Ben Plomion, COO of Pearl AI, joins Sivana Brewer for a sharp, no-fluff deep dive into the gritty reality of leading in markets where mistakes happen fast and growth is non-negotiable. Drawing from cross-functional battle scars in marketing, ops, and tech, Ben unpacks how he leveraged his CMO chops to become a next-level COO, why most leaders fail at “connecting the dots,” and exactly how he’s turning AI into his secret weapon for culture and operational scale.

If you’re tired of theory and ready for the untold COO playbook that frees you from indecision, protects you from hidden traps, and gives you unfair access to what the best operator-leaders are actually doing, listen now. Stalling means losing team trust, missing radical growth, and getting left behind.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:03:42] – The shocking “dumpster” pitch that clinched Ben’s COO job—would you take this text?

[00:05:10] – Connect the dots or die: Why leaders who only skim the surface always lose big

[00:07:26] – Zero in-house finance, outsourced chaos—how Ben plugged the leaks before it was too late

[00:10:51] – From chief cook to master delegator: The brutal art of giving up “employee benefits” and focusing where it matters

[00:14:42] – CEO second-in-command: The secret archetypes and why most COOs get it wrong

[00:18:29] – CMO to COO crossover: The superpowers that every operator should steal from marketing

[00:21:23] – Ditching values for operating principles—radical new rules for building a creative, AI-savvy team

[00:32:19] – “Let them run”: The unorthodox motto that keeps Ben’s teams breaking the rules, beating churn, and staying ahead

About the Guest

With over two decades of experience in marketing, commercial and operational leadership across Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Blockchain, Ben Plomion is the Chief Operating Officer at Pearl—the leading AI Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company in dentistry. Prior to Pearl, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at Dibbs, an Amazon-backed tokenization-as-a-service (TaaS) platform. He was previously Chief Growth & Marketing Officer at GumGum, where he played a pivotal role in advancing AI-driven contextual advertising. Earlier in his career, Ben led global digital media efforts at both Magnite and GE Capital. A Forbes contributor and trusted advisor to companies like Deanna.ai, PebblePost, and #Paid, he is also a committed educator in the realms of AI, marketing, and Web3.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

• GumGum
• Anthropic Claude
• ChatGPT
• HubSpot
• Google Drive
• OKR (Objectives & Key Results)
• Amazon “70% data principle”
• Get Scalable by Ryan Deiss

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

• Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
• Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
• Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
• Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
• Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Sponsored by

Next Level Growth - A proven system designed to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses with clarity, accountability, and the right strategic support to reach their next stage of growth.

Learn more: https://www.nextlevelgrowth.com/

This episode is a blunt, emotionally raw exploration with Lindsay Gibson, COO of TextNow, a leader who’s walked away from the grind, returned for redemption, and rebuilt both companies and herself from the inside out. Sivana Brewer dives deep with Lindsay into the shock of losing vision, the chaos of remote work, and the brutal clarity that comes only after you’ve crashed headlong into career “success.”

If you’re tired of vague leadership advice and want exclusive, no-BS strategies for authentic leadership, unclenching burnout’s grip, and making culture work for real teams, listen right now. Miss this, and you might repeat the pain Lindsay barely escaped. These lessons are battle-forged, urgent, and unlike anything the standard playbooks offer.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:01:11] – The brilliant but gritty origin of TextNow: solving real pain for people who have to choose between a phone bill and groceries

[00:02:45] – Why Lindsay left her COO seat (twice) and what chasing “interesting work” really costs

[00:04:34] – The BlackBerry “return rate” disaster: how fixing buyer’s remorse became a master class in real-world delegation

[00:07:49] – The shocking truth: Engineering wasn’t the problem—here’s what really derails a company’s goals

[00:10:11] – The brutal downside of remote-first culture… and the hardest part of rebuilding accountability across a fractured team

[00:14:32] – Motherhood, loss, and the hidden price of ambition: Lindsay’s real talk on the boundaries she’ll never break again

[00:19:04] – “Dead bodies in the process”—when leadership feedback stings and the rebirth of authentic management

[00:27:54] – Why remote teams lose their soul (and how one-on-one connection fights back against isolation)

About the Guest

Lindsay Gibson is the Chief Operating Officer of TextNow, a disruptive, ad-supported mobile carrier serving millions who demand true flexibility in mobile communications. With over two decades shaping iconic tech cultures, including a 16-year run at BlackBerry, she’s mastered the hard edge of scaling, comeback leadership, and authentic team connection. Known for leading through crisis and comeback, Lindsay is a straight-talker driven by integrity and obsession with growth.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

• BlackBerry
• ChatGPT
• Cursor
• Reclaim
• T-Mobile
• AT&T
• “Burnout” (book)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

• Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
• Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
• Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
• Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
• Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

This episode pulls back the curtain on the real journey: Marcus Hantla, a relentless builder who’s seen both sides, reveals the wild emotional highs of exits and the raw, daily grind of COO life inside Contractor Foreman, a fast-growing SMB construction SaaS. He and Sivana get blunt about AI hype, hands-dirty delegation, and the gut-check moments that test even the toughest operators.

The stakes: Stop winging it in your own career, team, or transformation or risk getting left behind. Listen now to confront the myths of growth, find new ways to thrive, and get the gritty, exclusive playbook you won’t hear in sanitized TED Talks.

Timestamped Highlights

03:41 – What no one warns you about early retirement and the uncomfortable truth about waking up “free.”

06:43 – How a random plumber changed Marcus’s entire career (on his very own porch).

09:10 – The COO/CEO “deciding dance” and why true empathy is a secret growth weapon.

14:40 – Real talk: Losing a debate with the CEO (and why not every “brilliant” idea should win).

17:25 – AI sales calls, live demos vs. real humans—what actually works right now.

20:55 – Is the “beautiful” user interface dead? Why the next SaaS war is about simplicity, not design.

26:14 – The dangerous side of AI consensus: Can chasing “truth” kill the next big breakthrough?

35:03 – The sobering math of executive gratitude (and the crisis no leadership manual covers).

About the Guest

Marcus Hantla is the COO of Contractor Foreman, a leading construction management software platform engineered for small and mid-market builders and contractors. With 25+ years in construction and tech—plus multiple exits—Marcus is renowned for his hands-on leadership and hard-won insights at the intersection of trades, SaaS, and rapid growth.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

• Cetdigit
• Ask the Foreman (Contractor Foreman feature)
• Google
• ChatGPT
• Reddit
• Facebook
• Giftology by John Ruhlin
• Slack

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

• Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
• Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
• Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
• Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
• Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Sponsored by:

Genius Network - An exclusive community for highly successful entrepreneurs, connecting you with top-tier leaders, strategic insights, and powerful relationships to help you grow your business faster and smarter.

Learn more: https://www.geniusnetwork.com/

In this gut-level conversation, Sivana Brewer sits down with Amit Shah, COO of Virta Health, a company on a mission to reverse metabolic disease in a billion people. They reveal the raw mechanics, hard decisions, and emotional realities of building a culture where real feedback, personal mission, and relentless impact actually drive bottom-line results. Expect stories that challenge your comfort zone, a blueprint for turning skeptics into true believers, and a rare glimpse into what makes teams (and COOs) last a decade or more through hyper-growth.

If you’re tired of surface-level advice and want the proven, exclusive tools to protect your culture (and your soul) as you scale, hit play now. The risk of mediocre leadership has never been higher, and these lessons simply can’t wait.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – The rebel truth about why people don’t care what you know until something shocking happens

[00:03:23] – Inside Virta’s billion-person mission and the radical evidence that built unwavering belief

[00:06:57] – The jeans, Disneyland, and moment a clinical trial changed thousands of lives

[00:13:17] – The single conversation that blew away a hardened healthcare skeptic

[00:17:13] – Why LIVE patient stories kick off every company meeting and what that does to culture

[00:21:24] – How Virta built a team that actually sticks (and outgrows their own roles)

[00:25:41] – When your job changes every 12 months: The hidden playbook for surviving hyper-growth

[00:33:24] – The care vs. candor tightrope—how to love your team while pushing for relentless results

About the Guest

Amit Shah is the Chief Operating Officer of Virta Health, where he leads growth, product development, and patient care delivery for a hyper-growth company that’s transforming metabolic disease care. With a track record spanning executive roles at Paladina Health, McKinsey, and Amazon, plus roots as a mission-driven entrepreneur, Amit is known for building high-performance teams that scale with heart and precision.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

• Trulia
• Zillow
• Dr. Steve Finney
• Dr. Jeff Volek
• Dr. Hallberg
• United Airlines
• US Foods
• Blue Shield of California
• Alex & Layla Hormozi
• Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Calendar

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

• Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
• Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
• Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
• Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
• Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

This is your inside pass. Sivana Brewer dives deep with Dan Murphy, COO of D1 Training, to uncover what really separates winning brands from chaotic burnout. From scaling a nationwide fitness franchise by 100+ units fast, to building a culture where passion crushes bureaucracy, and tough metrics make or break careers, this episode exposes the choices, pivots, and vulnerable moments every top operator faces.

Listen now if you want to avoid stalling your company’s growth, escape the COO loneliness trap, and get proven, unconventional takeaways on reinventing your playbook in a frantic market. This is real talk you won’t find anywhere else, straight from the second in command.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:01:01] – The wild origin story: Losing a pro career, the CEO’s game-changing invention, and how it launched a new franchise model

[00:03:39] – Why D1 threw out the playbook and planted flags everywhere plus what they learned scaling from 1 to 160 locations

[00:05:17] – The counterintuitive “avatar” that drives most revenue and why it’s probably NOT who you think

[00:09:57] – How the right “spark” can reveal your company’s true North—advice for COOs looking for their next big thing

[00:13:37] – The brutal scale-up pivot: When to walk away from side businesses, passive owners… and old friends

[00:16:11] – Outsourcing secrets, bringing it all back in-house, and the moment when cost control meets franchisee happiness

[00:21:28] – The biggest “aha” that changed their growth trajectory—what actually gets local buyers to care and buy in

[00:25:34] – When loyalty isn’t enough: Handling hard conversations with passionate, under-performing leaders

[00:27:48] – Managing egos, CEO/COO conflict, and why “freedom to dream” requires radical focus

About the Guest

Dan Murphy is the Chief Operating Officer of D1 Training, a national franchise leading the youth and community athletic training space. A former Division I soccer player and West Point graduate, Dan has decades of leadership experience spanning military and high-growth franchise operations. He’s known for his relentless execution, passion-driven leadership style, and community-building expertise helping D1 scale from a single Nashville gym to 160+ locations and counting.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

• Will Bartholomew
• Peyton Manning
• Tim Tebow
• Chris Paul
• Exos
• CrossFit
• Ray Dalio’s “Principles”

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

• Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
• Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
• Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
• Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
• Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Sponsored by:

Redirect Health - Affordable healthcare benefits designed to make traditional insurance optional, with 24/7 access to primary care and Rx support that helps businesses reduce costs while keeping employees covered.

Learn more: https://www.redirecthealth.com/

In this unfiltered replay, Cameron Herold gets radically real with Asana’s COO, Anne Raimondi, a powerhouse operator with a track record scaling iconic SaaS brands from eBay to Zendesk. Their candid conversation delivers hard-hitting truths and breakthrough strategies for COOs, VPs of Ops, and ambitious seconds-in-command. From conquering boardroom friction to onboarding at scale, and from navigating imposter syndrome to wielding conscious leadership, this episode is your no-nonsense roadmap to building culture, resilience, and runaway growth.

The window for operational greatness closes quickly. Don’t risk getting left behind as your competitors dial in these proven systems. Press play now for a front-row seat to rare, real-world tactics you won’t hear anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why this Asana episode is a record-breaking, fan-favorite comeback

[00:03:02] – The one skill that built Anne’s “uncommon” career and why she doubled down on curiosity

[00:05:33] – A dot-com crash, a diamond startup, and how obsession with customer pain points kept Anne in the tech arena

[00:07:47] – Is product obsession really the COO’s unfair advantage? Anne reveals what sets true ops leaders apart

[00:13:14] – How Anne’s onboarding at Asana destroyed all her old assumptions about exec transitions

[00:15:10] – The joy of “extra delights”—what most SaaS products miss about human motivation

[00:25:34] – The real source of company politics (and how transparency kills it dead)

[00:44:38] – Anne’s most vulnerable answer: How she faces down imposter syndrome and wins

About the Guest

Anne Raimondi is the Chief Operating Officer of Asana, a global leader in work management software empowering teams to orchestrate their work with clarity and impact. With 20+ years scaling technology giants, including senior roles at Zendesk, TaskRabbit, SurveyMonkey, and eBay, Anne brings deep boardroom and operational wisdom to fast-growth SaaS. She’s also a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and has served on the boards of Gusto, Patreon, and more. Anne is renowned for her mission to build workplaces that blend high performance with humanity.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Facebook
2. Microsoft Project
3. Blue Nile
4. eBay
5. TaskRabbit
6. Guru (knowledge management)
7. SendGrid
8. Gusto
9. Patreon
10. Block
11. ThredUp
12. 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership (framework/book)
13. Stanford Graduate School of Business
14. Kozmo (Seattle delivery)

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

Note: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Sivana Brewer welcomes Stephanie Kauffman, Chief Operating Officer at Melanoma Research Alliance, for an urgent episode that lifts the veil on what actually moves the needle for COOs. From converting financial “legends” into game-changing board allies to crafting story-driven partnerships that triple outcomes, you’ll hear how real-world translation builds trust fast, drives innovation, and prevents career-stalling burnout.

Press play now. Don’t risk getting stuck in your leadership bubble. Every minute here arms you with exclusive, proven techniques to connect, influence, and scale before someone else beats you to it.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:10] – A stunning perspective shift: why “second in command” is really “dual in command” for COOs everywhere

[00:02:25] – The myth of melanoma: deadliest form of skin cancer, massive underestimation, and breakthrough facts COOs should know

[00:08:21] – Surprising everyday tips for preventing melanoma beyond just sunscreen (plus one you’ve likely never heard)

[00:10:39] – How legendary finance leaders shaped Stephanie’s radical “private equity” nonprofit strategy—what every COO can steal

[00:18:49] – The $12.7 million secret: bold partnerships that defied board skepticism (and the power of gaming for social impact)

[00:27:11] – Data-driven storytelling for buy-in: How Stephanie translates emotional conviction into actionable board wins

[00:31:47] – Professional translation: the vital COO role in turning CEO vision into operational clarity for every stakeholder

[00:43:15] – The “3 Bs” formula and simplifying the complex: brief, brilliant, be done—your solution to communication chaos

About the Guest

Stephanie Kauffman is Chief Operating Officer of the Melanoma Research Alliance, the world’s largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research. Known for high-impact storytelling and cross-industry partnership wins, she previously held SVP roles at Universal Studios and Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Stephanie is recognized for translating visionary ideas into scalable operations, bringing decades of experience across finance, media, and biotech.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Breast Cancer Research Foundation
2. Blizzard Entertainment (Overwatch partnership)
3. Universal Studios (media/partnerships)
4. Leverage Finance Fights Melanoma platform
5. UPF apparel (sun protection clothing)
6. Mafia Wars (gaming partnership)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Meet Nicki Baty, COO at Freshpet, who’s rewriting the playbook for second-in-command leadership inside a rocketship culture. In this revealing conversation, Nicki Baty opens up to host Sivana Brewer about pioneering a COO role from scratch, installing trust (in teams and at home), and building a business fueled by missionary drive, not mercenaries.

Explore how to turn constant change into your secret weapon, earn buy-in when the North Star keeps moving, and design a culture that scales with speed without chaos.

You can’t afford to run on autopilot or yesterday's wins. Discover the steps that separate successful COOs from those stuck in a cycle of busyness. Listen now for exclusive insights you can’t afford to miss. The next wave of growth is already here, and this episode holds the edge.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] - The one guarantee for every COO—how to win when change is constant

[03:41] - Missionaries vs. mercenaries: Why purpose-driven teams deliver differently

[07:40] - Moving a family across continents for growth—what business leaders really learn

[12:11] - “Making room in the boat”: Building trust, networks, and resilient teams on the fly

[19:12] - Nicki reveals how to plan post-onboarding in a brand new leadership role

[23:35] - Finding your “most valuable pet parent” and reshaping the company around them

[28:35] - The surprising power of Freshpet's pioneering spirit—and what big companies still get dead wrong

[37:13] - The real difference between strategic priorities and tactical noise (and how most teams get stuck)

About the Guest

Nicki Baty is the Chief Operating Officer at Freshpet, a company redefining the pet nutrition industry with its human-grade, refrigerated pet food. Formerly President and General Manager of Hill’s Pet Nutrition US (Colgate-Palmolive), Nicki’s career has spanned the globe—from the UK and Europe to Asia and the Americas. She is recognized for her track record in scaling organizations, her passionate belief in purpose-driven work, and her relentless focus on building trust and sustainable growth in fast-moving environments.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Colgate-Palmolive
2. Unilever
3. Hill’s Pet Nutrition
4. Walmart
5. Target
6. 10X Is Better Than 2X
7. Bryan Johnson (longevity/biohacking)
8. Wellness Daddy

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Enter Sunil Rajasekar, former President and CTO of Mindbody, who sits down with Cameron Herold for a no-holds-barred conversation about burnout, resilience, and building a global wellness empire with gratitude at its core. From the backstage mechanics of a platform used by millions to the secret link between world-changing tech and personal wellbeing, this episode delivers the eye-opening truths every leader needs.

Listen now before your stress becomes your biggest blind spot. Actionable, exclusive, and radically honest. These insights aren’t just a luxury, they’re your lifeline.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – What nobody tells you about burnout (until it’s too late)

[00:03:31] – Why Sunil reversed the script: an origin story you didn’t expect

[00:06:15] – The real reasons high-powered execs flame out (and how Sunil rebuilt himself)

[00:14:23] – Two CEOs, one mission: Navigating seismic leadership transitions

[00:16:50] – Under the hood of Mindbody: Why perfection on the surface means wrestling chaos behind the scenes

[00:24:28] – The make-or-break moment for small businesses—and why most lenders get it wrong

[00:29:32] – The war for tech talent and how to keep your team’s soul intact

[00:33:35] – What COVID proved about wellness, grit, and the “missionary vs. mercenary” divide

[00:40:50] – The gratitude ritual that saved Sunil—and could save you

About the Guest

Sunil Rajasekar is the former President and Chief Technology Officer at Mindbody, the global platform powering the wellness industry in over 100 countries. With more than two decades leading technology and product transformation at eBay, Intuit, Lithium Technologies, and then Mindbody, Sunil is renowned for scaling businesses that shape industries, without sacrificing the humanity at their core. His mission: Connect the world to wellness, one breakthrough at a time.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Mindbody Capital
2. ClassPass
3. Vista Equity Partners
4. Book: “The Mind-Body Connection” by John Sarno
5. Book: “Buddha and the Badass” by Vishen Lakhiani
6. Mindvalley (Vishen Lakhiani)
7. Tim Ferriss
8. Uber
9. Apple Fitness
10. F45
11. Orangetheory Fitness
12. Booker (acquired by Mindbody)
13. ClearBank (referenced as a similar financial product)

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

Note: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

This electrifying episode features Guillaume Bouvard, Co-founder, COO and CMO of Extend, as he sits down with Sivana Brewer to reveal the real-life victories and invisible battles behind explosive fintech growth. From his unusual rise at American Express to building a team of true experts (not just generalists), Guillaume exposes the proven rituals, painful lessons, and cultural shifts that unstick founders and COOs worldwide.

If you’ve ever wrestled with hiring mistakes, boardroom pressure, or the fear of letting go, this conversation is your playbook for escaping overwhelm right now. Tune in for exclusive strategies you won’t hear from the usual talking heads—and avoid the pain of staying stuck another quarter. Listen now, because your breakthrough can’t wait and these field-tested insights are only found here.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – The daring anti-micromanagement view that reshaped a whole company’s culture

[00:07:08] – Why Guillaume became COO and what most founders never tell you about picking partners

[00:09:12] – How a “no two days alike” mindset powers world-class operations without chaos

[00:12:27] – The little-known boardroom rituals that drive results, build trust, and end nasty surprises

[00:19:44] – Guillaume’s radical philosophy for staying engaged, focused, and unshakable against daily setbacks

[00:21:01] – The breakthrough hiring lesson that can rescue any leader from burnout (before it’s too late)

[00:28:14] – Steal-this-process: Monday all-hands, relentless transparency, and celebrating the hidden heroes

[00:34:29] – Real-life wins: How a single empowered team member triggered a market wave using curiosity

About the Guest

Guillaume Bouvard is the Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer of Extend, a venture-backed digital credit card platform revolutionizing spend management for banks and businesses. With more than two decades of leadership across American Express and international fintech, Guillaume blends corporate discipline with disruptive startup agility. His obsession with hiring world-class talent, building intentional culture, and empowering true ownership makes him a sought-after voice for COOs ready to scale with clarity and conviction.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

• American Express
• Bank of Montreal (BMO)
• HSBC
• PayPal
• USCIS (U.S. immigration agency)
• Slack
• OKRs (Objectives and Key Results Framework)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

• Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
• Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
• Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
• Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
• Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Scott Levy, Fractional COO of ResultMaps, joins Sivana Brewer for a candid, zero-fluff conversation on why most CEOs and COOs are drowning in distraction and what separates “second in command” leaders who skyrocket growth from those stuck grinding. They pull apart why ambitious teams spiral into task overload, the critical metrics every department truly needs, and the battle-tested rituals that free up your brain for high-stakes decisions.

Ready to step off the treadmill of constant fires, endless meetings, and “yet another platform” promises? This episode exposes the cost of delay and throws you a direct path out, real systems, real clarity, real results. If you wait, you risk another year of burnout and missed breakthroughs. Press play now for inside strategies unavailable anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:54] – Why “good” content became too dangerous for Speaker A to binge (and what that reveals about focus)

[02:09] – The real operations heartbreaks hidden behind entrepreneurial success stories

[07:09] – Why small teams will devour giants in the AI revolution (the Special Forces lesson nobody teaches MBAs)

[10:34] – The shockingly simple hack for bypassing bloated CRMs and running your pipeline on autopilot

[12:02] – How to extract a Vivid Vision in 30 minutes—no trust falls required

[16:13] – “Eff your feelings, follow the plan?” Dissecting the truth (and limits) of systemizing emotional chaos

[26:52] – The fatal flaw of cascading goals—and what truly separates winners from burned-out operators

[44:36] – The raw moment CEOs finally break—and why some refuse to suffer the same mistakes twice

About the Guest

Scott Levy is the Founder and CEO of ResultMaps, a cutting-edge SaaS platform designed to help founders and leadership teams obliterate operational friction, scale clarity, and get real results. With a background spanning management consulting, software, and building systems for high-growth companies, Scott’s passion is turning entrepreneurial chaos into decisive execution. He’s especially known for integrating technology and coaching with powerful simplicity.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Leila Hormozi
2. Grok (AI tool)
3. Figma
4. Cole Gordon/Closers.io
5. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-gordon/
6. EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
7. OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)
8. GrowRev
9. John Humphrey, Connect Points framework
10. Tony Robbins
11. Apple
12. Tesla (re: Grok in-car integration)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Cameron Herold sits down with Kelly Knight, President and Integrator of EOS Worldwide, for a rare, candid look at the systems and mindset that power explosive growth and keep organizations aligned when everything feels impossible. Kelly lifts the curtain on EOS’s real role in revolutionizing the “second in command” function, gives you her hard-won playbook for winning over visionaries, and exposes how elite integrators preserve culture, even through private equity takeovers and seismic business model shifts.

Stop guessing and start winning. Listen now to avoid burnout, grab proven EOS secrets, and finally align your team before something breaks. These insights are exclusive, actionable, and you won’t hear them anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Chaos or clarity? How EOS aligns human energy when everything’s changing

[00:02:41] – Why most “second in command” titles are missing the mark (and where EOS fits in)

[00:03:27] – The system for managing human energy that built a raving fandom

[00:07:14] – Inside the “VI Duo”—the secret sauce that powers badass leadership teams

[00:10:11] – One killer meeting rhythm that keeps visionaries and integrators in lockstep

[00:13:02] – From outsider to integrator: Kelly’s surprising first 90 days and the mistake even top COOs make

[00:17:03] – Private equity chaos? How Kelly realigned 27 stakeholder groups and survived

[00:27:01] – Navigating massive change: Candid truths about communication, relationships, and earning trust

[00:29:44] – Why EOS failed at software and the power of doubling down on your “hedgehog”

About the Guest

Kelly Knight is the President & Integrator of EOS Worldwide, the pioneering force behind Entrepreneurial Operating System®. Known for her expertise in scaling operations, leadership development, and stakeholder alignment, Kelly has guided EOS through private equity acquisition and global expansion. She regularly mentors visionary-operator duos around the world, helping them navigate change and build lasting company culture.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Traction (book)
2. Rocket Fuel (book)
3. Kolbe (assessment)
4. Strategic Coach (Dan Sullivan)
5. 1-800-GOT-JUNK
6. ninety.io (software partner)
7. Verne Harnish
8. Firefly Group (private equity)
9. Basecamp (training resource)
10. StrengthsFinders
11. Myers-Briggs
12. ChatGPT
13. Grok

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

This episode delivers an unfiltered look inside the mind of Richard Comitz, Chief Operating Officer of American Corporate Partners, a West Point PhD and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel now leading one of America’s most mission-driven nonprofits. He sits down with Narrator to unpack the proven discipline, radical transparency, and mentorship strategies he honed in combat and now deploys to scale an 80-person organization serving over 5,000 mentorships nationwide.

Want to dodge burnout, ignite next-gen talent, and finally get your CEO partnerships working for—not against—you? Listen now. Skip it, and you risk getting buried by the next Ops crisis. This is an urgent, inside-access episode you won’t find anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – The leadership power move that made junior staff instantly trust Richard Comitz

[00:04:12] – Why a PhD, combat zones, and organic chemistry are COO superpowers (and how higher ed nearly cost him)

[00:08:48] – How to “inherit” a role from a founder without clashing or caving

[00:13:05] – The secret architecture behind training 60+ brand-new hires (and spotting future all-stars fast)

[00:15:53] – Shocking truths of what actually works to fight young-employee burnout and what never does

[00:19:30] – Hidden mentorship hacks that win powerful partners in Fortune 500s

[00:23:16] – Does military “figure it out” energy work with Gen Z? The raw reality from the field

[00:37:26] – Navigating founder-CEO rigidity and pitching bold new ideas (without ending up fired)

About the Guest

Richard Comitz is the Chief Operating Officer of American Corporate Partners (ACP), a powerhouse nonprofit connecting U.S. veterans and military spouses with Fortune 500 mentors for next-level careers. A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, West Point organic chemistry instructor, and experienced higher education COO, Comitz is celebrated for turning disciplined military leadership into explosive organizational growth in both the public and nonprofit sectors.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Peter Attia (podcast, health and nutrition)
2. Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab, neuroscience podcast)
3. Jocko Podcast by Jocko Willink (Extreme Ownership, Navy SEAL leadership lessons)
4. Joe Rogan Experience (podcast)
5. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink (book)
6. West Point (U.S. Military Academy)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this exclusive Second in Command episode, Cameron Herold sits down with Jon McNeill, former President of Tesla and COO of Lyft, and current CEO and Co-Founder of DVx Ventures, for a bold, eye-opening deep dive into the raw realities of being second in command at companies that redefine entire industries.

You’ll hear battle-tested lessons on navigating visionary founders, eliminating organizational bloat, and building operating systems that drive exponential growth, plus what most leaders get dead wrong about innovation, hiring, and execution at scale.

If you crave real-world playbooks and not more recycled platitudes, hit play now. Miss this conversation and risk falling into the same chaos that sinks even the greatest companies. Listen today to steal field-proven COO frameworks you won’t hear anywhere else before your competition does.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:03:16] – The $108 million mistake: why Jon McNeill turned down Uber and Tesla before they became giants

[00:07:22] – From Bain to boardrooms: how Cameron Herold went from $1.8B to $20B in 30 months

[00:14:49] – What it really feels like to drop into Tesla’s leadership team—no roadmap, only chaos

[00:17:04] – The pivotal moment Cameron Herold broke the rules at Tesla and why Elon Musk said “You’ll fit right in”

[00:21:09] – The “Big Thing” meeting—the deceptively simple method Cameron Herold stole from Facebook’s top minds

[00:26:43] – How to push back (and win) with the world’s most demanding CEO

[00:36:11] – The ruthless self-topgrading system that kept Tesla lean—could you survive it?

[00:47:11] – Tesla’s “Algorithm” revealed: the counterintuitive systems any leader can steal

About the Guest

Jon McNeill is the former President of Tesla and COO of Lyft, a renowned serial entrepreneur, and current CEO and Co-founder of DVx Ventures. Recognized for multiplying company valuations and pioneering operational mastery at the world’s most innovative companies, Jon now empowers founders and operators to scale with speed and discipline. His latest book, The Algorithm, reveals the operating system behind Tesla’s success and is quickly becoming a must-read for growth-focused leaders.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Tesla
2. Lyft
3. Bain & Company
4. Bain Capital
5. Andreessen Horowitz
6. 1-800-GOT-JUNK
7. Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg)
8. Uber (Travis Kalanick, Garrett Camp)
9. Tim Ferriss
10. SolarCity (Pete Reeve, Lyndon Rive)
11. College Pro Painters
12. SpaceX
13. Salesforce
14. YPO
15. Queen’s University
16. Hard Thing About Hard Things (Ben Horowitz – book)
17. Good to Great (Jim Collins – book)
18. Insanely Simple (Ken Segall – book)

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

If you’re craving clarity, confidence, and uncommon edge in your second-in-command role, this Fan Favorite episode is your wake-up call. Cameron Herold sits down with Matt MacInnis, COO of Rippling and co-founder of Inkling, for a raw, actionable conversation about the real challenges behind hyper-growth, hiring, trust, and culture. They dig into what makes the COO role so “special,” how to build a game-changing flywheel, and why patience, precision, and authenticity are the ultimate power moves.

The pain of “going it alone” is real. Tune in to learn how to avoid disaster, dodge politics, and harness proven tactics you won’t find in any business book. Don’t wait until burnout bites. Listen now for fiercely exclusive COO insights, bold truths, and systems that will let you scale smarter, not harder.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:02:22] – The hidden pain in HR, IT, and how Rippling breaks the “original sin” of bad data

[00:05:55] – Why Matt almost walked away—then got schooled by Parker’s contrarian “rocket ship” logic

[00:08:30] – The untold power of preexisting trust between CEO and COO—and what happens if you hire without it

[00:12:49] – Topgrading secrets: Why most executive hiring fails and how to get it right (even when everyone says they’re an “A player”)

[00:15:44] – Copilot dynamics: How Matt and Parker run the company with surprisingly little contact (and why it works)

[00:19:18] – Should you debate the CEO in front of the team? The cathartic, risky art of public disagreement

[00:23:13] – Inside Rippling’s flywheel advantage—what Salesforce, Facebook, and Brex did differently and why you can too

[00:31:04] – Killing bureaucracy and politics: The simple rule for hiring and process that most leaders ignore

[00:39:29] – The brutal, proven formula for layoffs: What Sequoia teaches (and how to survive the “survivor’s guilt”)

About the Guest

Matt MacInnis is the Chief Operating Officer of Rippling, a revolutionary all-in-one HR and IT platform transforming how businesses scale and manage people. Matt was also the co-founder and CEO of Inkling, a mobile learning platform that raised over $100M before its acquisition. With deep roots at Apple and a Harvard engineering degree, Matt blends big-company brilliance with entrepreneurial firepower. He’s known for breaking boring business norms and igniting hyper-growth, all while refusing to tolerate politics, inefficiency, or shallow executive hiring.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Inkling
2. Apple
3. Harvard
4. Parker Conrad (Rippling CEO)
5. ADP
6. Gusto
7. Dropbox
8. Slack
9. Workday
10. Okta
11. Brex
12. Marketo
13. Salesforce
14. Sequoia
15. Kleiner Perkins
16. Brad Smart (Topgrading) | Topgrading (book)
17. Who (book) | Geoff Smart (Who)
18. Elad Gil | The High Growth Handbook

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

Note: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

This episode, guest host Sivana Brewer gets real with Isaac Tobelen, current CMO at Springs Rejuvenation and seasoned COO, on the inside challenges of recruiting, retaining, and motivating talent in rapid-growth settings. Isaac shares proven systems for hiring culture-aligned operators, the brutal mistakes that cost him top performers, and how “Innovation Day” became a surprising game-changer for agency culture.

If you want actionable tactics to build a resilient team and avoid silent exits, listen now, not later. Your next big hire, retention strategy, or culture upgrade may hinge on these lessons. Tune in for exclusive, hard-won insights that most COOs only learn the hard way.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – The “quiet risk” that nearly cratered Isaac’s agency and why losing one key player can trigger a domino effect

[03:08] – Rewiring direct response marketing for an unexpected industry and scaling it to $1.2M/month

[08:59] – Why competitors keep stealing Isaac’s ads, but can’t touch his team’s execution

[11:08] – The secret overlap of visionary CEO and practical COO—why it worked for Isaac and Ashton

[13:49] – How teaching people “how to think” crushed micromanagement and burnout

[15:02] – The counterintuitive hiring process that filters for real values (not just resume skills)

[24:29] – Unconventional interview tactics, homework, and the non-negotiables that reveal true fit

[32:00] – “Innovation Day” revealed – How letting teams fail forward built trust and inspired breakthrough creativity

[38:11] – Isaac’s 2 biggest mistakes: concentrated risk and a disastrous acquisition—what he’d do differently

[52:44] – Is AI really changing everything? Isaac’s blunt take on what’s hype, what actually matters, and why talent must upskill now

About the Guest

Isaac Tobelen is the Chief Marketing Officer at Springs Rejuvenation, a leader in stem cell and exosome therapy. Previously, he was COO at Hemon Media, where he scaled the agency to $500K/month in 18 months, managed $36M+ ad budgets, and built high-performing teams from scratch. Isaac is known for his systems thinking, rapid operational scale, and real-world people development.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Frank Kern (Mass Control)
2. ClickUp
3. Asana
4. Jim Collins (“flywheel” concept)
5. EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this revealing conversation, guest host Sivana Brewer sits down with Tom Root, Managing Partner at Zingerman’s Mail Order and a driving force behind its remarkable open-book management culture. Tom isn’t just running a $24M operation; he’s helping to architect the Zingerman’s way, a playbook that turns consensus, culture, and scientific thinking into a market advantage.

Dive in to discover how Tom’s team hires 800 people for the holidays, keeps SOPs thrillingly relevant, leverages just-in-time knowledge systems, and makes “lean” truly work. If you crave real answers on scaling without chaos or losing culture, THIS episode is your exclusive playbook to operational victory. Listen now to avoid another year of stalled growth, outdated systems, and disconnected teams.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why “democratization” is a double-edged sword for accountability

[03:07] – Zingerman’s wild origin: Russian anarchists, consensus, no classic CEO—and their bold growth vision

[06:37] – Why illustrated food (not photos) is marketing magic…and why it works

[13:27] – The single ops lever for onboarding 800 people in 30 minutes (no, it’s not superstar managers)

[17:28] – Secrets behind just-in-time knowledge, digital twins, and how training is dead

[23:15] – “Tim’s Law”: What happens when only one person “knows everything” and how to fix it

[28:41] – Radical SOP audits, the core mistake most leaders make (and how Tom solved it)

[31:39] – How open-book management paid off $300K debt and kept Zingerman’s profitable every year since

[42:09] – Scientific thinking vs. the “tools” trap, and why organizations resist outsid

About the Guest

Tom Root is Managing Partner at Zingerman’s Mail Order, part of the legendary Zingerman’s Community of Businesses in Michigan. He’s recognized for championing open book management, building empowered teams, and pioneering proven operational systems that help Zingerman’s scale their beloved brand while keeping culture alive. Tom’s unique perspective joins hands-on leadership with a background in tech, manufacturing, and continuous improvement.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
2. Open Book Management
3. Lean Manufacturing / Toyota Kata
4. Google Sites (for internal wikis)
5. The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack
6. Zingerman’s Bakehouse
7. University of Michigan (operations partnerships)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

You’re not alone. In this episode, Cameron Herold brings you an unfiltered, radically honest conversation with Dan Cuneo, COO of Melone Hatley. Dan reveals the surprising truth behind law firm growth, why lawyers love culture but hate change, and the communication systems driving results in a multi-office, 100+ employee business.

What does it really take to compete, attract talent, and thrive when AI, client demand, and team alignment keep shifting? Get the inside playbook, raw stories, and proven systems to finally build sustainable scale, without sacrificing humanity or profit.

Listen now, because the biggest risks are waiting, hoping, and copying what every other law firm is already doing. This episode delivers exclusive, actionable strategies that win with today’s top talent and future-proof your firm.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – The one business skill most lawyers are missing (and why it holds firms back)

[04:10] – How Melone Hatley picks winning markets and why they avoid the “big city trap”

[07:25] – Recruiting smart attorneys: drive vs. ambition, culture fit vs. pure skill

[10:54] – Topgrading and the secrets to high-impact, low-turnover legal hiring

[13:21] – Can a non-lawyer run law firm ops? Why Dan says “it depends,” and what really matters

[15:31] – From band-aids to sustainable hires: scaling up, alignment, and culture that actually sticks

[17:15] – The silent killer: how misalignment eats into growth (and what to do about it)

[20:18] – The real impact of AI in law: opportunity, risk, and what Dan refuses to automate

[25:26] – Marketing channels that don’t work anymore and how Dan finds blue ocean opportunities

About the Guest

Dan Cuneo is the COO of Melone Hatley, a rapidly scaling multi-state family law and estate planning firm known for its aggressive, people-first approach to talent and market expansion. With 100+ team members across multiple offices, Dan is a rare law firm leader who combines litigation experience with a relentless business-building mindset. He’s a TEDx speaker, champion of culture-first leadership, and a voice for operational innovation in a tradition-resistant industry.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Topgrading (hiring methodology)
2. Scaling Up (business operating system)
3. EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
4. Next Level Growth
5. Google Ads / PPC
6. Geofencing marketing
7. Fairway Divorce (referenced client)
8. Hennessy Digital (SEO for law firms)
9. TEDx Tampa (event)
10. Who (book by Geoff Smart)
11. Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni
12. Jim Collins (concepts on communication, leadership cadence)

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

If you’re a second-in-command, exhausted by firefighting and silo wars, this conversation will shake up your playbook. Griff shares battle-tested leadership secrets, why people (not processes) matter most, and how data-driven innovation is gripping the fitness world.

Skip another mediocre “growth” podcast. Listen now to avoid the #1 pain point for COOs: stagnant teams, missed opportunities, and burnout. This is your backstage pass to proven strategies and exclusive insights you won’t get anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why this episode is a fan-favorite (and why you need it now)

[00:28] – Griff’s devastating rookie mistake and how it reshaped his approach

[01:24] – The “double threat” that got Griff hired at Orangetheory

[03:09] – The surprising science and secrets behind Orangetheory’s addictively sticky workouts

[09:33] – Griff’s golden thread technique for obliterating silos and boosting buy-in

[13:00] – Why running corporate-owned studios is Orangetheory’s secret weapon

[16:02] – How Griff rebuilt the org chart and what every COO should copy

[19:20] – Laser focus vs. death by a thousand cuts: How to avoid competitive distraction

[25:19] – Griff’s top-three leadership lessons (and the #1 thing he’d tell his 22-year-old self)

[34:08] – The red/yellow/green “traffic light” playbook for direct reports and leadership development

About the Guest

Griff Long is the former COO of Orangetheory Fitness, blending 25+ years of hands-on leadership with a passion for measurable growth and elite team culture. Known for scaling fitness giants like PureBar and SoulCycle, Griff has rebuilt teams, crushed operational bottlenecks, and championed transformations using data and heart. He’s a US Triathlon Coach, a Six Sigma Green Belt, and a master at developing people before processes—essential context for any COO facing existential growth pains.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Mentioned Resources

1. Six Sigma (Green Belt, Failure Mode Effect Analysis)
2. Pure Barre
3. SoulCycle
4. Equinox
5. Hertz
6. Steve Case (Flex Car)
7. Bridgewater State University
8. InBody Scales (BMI tracking)
9. Tony Robbins: State, Story, Strategy
10. 1-800-GOT-JUNK

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)

Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

Cameron Herold sits down with Amy Emberling, Managing Partner of the legendary Zingerman’s Bakehouse—a $16M+ artisan bakery with a cult following and a blueprint for employee loyalty big brands envy. Together, they pull back the curtain on Zingerman’s famed “Community of Businesses,” why profit isn’t a dirty word, and how even a manufacturing team can become fiercely passionate.

Don't settle for endless turnover, disengaged people, or another bland org chart. Discover the real-world actions and surprising rituals that transform frontline staff into owners (and skeptics into super-fans).

Listen now because one insight could radically shift your retention, results, and reputation. This episode delivers the practical and emotional gut-punch you won't find anywhere else in operations podcasts.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why showing vision to new hires exposes if they really want to learn (or not)

[03:01] – How an Ann Arbor Deli became a multi-business giant—without franchising

[07:07] – The origin myth: Saying "no" to chains and revolutionizing local growth

[09:33] – Why Zingerman’s refuses to franchise (and why profit wasn’t the goal)

[14:43] – The surprising role of vision statements and posters in a baking plant

[16:10] – Handshakes over contracts—trust, ownership, and radical accountability

[19:27] – Secret sauce: How weekly "appreciations" meetings melt even the toughest shells

[25:43] – Culture hacks that turn hourly hires into a vibrant, all-in team

Mentioned Resources

1. Zingerman’s Community of Businesses
2. Ari Weinzweig (Zingerman’s Co-Founder)
3. Paul Saginaw (Zingerman’s Co-Founder)
4. Zingerman’s Bakehouse (Amy's business)
5. Zing Train
6. Zingerman’s Bakehouse Book, Celebrate Every Day Book
7. 1-800-GOT-JUNK (culture reference)
8. Great Little Box Company

About the Guest

Amy Emberling is Managing Partner of Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Ann Arbor’s nationally acclaimed artisan bakery. Leading a team of 150, she helped scale Zingerman’s into a powerhouse community business known for its uncompromising quality, positive culture, and iconic brand. Amy has co-authored two influential books on baking and business and is recognized for her thought leadership in operations, training, and organizational vision.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this episode, host Cameron Herold sits down with Josh Post, COO of Cabochon Group and longtime COO Alliance member, for an emotionally raw, practical conversation about breaking out of operational overwhelm.

Josh reveals how he went from reluctant family business leader to proven integrator, leading turnarounds, managing conflict, and creating systems real teams can actually use. From delegating all the right things to mastering financial fluency, you’ll get the strategies and truth bombs most COOs wish they had known at the start.

If you’re hungry to escape burnout and unlock your next level as a second-in-command, listen now to avoid the expensive mistakes nearly everyone makes while scaling. This episode delivers unfiltered wisdom you won’t find anywhere else, and the urgency to take action before chaos catches up with you.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why most owners don’t know how their business really makes money (and what to do about it)

[03:25] – The journey from accidental entrepreneur to turning around failing operations

[06:00] – Exclusive lessons learned surviving and thriving inside – a family business

[10:19] – How Josh navigated a tense partner buyout and instantly simplified everything

[13:46] – Choosing the right leadership roles: birth order, strengths, and painful missteps

[16:09] – The only books and frameworks that actually moved the needle (and why “just-in-time learning” beats old-school reading habits)

[20:22] – From swinging hammers to overseeing finance – demystifying numbers when you’re not a CPA

[26:42] – Weekly pulse meetings, candid conflict, and the real CEO-COO dance

[29:04] – How fractional COO work revealed the true bottlenecks in small business growth

[33:13] – The most costly mistake COOs make (and how Josh trains owners to finally be “all in”)

About the Guest

Josh Post is an industry-recognized Business Turnaround Expert and Fractional Chief Operating Officer who specializes in business recovery, optimization, and rapid growth. Between his position as a COO with The Cabochon Group of Companies and his work as an Independent Expert, he manages a diverse portfolio of over $57 Million spanning several industries.

From streamlining operations and accounting to marketing and even acquisition, The Cabochon Group of Companies is the ultimate business support hub where businesses can access a unified strategy from a single source of seasoned professionals that provide a comprehensive, integrated experience.

As a Fractional COO and Business Advisor Josh leverages his expertise to provide businesses with targeted, one-on-one guidance on the critical challenges threatening operations. Through resources like his signature business assessment, the Business MRI, he’s able to hone in on the root issues, tailoring strategies that work.

He credits the COO Alliance for helping him to overcome imposter syndrome, teaching him how to harness his strengths as a Galvanizer and Enabler to drive execution and momentum at scale.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Company

Mentioned Resources

1. Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE)
2. John Maxwell (Servant Leadership)
3. Tribal Leadership by Dave Logan
4. EOS/Traction
5. Ryan Deiss, Roland Frasier
6. Scalable
7. Simple Numbers by Greg Crabtree
8. Bob Gavreau CPA
9. QuickBooks
10. Good to Great by Jim Collins

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand

In this electric episode, Cameron Herold sits down with John McDonald, Chief Operating Officer at Poshmark, to unpack how one of the world’s most beloved marketplaces keeps growing in spite of Goliath competitors and shifting markets.

Together, they reveal why most leaders get core values wrong, how Poshmark keeps small sellers winning (not just the giants), and what it truly takes to expand internationally without derailing your DNA. John’s stories are real, the lessons are battle-tested, and you won’t find a paint-by-numbers playbook here—only hard-won insights and rare candor from inside the trenches.

Don’t wait. Listen now to avoid building a company that stalls at “good enough,” or tears itself apart scaling fast. This episode unveils systems, strategies, and human truths you won’t hear anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why this “fan favorite” episode is back and the lesson it delivers for every second-in-command

[02:20] – What Harvard Business School actually teaches about decision-making in chaos

[05:28] – Unmasking Poshmark’s origin: Why the human touch, not tech, is their unfair advantage

[09:00] – The $1,000 sneaker flip… and how Poshmark makes money (no nickel-and-diming)

[13:24] – What really changes when you grow from 35 to 400+ people (and where companies go wrong)

[19:41] – How they killed company politics and the “respect” system that keeps silos from forming

[23:04] – Are your “core values” just words? The surprising reason Poshmark’s work (and most don’t)

[28:37] – How Poshmark protects small sellers—and why giving back unlocks explosive growth

[33:57] – The dangerous moment for org charts: when matrix thinking becomes non-negotiable

[40:55] – Why learning to listen is the hardest (and most critical) leadership skill for COOs

About the Guest

John McDonald is the Chief Operating Officer of Poshmark, a leading social commerce platform revolutionizing how the next generation shops and sells. With a deep background in marketplace management (including eight years at eBay), John’s powered Poshmark’s exponential growth and built culture-first teams that thrive. He’s a Harvard MBA, an operations architect, and a fierce advocate for scaling with love and discipline.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. eBay
2. Ning
3. Procter & Gamble
4. Harvard Business School
5. University of California, Berkeley
6. 1-800-GOT-JUNK
7. Amazon
8. Lululemon

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

Note: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this urgent episode, guest host Sivana Brewer digs deep with John Rubino, COO and founder of JID Investments and a US naval aviator turned business leader. Together, they unravel how military discipline, open-book honesty, and relentless connection-building are the forgotten keys to thriving in today’s high-stakes market.

Discover the proven systems, mindset shifts, and emotional skills John uses to lead through market chaos, burnout, and uncertainty. If you’re tired of surface-level business advice and want the real trade secrets to scaling impact and resilience, you need this now.

Listen or risk missing out on the exclusive moves that successful second-in-commands use to win, when everyone else is underwater.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Transitioning from Navy pilot to COO: war stories behind real discipline

[02:05] – How John’s military roots shaped his leadership style and investor trust

[04:40] – The wild pivot: launching a business before leaving active duty

[07:07] – Top Gun moments, family legacies, and the dream of commanding multi-million dollar assets

[10:53] – Secret systems for managing 18+ deals and 200+ investors without chaos

[14:02] – Navigating COVID uncertainty—how top COOs adapt and overcome

[17:02] – The hidden ROI of real relationships and why most companies are doing it wrong

[29:44] – Masterminds and tribe thinking: the best advice John gives his own kids

[34:02] – John’s high-impact daily process for balancing work, team, and personal life

About the Guest

John Rubino is the COO, founder, and co-managing partner of JID Investments, where he’s raised over $45M and delivered returns across dozens of real estate projects for 200+ investors. With more than 20 years as a U.S. naval aviator followed by a decade in private equity, John is renowned for his disciplined, relationship-first approach to investing and leadership. He also coaches real estate and financial professionals in strategic wealth-building at KW United Wealth.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. KW United Wealth
2. Keller Williams
3. Tribe of Millionaires (book)
4. GoBundance (mastermind)
5. Welcome to the Cause (Marc & Kristen King)
6. Dale Carnegie – How to Win Friends and Influence People
7. Napoleon Hill – Think and Grow Rich
8. Gary Keller & Jay Papasan – The One Thing
9. Juniper Square (investment portal)
10. Calendly
11. Alex & Layla Hormozi
12. EOS

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this episode, Sivana Brewer interviews Erica Wright, COO of VRA Realty, whose systems-first playbook catapulted the brokerage from 85 to 115 agents, spanning five states.

They dig into the raw truth of building infrastructure for explosive scale (without losing loyalty), balancing tough accountability with real compassion, and leading teams remotely while launching new ventures abroad. Discover how Erica harnessed her psychology and sales background to build trust, manage visionaries, and create a culture where hard conversations actually drive growth.

Don’t miss this episode if you want to avoid costly attrition, burnout, and lost culture. Listen now for exclusive, actionable insights. These proven moves aren’t taught anywhere else!

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Erica’s bold entry: transforming chaos into compliance with her first CRM rollout

[05:51] – How a psychologist became an operations powerhouse (and opened 8 offices in 6 months)

[09:45] – Balancing ambition and deep family ties after personal loss—the surprising lessons for remote executives

[13:46] – Color-coded calendars and time-blocking rituals: how Erica runs five business lines from Mexico

[16:01] – Her step-by-step playbook for deciding what to delegate, outsource, or tackle solo

[19:11] – The “idea overwhelm” dilemma—how to hold visionaries accountable to the real mission

[21:37] – Inside the first 90 days: building trust, rolling out new systems, and avoiding agent revolt

[25:27] – The truth about “family cultures”: love, accountability, and how to fire without guilt

[28:07] – Why being COO feels lonely (and what to do about it, ven if you’re building a team abroad)

[31:31] – Emotional management, therapy sessions, and creating radical honesty in a high-turnover industry

[39:28] – Erica’s regrets—and #1 advice for any new COO about setting boundaries with their CEO

[41:05] – Her next big move: remote work, funds management, and two brand-new business launches

About the Guest

Erica Wright is the Chief Operating Officer of VRA Realty, a fast-growing boutique real estate brokerage now spanning five states and over 115 agents. Known for her powerhouse systems mindset and global operations expertise, Erica engineered VRA’s scale through smart hiring, process revamps, and authentic relationship-building. She brings a rare blend of psychology, direct sales, and hands-on leadership from international markets, transforming loosely organized teams into high-accountability, high-loyalty cultures. Erica is also the founder of Steven’s Wings, a nonprofit for underserved youth, and is launching “This Might Be a Bad Idea”—a podcast about life and leadership abroad.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Mentioned Resources

1. Steven’s Wings (nonprofit)
2. EOS / L10 (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
3. Eventbrite
4. Closers.io (referenced company)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this electrifying episode, guest host Sivana Brewer dives deep with Vincent Malizia, Co-Owner and Chief Culture Officer at A1 Roofing, to reveal how a "people first" mindset transformed his business. They unpack how working alongside family, delegating with trust, and prioritizing fulfillment (inside and outside work) create truly sustainable success. You'll hear raw stories, unconventional tactics, and hard-earned lessons on leadership, autonomy, and building a company that people actually brag about.

Listen now to discover proven strategies that will help you avoid endless burnout, break free from revolving team doors, and stand out with powerful emotional intelligence. This is an exclusive, story-rich episode, a must-hear for any operator or leader ready to love their business (and life).

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why most people who resist change eventually check out, and how Vincent attracts “let’s go” energy

[01:14] – The unexpected origins of A1 Roofing: family hustle, college lessons, and sharing everything

[08:04] – When company leaders choose team dignity over difficult clients—winning big by walking away

[09:08] – How investing in health benefits, retreats, and family flexibility created a magnetic culture

[12:32] – Unlimited PTO and summer Fridays: why radical time-off policies actually increased productivity

[13:01] – The surprising drop in turnover rate, and how Vincent’s approach crushed industry averages

[15:14] – Why giving up Saturday work fueled energy and fulfillment for tough field roles

[22:27] – How moving from “doing it all” to scalable systems unlocked Vincent’s passion (and his sleep)

[27:02] – Mentorship, leadership meetings, and a wild commitment to personal growth—all in the real world

[34:10] – Inside the rare, drama-free CEO/COO partnership—what makes “ego-free” collaboration last

[39:55] – How AI transformed operations and supported team members with real challenges

About the Guest

Vincent Malizia is the Co-Owner and Chief Culture Officer of A1 Roofing, a leading commercial roofing company serving the New York tri-state region. Known for his 14+ years of people-first leadership, Vincent rebuilt A1’s company culture from the ground up—cutting turnover by more than half and fostering a team of nearly 100 employees. He’s recognized for his advocacy of autonomy, meaningful recognition systems, family-friendly policies, and investing in mentorship at every level.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. John Starks (guest speaker, leadership retreats)
2. Join Assembly (employee recognition software)
3. WhatsApp chat (team communication)
4. ChatGPT (AI tool for job notes and operations)
5. KFC – Colonel Sanders story
6. Gary Vaynerchuk

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this episode, Sivana sits down with Jim Lutzweiler, Global COO at ForAfrika, to pull back the curtain on what actually makes world-class teams tick. From the dirt floors of Ghana to the boardrooms of Fortune 500s, Jim’s been the fixer for mission-driven giants—solving people, culture, and growth puzzles in over 100 countries.

If you’re tired of surface-level leadership advice and ready to learn the real, gritty skills for building resilient teams, breaking silos, and driving impact under fire, this conversation is your competitive edge. Listen now to dodge the pain and political landmines of hiring wrong, failing succession plans, or losing visibility on what actually matters.

This episode delivers battle-tested wisdom for COOs who want to thrive. Miss it, and you’ll be left behind. Only here will you find these raw, proven insights. Don’t skip this one.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – The no-surprises rule that keeps leadership out of the headlines (and how silence wrecks your team’s brand)

[02:10] – From Peace Corps mud huts to C-suite: why relentless curiosity built Jim’s game-changing career trajectory

[05:33] – Why hiring for passion isn’t enough—developing the DNA for unstoppable teams across 8 countries

[12:17] – When a single email kills your funding: navigating shock, recovery, and reinvention under global donor cuts

[16:48] – The “BMW engine” mentality that rewired how Jim builds high-output teams

[20:07] – How to spot (and fix) hidden silos—and why most leaders get blindsided

[34:10] – In-person secrets: the critical moves that build (or break) trust when screens won’t cut it

[51:31] – Working with visionaries: telling your CEO the hard truth and loving your “number two” seat

About the Guest

Jim Lutzweiler is the Chief Operating Officer at ForAfrika, an NGO transforming lives by unlocking Africa’s resources to help its people thrive. With over 25 years of experience in international development, including work across 100 countries for governments, NGOs, and Fortune 500 companies, Jim is recognized for building resilient teams, leading successful change initiatives, and managing complex projects at scale.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. World Food Programme
2. USAID
3. UNICEF
4. EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System
5. AARP Foundation
6. Duquesne University

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this episode, Sivana Brewer is joined by David Chol, COO of Vanguard Properties, for a candid conversation about breaking through isolation, banishing burnout, and the rare leadership moves every operator needs to hear (but never gets taught).

They dive deep into why “quality over quantity” culture trumps complexity, how to actually build people (not just systems), and what happens when you ditch the rulebook and trust your gut. Learn proven ways to create psychological safety, unleash autonomy, and develop team members you never realized were hiding in plain sight.

Listen now if you want a legendary team, not headaches. Tune in today to steal the strategies you won’t find on any corporate checklist and avoid the silent cost of letting your best people stagnate.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – The wild, serendipitous story of how an overseas friendship turned into a game-changing recruiting move

[01:24] – “Quality over quantity”: The Vanguard way of winning big without getting bigger

[04:46] – Why career-crushing heartbreaks can open doors to your best opportunities—and why David welcomes them

[10:17] – There was no playbook: What happens when you’re handed your “dream job” and left to sink or swim

[13:15] – Surprising truths: What David really discovered about himself when the safety nets disappeared

[19:04] – The secret to creating a culture of radical autonomy without chaos—or loss of accountability

[21:10] – Why most interviews are fake (and how to truly get to know someone before you hire them)

[31:35] – The 15-calls-a-day ritual: The proven method that keeps hidden talent from falling through the cracks

[38:03] – Exactly how to keep your best people growing—plus the overlooked dangers of ignoring their untapped skills

[42:07] – The harsh realities no one tells COOs about—plus honest ways to navigate “second in command” constraints

About the Guest

David Chol is the Chief Operating Officer of Vanguard Properties, the Bay Area’s largest independent and LGBT-led brokerage, boasting 500+ agents and a forty-year legacy. A lifelong real estate operator with roots ranging from private equity to technology, David is known for building standout cultures and pioneering people-first leadership strategies that drive growth, even when markets are in turmoil. At Vanguard, he champions autonomy, radical honesty, and transforming hidden staff potential into real company wins.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. James Nunemaker (Vanguard CEO)
2. Frank Nolan (Vanguard President/Co-Owner)
3. Pam Ruffino (Director of Agent Success)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this candid, deeply human episode, Sivana Brewer talks to Ruth Velez, COO and co-founder of Vinali Group, who led her company from the brink of collapse during COVID through a string of audacious pivots to global growth. Ruth exposes the real emotional rollercoaster behind leading with your partner, building culture across borders, hiring and keeping amazing talent, and never losing faith, no matter how chaotic it gets.

This episode isn’t just about operations, it’s about surviving, adapting, and growing stronger together. Listen now to avoid the pain of stalling out, wasting years on the wrong models, or letting fear keep you stuck. Don’t miss Ruth’s rare, actionable insights. You won’t get this level of honesty or inside story anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – The bold moment Ruth and her husband decided failure was NOT an option

[02:50] – How COVID nearly destroyed their staffing business—and the exact pivot that saved them

[03:59] – Recruiting from Colombia: training from scratch to building a cross-border powerhouse

[05:45] – Nearshoring vs. offshoring: hidden advantages for cost, culture, trust

[08:52] – Security, HR, and team-building—the true reasons to use a staffing partner

[12:00] – Grit and transparency: the secret to client loyalty during chaos

[17:48] – Marriage + business: the COO/CEO dynamic, picking which wild ideas to follow

[24:06] – Being the “options queen”—conquering doubts and finding your strengths

[33:42] – Building legacy: raising entrepreneurial kids in a family business

[35:34] – Only work with clients who TRULY fit—how that changed everything

About the Guest

Ruth Velez is COO and co-founder of Vinali Group, an international nearshore staffing company headquartered in Orlando, FL with offices in Colombia and across Latin America. Ruth is known for operational excellence, culture-building, and helping US companies leverage nearshoring for both trust and talent.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. PPP Loan (COVID relief program)
2. EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System
3. ISO 27001 (cybersecurity certification)
4. Alex and Layla Hormozi (business couple)
5. Traffic and Conversion Summit (business conference)
6. Blockbuster, Redbox, Netflix (examples of pivoting, business adaption)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this episode, host Sivana Brewer talks with the dynamic Meghan Donnelly, COO of Brand Built, who reveals how neurodivergence and automation can become your most thrilling business superpowers.

You’ll get the raw truth on turning chaos into opportunity, why clean data unlocks peace of mind, and the revolutionary systems that make a five-person team outperform companies with hundreds.

If you want to break the chains of burnout, build a brand you love, and create the operational lifestyle most entrepreneurs only dream about… this real, radically honest episode is your shortcut. Listen now or risk falling even further behind. These are actionable insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why “stop working” might be the smartest advice for results

[03:39] – The accidental secrets of scaling despite ADHD—and how neurodiversity can become a victory

[07:52] – How being first and different as a woman in tech nearly broke Meghan Donnelly

[13:47] – The surprising trap of big projects—and the revolutionary 30-day solution

[20:13] – A radical approach to getting business partnerships that pay forever

[27:21] – The automation freak’s shocking rule: automate, delegate, then eliminate

[44:47] – How poor onboarding quietly destroys teams and revenues (and the proven fix)

[52:03] – Loom + AI SOPs: The must-know trick for effortless documentation

[58:29] – Why most business goals keep you stuck—and the “life-first” blueprint

About the Guest

Meghan Donnelly is the Chief Operating Officer of Brand Built, a fast-growing peer-to-peer coaching community for founders focused on LinkedIn branding and business automation. With 15+ years in digital operations, Meghan Donnelly has gone from coder to corporate leader to founder, transforming her ADHD diagnosis into entrepreneurial firepower. She’s known for building operational systems that are so lean and automated, five people can run what usually takes fifty. She’s also the creator of the Queen of Automation podcast and Digital Magic CRM SaaS.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Podcast

Mentioned Resources

1. Digital Magic CRM
2. Nat Berman (LinkedIn expert, founder)
3. Darren Mass (Brand Built founder, exited entrepreneur)
4. Go High Level (software platform)
5. Loom
6. Notion
7. Slack
8. Google Workspace
9. ChatGPT
10. Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS, referenced in approach)
11. Vivid Vision (Cameron Herold’s book)

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this episode, host Sivana Brewer sits down with Matt Rhodes, COO of The Phoenix Method and co-founder of Polaris Capital Investments. Matt shares his raw story of rising from rock bottom, both in business and marriage, using a radical combination of systems, self-accountability, and explosive mindset shifts.

Discover how Matt and his wife Jen rebuilt trust, transformed company culture, and mastered the uncomfortable art of letting go… all while weathering the chaos of COVID and scaling new ventures.

Skip the endless analysis and unlock the real, actionable playbook for bouncing back stronger. Tune in now or risk staying stuck in mediocrity. This episode is an exclusive masterclass for COOs tired of perfection and ready for exceptional impact.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why COOs must “let systems break” to escape perfection traps

[01:16] – The harsh wake-up call that shattered business—and marriage

[04:01] – How COVID exposed fragile culture—and forced total reinvention

[07:07] – The critical hiring shift: moving from sales stars to customer-first teams

[10:33] – Letting go, delegation, and the painful process that actually fueled growth

[13:52] – Fresh eyes: Why bringing in outsiders is the hidden superpower in scaling

[15:17] – The vital metrics Matt tracks weekly to prevent disaster before it hits

[19:07] – How Matt and Jen divided CEO/COO roles to leverage their strengths

[24:02] – Why top COOs never go it alone—the ROI (and resistance) of world-class coaching

[32:12] – Breaking isolation: Why environment and peer groups are every COO’s money-making secret

[36:43] – The one mindset shift that transformed results, inside and out

About the Guest

Matt Rhodes is the COO of The Phoenix Method and co-founder of Polaris Capital Investments, with over 25 years of leadership experience across corporate America, fitness franchises, and strategic investing. Known for his real-world resilience and trailblazing company culture turnarounds, Matt is a go-to coach for leaders intent on transforming challenges into growth opportunities. His current roles reflect his commitment to systems-led scaling, paired with the uncommon honesty few executives dare to share.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Mentioned Resources

1. Ram Dass
2. Snap Fitness
3. Closers.io
4. EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
5. Mindset Coaching
6. Burning Man

About the Co-Host

Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.

🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Sivana Brewer. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

In this episode, Cameron Herold gets real with Jackie Secor, COO of Taco John’s. She’s a 25-year franchise and operations veteran who reveals how trust, creativity, and emotional intelligence drive relentless brand loyalty and profit. They dive deep into promoting insiders, learning from the front line, fighting standardization chaos, and using AI to cut real problems, not just hype.

If you’re tired of leadership fluff and want the actual proven moves great COOs use to build legendary teams, this episode is your advantage. Press play right now if you want to stop the pain of high turnover, poor culture, or outdated systems and get the inside story you’ll never hear anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights

[00:00] – Why problem-dropping is forbidden in Jackie’s office

[03:01] – The unexpected challenges facing any new COO in a legacy brand

[04:06] – Why the right network beats experience every time

[07:42] – Jaw-dropping fix: How she clawed back operational standardization

[09:21] – The hidden dangers of outsourced audits (and how Jackie reversed them)

[13:30] – How stretch assignments reveal real leaders, not just performers

[15:04] – Emotional intelligence: The operator’s secret weapon

[17:42] – How Jackie coaches Gen Z talent when they want the corner office—now

[20:03] – The shocking empathy learned on the franchisee side

[25:41] – Standardizing the most controversial taco technique: meat on bottom or side?!

[29:13] – Multi-generation success—how Taco John’s beats the odds other brands can’t

[32:03] – Are robots and AI the real next move, or total overkill?

[36:03] – Why “get back to basics” wins versus flashy ideas every time

[37:46] – The one job in the restaurant nobody envies (and why it matters for culture)

[43:31] – Redefining quality and value, even as giants like Chipotle pivot fast

[44:04] – Why every franchisor MUST run their own locations for credibility

[45:56] – The advice Jackie wishes she got at 21 (and warns every young COO today)

About the Guest

Jackie Secor is the Chief Operating Officer at Taco John’s, a fast-growing, family-owned restaurant brand with a passionate multi-generation franchise base. With over 25 years’ experience across both franchisee and franchisor sides, including at Auntie Anne’s, she’s renowned for building high-performance teams, driving operational turnarounds, and modernizing legacy operations through creativity and emotional intelligence.

🔗LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources

1. Auntie Anne’s
2. GO To Foods
3. International Franchise Association (IFA)
4. Heather Neary (Taco John’s CEO)
5. Presto AI
6. Chipotle
7. 1-800-GOT-JUNK
8. Starbucks USA
9. Sprint acquired by T-Mobile

Important Links

1. Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
2. Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
3. Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
4. Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
5. Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi