Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Jesse Jackson
  • 4.9 (149)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

🎙️ Set Lusting Bruce is more than a podcast—it's a celebration of connection through the music of Bruce Springsteen. Hosted by longtime contact center leader and community builder Jesse Jackson, each episode invites fans from all walks of life to share their personal stories, favorite lyrics, and the moments where Bruce’s music met them right where they were. Whether you're a die-hard E Street devotee or someone who just discovered Thunder Road, this show is your backstage pass to heartfelt conversations, unexpected insights, and the kind of camaraderie only music can spark. From tales of redemption and resilience to laughter over setlist debates, Set Lusting Bruce is where fandom becomes family. Because as Bruce once sang, “We learned more from a three-minute record than we ever learned in school.” Proud Member of the Pantheon Podcast Network.

  1. 4d ago

    "Harmonizing Passion: John Gulla on Music, Rum, and Firefly Fandom"

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes John Gulla to Set Lusting Bruce for a wide-ranging conversation beyond Springsteen. John, a Miami native, describes discovering music early, teaching himself by ear, forming a high-school a cappella group that pursued recording contracts and moved from Miami to New York and Washington, DC, before he left the group around age 25 due to financial realities and marketing challenges. He discusses choosing bass guitar, being left-handed, and returning to the University of Miami by working there to complete a Classics degree and a master’s. A devoted Firefly fan, John recounts contributing to The Signal and attending Awesome Con. He then pitches his six-year Rumcast podcast, explaining rum’s global diversity, additive issues, and entry recommendations, plus their Rumcast Reserve bottlings. John answers the “Mary question.” https://www.rumcast.com/ 00:00 Patreon Thanks 01:29 Meet John and Tonight’s Topics 02:03 Early Music Spark 03:05 Musical Home and Learning by Ear 05:45 High School A Cappella Crew 07:08 Chasing the Dream to NYC 08:15 MTV Karaoke and Record Deals 09:35 When to Walk Away 13:01 Parents Support and Band Fallout 15:33 Marketing Challenges and Aftermath 16:53 Why Bass Guitar 19:15 Reinventing Through College 21:50 Classics and Love of Latin 24:24 Firefly Fandom Begins 27:24 The Signal and Early Podcasting 30:09 Awesome Con Trip 31:40 Panels and Fandom Fun 32:37 Rumcast Origin Story 36:20 Rum Rules and Additives 41:13 Starter Rum Picks 45:54 Firefly Podcast Pact 46:19 Animated Firefly Hopes 49:48 Why Firefly Endures 52:30 Rumcast Reserve Update 53:26 Thunder Road Mary 56:04 Wrap and Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    "Harmonizing Passion: John Gulla on Music, Rum, and Firefly Fandom"

  2. 6d ago

    Audrey Hunn's Dance with Sobriety and Springsteen

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Springsteen fan Audrey Hunn, a Philly-born travel agent and craft business owner, who recalls discovering Bruce through The River at summer camp and building friendships via the E Street community and her nearly 10,000-member Facebook group, “Calling All Bruce Springsteen Fans.” Audrey estimates she has attended close to 200 shows, praises the latest tour’s sound, song choices, and the Morello “Ghost of Tom Joad” performance, and describes pivotal experiences: her first show in Philadelphia the night John Lennon was killed, getting a long-sought jacket autograph at the Sirius “Carousel” Promise event, enduring an overnight wait to be first at a Freehold book signing, hosting Jake Clemons for a living-room show, and dancing with Bruce during “Dancing in the Dark” after 56 days sober. She discusses nine years of sobriety, how Bruce’s music helped, and answers that Mary Question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Jul 30

    Tracey Konigsbauer’s Springsteen Story: From Philly to Denver, Jungleland, Tunnel of Love, and 7 Bruce Shows

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Denver-based Springsteen fan Tracey Konigsbauer, who grew up in Philadelphia and says Bruce has always been in her blood. Tracey shares her musical influences (soul, R&B, Prince, The Roots, classic hip hop, The Beatles), her own playing (saxophone inspired by Clarence Clemons, plus guitar), and her move to Colorado. She discusses how Tunnel of Love became her gateway to deeply absorbing Bruce’s lyrics, reflects on seeing Bruce seven times on the East Coast (including Meadowlands and Philly), and recalls an emotional 2012 Philly performance of “Jungleland” after Clarence’s passing as Jake Clemons took the solo. Tracey talks about Bruce and politics, songs she loves and chases, being moved by “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” her local music life in Denver, and answers the “Thunder Road” question: she doesn’t think Mary gets in the car. 00:00 Show Intro 00:48 Meet Tracey 02:38 Denver And East Coast Shows 04:43 Musical Roots And Influences 06:52 Moving Without A Network 10:36 Discovering Bruce Early 11:43 Tunnel Of Love Connection 14:37 Seven Shows And Favorites 16:17 Jungleland Without Clarence 18:08 Bruce And Politics 22:13 Songs That Matter Most 23:24 Top Bruce Picks 23:57 Shore Album Memories 24:40 Marys Place Porch Flashback 26:23 Husband Joins The Fun 28:36 Songs Still Chasing 29:39 Letter To You Grief 31:59 Concert Buddies And First Show 33:00 Red Rocks And Summer Shows 36:41 Sports Allegiance And Bruce Truce 39:19 Does Mary Get In 40:45 Final Thoughts And Real Estate 43:34 Podcast Farewell Message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 29 ·  Bonus

    JKL Media - Bonus Episode Divine Rivals Review: Romantasy, Worldbuilding, and Magic Typewriters

    In a cross over episode, JKL Media Reviews discusses Rebecca Ross’s YA romantasy Divine Rivals, chosen by Karen after previous picks by Lou and Jesse. Lou, not a romance fan, says the book didn’t change his view of romance novels and critiques passive characters, trope-heavy misunderstandings, and underdeveloped worldbuilding, especially the vague setting and limited exploration of the warring gods Dakra and Enva. Jesse enjoys the premise of a WWI-like magical war, likes the characters and love story, and praises elements like the magic typewriters, Roman’s conflict with his family, and supportive elders. The group debates the typewriters as a plot device, the gods’ role in the war, and the twist involving Iris’s brother Forest, then speculates about where the sequel Ruthless Vows will take the story. 00:00 Intro and Pick 01:15 Lou Romance Skeptic 02:22 Jesse Loves Premise 05:26 Lou Worldbuilding Critique 08:04 Why This Book 12:15 Comfort Food Debate 19:10 Magic Typewriters 24:43 Deceit and Tropes 29:05 Genre Tropes Talk 31:11 Flanagan Does Carrie 31:51 Gods And War Lore 35:04 Worldbuilding Complaints 38:53 Forest Twist Reveal 43:47 Romance Tropes Debate 48:29 Dakra Cold Or Hot 49:18 Predictions Next Book 51:28 Wrap Up And Thanks 56:37 Where To Find Us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 28

    Bruce, Movies, and Horror: John Mountain’s Springsteen Story

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes John Mountain, a longtime Bruce Springsteen fan now living in Bakersfield, California, who first connected with Bruce through the 1981 “No Nukes” concert film and was especially moved by “The River.” John shares his early musical influences, love of movies and horror, and how Springsteen’s songs feel cinematic, including connections between “Nebraska” and Terrence Malick’s “Badlands.” He recounts seeing Springsteen live three times—finding the “other band” show disappointing, loving the solo “Ghost of Tom Joad” tour stop, and praising the 1999 E Street Band reunion. John also discusses Springsteen’s politics, favorite artists and albums, and picks standout Bruce tracks. 00:48 Meet John 01:59 Growing Up With Music 04:18 First Records And Elton 05:11 Discovering Bruce Via No Nukes 09:24 Movies And Nebraska 12:25 Seeing Bruce Live 17:08 Politics And Patriotism 19:49 Moving To California 21:27 Horror Movies Deep Dive 24:21 Mike Flanagan Favorites 27:03 Flanagan Film Picks 28:14 Core Cast Spotlight 31:36 Back To Music Talk 31:56 Murder Ballads Deep Dive 34:47 Wide-Ranging Favorites 37:57 Bruce Album Breakdown 42:34 Thunder Road Mary Debate 44:24 Social Media And Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 23

    Dale Hansen on Bruce Springsteen, Dallas Sports, Journalism, and Being a luck SOB

    Jesse Jackson welcomes retired Dallas sportscasting legend Dale Hansen, who reflects on covering the Cowboys across decades, loving sports more for drama than wins and losses, and feeling lucky throughout a 41-year TV career. Hansen discusses his 2019 journalism speech about speaking truth to power and worries about U.S. politics and media capitulation, then traces his lifelong connection to music through radio, his eclectic tastes, and why Bruce Springsteen’s live shows—especially the Austin concert—still amaze him. He shares stories about Elvis, Waylon and Willie, Rod Stewart gifting him a signed soccer ball, meeting icons like Staubach, Nicklaus, and Mickey Mantle, and the enduring impact of his “Thank God for Kids” tradition, while also promoting his podcast, A Dallas Dialogue with Dale. https://www.youtube.com/@DallasDialoguewithDale 01:37 Meet Dale Hansen 03:06 Cowboys Highs Lows 06:38 Local TV Changing 08:23 Journalism Truth Power 11:22 Radio Dreams Early Music 14:42 Eclectic Tastes Springsteen 16:39 Austin Show Behind Stage 19:52 Elvis Waylon Memories 26:09 Rod Stewart Soccer Ball 29:55 First Springsteen Cotton Bowl 33:04 Politics Division Friends 35:57 Art Versus Politics 37:16 Springsteen Politics Debate 38:34 Fox News Bubble 39:02 Hitler Quote Test 40:51 Confronting Conservatives 44:25 Artists And Politics 44:56 Ticket Price Rant 46:51 Turn The Dial 50:10 Beating Verne Lundquist 53:52 Starstruck Encounters 57:25 Super Bowl Lucky Life 01:00:54 Springsteen Concert Tales 01:04:54 Thank God For Kids 01:09:42 Landry Superman Story 01:13:05 Dale Podcast Wrap 01:15:09 Show Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jul 21

    Tim Cowlishaw on Discovering Springsteen, Dallas Sports, and the Soundtrack of a Life

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Dallas sportswriter Tim Cowlishaw to Set Lusting Bruce, beginning with a discussion about Dallas teams potentially leaving the American Airlines Center area and the impact on fans and downtown. Cowlishaw shares his upbringing in Tulsa, New Jersey, and Texas, early musical influences like Beatles and The Who, and how a King Biscuit Flower Hour Columbia Records ad led him to Bruce Springsteen’s The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. He recounts a canceled 1974 Dallas show and finally seeing Springsteen up close at The Bottom Line in 1975, leading to roughly 30 concerts over the years, including 1984 Chicago shows. They discuss setlist predictability, Bruce’s political remarks on recent tours, favorite albums and books, and how Springsteen’s work ethic influenced Cowlishaw’s writing, along with talk of Taylor Swift, Radiohead, and the “Does Mary get in the car?” question. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:50 Dallas Teams Leaving 04:40 Growing Up With Music 06:32 Discovering Bruce 08:19 First Show Cancelled 09:20 Bottom Line Breakthrough 13:12 Chasing Shows Stories 19:21 Setlists And Politics 21:17 Favorite Albums And Books 24:24 Nebraska Movie Debate 26:00 Writing Influences 26:33 Bruce Work Ethic Lesson 28:16 Still Writing Columns 29:43 Mavs Missteps Brunson 32:50 Taylor Swift Live 35:50 Radiohead Berlin Trip 38:54 Cowboys Season Outlook 40:30 Around the Horn Reflections 41:15 Thunder Road Mary Debate 43:11 Backstreets Terry Meaning 45:13 Wrap Up Social Links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jul 16

    Desert Island Albums, Dylan vs. Bruce, and Inventing Survival Gear with Dr. Rob Yonover

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes new guest Dr. Rob Yonover, a Hawaii-based scientist, inventor of military survival gear, and lifelong music fan. Rob recalls seeing Bruce Springsteen in Miami in 1975 and shares his connections to Perry Farrell, along with a deep love for Bob Dylan and a desert-island album pick list (Dylan’s "Highway 61 Revisited," Jane’s Addiction’s "Nothing’s Shocking," and Sublime’s "40 Ounces to Freedom"). Jesse shares his own three albums and how seeing Springsteen live in 2002 sparked an obsession that led to 20+ shows. They discuss album-focused listening, the downsides of phones and streaming culture, favorite concert stories, Rob’s Shark Tank experience with his StreamR invention, and the podcast’s “Mary question.,” http://seerescuestreamer.com/ 01:28 Meet Rob 02:13 First Springsteen Show 04:31 Desert Island Albums 07:24 Jesse Picks Three 09:50 Tracks 2 Overload 12:29 Growing Up in Miami 14:46 Album Listening Debate 17:44 Discovering Dylan 20:26 Jesse Springsteen Origin 23:57 Phones at Concerts 27:54 Wild Concert Stories 33:36 No Electricity Grandpa 34:14 Radio and Music Discovery 38:30 Becoming a Scientist 41:35 Volcanoes to Scholarships 43:20 StreamR Survival Invention 46:37 Shark Tank Showdown 52:08 Phones Apps and AI Rant 53:46 Thunder Road Mary Debate 57:28 Dylan Springsteen Legacy 01:01:09 Where to Find Rob 01:01:55 Final Bruce and Signoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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🎙️ Set Lusting Bruce is more than a podcast—it's a celebration of connection through the music of Bruce Springsteen. Hosted by longtime contact center leader and community builder Jesse Jackson, each episode invites fans from all walks of life to share their personal stories, favorite lyrics, and the moments where Bruce’s music met them right where they were. Whether you're a die-hard E Street devotee or someone who just discovered Thunder Road, this show is your backstage pass to heartfelt conversations, unexpected insights, and the kind of camaraderie only music can spark. From tales of redemption and resilience to laughter over setlist debates, Set Lusting Bruce is where fandom becomes family. Because as Bruce once sang, “We learned more from a three-minute record than we ever learned in school.” Proud Member of the Pantheon Podcast Network.

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