(1:07) Matt and Paul are back from summer break. Paul braved the Grand Canyon rapids, Matt sipped cocktails at the US Open and just like that… it’s football season, baby! The guys break down a wild 49ers win over the Seahawks: Brock Purdy looked like Montana, Jake Moody sent everyone on a roller coaster, and then got released the next day. Did this pod speak it into existence? We think so. You’re welcome. The defense is blitzing like maniacs, Robert Saleh is back to save the day, the offense is a mash unit (Kittle out, Purdy out, Jennings banged up), and the Mac Jones Experience is on the way. Week 2 predictions vs. the New Orleans Saints incoming.

(30:56) They also chop it up with Mark Rodríguez, CEO of Mastermynd Media and diehard Lions fan. They deep dive all things Detroit sports: Barry Sanders, Miguel Cabrera, Pistons. Later, Mark talks about his digital media company, he tells us how to use social media to your advantage, and also how to stay ahead of the curve with AI.

(53:56) Then it’s back to San Francisco Giants talk. Is Drew Gilbert the new Lenny Dykstra? Are the Giants going to make the Wild Card or break our hearts again? Paul has the answer. In Best Things We Saw, Matt reviews HBO’s Task and Paul hits the Oasis show at the Rose Bowl. We are glad to be back! Thanks for riding with us!

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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Matt and Paul are back in San Francisco and holding court from Original Joe’s in North Beach. Paul previews his next adventure, a trek to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, before the guys pull out their crystal ball to predict what’s next for the 49ers, Warriors and Giants.

Later, they welcome Bay Area news veteran Mike Mibach, the evening news anchor at KTVU Channel 2. He’s a proud St. Ignatius alum and lifelong Giants, Niners and Warriors fan. Mike shares stories from growing up in Novato and San Francisco and how those experiences sparked his curiosity and love for storytelling. He talks about his early days as a child actor, from nearly landing the role of Screech on Saved By The Bell to appearing in commercials for Toyota, Mervyn’s and the Water Wiggle. He also recalls his dream of becoming a fighter pilot, the rush of pulling 9 G’s with the Air Force Thunderbirds, and why he still breaks out the flight suit every Halloween.

In the second half, Mike takes us inside his journalism journey. How he went from his first job as a reporter in Topeka, Kansas to anchoring the news in Tucson, Arizona before making it back home to the Bay Area to join KTVU and following in the footsteps of legend Dennis Richmond. He reflects on the challenges facing Bay Area journalism today and how to deliver facts in the Twitter era where everyone thinks they already know the story. Mike also shares what it was like to cover elections, earthquakes and the championship parades for the Giants and Warriors.

Later, Matt breaks down his top and bottom five movies of the summer, including why he walked out of Superman, and Paul airs his latest Baseball Hall of Fame pet peeve.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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In this episode, Matt and Paul sit down with San Francisco Giants legend Rich Aurilia for an all-timer of a conversation. Straight from the back booth at Original Joe’s in North Beach (5:59).

They talk about Rich’s Brooklyn roots, growing up a Mets fan rooting for the Bad Guys during their ‘86 World Series run, and his journey from St. John’s University to becoming an All-Star shortstop in the Show. He shares stories from his early days under the tutelage of Robby Thompson and Matt Williams, how hot his bat was during the 2002 playoff run, and what it was like to take Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez deep. They go deep on the pain of losing the 2002 World Series, playing alongside Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent, and what Benito Santiago really thought of the Rally Monkey.

The guys also break down the state of the 2025 Giants — what's wrong with the bats, what needs to change, and who Rich thinks they should target at the trade deadline. Plus, would he ever coach? And how personal was his recruitment pitch to Aaron Judge to come home to San Francisco? Later, they uncork the story behind Red Stitch Wine, the label he co-founded with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, and how a guy who once worked backstage at the Metropolitan Opera ended up making premium Pinot.

Rich also talks about his guest spot on General Hospital, the one pitcher he loved to face, choosing between The Godfather and Goodfellas, and whether he’d pour a glass of Barolo or Pinot. Rich is a renaissance man with great stories, big opinions, and serious range. Don’t miss this one.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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In this very special milestone episode, Matt and Paul celebrate 50 episodes of The Beat LA Podcast the only way they know how, by interviewing each other and emotionally oversharing for content. But before things get deep, they play the hits. They talk about the San Francisco Giants and try to figure out what exactly is going on with this team. Is Rafael Devers just in a slump, or is he really the diva Red Sox fans warned us about? He’s standing up Will Clark, struggling at the plate, and frustrating fans. Should we panic or be patient? With the All-Star break here, do the Giants actually have a legitimate shot at the wild card? Then they move on to the Golden State Warriors and their very quiet offseason. What’s going on with free agency? Will they sign Al Horford? And if so, will Al pick Steph, Draymond, and the Warriors culture — or chase Hollywood with LeBron, Luka, and the reality show that is the Lakers?

After all that, Matt and Paul go full Dr. Phil and turn the mics on themselves. They talk about their origin stories, why they came to Los Angeles, and what made them pursue this chaotic, soul-crushing career in Hollywood. They share their favorite sports memories growing up and as adults — from the 1988 49ers Super Bowl to the 2010 Giants World Series run. Then it gets personal. They open up about their late fathers, what it was like growing up with emotionally distant dads, and the lifelong journey of trying to earn their approval. Paul talks about losing his father to cancer during college and how that shaped his path. Matt opens up about his struggle with addiction in his early twenties, how he turned his life around, and the role his mom played in saving him.

From there, it’s all laughs. They share their favorite podcast moments, debate who would play them in the movie version of their lives (Filipino Colin Farrell with imposter syndrome for Matt? Self-loathing Jon Hamm for Paul?), and name their dream guest for episode 100. Spoiler: he was just in White Lotus. In Pet Peeves, they take issue with Gen Z already crowning the Oklahoma City Thunder as a dynasty. They wrap things up with some recommendations, including The Bear, F1, The Materialists, Dept. Q, and the new director of the James Bond franchise. Most importantly, they take a moment to thank everyone who has listened, supported, and stayed with them on this journey. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or you just stumbled on this chaos recently, they appreciate you. They love you. And they still can’t believe they made it to 50.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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Paul returns from Paris and Monte Carlo, dodges Jimmy Butler in the South of France and reports on attending the French Open. He brings back gifts for Matt’s big birthday, but the biggest gift of all? The San Francisco Giants going full blockbuster and landing Rafael Devers. We break it down: the trade, the contract, the power shift. Is this Buster Posey’s flex? And why teams wouldn't do this deal with Farhan. Can Devers carry the load or are we just dressing up mediocrity in a big bat and a bigger price tag? It’s spicy. 

(17:11) Then we sit down with director, actor, producer, and creative coach Mark Gantt, a true Hollywood multi-hyphenate who’s been in the game since before streaming was a thing. He got his start eyeballing Pitt and Clooney in Ocean’s Eleven, helped launch the digital era with the slick, crime show The Bannen Way and went on to direct Lifetime thrillers like Murder in Mexico and The Secret Life of a Celebrity Surrogate. And yes, he tells us the secret sauce behind those Lifetime titles. We also get into his horror hit feature Soul Mates, who would survive longer in a horror movie: Matt or Paul? And directing Marisa Tomei in Malta in the upcoming rom-com F Valentine’s Day. All that, plus a brand-new Coach’s Corner segment on getting unstuck—with help from DayTrip Beverages. 

(1:15:24) Also in this episode:  Saquon Barkley and the cursed Madden cover  Mountainhead is Succession for tech bros  Watch on a Plane pick: Inheritance  Hot Take: Equinox SF is better than Equinox LA  Pet Peeves: LA in the news, Jannik Sinner’s outfits.

Escape the ordinary. Let’s ride.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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It’s the Tennis Show—aka Paul’s Super Bowl—but first, Matt recaps his recent trip to New York, where the city’s energy nearly broke him. From watching delirious Knicks fans lose their minds in the streets to pillaging through the night at legendary spots like Finnerty’s (yes, bars stay open until 4am), Matt realizes he might be aging out of NYC nightlife. Still, he gave it a valiant effort and lived to tell the tale.

(5:30) Then it’s time for the main event: tennis legend Brad Gilbert joins the show, along with his son Zach Gilbert, former Cal Berkeley standout and current Director of Tennis at the LA Tennis Club. We talk Brad’s East Bay roots—scalping tickets with MC Hammer, meeting Al Davis, and wondering if the Raiders will ever win another Super Bowl. They share stories of meeting Michael Jordan, playing HORSE with Chris Mullin, and debate whether the Warriors should re-sign Jonathan Kuminga or trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo—plus Brad drops a scorching-hot Draymond Green take. The Gilberts also help us carve out the Bay Area Sports Mount Rushmore: Steph Curry and Joe Montana are locks—but is it Buster Posey, Barry Bonds, or Rickey Henderson who joins them? Then we hit the court: would Brad’s Winning Ugly style still work on today’s tour? Which American man or woman is most likely to win their first Grand Slam? And in a revealing game of Start, Bench, Cut, Brad and Zach rank the four Grand Slams—their answers might surprise you. We also ask: Would Brad rather coach McEnroe or Connors? And yes, Zendaya’s forehand gets a full scouting report after Brad’s work on Challengers.

Later in the show, Matt and Paul touch on the 49ers locking up Brock Purdy early (for once!) and why the Giants’ offense needs a spark—maybe it’s time to cut LaMonte Wade Jr. and call up Bryce Eldridge. In “Best Things,” Matt reviews the Glengarry Glen Ross revival on Broadway starring Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, and Bill Burr, while Paul breaks down the indie gem A Real Pain. It’s a loaded episode packed with legends, hot takes, and sports across all courts.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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Paul is back from Korea and Japan—and he didn’t come empty-handed. He brought gifts and tales from abroad, including how he ended up on the Jumbotron at a Yomiuri Giants game dressed as a samurai, pitching lemonade to a stadium full of fans. Just another Tuesday for Paul.

Matt kicks things off by recapping the dramatic election of the new Pope in this year’s unofficial Pope Draft. The guys debate which character from Conclave the new pontiff most resembles—and ask the eternal question: could someone still become Pope if they... had a bit of a romantic past?

The conversation then turns to the Golden State Warriors and the end of their playoff run. Is the dynasty over? What’s next for Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler? Is the championship window officially closed, or is there one more shot left? Paul offers some silver linings while Matt breaks down offseason targets and free-agency possibilities. They also check in on the San Francisco Giants. Is it time to panic? Is the slide starting? Should they call up Bryce Eldridge and shake things up?

At 18:50, they’re joined by actor, filmmaker, rockstar, and all-around one-man entertainment machine Jeff Hilliard. Known for his gloriously beautiful and bizarre music videos like My Face, Finger Bang Your Day, and Consensual, Jeff is on a mission to resurrect the lost art form of the music video—one satirical fever dream at a time. Together, the three dive deep into Jeff’s creative process, his philosophy on art and spectacle, and his quest to make music videos matter again. Then things get even weirder: they pitch a plan to convince childless senior citizens to leave their fortunes to the arts, debate whether Meghan Markle should run for president (with Hilaria Baldwin as her VP), and cast Daniel Day-Lewis in an imaginary video titled My Left Dick. They swap stories about meeting P. Diddy and explain what the phrase “No Diddy” means. Finally, they reminisce about Los Angeles nightlife in the ‘90s, when the city was a sexy supermodel. Now? It’s a fat guy asking you for money.

After the interview, Matt and Paul break down the latest in Bill Belichick girlfriend drama, the 49ers’ offseason moves, and Paul’s unforgettable sauna run-in with George Michael. They close things out with a review of Apple TV’s new series Your Friends and Neighbors starring Jon Hamm.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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Matt and Paul are back—with a new sponsor, Daytrip Beverages—and they’re cracking open a wild one. First up, the NBA Playoffs: Can the Warriors survive the Rockets? Can Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler carry them to the next round? (3:59) Then it’s over to the San Francisco Giants, where Paul wonders if their hot start is real or if he’s just chugging the Kool-Aid. (9:59)

Next, the guys sit down with legendary director Rawson Marshall Thurber (Dodgeball, We’re The Millers, Red Notice, Central Intelligence, and the upcoming Voltron). (12:52) They talk about everything from growing up in Orinda, CA, playing wide receiver in high school and college, to interviewing Will Clark as a kid and throwing out the first pitch at a Giants game. Oh, and yeah—he’s literally in the Madden Video Game for EA Sports. 

Then it’s a full-on 49ers therapy session: What went wrong last season? Should they pay Brock Purdy? What’s the deal with Mac Jones? And is Kyle Shanahan’s arrogance the elephant in the locker room? Rawson breaks down the Niners’ offense like a mad scientist and shares how he’d fix the salary cap. Later, they talk Hollywood: Will we ever get a Dodgeball or We’re The Millers sequel? (56:48) Is Rawson secretly behind the Jason Bateman renaissance? And the trio plays a round of “Start, Bench, Cut” for their favorite sports movies.

Wrapping things up in the “Best Things They Saw” segment: Paul reflects on watching Conclave following the passing of Pope Francis, while Matt reviews Mobland on Paramount and Your Friends and Neighbors on Apple TV. (1:15:25)

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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In this jam-packed episode, Matt and Paul kick things off with a heartfelt tribute to legendary actor Val Kilmer, sharing favorite roles and iconic moments. Then it’s all gas, no brakes as they break down the Golden State Warriors’ playoff push, celebrating clutch wins over the Grizzlies and Lakers. Can Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler dig deep and get the Warriors out of the play-in madness?

On the baseball front, the guys are fully unhinged about the San Francisco Giants’ red-hot start. Is Wilmer Flores drinking from the fountain of youth? Will Heliot Ramos actually hit 30 bombs? Paul’s guzzling the Giants Kool-Aid and boldly predicts a Wild Card run.

Later, Dodgers superfan and Pantone 294 founder Alex Soto returns to the pod! (17:23) Fresh from Tokyo, Alex dishes on the epic Dodgers vs Padres series, the scene at the Tokyo Dome, Shinjuku nightlife, and how Japan stacks up to Korea for baseball fans. The crew debates the rise of torpedo bats, wonders if the Dodgers are the new Evil Empire, and makes spicy World Series predictions. Plus, Alex drops updates on the brand-new Pantone 294 podcast and his killer El Lay Sports apparel line.

In Best Things They Saw, Matt and Paul reveal their theories for the White Lotus season finale, Matt previews Apple TV+’s new series "The Studio" with Seth Rogen, and Paul gives a sweet shoutout to his mom’s special birthday.

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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Paul takes the charter in from Palm Springs for this week’s episode as he and Matt break down the San Francisco 49ers Free Agency Exodus—disaster or silver lining? Matt calms Paul’s panic over the 49ers' offseason moves, debates the Mac Jones signing - he is not the next Sam Darnold, and explores trade rumors surrounding Brandon Aiyuk. Plus, does Kyle Shanahan need a wake-up call? 

Producer Nick Conrad shares exclusive details about Club 33, Disneyland’s ultra-private VIP club (5:56). Matt analyzes the Golden State Warriors resurgence, Jimmy Butler sightings in San Francisco, and the rebirth of Steph Curry and Draymond Green—can they make a deep playoff run? Paul battles his sports superstition: when he watches, they lose; when he doesn’t, they win (15:50). 

Paul also dives into the San Francisco Giants impressive spring training, their 2025 outlook, and what selling 10% of the franchise means for the future. Later, actor, writer, and musician extraordinaire Zach Selwyn (24:24) joins to discuss his Yankees fandom, almost winning ESPN’s Dream Job in 2004- which searched for the next SportCenter anchor, hosting Attack of the Show on G4, and working with Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, and the White Mamba Brian Scalabrine on TBS Sports. He shares wild stories about directing Rob Gronkowski, a legendary lunch with Lenny Dykstra, and celebrity basketball at the Hollywood YMCA. 

In Best Things They Saw, Matt and Paul break down White Lotus, Severance, Mickey 17, and Black Bag (1:06:17).

Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl

Producer: Nick Conrad

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