Sean O’Brien, General President, Teamsters: Labor, Leadership, and the Fight for America’s Workers

Sean O’Brien, the fiery and plainspoken President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, leads one of the most storied labor unions in the United States—representing more than 1.4 million workers across logistics, transportation, and countless essential industries.In this conversation, O’Brien reflects on a lifetime shaped by the labor movement—from growing up in a Teamster family in Boston to becoming one of the youngest leaders in the union’s history. He discusses what it means to lead during a period of deep economic change and political polarization, and how the resurgence of organized labor is reshaping corporate America.O’Brien talks candidly about the role of unions in the age of automation and AI, and his vision for a future where the dignity of work is once again central to the American story.  More than preparing workers for an economy in transition—O'Brien is holding corporations and politicians accountable.  Part history lesson, part call to action, this episode offers an unflinching look at the state of the labor movement—and what purpose-driven leadership looks like.