Off The Beat with Brian Baumgartner

Brian is swapping secrets with broadcast journalist Alisyn Camerota this week. She pulls back the "anchor mask" and delves into her rebellious youth, the conflicts with Roger Ailes during her tenure at Fox News, her transition to the culture of CNN, and what to do when the constant firehose of a 24-hour news cycle gets overwhelming. These stories and many others can be found in Alisyn's new book,...

David Dastmalchian is on the pod this week proving once again that there are no small parts, just small actors. He and Brian discuss the rigor of traditional theater training, the joys of digging into character creation, David's struggles with mental health and overcoming addiction, and the edgy breakout roles that turned him into a recognizable creep. Catch David in the new movie Late Night with...

This week Brian is searching for his "missing" invitation to Augusta National with PGA Tour golfer, Justin Thomas. From youth phenom to the #1 professional in the world, Justin has dominated the game of golf over much of the last decade and is just hitting his stride. In this episode, he details memories of witnessing an inspiring Tiger Woods shootout, his early rivalry with Jordan Spieth, his leg...

Brian’s guest today is none other than Juror #6, Ronald Gladden of the hit show Jury Duty. Ronald talks about his start in construction engineering, being the last person on Craigslist, and building his new life among the stars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian talks with actress, documentarian, and multi-generational icon, Soleil Moon Frye. Best known for her breakout role as the young Punky Brewster, Soleil reflects on Punky's continuing influence, how supportive family and close friends allowed her to have a childhood through the pressures of network success, and how an appreciation of the world brought her behind the camera and lead to the crea...

Brian's attention turns from football to baseball this week as he gets into the spring training mindset with Fox Sports analyst and Hall of Fame pitcher, John Smoltz. A veteran of over 20 years in professional baseball, "Smoltzy" takes us behind the scenes of his storied career from star high school athlete and Detroit Tigers prospect, to playoff near-misses and eventual World Series redemption as...

It’s Brian’s favorite time of the year…Super Bowl week! To celebrate, he brings on NFL Network’s analytics expert Cynthia Frelund to talk about the Big Game. They discuss everything from the tough Detroit Lions loss, to Cynthia’s multiple degrees, to their picks for the Super Bowl. Plus, Brian takes a moment to share about his most recent trips to golf tournaments and charity events. See omnystudi...

We are counting down to the big game this week as Brian is joined by author, podcaster, and "Best in the Business" NFL insider, Jay Glazer. The Fox Sports contributor breaks down his keys for getting the big scoop, the lessons of his short-lived MMA career, how teams can be powerful assets off the field, and his current charity work with organizations like Merging Vets & Players.  Jay is also...

Brian is back in the accountant's corner this week with returning favorite, Angela Kinsey! The long-time friends share stories about the time they unknowingly met at a Señor Frog's, tips for getting an internship in New York City, their big TV show pitch to Telemundo, and the conclusion (and exciting future) of Angela's Office Ladies podcast.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian is feeling the postseason excitement this week with former SportsCenter host and current NFL Network star Rich Eisen. After celebrating the recent Michigan national championship win, Rich shares highlights from his career as a sports journalist and stories of some of the big personalities that influenced his approach, finally he shares his thoughts on the NFL playoff matchups going into Wild...

Brian's New Years' wishes are answered this week as Angelique Cabral is on the podcast. She details her humble beginnings in the commercial acting world, her time honing her skills with regular appearances on everything from soap operas to sitcoms, and how her deep love of Broadway informed her role as Queen Amaya in Disney's Wish . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian goes "long" this week with former NFL defensive end Chris Long! In a spirited and open discussion the two-time Super Bowl champ details his early life as the son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long, dealing with the pressures and high expectations from the football world as well as from around his dinner table, and later successes on his own terms with the Eagles. Listeners can catch Chris in hi...

First aired in 2021. To wrap up the year and the holiday season, we are revisiting Brian’s trip to Scranton, Pennsylvania! He talks with some of the people who have been on this journey with him since day one, and whose lives have been changed just as much by The Office as his own. So join us on a trip to the home of Dunder Mifflin, where everybody’s arms are always open to The Office family. See...

Brian looks at just a few more of his favorite moments from the year on the podcast, including Landon Donovan’s determination to uplift soccer in the US, Jason Alexander’s hair journey, and how Eric McCormack magically learned to play piano just like Elton John. Hear from: Alex Caruso, Landon Donovan, Jason Alexander & Peter Tilden, Eric McCormack, and Rosie O’Donnell. See omnystudio.com/liste...

Brian’s getting sentimental, looking back on his amazing guests and favorite moments of 2023.  He revisits the origins of the Law & Order franchise, and an extremely authentic, not-made-up recipe for hot dog pizza. Hear from: Angela Gibbs, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Kevin Reilly, Maz Jobrani, and Rainn Wilson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Off the Beat, home of the Off the Beat interview. Can I take your order? Brian serves up a fresh podcast hot off the griddle for you today as he talks with actor and comedian, Kel Mitchell! The pair discuss Kel's early start in acting, the pressures of success at a young age, his creative partnership with comedian Kenan Thompson, and revisiting his character of Ed in this year's Good Bu...

This week Brian has a neighborly conversation with actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar. The pair cover MPG's lengthy career from Indonesia to Bayside High and beyond, including stories about his friendly childhood rivalry with Paul Walker, the origins of the character Zack Morris and reinventing himself as an actor with grittier and riskier roles on "NYPD Blue" and his current character of Sir on NBC's "Fou...

Just before the past weekend’s SEC Championship game, University of Georgia Athletic Director Josh Brooks sat down with Brian in anticipation of the big game. They reminisce about their viral beginnings, playing sports in suits, and their beloved Dawgs.  See Josh throw a javelin in his business attire here , and the video that made them friends here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Brian is back with The Other Black Girl herself, Ashleigh Murray. Ashleigh schools Brian on the difference between Kansas City in Kansas and Missouri, the pearls and pitfalls of adapting a beloved comic book character, and nearly calling a SWAT team over a mysterious bottle of champagne in her hotel room. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Brian celebrates the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike with star of Hulu's The Other Black Girl, Sinclair Daniel. They discuss Sinclair’s bi-coastal beginnings, how New York City shaped her early acting experiences, and the highs and lows of releasing a TV show during the actors' strike. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian is on today with sports journalist extraordinaire Bomani Jones. Bomani tells Brian how he ended up with three separate economics degrees, his hot take on hot takes, and his very favorite part about sports: the petty dramas behind the scenes of college football. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian works on his French language skills this week with actor, author, and mental health advocate Stephanie Szostak! Stephanie surprises Brian with stories of her childhood in France, her brief career as a part-time model in New York, and her early successes working alongside legends like Meryl Streep and Steve Carell. The pair also discuss the inspiration behind Stephanie's new book, "Selfish: S...

Brian responds to YOUR questions this week on a very special Mailbag episode of Off the Beat! We get the inside scoop about the highs and lows of Brian’s professional career, his preference for villains, hot takes on college football, and personal tips for always staying beautiful. Plus he spills the beans on his not-so-secret chili recipe ! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s all things golf this week when Brian is joined by his friend and retired PGA Tour golfer, Colt Knost. Colt doesn’t hold back as the two discuss highlights of his notable amateur career, the constant grind of making The Cut, finding his second life as a media personality for CBS Sports and Sirius XM, and his opinions on the challenges currently facing the game. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Chicago Bulls player and all-defensive first team NBA player Alex Caruso talks about fulfilling his destiny at Texas A&M, taking the long way to the NBA, and Brian and Alex both share their most embarrassing basketball moments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.