Off The Beat with Brian Baumgartner

A special double feature for the first week of football! First, Brian and his old pal Rainn Wilson commiserate about their abysmal showing in their fantasy league, wonder what happened to television comedies, and get pumped for their upcoming Office trivia night supporting Rainn’s foundation, Lide Haiti. Then, he recaps week one on the field with Off the Beat producer and NFL aficionado Ryan “Papa” Zachary.

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This week Brian has an inspiring conversation with NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Kurt Warner. He talks about his keys to confidence, getting the most out of his time on the field - wherever that was - and his predictions for this season’s underdog teams.

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On this episode, famed actor and hog wrestler Michelle Monaghan tells Brian all about growing up in a VERY small town, forging lasting relationships in Hollywood, and everything she could say about White Lotus season 3 (don’t get your hopes up).

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Brian sits down with the divine Da’Vine Joy Randolph to discuss feeling cool at theater camp, working with greats like Robin Williams and Eddie Murphy, and the whirlwind that comes with major award nominations.

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This week Brian chats with someone who could definitely beat us up, actor Aleks Paunovic. The 6-foot-5-inch former amateur boxing champion gets emotional talking about his connection to the ring, how his early days as a musician sparked his love for performance, breaking into the Canadian film industry as a stuntman, and how advice from Anthony Hopkins changed his life. You can catch Aleks in the final season of Snowpiercer airing now on AMC.

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Actor, writer, and producer Isabelle Fuhrman is our guest on the podcast this week. She and Brian talk about playing pretend, Leonardo DiCaprio, villainous motivations, and horses. Plus, we get Isabelle's recommendations for fancy cheeses and whether or not the Swiss know how to barbecue. Currently you can see Isabelle in the Kevin Costner-directed western, Horizon: An American Saga.

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For the third glorious time on this podcast, Brian sits down with his good friend, Creed Bratton. But this time, he’s not speaking to the actor, but to the rock star Creed, about touring across Africa, his first invitation to the Playboy Mansion, and his best album yet, Tao Pop - out this September.

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On today’s episode, comedian Gary Vider talks about growing up with a con man, as Brian admits to a minor scam of his own. Gary describes his years-long grift at Madison Square Garden, going to dog college, becoming a father himself, and his new podcast about his life, #1 Dad, out now from iHeart.

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This week Brian welcomes actor, podcaster and Chicago sports fan Jake Johnson. After a deep dive into how the Bears will (or won't) sneak their way into the playoffs next year, Jake discusses his early days in the NYC sketch comedy scene, how a half-remembered urban legend became fodder for the creation of Drunk History, and how his love for absurdity influenced the growth of his character on the hit sitcom New Girl. Listen to Brian’s episode on Jake's podcast "We're Here to Help" - available now wherever you get your podcasts. 

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As hundreds of athletes, actors, musicians, and more descend upon South Lake Tahoe to compete in the American Century Championship this week, Brian revisits some of his favorite moments at and about the tournament. Along with Marcus Allen, Jerome Bettis, Jimmy Roberts, The Miz, and Vince Carter, they talk strokes, wedges, holes-in-one, and bump-and-runs… oh and golf, too.

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