Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Host Jesse Jackson introduces a B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce featuring Ryan Riker, a North Dakota native and retired Army infantry lieutenant colonel who served 23 years with deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Ryan recalls early music influences (country fairs, Vanilla Ice, Pearl Jam) and discusses how music and visiting performers helped soldiers feel connected during depl...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest Jeff Blum, a Chicago-based freelance sports and entertainment writer and para-professional working with autistic students. They briefly discuss current sports topics including the Bulls’ streaky season, trades, and franchise management, plus comparisons to other struggling teams. Jeff shares limited impressions of Springsteen’s large “Tracks 2” set, ment...

Ken Schaefer is one of my dearest friends. He watches at least one movie a night and sometimes two. He loves B Movies, the cheesier the better. I asked his thoughts on the 2025 film Sinners and he had thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Jesse discuss the significance of the 2026 Land of Hope and Dreams tour. Jesse argues the 2026 tour is a “patriotic protest tour” centered on democracy, freedom, and the Constitution, citing song choices like “War,” a reclaimed “Born in the U.S.A.,” “Purple Rain,” and “Clampdown,” and suggests it may serve as a punctuation mark in Springsteen’s story! Learn more about your ad c...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes London-based journalist Maddie Frye to a “timey-wimey” episode of Set Lusting Bruce, exploring her path to Bruce Springsteen and U2 and how music shaped her spiritual and political awakening. Maddie, who writes about religion, sex, politics, and pop culture, describes growing up near London with parents who loved Bowie, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, and Genesis, discovering...

Some fans aren’t thrilled with the Land of Hope and Dreams setlist — and Jesse has thoughts. He shares his HBO (Hot Bruce Opinion) and invites anyone who disagrees to send their counter‑take to setlustingbruce@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes London-based journalist Maddie Fry to a “timey wimey” episode of Set Lusting Bruce to discuss how she discovered Bruce Springsteen through a 2006 BBC broadcast of The Seeger Sessions, then worked backward through albums like Devils & Dust, Magic, and The River, becoming a deeper fan after a powerful 2013 London show and later attending the Liverpool concert where Paul M...

In this episode of the Stephen King podcast, Lou is joined by co-hosts Jesse and Karen to discuss Edgar Wright’s 2025 adaptation of The Running Man, the second film version after the 1987 Schwarzenegger movie. They outline the near-future premise of an authoritarian media network running a lethal televised manhunt and share reactions to the film’s tone as a “popcorn thriller” with on-the-nose soci...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest Kathy Durham to discuss Bruce Springsteen news and Kathy’s decision to run for Congress. Kathy shares how she uses Steven Van Zandt’s TeachRock curriculum in her classroom, connecting music to U.S. history and innovation through lessons on Bad Bunny, imperialism, and Jimi Hendrix, with upcoming units for Women’s History Month. They talk about the Nebrask...

Sylvan and Jesse spend a few moments sharing their joy and pride in the way the podcast's own Jake Thistle. Please check out Jake's music and watch him on American Idol! https://jakethistle.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

🎸 We want to be where the bands are every night—but not all of us can be in Minneapolis on Tuesday 3/31 for opening night of the Land of Hope and Dreams tour. That doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it. Join me, Jesse Jackson, host of Set Lusting Bruce, for a live fan discussion on April 1st (no April Fools joke here). We’ll rate, debate, and celebrate the setlist, the surprises, and yes—maybe vent...

Host Jesse Jackson opens with reactions to a leaked Springsteen rehearsal set list, predicting a more political “Land of Hope and Dreams/No King” tour. Returning guest Maryanne Janosik, a historian researching Springsteen’s Catholic upbringing and its influence, discusses the tour as a spiritual, “gospel-like” continuum tied to servant leadership, roots music, and civic engagement, noting the symb...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes pop-culture lecturer and illustrator Arlen Schumer back to Set Lusting Bruce to discuss his three passions—Bruce Springsteen, comic book art history, and Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone. Arlen explains what drew him to Twilight Zone imagery and storytelling, its influence on modern creators, and its early diversity and social themes, then connects Serling’s dramatic voi...

Host Jesse Jackson opens a B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce that steps outside the Springsteen universe to spotlight guest Cece’s creative joys, blending their shared love of Hallmark movies with music fandom and community. Cece, who grew up near Washington, DC, describes her family’s listening (ZZ Top, Southern rock, blues/R&B, show tunes) and how she gravitated instead to Prince, Michael Jack...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes back college professor Maryanne Janosik to discuss Bruce Springsteen’s newly released protest song, its rapid creative turnaround, and how it fits Springsteen’s history of politically charged music and themes of Catholic social justice. They compare the song’s naming of names to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio,” speculate about political expression at the Grammys,...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Holly Cantos, co-host of the mostly ’80s music show What Difference Does It Make? Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that moves beyond Bruce Springsteen into radio, fandom, and podcasting. Holly shares her early love of AM radio after moving from New York to Los Angeles, her career behind the scenes in radio syndication and production, and how her parents’ music s...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes author and former teacher Sara Goodman-Confino to Set Lusting Bruce to talk Bruce Springsteen, fandom, and fiction. Sara shares her path from 21 years teaching to writing full-time, her Springsteen origin story rooted in hearing “Atlantic City” during a difficult college week, and her family’s deep reading culture. She recounts seeing Bruce live (including being pulled...

Jesse Jackson welcomes back author **Ann Abel**, whose memoir *High Hopes* Jesse calls one of his favorite reads of 2025. Abel—who discovered Bruce Springsteen at age 59—shares the extraordinary story behind her book: how a lifetime of severe depression, the loss of her teaching career, and a desperate need for structure pushed her to book a solo trip to Australia for **eight Springsteen shows acr...

Feeling the pinch from ticket prices? Remember, wisdom can be found in every decision. Don't miss my take on making peace with concert costs and loving the music, wherever you are! 🌟 #SetLustingBruce #ConcertWisdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I've got a battle ahead with prostate cancer, but with an excellent prognosis and your support, I'm ready. Join me in spreading love, sending good vibes, and sharing tunes for my F Cancer playlist. 🎧🙏 #ProstateCancerAwareness #MusicHeals" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Jesse Jackson on a new episode of 'Set Lusting Bruce' as he steps off the Bruce train for a chat with rock journalist Martin Popoff. Together, they delve into Popoff's latest book, 'KISS 76: 12 Months that Define the Hottest Band in the Land.' The episode covers KISS’s massive year in 1976, including iconic tours, releases, and cultural impact. Martin also shares his journey from heavy m...

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Lou and Karen for a JKL Media tie-in discussion of the 2025 film "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere," directed by Scott Cooper and based on Warren Zanes’ book about the making of Bruce Springsteen’s "Nebraska." They praise Jeremy Allen White’s performance as Springsteen and Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of manager Jon Landau, but debate who the movie is meant for—hardcor...

Allen and Jesse do a dive deep into the influence of Bruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska' album on the lo-fi music movement and Alan's personal connection to the record. Alan shares how the album inspired him and his brother to create their own lo-fi recordings and discusses the broader impact on indie rock in the '90s. The conversation also touches on Springsteen's approach to the album, the emotional...

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes back Scott Shea for a deep dive into the music and legacy of Sam Cooke. They discuss Cooke's impact on gospel, R&B, and pop music, his untimely death, and his influence on other artists. The episode also touches on Bruce Springsteen's career, including their thoughts on the 'electric' version of Nebraska and Brian Wilson's 'Smile.'...

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes Mike Gendler to discuss the world of tribute bands, podcasting, and their shared love for Bruce Springsteen. Mike, a lifelong musician and entrepreneur, shares his journey from playing the piano and drums in his Philadelphia home to founding a successful entertainment company and starting the Tribute Band Sessions podcast. Learn abo...