Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, where I answer questions about being and growing as a second in command + a Second by identity, and tear apart myths around those ideas and other concepts. I’m practicing communicating the value of Seconds so you can do so for yourself and others, with even more clarity.
Nathan and Smantha unpack what it really means to be a Second, exploring the combination of traits that define this identity, from seeing the domino line and building alignment to being energized by others’ ideas. Along the way, they challenge assumptions about personality and leadership, find Seconds hiding in plain sight from Charlie Munger to Pepper Potts, and explore why understanding who you naturally are matters more than forcing yourself into a role that doesn’t fit. Hey, this is...
23 Sept 2026
What is Matchmaking?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan breaks down why traditional recruiting often misses the relationship at the heart of a First and Second, and how Matchmaking takes a different approach by prioritizing clarity, compatibility, and shared direction. Along the way, he unpacks why knowing what you need can be harder than qualifying for what’s offered, why the job will inevitably change, and how finding the right person to grow with can matter more than finding the right person for today’s job. Hey, this is Nathan You...
12 Aug 2026
How do you wish Seconds would advocate for themselves during a transition?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan challenges second-in-commands to stop disqualifying themselves before the conversation even begins. Whether it’s overlooking opportunities because of a job description or assuming gaps in financial knowledge make them unqualified. Nathan and Samantha unpack self-advocacy, the confidence to ask for what you need, and why the best career transitions start with a conversation not self-rejection. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Natha...
15 Jul 2026
Going Alone, Going Together, Growing Together- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan is asked about the journey of figuring everything out yourself, to learning how to invite others in, to building relationships where everyone grows together. From the trap of doing “90% of the group project” to why simply joining a team isn’t the same as growing with one, he talks about the mindset shifts that make collaboration actually work. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, where I answer questions about being and growin...
20 May 2026
What is The 9 Box?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan unpacks the concept of the 9 Box, a framework for understanding the nuance of complexity and quality. Tony Ticknor and Nathan devised the 9 Box of Quality and Complexity at a time when they were both using the same words to describe the work that they did, while meaning wildly different things, and needing to make sense of that so they didn’t go insane. This conversation explores why bigger doesn’t always mean better, how the wrong systems can create chaos and Nathan talks about ...
6 May 2026
What is The Guide System?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan and Samantha unpack the launch of The Guide System, a one-to-one, human-first way for Seconds to stay connected, supported, and anchored as they navigate life, work and community. They explore why “going together” has become a core value at How to be Second and along the way, they dig into owning your value, resisting isolation, and why real community means being connected to each other. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, wh...
22 Apr 2026
FCMD/SCMD Trust Building- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan and Samantha dig into what actually creates trust between a First and a Second, arguing it’s less about systems and more about consistent, unstructured time together like random phone calls, walks, and conversations without an agenda. From there, they explore how tools like work appreciation languages and weekly alignment meetings add clarity, but only after a real human foundation is built. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, w...
8 Apr 2026
Where do you actually sit on the distribution curve?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan challenges the way Seconds see competence, unpacking why a 6 out of 10 might secretly put you in the top 10%, and how knowing what “10” looks like can become a line of shame instead of a strength. Nathan and Samantha talk about how deep awareness can skew self-perception, reframing imposter syndrome as feeling “gaslit” by praise. Along the way, they rethink confidence, competition, and why understanding the curve changes everything. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How ...
11 Mar 2026
How do you communicate the value of being a generalist?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
Nathan digs into the tension many Seconds feel about being a generalist in a world that claims to value specialists. He shares the phrase he’s been using, “I am an expert generalist with a few developed specialties.” and explains why the real key isn’t a perfect elevator pitch but getting into a genuine conversation where stories and lived experience reveal the breadth of what generalists bring. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, w...
25 Feb 2026
What s the difference between Talent and Skill?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
What is the difference between talent and skill? Nathan lays out his four-part formula for skill: talent, practice, technique, and “war” (battle-tested experience). He argues that raw talent alone won’t cut it, and why going it alone is a losing strategy. The throughline? Go together, get a coach, and take more shots than feels comfortable. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, where I answer questions about being and growing as a sec...
11 Feb 2026
What are your thoughts on ownership?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
What Does Ownership Really Mean? This question quickly turns into a conversation about ownership, stewardship, and the missing words that help to bridge the gap between the two concepts. From examples of his own lived experience, Nathan works through the literal and unspoken nuances of ownership, and what that can mean in the relationship of a First and Second. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, where I answer questions about being...
28 Jan 2026
What would you add to the book, 3 years later?- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
What Do Words Really Mean? Nathan discusses how blurry words create real damage. From separating leadership from authority, to dismantling the myth of “average,” Nathan reflects on the concepts he’d add to How to Be Second after years of conversation and lived experience. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, where I answer questions about being and growing as a second in command + a Second by identity, and tear apart myths around ...
27 Jan 2026
The Pilot- Ask Nathan by How to be Second
What is Ask Nathan? Nathan unpacks the heart behind the Ask Nathan podcast by exploring why questions, rather than scripts, are the fuel that brings his thinking to life. He also outlines his hopes for the show, like helping seconds articulate their value and inviting more voices into a conversation that’s always been bigger than one person. Hey, this is Nathan Young, founder and author of How to be Second, and this is Ask Nathan, where I answer questions about being and growing as a se...
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Host of Ask Nathan- by How to be Second?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
