Advertise on podcast: 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 deployments. He describes a Catholic upbringing, struggles with alcoholism and prescription drug abuse, and a turning point after his last drink on November 26, 2023, followed by AA, renewed Christian faith, job loss, divorce, and rebuilding his life by starting a business. Ryan explains his coaching and writing focused on trauma, limiting beliefs, and healing, outlines his podcast “Our Healer, Our Protector,” and shares goals of supporting his daughters and speaking to youth. https://ourprotectordevelopment.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, mentions favorite deep cuts, and discusses seeing the Springsteen-related film, praising its entertainment value and its connection to renewed appreciation for the album Nebraska. The conversation then shifts to Aaron Sorkin’s work, starting with Sports Night and covering The American President, A Few Good Men, The West Wing, The Newsroom, Moneyball, The Social Network, Steve Jobs, Molly’s Game, and Charlie Wilson’s War, emphasizing sharp dialogue, morality, journalism standards, and changing media culture. Jeff plugs upcoming writing on the Olympics and a list of 1976 albums turning 50 in 2026, and Jesse closes with show contact and network information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 U2 at 12–13 through All That You Can’t Leave Behind, and finding Springsteen via a 2006 BBC broadcast of the Seeger Sessions that felt both political and spiritually transformative. She discusses working backward through Bruce’s catalog, key live shows (including London 2013 and Liverpool with Paul McCartney), family connections to Springsteen, and reflections on religion’s relationship with power. Maddie answers the “Thunder Road” question—Mary gets in the car—and shares where to find her Substack, U2 and Us. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:45 Meet Maddie 01:55 Growing Up Musical Roots 04:07 Finding Bruce via Seeger 06:23 Seeger Sessions Meaning 10:30 Working Backwards Catalog 14:12 Live Shows Life Changes 18:54 How Many Shows Seen 20:45 Discovering U2 Obsession 23:20 Fandom Numbers Talk 24:52 Writing Religion Politics 25:02 Music Sparks Big Questions 26:24 Faith Through Lyrics 28:00 Reading Toward Belief 29:22 Faithless Research Journey 32:53 Religion Meets Politics 36:13 Radical Gospel Values 41:01 Privilege Luck and Power 44:03 Liverpool Show Memories 46:06 Facing Mortality of Icons 48:24 Thunder Road Mary Answer 49:48 Where to Find Maddie 50:53 Podcast Wrap and Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 [email protected]. 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 McCartney joined Bruce onstage. Maddie also traces her lifelong devotion to U2, sparked in early-2000s adolescence by All That You Can’t Leave Behind and The Joshua Tree, and explains how music by Springsteen, U2, and Johnny Cash shaped her political awareness and led her into writing about religion, spirituality, and culture. The conversation explores faith’s relationship with power, modern politics, and ends with Maddie’s answer to the “Thunder Road” question and where to find her Substack, U2 and Us. https://www.premierchristianity.com/culture/faithless-the-story-behind-bruce-springsteens-soundtrack-to-a-lost-spiritual-western/20448.article https://u2andus.substack.com/ 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:45 Meet Maddie Across Timezones 02:00 Growing Up and Early Music 04:07 Finding U2 First 06:23 Seeger Sessions Lightning Bolt 10:33 Working Back Through Bruce 12:40 Devils and Dust Deep Dive 14:12 2013 Show Turns Superfan 18:54 Concert Counts and Uncle Andy 20:45 U2 Origin Story 23:20 U2 Shows and Fandom Culture 24:52 Writing Religion and Politics 25:02 Music Sparks Meaning 26:24 Faith Through Lyrics 28:00 Reading Toward Belief 29:29 Faithless Research Journey 32:37 Religion And Power 36:13 Radical Gospel Ethics 41:01 Privilege Luck And Myth 44:03 Liverpool Show Reverence 46:06 Facing Cultural Mortality 48:24 Mary Gets In The Car 49:48 Where To Find Maddie 50:53 Podcast Wrap And Plugs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 social commentary. The group highlights cast standouts (including Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, and Lee Pace), discusses themes like violence as entertainment, AI/deepfakes and propaganda, and critiques the movie’s weak, videogame-like hit squad villains and altered ending versus the book. They finish by ranking The Running Man among 2025 King adaptations, placing it below The Life of Chuck and The Long Walk, and often behind Welcome to Derry. 00:00 Welcome Back and Big Question 01:24 Plot Setup and Dystopian World 02:44 First Impressions and Tone 04:30 Cast Highlights and Cameos 11:12 Adaptation Tone Versus Book 13:08 Opening Act and Ben Richards 17:31 Early Chase and Media Spectacle 22:40 Desensitization and Reality TV 27:25 Why Anyone Joins the Game 33:33 Deepfakes and Rigged Narrative 39:50 Villains and Hit Squad Critique 40:53 Hit Squad Problem 42:33 Popcorn vs Satire 43:41 NPC Villains Critique 45:43 Fixing Lee Pace Arc 46:52 Book Ending Debate 48:42 Hopeful Ending Defense 54:56 Adaptation Expectations 57:49 Ratings and Rewatch 59:07 Ranking King 2025 01:04:40 The Monkey Rant 01:06:36 Wrap Up and Plugs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Nebraska-related movie, box sets, and plans to see Springsteen on the new tour, with Jesse noting his prostate cancer diagnosis. The conversation shifts to politics as Kathy explains her “aha moment” to run after tax and healthcare changes impacting rural Nevada and frustrations with an unresponsive representative. They discuss immigration, due process, inequality, monopolies, and threats to democratic institutions, then offer practical civic actions like staying informed, supporting local news, engaging locally, and volunteering. https://www.kathydurhamforcongress.com/ 00:00 Welcome Back Kathy 00:40 TeachRock in the Classroom 03:09 Nebraska Movie Talk 05:22 Tour Plans and Life Updates 07:20 Bruce and Politics 09:27 Why I’m Running for Congress 14:29 ICE and Due Process 17:25 Top vs Bottom Economics 19:45 America Built by Immigrants 21:05 From Servants to Slavery 21:34 Immigration Waves and Division 22:10 Fixing Legal Pathways 22:46 Farm Labor and Work Visas 23:49 Punishing Workers Not Bosses 25:19 No Consequences for Elites 26:06 Top Versus Bottom Politics 27:07 Trickle Down and Offshoring 28:51 Privatization Playbook 29:49 What You Can Do Locally 33:36 Civic Action Beyond Voting 36:19 Trust Grace and Better Angels 37:10 How to Reach Kathy 38:04 Final Thanks and Sign Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 a little about not being elbows on the stage or high in the nosebleeds. 📍 It’s happening over Zoom 🕗 It’s casual, fun, and full of Bruce energy 🎤 All fans welcome—whether you were there or just wish you were Let’s keep the spirit alive. Follow the link and let’s talk Bruce! https://app.ggv.rs/s/04bG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 symbolic arc from Minneapolis to Washington. The conversation shifts to film, including why Ryan Coogler’s Sinners resonated (genre-blending, music mythology, culture), Oscar-season dynamics, mixed feelings on Deliver Me From Nowhere, a review of Project Hail Mary, and a strong recommendation for Baz Luhrmann’s restored Elvis concert film EPiC. 00:00 Prepared Tour Statement 02:53 Meet Marianne Again 04:02 Catholic Roots And Purpose 07:44 Stewardship Over Rapture 10:45 Frankenstein And Redemption 12:14 Art Life And Our Town 15:56 Tour Arc And Activism 17:28 Just Here For The Music 21:14 Roy Orbison Transformation 24:39 From Tour Talk To Movies 27:50 Why Sinners Matters 33:31 Barn Dance Breakdown 34:56 Bold Films vs Safe Picks 36:17 Why Anderson Won 37:40 Jordan’s Award Season Edge 39:14 Marty Supreme Campaign Backlash 41:09 Age Bias in Best Actor 42:49 Why Jordan Beat the Bias 44:28 Springsteen Biopic Misses Spark 49:46 Project Hail Mary Review 53:36 Elvis Concert Film Revival 58:43 Wrap Up and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 voice to Springsteen’s writing and speeches. The conversation shifts to Bruce fandom and live performance, including Arlen’s deep focus on the September 19, 1978 Capitol Theatre broadcast and rare early footage like the Gaslight performance and “Wings for Wheels.” Arlen promotes a March 31 New York Adventure Club webinar on Springsteen live history and a planned June multimedia event tied to a New Jersey exhibit. They also discuss Springsteen’s politics, “Streets of Minneapolis,” and Arlen’s critiques of unreleased/altered outtakes like “Roulette.” https://arlenschumer.com/ https://arlenschumer.com/springsteen-live-retrospective-webinar-via-ny-adventure-club-3-31/ http://bit.ly/4l77iQT 00:00 Welcome and Arlen Returns 00:39 Arlen Background and Passions 03:00 Why Twilight Zone Matters 05:53 Twilight Zone Legacy and Influence 12:05 Connecting Twilight Zone to Bruce 16:23 Greatest Bruce Shows and 1978 19:44 First Bruce Show and Fan Journeys 22:01 Bruce Live Ethos and Spanish Harlem 23:54 Promoting the Bruce Webinar 26:15 Gaslight Footage and March 31 Plan 29:15 Rare 1975 Footage 30:00 Wings for Wheels Magic 31:50 Desert Island Thunder Road 32:34 High Hopes Show Memories 34:15 Dream Baby Dream Debate 35:27 Webinar and Links 35:57 June Exhibit Plans 37:30 Bruce and Politics 42:09 Roulette and Outtakes 45:40 Release Decisions Rant 48:32 True President Finale 50:16 Wrap Up and Goodbye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Jackson, politically driven rap, and alternative/punk discovered through WHFS, MTV’s 120 Minutes, and films like Suburbia. She studied political science at Virginia Tech, attended law school at Temple, passed the New Jersey bar, but left legal work due to culture fit. Cece recounts becoming obsessed with live music—especially seeing Barenaked Ladies about 80 times, later following Steven Page’s solo work and Zoom concerts—and discusses the Avett Brothers fan song-tracking database, concertgoing community, and her current perfume hobby. 00:00 B-Side Detour Intro 00:37 Hallmark Meets Music 01:31 Cece Finds Hallmark Comfort 05:05 Growing Up Near DC 08:26 Finding Her Own Sound 10:33 Politics And Punk Identity 13:33 Films Over Books 14:57 Law School And Philly Bruce 19:17 Workplace Conformity Clash 21:55 Live Music Obsession Begins 22:29 Bare Naked Ladies Era 29:11 Setlists And Fan Databases 32:54 Chasing Rare Songs 33:24 Why See Bands Repeatedly 34:35 Concert Community Bonds 37:31 Music Recommendations Swap 39:54 Bruce Politics And Tours 41:35 Finding The Avett Brothers 43:39 Solo Shows And Fan Culture 47:11 Meeting Musicians Up Close 53:15 Where To Find Cece 53:35 Perfume Rabbit Hole 55:40 Final Thanks And Plugs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, and reflect on concerns about free speech, polarization, and the shrinking space for teaching controversial art and history. The conversation shifts to film awards, including disappointment that “Deliver Me From Nowhere” received no Oscar nominations, debate about biopic fatigue, and Maryanne’s recommended under-the-radar films such as “Train Dreams,” Linklater’s “Blue Moon” and “Nouvelle Vague,” “Sorry, Baby,” and the baseball film “Eefus,” plus praise for “Sinners” and “Fruitvale Station.” https://www.mjthemovies.com/ 00:00 Welcome Back Maryanne 00:33 Meet Maryanne Janosik 01:50 Bruce Drops New Protest Song 02:55 How Artists Create Fast 05:26 Protest Music Context 07:38 Catholic Imagination Social Justice 08:45 Teaching Songs of Protest 11:07 Grammys Politics and Censorship 13:30 Academic Freedom Under Pressure 17:13 Reviewing the New Song 20:36 Super Bowl Halftime Culture 23:44 Oscars and Springsteen Films 24:37 Box Office vs Oscars 25:35 Deliver Me From Nowhere 28:36 Biopic Fatigue Debate 30:26 Good vs Great Movies 32:24 Why Sinners Works 36:48 Michael B Jordan Rise 39:23 Under the Radar Picks 45:08 Catherine O'Hara Tribute 47:02 Wrap Up and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices