The Serving Second Podcast

What if the seat you are waiting to leave is the very place where your leadership is being developed? In this special solo episode, Toussaint resets and reintroduces the heart of Serving Second. After months of conversations with high-performing leaders, he recognized that the movement had been framed too narrowly. Serving Second is not about accepting a lesser position, becoming comfortable in th...

Servant leadership is not soft leadership. It may be the most strategic way to get real results. In this episode Toussaint sits down with Kurt Uhlir for a direct conversation about leadership, humility, business outcomes, and the hard personal work required to become the kind of leader people can trust. Kurt started his first businesses at 14 years old. One was a lawn care company that grew so qui...

The Science of Ethical Persuasion Second-chair leaders don't always have the final say — but the most effective ones know how to influence without authority. In this episode, Dr. Toussaint Williams sits down with ethical persuasion expert and keynote speaker Patrick van der Burght (Melbourne, Australia) to unpack the science behind ethical influence and what it means for leaders in every sector....

What does it really mean to serve second with excellence? Toussaint sits down with Derek Fredrickson , founder of The COO Solution , to talk about the power of operators, COOs, chiefs of staff, and second-in-command leaders who help turn big vision into real execution. Derek shares how he left Wall Street to work alongside his wife in her successful business coaching company and discovered his gif...

What if your money problem is not just about money? In this episode, Toussaint sits down with Albert Butler, CPA, to talk about financial literacy, family legacy, entrepreneurship, purpose, and the responsibility of building something that lasts beyond you. Albert brings nearly 30 years of experience in public accounting, private industry, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. But this conversat...

Most leaders think pressure reveals weak people. But what if pressure actually reveals weak team systems? In this episode of the Serving Second Podcast, Dr. Toussaint Williams talks with Daria Rudnik about how second-chair leaders can build teams that click under pressure, navigate disruption, and stay human in the age of AI. If you serve behind the leader, carry team tension, or feel responsible...

What happens when a great employee gets promoted into leadership, but no one has prepared them to lead? In this episode of the Serving Second Podcast, Dr. Toussaint Williams sits down with Rich Ashton, author of Growing Your Own: Common Sense Advice for Developing Leaders Within a Small Business, to talk about one of the biggest leadership gaps in small businesses and organizations: developing lea...

What if high performance did not have to come at the cost of people? In this episode Toussaint sits down with Kathy Eastwood, CEO and creator of the E3 Leadership Code, to talk about what it really takes to lead from the second chair. Kathy brings years of experience as a Chief of Staff, Chief People Officer, COO, and leadership strategist. Her work focuses on helping leaders drive results while s...

Author Patty Hampton shares her journey of serving from the second seat, the importance of authenticity, influence, and listening in leadership, and how to thrive as a second chair leader. Discover practical insights on building trust, asking powerful questions, and leading with impact from a place of service. Keywords Leadership, Second Seat, Influence, Authenticity, Coaching, Trust, Influence, L...

In this episode of the Serving Second Podcast, Dr. Paul White shares his extensive experience in leadership and the importance of appreciation in the workplace. He discusses the five languages of appreciation, how they differ from traditional employee recognition, and the misconceptions surrounding appreciation. Dr. White emphasizes the need for authentic appreciation and provides practical steps...

Your story is your CHEATCODE!!! Toussaint sits down with Kirk Nugent for a powerful conversation on content, calling, service, and stewardship. Kirk is a digital strategist, media leader, missionary, coach, and content creator who helps people use their voice with clarity and purpose. They go deeper than cameras, thumbnails, and algorithms. Kirk explains why content is not about chasing attention....

In this episode, Toussaint interviews Ron Reich, a seasoned leadership development expert. They discuss Ron's journey into leadership, the importance of making a difference in second chair roles, and the challenges faced in leadership development. Ron emphasizes the significance of self-awareness, understanding different personalities, and the value of support staff in organizations. The conversat...

Summary In this inspiring interview, Savio P. Clemente shares his profound journey through cancer, leadership, and resilience. Discover practical strategies for leading with authenticity, managing disruptions, and cultivating adaptive resilience to thrive beyond adversity. Keywords leadership, resilience, cancer journey, authenticity, adaptive resilience, mental health, self-regulation, healing, v...

Ever wondered what it really takes to pull a seamless church service together? Spoiler alert — it’s way more than just creating a runsheet! In this episode, I sit down with the worship manager, Danita Jones, to reveal the behind-the-scenes magic that keeps the spiritual flow smooth, timely, and impactful. Trust me, this is the secret sauce every young adult professional in church leadership or eve...

Ever feel like you're stuck in the shadows or just playing a supporting role in life's grand play? Well, buckle up, because today’s episode is all about embracing that second seat — and turning it into a throne of influence, purpose, and potential! Kirk, aka The Seed Sower Coach, spills the secrets of how serving behind the scenes can lead to extraordinary breakthroughs, both in careers and in lif...

Clarity Starts With ME! In this episode, Dr. Toussaint Williams reflects on leadership from the second chair, emphasizing clarity, purpose, and practical strategies for leaders who serve without the final say. He shares insights from conversations with leadership expert Seth Yelorda and offers actionable tips for second chair leaders to enhance their impact. Keywords Leadership, Second Chair, Clar...

In this crossover episode, Toussaint and Adrienne explore the unique challenges and opportunities of second chair leadership, emphasizing influence, character, and strategic support to lead with impact from any position. They also discuss the significance of embracing unique gifts and fostering a culture of growth and support. Keywords Second chair leadership, influence, organizational impact, lea...

In this episode, we explore the powerful concept of backbone leadership — serving in the second seat with confidence, clarity, and strategic communication. L. David Harris shares his journey, principles, and practical strategies for second chair leaders who want to make a first-place impact without losing their energy or authenticity. Key Topics: The distinction between positional and intrinsic id...

Being quiet too long can cost you! Summary: Toussaint sits down with leadership guru Pierre Quinn for a powerful conversation on influence, confidence, and the courage to speak up when you are not the person at the top. Pierre breaks down how second-chair leaders often get stuck by over-focusing on what they do not control instead of leveraging the influence they already have. He also challenges l...

We all can benefit from more K.A.S.H.!!! Welcome Seth Yelorda, a leadership coach and renowned keynote speaker! We talked about the importance of vision clarity and leadership in the second chair role. Seth shares insights on personal and organizational clarity, the role of coaching, and the pursuit of growth beyond comfort zones. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of servi...

KARL IS IN THE BUILDING!!! This is part two of Toussaint's interview with Karl Phillips, known as the Bayesian sensation. They discuss Karl's journey from being an introverted support role to becoming a leader in his own right. Karl shares his experiences working with Eric Thomas, the importance of serving in the background, and how he overcame insecurities to embrace personal growth. He emphasize...

WELCOME Karl Phillips - the Bayesian sensation to the Serving Second podcast! In this episode they discuss Karl's journey from Barbados to working with motivational speaker Eric Thomas, emphasizing the importance of support roles in achieving success. Karl shares his personal growth, the challenges of overcoming fear, and the significance of leading in support. He also talks about the creation of...

In this episode of the Serving Second Podcast, Toussaint explores the concept of serving second as a leadership mindset. He discusses the challenges faced by those in supportive roles, the importance of emotional maturity, and the lessons learned from past experiences. The conversation emphasizes the significance of aligning with a mission greater than oneself and the value of celebrating others'...

Toussaint interviews Kymone Hinds, a coach and mentor who specializes in helping others monetize their ministry. Kymone shares his journey from youth ministry to business coaching, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and nurturing the abilities of others. He discusses the joy of supporting others' success, the significance of collaboration, and the need for individuals to embrace their uniqu...

In this episode of the Serving Second podcast, host Toussaint Williams interviews Chanda Nunes-Henry, a vice president and executive secretary of a multimillion-dollar nonprofit. They discuss Chanda's journey in leadership, her experiences as a minority in a male-dominated field, and the importance of recognizing one's calling. Chanda shares insights on defining success, overcoming challenges, and...