Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

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 Eagles collapse versus the Rams, major injuries, and coaching decisions sparking Sirianni criticism. The group previews upcoming matchups, debates offense vs. defense, shares favorite game times, and even talks game-day food traditions.

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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 shared business arrangement with bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth. The conversation covers soundcheck fundraisers, favorite and “chased” songs, The Highwomen, and album recommendations, ending with Jesse’s reflections on community and artists who match great art with admirable character.

00:00 Patreon Thanks

01:29 Episode Setup

02:47 Meet Nancy and Carrie

04:35 Carrie Finds Brandi

06:36 Nancy’s First Show Magic

10:14 Fort Worth Lightning Moment

14:30 Stage Presence Like Bruce

21:47 Band Loyalty and The Twins

28:44 Courage and Activism

31:20 Faith and Inclusivity

35:49 Authenticity and Banter

36:44 Tram Trouble Story

37:24 How Many Shows Seen

38:03 Chasing Simple Man

40:01 Soundcheck Tickets Explained

41:45 Nancy’s Song Request

43:47 Highwomen Love and Loss

47:40 Livestream Moments and Lyrics

50:43 Final Thoughts and Next Time

53:35 Listener Recommendations

55:09 Closing Blessing and Tattoo Plans

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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 his studies and case examples, and outlines guidance for parents. Russell also answers the “Mary question” about “Thunder Road,” and provides contact info at dyslexiaclasses.com.

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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-standing political outspokenness, and criticism of the film Deliver Me From Nowhere. Matt plugs upcoming touring plans, Jokers of Magic, Virgin Voyages work, and his podcasts and Patreon.

https://mattdonnellymagic.com/

00:37 Matt Returns

01:25 Vegas Life Update

02:30 Magic Origin Story

03:54 Why Magic Clicked

06:47 Building A Killer Routine

10:35 Performance And Audience Trust

14:12 Nerves And High Stakes

16:46 Fool Us Behind The Scenes

19:41 Mascot Writer Role

21:13 Moxie Pep Talk Twist

24:18 Protecting Moxie’s Well being

24:53 Dream Job Reality Check

27:16 Luck Risks and Connections

29:42 Springsteen Breakthrough Myth

31:53 Bruce Gets Political Again

34:40 Nebraska Biopic Misfire

38:45 What’s Next for Matt

40:13 Cruise Ship Pros and Cons

41:29 Podcasts and Communities

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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 Jon Landau in his career. Schumer also notes rising interest from Black audiences via reaction videos and plugs his website and upcoming events.

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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 briefly meeting Bruce and Jon Landau backstage in London. Sam also talks about his new record “Take Leave,” his interest in poetry, his thoughts on Tracks II, and answers the “Thunder Road” question.

https://www.instagram.com/samsodomsky/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4OvIlGI9oNdXSUBTggvQrC?si=qOxLiXqxRci2bWbMyG8zVQ

00:00 Podcast Intro

00:39 Opening Lyrics Montage

02:22 Meet Sam From Pitchfork

03:35 Growing Up In Reading

04:49 Why Bruce Hit Home

07:57 From Fan To Musician

09:40 Books Bootlegs And Obsession

12:08 Counting Shows And Setlists

14:50 Wrecking Ball Tour Stories

17:05 Onstage At Jazz Fest

20:39 Meeting Bruce Backstage

22:17 Pitchfork Writing Journey

25:08 Brian Wilson Tribute Essay

27:04 Beach Boys Mythos

28:49 Writing Beyond Journalism

30:11 Dream Interviews

31:25 Learning Songcraft

33:17 Springsteen Album Lessons

36:41 New Album Take Leave

40:20 Tracks II Deep Dive

45:30 Future Music Plans

47:23 Thunder Road Mary

50:59 Wrap Up And Plugs

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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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