Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Jesse Jackson
  • 4.9 (149)
  • Music Commentary
  • Daily

🎙️ 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. 1h ago ·  Bonus

    Set Lusting Football: Bills 7-1, Cowboys Concerns, Pearl Jam Updates, and Fandom After the Election

    Jesse and Wendy record a duet-style episode mixing NFL talk, music news, and politics. Wendy recaps the Bills’ 7–1 start, a primetime win over the Vikings, Josh Allen’s highs and lows, and a defensive trade for Titans safety Amani Hooker, while previewing a Jets matchup and hoping for a deep playoff run. Jesse shares missing the Cowboys game due to travel and a John Hiatt tribute at the Ryman featuring Sean Colvin, Steve Earle, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell, and Lilly Hiatt, then worries Dallas will be overwhelmed by the 49ers. Wendy updates Pearl Jam happenings, including Mike McCready’s comic, Jeff Ament’s photography book tour, and OhanaFest. They discuss election results, the shutdown of a Springsteen fan group, and separating art from artists. 00:00 Show Kickoff 01:13 Bills Win Breakdown 03:10 Big Defensive Trade 04:52 Cowboys Recap Road Trip 10:09 Pearl Jam Updates 12:19 Election Reflections 17:04 Springsteen Group Fallout 18:31 Separating Art and Artist 20:47 Michael Jackson Dilemma 21:24 Separating Art and Artist 23:10 Covering Harry Potter TV 24:47 Fandoms and Politics 27:24 Misheard Song Meanings 30:47 Football Week Preview 34:43 Podcast Plugs and Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 10h ago

    Gary Goldstein - Bruce Springsteen Fandom, Hallmark Romance & ‘Canine Custody’

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes writer and journalist Gary Goldstein to Set Lusting Bruce discussing Goldstein’s career from movie publicity to TV, film, stage, books, and nearly 20 years writing for the LA Times. Goldstein contrasts screenwriting and novel writing, explaining that novelists must act as the “camera” while screenplays are blueprints, and he describes using film-like structure and pacing in his books. He shares his music upbringing, working at Sam Goody, and discovering Bruce Springsteen in college through Born to Run, later seeing Springsteen live in Boston in 1977 and praising The River. They discuss Springsteen’s recent tour as courageous and story-driven, plus Goldstein’s Hallmark work, including Friends & Family Christmas and its GLAAD nomination. Goldstein introduces his new novel Canine Custody, a dark rom-com about a divorcing couple fighting for their rescue dog, and previews other writing projects, ending with his answer that Mary gets in the car in Thunder Road. https://www.garygoldsteinla.com/ 01:29 Meet Gary 02:36 Career Journey to Books 04:31 Screenplays vs Novels 07:42 Growing Up With Music 10:37 Record Store Education 13:43 Movies Shaping Taste 15:49 Discovering Springsteen 18:14 First Shows and The River 20:43 Tour Talk and Setlists 23:35 Politics and Revival Energy 25:09 Hallmark Movies Intro 26:28 Hallmark Gets Broader 26:36 Pitching A Queer Romcom 27:21 Family Support Done Right 27:52 GLAAD Nod And Impact 29:00 Introducing Canine Custody 29:24 Betty Sparks The Split 31:07 Becoming A Dog Person 32:06 He Said She Said Dog Said 33:31 Why Couples Fall Apart 35:09 Please Come To Boston Setup 37:16 Springsteen Concert Catalyst 38:10 Seventies Music And Research 40:06 Dream Projects And True Crime 42:46 Next Novel Laurel Canyon 44:30 Thunder Road Mary Question 45:40 Where To Find Gary 46:17 Bruce Coasters And Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Gary Goldstein - Bruce Springsteen Fandom, Hallmark Romance & ‘Canine Custody’

  3. 2d ago

    Kevie the Dreamer on R&B Roots, Nursing, Faith, and Podcasting | B-Side

    Jesse Jackson hosts a B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce featuring Kevie the Dreamer, a nurse of 16 years and host of Kultivation with Kevie. Kevie shares growing up in Gallipolis, Ohio with a deep R&B foundation shaped by his father’s CD and vinyl collection, and how Aaliyah’s death and BET’s 106 & Park influenced his own musical identity. He describes Amerie as his defining artist, explains what her music means to him, and recounts meeting her backstage after connecting via Twitter. The conversation also covers Kevie’s nursing career across multiple hospital units, burnout and COVID’s impact, his faith background, and how a late-night spiritual prompting led him to start his podcast focused on empowerment and storytelling. The episode ends with the Thunder Road “Mary question,” and Kevie shares where to find his show online. https://keviethedreamer.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Kevie the Dreamer on R&B Roots, Nursing, Faith, and Podcasting | B-Side

  4. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    Set Lusting Football - Week 8: Bills’ New Stadium, NFC East Misery, and a John Hiatt All-Star Tribute

    Jesse Jackson hosts a full Set Lusting Football panel—Wendy, Holly Mack, Joe K, and Rich—for weekly NFL talk with music detours, including Jesse battling a cold and ongoing NFC East frustration. Joe focuses on the Commanders’ future with Jayden Daniels and lessons from RGIII, while Rich laments Philly’s six-game losing streak and defensive decline but hopes a Giants win keeps the division alive. Wendy recaps attending the Bills game in the new stadium, praising its design, tailgating, and the Bills’ post-bye performance while looking ahead to Monday Night Football vs. the Vikings and possible defensive trade help. The group critiques Jerry Jones’ ownership and coaching philosophy as Dallas loses again, discusses upcoming matchups, and closes with Jesse’s Nashville trip for an all-star John Hiatt tribute concert and a note about Rush Sphere shows. 00:00 Show Kickoff Intro 00:45 Meet The Panel 02:25 Commanders QB Watch 03:32 Bucs Win Recap 04:04 Bills Stadium Day 06:30 Eagles Season Spiral 08:07 Cowboys Another Loss 08:44 Jerry Jones Problem 15:53 Bills Trade Talk 18:14 Wentz Injury Debate 18:54 Packers Patriots Preview 19:35 Blind Refs Costume Drama 20:42 Eagles Giants Stakes 21:11 Joe Milton Gamble 21:56 Draft Pick Despair 23:56 Cowboys Rams Outlook 25:25 Travel Plans Concert Night 26:50 Rush Sphere Buzz 28:07 Playoff Reality Check 29:04 Division Wrap Up 29:51 Final Blessings Sign Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. 6d ago

    AI Music, Corporate Lessons, and Political Rants: Joe Schwartz Returns | Set Lusting Bruce (B-Side)

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest Joe Schwartz, a retired corporate technology executive who began experimenting with AI music to explore creativity and deliver message-driven songs. Joe describes his career (from programmer to VP of application development at Hyatt) and how agile, test-driven thinking shaped his evolving process: starting with an idea, drafting lyrics, generating many genre variations, then refining sound, structure, and wording through iterative “covers,” mixing, and meta-tag direction. He discusses using AI to challenge constraints, the tension between creativity and promotion/analytics, and learning that art is about finding an audience rather than being “good” or “bad.” Joe shares politically influenced songwriting, including “Ready for Doom,” built around the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and an updated “John Henry” reimagined as musician vs. tech. He reflects on goals, audience reach, and making music for intellectual and creative stimulation. Artist name on all platforms: Joseph SchwartzHere is my website: https://joespi.carrd.co Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1i0YtjdzwndXd3oQqiiLoT 00:00 B-Side Welcome 00:37 Meet Joe Again 01:12 Corporate Tech Career 03:50 Discovering AI Music 08:01 Test Driven Songmaking 12:42 Joe’s Creative Workflow 15:43 Heart and Rants 17:02 Reimagining John Henry 19:43 Evolving Tools and Genres 22:58 Promotion and Analytics 29:01 Breakthrough Ready for Doom 32:35 Politics in the Lyrics 35:37 Goals After the Peak 40:49 Finding Your Audience 41:58 Wrap Up and Where to Listen 44:08 Closing Blessing I Wish You Well Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Nov 4 ·  Bonus

    Blue Wave Impact: What's Next?

    The Democratic Party had a good night, but there is a lot of work to do! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Nov 4 ·  Bonus

    Remembering Walter Koenig & Patrick Stewart: Star Trek Icons, Mortality, and Lasting Joy

    Jesse Jackson is joined by Lou and Karen on JKL Media/Set Listing and Bruce for a pop-culture detour focused on Star Trek as they react to the losses of Walter Koenig (Chekov) and Patrick Stewart (Picard). They share how Star Trek shaped their lives, discuss generational connections to Kirk vs. Picard, and highlight Stewart’s broader career (Professor X and other roles), screen presence, and personal complexities. They reflect on Koenig’s limited material on the original series, his writing work, and his standout turn as Bester on Babylon 5, including a story from J. Michael Straczynski about promising to write a role worthy of Koenig’s talent. The conversation emphasizes grief, gratitude for performances, and the reminder of mortality, before closing with Jesse’s podcast plugs and a call for kinder fan culture. 00:00 B-Side Welcome 00:37 JKL Media Introductions 01:20 Star Trek Losses 02:33 Karen Remembers 05:00 Lou Reflects 08:28 Chekov And Bester 14:06 Icons Of Youth 15:35 JMS Tribute Story 19:53 Picard Legacy Talk 22:10 Final Thoughts Roundup 26:37 Podcast Housekeeping 29:06 Closing Sign Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Nov 3

    Music, Movies, and Healing: MaryAnn Janosik Returns to Talk Springsteen, Sinners, and Health Journeys

    On the eve of Bruce Springsteen’s birthday, host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest MaryAnn, a historian and film scholar behind the blog “MJ at the Movies,” to talk about the intersections of music, spirituality, and American identity. Mary Ann discusses her upcoming Monmouth University “Music America” conference paper connecting the film Sinners, American roots music, and Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions, and they reflect on Coogler’s filmmaking. The conversation also covers Springsteen’s live “revival” energy, artists being political, and concerns about free expression and the press. Jesse and Mary Ann share personal cancer experiences—his prostate cancer treatment and her early-stage breast cancer—and how music, especially “The Long Walk Home,” helped them endure. They close by previewing future discussions on films about the music industry. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:48 Mary Ann Returns 01:25 Scholarship And Conferences 03:18 Sinners And Seeger Sessions 06:37 Coogler And Genre Layers 09:43 Bruce Tour Revival Energy 10:51 Artists Politics And Free Speech 17:48 Rock And Roll Intellectuals 20:46 Fall Movies To Watch 23:08 Popcorn Films And Bridges 25:02 Sound Of Music Memories 27:46 Shared Media Then And Now 31:22 Theater Experience And Michael 33:10 Live Music Connection 34:04 Nolan Odyssey Critique 34:56 Writing Women Onscreen 39:07 Art Versus Artist Debate 41:53 History Context And Flaws 43:33 Gone With The Wind Memories 46:25 Cancer Treatments And Music 52:28 Songs As Lifelines 58:36 Favorite Books And Comfort Media 01:01:33 Wrap Up And Next Topics 01:03:42 Closing Blessing Song Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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4.9
out of 5
149 Ratings

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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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