Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes longtime friend Wes Wilson to Set Lusting Bruce for a wide-ranging catch-up that includes Wes’s family, his older son’s sports podcast, and lessons from raising a high-functioning autistic son who now runs a business flipping VCRs and CRT TVs for retro gamers. Wes shares growing up in Garland on classic country, a family connection to Waylon Jennings, and how he gradually got into rock, discovered Bruce Springsteen (especially Born in the U.S.A. and “Hello Sunshine”), and followed Jimmy Buffett after seeing him on Austin City Limits. Wes reflects on Buffett’s songwritin...

Jesse Jackson hosts a new episode of Set Lusting Football with Wendy (Bills), Jean Marie (Giants), Holly (Packers), and Rich (Eagles) for NFL updates and debate. Wendy recaps Buffalo at 5–1 heading into a home game vs. the Ravens and argues the Bills need a major defensive trade. Holly reacts to the Packers’ loss to the Lions and a growing injury list before facing the Panthers. Jean Marie celebrates the first-place Giants, praising the running game and J.J. McCarthy’s fit in the offense while noting the timing of the bye week. Rich describes the Eagles’ 2–5 slide, heavy injuries, coaching c...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes 18-year-old singer/songwriter, actress, and model Livvy Landon for a B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce, spotlighting her debut single “Feel Too Little,” released September 1. Livvy shares growing up in Denver, Detroit, and Atlanta, her love of older artists like Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, ABBA, Kiss, and Bon Jovi, and how she first performed publicly at IMTA after her mom encouraged her to sing “Rehab,” leading to being discovered and connecting with her producer Tom. She explains her lyric-first writing style, using writing as therapy, and describes the song as inspired by a painful relationship where sh...

In this episode of Set Lusting Football, Jesse and a roundtable of fans (Packers, Holly Mac, Commanders, Joe Kay, Giants, Jean Marie and Eagles, Rich) recap a chaotic week highlighted by Green Bay’s win over Dallas and the NFC East’s struggle to string together wins. They discuss concerns about pass-heavy game plans, shaky coaching and game management (including criticism of Dan Quinn), and the Eagles’ poor showing with backup QB Tanner McKee amid major worry over Jalen Hurts’ reported blood-clot situation and possible medical mishandling. The group previews upcoming matchups (Packers–Lions, Giants–Texans with J.J. McCarthy sta...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Chad Martin, a Texas-born pro wrestler, author, and podcaster, for a B-side episode that steps outside the Springsteen universe into music, memories, and creativity. Chad shares how Elvis Presley shaped his childhood, how he discovered broader music through a mixtape, and how he found pro wrestling’s “magic” after training on carpet over concrete in a sweltering Arkansas building. He explains performing as the heel character Big Daddy Storm, the physical risks and trust required in wrestling, and how storytelling drives both promos and his writing. Chad recounts leaving the corporate world after a health scare...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes George P. Brooks for a B-side episode that steps outside Springsteen to focus on music, life experience, and purpose. George, a longtime mental health advocate and founder of the Meta Association, shares his Memphis upbringing shaped by diverse music, his lifelong love of Green Day, and how recovery from addiction led him to nonprofit work supporting Black male mental health, recidivism, and fatherhood. He discusses surviving homelessness and two heart attacks, the barriers men—especially Black men—face in seeking therapy, and the importance of safe spaces, unplugging from social media, journaling, and basic health scre...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Lou and Karen for a crossover discussion of the documentary “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band,” directed by Thom Zimny and released on Hulu/Disney+ on October 25, 2025. They highlight backstage and rehearsal footage, Springsteen’s arena walk during soundcheck, the band’s pre-show ritual, and Bruce seeming looser about mistakes while still aiming to “blow” audiences away. The conversation compares band dynamics after major losses like Clarence Clemons, discusses Jake Clemons stepping into a huge role, and notes Patti Scialfa’s reduced touring due to multiple myeloma. They also tackle tour controversies around Ticketmaster’s...

In this Week 5 episode of Set Lusting Football, Jesse is joined by panelists Jean Marie, Wendy, and Rich to debate whether modern NFL coaching is overly driven by analytics, information overload, and job pressure, using recent late-game decisions involving the Commanders, Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles as examples. They discuss situational football, clock management, and special teams choices, then recap their teams’ weeks: Jean Marie’s Giants escape with a tie despite first-half struggles and a key fumble; Wendy breaks down the Bills’ win over the Rams, including injuries in the secondary, James Cook’s two fumbles, penalties, a blocked field go...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes actor-writer-producer Nikki J. Borger for a B-side “Set Listing Bruce” detour focused on theater, dance, and creativity. Nikki, originally from a small town in southwest Germany, describes early music training, her love of dance (from ballroom to salsa and musical theater), and the difficult, criticism-heavy culture of German musical theater school, including injuries and struggles with singing confidence. She recounts performing internationally, including a documentary theater project in Germany, Moscow, and Kyiv, then moving to Los Angeles to build film experience, shooting dozens of shorts, and writing/directing to earn festival recognition during the pandemic for...

Jesse Jackson hosts a new episode of Set Lusting Football with a full panel of music fans repping the Cowboys, Bills, Commanders, Giants, Packers, and Eagles. They recap early-season highs and frustrations, including Buffalo’s sloppy loss to the Patriots, the “Josh Allen experience,” concerns about defensive changes and injuries, and a brief discussion of the Bills-themed Hallmark movie. Jane Marie celebrates the injury-hit Giants sitting atop the NFC East, while Holly notes Green Bay’s progress alongside mounting injuries. Joe reacts to a rough Commanders week with quarterback issues and looming must-win pressure, and Rich breaks down a late Eag...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes listeners to a B-side episode of Set Listing Bruce featuring returning Springsteen fans Carrie and Nancy to talk about Brandi Carlile. Jesse shares his “Road to Damascus” moment after seeing Carlile in Fort Worth, and Carrie and Nancy recount how they discovered her music, including Carrie’s entry point through The Highwomen and Nancy’s first show in Nashville during a stormy night that included Wynonna Judd’s first public appearance after her mother’s death. They discuss Carlile’s charisma, humor, gratitude, political courage, faith, and her Bruce-like relationship with fans, plus the deep bond and share...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Russell Van Brocklen, a New York State–funded dyslexia researcher, to discuss how Bruce Springsteen’s music—especially “Born in the U.S.A.” and “Born to Run”—sparked his love of music and mirrors the “spark” dyslexic learners need. Russell shares his own path from severe reading and writing struggles and damaging academic setbacks to developing a writing-first, typing-based intervention that builds skills by focusing on a student’s specialty, moving from specific details to big picture, and using word analysis and articulation. He explains why traditional “well-rounded” schooling and accommodations often fail dyslexics, describes outcomes from hi...

The gang is back to discuss week 3 of the NFL Season. We have Rich, Jean Marie, Joe Kay, Holly Mac and me discussing the ins and outs of their teams. We discuss injuries, records, heartbreaks and happiness. Let us know your thoughts on your team by sending us an email to [email protected]

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Jesse Jackson welcomes Matt Donnelly for his third appearance on a B-side “Set Listing Bruce” episode that detours from Springsteen into Matt’s life in comedy and magic. Matt recounts how a dare from Penn Jillette led him to learn magic with mentor Johnny Thompson, tour with Piff the Magic Dragon, and build routines through problem-solving, tension, and performance. He discusses nerves onstage, the work of writing and “mascot” duties on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and shares the story of Moxie Jillette being motivated to fool Penn & Teller. They talk about luck and risk in show business, Springsteen’s long-standin...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest Arlen Schumer, who discusses his Twilight Zone book and debates standout episodes including “Eye of the Beholder,” “To Serve Man,” and “Walking Distance,” while previewing a September webinar deconstructing “Shadow Play.” Schumer then shares his opening-day visit to the newly renamed Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, praising its first-class architecture, interior design, and dense, well-presented exhibits, including a detail about matching wood to Bruce’s guitar. The conversation ranges into Springsteen’s influences, the “Boss” nickname, Bruce’s cultural stature compared with Elvis, Dylan, The Beatles, and Hendrix, and the role of managers Mike Appel and Jo...

Jesse Jackson and his friend Ken Schaeferdiscuss Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay after Ken watches it, comparing its supernatural-small-town premise to Haven. Then they pivot to loving Galavant and memorable musical TV episodes (Buffy’s “Once More, with Feeling” and Strange New Worlds). They briefly touch on accents, songwriting for TV, and plan to discuss Supergirl next month.

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🎙️ Dive into the heart of NFL week 2 and Bruce Springsteen's legacy with us on Set Lusting Bruce! Jean Marie, Holly Mac, Rich and Jesse share their thoughts on week two in the NFL. Catch our episode now! #SetLustingBruce #NFL #Springsteen

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Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Sam Sodomsky, senior editor at Pitchfork and musician behind The Bird Calls, to discuss how a childhood encounter with a “Dancing in the Dark” parody sparked a lifelong Springsteen obsession that led him to guitar, songwriting, and writing about music. Sam shares growing up in Reading, Pennsylvania, collecting bootlegs and books, and even creating a mock Springsteen biography, then traces his path through blogging, an MFA in nonfiction at Columbia, and a decade at Pitchfork. He recounts standout Wrecking Ball Tour memories, including receiving Bruce’s harmonica, singing “Waiting on a Sunny Day” at Jazz Fest, and...

It's week one of the NFL season and Jean Marie's Giants are feeling good, Jesse's hand is hovering over the panic button and Wendy is enjoing the Music of David Bryne from The Talking Heads but still had time to share her thoughts. IF you want to get into the action where you know you will have a winning ticket, send in your thoughts at 972-591-1460

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Jesse and his Perfectly Good Podcast cohost Sylvan Groth sit down to talk with her friend and neighbor, Vermont songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bow Thayer.

Bow shares his journey from growing up in Massachusetts to finding a home making over 30 albums in the small town of Vermont. He shares stories of connecting with Levon Helm, touring, having a family and his latest venture of a campground and concert venue called KnowTown.

Bow also discusses his upcoming album. Inspired by both Vermont’s remote Lake Ninevah and the an...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Texas songwriter Bob Blumenfeld to discuss his recording projects Welcome to the 21st and The Disappearing Act, both featuring longtime collaborator alim Nourallah and John Dufilhoo. Bob shares growing up in El Paso, discovering Springsteen’s Born to Run, and seeing Bruce live in the Bay Area, plus early influences from his brothers and his mother’s music. He explains his path from band and guitar lessons to constant songwriting, a DIY El Paso label (Tortilla Records), and his former band Low Dog. Bob outlines recent and upcoming releases including The Disappearing Act’s Proof of Exi...

Jesse Jackson launches “Set Lusting Football,” a seasonal spin on his Bruce Springsteen podcast where music fans representing different NFL teams gather for weekly football talk, friendly rivalries, and laughs. Guests share their fandom origin stories: Wendy Hembrock (Bills), Jean Marie Anderson (Giants), Holly Mac (Packers), and Joe K (Commanders/Packers), while Jesse recounts becoming a Cowboys fan after moving to Dallas. The group gives season record predictions and Superbowl picks.

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William John Titus Bishop performed orchestral works and other musical genres before learning to play the guitar and perform at smaller venues on the London circuit. He has gone on to play international festivals and tour widely. In a breakaway from his stifling classical background, he went on to writing his own songs.


He then recorded three full-length studio albums and amassed a following of over 1.5 million on social media and his last album gained 4 million Spotify streams in its first week. His music is used on degree courses at The Universities of York and Sussex. His mus...

Set Lusting Bruce celebrates its 1,500th episode with congratulatory messages from fellow podcasters, friends, and listeners, praising Jesse Jackson’s consistency, kindness, interviewing skill, and the community he’s built. Jesse is joined by Chris Jackson for a milestone conversation covering Jesse’s regrets about guests he hasn’t booked, how his signature opening question helps people share their music origins, and why storytelling is central to the show. They discuss podcasts they enjoy, parallels between Bruce fandom and WWE—including “hate watching,” nostalgia, and escapism—and how music functions as a time machine tied to life memories. Chris shares favorite...

Jesse welcomes JB and Rob back to Set Lusting Bruce to discuss their return to podcasting and the relaunch of Bruce Springsteen Sings the Alphabet. JB shares updates on life in North Georgia, while Rob explains his transition from pastor to banker during COVID, personal struggles, and how reconnecting with JB revived their creative spark. They outline the show’s new format: covering Springsteen album-by-album (collections included) in alphabetical order while discussing tracks in sequence, breaking up Tracks by recording sessions, and adding occasional mini-series, with “Episode Zero” planned for September 4 and the first new episode on September 7 starting with A...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guests Brian K. Pagels and Stephen Russ of Brian K and the Parkway to discuss their musical partnership, their preferences for live performance versus studio work, and the creation of their second album, “Roses and Kerosene,” out September 4. They recount how the project evolved from demos into a full band after a 2021 trip to Asbury Park, then detail recording most of the new record in four days at The Brink studio in Richmond with Kat Popper on bass and Rob Flores on keys, mixed by Sean Sullivan. Brian explains writing the duet “Roses and Kerose...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes back music journalist and author Steve Rosen to discuss his new Jeff Beck book, rewritten and expanded from a Japan-only 1978 biography originally commissioned by Player magazine. Rosen recounts growing up in Culver City listening to early rock, discovering Jeff Beck through the Yardbirds and seeing the Jeff Beck Group in 1969, and how learning guitar fueled a deep-dive curiosity that led to music journalism. He describes his earliest reviews for school papers, the LA Free Press, and eventually major rock and guitar magazines, plus meeting and befriending Eddie Van Halen in 1977. Rosen explains why Beck was...

Sylvan opens an August 20 intro to a special John Hiatt birthday episode, sharing news that the November Nashville Concert for Cumberland Heights will be a John Hiatt tribute and inviting listeners to join via [email protected]. A clip follows with Kyle Williams explaining how Cumberland Heights’ scholarship funds, music therapy, and a pro music professionals program support people in recovery, especially in Nashville’s music community, and describing the long-running Ryman benefit concert founded with Hiatt and others. The episode then revisits Rolling Stone writer David Wild discussing his 1989 “Clean and Sober” Hiatt profile, his note-taking and reporting process...

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson and guest Joe K step off the Springsteen track to honor Dolly Parton following news of her death on August 25, 2026, reflecting on her six-decade career as the “Queen of Country,” her landmark songs, acting roles, business success with Dollywood, and rare talent for reimagining other artists’ work. They share personal first memories of Dolly, discuss the story behind “I Will Always Love You,” and highlight her unmatched warmth, humor, talk-show brilliance, and ability to unite diverse audiences while advocating tolerance. Much of the conversation centers on her philanthropy—especially the Imaginat...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Boston-based consultant and lifelong Springsteen fan Andy Freed to discuss Freed’s book, "Lead Like The Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework to Elevating Your Leadership." Freed shares how discovering "Born to Run" at age eight sparked a fandom that’s led to nearly 100 shows, and explains how the arc of a Springsteen concert maps to practical leadership and communication lessons—preparation, staying on message, energizing an audience, building trust, and empowering a team. They talk about Bruce’s onstage habits like thanking every band member nightly, the importance of adapting to audience feedback, and the purpose...

In this B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson talks with Joey Register, who records as itsrihhomie, about his path from growing up in Rochester, New York to making melodic rap as an emotional outlet and running his own studio to help others create. Joey describes his freestyle, bar-by-bar recording process, early influences from friends and artists like Juice WRLD and Lil Wayne, and how his album Population Mars pulled together songs written from ages 18 to 25 across sessions in places like Boston, Tampa, and Chicago. He discusses the challenges independent artists face in smaller markets, how streaming...

In this B-side episode of Set List and Bruce, Jesse welcomes back Dale Hansen for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with Hansen reflecting on long-winded interviews and leads into his love of Rod Stewart, first seeing him live at the Cowboys’ 1996 Super Bowl in Phoenix, and why Stewart’s persona, gravelly voice, and story-driven songs resonate with him—so much so that he’s planned Rod Stewart songs for his funeral. Hansen then shares memories of late NBA coach Don Nelson, including their first meeting tied to Nelson’s 1961 Iowa–Ohio State game and a darkly comic Maui poker story involv...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes writer and musician David Starkey to Set Listing Bruce to discuss Starkey’s book On Track: Bruce Springsteen 1973–1987, Every Album, Every Song and his lifelong relationship to Springsteen’s recorded work. Starkey shares how growing up between Sacramento and summers in Beaumont shaped his musical tastes, from Johnny Cash and Aerosmith to discovering Springsteen via Greetings and being captivated by Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town. They talk about the current tour, its political tone, Tom Morello’s guitar work, ticket prices, and setlist debates. Starkey explains his writing process, what he learn...

Pride Month Reflections, Bruce as Lifeline, and the Thunder Road “Mary” Question (with Beverly) Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Beverly, a longtime Bruce Springsteen fan from Missouri now living in Kentucky, to discuss how Springsteen’s writing—especially around gender and politics—has resonated throughout her life. Beverly shares growing up with little music at home, discovering Bruce through “Dancing in the Dark” at 17, and how Born in the U.S.A. became her gateway to the full catalog. She recounts missing the Born in the U.S.A. tour, first seeing Bruce on the Human Touch/Lucky Town tour, later seeing t...

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 at...

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...

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...

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 ty...

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...

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, Nickla...