Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

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
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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
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"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

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Alonso Duralde joins the podcast to discuss his upbringing in an immigrant Spanish family in Atlanta, early influences from radio, classical music, and repertory cinema, and how Siskel & Ebert inspired him to pursue criticism. Duralde shares insights from his book Hollywood Pride, covering LGBTQ+ representation and creators from silent film to Everything Everywhere All at Once, plus surprises from his research. They talk Hallmark movies and how Duralde became part of the Deck the Hallmark team, his Christmas movie books, and “music biopic fatigue,” including thoughts on Deliver Me From Nowhere. Duralde reflects on queer identity and the impact of artists like Jimmy Somerville.

http://www.patreon.com/LinoleumKnife

http://www.patreon.com/bfastallday

https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/maximum-film/

In Stores Now: HAVE YOURSELF A MOVIE LITTLE CHRISTMAS, Revised and Updated Second Edition (Bloomsbury)

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/have-yourself-a-movie-little-christmas-9781493087440

In Stores Now: HOLLYWOOD PRIDE (TCM/Running Press)

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/alonso-duralde/hollywood-pride/9780762485895/
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As we continue Pride in Bruce, here is a re-releases a favorite 2017 conversation, edited to focus on guest Bella Pori’s joyful song discussion Jesse Jackson and Bella briefly discuss political engagement and gun reform before diving into Bella’s “Bruce Springsteen, gay as heck” lens on interpreting queer subtext in art. Bella shares her picks—“Streets of Philadelphia,” “Backstreets,” “This Hard Land,” “Bobby Jean,” “Frankie Fell in Love,” “Pink Cadillac,” and an honorable mention for “Rosalita”—and they reflect on representation, differing perspectives, and listener feedback.

00:00 Pride in Bruce Launch

01:48 Revisiting Bella Episode

03:13 Meet the Host and Guest

03:46 Politics and Civic Action

05:46 Gun Reform Conversation

09:09 Summer Updates and AIDS Curriculum

10:19 Why These Songs Feel Queer

14:17 Queer Subtext in Media

20:31 Debating Interpretations Online

22:04 Song One Streets of Philadelphia

24:34 Backstreets as Queer Love

26:06 This Hard Land Reading

27:46 Outlander and Gay Portrayals

29:29 Bobby Jean as Lesbian

33:52 Frankie Meets Pink Cadillac

34:59 Rosalita and Gender Flips

37:27 Feedback and Representation

40:09 Heroes and Doctor Who

41:42 Wrap Up and Call to Action

43:04 Pride Month Closing
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