Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Jesse Jackson
  • 4.9 (150)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Semiweekly

🎙️ 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. 1d ago

    Courtney Kocak on Girl Gone Wild, Finding Her Voice, and the Power of Podcasting

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes writer, podcaster, and comedian Courtney Kocak, who grew up in small-town Minnesota and now splits time between Austin and Los Angeles, to discuss her debut memoir, Girl Gone Wild. Courtney traces her musical influences from classic rock radio and movie soundtracks to college-era rap, indie, and classic rock, and shares how reading and acting shaped her love of storytelling. She recounts joining the Girls Gone Wild tour via a Craigslist ad, realizing the behind-the-scenes coercion and exploitation, and leaving after seven weeks amid depression and financial stress. The conversation follows her pivot from acting to writing, essaying, and podcasting, including her long-running show Private Parts Unknown, plus The Bleeders and Podcast Bestie, and touches on Stevie Nicks, Lilith Fair, stand-up goals, and the “Thunder Road” question of whether Mary gets in the car. https://www.courtneykocak.com/ 00:00 Patreon Thanks 01:28 Meet Courtney Kocak 03:38 Growing Up With Music 07:10 College Tastes And Mixes 09:36 Books And Acting Bug 12:17 Acting School And Regrets 16:00 Girls Gone Wild Origins 19:20 Behind The Scenes Reality 20:52 Leaving The Tour 23:41 Finding Meaning Afterward 25:49 Funny Book Chapters 27:01 Leaving Acting for Writing 31:02 Finding Her Voice 31:43 Stevie Nicks Obsession 33:47 Private Parts Unknown 39:39 Creative Bucket List 40:50 Stand-Up and Perspective 44:41 Thunder Road Mary Debate 47:31 Where to Find Courtney 49:05 Final Sign-Off and Blessing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 min

  2. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    JKL and Set Lusting Bruce Crossover - Rush reviewed

    On a JKL Media Podcast one-off special, Lou introduces Canadian prog-rock/metal trio Rush and asks Karen and Jesse for reactions, starting with a yes/no on Geddy Lee’s voice (Karen yes, Jesse no). Lou frames Rush as a technically revered “musician’s band,” outlines the members’ roles, and compares their music to headphone-focused listening like Pink Floyd. Karen and Jesse discuss songs from Lou’s list—both like “The Spirit of Radio,” Karen names “Tom Sawyer” as her favorite and relates to “Subdivisions,” while Jesse says many tracks sound similar but appreciates the lyrics and openness to the experience. They praise the 2010 documentary for its celebrity supporters and for revealing the band’s low-drama, nerdy camaraderie, highlighting Alex Lifeson’s humor and Neil Peart’s tragedy and return to music, and they note interest in a needed “chapter two” and the band’s later-era touring and new drummer Anika Nilles. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:39 Geddy Voice Debate 01:23 Rush Primer 03:04 Song List Reactions 04:03 Rush Recognition Talk 07:56 Karen Favorites 10:22 Documentary Overview 11:53 Karen Doc Impressions 15:14 Jesse Doc Takeaways 18:36 Toronto Roots and Memories 20:04 Rick Moranis Connection 20:55 Neil Peart Tragedy 21:26 Band Reunites Again 21:43 Neil Peart Cancer Secret 22:50 Annika Nilles Joins Tour 24:48 Why Rush Endures 26:48 Comedy And Early Memories 29:10 Musicianship Deep Dive 32:09 Low Drama Band Culture 34:25 Canada Love And Fandom 37:33 Live Videos And Wrap Up 40:13 Where To Find Everyone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min

  3. 6d ago

    Phil Mastrean says that "Springsteen is a greedy pig"

    Phil Mastroianni Mastrean from Pittsburgh is not happy with the 2026 Land of Hope and Dreams Springsteen tour. We get into Phil’s musical roots, first Bruce show in 1984, and a fandom spanning roughly 220 concerts, with favorites like “Backstreets,” “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” and “Born to Run.” The conversation turns to why Phil is skipping the current tour: he believes it was announced as politically motivated, feels high ticket prices clash with that message, and sees the shows as focused on criticizing the current administration, which he views as inconsistent and alienating to fans. Jesse emphasizes community, respectful disagreement, and his own experience of the shows as hopeful rather than purely political. 01:28 Meet Phil From Pittsburgh 02:01 Steelers Cowboys Banter 03:39 Early Music And Bruce Discovery 05:21 First Show Hooked 06:52 Community And Show Magic 09:17 Favorite Songs And Travel 10:52 Why This Tour Feels Different 14:15 Politics And Ticket Prices 17:14 Backlash And Fan Fallout 21:15 Still Listening Or Taking A Break 25:12 Divorce Papers Filed 26:48 Bruce Impact On Life 27:20 Fandom Fallout Debate 30:36 Platform And Legacy 32:43 Finding Common Ground 35:58 Songs Still Chasing 38:00 Songs That Evolve 43:41 Western Stars Live Wish 45:27 Farewell And Kindness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  4. Jul 1

    Ernest Lineberger on Running for Congress, Faith, and Finding Hope (B-Side Episode)

    Host Jesse Jackson steps outside the Springsteen universe for a B-side conversation with Ernest Lineberger, a retired Naval officer and former Texas Instruments supervisor/industrial engineer who ran for Congress in a tough Texas district, lost the 2024 general election, then continued organizing town halls, protests, and outreach before losing a subsequent primary. Lineberger discusses why voters change their minds, the need for better-informed civic engagement, and frustration with politics as a “team sport,” including concerns about executive overreach, tariffs, and billionaire influence. He shares a childhood shaped by frequent moves, time in Italy and Monterey, and his Navy chaplain father’s strong influence on his Christian beliefs and inclusivity. Now fully retired, he’s supporting candidates like Vicki Goodwin, planning reunions, and promoting his memoir, There I Was. The episode closes with the show’s “Thunder Road” Mary question. 00:00 B-Side Detour Intro 00:49 Meet Ernest Lineberger 02:30 Navy Career and TI 03:59 Why I Ran for Congress 06:26 Campaign Grind and Primary Loss 08:10 Texas Democrats Outlook 09:57 Representation and Fairness 11:20 Changing Minds in Politics 17:00 Early Music and Moving Abroad 19:56 Monterey High School Years 23:20 Faith and Community Values 26:35 Military Base Upbringing 27:29 Politeness and Listening 29:23 Why Veterans Matter 33:38 Getting Informed to Vote 36:07 Common Ground and Cynicism 38:58 Springsteen and Hope 41:27 America Abroad and Trust 43:38 Life After Campaigning 44:04 Book Stories and Motivation 47:18 Service and Gratitude 50:59 Thunder Road Mary Question 52:13 How to Reach Ernest 53:54 Podcast Wrap and Plugs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr

  5. Jun 30 ·  Bonus

    Wrapping up Pride in Bruce - 2026

    Saying thanks for all the support this month as we explored other stories under the Bruce Umbrella. Please think about supporting the podcast by going to https://patreon.com/setlustingbruce and joining my Patreon Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    4 min

  6. Jun 25

    Pride in Bruce: Sylvan Groth on Coming Out, Chosen Family & Finding Light in Springsteen’s Music

    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Sylvan Groth, his Perfectly Good Podcast co-host, who shares growing up in suburban Boston, coming out as bi in the 1990s amid increased queer visibility, and facing emotional abuse and slurs from her stepfather while her mother tried to keep peace. Sylvan describes finding refuge with her aunt in Vermont—where a pride flag on a barn signaled safety—and how Springsteen albums and mix tapes helped her cope, even as her stepfather also loved Bruce. The conversation reflects on grief, activism, and joy, the idea of “family of origin” versus “family of choice,” and the importance of common ground, compassion, and honest storytelling amid polarization. 00:00 Pride in Bruce Intro 01:48 Podcast Welcome 03:09 Sylvan Coming Out Story 06:48 Home Life and Safety 07:52 Vermont Refuge and Bruce 09:23 Why Pride Matters 10:06 Slurs and Breaking Point 12:14 Finding Common Ground 18:19 Faith and Scripture Debate 20:51 Self Acceptance and Activism 24:22 Politics and Polarization 25:36 Thanks and Where to Listen 27:29 Pride in Bruce Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    32 min

  7. Jun 23

    Pride in Bruce: Rethinking “Backstreets” with Arlen Schumer (MSG Night 1 & LGBTQ+ Interpretation)

    Jesse and returning guest Arlen Schumer recap Arlen’s last-minute Madison Square Garden show experience, praise the E Street Band (including Tom Morello and Max Weinberg), and criticize modern concert phone use and disengaged audience behavior. They then discuss “Backstreets,” focusing on a fan essay suggesting the song’s gender-ambiguous “Terry” and certain lyrics could reflect a homosexual relationship or the pressures of hiding identity, including mention of an outtake version with a alternate lyrics and Bruce’s later LGBTQ+ support like “Streets of Philadelphia.” Find more about Arlen here - https://arlenschumer.com/ Disclaimer - anyone uncomfortable with two straight White men discussing possible queer themes please skip the episode. I do not want to offend or hurt anyone's feelings. 00:00 Pride in Bruce Intro 01:48 Content Disclaimer 03:14 Meet Arlen Guest 04:03 MSG Show Recap 05:37 Phones and Crowd Energy 09:32 E Street Band Praise 12:41 Why Pride in Bruce 16:07 Backstreets Setup 24:37 Pepperoni Eyed Theory 35:06 Lyrics Through Queer Lens 38:34 Bruce and Subculture Context 41:38 Hidden Love Backstreets 43:25 Terry Name Choice 43:45 Lyrics Rewriting Craft 45:17 Theory Behind Sad Eyes 47:06 Lies Truth Closet 49:20 Asbury Park Back Streets 50:33 Studio Versus Live 53:05 Artists Masculinity Queerness 01:01:47 Art That Makes Feel 01:04:51 Rights And Closing 01:05:35 Where To Find Arlen 01:08:14 Farewell Pride Bruce Month Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 12m

  8. Jun 20

    Bonus Episode - Ken Schaefer on The Boroughs and The Long Walk

    "Catch our latest chat where Ken Schaefer and I explore Stephen King's 'The Long Walk' adaptation and its thought-provoking themes. Ken also shares his thoughts on the new series from the creaters of STranger Things - The Boroughs #StephenKing #MovieNight" #dufferbrothers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 min
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4.9
out of 5
150 Ratings

About

🎙️ 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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