One Second by How to be Second

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.