Long Beach Current Podcasts

The hosts Matthew Gomez and Matthew Coleman are joined by Long Beach State’s Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Broadcast Roger Kirk who is a long-time fan of the show.

Starting his journey out of college, Kirk highlights his time covering Minor League Baseball, making it to the Majors and working for the Minnesota Twins. He also discusses why he left the professional baseball scene and made the switch to collegiate sports.

Despite this being his first appearance, Kirk answers a long-standing question from season two guest, Ivan Abril, about what video game he was playing during an athletics road trip.

After a brief hiatus at the beginning of the season, Corn Break is back. This time, it's themed around Kirk's time in the Twins organization, as their High-A affiliate, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, are involved in a seriously corny question.

Wrapping up, the hosts use Kirk's tweets to break down his professional fandoms and learn some of his favorite moments and stops along his career.

Hosts: Matthew Gomez, Matthew Coleman
Guests: Roger Kirk
Editor: Aidan Swanepoel
Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel
Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518

Spotify
⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1⁠

⁠⁠⁠Overcast
https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/long-beach-current-podcasts

This week, the Office of Belonging and Inclusion is hosting Cultural Welcomes @ The Beach. On Tuesday, Sept. 17 is Latine Welcome at 11 a.m. outside the bookstore at the Speakers Platform. On Wednesday, Sept. 18, also at 11 a.m. is the Queer and Trans Welcome at the USU North Lawn. Lastly, on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. in the USU Ballrooms is the American Indian and Pacific Islander Welcome. Each event encourages Long Beach State students, faculty and staff to join and connect within their communities. These events will have free food as well as prizes and games. 

Are you interested in a future in STEM? Visit the Engineering and Technology Job & Internship Fair in the USU Ballrooms on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 12 to 4 p.m. You can prepare for the fair on Tuesday, Sept. 17 with a resume writing workshop held online from 12 to 1 p.m.

Sam Farfán, the Long Beach Current's community engagement manager, joined Beach Weekly to speak on transitioning from the Daily 49er to the Long Beach Current. Farfán elaborated on the processes of the publication change and the feedback from students, staff and alumni.

Three fires blazed through Southern California this past week and weekend. Due to these fires over 100,000 people within three counties have been evacuated. These fires have burned over 111,000 acres of California vegetation, forest and wildlife. The San Bernardino County District Attorney stated that the Line Fire was an act of arson and that three fire-igniting tools and devices were found at the origin of the fire. The suspect was tried in court last Friday with nine felony counts.

Last Tuesday, Sept. 10 Long Beach City Council met to pass the new city budget. The proposed 2024-2025 budget for Long Beach will be $3.6 billion. With an 11 percent increase from last year's budget, Long Beach residents can anticipate higher utility bills and increased pricing in city-wide fees such as paid- parking.

Last Tuesday, Sept. 10, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced off in the 2024 presidential debate in Philadelphia. Many topics were discussed throughout the debate including the economy and taxes, abortion, immigration, the environment and housing. Vice President Harris is hoping for another debate while the former president made a clear statement on Truth Social, “KAMALA SHOULD FOCUS ON WHAT SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE DURING THE LAST ALMOST FOUR YEAR PERIOD. THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” Although the former president feels no need for another debate, his running partner JD Vance will have a debate with Harris’ running mate Tim Walz on Oct. 1.

Last Wednesday, Sept. 11 Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana. New Orleans suffered 7.33 inches of rain and over 140,000 homes lost electricity. At one point, 500 residents were staying in emergency shelters. The hurricane calmed down as it moved towards Mississippi and landed there as a tropical storm.

The eighth Māori monarch was crowned last week following the passing of King Kiingi Tuheitia. The death of the former king, who passed at 69 years old, radiated through many people. Tuheitia’s youngest daughter, Ngā Wai hono i te pō, has risen to take the throne. The 27-year-old is the second female Māori Queen in history after her grandmother.  

Not only are we seeing wildfires locally here in Southern California but wildfires are also raging in Brazil with over 20 percent of the Amazon Rainforest being burned. Due to the fires, over 10,000 species of animals and plants are at high risk of extinction. Brazil says this is its worst fire in 20 years.

Host: Gianna Echeverria

Editor: Aidan Swanepoel

Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel

Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518

Spotify
⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1⁠

⁠⁠⁠Overcast
https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/long-beach-current-podcasts

Stepping away from interviews this week, hosts Matthew Gomez and Matthew Coleman welcome two familiar faces: Long Beach Current photo editor Samuel Chacko and former photo editor and Teed Up host Naoki Gima.

With the NFL season beginning on Sept. 5, the hosts break down the opening game between Baltimore and Kansas City while checking in with resident Ravens fan, Chacko, about what he saw from his team.

Gima gives his annual rundown on how the Philadelphia Eagles will perform and discusses his expectations for the Birds after a disappointing end to the 2023 season.

Coleman defends himself and his beloved San Francisco 49ers amid the never-ending story of coming up short season after season.

Taking advantage of having Gima in attendance the hosts finally unveil this season's official intermission "Corn Break" where Gomez gives insight into some different sports stories relating to the versatile vegetable.

The episode closes out with hosts and guests making their way-too-early predictions for the NFL MVP and ROY, come the end of the season.

Hosts: Matthew Gomez, Matthew Coleman
Guests: Naoki Gima, Samuel Chacko
Editor: Aidan Swanepoel
Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel
Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518

Spotify
⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1⁠

⁠⁠⁠Overcast
https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/long-beach-current-podcasts

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 10, join Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) at the Friendship Walk for their Weekly Farmers Market. The event is held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and everyone is welcome to shop for fresh produce or enjoy a snack from participating vendors.

The Department of Theater Arts kicks off a series of improv shows, An Evening at the Beach, this Thursday, Sept. 12. An Evening at the Beach will have its seven-show run from Sept. 12 to Sept. 21 with each show featuring guest appearances from comedians throughout the Los Angeles area. The shows begin at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre with tickets priced at $23 for students and faculty and $25 for everyone else.

Pick up a new hobby at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, where students can participate in Climbing 101: Intro to Movement. Sessions take place from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 23 and Nov. 22. Learn the basics behind bouldering, which is climbing without equipment at low levels.

Every Wednesday and Friday, students can indulge in free Zen yoga classes at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. Wednesday sessions begin at 5 p.m. and Friday sessions begin at noon. Reservations are required before going to class: make sure to book through the Events & Orgs app on your CSULB Single Sign-On. 

Join Beach Pride Events this Friday, Sept. 13 for Smorgasport. This free annual carnival takes place in Parking Lots E1 and G3 from 6 to 10 p.m. All current Long Beach State students are invited to attend and must bring their student ID and a signed Waiver of Liability to enter. The waiver is available through the CSULB Single Sign-On starting Sept. 9. 

Last Monday, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) answered to early morning reports of a burglary at a beachfront home. Police arrested a man experiencing homelessness who had broken in through the window and stabbed the homeowner. The homeowner was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. As of Sept. 6, the suspect is being held in custody for charges of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary.

Residents all over Southern California are used to high heat throughout the summer but were not expecting last weekend’s extreme heat wave. Last Friday it reached 100 degrees in Long Beach. The last time the city hit a 100-degree high was on Sept. 9, 2022. Recent highs in the Southern California area include 118 degrees in the San Fernando Valley, 104 in downtown Los Angeles, 103 in Orange County, 113 in the Inland Empire and 108 in the High Desert. 

Last Wednesday, Sept. 4 students and faculty at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia experienced this year's 45th school shooting. Two 14-year-old students and two teachers suffered fatal injuries while nine others were injured. All nine of those injured are expected to survive. The 14-year-old suspect is in custody and was tried in court as an adult last Friday. The suspect's father was also arrested in connection with the shooting. The two are currently being held without bail.

Last Tuesday, Sept. 3, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel-Aviv to protest their Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The protests were ignited by the recent deaths of Israeli hostages in Gaza after Netanyahu failed to reach a cease-fire agreement. These protests have lasted almost a week with citizens hoping their voices will be heard.

The country of Haiti declared a full state of emergency as its government continues to battle controlling gangs. These gangs attempt to instill fear throughout Haiti by raiding prisons, freeing inmates and taking over capital buildings. The United Nations reports that almost 580,000 people have been displaced by the strife throughout the country and more than 5 million are suffering from starvation and extreme hunger.

Host: Gianna Echeverria

Editor: Aidan Swanepoel

Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel

Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

In this season's second episode of Teed Up, hosts Matthew Gomez and Matthew Coleman are joined by LBSU Head Coach LaTanya Sheffield⁠ to talk about her experience helming the U.S. women's Track and Field team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and how experiences throughout her career have helped shape her into the coach she is today.

Sheffield is entering her thirteenth season at Long Beach State after a professional track and field career that included a trip to the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea where she placed eighth.

After being on staff as an assistant coach for Team USA's Olympic teams in 2016 and 2020/21, Sheffield was selected by her peers as the women's head coach for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Under Sheffield, the U.S. women's Track and Field team won seven gold, five silver and four bronze medals during this year's Olympic Games.

Hosts: Matthew Gomez, Matthew Coleman
Guest: LaTanya Sheffield
Editor: Aidan Swanepoel
Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel
Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518

Spotify
⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1⁠

⁠⁠⁠Overcast
https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/long-beach-current-podcasts

Listen to this week’s episode of Beach Weekly as we are joined by a special guest updating us on the plans and goals for the LGBTQIA+ community at CSULB and beyond. Also more on events throughout Long Beach and how a major toy company plans to go green.

Luna Veal, the LGBTQIA+ Affairs Commissioner for Associated Student Inc. (ASI), joins Beach Weekly to discuss further plans and events to improve connections within the LGBTQIA+ community on campus. Veal also discusses some of his ideas for off-campus outreach and his goals for the near future.

Join your peers by exploring different organizations and clubs on Sept. 4 and 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Beach Pride Events' (BPE) annual Week of Welcome (WoW) event.  WoW allows students to find out more about any club, group or school department that might intrigue them! Feel free to walk through the tables any time during the event and find something new that catches your interest.

This Friday, Sept. 6 visit the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) for Rec Fest which will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. inside the SRWC Entry Plaza. They will have many things for students to enjoy such as carnival games, a photo booth, free snacks and music. Start your weekend off right by participating in activities at the Fest and you may even find yourself winning a special prize!

Pine Avenue is still closed for the "Summer on Pine!" summer festival! Enjoy another opportunity for a roller disco this Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. On Friday, attend LB Living's "Ascend" from 4 to 10 p.m. where you can enjoy art, listen to house music and buy food and goodies from vendors. To close out the festival on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 2 to 7 pm will be the 2nd annual Viva Long Beach event which showcases Long Beach’s rich culture in light of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The city of Long Beach is taking more action in compliance with Gov. Gavin Newsom's urging for the clearing of homeless encampments from state-owned property. Last Monday, Long Beach city officials began clearing people experiencing homelessness at Gumbiner Park. After it was cleared, the park was closed off and fenced in; the goal being to clear public parks and other facilities that often attract people experiencing homelessness. In her 11-page memo to the city on Aug. 12, Deputy City Manager Teresa Chandler says that the city doesn’t plan on closing off any other facilities but recurring encampments will result in citations and fines. 

Last Thursday, Aug. 29 Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz, had their first joint, sit-down, interview. This interview allowed Harris and Walz to further explain the contrasts between themselves and President Biden’s viewpoints. Along with that, the Harris-Walz campaign began in Georgia this past week and honed in on areas of the state they believe they can impact the most.

Despite global cutbacks on non-essential spending, LEGO has continued to see profits and has begun looking for ways to make production more green. The Danish toy company's essential plastic bricks are currently composed of a mix of renewable materials and ABS plastic, which itself is derived from oil. However; LEGO has announced that by 2032, all new bricks will be made with renewable and recycled materials.

Host: Gianna Echeverria

Guest: Luna Veal

Editor: Aidan Swanepoel

Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel

Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content! 

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518

Spotify
⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1⁠

⁠⁠⁠Overcast
https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/long-beach-current-podcasts

Marking the podcast's return, Teed Up hosts Matthew Gomez and Matthew Coleman debut season four joined by the new Dirtbags head coach, TJ Bruce.

Yet to make his official head coaching debut at Long Beach State, Bruce formerly played and worked as part of the Dirtbags staff for six seasons between 2004-2010.

He highlights his relationships with Dirtbag legends Jered Weaver and Troy Tulowitzki and recaps a memorable 2004 season that saw him and his teammates host the Long Beach Super Regional in a series loss to the University of Arizona.

With fall practices approaching, Bruce shares what it will take to improve the Dirtbags and how they might be considered a true competitor again and not just another mid-major.

Recruiting and departures become a constant conversation as the hosts analyze what the roster will eventually look like and how familiar faces will be replaced from last season's roster.

Hosts: Matthew Gomez, Matthew Coleman
Guest: TJ Bruce
Editor: Aidan Swanepoel
Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel
Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518

Spotify
⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1⁠

⁠⁠⁠Overcast
https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/long-beach-current-podcasts

Listen to the first episode of season 13 of Beach Weekly to learn more about changes to campus over the summer, end-of-summer events in Long Beach and the CSULB alumni and faculty who participated in this year’s Olympics.

The first week back on campus is full of ways to connect with fellow students. Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) is hosting a Back to the Beach Breakfast on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at the ASI Beach Kitchen where students are invited to grab a free pancake and meet new people! 

You can also join ASI at the University Student Union (USU) on Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Back to the Beach Week which includes free giveaways on the Southwest Terrace and music on the USU North Lawn and South Plaza. 

The best way to stay updated and involved with upcoming events around campus is by using the Events & Orgs apps within your CSULB Single Sign-On!  

As always over the summer there were many changes made to facilities and programs here at Long Beach State. To start, our news publication has transformed from the Daily 49er to the Long Beach Current. Read more about the name change by picking up a newspaper from newsstands located around campus. Furthermore, the Film and Electronic Arts department has been renamed to the Department of Cinematic Arts and offers a new curriculum, sound stage and an updated equipment room.

Don't forget about the Day 1 Textbook Access program which allows students to pay a flat rate to receive all of their required textbooks as soon as needed. The program is $250 a semester for full-time students and $165 a semester for part-time students. Participation in the program is voluntary and students will have until Sept. 9 to opt out. 

Starting last Saturday, Aug. 24 a stretch of Pine Avenue from Broadway to Third Street has been closed to traffic and will remain closed for the next two weeks due to the Summer on Pine! street festival. Be mindful of increased foot traffic due to the closure when driving Downtown these next two weeks.

Big Bang on the Bay, has been an annual event in Long Beach since 2011 and has brought people together to enjoy their shared Labor Day weekend. The event will be held this Sunday, Sept. 1 in Alamitos Bay at 4:30 p.m. with the fireworks show starting at 8:30 p.m.

On July 21, President Joe Biden did not accept the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for reelection and instead endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris who accepted the nomination and selected Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, as her running mate.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, two tons of meth disguised as watermelons were uncovered by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in San Diego. The faux watermelons contained over 1,000 packages of methamphetamine and were worth approximately five million dollars. The 29-year-old driver was taken by the Department of Homeland Security for further investigation.

This year there were seven representatives, coaches and players from Long Beach State. Coach LaTanya Sheffield was the head coach for the U.S. women’s track and field team and helped the team earn seven gold, five silver and four bronze medals. Coach Gavin Arroyo was the assistant coach to the U.S. men's water polo team and helped them earn a bronze medal. Two alumni, TJ DeFalco and Kyle Ensing, represented the U.S. men's volleyball team and DeFalco took home a bronze medal. Our Women's water polo assistant coach Rachel Fattal competed with the U.S. women's water polo team and alumnae Marilia Mimides and Orsi Hertzka competed for Canada and France respectively.

Host: Gianna Echeverria
Editor: Aidan Swanepoel
Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel
Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518

Spotify

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1⁠

⁠⁠⁠Overcast

https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/long-beach-current-podcasts

In Season 3 Episode 16 of Teed Up, the hosts Matthew Gomez and Naoki Gima sit down with Daily Forty-Niner Podcast Editor and producer Aidan Swanepoel and Video Assistant Steven Matthews to talk about their time being involved with the show.

Aidan Swanepoel and Steven Matthews have played pivotal parts in making Teed Up what it is today. They sit down with the hosts to give the audience some behind-the-scenes insight as to what went into editing and directing the show.

The guests also talk to the hosts about the struggles they have faced while working on the show and some of their favorite moments from their time on Teed Up thus far.

Hosts: Naoki Gima, Matthew Gomez
Guests: Steven Matthews, Aidan Swanepoel
Editor: Aidan Swanepoel
Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel
Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-49er-podcasts/id1488484518?uo=4

Google Podcasts
https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kMzEwMjEwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1

⁠Overcast
https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/daily-49er-podcasts

In Season 3 Episode 15 of Teed Up, the hosts Matthew Gomez and Naoki Gima sit down to answer questions asked by their fellow Daily Forty-Niner staff members.

The hosts Naoki and Matty take a step back to reflect on their time hosting Teed Up so far and go on to name their favorite moments and guests during a mailbag episode.

The hosts polled questions from the Daily Forty-Niner editorial and multimedia staff to give the people the answers to life's most mind-bending questions such as "What is the meaning of life?" and "What's your favorite sports anime?"

Hosts: Naoki Gima, Matthew Gomez
Editor: Aidan Swanepoel
Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel
Like, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-49er-podcasts/id1488484518?uo=4

Google Podcasts
https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kMzEwMjEwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1

⁠Overcast
https://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/daily-49er-podcasts