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 t...

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, communicati...

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...

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. Alon...

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 knowi...

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...

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...

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 ident...

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...

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, reall...

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 convers...

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 fi...

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 truly drains energy from them: emotional labor, lost clarity, and seasons without purpose. Along the way, they explore hope, despair, and how Firsts and 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 when all the lights are green. While Mondo reflects on how firsts often don’t realize it’s not working until they’re exposed to a whole new level of “what goo...

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 differences make partnerships powerful. Along the way, they dive into risk, ego, faith, calling, and the courage it takes to leave a good seat in search of a better o...

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 mismatched “languages” can make or break trust between firsts and seconds in command—and why understanding how someone feels loved might be the key to working,...

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, saying he’s “already won the game of life” and can only fail by losing a pure heart.  That conversation flows into one about the practices that help them reset when lif...

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 silent under stress, while Mondo leans into faith, patience, and the belief that the right answer reveals itself in time.  Next, they explore the quiet rules...

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 the guest, diving into a wide-ranging, community-driven conversation that reveals the heart of what makes these gatherings so meaningful. From honest Q&A to tacti...

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 happens when roles blur, why shared language matters, and how clarity around authority—what, why, and how—can transform friction into flow.  After that, Nathan...

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 unlock clarity.  Then they get honest about the cultural pressures that have shaped their identities. Nathan unpacks the tension of growing up with unchosen...

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. Along the way, they unpack risk tolerance, trust, and why very different wiring can make two people better together.  If you want more like this, subscribe or find more...

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. 

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 between a First and a Second?  It’s a conversation about sparks, trust, and the work it takes to cross the “chasm” between where you are and who you could be.  If you...

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. ...