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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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