The Chief Exchange

Ready Rebound
  • 5.0 (12)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ready Rebound presents 'The Chief Exchange' hosted by First Responder Advocate, Alec Wons, where we talk about the captivating stories from Fire and Police Chiefs across the United States, how to become a fearless leader, the skills needed to navigate challenging situations in work, life and everything in between.

  1. The 2025 Potomac River Mid-Air Collision & The Power of Praise When Leading (with John Donnelly) Ep|119

    1D AGO

    The 2025 Potomac River Mid-Air Collision & The Power of Praise When Leading (with John Donnelly) Ep|119

    Chief John Donnelly has spent more than three decades with Washington, DC Fire and EMS, leading one of the busiest and most complex departments in the country. From responding to large scale tragedies like the Potomac River mid air collision in 2025 to managing daily operations in a highly visible and politically charged environment, his leadership has been shaped by experience, humility, and a deep commitment to service. His path to becoming Fire Chief was not just about hard work, but about timing, opportunity, and recognizing that no one gets there alone. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Donnelly shares what it really means to lead through moments you never expected to face. We talk about the importance of debriefing critical incidents like the Potomac River collision, why talking through the trauma you carry helps normalize it, and how having a strong team behind you makes leadership possible. He breaks down the power of simplicity in leadership, why “we’re here to help” can guide even the most complex decisions, and what winning in public safety actually looks like when every call starts with something going wrong. We also discuss recruiting and talent pipelines in DC, why culture and values matter more than incentives, and the importance of recognizing people for doing the right things. From building teams to leading through change, this conversation is about perspective, clarity, and staying grounded in what matters most.

    29 min
  2. Handling Florida Tax Cuts on Top of Tradition Budget Challenges (with Digna Abello) Ep|118

    MAY 18

    Handling Florida Tax Cuts on Top of Tradition Budget Challenges (with Digna Abello) Ep|118

    Chief Digna Abello made history as the first female Fire Chief of Miami Beach Fire, but her journey was anything but paved. From stepping into a traditionally male dominated profession to becoming a trailblazer in one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the country, her leadership has been shaped by resilience, humility, and a deep commitment to her people. Leading in a true melting pot like Miami Beach requires constant adaptability, awareness, and an open mindset to serve a global community. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Abello opens up about the realities of leadership that most people never see. We discuss what it means to be the number one advocate for your firefighters, why safety is an investment and not an expense, and how departments must evolve while still honoring tradition. She shares how Miami Beach attracts firefighters because of its diversity and culture, what it is like leading through financial uncertainty and potential tax cuts in Florida, and the importance of understanding the human dynamic behind every decision you make. From lessons she wishes she knew earlier in her career to the importance of staying grounded in your why as you rise through the ranks, this conversation is about leadership, perspective, and taking care of the people who take care of everyone else.

    33 min
  3. A Second Chance: From Deathbed to Fire Captain and CRACKYL Magazine Founder (with Kory Pearn) Ep|117

    MAY 11

    A Second Chance: From Deathbed to Fire Captain and CRACKYL Magazine Founder (with Kory Pearn) Ep|117

    Kory Pearn never set out to start a media company. A fire captain with over two decades in the fire service, his journey into building Crackyl Magazine came after a life altering moment that forced him to confront everything he had built. After nearly losing his life to congestive heart failure, Kory found himself questioning his identity, his pace of life, and the sustainability of how he was living. In an instant, everything he had could have been taken away, including the very things he was working so hard to protect. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Kory shares how that experience reframed everything. We talk about firefighter wellness, why you do not just get lucky in life, and how you must prepare and control what you can before it is too late. He explains the danger of building a life you cannot slow down, why what you are not changing you are choosing, and how dedication without sustainability becomes self destruction disguised as commitment. We also dive into actionable steps for building something on the side while still working in public safety, the importance of curiosity and tenacity, and why you just have to start instead of waiting for the perfect moment. From stoicism and maintaining your why, to managing the balance between work and home life, to even a soft launch of his upcoming book, this conversation is about perspective, discipline, and building a life that can withstand anything, because what you try to avoid may still happen anyway.

    35 min
  4. What Most Leaders Get Wrong and How to Make It Right (with Steven Locke) Ep|116

    MAY 4

    What Most Leaders Get Wrong and How to Make It Right (with Steven Locke) Ep|116

    Chief Steven Locke has spent nearly four decades in the fire service, rising from a teenager hanging around the firehouse with his father to leading three different departments and serving in national leadership with the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Along the way, he learned that leadership is less about making every decision and more about empowering others to make them. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Locke shares what most leaders get wrong about leadership and why every chief must evolve from being a micromanager to empowering their team. We discuss the lessons learned from leading three very different departments, what it feels like to supervise former peers after a promotion, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. Chief Locke also reflects on the power of handwritten notes, thanking the people who helped you along the way, separating work stress from your personal life so you can sleep at night, and recognizing when it is time to step aside and let the next generation lead. From saving today for the you tomorrow to learning how to ease up on the gas pedal and enjoy the journey, this conversation is a powerful reflection on leadership, legacy, and finishing a career by lifting others up.

    30 min
  5. From Police Chief to Mayor and What You Can Learn from Jelly Bellys (with John Carli) Ep|115

    APR 27

    From Police Chief to Mayor and What You Can Learn from Jelly Bellys (with John Carli) Ep|115

    Mayor John Carli’s career began with a simple sentence from someone he had just met: “You’d be a really good cop.” That one comment planted a seed that would grow into a 32 year career in policing, rising from officer to Chief of Police and eventually becoming Mayor of the very city he once protected. His story is a powerful reminder that seeds planted today can grow into trees 30 years later. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Mayor Carli shares the lesson that shaped his life: it is better to be prepared for the opportunity that never happens than to be unprepared for the one right in front of you. We talk about the importance of education and being a lifelong learner, why Chiefs must remain apolitical, and how any day as Chief could be your last. He reflects on leading through national unrest, standing firm on principle in a meeting with the President of the United States, and why words must always be backed by action. From relationship building and knowing your why to living in a three dimensional world reduced to two dimensions through media and social media, this conversation challenges leaders to take a stand, stay humble, think less about themselves, and focus more on climbing mountains instead of ladders.

    1 hr
  6. From Self-Employed Entrepreneur to California Highway Patrol Commissioner (with Sean Duryee) Ep|114

    APR 20

    From Self-Employed Entrepreneur to California Highway Patrol Commissioner (with Sean Duryee) Ep|114

    Commissioner Sean Duryee did not begin his career aiming to lead the largest state policing agency in the nation. A former Army infantryman and small business owner, he joined the California Highway Patrol seeking camaraderie, service, and purpose. Nearly three decades later, after doing the job in front of him with excellence and embracing assignments he never planned on taking, he was unexpectedly appointed Commissioner. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Commissioner Duryee reflects on how CHP has evolved over the past 30 years, from simple radio systems to advanced in car technology and modern policing tools. He shares why intelligence matters far less than work ethic, why doing a good job where you are opens doors you never saw coming, and why some of the most career shaping assignments are the ones you are not excited about at first. We discuss CHP recruits, why college athletes and military veterans are strong talent pools, and the biggest lesson he learned from coaching high school varsity basketball. From building confidence in leaders who hesitate to take the shot to savoring every season of your career, this conversation is about humility, discipline, growth, and enjoying the journey while you are in it.

    30 min
  7. $400M in Federal Grant Funding: Learn How to Position Your Department to Win Your Share (with Cornelia Sigworth) Ep|113

    APR 13

    $400M in Federal Grant Funding: Learn How to Position Your Department to Win Your Share (with Cornelia Sigworth) Ep|113

    Cornelia Sigworth spent 26 years inside the U.S. Department of Justice, rising to Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Director, overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars in public safety funding across the country. Today, as Senior Director of Strategic Engagement at Axon, she continues shaping the field through leadership development, peer learning, and strategic violent crime reduction. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Cornelia breaks down how departments can dramatically increase their win rates for federal grant funding, why most grants get denied, and how data and scoring criteria truly drive decisions behind the scenes. She explains how applications are evaluated, what peer reviewers are actually looking for, and why simply not reading the instructions disqualifies many agencies. We also discuss the real challenges first line supervisors face that chiefs may not realize, how miscommunication about “the why” erodes culture, and how to fix those breakdowns. From peer to peer learning exchanges to building measurable violent crime reduction strategies, Cornelia shares why many department initiatives fail and what it takes to execute with discipline, clarity, and accountability.

    33 min
  8. Why You’re Here For a Reason, Nashville 2020 Bombing, Speech Impediments, and Cookies (with John Drake) Ep|112

    APR 6

    Why You’re Here For a Reason, Nashville 2020 Bombing, Speech Impediments, and Cookies (with John Drake) Ep|112

    Chief John Drake’s journey into policing did not begin with admiration. It began with distrust. As a young man who once had a deeply negative encounter with law enforcement, he never imagined he would one day become an officer, let alone Chief. Nearly 38 years later, he leads the Metro Nashville Police Department through explosive population growth, staffing challenges, targeted violence, and some of the most difficult moments in the city’s history, including the 2020 Nashville Christmas Day bombing. In this episode of The Chief Exchange, Chief Drake shares how compassion reshaped his view of policing, how representation builds trust in diverse communities, and why one of the biggest missing pieces in public safety is deeper connection with kids’ parents, not just their children. He breaks down his three core pillars of policing, the realities of leading while short staffed in a rapidly growing city, and how to properly help people during the worst moments of their lives. From listening to the “little voice” in life or death situations to remembering that nothing, not even a small loss, is insignificant to someone, this conversation is about servant leadership, perspective, and the belief that even when clouds gather, the sun will shine tomorrow.

    36 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Ready Rebound presents 'The Chief Exchange' hosted by First Responder Advocate, Alec Wons, where we talk about the captivating stories from Fire and Police Chiefs across the United States, how to become a fearless leader, the skills needed to navigate challenging situations in work, life and everything in between.

Information

  • Creator
    Ready Rebound
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Chief Exchange

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