into why so many high performers feel stuck even when they’re winning, how brotherhood and community play a massive role in long-...
Mark as Played
Most people never stop long enough to realize how buried they are in the noise of everyday life. Between work, family, and constant responsibilities, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. In this episode, Shawn talks about the power of disconnecting so you can finally see clearly again. He shares what happens when you step away from your daily grind, why travel and solitude can bring perspective, and how short breaks can...
Mark as Played
In this episode, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider dive into what it really means to take control of your money. They share real experiences about managing cash flow, cutting unnecessary expenses, and building habits that actually grow your wealth. It’s not about working harder, it’s about being intentional with every dollar and every decision. You’ll hear Jeff and Shawn break down how small financial adjustments can create major results...
Mark as Played
In this episode, Shawn breaks down the real presentation he gave at the Little Rock meetup. Instead of teaching from a place of mastery, he chose to challenge himself and the men by talking about what he knows he needs to work on: building stronger relationships at home. Based on John and Julie Gottman’s book Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, Shawn shares why intentional connection matters whether you ar...
Mark as Played
In this episode of The Tactical Empire, Shawn shares key lessons from the Financial Foundations course. He reveals why your bank statements show the truth about your priorities, how overspending on eating out can drain thousands, and why diversification is not a wealth building strategy. You will also learn how to evaluate debt with the cashflow index and why a 30 year fixed mortgage is one of the best financial tools you can use. ...
Mark as Played
Everyone talks about discipline, but is it really the key to success? In this video, Shawn Rider breaks down why discipline is overrated and how consistency creates real, lasting results. He shares how simplifying life down to three core priorities has helped him stay focused in fitness, business, and family without burning out. You’ll learn why working harder does not automatically mean you are disciplined, how to cut out distrac...
Mark as Played
Are you working harder, making more money, but still feeling stuck or stressed? In this episode, Jeff Smith shares why success often feels empty and what you can do to change it. He explains how lifestyle creep keeps you trapped, why your business can end up owning you instead of setting you free, and the real reason productivity does not always lead to results. You will also learn why making more money can sometimes leave you feel...
Mark as Played
Do you ever feel like no matter how much you earn, your money just disappears? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Tactical Empire Podcast, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider talk about why lifestyle creep robs so many families of freedom and how you can finally take control of your cash flow. They share why more income doesn’t always mean more freedom, how to make every dollar work for you, the truth about savings and cash flow, and...
Mark as Played
Most business owners get frustrated with digital marketing because they expect instant sales from paid ads. The reality is that digital marketing is not about turning on ads and becoming a millionaire overnight. It is about building awareness, creating trust, and developing a system that converts over time. In this episode, Shawn explains the three levels of digital advertising that every business owner must understand. He shares ...
Mark as Played
Should you really keep reinvesting every dollar back into your business? In this episode of the Tactical Empire Podcast, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider challenge the traditional advice of always putting profits back into your company. They explore why pulling money out of your business can actually create more wealth, the risks of leaving too much cash inside your company, and how smart business owners protect their profits from lawsu...
Mark as Played
Most people think they know what to do with their money. Spend less than you make. Save for retirement. Pay off debt. But if those strategies really worked, why are so many hardworking people still broke, stressed, and stuck? In this episode of The Tactical Empire Podcast, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider break down the truth about financial freedom. They reveal why average advice leads to average results, why being debt free is not the...
Mark as Played
Running a business is tough and scaling it without burning out is even tougher. In this episode of the Tactical Empire Podcast, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider dive into the challenges most entrepreneurs face when trying to grow past seven figures. They discuss why many leaders still overlook the basics, how leadership mistakes stall growth, and the importance of setting clear expectations and KPIs. You will also hear why protecting you...
Mark as Played

In this episode of The Tactical Empire, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider break down how business owners can make smarter business decisions without spreading themselves too thin. They discuss the dangers of chasing projects just because you can, the importance of ROI, knowing your ideal client, and how to filter opportunities through time and perspective.

Learn why having the skill to do something doesn’t always mean it’s the right move, ...

Mark as Played

In this episode of The Tactical Empire, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider discuss the struggles of balancing business growth with family life. Entrepreneurs often find themselves working long hours to grow their businesses, but how do you balance that with family time? The conversation dives into the importance of setting boundaries, focusing on high-value activities, and learning how to manage your time effectively. Discover practical st...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider break down the importance of tracking the right KPIs in business. They discuss how focusing on the right metrics, such as profit, effective hourly rate, and customer retention, can lead to a more stable and successful business. From revenue to employee retention and ROI, they explain why vanity metrics can be misleading and how business owners should focus on the KPIs that truly drive gro...

Mark as Played

In this episode, Jeff Smith and Shawn Rider dive into financial management strategies that are key to achieving long-term wealth. They discuss the importance of controlling lifestyle changes, avoiding lifestyle creep, and strategically planning new income sources. The conversation also highlights the significance of living below your means and using money as a tool to improve life quality. Stay tuned for their upcoming Financial Fo...

Mark as Played

In this episode of Tactical Empire, John Ragno opens up about his journey from public service to starting his own mental health practice and vending business. He discusses the key mental health challenges men face, including self-worth, anxiety, and finding purpose in life. John shares powerful insights into balancing logic with emotion, overcoming struggles, and the role of community support in healing and growth.

Chapters

 

00:00 In...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Health Stuff

    On Health Stuff, hosts Dr. Priyanka Wali and comedian Hari Kondabolu tackle all the health questions that keep you up at night with hilarity and humanity. Together they demystify the flashy trends, and keep you informed on the latest research. You can rely on Health Stuff to bring you real, uninhibited, and thoughtful health talk of the highest caliber, and a healthy dose of humor.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.