Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

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.

00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:49 Meet Russell’s Story
02:35 Finding Bruce Early
04:16 Born in the USA Impact
09:23 Dyslexia and the Brain
12:54 Teaching Through Hooks
15:45 Born to Run Spark
18:12 Deep Dive and Lyrics
21:27 Dancing in the Dark Layers
23:25 Diagnosed and Determined
24:28 ADHD and Finding Purpose
28:13 Fixing a Broken System
29:46 Typing Over Handwriting
30:37 Interest Driven Learning
31:57 Specific To General Method
32:47 Why Schools Resist
35:03 Program Breakdown
36:40 When To Start Help
38:23 Reed Success Story
39:59 Parents Biggest Mistake
42:01 Motivation By Chores
44:25 Bruce Live Shows Talk
46:47 Thunder Road Mary Debate
48:18 Where To Find Russell
49:13 Podcast Wrap Up
49:47 Host Housekeeping

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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 setlustingbruce@gmail.com
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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.
https://arlenschumer.com/

00:00 Patreon Thanks
01:29 Meet Arlen
02:03 Twilight Zone Favorites
07:47 Serling Legacy Today
11:13 Twilight Zone Meets Bruce
13:07 Springsteen Center Opens
14:21 Design Details Tour
20:48 Why Not The Boss
21:48 Bruce As The King
27:06 Biopic Scenes And Myth
30:02 Appel Hammond Landau
36:28 Appel Versus Landau
38:11 Outtakes And Alternate Albums
39:17 Bruce As Generational Icon
41:10 Dylan Beatles And Jungleland
48:05 Modesty Influences And Museum
51:47 Unreleased Songs Deep Dive
54:59 Archives Beyond Bruce
56:42 Race Audience And Reaction Videos
01:02:47 Where To Find Arlen
01:03:51 Twilight Zone Events
01:06:47 Farewell And Listener Outro

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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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