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About The CP Journal
Recognizing Change. Preparing for What Comes Next.
The CP Journal is an online publication dedicated to helping leaders recognize change earlier, make better decisions, and prepare their organizations for an uncertain future.
Every week, we publish articles, briefings, educational resources, and practical frameworks that help professionals think differently about preparedness, operational readiness, leadership, and tactical analysis. Our goal isn't simply to explain today's problems, but to provide principles that remain useful long after the headlines have changed.
Since 2011, our work has been read by professionals across public safety, emergency management, public health, corporate security, the military, and the private sector. Whether you're responsible for protecting people, leading an organization, or preparing for the next disruption, our mission is to help you get left of bang.
Whether you're here because someone shared an article, you attended one of our courses, or you met us at a conference, welcome.
New to The CP Journal?
Start with these articles to better understand our approach to preparedness, leadership, and operational readiness.
What You Get
There are several ways readers engage with and subscribe to The CP Journal, whether you’re looking for a weekly briefing, in-depth educational resources, or practical frameworks you can apply inside your organization.
Every Subscriber Receives
Every Sunday, we publish the Left of Bang Briefing—a newsletter focused on helping leaders better understand preparedness, operational readiness, leadership, and emerging risks.
Free subscribers will always have access to these briefings and the other public articles from our archives, with no strings attached.
Paid Subscribers Receive
Paid members receive everything available to free subscribers, along with additional resources designed for professionals who want to go deeper.
This includes access to The CP Journal’s Academy, which includes the Tactical Analysis Course built on the behaviors described in Left of Bang, as well as a growing collection of playbooks, workshops, and webinars.
Paid subscribers also receive two additional leadership articles each month, every other Wednesday.
As The CP Journal continues to grow, paid membership will continue expanding with additional research, educational content, and exclusive resources.
What Subscribers Are Saying
The ideas published in The CP Journal aren’t intended to stay on the page.
They are used to develop leaders, train organizations, improve preparedness, and help teams build practical capabilities before they are needed.
Below are a few examples of what our subscribers have said about our work:
Patrick Van Horne has excellent and useful guidance that is applicable to crisis management, executive protection, and strategic planning.
The clearly explained concepts can help practitioners and anyone new to security planning and preparing for emergency response.
—Dave N.
Patrick’s newsletter isn’t just another email...it’s fuel. I work in healthcare, not emergency response, but his writing cuts through all the noise and hits where it matters.
It’s clear, grounded, and sparks the kind of ideas that actually change how I teach, lead, and build. This newsletter doesn’t just inspire, but it challenges you to step up your game.
—Cagney M.
Identifying pre-event indicators is essential for police and security professionals. Not everyone in these professions learned these cues growing up, and your training and writing are invaluable.
— Stephanie R.
Meet the Founders
The CP Journal is owned and published by Active Analysis Consulting. Organizations looking to work with us on a project or are seeking advisory support can learn more here: Work with Active Analysis Consulting
Patrick Van Horne
Patrick is a Co-Founder of The CP Journal and co-author of Left of Bang. A former Marine Corps infantry officer, he has spent more than two decades helping organizations improve preparedness, operational readiness, and decision-making through consulting, education, and applied research.
Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn or explore speaking opportunities.
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan is a Co-Founder of The CP Journal and leads many of The CP Journal’s client engagements, helping organizations implement the left of bang approach and maximize its impact. He works closely with agency leaders to onboard subscribers, support course delivery, and ensure the training translates into meaningful operational capability.
Have a Question?
Check out our FAQ page or email us at training@cp-journal.com
Stay Left of Bang
Every week, thousands of leaders rely on The CP Journal to better understand change before it becomes crisis. Join a community committed to recognizing threats earlier, preparing with purpose, and making better decisions when they matter most.
Subscribe for free to receive the weekly Left of Bang Briefing, or become a paid member to unlock The CP Journal Academy and additional educational resources.
