Mikey hosts the Realistic CEO Podcast with Chicopee Mayor John Vieau, who explains that as mayor he functions like the city’s CEO, overseeing finances, departments, services, and serving as school committee chair while working with the city council to keep Chicopee a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Vieau shares his path from a less fortunate upbringing and being the first in his family to attend college (UMass) to serving on the planning board, 16 years on the city council (including council president), and ultimately running for mayor after the prior mayor chose not to seek reelection, citing faith, mindset, and self-belief. He discusses the “five types of work” (hard work, smart work, working right, networking, teamwork), the reality of long, lonely work during challenges like COVID, and lessons about listening, de-escalation, work-life balance, and focusing on mind, body, and spirit, plus favorite mayoral experiences and a few personal fun facts.

00:00 Dreaming CEO Origins

00:27 Meet the Mayor

01:46 From Club Kid to City Hall

04:52 Mindset and Confidence Shift

06:42 Loving Your Work and Serving People

09:01 College Lessons and Self Esteem

10:40 Advice and 80 Summers

13:37 Balance Through Team Leadership

15:21 Storytime I Am A CEO

20:04 Five Types of Work Hard

22:16 Work Smart and Work Right

24:52 Networking Teaser

24:59 Mayors Network Ideas

26:48 Humble Leadership Culture

27:45 Teamwork Hiring Growth

30:20 Chicopee Small Town Feel

33:25 Long Boring Work COVID

38:29 Biggest Mayoral Challenges

41:54 Lessons Mind Body Spirit

46:34 Favorite Moments Fun Facts

49:39 Closing Thanks Call To Action