Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes writer, podcaster, and comedian Courtney Kocak, who grew up in small-town Minnesota and now splits time between Austin and Los Angeles, to discuss her debut memoir, Girl Gone Wild. Courtney traces her musical influences from classic rock radio and movie soundtracks to college-era rap, indie, and classic rock, and shares how reading and acting shaped her love of storytelling. She recounts joining the Girls Gone Wild tour via a Craigslist ad, realizing the behind-the-scenes coercion and exploitation, and leaving after seven weeks amid depression and financial stress. The conversation follows her pivot from acting to writing, essaying, and podcasting, including her long-running show Private Parts Unknown, plus The Bleeders and Podcast Bestie, and touches on Stevie Nicks, Lilith Fair, stand-up goals, and the “Thunder Road” question of whether Mary gets in the car.

https://www.courtneykocak.com/

00:00 Patreon Thanks

01:28 Meet Courtney Kocak

03:38 Growing Up With Music

07:10 College Tastes And Mixes

09:36 Books And Acting Bug

12:17 Acting School And Regrets

16:00 Girls Gone Wild Origins

19:20 Behind The Scenes Reality

20:52 Leaving The Tour

23:41 Finding Meaning Afterward

25:49 Funny Book Chapters

27:01 Leaving Acting for Writing

31:02 Finding Her Voice

31:43 Stevie Nicks Obsession

33:47 Private Parts Unknown

39:39 Creative Bucket List

40:50 Stand-Up and Perspective

44:41 Thunder Road Mary Debate

47:31 Where to Find Courtney

49:05 Final Sign-Off and Blessing
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On a JKL Media Podcast one-off special, Lou introduces Canadian prog-rock/metal trio Rush and asks Karen and Jesse for reactions, starting with a yes/no on Geddy Lee’s voice (Karen yes, Jesse no). Lou frames Rush as a technically revered “musician’s band,” outlines the members’ roles, and compares their music to headphone-focused listening like Pink Floyd. Karen and Jesse discuss songs from Lou’s list—both like “The Spirit of Radio,” Karen names “Tom Sawyer” as her favorite and relates to “Subdivisions,” while Jesse says many tracks sound similar but appreciates the lyrics and openness to the experience. They praise the 2010 documentary for its celebrity supporters and for revealing the band’s low-drama, nerdy camaraderie, highlighting Alex Lifeson’s humor and Neil Peart’s tragedy and return to music, and they note interest in a needed “chapter two” and the band’s later-era touring and new drummer Anika Nilles.

00:00 Welcome and Setup
00:39 Geddy Voice Debate
01:23 Rush Primer
03:04 Song List Reactions
04:03 Rush Recognition Talk
07:56 Karen Favorites
10:22 Documentary Overview
11:53 Karen Doc Impressions
15:14 Jesse Doc Takeaways
18:36 Toronto Roots and Memories
20:04 Rick Moranis Connection
20:55 Neil Peart Tragedy
21:26 Band Reunites Again
21:43 Neil Peart Cancer Secret
22:50 Annika Nilles Joins Tour
24:48 Why Rush Endures
26:48 Comedy And Early Memories
29:10 Musicianship Deep Dive
32:09 Low Drama Band Culture
34:25 Canada Love And Fandom
37:33 Live Videos And Wrap Up
40:13 Where To Find Everyone

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Phil Mastroianni Mastrean from Pittsburgh is not happy with the 2026 Land of Hope and Dreams Springsteen tour. We get into Phil’s musical roots, first Bruce show in 1984, and a fandom spanning roughly 220 concerts, with favorites like “Backstreets,” “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” and “Born to Run.” The conversation turns to why Phil is skipping the current tour: he believes it was announced as politically motivated, feels high ticket prices clash with that message, and sees the shows as focused on criticizing the current administration, which he views as inconsistent and alienating to fans. Jesse emphasizes community, respectful disagreement, and his own experience of the shows as hopeful rather than purely political.

01:28 Meet Phil From Pittsburgh

02:01 Steelers Cowboys Banter

03:39 Early Music And Bruce Discovery

05:21 First Show Hooked

06:52 Community And Show Magic

09:17 Favorite Songs And Travel

10:52 Why This Tour Feels Different

14:15 Politics And Ticket Prices

17:14 Backlash And Fan Fallout

21:15 Still Listening Or Taking A Break

25:12 Divorce Papers Filed

26:48 Bruce Impact On Life

27:20 Fandom Fallout Debate

30:36 Platform And Legacy

32:43 Finding Common Ground

35:58 Songs Still Chasing

38:00 Songs That Evolve

43:41 Western Stars Live Wish

45:27 Farewell And Kindness
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Host Jesse Jackson steps outside the Springsteen universe for a B-side conversation with Ernest Lineberger, a retired Naval officer and former Texas Instruments supervisor/industrial engineer who ran for Congress in a tough Texas district, lost the 2024 general election, then continued organizing town halls, protests, and outreach before losing a subsequent primary. Lineberger discusses why voters change their minds, the need for better-informed civic engagement, and frustration with politics as a “team sport,” including concerns about executive overreach, tariffs, and billionaire influence. He shares a childhood shaped by frequent moves, time in Italy and Monterey, and his Navy chaplain father’s strong influence on his Christian beliefs and inclusivity. Now fully retired, he’s supporting candidates like Vicki Goodwin, planning reunions, and promoting his memoir, There I Was. The episode closes with the show’s “Thunder Road” Mary question.

00:00 B-Side Detour Intro
00:49 Meet Ernest Lineberger
02:30 Navy Career and TI
03:59 Why I Ran for Congress
06:26 Campaign Grind and Primary Loss
08:10 Texas Democrats Outlook
09:57 Representation and Fairness
11:20 Changing Minds in Politics
17:00 Early Music and Moving Abroad
19:56 Monterey High School Years
23:20 Faith and Community Values
26:35 Military Base Upbringing
27:29 Politeness and Listening
29:23 Why Veterans Matter
33:38 Getting Informed to Vote
36:07 Common Ground and Cynicism
38:58 Springsteen and Hope
41:27 America Abroad and Trust
43:38 Life After Campaigning
44:04 Book Stories and Motivation
47:18 Service and Gratitude
50:59 Thunder Road Mary Question
52:13 How to Reach Ernest
53:54 Podcast Wrap and Plugs

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Saying thanks for all the support this month as we explored other stories under the Bruce Umbrella. Please think about supporting the podcast by going to https://patreon.com/setlustingbruce and joining my Patreon Community.

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