Former MLB and Stanford pitcher and number two pick in the 2006 draft, Greg Reynolds, joins Nick on the podcast today. Having pitched for the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds, Greg left baseball after suffering a career ending injury, only to start a new career in public service as a firefighter in Marin County, California. In his conversation with Nick, he details this transition from professional sports to the fire service and so much more.

Together, they discuss the high pressure of the Major Leagues, and Greg describes his shift from a star athlete to a rookie firefighter. He also shares stories about playing in Japan and the injury that ended his baseball career. The two go on to compare the camaraderie of a sports locker room with life in a fire station, concluding that humility and hard work define success more than past achievements.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Greg Reynolds and His Major League Background

01:42 – Discovering Talent and Staying Grounded Through Family

03:48 – Stanford Development and Growing Through High Standards

05:46 – Being Humbled Early and Adapting to Higher Competition

09:40 – Transition to Professional Baseball and Business Realities

12:48 – Setbacks, Injuries, and Building Mental Resilience

17:48 – Reaching the Majors and Handling Pressure and Expectations

21:49 – Playing in Japan and Expanding Life Perspective

25:47 – Career-Altering Home Invasion and Forced Transition

32:47 – Family, Parenting, and Redefining Life Purpose

36:14 – Becoming a Firefighter and Rediscovering Camaraderie

40:58 – Leadership, Learning, and Passing Knowledge Forward

42:37 – Family Motivation and Pursuing Purpose in Midlife

Key Takeaways:

"Helping others is a duty. Whether as a firefighter or a person, impart wisdom and lessons learned."

"In professional sports, belief in yourself is key. Success comes when you truly feel you belong."

"College sports taught me time management and adaptability. Both are crucial for growth."

"In the minors, it's not about winning but developing skills. Repetition is the key to success."

"In professional sports, it's a business. Everyone's fighting for their job, and you must produce."

"Injuries taught me resilience. No time to feel sorry, just focus on recovery and moving forward."

"Family is my ultimate motivation. Being a good role model and providing for them is paramount."

"In firefighting, it's about camaraderie and helping others. It's like being on a team again."

"Financial literacy is crucial. Trustworthy mentors can guide you in managing wealth wisely."

"Humility and vulnerability go hand in hand. Learn from mistakes and keep pushing forward."

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/

Greg Reynolds: https://www.mlb.com/player/greg-reynolds-453353

Welcome back to a new "Nick Notes" edition of Together at the Top. Building on the previous installment, Nick again sits down with producer Riley Byrne to distill key lessons from his ongoing work with leaders. This episode moves beyond raw experience to emphasize an important principle: we don't learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on our experience. Nick shares fresh themes and powerful anecdotes, offering a detailed look into the art of sustainable leadership.

In this conversation, Nick explores the transition from individual talent to robust business systems, captured in the phrase, "You rise to your talent, but you settle to your systems." He underscores why "team chemistry" has proven to be a significant differentiator for successful organizations and breaks down the impacts of modeling good leadership behavior—from the value of timeliness to the importance of procedural justice. The discussion also ventures into personal evolution, examining how to adapt your executive presence as you climb the corporate ladder and how to re-engineer the social contracts in both your professional and personal life to support your growth.

Episode Highlights:

• Moving from talent to sustainability by building systems ("Rise to your talent, settle to your systems").
• Why team chemistry, free of drama and drag, is fundamental to success.
• The importance of modeling good leadership behavior through timeliness and procedural justice.
• The concept of "cruising altitude" and how to strategically use that time to professionalize your brand.
• Using "hustle" not just to work hard, but to intelligently bridge your experience gap.
• The necessity of re-evaluating and refreshing the "social contract" with your boss and at home.
• How to consciously evolve your executive presence—from how you dress to the company you keep—as you advance in your career.
• Understanding the difference between a "mistake of the mind" and a "mistake of the heart."
• The effect of your professional vibe and how it attracts your tribe.

Key Takeaways:

• "We don't learn from our experience. We learn from reflecting on our experience."
• "I'm not impressed by your hard work... It's about smart work, it's about efficient work. It's about saying no to the right things so you can say yes to the right things."
• "You rise to your talent and you settle to your systems."
• "If you make a mistake of the mind, I'll have your back. If you make a mistake of the heart, I will have your ass."
• "Your vibe attracts your tribe."
• "Anyone who says they don't have 30 minutes [for themselves] is full of shit."
• "Advance the professionalization of your brand by creating systems that support the business without you. Because with you, it's only a practice. If we can spread it out over other people and create systems, then it's a real business."

Links:

• Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034/
• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins: https://www.jimcollins.com/books.html
• Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams...

In today’s episode of Together at the Top, Nick welcomes the newly appointed Sheriff of Solano County, Brad DeWall, for an insightful conversation about contemporary leadership. Sheriff DeWall shares his unique journey, having risen through the ranks from an extra-help correctional officer to the highest position in the agency. Together, they delve into the excitement and nervousness that accompanies such a significant promotion, exploring the weight of expectation from both the team and the community. This discussion covers the core tenets of effective leadership in a large public safety organization, from establishing a clear vision to the practical steps required to make that vision a reality.

The conversation goes beyond theory, as Sheriff DeWall details his people-first approach to management and organizational change. He explains why turning a vision into tangible results - or "traction" - is impossible without first building a foundation of solid relationships at every level, from internal teams to the County Administrator's office and labor unions. He and Nick also tackle the critical topics of stress management and mental wellness in law enforcement, the importance of breaking down internal silos to create a unified team, and how to cultivate a healthy, supportive culture. An enlightening study in modern leadership, this episode is filled with practical advice for any professional looking to make a meaningful impact.

Episode Highlights:

• How to navigate the transition into a top executive leadership role.
• The importance of turning vision into action - getting "traction."
• Why strong relationships are the most critical tool for implementing change and achieving goals.
• Sheriff DeWall’s three pillars of a successful leader: credibility, relationships, and vision.
• Strategies for building effective partnerships with county government, labor unions, and the community.
• The importance of addressing stress and trauma to create a healthier work environment in high-stakes professions.
• How to break down internal silos and foster a unified, "one team" culture within an organization.
• The unique value of an empowered executive assistant who can provide "real talk" and unfiltered feedback.

Chapter Markers:

[00:14] Meet the New Sheriff

[02:25] Why the New Sheriff is "Super Nervous"

[03:44] "Vision Without Traction is Hallucination"

[06:10] From Entry-Level to The Top Job: A First in History

[12:00] The First Things He Wants to Change

[15:05] The 3 Traits Every Leader MUST Have

[20:12] Building Trust, Even When You Disagree

[23:20] The Tricky Politics of Police Budgets

[29:17] The Trauma Cops Don't Talk About

[34:01] Why Is It So Hard to Hire Cops Today?

[35:52] The "Us vs. Them" Divide Inside the Agency

[39:38] His Secret Weapon: The Executive Assistant

[42:53] Rapid Fire: Bad Leaders, Best Advice & Biggest Fears

[46:21] His Vision for the Future

Key Takeaways:

"Vision without traction is just a hallucination."

"I am the first sheriff to ever have started as an extra help correctional officer."

"If you can find what you love, it just changes the game."

"If you don't have the relationships, you will never be a leader. No one will follow you."

"We may not agree, but I want you to understand where I'm at."

"Don't ever let a good crisis go to waste."

"I feel like I am good at connecting with people. But most of all through that, I'm good at listening and hearing people... I just care. I really care."

"I'm most excited about being able to move forward programs that I've been wanting to do for years."

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting:

Welcome to a unique "Nick Notes" edition of Together at the Top. In this special episode, Nick turns the mic on himself, with producer Riley Byrne guiding the conversation, to share the core principles that have consistently defined success for the leaders he's worked with. Drawing from close to 4,000 coaching sessions, Nick opens his personal playbook, covering everything from the timeless importance of hustle and humility to the practical skills needed for managing up and building a high-performing team. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, offering a raw, unfiltered look at what it truly takes to get to the top and stay there.

Nick dives deep into the common challenges facing emerging leaders, identifying the "busy" trap as one of the most significant hurdles to overcome. He provides actionable advice on the art of "managing up," detailing the crucial communication shifts required to gain trust and demonstrate executive readiness. The conversation also explores the anatomy of a high-performing leadership team, emphasizing the need for radical transparency, a re-engineered social contract, and the strategic wisdom of placing your best people on your best opportunities, not your biggest problems. Throughout the discussion, Nick reinforces his philosophy of building a career on "concrete" - solid principles, strong relationships, and a deep sense of soulful responsibility for the people you lead.

Episode Highlights:

• Breaking free from the emerging leader's "busy" trap.
• 
  
• Shifting from asking for permission to informing with confidence.
• 
  
• Understanding why humility is the dividing line between good and great.
• 
  
• Building your business on a concrete foundation with key professional advisors.
• 
  
• Putting your best people on your best opportunities, not your biggest problems.
• 
  
• Using a "social contract" to align your team and prevent conflict.
• 
  
• Wielding radical transparency as a tool without causing cruelty.
• 
  
• The winning combination of old-school hustle and genuine humility.

Key Takeaways:

"Hustle still wins. You still have to outwork the field. That old school stuff still plays."

"Humility is the dividing line between good and great. It's not enough to be smart."

"In the absence of a stop sign, it means ‘go’, especially with busy people."

"We put our best people on our biggest problems... put your best people on your best opportunity."

"Transparency without empathy is just cruelty."

"Being an employer or manager should be a soulful experience... I manage to the dinner table and to their kids' college accounts."

"What got you here won't get you there. Getting to the top is easier than staying there."

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/book/hidden-potential/

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034/

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins: https://www.jimcollins.com/books.html

What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith: https://www.amazon.com/What-Got-Here-Wont-There/dp/1401301304/

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Leaders-Eat-Last-Together-Others/dp/1591845327/

Welcome back to Together at the Top, where Nick Warner sits down with returning guest Jason Moncada, Director of Solutions at E-Tech Group. In this deeply personal and inspiring conversation, Nick explores the architecture of a self-made life, tracing Jason's remarkable journey from humble beginnings to a C-suite trajectory. Together, they dive into the critical intersection of professional ambition and personal finance, discussing how to build lasting wealth and break generational cycles. The episode provides a powerful blueprint for emerging leaders on managing success, finding your core motivation, and developing the financial discipline to support your goals.

Jason offers a masterclass in advanced fiscal health, detailing his shift from a paycheck-to-paycheck mindset to a proactive strategy of wealth management, early retirement planning, and long-term investment. He reveals that his relentless drive is not just for professional achievement but is deeply rooted in honoring his family’s sacrifices and creating new opportunities for his children. This conversation goes beyond the balance sheet to examine the soulful side of leadership, including the art of hiring, the power of vulnerability, and the importance of having a plan that aligns your career with your life. Listen in to gain invaluable, real-world advice on how to build a life of purpose and prosperity, no matter where you start.

Episode Highlights:

• The critical importance of early and consistent financial planning for long-term wealth.
• How to move beyond a paycheck-to-paycheck mindset, even as your income grows.
• The power of honoring past sacrifices to fuel future ambitions and break generational cycles.
• Using family and personal goals as the ultimate motivation for professional success.
• Why hiring is more of an art than a science and the keys to building a rockstar team.
• The leadership lesson of learning empathy and tailoring communication to your people.
• How to create a life plan that integrates career, family, and financial health.
• The necessity of being "obsessed" and ignoring external timelines to accelerate your career trajectory.

Key Takeaways:

"You can make a lot of money, but if you don't manage it correctly, you end up with nothing."

"I can't continue to max out my paycheck and then turn around and blame my employer and say, 'Oh, they're not paying me enough.'"

"I’ve got to go do what I’ve got to go do for my family, and I can't look at where I came from and hold myself down."

"I've failed as a leader many times. I've had people quit on me because of the way I communicated sometimes."

"High tides raise all ships."

"If anybody ever tells you you're doing too much, it's probably because you're doing something right."

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/

Jason Moncada: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-m-8869a5139/

E Tech Group: https://etechgroup.com/

Who: https://whothebook.com/

Good to Great: https://www.jimcollins.com/books.html

Nick sits down with a truly impressive figure in public service, Ryan Alsop, the Chief Executive Officer for Napa County in today’s informative and fascinating episode. Ryan's career is a notable path through the demanding world of California government, from LA County to Kern County, and now leading one of the most renowned regions globally. He and Nick get into what it really means to lead, the absolute necessity of staying humble and always learning, and how he thinks about building teams and genuine connections.

Ryan shares a central belief that shapes his entire approach: the need to "get better at everything," a surprising and refreshing take from someone at his level. He talks about the many hats a CEO wears, from understanding complex fiscal issues and managing sensitive personnel matters to navigating a global pandemic, which he did in Kern County. It's this commitment to being always a student – constantly listening, reading, and developing – that really stands out. And it’s not just talk; he lives it, viewing even his best skills as having room for improvement. You do not want to miss this episode - there's so much here for leaders at any stage.

Episode Highlights:

• Ryan's deep belief in humility and the constant need for self improvement

• His philosophy on hiring

• Why authentic connections and truly seeing people are fundamental to Ryan's leadership

• Handling complex California government landscapes with integrity and strategic awareness

• Learning from both positive examples and from behaviors he chooses not to emulate

• The important role his family plays in grounding him, supporting work life balance, and fueling his dedication

• Ryan's passion for creating tangible value in the lives of his team and the wider community he serves

• Finding wisdom and guidance from a wide array of people and experiences

• Valuing broad mentorship

Key Takeaways:

"If you're holding your subordinates' hands too often, you hired the wrong person. Let them do their job."

"Success comes from working hard and being someone others can count on. If you're not counted on, you're discounted."

"Experience changes who you are. With time, you learn to listen more and take yourself less seriously."

"My job is to mitigate chaos, keeping the organization and elected officials on a calm, productive path."

"Be politically astute, but avoid being political. Understand agendas, but don't meddle."

"Nobody likes a know-it-all. Practice humility and learn from others."

"Authenticity is critical. Be genuine and deliberate in your relationships and business dealings."

"Hiring is crucial. Always recruit people smarter than you to build a strong organization."

"Always improve. Stay in school, keep learning, and never stop developing as a person."

"Family is everything. They're the engine that drives you, motivating you through every challenge."

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/

Ryan Alsop: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanalsop1/

Nick welcomes everyone back to Together at the Top, and this time he sits down with Jill Torres - one of the best executives he's ever known. As you will hear, Jill carved out a remarkable path, becoming perhaps the highest-ranking civilian female leader within major law enforcement agencies such as those in San Diego and Los Angeles counties. Their conversation here today digs into the real stuff: the twists and turns of her unconventional career, why relationships are everything, the risks and rewards of working for elected officials, and what it takes to lead effectively, especially as a woman in a demanding public safety field.

Jill shares how her career didn't follow a straight line, starting with a criminal justice degree and ambitions elsewhere before finding her niche in public safety administration and finance. She talks frankly about the gamble of working for elected leaders, the importance of having a Plan B, and that time she decided to leave a position where she felt undervalued, betting on her own skills. Listen for Jill’s perspective on raising a son as a single mom while climbing the ranks, why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, what makes a good vendor partnership, and her direct take on how to handle yourself professionally at conferences – because yes, people notice, and reputations stick.

Tune in today and discover the strategic brilliance and unwavering resilience that made Jill Torres a legendary force in law enforcement leadership.

Episode Highlights:

• The unexpected career path of a top civilian leader in law enforcement administration

• Why building and maintaining authentic relationships is non-negotiable for success

• Navigating the unique challenges and inherent risks of working for elected officials

• Insights into thriving as a female executive and single mother in high-pressure roles

• The foundational strength found in asking for help and seeking diverse perspectives

• Straight talk on effective (and ineffective) ways for vendors to partner with government agencies

• Why your behavior at conferences absolutely matters and follows you back to the workplace

• The crucial need to understand organizational history and context before attempting change

Key Takeaways:

"Relationships matter and nobody does these jobs alone."

"Sometimes people are wanting someone to show them the way rather than charting their own course."

"If you can learn something, make a move, I think it's important because you never know what you're gonna learn."

"...if you decide to go to work for an elected official, have a plan B or certainly understand when the election cycle is..."

"I don't think anyone should ever be afraid to ask for help... Nobody knows everything."

"Don't think your behavior is not going to follow you back to the workplace."

"I have no regrets of putting the raising of my son first."

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/

Nick welcomes Michael Ault, the long-serving Executive Director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, to the podcast. With an impressive 25+ year tenure leading the charge for California's capital city core, Michael offers a unique perspective on urban development, leadership longevity, and navigating complex challenges. Their conversation explores how downtown Sacramento is successfully bucking national trends, the critical role of collaboration and "social collisions," and the evolution of a Business Improvement District from its inception to a major force for revitalization.

Michael shares his journey from taking a temporary role to becoming a pivotal figure in shaping downtown Sacramento's identity and future. He discusses the importance of aspirational leadership, especially during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic, and strategies for building and empowering a high-performing team. Filled with candid reflections on personal growth, the significance of mentorship, and the continuous effort to balance demanding work with family life, this episode provides a masterclass in sustained leadership, resilience, and creating a lasting legacy for a community.

Episode Highlights:

• Sacramento's Success: How downtown Sacramento is bucking national trends with business growth.
• Michael Ault's Journey: From a one-year commitment to 25+ years leading the Downtown Partnership.
• The Power of Presence: Understanding "social collisions" and the value of in-person collaboration.
• Business Improvement Districts: The model, its evolution, and the impact of the Downtown Partnership.
• Leading Through Crisis: Maintaining positivity and an aspirational vision during challenging times.
• Team Dynamics: Strategies for attracting, retaining, empowering talent, and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Avoiding the Bottleneck: Transitioning leadership focus from individual execution to team enablement.
• The Role of Mentorship: Key figures and lessons learned, emphasizing honesty and integrity.
• Vulnerability in Leadership: The importance of asking for help and admitting you don't have all the answers.

Key Takeaways:

• "We've got to be aspirational. I've got to be able to say this is going to be hard... What we're doing here makes a difference."
• "Regions are defined by their downtowns and the identity... what downtown Sacramento's perception is is important to the identity of this region. And we want to be proud of it."
• "Social collisions [are] conversations that wouldn't have happened randomly if you were not in the office together, talking, collaborating, mentoring..."
• "Selfishly, I would tell you I don't know where the downtown core would be without the work that we've done down here over the last 15 to 20 years."
• "This is really legacy work. What we're trying to do... is to create an urban center that this region can be proud of."
• "My job should be here to coach you up, to give you the skills you want, give you that confidence and move on to the next job in your career. I'm proud of you."
• "I really have a tendency to take things far too personally... I have got to switch from taking it so personally to figuring out what things we could be doing differently..."
• "Don't give up just because it's hard... you might end up being more proud of this than anything professionally you've ever done."
• "Downtown is going to be different and being different is great... we may have been over reliant on downtown's only big driver is the office market."

Links:

• Nick Warner Consulting: https://www.nickwarnerconsulting.com/
• Downtown Sacramento Partnership: