The Beat LA Podcast

Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl
  • 5.0 (40)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

It’s only three syllables and two words, but there is one clear message behind it: BEAT LA. Join hosts Matt and Paul, two diehard San Francisco natives working in Hollywood, as they discuss all things 49ers, Giants and Warriors with a dash of movies, TV and pop culture. It’s a chant that belongs to the world and its singular purpose bands us together… “Beat LA!”

  1. 12/22/2025

    Best of 2025! 49ers Dreams, Warriors Panic & the Year’s Best Movies and TV with Nick Conrad

    In this year-end episode, Matt and Paul close out 2025 the only way they know how: big takes, Bay Area chaos, and a full-blown Best of the Year breakdown. The guys open with the San Francisco 49ers, asking the only question that matters: are we headed for the #1 seed or Wild Card City? They unpack Jauan Jennings weekly trash talk, whether this season is Kyle Shanahan’s best coaching job of his career, and if Brock Purdy has the juice to make a real playoff run. The fellas give predictions for the Colts matchup and map out the rest of the season and postseason. Then it’s panic time. What is going on with the Golden State Warriors? Is the season cooked? Is this the end of the Steve Kerr era? Can Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler save this thing, or is it time to blow it up? The guys run through trade targets and uncomfortable truths. Quick hits on the San Francisco Giants, the winter meetings, the trade market, and who Buster Posey might chase before spring training. (25:18) After that, it’s time for the main event. The annual Best of the Year with Beat LA producer and Sixth Man of the Year, Nick Conrad. The crew debates the best movies of 2025, including F1 and Paul’s undying love of Sinners. They jump to TV, breaking down favorites like Your Friends & Neighbors, MobLand, 1923, Adolescence, and The Pitt. They cap it with the best sports moments of the year, from Patrick Bailey’s walk-off against the Dodgers, to Buddy Hield going nuclear in the playoffs, to Paul witnessing tennis history at the French Open. In Pet Peeves of the Year, the guys unload on the Dodgers’ mentality and Netflix’s quest for global domination. Matt hands out the Beat LA Man of the Year to Daniel Lurie, and the episode wraps with quick reviews of Knives Out 3 and J. Kelly. It’s been a hell of a year. Thanks for listening, thanks for watching, and thanks to every guest who helped make 2025 our best year yet. Here’s to an even better 2026. Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl Producer: Nick Conrad Follow, Subscribe & Watch the Show on: Watch Episodes on YouTube! Instagram: @beatlapodcast TikTok: @beat.la.podcast Email the show at: beatlapodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt Ferrucci on Instagram: @matt_ferrucci Follow Paul Ruehl on Instagram: @llruehlj

    1h 22m

  2. 12/05/2025

    49ers Rolling plus World Cup and Jets Pain with Will & Grace Writer and Soccer Podcaster Kirk Rudell

    In this episode, Matt and Paul open with the state of the Bay. The 49ers are suddenly surging heading into the bye week, Jauan Jennings is talking like a WWE wrestler, and Kyle Shanahan looks like a coach who finally grew up and learned how to adapt. The guys also dive into the Warriors, who are stuck with a stagnant offense, no self-creation and the growing sense that the locker room might be tuning out Steve Kerr. Then it is Giants talk, including the surprising news that the team is not pursuing major free agents, even Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who openly said he wants to come to MLB specifically to take down the Dodgers. (22:08) After that, Matt and Paul sit down with writer and producer Kirk Rudell, whose credits span Will & Grace, Spin City and American Dad. Kirk talks about growing up a long-suffering Jets fan in New York City, attending Princeton with Paul, and whether Paul has lied for years about being a campus legend. Then the guys dig into the sitcom years, the Michael J. Fox era of Spin City and what it was like writing on huge network shows when sitcoms ruled TV. Kirk breaks down how he fell in love with soccer, the true ceiling of the USMNT under coach Mauricio Pochettino, his predictions for the 2026 World Cup, the sleeper nation he believes could win it all and how far the United States can realistically go on home soil. They also get into Messi in Miami, LAFC culture, the Oakland Roots and Kirk’s new podcast An American Game with co-host Tom McCabe, which explores the wild, forgotten origin story of soccer in America. (1:13:17) Later in Pet Peeves, Matt rips Avatar, Trent Williams, Ja Morant and Kenyon Martin, while confessing his deep and shameless love for The Grove and Nordstrom. In Best Things We Saw, Paul reviews the Eddie Murphy documentary Being Eddie, and Matt recommends Family Rental and Train Dreams. Thanks for listening. Do not forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl Producer: Nick Conrad Follow, Subscribe & Watch the Show on: Watch Episodes on YouTube! Instagram: @beatlapodcast TikTok: @beat.la.podcast Email the show at: beatlapodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt Ferrucci on Instagram: @matt_ferrucci Follow Paul Ruehl on Instagram: @llruehlj

    1h 25m

  3. 11/14/2025

    Giants Hire Vitello, 49ers Crunchtime and The Circle’s Jack Atkins on Reality TV and Gen Z Culture

    In this episode, Matt and Paul open with the San Francisco Giants hiring Tony Vitello. Is this the bold reset the franchise needed or a beautiful disaster waiting to happen? The guys dive into what this means for the Giants future and why Paul believes Buster Posey is about to transform into the official free agent whisperer. Then the guys move to the state of the 49ers. Is this team still in the playoff hunt or are we staring straight into doom and gloom? They break down the Brock Purdy vs. Mac Jones simmering quarterback controversy and give their prediction for this week’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. (20:07) After that, Matt and Paul sit down with actor Jack Atkins, the youngest guest in Beat LA history and easily one of the funniest. Jack talks about growing up in New Haven, Connecticut as a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, leaving the University of Chicago to star on the Netflix hit reality show The Circle, and what it was like catfishing America as a character named Emily. Jack breaks down how to spot a real life catfish on the dating apps and the fellas start building their own unhinged reality shows. Matt pitches a real life version of The Running Man. Paul creates a killer concept called “The Will,” a show where younger guys try to charm their way into wealthy older women’s wills. Jack then gives Matt and Paul the full Gen Z report on Los Angeles nightlife. Are people still going out or is the city just full of run clubs now? They talk what it’s like trying to break in as an actor today in a social media world, Jack getting 11 million views playing the character Lil Brick in a film about a fictional SoundCloud rapper and his upcoming starring role in the comedy Chet Bond: License To Chill. (1:14:41) Later in Pet Peeves the guys hit Gavin Newsom for rooting for the Dodgers and the petition to get Bad Bunny off the Super Bowl halftime show. They discuss Landon Donovan’s hair transplant, Gabe Kapler running the Marlins and Barry Bonds returning to the Hall of Fame ballot. In Best Things, Matt recommends House of Dynamite, The Diplomat and Death by Lightning. Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl Producer: Nick Conrad Follow, Subscribe & Watch the Show on: Watch Episodes on YouTube! Instagram: @beatlapodcast TikTok: @beat.la.podcast Email the show at: beatlapodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt Ferrucci on Instagram: @matt_ferrucci Follow Paul Ruehl on Instagram: @llruehlj

    1h 26m

  4. 10/17/2025

    NBA Preview with Netflix’s Starting 5 Showrunner Peter Scalettar + 49ers Panic Mode

    Matt returns from New York empty-handed and Paul is furious, but there’s no time for gifts because the 49ers rollercoaster is officially back in freefall. The guys break down the emotional trauma of being a Niners fan: losing Fred Warner for the season, the weekly “who dies next” anxiety, and whether John Lynch should make a desperation trade or ride it out. They debate Statue of Liberty Mac Jones, the return of George Kittle and Brock Purdy’s swagger, Jennings vs. Shanahan sideline beef, and give their prediction for this week’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Has the luck officially run out? (17:15) Then they sit down with Peter Scalettar, director, producer and showrunner of the Netflix series Starting 5, which premieres October 16th. Peter takes us behind the curtain on what it’s really like following LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum for a full season. He previews Season 2, explains how he accidentally predicted the future by casting Tyrese Haliburton before his NBA Finals run and SGA before his MVP season, and tells us what KD, James Harden and Jaylen Brown are actually like when the cameras stop. He even gives his NBA Finals prediction and one surprise team in his Final Four. (1:04:01) After that, Matt and Paul pivot to the San Francisco Giants’ manager search. Is it Nick Hundley’s job to lose, or is there a dark horse name waiting in the weeds? Matt breaks down the Warriors preseason and makes an early prediction. In Pet Peeves, Paul unleashes on the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Matt vents about TSA, government shutdowns, and the hell of American airports. They close on Best Things, discussing HBO’s Task, the Charlie Sheen documentary, and saluting D’Angelo and Diane Keaton. Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl Producer: Nick Conrad Follow, Subscribe & Watch the Show on: Watch Episodes on YouTube! Instagram: @beatlapodcast TikTok: @beat.la.podcast Email the show at: beatlapodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt Ferrucci on Instagram: @matt_ferrucci Follow Paul Ruehl on Instagram: @llruehlj

    1h 25m

  5. 10/06/2025

    49ers Wild Win! Mac Jones Mayhem and One Battle After Another with director Rawson Marshall Thurber

    We’re back! The guys dive straight into one of the wildest 49ers wins of the Shanahan era. (6:52) It’s a full-on lovefest with returning guest and diehard Niners fan Rawson Marshall Thurber, director of Dodgeball, We’re the Millers, Red Notice and the upcomingVoltron. Matt and Rawson were both at SoFi for the game and the fellas break down how Levi’s South took over the stadium and how a battered roster straight out of Average Joe’s Gym somehow took down the NFL’s Purple Cobras. Mac Jones is officially Him, Kendrick Bourne turned into Jason Bourne, and there may or may not be a quarterback controversy with Brock Purdy. They debate whether this was the grittiest win of the Shanahan era, if you’d rather have Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan as your head coach, and whether the biggest free agent acquisition was Robert Saleh or Mac Jones. Eddy Pineiro gets his flowers, Tampa Bay is up next, and the guys try to decide if this team is a playoff squad or a Super Bowl problem. From there Rawson talks about how he landed the Voltron job and what he brought into the pitch room. Then they discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film One Battle After Another. They also reflect on the passing of Robert Redford, Rawson meeting him at Sundance, and their favorite Redford films. Rawson recommends the new season of The English Teacher on FX. (1:08:33) After Rawson signs off, Matt and Paul shift gears to the San Francisco Giants and put a bow on the season. They throw out predictions on who the next manager will be and give Buster Posey a performance grade for his first year at the helm. Then it’s on to the Golden State Warriors. Was the Jonathan Kuminga deal the right move or is he trade bait at the deadline? They wrap up with Best Things They Saw: Alien Earth, The Lowdown and Platonic, before closing out Pet Peeves with Duane Kuiper, Jaxon Dart’s mom and green dildos. Thanks for listening! Follow and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl Producer: Nick Conrad Follow, Subscribe & Watch the Show on: Watch Episodes on YouTube! Instagram: @beatlapodcast TikTok: @beat.la.podcast Email the show at: beatlapodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt Ferrucci on Instagram: @matt_ferrucci Follow Paul Ruehl on Instagram: @llruehlj

    1h 40m

  6. 09/12/2025

    49ers Chaos! Purdy Out, Kittle Down, Giants Fight Back & Detroit Sports with Mark Rodríguez

    (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 Follow, Subscribe & Watch the Show on: Watch Episodes on YouTube! Instagram: @beatlapodcast TikTok: @beat.la.podcast Email the show at: beatlapodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt Ferrucci on Instagram: @matt_ferrucci Follow Paul Ruehl on Instagram: @llruehlj

    1h 14m

  7. 08/11/2025

    Breaking News, Covering Giants Parades & Pulling 9 Gs with KTVU Anchor Mike Mibach

    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 Follow, Subscribe & Watch the Show on: Watch Episodes on YouTube! Instagram: @beatlapodcast TikTok: @beat.la.podcast Email the show at: beatlapodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt Ferrucci on Instagram: @matt_ferrucci Follow Paul Ruehl on Instagram: @llruehlj

    1h 11m

  8. 07/29/2025

    Giants Legend Rich Aurilia on Barry Bonds, Rally Monkeys, Red Stitch Wine & Crushing Hall of Famers

    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 Follow, Subscribe & Watch the Show on: Watch Episodes on YouTube! Instagram: @beatlapodcast TikTok: @beat.la.podcast Email the show at: beatlapodcast@gmail.com Follow Matt Ferrucci on Instagram: @matt_ferrucci Follow Paul Ruehl on Instagram: @llruehlj

    1h 15m
See All (58)

5
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

It’s only three syllables and two words, but there is one clear message behind it: BEAT LA. Join hosts Matt and Paul, two diehard San Francisco natives working in Hollywood, as they discuss all things 49ers, Giants and Warriors with a dash of movies, TV and pop culture. It’s a chant that belongs to the world and its singular purpose bands us together… “Beat LA!”

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Beat LA Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Beat LA Podcast

You Might Also Like