Most leadership teams do not fail in the field. They fail in the conference room. In this Nick Notes edition of Together at the Top, Nick Warner and Rocklin Police Chief Rustin Banks work through the six characteristics of high performing teams, why healthy friction beats a room that always agrees, and how “don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions” quietly costs you your best people.

Two of Jim Les’s best players were offered significantly more money to leave UC Davis. Both stayed. In episode 52 of Together at the Top, the veteran head coach tells Nick why culture beat the check — and what building trust, radical clarity, and real accountability look like when your results depend entirely on other people.

Captain Kyle Koukol, co-host of the From the Flight Deck podcast, joins Nick to dive into the topic of bridging the gap between aviation leadership and entrepreneurship. Discussing high-altitude discipline and his mission at his company, Dial a Pilot, Kyle demonstrates how humanizing the cockpit helps flyers overcome anxiety.

Bipartisan dialogue isn’t dead — it’s just been moved off the Capitol steps and into living rooms. On the latest Together at the Top, California lobbyist and former Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen-Cate joins Nick to share how the “exhausted majority” is reshaping civic leadership, why “clear is kind,” and what 2026 has taught her about rest, grace, and showing up anyway.

Nick welcomes Pete Rogers, CEO of Java City, to share his story of revitalizing a legacy brand and so much more in a conversation that goes far beyond business strategy. Together, they explore the intersection of leadership, personal consciousness, and practical stress management, as they dig into the principles of neuroscience and intentional mindset shifts that can positively affect a company’s culture and one’s own professional life.

Continuing his new ‘Emerging Leaders Series’, Nick welcomes entrepreneur and true emerging leader Torrey Sims back to the podcast to offer an update on her experiences as a business president and owner. Having spent nearly two years leading WMH Media after purchasing the 30-year-old company, Torrey shares what she has learned about self-trust, resilience, and leading with purpose and class. Her reflections offer a clear look at the realities of modern leadership.

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.

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 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.

In this special Nick Notes edition of Together at the Top, host Nick shares timeless leadership lessons from nearly 4,000 coaching sessions. Learn how hustle, humility, radical transparency, and soulful accountability build high-performing teams.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Troy Parish, founder and CEO of FLAGD Golf, returns to the podcast today joining Nick for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, business growth, and staying true to one’s vision. Sharing his journey from year one to almost year eight, Troy details the evolution of FLAGD Golf from proving its worth to becoming a trusted solution for golf courses nationwide. The episode explores the importance of customer feedback, the power of saying “no” to stay in one’s genius zone, and the art of building a strong team and brand.

In today’s episode, Nick sits down for a fascinating conversation with WMH Media Founder and CEO, Torrey Sims, a dynamic leader reshaping the media landscape for trade publications in construction, corrections, healthcare, and green building industries. In this episode, Torrey shares her journey from a young editor to business owner, reflecting on the bold decision to acquire the company where her career began.

Join Nick for yet another inspiring episode of Together at the Top, featuring returning guest Matt Cate, Founding Partner at Mosaic Solutions and Advocacy, whose many, many accomplishments over the years include serving as the Executive Director of the California State Association of Counties. In this insightful conversation, Matt reflects on his diverse career journey, from public service to entrepreneurship, offering invaluable advice on leadership, mentorship, and navigating the complexities of a demanding career while prioritizing family.

Today, Nick sits down with Jennifer Saha, Founder and CEO of Golden Bridge Strategies, a Sacramento-based consulting firm advising top technology companies on navigating state and local government contracts. This insightful conversation explores Jennifer’s leadership journey, her unique approach to advising influential clients, the importance of building a strong team, and the exciting future of government technology. The episode also delves into the challenges and rewards of balancing work and life, the power of mentorship, and the critical role of timeliness and responsiveness in today’s fast-paced business world

Welcome to the second installment of our special two-part series with Rafael “Rafa” Nieves, a trailblazing sports agent who’s shaped some of the biggest deals in Major League Baseball. In today’s conversation, Nick dives deep into Rafa’s journey, from his rise through boutique and corporate agencies to founding Republik Sports.

Nick is back with another truly inspiring and informative episode as he sits down today for a chat with the remarkable Rafael (Rafa) Nieves, a Major League Baseball agent and CEO of Republik Sports.