In this episode of I’m an Artist, Not a Salesman, Luis Guzman sits down with returning guest Mayor Raymond Giacobbe of Rahway, New Jersey for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, pressure, family, community, creativity, resilience, and building a city with purpose. Since his last appearance, Luis has watched Rahway continue to grow, and this conversation takes a look at what is happening behind that growth. Mayor Giacobbe is quick to give credit to his council, staff, directors, and the people around him. For him, leadership isn't about taking all the credit. It's about building a strong team, listening to different opinions, earning buy-in, and making decisions that serve the residents of Rahway. One of the biggest lessons in the conversation is “control the controllable.” Giacobbe talks about dealing with the pressure that comes with being mayor, a husband, and a father by focusing on what is directly in front of him instead of getting overwhelmed by everything that could happen tomorrow. One step, one priority, one day at a time. Preparation is another major theme. Giacobbe explains why being prepared gives you a better chance to succeed, while Luis connects that idea to one of his favorite athletes, Derek Jeter. When you're prepared, the game slows down. That lesson applies whether you're leading a city, running a business, creating art, or trying to build a career. The conversation gets personal when Giacobbe talks about his family, the loss of his daughter Anabella, and the His Bella Kind Foundation, which has helped turn grief into positive work supporting young women in Rahway. The episode shows the person behind the title and the experiences that have shaped the way he leads. A major part of the episode focuses on arts and culture in Rahway. Giacobbe explains why supporting artists isn't just about entertainment. The arts bring people together, create access for young artists, attract visitors, and help local businesses by bringing people into the city. Rahway's growing arts district is a major part of that vision. Some of the projects and topics discussed include: Rahway's arts district, including the UC PAC, Hamilton Stage, and local art galleries. The planned outdoor amphitheater, river walk, open fields, and rain gardens. Public art, including murals, the MLK Park renovation, Veterans Park, and the Harriet Tubman statue. Support for local businesses, redevelopment, and creating more daytime foot traffic downtown. The importance of community inclusion, making residents feel seen, heard, and respected. How preparation, reflection, accountability, and learning from mistakes can make you a better leader. The conversation gets into small business, economic development, redevelopment, public safety, politics, diversity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, antisemitism, and community responsibility. Giacobbe explains why transparency matters and why leaders need to communicate the “why” behind their decisions. For him, earning the trust of residents means being honest, accountable, and willing to explain the choices being made. Luis and Giacobbe also talk about his vision for Rahway's next chapter. His “North Star” is creating more daytime foot traffic so residents and visitors support local businesses while bringing more industry and jobs into the city. The goal is a stronger local economy where businesses, residents, artists, and the community all benefit. At the heart of this episode is a simple idea: leadership is about people. Giacobbe talks about being born and raised in Rahway and wanting to leave the city better for the next generation. He wants residents to feel proud of where they live and confident that their voices matter. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to I’m an Artist, Not a Salesman, follow the podcast, and share it with an artist, entrepreneur, business owner, or community leader who could get something from the conversation.
