One Second by How to be Second

Nathan Young

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

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20 episodes
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Avg 36 min
English

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October 28 · 39 min
What Does “Integrator” Mean? What’s Your Uncommon Best Practice? - One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack what people really mean when they call themselves an “integrator,” from the difference between a job title and an identity to the freedom that comes from realizing your value can travel with you across many kinds of work. Along the way, they explore owning your value, getting into real conversations instead of relying on labels, and the uncommon practices that shape how they move through the world, from Nathan’s insistence on discovering what actually matters to the other person to Mondo’s belief that wisdom can come from intentionally staying in “last place” long enough to be still, listen, and grow. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
October 14 · 39 min
Are Normal People Weirdly Boring? Is Networking Different for Dreamers and Seconds? - One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack what makes some people immediately fascinating while others can feel surprisingly hard to connect with, from Nathan’s frustration with conversations that never seem to get beneath the surface to Mondo reframing “boring” around purpose, peace, and whether someone has found their call to adventure. Along the way, they explore curiosity, identity, and what it actually takes to meet new people well, including why good networking has less to do with pitching yourself and more to do with asking better questions, finding guides, being vulnerable, and building relationships before you need something from them. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
September 30 · 39 min
What ideas surprised you? Being in community vs. Using community?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack what happens when another person takes an idea seriously enough to make it real, from Mondo recognizing Nathan as the first follower who could turn vision into execution, to Nathan’s tendency to build entire systems from what others thought were passing suggestions. Along the way, they explore trust, contribution, community, and why the relationships and opportunities that matter most often come from staying close enough to give before you ever need to receive. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
September 16 · 30 min
Takeover: Tyler and Annie talk about energy and advocacy- One Second by How to be Second
In this takeover episode, Tyler and Annie of Focus on the Field unpack what gives them energy and how a Visionary and Second learn to advocate for themselves with each other. From solving problems and checking boxes to navigating difficult conversations, changing plans, and knowing which hills are worth dying on, they explore trust, empathy, timing, and why vision and execution work best when both sides are willing to listen, adapt, and move forward together. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
September 2 · 31 min
What Have You Gotten Wrong About People? How Fast Do You Forget Ideas? - One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack how what we need from the people around us can change over time, from Nathan realizing that process problems are often people problems, to Mondo discovering that the external wins he once chased were really a search for inner peace. Along the way, they explore Mondo’s new PEACE framework, why the right people often bring what we lack rather than more of what we already do well, and how experience sharpens the ability to separate ideas worth keeping from all the noise. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
August 19 · 38 min
Why Do We Have to Do Everything? Does Loyalty Ever End? - The One Second Podcast by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack the pressure to be able to do everything, from Nathan’s instinct to say “I can do that” as a source of safety and opportunity, to Mondo realizing that being capable of something doesn’t mean it’s his calling. Along the way, they explore energy, limits, and the cost of forcing yourself into work that doesn’t fit. Then the conversation turns to loyalty, where business agreements, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and unspoken expectations collide, and why some broken relationships may still be worth reaching back toward. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
August 5 · 35 min
How do we safely kill ideas? How do you handle uncertainty?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack the delicate balance of challenging ideas without discouraging the person behind them. From building trust through honest "yes, no, maybe" conversations, to exploring how uncertainty, risk tolerance, and even personal health shape the ideas we bring to the table, they reveal why great partnerships require both courageous dreaming and thoughtful filtering. Along the way, Nathan shares an unexpected practice that's helping him embrace uncertainty, while Mondo reflects on the role of faith, character, and inner clarity in pursuing audacious dreams together. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
July 22 · 29 min
What is your most valuable currency? What strength causes tension?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo unpack the currencies that guide their decisions, from Nathan walking away from a life-changing business deal that conflicted with his values, to Mondo choosing love and discernment over an opportunity that promised financial gain. Along the way, they explore purpose, integrity, faith, and why our greatest strengths can also become the traits that make us hardest to work with. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
July 8 · 35 min
What is a dreamer? When is something done?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo explore what it feels like to be the person who sees a future no one else can yet imagine. Mondo shares the weight and responsibility of carrying a vision that feels bigger than himself, while Nathan reflects on the role of translating dreams into reality, building systems, and knowing when to finish, refine, or let go. Along the way, they unpack trust, spiritual growth, and why the strongest partnerships aren't built on thinking alike, but on honoring each other's unique way of seeing the world. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
June 24 · 31 min
How do you see advocacy & vulnerability in the One Second relationship?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo explore why so many Seconds struggle to ask for what they need, even when opportunities are within reach. Nathan shares stories from the matchmaking process, where talented Seconds disqualify themselves before ever advocating for flexibility or support, while Mondo argues that vulnerability is often the strongest form of self-advocacy. Along the way, they unpack trust, communication, and the role Dreamers play in creating space for honest conversations. The result is a deeper look at how vulnerability, self-awareness, and courage help people build stronger partnerships, and why asking the hard question is often the first step toward growth. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
June 10 · 33 min
Who do you become in stress? What do you do to stay fit?- One Second by How to be Second
Nathan and Mondo explore what happens when stress brings out their shadow sides, from Nathan retreating into control and becoming a person who gets things done but disconnects from people, to Mondo’s tendency to seek control through conquest and familiar cycles. Along the way, they unpack self-awareness, asking for help, trusting others to spot your blind spots, and the courage it takes to choose a different path. They also reflect on fitness beyond the physical; mind, body, and spirit. And why growth often begins by refusing to relive the same story over and over again. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
May 27 · 34 min
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, AI, and the fear that drives people either to overperform or hold themselves back, they explore how different kinds of people move through the world. Along the way, they wrestle with speed, self-doubt, community, and why going together may be the only way to build something that doesn’t destroy the people inside it. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
May 13 · 35 min
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 ideas to the satisfaction of making things happen, they unpack creativity, leadership, personality wiring, and the surprising freedom that comes from knowing exactly who you are, and who you’re not. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
April 29 · 38 min
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 missed opportunities, the tension between systems and connection, and how those lessons shape who they are as fathers. The conversation turns to identity and alignment. What it means to “rep” something, whether it’s a brand, a value, or a belief and why choosing what (and who) you stand for ultimately reveals what you’re building, rejecting, and passing on. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
April 15 · 43 min
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 patience can be a winning strategy in a world obsessed with speed, and how “going together” often comes too late. They wrestle with when to grow alone versus when to build with others, the tension between independence and support, and the discipline of being “on time” instead of rushing ahead. Ultimately, they land on a deeper anchor: learning to live for an “audience of one,” where trust, presence, and purpose mean you’re never truly alone. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
April 1 · 38 min
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, they explore how labels, roles, and even confidence often reflect internal states more than fixed reality. Along the way, Mondo opens up about shedding identities like “the Black Tech Guy” to simply become himself, while navigating new projections like being called “Rev.” Together, they also discuss what it means to go alone versus go together and ultimately land on both are necessary because solitude can sharpen clarity yet being surrounded by the right people can amplify growth. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
March 18 · 40 min
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 showing up, even when you’re not at your best, is part of honoring commitments to others. They also discuss how blind spots in relationships can shape the way we work, lead, and connect. In the end, they discover that our greatest blind spots may be solved not by seeing everything ourselves, but by standing back-to-back with people wired differently who each bring their own piece to the puzzle. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
March 4 · 34 min
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 his fear, and Mondo reframing “no” as “not yet” through faith, patience, and persistence. The episode moves into a deeper question: What is leadership, really? Is it authority? Power? Position? Or is it influence without title like the kind embodied by figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who led without formal power? Nathan challenges the modern confusion between authority and leadership, while Mondo reflects on becoming a “Mr. Miyagi” presence by guiding others toward peace in the present moment rather than chasing distant finish lines. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
February 18 · 42 min
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 perspective, that money is a medium, not the mission. He’d rather make the bold bet and live with the story than play it safe and regret it later. Then the conversation turns inward. What’s uniquely Nathan? Radical self-definition and the courage to stop redrawing his shape for every room. What’s uniquely Mondo? Surrender as a strategy and the belief that sometimes the winning move is putting the car in reverse and trusting a hidden path will open. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript
February 4 · 38 min
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, control, listening, and why the characters we admire quietly shape how we live, surrender, and show up for each other. If you want more like this, subscribe or find more on Howtobesecond.com 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 How to be Second, I am a Second, and my co-host Armando Davison, is what we call a natural 1iC, or a Visionary. Enjoy.
- Transcript

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