Épisodes

  • Hallmark Comfort Movies, Punk Roots, and 80 BNL Shows with Cece Ponce

    Hallmark Comfort Movies, Punk Roots, and 80 BNL Shows with Cece Ponce
    Mar 17 2026
    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
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    1 h et 2 min
  • Bruce’s New Protest Song, Grammys Tension, and Oscar Under-the-Radar Picks with Maryanne Janosik

    Bruce’s New Protest Song, Grammys Tension, and Oscar Under-the-Radar Picks with Maryanne Janosik
    Mar 10 2026
    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
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    54 min
  • Podcasting Off the Bruce Train: Holly Cantos on U2 Fandom, ’80s Radio, and What Difference Does It Make?

    Podcasting Off the Bruce Train: Holly Cantos on U2 Fandom, ’80s Radio, and What Difference Does It Make?
    Mar 3 2026
    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 shaped her broad tastes. She recounts discovering U2 on the 1983 War tour, seeing them across every tour, and a highlight at the Sphere, plus taking her son to Bono’s Stories of Surrender. Holly and Jesse discuss how her podcast began in 2018, evolved through studio recording and pandemic-era Zoom access to guests, and the challenges of monetization and audience engagement. They close with Holly’s Springsteen memories and her view that Mary gets in the car in “Thunder Road.” https://www.wddimpodcast.com/ 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:55 Holly’s Radio Roots 05:21 Parents and Early Music 08:28 AM to FM Era 12:52 Discovering U2 Live 20:03 Concert Memories and Family 24:02 Podcast Mission and Format 27:51 Starting the Show Fast 31:44 Podcasting Advice and Growth 36:23 Guests and Great Interviews 38:33 Money Downloads and Rejection 41:26 Respectful Declines 41:46 Springsteen Intimidation 42:40 Ranking 80s Icons 46:08 Barry Manilow Stories 47:38 Podcast Growth Goals 51:04 Community Over Downloads 54:11 U2 Sphere Highlights 56:31 Bruce Live Memories 01:00:22 Music Tied to Family 01:06:24 Thunder Road Debate 01:08:32 Plugging The Podcast 01:11:51 Wrapping Up Goodbye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 15 min
  • Springsteen Shows, Strong Jewish Women & New Novels with Author Sara Goodman-Confino

    Springsteen Shows, Strong Jewish Women & New Novels with Author Sara Goodman-Confino
    Feb 26 2026
    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 onstage in Charlottesville in 2012 with a “Can I dance with Jake?” sign), attending dozens of shows, favorite songs and albums (especially Born to Run and “Backstreets”), and sending Bruce a copy of her novel Don’t Forget to Write featuring a brief Bruce cameo. They discuss Sara’s focus on humorous, intergenerational stories with strong female characters and “Jewish joy,” including why she writes Jewish characters beyond suffering narratives and how her novels highlight the recentness of women’s legal and social limitations. Sara previews upcoming projects, including her June 9 release Off the Record about a young woman in a 1960s newspaper typing pool who uncovers a Cuban spy plot, plus a planned 2027 novel centered on the Beatles’ first U.S. concert after Ed Sullivan. Find more about her and her books here - https://saraconfino.com/ 00:00 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce + Meet Author Sara Goodman Canino 00:53 From Teacher to Full-Time Writer: Beyond the Palace Origins 03:54 Growing Up with Books & Classic Rock (and Early Bruce Memories) 05:24 The Springsteen Mix CD That Got Her Through Grief 10:13 Writing Strong Women & Finding Her Voice (Humor, Publishing, Historical Fiction) 13:29 Jewish Joy on the Page: Representation Beyond Trauma 16:28 Intergenerational Healing: The Mother-in-Law Story Behind Good Grief 19:24 New Release Spotlight: Off the Record—Jewish Romcom Meets Cold War Spy Thriller 23:00 Why the Early ’60s Still Matters: Women’s Rights, Research, and Remembering History 27:34 Why These Stories Matter (Especially for Younger Readers) 29:04 Next Novel Tease: The 1964 DC Beatles Show + A Photographer’s Big Break 31:12 Switching Gears to Bruce: The ‘Dance with Jake’ Sign & Getting Pulled Onstage 34:20 Counting Shows & Favorite Springsteen Songs (Born to Run, Backstreets, Sandy) 37:29 Have You Met Bruce? Mailing Him a Book + The New Jersey Cameo 39:27 Family Concert Memories: Dad, Uncle, and the Legendary Ticket Scores 42:46 What’s Next as a Writer: Secret Projects, Building an Audience & Future Horror Book 44:09 Thunder Road Debate: Does Mary Get in the Car? (Plus ‘Waves’ vs ‘Sways’) 44:58 Where to Find Sara: Socials, Website, Buying Options & Final Wrap-Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 min
  • High Hopes and Thunder Road: Ann Abel on Bruce Springsteen, Depression, and a Life‑Changing Australia Tour

    High Hopes and Thunder Road: Ann Abel on Bruce Springsteen, Depression, and a Life‑Changing Australia Tour
    Feb 24 2026
    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 across five cities in 26 days**. What began as an escape from “the abyss” became a journey of fear, resilience, connection, and unexpected joy. Ann recounts: - **Battling self‑doubt and loneliness** while navigating a foreign country alone - A terrifying night stranded after the Hunter Valley show when her driver vanished and her flip phone died - Quiet, intimate moments of being “invisible” in hotel lobbies near E Street Band members - Meeting Bruce’s longtime manager **Barbara Carr**, the conversations that followed, and the fundraiser where Ann won a silent auction to **co‑host SiriusXM’s E Street Radio with Dave Marsh** - The months of intense rock‑history study she undertook to prepare—and the unforgettable on‑air moment when she corrected a punk‑rock attribution - How storytelling open mics and winning a **Moth StorySLAM** helped her break through writer’s block and finally write *High Hopes* - Seeing the Springsteen movie and feeling deeply validated hearing Bruce speak openly about struggle - The concert moments that changed her life, including “Dream Baby Dream” and Bruce’s reminder that “It’s all right to have a good time” Ann also talks about her recent **TEDx talk**, her unexpected rise as a late‑in‑life social‑media creator with **750,000 followers and multiple viral videos**, her upcoming travels, and the joy of becoming a grandparent. She closes by sharing where listeners can follow her work online. This is an episode about music, survival, reinvention, and the way Bruce Springsteen’s art can crack open a life at any age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 min
  • Here we go again - Ticket Drama 2026 - a Jessetorial

    Here we go again - Ticket Drama 2026 - a Jessetorial
    Feb 21 2026
    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
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    7 min
  • Better Days - A Cancer Update

    Better Days - A Cancer Update
    Feb 20 2026
    "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
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    7 min
  • Exploring KISS's Defining Year: A Deep Dive with Martin Popoff

    Exploring KISS's Defining Year: A Deep Dive with Martin Popoff
    Feb 17 2026
    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 metal fandom to becoming a prolific rock historian, and discusses his unique podcast 'History in Five Songs.' Whether you're a die-hard KISS fan or just love rock history, this episode is a must-listen! https://a.co/d/0hmrKt9E 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 01:53 Guest Introduction and Background 03:10 Early Musical Influences and First Concerts 05:09 The Concept of Perfect Music 07:21 Latest Book: KISS 76 08:40 KISS in 1976: A Year in Review 17:40 KISS's Live Performances and Touring 25:11 The Ed Sullivan Moment and KISS's Influence 26:30 KISS's Unique Sound and Comparisons 29:01 Controversies and Public Perception 33:32 The Podcast and Writing Journey 37:31 Favorite Albums and Musical Preferences 39:13 The Mary Question and Final Thoughts 42:48 Outro and Housekeeping Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 min