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Better Bad Ideas with Sean O'Brien

7EQUIS
Labor Unions
UPS
Healthcare
Teamsters
Teamsters Union
Education
International Brotherhood Of Teamsters
Amazon
Democratic Party
Automation
Comedy
Artificial Intelligence
Labor Movement
Better Bad Ideas
Michigan
Politics
Keches Law Group
Covid-19
Ohio
Boston

Sean M. O'Brien sits down with the realest personalities on earth. First episode drops January 15th, 2025 and every Wednesday after that. Follow @betterbadideas

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes78Founded2 years ago
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Special thanks to our Launch Sponsor, Keches Law Group! Visit www.KechesLaw.com for your legal needs.

This episode is also brought to you by LaborFirst, the leader in healthcare

navigation and advocacy for plan sponsors, union members, and ... more

YouTube

Special thanks to our Launch Sponsor, Keches Law Group! Visit www.KechesLaw.com for your legal needs.

This episode is also brought to you by LaborFirst, the leader in healthcare

navigation and advocacy for plan sponsors, union members, and ... more

YouTube

Special thanks to our Launch Sponsor, Keches Law Group! Visit www.KechesLaw.com for your legal needs.

This episode is also brought to you by LaborFirst, the leader in healthcare

navigation and advocacy for plan sponsors, union members, and ... more

YouTube

Special thanks to our Launch Sponsor, Keches Law Group! Visit www.KechesLaw.com for your legal needs.

This episode is also brought to you by LaborFirst, the leader in healthcare

navigation and advocacy for plan sponsors, union members, and ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Rich Raymond
CEO of Armstrong Ambulance
Armstrong Ambulance
Episode: Why This CEO Embraced the Teamsters Union | Better Bad Ideas w/Sean O'Brien | Ep. 78
Nick Collins
State Senator from South Boston
Massachusetts Senate
Episode: Massachusetts State Senator Nick Collins | Better Bad Ideas w/Sean O'Brien | Ep. 75
Willie Gross
Retired Boston Police Commissioner, first African-American commissioner in Boston
Boston Police Department
Episode: Boston's First Black Police Commissioner - William Gross | Better Bad Ideas w/Sean O'Brien | Ep. 74
Mike Lawler
Congressman, Republican from New York
U.S. House of Representatives, New York
Episode: How Social Media Destroyed American Politics | Better Bad Ideas | Ep. 73
Steve Cardillo
Fitness belt entrepreneur and longtime industry figure
Cardillo USA
Episode: Building A Fitness Dynasty w/ Steve Cardillo | Better Bad Ideas | Ep. 72
Sean Allen
Union Proud Warrior member; generational bricklayer
Bricklayers union (Local context referenced)
Episode: A New Era of Union Organizing w/Union Proud Warrior | Better Bad Ideas | Ep. 71
Jimmy Fulton
Union Proud Warrior member; content creator and influencer
Union Proud Warrior
Episode: A New Era of Union Organizing w/Union Proud Warrior | Better Bad Ideas | Ep. 71
Patrick Keefe
Mayor of Revere, Massachusetts
City of Revere
Episode: Inside Revere with Mayor Patrick Keefe | Better Bad Ideas | Ep. 70
Chris Woods
Author of Balls and Brains; leadership coach
Coach; Author of Balls and Brains
Episode: Why Flatlining Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me | Better Bad Ideas | Ep. 69

Host

Sean O'Brien
Host of the show, lead interviewer with focus on labor, policy, and leadership; prominent union figure.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 176 ratings
  • Benson

    Benson what a condescending blow hard just what we need another blow hard democratic lawyer fair election what a joke good luck Michigan let me know how that works out

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    KevinLemieux
    United States6 months ago
  • Let the guests talk

    Today driving north on 23 through Chillicothe, OH, I decided to listen to your interview with Amy Acton. Could only get a half hour into it because Sean takes 5 minutes to ask her a question lets her talk for a minute then interrupts her. She was being very polite, but as a listener from Ohio interested in hearing from her I was frustrated. I told myself if Sean says, "I'm from Massachusetts," one more time, I'm done and sure enough. Go back and listen to it Sean. On the way home I tried again t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mojack 00
    United Statesa year ago
  • A man with great American views

    I am not a team so I am a simple local businessman. I’ve known Sean my whole life.

    Since we were kids him and his brothers and his father always stood up what was right in the community. In my opinion, I’ve been listening to these podcasts and they bring me back!! Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    E-frommedford
    United Statesa year ago
  • Sean O’ Brien

    Sean is what the IBT has needed. I look forward to Amazon joining the Teamsters.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ronny Hale
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Show, Great Host

    Sean is stand up guy, no question about it. I really like the show content and format, genuine. After nearly 40 years of blue collar work I am more pro-union than ever. I wish the Teamsters represented us at Boyne USA, we could benefit greatly from the collective backing. Thank you Sean!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IDontKnowWhatIveBeenTold
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience praises candid, bold exchanges and nuanced takes on labor and governance.
Some listeners criticize interview pacing and perceived over-sharing by the host.
Listeners perceive strong pro-union, pro-worker advocacy with direct, no-nonsense discussion.
Guests and topics generate controversy, attracting engaged, opinionated feedback.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why This CEO Embraced the Teamsters Union | Better Bad Ideas w/Sean O'Brien | Ep. 78
Q: What was the biggest challenge in negotiating with the city of Medford?
Navigating Medicare kickback concerns and ensuring contractual language prohibited pay-to-play while still enabling needed funding for dispatch infrastructure.
Why This CEO Embraced the Teamsters Union | Better Bad Ideas w/Sean O'Brien | Ep. 78
Q: Why did Armstrong Ambulance decide to partner with Teamsters Local 25?
Because it aligned with their long-standing culture of patient-first care and stable, clear expectations for employees; the union provided a predictable framework for pay and benefits, which in turn supported quality service and community trust.
UPS vs. The Teamsters: Corporate Trickery Meets Union Power | Better Bad Ideas | Ep. 77
Q: The New York Operator asks, looking back at your career, what's one lesson you learned on the job site that still guides you today as general president?
The core lessons center on punctuality, following the contract to the letter, and enforcing rules consistently to protect the rank-and-file, while remaining adaptable to changing circumstances and preserving integrity in every workplace interaction.
Massachusetts State Senator Nick Collins | Better Bad Ideas w/Sean O'Brien | Ep. 75
Q: If you could have lunch with anybody that's still alive, who would that person be?
Nick Collins would choose Barack Obama due to his ability to bridge gaps, move an agenda, and bring people along.
Building A Fitness Dynasty w/ Steve Cardillo | Better Bad Ideas | Ep. 72
Q: So tell the audience how we find you, how we find your products, what your social media platform, plug whatever you want to plug.
Cardillo directs listeners to Cardillo USA online, highlighting Instagram for visual content and the brand's presence across sports media, while stressing the ease of purchasing through online channels and his nephew's ANC-backed retail network.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Better Bad Ideas

What is Better Bad Ideas about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A hard-hitting, politically and socially engaged interview series that centers labor, policy, and leadership. Episodes frequently feature union leaders, public officials, and high-profile guests who discuss organizing strategies, governance, criminal justice, and real-world impact on workers and communities. The show is notable for blunt, no-nonsense takes, hands-on industry anecdotes, and a willingness to clash on controversial topics, often stitching personal stories into larger debates about power, economy, and social justice. Listeners can expect provocative conversations with a strong emphasis on workers' rights, practical governance, and the human side of policy battles, along with practical insights for professionals navigating union... more

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1. The Shawn Ryan Show
2. The President's Daily Brief
3. The Joe Rogan Experience
4. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
5. Morning Wire

How many episodes of Better Bad Ideas are there?

Better Bad Ideas launched 2 years ago and published 78 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Better Bad Ideas?

Recent guests on Better Bad Ideas include:

1. Rich Raymond
2. Nick Collins
3. Willie Gross
4. Mike Lawler
5. Steve Cardillo
6. Sean Allen
7. Jimmy Fulton
8. Patrick Keefe

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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