Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast cover art

Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

By: Jesse Jackson
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🎙️ Set Lusting Bruce is more than a podcast—it's a celebration of connection through the music of Bruce Springsteen. Hosted by longtime contact center leader and community builder Jesse Jackson, each episode invites fans from all walks of life to share their personal stories, favorite lyrics, and the moments where Bruce’s music met them right where they were. Whether you're a die-hard E Street devotee or someone who just discovered Thunder Road, this show is your backstage pass to heartfelt conversations, unexpected insights, and the kind of camaraderie only music can spark. From tales of redemption and resilience to laughter over setlist debates, Set Lusting Bruce is where fandom becomes family. Because as Bruce once sang, “We learned more from a three-minute record than we ever learned in school.” Proud Member of the Pantheon Podcast Network.2015-2023 Jesse Jackson Music
Episodes
  • Pride in Bruce: Sylvan Groth on Coming Out, Chosen Family & Finding Light in Springsteen’s Music

    Pride in Bruce: Sylvan Groth on Coming Out, Chosen Family & Finding Light in Springsteen’s Music
    Jun 25 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Pride in Bruce: Rethinking “Backstreets” with Arlen Schumer (MSG Night 1 & LGBTQ+ Interpretation)

    Pride in Bruce: Rethinking “Backstreets” with Arlen Schumer (MSG Night 1 & LGBTQ+ Interpretation)
    Jun 23 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Bonus Episode - Ken Schaefer on The Boroughs and The Long Walk

    Bonus Episode - Ken Schaefer on The Boroughs and The Long Walk
    Jun 20 2026
    "Catch our latest chat where Ken Schaefer and I explore Stephen King's 'The Long Walk' adaptation and its thought-provoking themes. Ken also shares his thoughts on the new series from the creaters of STranger Things - The Boroughs #StephenKing #MovieNight" #dufferbrothers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 mins
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