Long Beach Current Podcasts

Listen to this week's episode of Beach Weekly to hear about more grants given to aid with the 2028 Olympics, a federal judge stopping President Trump's attempt at freezing billions and catastrophe in Portugal and Punjab.

Listen to this week's episode of Beach Weekly to hear about a shocking upset at the US Open, an engagement that made headlines and a quote of the week by new host Ava Richards.

Hosts Gianna Echeverria and Brandon Rodriguez welcome Dirtbags' new pitching coach and 2004 World Series Champion, Abe Alvarez, along with second-year head coach TJ Bruce. The two coaches reflected on last season and the departure of many seniors, but spoke about what they are looking for in the recruiting process. 

Alvarez brings in a record of experience ranging from playing with the Dirtbags to playing in the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox. His coaching career began at Cerritos High School and St. Bernard High School before progressing to the college level, where he served as assistant coach for Nevada University and pitching coach for BYU. 

Alvarez reflects on growing up in Southern California and coming full circle back to where his playing and coaching career began. With a new coaching staff full of former Dirtbags, Bruce is excited to begin the season in February and keep up the tradition of the “Dirtbag way.”

Hosts: Gianna Echeverria, Brandon Rodriguez

Guest: TJ Bruce, Abe Alvarez

Editor: Gianna Echeverria

Producers: Gianna Echeverria and Dante Estrada

Listen to this week's episode of Beach Weekly to hear about news at the beginning of the fall semester, a jury awards $5.1 million to a Long Beach local and Russia's recent attacks on Ukraine.

During this finals week, feel free to visit the University Student Union North Lawn for ASI’s Finals Week event. A detailed set of activities can be found at asicsulb.org/finals.

As we move into the 2025-2026 school year, President Jane Close Conoley is set to retire over the summer. In a previous statement from the school, they announced that the new president would be announced in July. Students should stay informed over the summer on updates and details.

On May 8, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signifying that a new pope had been elected. In a short two-day conclave, cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church elected Robert Francis Prevost to take the role. American-born Prevost will now be recognized as Pope Leo XIV. On Friday, May 9, Pope Leo spoke his first homily, also known as a sermon, in the first mass since the election. He will be formally inducted as Pope at Mass in the Vatican on May 18.

After so much delay, it is said that the 12 jurors for the Sean “Diddy” Combs case will be selected on Monday, May 12. Attorneys for both parties will go through a selection process with over 40 jurors to decide the 12 jurors needed. This will also most likely be the day of opening statements.

Ahead of a meeting with Chinese officials, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke about cutting tariffs from 145% to 80%. Top officials from both countries are said to meet over the weekend of May 10 to discuss the trade war. Treasury Chief Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, with the Chinese Vice Premier, He Lifeng. This marks the first conversation between the two countries in many months.

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter passed away at the age of 85. Republican President George H.W. Bush nominated Souter for the seat in 1990. After 19 years at the judicial branch, Souter retired in 2009, leaving President Obama to fill the seat. On Thursday, May 8, Souter died at his home in New Hampshire. The Supreme Court announced that he passed peacefully, but did not share any further details.

Host & Editor: Gianna Echeverria

Producers: El Nicklin, Aidan Swanepoel

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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 on Teed Up, hosts Matthew Gomez and Matthew Coleman are joined by 22 West color-commentary announcer JayDe Beaudry to discuss the upcoming men's volleyball tournament in Ohio and if No. 1 Long Beach State can win it all this season despite coming up short the past few seasons.

The Beach lost to Hawai'i at the Stan Sheriff Center, making the Rainbow Warriors the 2025 Big West Tournament Champions. LBSU lost two out of three games to Hawai'i this season, but as the one seed, they can avoid both Hawai'i and UCLA until the National Championship.

In other NCAA men's volleyball news, it was announced that 2024 Final Four participant Grand Canyon University will be unexpectedly closing its men's volleyball program. UC Irvine was also left out of the tournament despite such a strong regular season, snubbing the Big West of three playoff bids.

Hosts: Matthew Coleman, Matthew Gomez
Guest: JayDe Beaudry
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 honor of the closure of the University Student Union, ASI is hosting Union Farewell Week with many events like a block party, mid-day recess, and a silent disco. In addition to the events, games in the USU will be free all week, including bowling, pool, table tennis and anything else in the USU's games center. Stay in the loop with the Events & Orgs app found on the CSULB Single Sign-On.

A shooting on a college campus in Inglewood sent two to the hospital. The suspect was a former employee at the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, where the shooting took place. The two female victims were shot and rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

On a highway near Yellowstone National Park, there was a fatal collision involving a pickup truck and a tour van. The crash killed seven people, including the truck driver and six people in the tour van. Eight others on the bus were injured.

Warren Buffett will be stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. In 1965, he gained control of the former textile manufacturer and turned it into one of the world's wealthiest conglomerates. Buffett announced the news at a shareholders meeting on Saturday, May 3.

The implementation of the REAL ID will go into effect starting May 7. The REAL ID Act was proposed and signed in 2005 to be a better and more secure form of verification for citizens in the United States. Those who don’t have a REAL ID will need to bring their passports even for domestic flights.

Host & Editor: Gianna Echeverria

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

With chunky yarn, vivid colors and unique designs, local hat business Sunburnt Threads embodies creativity and community. In this week’s episode of Artist Banter, host Alex Gryciuk interviews Carly Brenner to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and art.

What initially began as a hobby soon grew into a business when Brenner’s friends began requesting her vibrant handmade beanies.

Encouraged by her support system, Carly launched Sunburnt Threads through Instagram. Fellow students, outdoor lovers and even people in parking lots flocked to purchase hats influenced by nature and vibrancy.

Despite each beanie taking one to two hours to make, a profound love for the craft motivates her creation and design of new projects.

“It’s not just about selling hats,” she said. “It’s about connecting with people and being creative.”

A large artistic outlet, Sunburnt Threads allows Brenner to produce bucket hats and tops as well as social media content. Experimenting with Adobe apps and other digital art platforms, she creates compelling Instagram reels and posts.

“Learning tools like Canva and Premiere Pro has been so fun,” she said. “I’m excited to keep exploring.”

Looking to the future, Brenner hopes to expand her business at local markets and build a website. For the time being, she’s taking it one stitch at a time and focusing on fulfilling orders.

Host & Editor: Alex Gryciuk
Guest: Carly Brenner
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

As season five of Teed Up wraps up with hosts Matthew Coleman and Matthew Gomez, it's a good time to reflect on some of the best moments in Teed Up's history. Gomez has been one of the hosts since the podcast's creation a few years ago and Coleman was a recent addition this school year.

This season of Teed Up has been the most successful season yet based on viewership. Episode six with Long Beach State men's volleyball star player, freshman setter Moni Nikolov, is the most watched episode of all time, with just over five thousand views.

With both hosts and long-time editor and producer Aidan Swanepoel graduating in May, Teed Up will be transitioning to an all-new team starting next semester. Hopes remain high that the incoming hosts will maintain the culture and style of the interviews while still delivering engaging sports content.

Hosts: Matthew Coleman, 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/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518

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

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

Thursday, May 1, marks the first day of Foster Care Awareness Month on campus. Students can receive a free foster care t-shirt with any donation. To claim the tee, visit the Guardian Scholars table on upper campus. To find out more details about events and ways to donate, speak to any guardian scholar or use the Events & Orgs app on your CSULB Single Sign-on.

Beach Pride Events and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center are hosting Queer Prom on Thursday, May 1. From 7-10 p.m. in the University Student Union Games Center, students and non-students can enjoy a classic night of dancing, games and refreshments. The prom is free for students but $10 for non-students. For more info or any questions, email [email protected].

On Monday, April 21, a video circulated showing a man throwing his puppy into the cement and kicking her while she was down. The suspect is 28-year-old Alexander Cueva, whom detectives found on Tuesday. Cueva was taken to the city jail. The dog was placed into the hands of Long Beach Animal Care Services, who released a statement on Wednesday announcing positive news about her recovery. Cueva’s arraignment is today, Monday, April 28.

After terminating the legal status of thousands of international students, the Trump administration announced the restoration of their student visas. This news was released in court on Friday, April 25. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had obtained and terminated thousands of federal student records, which led to deportations and revoked visas. There were dozens of lawsuits against these actions, with several judges issuing emergency orders blocking ICE from terminating records.

Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, at his home in Vatican City. At the age of 88, he experienced a stroke that led to a coma and heart failure. The Argentine was laid to rest on Saturday, April 26, at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. He is the first pope to be buried outside Vatican City since 1903. Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church will convene to elect a new pope, which must begin within 15-20 days following the death of a pope.

On Friday, April 25, Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to his federal charges of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. This case is the Justice Department's first attempt to seek capital punishment since the Biden administration halted its use. Since Thompson's murder in December 2024, Manigone has been held in a federal jail in Brooklyn.

Host & Editor: Gianna Echeverria

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