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. 2d ago

    49ers Are Back, Giants on the Brink & The LeBron Fallout

    Matt and Paul are back, and after Paul returns from an undisclosed location, the guys reunite from their new home at Pawn Shop Sports Bar in Hollywood to tackle one of the busiest weeks in Bay Area sports. They break down the stunning fallout from LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers after years of Warriors rumors, ask whether Golden State has officially run out of time to maximize Steph Curry's championship window, and debate the uncomfortable question no Warriors fan wants to ask: if the franchise is already thinking beyond Steph, should they consider trading the greatest player in team history? The guys also react to Kyle Shanahan's terrifying offseason car accident, the return of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, Nick Bosa looking fully healthy, Ricky Pearsall already battling another injury, and whether the 49ers are legitimate Super Bowl contenders heading into the final week of July. Paul thinks they are. The conversation then turns to the Giants, where Matt unloads on what he calls the biggest disappointment in franchise history relative to expectations. Paul pushes back, arguing the Giants aren't quite as bad as they look, while wondering if Ron Washington is the only adult in the room helping hold things together. The guys debate whether Tony Vitello's job is already in jeopardy, what optimism remains for 2027, and preview the MLB Trade Deadline by discussing who should stay, who should go, and what a successful deadline actually looks like. They also wrap up a month of World Cup coverage by looking back at Spain's championship, Argentina's bruising style of play, and whether the final lived up to the tournament's incredible run. Later, the guys dive into Pet Peeves, Pet Pleasures, and Best Things They Saw. Paul talks about the growing Mark Walter controversy surrounding the Dodgers, reviews The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hillel, and shares his thoughts on Widow's Bay. Matt gives his review of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, explains why he'll still take Clash of the Titans, shares his love for The Invite, and breaks down the final season of The Bear. It's another packed episode filled with Bay Area sports, Hollywood, movies, television, and the kind of conversations that somehow only make sense on Beat LA. Thanks for listening! Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok, and don't forget to subscribe. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl 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 Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/

  2. Jul 17

    Back On Top with Craig Carton: Talking Knicks and the Greatest Comeback in Sports Media

    Fresh off celebrating America's 250th birthday, Matt and Paul dive headfirst back into World Cup fever, breaking down the USMNT disappointing exit and if Donald Trump's intervention of the Folarin Balogun red card had anything to do with it. Which begs the question: should politicians be getting more involved in American sports? Should Gavin Newsom launch an investigation into the San Francisco Giants dismal first half? The guys also try to figure out why Erling Haaland returned to Norway with a taxidermied raccoon, because somehow that became the most American story of the World Cup. They also preview the World Cup Final. Is Spain simply too good for Argentina? Matt wonders if Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz sitting in the stands might actually be Spain's secret weapon. From there, the guys shift to Bay Area sports. Is San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello already coaching for his job? And with Golden State Warriors fans officially on LeBron James Watch, Matt and Paul debate Golden State's best recruiting pitch. Golf? Napa weekends? Partial ownership of Tosca Cafe? Nothing is off the table. (24:01) Then Matt and Paul welcome one of the biggest personalities in sports media, radio icon Craig Carton. After turning Boomer & Carton into one of the biggest morning shows in America, life threw Craig one hell of a curveball. Now he's back on top as host of the hugely successful The Carton Show on WFAN. Craig takes us from his days at Syracuse through Buffalo, Cleveland, Denver and Philadelphia before finally conquering New York sports radio. Along the way, he relives the Knicks long awaited championship, explains why James Dolan might be the most misunderstood owner in sports, tells us what the hell happened to the Mets, whether Wally Backman deserves another shot, and if Jets fans should expect a Super Bowl... or just another expensive therapy bill. He also talks about launching his new podcast with Lil Wayne, The Joint Venture. Then the conversation turns personal as Craig opens up about the HBO documentary Wild Card, his gambling addiction, recovery, second chances, whether everything he went through ultimately made him a better radio host, why the second climb has been even more rewarding than the first, and what's still left on his bucket list. It's honest, hilarious, inspiring and completely unfiltered with one of the most fearless voices in sports media. (1:02:57) Craig's story gets the guys thinking: who's on the Mount Rushmore of greatest sports comebacks of all time? Tiger Woods? George Foreman? Michael Jordan? Michael Vick? In Pet Peeves, Paul explains why turbulence should come with more cocktails, not fewer, while Matt unloads on this year's Emmy nominations and wonders if the Television Academy has completely lost the plot. Then, in Best Things They Saw, Matt raves about Olivia Wilde's new film The Invite, starring Edward Norton, Penélope Cruz and Seth Rogen, calling it one of the year's best movies, while Paul reviews the new Counting Crows documentary on HBO. It's another packed episode full of sports, storytelling, second chances and the random conversations that somehow only make sense on Beat LA. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl 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 Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/

  3. Jun 26

    WORLD CUP FEVER! Is the USMNT Making Us Believe? With Guest Kirk Rudell

    Matt and Paul are back and this week it's full-blown World Cup fever. But before they get there, the guys dive into the latest San Francisco Giants chaos, including the Rafael Devers drama, the Pride Hat controversy, Tony Vitello's handling of the clubhouse, and whether Buster Posey is secretly staring at the ceiling at four in the morning wondering what he signed up for. Plus, they look at the NBA Draft, react to the Warriors selecting Yaxel Lendeborg, and check in on soon to be former 49er Brandon Aiyuk increasingly bizarre social media saga. (20:43) Then Matt and Paul welcome back soccer historian and host of the An American Game podcast, Kirk Rudell, for a full-blown World Cup Roundtable. The guys break down the USMNT incredible start to the tournament and ask the question every American soccer fan is suddenly afraid to ask out loud: is this team actually for real? They debate whether Mauricio Pochettino has completely transformed the culture of U.S. Soccer, whether this is the best American World Cup team we've ever seen, and if Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, Folarin Balogun, Jedi Robinson, Chris Richards and company can make a legitimate run. Along the way they hand out awards for the tournament's biggest surprises, biggest frauds, best crowds, best stadiums, best jerseys, and most entertaining teams, debate which dark horse nation nobody is talking about that could crash the party, discuss Scottish fans taking over Boston, does Norway have the most beautiful fans, Mexico and South Korea fans proving soccer might actually solve world peace, and make their Final Four and World Cup champion predictions. If you've caught World Cup fever, this is the episode for you. (1:13:55) Later, Matt and Paul wrap things up with Pet Peeves, Pet Pleasures, and Best Things They Saw. The guys review Obsession, The Agency, and Widow's Bay, celebrate another great week of television, and somehow find their way back to sports, movies, and the random conversations that make absolutely no sense anywhere else except Beat LA. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl 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 Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/

  4. Jun 15

    Music & Mayhem: A Life In Rock Radio with Legendary DJ Tim Virgin

    Matt and Paul are back and this week the sports world is serving up chaos on every front. The guys dive into the San Francisco Giants and ask the question every fan is wrestling with: are they actually worth watching right now? Matt argues that they're still one of the most entertaining soap operas in sports, while Paul breaks down why Buster Posey has managed to break his heart. They discuss Bryce Eldridge, Jung Hoo Lee, whether the Giants should sell at the trade deadline. From there, they hit the NBA Finals, debate whether a Knicks championship would be the last truly great drought-breaking title in sports, discuss the growing LeBron James to the Warriors rumors, the NBA Draft, and preview the World Cup, debating if the USMNT has a realistic shot of making a run. (30:52) Then Matt and Paul sit down with guest, rock radio legend Tim Virgin, longtime host on 97.1 The Drive in Chicago and KSHE 95 in St. Louis. Tim takes the guys on a hilarious journey through more than three decades in radio, from his early days in Toledo to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in rock radio. Along the way, he shares stories about the wild Los Angeles music scene of the 1990s, partying at the Viper Room, getting a demo tape handed to him by a young Adam Levine before Maroon 5 existed, working as a music executive at Columbia Records, hanging out with David Bowie, and kicking it with Dennis Rodman during the Bulls dynasty years. He also talks about interviewing everyone from U2 to Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, and Dave Grohl, just to name a few. The conversation explores how radio has changed, the best interviews of Tim's career and which rock star smelled the best. It's a fun, behind-the-scenes look at a life spent around rock stars, athletes and some truly unbelievable stories from the golden age of radio. (1:23:55) Later, Matt and Paul get into Pet Peeves, including people walking too slowly in crosswalks, taking their shoes off in public, TNT's coverage of the French Open, and Matt's campaign to normalize calling people on the phone. In Best Things They Saw, the guys review Audacity, Dark Wizard, Legends, Cape Fear, and the Martin Short documentary, while Paul shares his favorite airplane movie recommendations and a review of The Lost Boys musical. It's a packed episode full of sports, music, nostalgia, celebrity stories, and the kind of random tangents that somehow make perfect sense on Beat LA. Thanks for listening! Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl 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 Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/

  5. May 13

    Bay Area Sports Roundtable: Giants, Warriors, 49ers & The New Media Game with Dylan Is A Dragon

    Matt and Paul are back with another chaotic Bay Area therapy session, this time joined by one of the fastest-rising Bay Area sports creators on the internet, Dylan Is A Dragon. Before getting to Dylan, the guys catch up on Matt’s bizarre email invite to try out for a professional Greek basketball team, Paul attending what felt like a real-life Succession wedding in Boston, the death of Spirit Airlines, Timothée Chalamet choosing the Knicks over the Met Gala, and a few other signs society may be collapsing in real time. (9:38) Then Matt and Paul sit down with Dylan Is A Dragon for a full Bay Area sports summit. The guys talk about how Dylan built one of the biggest Bay Area sports communities online from scratch through cinematic Giants, Warriors, and 49ers content, what it takes to grow a sports media brand in the algorithm era, and the weird reality of becoming internet-famous talking about teams that actively destroy your emotional health. From there, they dive headfirst into the Giants. Is this team cooked? Is Bryce Eldridge the savior? Should the Giants tear it down and rebuild? Dylan defends Rafael Devers, pitches the path to a Wild Card run, and explains why he still somehow has hope. (41:36) The conversation then shifts to the Warriors and 49ers. Is there one last Steph Curry title run left? Should the Warriors go full Expendables mode and reunite the old core? Could Giannis, LeBron, or even Kawhi somehow end up in Golden State? The guys also break down the 49ers draft, Brock Purdy expectations, Joey Bosa possibilities, why Rams fans are soft for complaining about Australia games, and Mount Rushmores of Bay Area sports heartbreak and glory. It’s a hilarious, passionate, and very online Bay Area sports conversation with one of the new voices of Bay Area fandom. (1:05:51)) Later, Matt and Paul close things out with pet peeves and pet pleasures, including why the NFL Draft belongs at Radio City Music Hall, Andre Agassi unexpectedly promoting the podcast, and Best Things They Saw featuring Beef Season 2 and Your Friends & Neighbors. Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl 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 Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/

  6. May 4

    Justin Gimelstob Unfiltered: Talking Tennis, Second Acts and the Agassi Story

    Matt and Paul are back with another great interview, this time with former ATP Pro and one of the most connected insiders in tennis today, Justin Gimelstob. From winning mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open and French Open with Venus Williams, to playing Davis Cup and now working across the business and storytelling side of the sport alongside Andre Agassi, Justin has seen tennis from every angle.  The guys kick things off with their signature “big serve” question, if your life depended on one ace, who’s hitting it? Justin breaks down the difference between “serve bots” and true clutch servers, why John Isner gets the nod, and what really separates power from precision under pressure. They also touch on his playing days, what it was like competing in front of Johnny Carson and why some players thrive in the chaos of Davis Cup while others never quite find that gear. From there, the conversation shifts into Justin’s long-standing relationship with Andre Agassi, from being a teenage practice partner, to facing him on tour, to now working together on the business and creative side of the sport. Justin shares how that friendship evolved, what they connected on post-career, and why Agassi’s story, told in his bestselling memoir Open, remains one of the most compelling and cinematic in all of sports. The guys dive into the ongoing efforts to adapt Open into a film, the upcoming Andre Agassi documentary on Apple TV and Rally, a scripted tennis drama in development at Amazon. They explore the themes at the core of Agassi’s story, identity vs image, control, reinvention, and why that journey feels more relevant now than ever in the social media era. The conversation also takes a broader look at why tennis still hasn’t produced its definitive movie. What films like Challengers, King Richard get right, where they fall short and what it would take to finally crack the code. Justin offers his take on the current state of the game, including who could break through to win a Grand Slam outside of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. It’s a candid, thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation with one of the sport’s most insightful voices, covering tennis, storytelling, business and everything in between. Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl 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 Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/

  7. Apr 23

    Warriors Fallout, Giants Heating Up, 49ers Draft Reload and a Broadway Detour?

    Matt and Paul are back, checking in after time on opposite coasts. Matt returns from New York, Paul from San Francisco, both coming off directing work they mostly can’t talk about. The guys open with a left turn you didn’t see coming, diving into Broadway with Matt’s review of Dog Day Afternoon starring John Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, plus a quick hit on Death of a Salesman. Not exactly the usual Beat LA beat, but a damn good time. (10:17) Then it’s back to what we do best. The Warriors rollercoaster. From the unbelievable play-in win over the Los Angeles Clippers, a moment that already feels like one of 2026’s best to the reality of the season ending and what comes next. Is Steve Kerr still the guy? Who replaces him if not? What’s the plan around Steph Curry, Draymond Green and a roster full of questions? Big swings like Giannis Antetokounmpo or go after veteran plays like LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. Also, is the NBA Lottery fixed? Matt and Paul hope so. (18:20) The guys shift to the San Francisco Giants, where something… might be happening. Energy is up, the team isn’t boring, and there are legit questions. Is this real or fool’s gold? Names like Drew Gilbert, Heliot Ramos and Bryce Eldridge come up as the future starts to peek through. Plus, Matt declares his appreciation for the chaos of umpire C.B. Bucknor. (32:30) Then it’s draft time for the San Francisco 49ers. With the NFL Draft this week Matt and Paul break down needs, options, trade scenarios and what the front office might actually do. Omar Cooper, Cassius Howell or move back and stack picks? The guys also build out a Mount Rushmore of all-time draft busts, featuring names like JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf. (39:20) Then Pet Peeves and and Best Things They Saw, where they hit Love Story, wrapping up the JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette series, the Martin Scorsese doc on Apple TV, and whatever chaos is happening with Zendaya in her new film The Drama and Euphoria Season 3. Thanks for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. ✌️🎧 📺 🎙️ Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl 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 Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/

  8. Mar 27

    The Voice of Champions: Legendary Broadcaster Ted Robinson on the 49ers, Giants and Wimbledon

    Fresh off a trip to Tennis Paradise, Matt and Paul return from the BNP Paribas Open in Palm Springs. Matt was busy scouting talent, keeping a close eye on Emma Raducanu and Anastasia Potapova, while Paul focused on the real talent, catching Novak Djokovic, Jack Draper and Frances Tiafoe. The guys check in, trade stories from the desert and pay a quick tribute to Chuck Norris before getting into it. (8:28) Then Matt and Paul sit down with broadcasting legend Ted Robinson for a wide-ranging conversation across one of the most versatile careers in sports media. From the voice of the San Francisco Giants, 49ers and Warriors to calling Wimbledon, the Olympics and the NCAA Tournament, Ted has truly done it all. The guys start with his iconic call of “The Catch III”, Alex Smith to Vernon Davis in the 2012 49ers vs. Saints playoff classic. What it was like inside Candlestick Park that day, plus behind-the-scenes stories from Jim Harbaugh’s team. Ted walks us through his journey from Notre Dame to calling minor league hockey in Oklahoma, to landing his first big break with the Oakland A’s after cold-calling owner Charlie Finley. He shares his “welcome to the big leagues” moment, including a wild story involving Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. From there, he takes us through stops with the Warriors in the early ’80s, the Mets, the Twins, along with his time calling Giants baseball in the ’90s, offering stories on personalities like Rod Beck, Willie McGee, Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent and what he learned from managers like Dusty Baker, Tom Kelly and Tony La Russa. The conversation also dives into his long-running partnership with John McEnroe at Wimbledon, what it’s like sharing the booth with one of tennis’s most iconic figures, and who might emerge as the next contender to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Ted also shares the story behind his unexpected cameo in the Rob Reiner film A Few Good Men with Tom Cruise, making for one of the more surreal moments of his career. It’s a masterclass in broadcasting, storytelling and the moments behind the calls. (1:09:19) Later, Matt and Paul close things out with a mix of pet peeves and pet pleasures, including a heated debate on if Chipotle and In-and-Out are overrated, a Mount Rushmore of the greatest sports calls of all time from Vin Scully’s Buckner call to Al Michaels’ 1980 Olympics call. In Best Things They Saw, they review Project Hail Mary and Down DTF St. Louis. Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Hosts: Matt Ferrucci & Paul Ruehl 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 Website: https://www.beatlapodcast.com/

See All (68)

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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Beat LA Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Beat LA Podcast

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