In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Stephanie Buckner, COO of Altair, a leader in computational science and AI solutions. During the conversation, Cameron and Stephanie explore the complexities of leading an organization that spans across the globe, managing both internal growth and external acquisitions. They touch on how corporate culture plays a pivotal role in the integration of new technologies and teams, and how staying true to company values while nav...
Mar 11, 2025•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron explores the intricacies of leadership roles within organizations, focusing on a key executive position that plays a crucial part in shaping company culture and driving success: the COO. You'll learn how this role evolves over time, with special attention paid to the dynamics between two critical figures at the helm of a company. A nuanced understanding of the relationship between these roles is presented, highlighting how their ...
Mar 06, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, co-host Sivana Brewer is joined by COO Alliance Member, Doug Smith, Vice President and COO of America's Best Restaurants. This episode does a deep dive into Doug's personal and professional journey, as well as the triumphs and challenges he has weathered along the way. He shares candid stories from his career, revealing pivotal moments that shaped his leadership philosophy and mindset. From balancing high-pressure responsibilities to managing ...
Mar 04, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Susan Goebel, a Fractional COO, as well as the Founder and CEO of Scaling Management Consulting Group, Inc. During the discussion Cameron and Susan dive into the challenges businesses face as they scale and grow, especially when it comes to operational inefficiencies and leadership struggles. Susan shares stories of companies that unknowingly drain resources through overlooked expenses and hiring missteps, highlighting the...
Feb 27, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Sean Seamer, Global Chief Operating Officer of Brainlabs, a high-performance media agency. During the conversation, you'll be given a glimpse behind the scenes of a global organization's leadership transition and growth strategy. Sean, a seasoned executive with a wealth of international experience, shares his approach to stepping into a senior role within an already established team. You'll discover the company's ambitious...
Feb 25, 2025•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, the owner and CEO of Lincoln-Goldfinch Law – Abogados de Inmigración. During the conversation, Cameron and Kate explore the nuances of navigating complex professional relationships. You'll hear about the challenges of balancing different leadership styles, the importance of communication, and the impact of workplace culture on collaboration. With contrasting perspectives on accountability and confli...
Feb 20, 2025•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Jeff MacPherson, co-founder of XnGen AI, an AI-powered business transformation platform. During the episode, Cameron and Jeff explore the evolving role of digital agents and their transformative potential across industries. You'll learn how these agents are capable of executing complex tasks on behalf of businesses, freeing up time and resources for higher-level activities. The discussion takes a closer look at the i...
Feb 18, 2025•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Mac Lackey, founder of ExitDNA. During this fascinating conversation, Cameron and Mac explore the journey of business leaders who are crafting legacies while preparing for transformative opportunities. You'll discover how embracing proactive strategies and gaining clarity on personal and professional goals can unlock unimaginable potential. You'll learn the critical balance between ambition and pragmatism. Through real-lif...
Feb 13, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, co-host Sivana Brewer is joined by Sami Erhart, Chief Operating Officer of Titan Restoration. During the conversation, Sivana and Sami explore the challenges and breakthroughs that come with embracing innovation in a professional setting. They discuss the natural resistance people have when faced with new tools or approaches, particularly when those changes seem complex or intimidating. You'll discover a powerful mindset shift that...
Feb 11, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron explores the question of whether businesses truly need a Chief Operating Officer or if alternative solutions would be more cost-effective and practical. Many business leaders assume they need a high-level executive to manage operations, but taking that step prematurely can lead to unnecessary costs, friction, and even structural upheaval. Before committing to a major hire, it’s essential to assess the true gaps in the business—because ...
Feb 06, 2025•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Roy Heldshtein, Managing Partner, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Team8, a venture group based in Tel Aviv, Israel. During the conversation, Roy shares insights on navigating the complexities of leadership within a rapidly growing organization. With a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and balancing long-term vision with immediate priorities, the discussion uncovers strategies for maintaining ...
Feb 04, 2025•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Paul Bryson, Managing Director of Virtuzone, the UAE and MENA region’s largest corporate service provider. During the conversation, Cameron and Paul explore the dynamic world of leadership, growth, and navigating challenges in an ever-evolving business landscape. Through anecdotes and candid reflections, Paul shares insights into how personal and professional experiences have shaped their approach to managing people and pr...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Mike Wisner. the Chief Operating Officer of Mawer Capital LLC. Throughout the episode, Mike shares invaluable insights into building lasting influence in a fast-changing world. From navigating complex transitions in professional settings to crafting impactful strategies, the conversation dives deep into the art of creating meaningful connections. With a focus on leveraging existing networks and fostering growth, you'll be ...
Jan 28, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron explores the often-overlooked importance of recognizing and celebrating team achievements. While leaders are often fixated on setting and achieving the next ambitious goal, they sometimes neglect the power of expressing gratitude for the hard work that has already been done. You'll discover a thoughtful approach to acknowledging success that can transform workplace energy, creating a foundation for continued growth. You'll also h...
Jan 23, 2025•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of The Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Spencer Matthews, COO of Stemregen, a company that develops natural, plant-based stem cell enhancers and supplements. During the conversation, Cameron and Spencer explore the intricacies of leadership and collaboration within dynamic, high-performing teams. They discuss the challenges of transitioning into new roles and the importance of continuous skill development. Spencer shares insights into navigating unfamiliar terri...
Jan 21, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Brad Stevens, Founder and CEO of Outsource Access, a fully managed outsourcing and virtual services firm. During the conversation, you'll discover an innovative approach to tackling one of the biggest challenges faced by businesses today: balancing operational growth with employee satisfaction. Brad shares a unique strategy that blends global talent with local teams, creating an unexpected synergy that drives efficiency an...
Jan 16, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast During the conversation, Cameron and Milly dive into the intricate balance of leadership, strategy, and adaptability required to navigate the fast-evolving landscape of modern business. You'll find a fresh perspective on how dynamic roles can bring order to chaos while preserving the creative spark essential for growth. Through candid insights, Milly shares her approach to designing flexible yet effective systems that allow companies to flourish during critical early stages. They also expl...
Jan 14, 2025•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Max Hansen, CEO for Y Scouts, a purpose-based executive search firm. The discussion centers on the unique approach and philosophy of a retained executive search firm, exploring how their process differs from traditional contingent search models. You'll discover a distinctive approach that incorporates aligning leadership with organizational culture, emphasizing purpose and values as key drivers in recruitment. Camero...
Jan 09, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Christopher Ager, Chief Commercial Officer for Taskrabbit, an online marketplace that matches freelance labor with local demand, allowing people to find help with tasks. During the conversation, Cameron and Christopher explore the unique challenges and decisions involved in leading a growing company within a dynamic industry. Christopher reflects on his journey, highlighting how prioritization and a deep understanding of c...
Jan 07, 2025•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron explores the challenge of balancing ambition with personal well-being in a world increasingly tethered to technology and productivity. You'll discover candid insights from his entrepreneurial journey, recounting how the early drive to build successful businesses often came at the expense of deeper connections and self-care. Through reflections on past habits and the influence of generational wisdom, he examines the pervasive impa...
Jan 02, 2025•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Emily Hunkler, Chief Operating Officer of Quickly Hire, a staffing and recruiting agency. You'll hear the journey of a driven COO who shares her insights on building effective teams and fostering a thriving company culture. Emily discusses the importance of collaboration and adaptability in achieving ambitious goals, even when the path forward is uncertain. Discover a unique approach to scaling businesses through innovativ...
Dec 31, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron explores the challenges leaders face when trying to align their teams around a cohesive and forward-looking concept. He shows how miscommunication or the absence of a shared perspective can lead to frustration and missteps. By drawing on vivid storytelling and relatable analogies, Cameron highlights the importance of painting a detailed and inspiring picture that captures the essence of future possibilities, rather than relying o...
Dec 26, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Ross Beyeler, Chief Operating Officer of Trellis, a full-service eCommerce solutions agency. During this fascinating conversation, you'll gain insights into the complexities of entrepreneurship, growth, and integration in the ever-evolving business landscape. Through personal anecdotes and insights, Ross reflects on the challenges of balancing ambition with vision, offering a candid perspective on lessons learned from earl...
Dec 24, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron dives into his transformative journey, whose global experiences have reshaped his understanding of success, work, and personal fulfillment. Starting with a deep family legacy of entrepreneurship, Cameron recounts building businesses, scaling organizations, and cultivating a mindset that prioritizes leadership development. From co-founding impactful ventures to creating a mastermind community for second-in-command leaders, his story sho...
Dec 19, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Lauren Nemeth, the Chief Operating Officer of Pinecone, a fully managed vector database company. The conversation explores the mindset, challenges, and strategies that fuel success. Lauren shares insights into what it takes to inspire high performance within teams, including the importance of cultivating strong middle-tier performers to unlock their potential. Reflecting on personal and professional struggles, Lauren revea...
Dec 17, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Jennifer Hudye, founder of Vision Driven, a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and CEOs craft, communicate, and execute transformative visions for their businesses. During the conversation, you'll discover the challenges leaders face when articulating and aligning their teams around a cohesive, long-term vision. Through engaging anecdotes and relatable examples, you'll learn how the lack of clarity and communicatio...
Dec 12, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast What does it take to build a thriving injury law firm while transforming traditional roles into revenue-generating opportunities? In this episode of Second in Command podcast, Cameron Herold talks with John Nachazel, COO of the Mike Morse Law Firm, about his role in scaling the business from 24 to 210 employees. John shares how his data-driven approach, leadership mindset, and strong CEO-COO relationship have been instrumental in achieving exponential growth. John and Cameron delve into th...
Dec 10, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast What does it take to build a powerful CEO-COO relationship? In this episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron Herold speaks with Scott Hardy, CEO of Top Class Actions, about the critical dynamics that drive collaboration and success between a CEO and their second in command. Scott shares how hiring a COO transformed his business, scaling it from $1 million to $10 million annually, and highlights the importance of trust, communication, and clearly defined roles. Scott and Cameron ex...
Dec 05, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Brent MacDonald, COO at AccessSync, an SaaS company dedicated to streamlining the sales of complex products for life science companies and accelerating patient access to these solutions. The conversation explores the strategies and philosophies that drive successful leadership in a fast-paced, transformative business environment. Brent shares insights into fostering a distinctive customer experience by blending technology,...
Dec 03, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast What if you could create an image of your ideal self and then become that person? Hristo Arakliev, the COO of Hyperzon, shares a profound concept that could change how you view your own self-image. In this episode, Hristo Arakliev, the COO and co-founder of Hyperzon, a top-tier Amazon marketing agency, shares his unconventional journey to leadership. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, building a culture of trust, and managing both systems and flexibility. Hristo delv...
Nov 26, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
