Podcast Summary

Podcast: Laugh with Me
Host: Jeremy Odem
Episode Title: I'm the Mayor of Creston, Iowa
Date: October 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "Laugh with Me" features a major—and hilarious—announcement from host Jeremy Odem: his candidacy for mayor of Creston, Iowa. Drawing on his time as the Hy-Vee grocery store director in Creston and his roots in both comedy and community service, Jeremy comedically pitches himself as the town's new leader following the sudden resignation of the current mayor. The episode is packed with Jeremy's signature wit, heartfelt reflections on small-town life, spontaneous musical numbers, and even a message recorded immediately after a colonoscopy—demonstrating how the role of mayor is, quite literally, always on his mind.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Big Announcement: Running for Mayor

• [01:57] Jeremy shares the recent news: Creston’s Mayor Waylon Clayton resigned unexpectedly, announcing his move to Florida.
• Jeremy seizes the moment to publicly declare his intention to become Creston's next mayor.
  • “I, Jeremy Odom, host of the Laugh with Me podcast and former Creston resident, is officially announcing candidacy for mayor of Creston, Iowa.” [04:31]

2. Roots and Reasons: Why Jeremy?

• Jeremy highlights his two-year stint as Hy-Vee store director in Creston (2016–2018) as preparation for public office.
  • “You get everybody coming your way. I feel like that prepared me, like no other job could have, to be the mayor.” [05:02]
• Emphasizes his skills: business management, leadership, budget balancing, and community-building.
• His vision:
  • Building a stronger community
  • Supporting local businesses and families
  • Transparency and open-door policy in leadership
  • Investing in infrastructure and education

3. The Process and Pitfalls of Becoming Mayor

• Discusses Creston's process for appointing a new mayor. Special election was ruled out for budget reasons; candidates must now apply.
  • “My hand is raised. I am ready. I am ready to lead those folks in Creston, and I'm ready to lead all of you listening...” [07:16]

4. The Mayoral Musical Numbers

• The episode features original lighthearted “campaign” songs interspersed throughout, highlighting Jeremy’s comedic approach to leadership.
  • Lyrics celebrate Creston’s small-town charm, Jeremy’s “plan and dream,” and the promise to lead with “a laugh and a cheer.”
  • “With a laugh, with a cheer / Let the banners fly / Creston’s rising / Touching the sky” ([08:43] and reprised throughout)
  • The songs reinforce the tongue-in-cheek tone and manifest Jeremy’s campaign spirit.

5. Post-Colonoscopy Reflections: Leadership, Groceries & Pizza

• Jeremy recounts recording a message for the people of Creston immediately after waking from a colonoscopy, driving home his sincere (and comic) commitment:
  • “When I immediately woke up, I pulled out my phone and I recorded this message because I had Creston on my mind. And I knew in that moment, this was my destiny.” [13:15]
• In the post-anesthesia message, Jeremy playfully references:
  • His dedication to community events and service at Hy-Vee
  • The integral role of small businesses, the local “uptown” area, and even the quality of Angie’s pizza
  • His plan to use skills and “push [his] weight around” for community fundraising
  • Willingness to “Zoom in” to meetings if weather’s bad (“…I’ll be there unless the weather’s bad. And then we’ll zoom it in.” [16:43])
  • Commitment to putting the well-being of Creston’s residents first

6. More Musical Fun and the Episode Close

• Further campaign-themed musical refrains, engaging listeners with the “up, up we’re lifting this town” theme ([18:49], [19:56]).
• Jeremy reiterates his contact for media inquiries and delivers one last pep talk for Creston.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |:----------:|:--------------|------------------| | 01:57 | Jeremy Odem | “Creston without a mayor. It got me thinking real hard. What’s a guy like me… always thought at some point… I’m going to look to the public service department...” | | 04:31 | Jeremy Odem | “I, Jeremy Odom… is officially announcing candidacy for mayor of Creston, Iowa.” | | 05:02 | Jeremy Odem | “You get everybody coming your way. I feel like that prepared me, like no other job could have, to be the mayor.” | | 06:55 | Jeremy Odem | “I want to put the people of Creston always in the express lane… always feel like they’ve gotten the best service they could possibly get from the people that serve them.” | | 13:15 | Jeremy Odem | “When I immediately woke up [from colonoscopy], I pulled out my phone and I recorded this message because I had Creston on my mind.” | | 14:19 | Jeremy Odem (post-colonoscopy message) | “People of Creston, I’m your mayor now. People of Creston needed someone that cares… cares about the well-being of the people.” | | 16:43 | Jeremy Odem (post-colonoscopy message) | “I’ll be there unless the weather’s bad. And then we’ll zoom it in. Even sometimes I’ll just be like, I’m busy. So we’ll zoom in. But I’ll come. I’ll stop by that Angie pizza…” | | 18:49 | Narrators/Singers | “Small town streets where the whispers grow… Creston’s rising, touching the sky… He’s got a grin, he’s got a plan, he’s got a dream, a mayoral man…” | | 20:24 | Jeremy Odem | “We’ll see you soon, Creston.” |

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:00] – Jeremy opens and teases the “shocking” news about Creston’s mayor
• [01:57] – Resignation of Mayor Waylon Clayton and Jeremy’s idea for candidacy
• [04:31] – Official on-air mayoral announcement
• [06:09] – Why Jeremy is qualified—grocery store, small-town roots, management skills
• [07:16] – Explanation of Creston’s mayoral selection process
• [08:07] – Start of the campaign musical number
• [12:01] – Jeremy on media inquiries and segue into the colonoscopy story
• [13:15] – Story about post-anesthesia message for Creston
• [14:19] – Full (and funny) “post-colonoscopy” message to Creston voters
• [18:49] – Reprise of the campaign song and comedic mayoral promises
• [20:24] – Jeremy’s closing lines to Creston

Tone and Style

Jeremy delivers the episode in his signature blend of warmth, tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation, and sincere affection for small-town life. The campaign songs accentuate a mock-grandiose yet heartfelt tone, keeping listeners both entertained and oddly hopeful about Creston’s comedic political future.

In Summary

This episode of "Laugh with Me" blurs the line between stand-up and civic engagement as Jeremy Odem roller-coasters from comedic news commentary to an “official” campaign launch, complete with musical interludes and a genuinely earnest, if slightly groggy, pitch for the mayor’s office. For listeners, it’s a comedic masterclass in making local politics fun—anchored in real affection for community, leadership, and classic Iowa small-town spirit.