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One Second by How to be Second
Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and Author of How to be Second, and this is One | Second, a conversation between two people with wildly different identities where we’re exploring how we’re different while embracing that we’re better, together.
In our vernacular at H2B2, I am a Second, and my co-host Aramondo Davison is what we call a "Natural 1iC".
What's a Second? “Seconds” (people with this identity) are people who tend to have ALL of a long list of natural tendencies, all bundled into one person, like: team focused, inspired by the needs of others, collaborative, high willingness to serve, seeks alignment, sees in implications, and understands systems.
Common roles they find themselves in might be: The right hand, the glue, the everythinger, the tig-tig saya, admin, Second in Command, COO, Chief of Staff, Manager, Integrator, President.
What's a 1iC? People with this identity seem to have grandiose ideas on the daily, dreamer, visionary, tip of the spear, ceo, etc
Episodes
22 episodes
Do you need more? Have you done enough?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack the difference between healthy ambition and becoming a “black hole”, the kind of leader whose hunger for more eventually consumes everything around them. From Jungian wounds and leadership archetypes, to faith, surrender...
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Takeover: Benjie and Anna talk energy and leadership.
In this takeover episode, Benjie Hughes and Anna Hammond revisit the partnership that built Backthird Entertainment, reflecting on the tension and harmony between visionary thinking and operational grounding. From whiteboards full of unfinished...
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What was your college experience? What logos are you willing to rep?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo reflect on their wildly different college journeys, from Nathan’s hyper-optimized, relationship-free sprint to a degree, to Mondo’s talent-driven, winding path through athletics and self-discovery. Along the way, they unpack mi...
Who are your teachers? How do you know your ready to go together?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack the people who quietly shaped them, from family to mentors who modeled calm in chaos and challenged how they think. Along the way, they explore what makes a real teacher (someone who changes your behavior), why ...
What new ideas are you exploring? Going alone or going together?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo dive into the ideas currently pulling their curiosity, from redefining skill and unpacking rejection, to seeing assessments and identity as mirrors rather than truths. As they wrestle with what’s indicative versus definitive, t...
How do you show up well? What are your blind spots?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo wrestle with the tension between showing up fully and simply showing up at all. Mondo reflects on needing a full tank to bring the energy, hope, and presence people expect from him, while Nathan explores the idea that sometimes...
How do you handle rejection? What is leadership?- One Second by How to be Second
Mondo asks Nathan how he deals with rejection, and Nathan very quickly admits that his tendency is to avoid it at all costs. We all know that’s not possible, so what evolves is a conversation about Nathan tracking weekly rejections to retrain h...
How do you view money? What is uniquely yours?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo go head-to-head on money and what about their identities is uniquely theirs to own.Nathan breaks down why money is the “blood” of a business—non-negotiable, life-giving, and dangerous to ignore. Mondo counters with his p...
What brings you energy? What is listening?- One Second by How to be Second
Mondo and Nathan explore what actually restores them when energy is gone. Mondo finds his energy in fiction and cinema. Nathan retreats into solitude, systems, and story-driven games where progress is measurable. They unpack imagination, contro...
How do you handle not getting paid? What drains your energy?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo wrestle with money, equity, and the invisible contracts that form between Firsts and Seconds. They unpack the ideas of safety, risk tolerance, and why time horizons matter more than titles. The conversation widens into what tru...
When do you know it's not working?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo discuss the subtle, often unspoken signs that something has already failed long before anyone admits it. Nathan shares how Seconds live in a constant state of catastrophe-avoidance, sensing breakdowns months in advance, even wh...
What is an opportunity creator? What is the difference between kind and direct vs. nice?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack their definitions of opportunity creator. Together they explore how Ones and Seconds see the world differently—why some people dump Legos on the floor and others organize them into rockets—and how those wiring difference...
What is your Love Language? How do you ask for help?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo dig into the love languages that shape how they give and receive care—revealing why acts of service define them both, and how that plays out in their marriages, partnerships, and leadership styles. Together they explore how mis...
What is failure? What restores your sanity? One Second by How to be Second
Mondo and Nathan dig into what failure really means to them. Nathan shares how a challenge from a friend led him to realize he can’t truly fail—as long as he holds to his priorities and keeps his word. Mondo echoes that conviction, say...
Staying in Sync? Unspoken Agreements?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack how they handle pressure when the deadline is closing in—from Nathan’s “Wall of Shame” of overdue Asana tasks to Mondo’s conviction that no outside force should rush a decision. Nathan wrestles with his tendency to go si...
H2B2 Meetup Live- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo turn the mics on during a rare live recording of the monthly How to Be Second meetup — a space designed for Seconds to connect, ask questions, and share what they’re learning. In this special episode, the duo becomes t...
Conflict? The Identity in Different Roles?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo dive into the tensions that naturally surface between visionaries and their second-in-commands—from unspoken fears and mismatched wiring, to the unintended consequences of saying “no” too often. Together, they explore what happ...
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Regular Tools? Cultural Pressure? - One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack the tools they carry into every room. For Mondo, it’s story: scenes from movies and TV shows that become anchor points for belief and vision. For Nathan, it’s structure: whiteboards, frameworks, and sharp questions that ...
What makes you Uncomfortable? What's Risky to you? - One Second by How to be Second
What Makes You Uncomfortable?Nathan and Mondo open up about the moments that push them to their limits—from Mondo’s season of relying entirely on others, to Nathan’s fear of “parking in the roundabout” while waiting for certainty. Al...
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Origin Story, First Sight - One Second by How to be Second
Who is Mondo? In this episode of One Second, Nathan and Mondo swap origin stories, from tech trailblazer to “Jesus Walk,” from family business grind to healthy mentorship, and tackle a big question: Is it always love at first sight...