Together at the Top

Nick sits down with Jim Les, head coach of UC Davis men’s basketball. With seven seasons in the NBA and 25 years as a collegiate head coach, Coach Les brings deep insights into high-stakes management. Nick and Jim explore effective leadership, relentless work ethic, and the value of mentorship in sports and corporate settings. Listeners will learn to cultivate sustainable success by prioritizing t...

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. This episode also provides an insider’s look at the grit needed to lead...

California lobbyist, former state and local government leader, and Aspen Rodel fellow Kristin Olsen-Cate joins Nick on the podcast to share what it looks like to lead with civility in an era of toxic politics. From moderating the recent Central Valley gubernatorial debate to building a bipartisan dialogue program through California Rodel, Kristin offers a window into a career spent at the center o...

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...

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 re...

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 profess...

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 theme...

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 accompa...

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 impor...

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 ambit...

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...

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 stuf...

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...

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 import...

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...

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 ent...

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 g...

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. Alongside his notable career, Rafael’s path is marked by resilience an...

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. From starting out as a young baseball player in Venezuela to managing some of the very biggest names in the sport today, Rafa shares his journey, life lessons, and the unique blend of experiences that...

Nick welcomes Wes Senechal, a veteran business leader with a diverse career transitioning from large corporate roles to small business entrepreneurship to the podcast today. Offering deep insights into leadership, Wes emphasizes the critical role of humility and the delicate balance between professional success and personal fulfillment. The discussion highlights the challenges faced when moving fr...

Courtney Escalante, a dedicated McDonald's franchise owner in Northern California joins Nick on the podcast today to share her inspiring journey from childhood involvement in the family business to becoming a next-generation owner-operator. Their conversation delves into the significance of community support, effective leadership, and the unique challenges and rewards of running a family business....

Nick welcomes Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo to the podcast this week for a deep dive into . the themes of leadership and business management. Sheriff Woo shares his journey from his small business family background to leading a large county sheriff's office with a $200 million budget and 750 employees. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the chall...

Zac Kilpatrick, Vice President of Global GTM Partnerships at Cribl joins Nick for this latest installment of Together at the Top. Drawing upon his 27 years of experience in the high-tech industry with a specialization in cybersecurity, Zac offers valuable insights into his career journey, the rapid expansion of Cribl, and the dynamic challenges of the tech landscape. He and Nick also discuss the i...

Listeners are treated to an informative and inspiring episode here today as Nick welcomes the truly remarkable Louie Brown Jr., esteemed managing partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP (KSC), a leading law firm in Sacramento, California, to the podcast. Louie's captivating narrative, spanning from humble beginnings on a Central Valley farm to a position of prominence in the legal and political...

This week, listeners are presented with a compelling glimpse into the life and work of former ICU nurse and now prominent professional equestrian and entrepreneur, Alexa Thompson. Leading Clearview Equestrian in Lexington, Kentucky, Alexa adeptly manages the demanding world of competitive horse riding on both the competition side as well as the business side. Today’s narrative showcases Alexa's jo...