
Jeremy Nunes was a stand-up comedian looking for an extra $75 a month when he decided to run for his small-town board. Two years later, campaigning as "a real joker in office," he was elected mayor of Dawson, Illinois. Then the joke got serious. A broken water main threatened the town's water supply. Flooding put its water plant at risk. Residents resisted change. A pig got loose on Main Street. And the job Jeremy thought might take five hours a week sometimes demanded six or seven hours a day. In this funny and surprisingly thoughtful conversation, Jeremy reflects on what happens when someone who never expected to become a civic leader suddenly has people depending on him. He and Matt talk about crisis leadership, supporting staff, confronting "that's how we've always done it," and learning on the job when there's no manual for what comes next. Most of all, Jeremy offers a simple reason more people should consider serving their communities: "People did it for you." LINKS Jeremy Nunes: https://www.jeremynunes.com/ Ask a Question or Leave a Comment: 602-688-2724 Send Matt a Note: Matt@SocialProsperity.us Apply to Be a Podcast Guest: CatalystGuest.us On Substack: Democracy Runs on Dialogue™ Connect on LinkedIn: MattLehrmanProduced by Social Prosperity Partners
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