Episodes

  • Perfectly Good Podcast Crossover John Hiatt Birthday Special: David Wild interview

    Perfectly Good Podcast Crossover John Hiatt Birthday Special: David Wild interview
    Aug 28 2026
    Sylvan opens an August 20 intro to a special John Hiatt birthday episode, sharing news that the November Nashville Concert for Cumberland Heights will be a John Hiatt tribute and inviting listeners to join via perfectlygoodpodcast@gmail.com. A clip follows with Kyle Williams explaining how Cumberland Heights’ scholarship funds, music therapy, and a pro music professionals program support people in recovery, especially in Nashville’s music community, and describing the long-running Ryman benefit concert founded with Hiatt and others. The episode then revisits Rolling Stone writer David Wild discussing his 1989 “Clean and Sober” Hiatt profile, his note-taking and reporting process, Hiatt’s sobriety and impact, favorite songs like “Missing Pieces,” and why Bring the Family deserved Grammy recognition for its influence on Americana, while also reflecting on media archives and Hiatt’s possible reaction to the article’s AA reference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Remembering Dolly Parton: A Tribute to a One-of-a-Kind Artist and Humanitarian

    Remembering Dolly Parton: A Tribute to a One-of-a-Kind Artist and Humanitarian
    Aug 26 2026
    In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson and guest Joe K step off the Springsteen track to honor Dolly Parton following news of her death on August 25, 2026, reflecting on her six-decade career as the “Queen of Country,” her landmark songs, acting roles, business success with Dollywood, and rare talent for reimagining other artists’ work. They share personal first memories of Dolly, discuss the story behind “I Will Always Love You,” and highlight her unmatched warmth, humor, talk-show brilliance, and ability to unite diverse audiences while advocating tolerance. Much of the conversation centers on her philanthropy—especially the Imagination Library and support for research tied to the Moderna COVID vaccine—urging listeners to donate and keep her legacy alive by revisiting her music, movies, and performances. https://imaginationlibrary.com/ 00:00 Porch Song Opening 01:17 Podcast Intro and Loss 02:41 Dolly Legacy Overview 03:17 Dollywood and Integrity 04:15 Songwriting and Covers 09:47 First Dolly Memories 12:55 Movies and Talk Shows 15:52 I Will Always Love You Story 19:05 Sexism and Respect 20:46 Tributes and Philanthropy 25:33 Imagination Library Call 28:36 Humor and Musicality 32:27 Acceptance and Unity 38:30 McCartney Tribute and Farewell 43:01 See Artists While You Can 45:43 Wrap Up and Closing Song Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Lead Like The Boss: Andy Freed on Bruce Springsteen’s Lessons in Leadership

    Lead Like The Boss: Andy Freed on Bruce Springsteen’s Lessons in Leadership
    Aug 25 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Boston-based consultant and lifelong Springsteen fan Andy Freed to discuss Freed’s book, "Lead Like The Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework to Elevating Your Leadership." Freed shares how discovering "Born to Run" at age eight sparked a fandom that’s led to nearly 100 shows, and explains how the arc of a Springsteen concert maps to practical leadership and communication lessons—preparation, staying on message, energizing an audience, building trust, and empowering a team. They talk about Bruce’s onstage habits like thanking every band member nightly, the importance of adapting to audience feedback, and the purpose-driven, political tone of the recent tour. Freed also highlights favorite songs and albums, concert memories like See.Hear.Now in Asbury Park, and answers the show’s “Mary question” about "Thunder Road." https://a.co/d/09b66cSm 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:39 Meet Andy Freed 02:28 Growing Up With Music 03:13 Discovering Born to Run 06:19 Tour Talk And Politics 07:18 Career Path To Consulting 08:19 Why He Wrote The Book 09:48 Leadership Lessons From The Stage 15:01 Setlists Preparation And Purpose 19:08 Fan View On Predictable Setlists 23:35 Rehearsal And Great Teams 29:11 Audience First Leadership 32:04 Whats Next And Favorite Songs 34:41 Memorable Shows And Future Goals 36:46 Book Buzz And Band Connections 38:21 Thunder Road Mary Question 39:08 Where To Find Andy 40:01 Closing Thanks And Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • B-Side: Joey Register (itsrihhomie) on Freestyle Creation, Population Mars, and Building as an Independent Artist

    B-Side: Joey Register (itsrihhomie) on Freestyle Creation, Population Mars, and Building as an Independent Artist
    Aug 19 2026
    In this B-side episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson talks with Joey Register, who records as itsrihhomie, about his path from growing up in Rochester, New York to making melodic rap as an emotional outlet and running his own studio to help others create. Joey describes his freestyle, bar-by-bar recording process, early influences from friends and artists like Juice WRLD and Lil Wayne, and how his album Population Mars pulled together songs written from ages 18 to 25 across sessions in places like Boston, Tampa, and Chicago. He discusses the challenges independent artists face in smaller markets, how streaming and short-form content shape careers, and his plans to release more music, collaborate locally in San Francisco, and experiment across genres. The episode closes with Joey’s take on whether Mary gets in the car in “Thunder Road,” plus where to find his music and social accounts. New Album - https://music.apple.com/us/album/rih-university/6798003629 https://open.spotify.com/album/6vYZs5I63juyntRHf8oCjI?si=TRsU_9SlTSW4exS-eWl-Zg&utm_source=copy-link - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrihhomie/ - Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/za/album/population-mars/1834633510 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/50p0UKuBYmUhp9cZ7A5JDM?si=BXKtxVW4TLmTDUib7TlaRQ 00:00 B-Side Detour Intro 01:03 Meet Joey Register 02:35 Finding Rap and Freestyle Flow 11:11 Studio Life and Community 13:10 Defining the Sound 14:42 Indie Artist in Streaming Era 17:57 Next Moves and New Genres 20:34 Surprises and Creator Culture 23:17 Where to Find the Music 24:09 Spirituality and Mindset 28:41 Thunder Road Mary Question 31:29 Socials and Farewell 32:17 Podcast Outro and Support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Dale Hansen on Rod Stewart, Don Nelson Stories, and Why Troy Aikman Was Built for Broadcasting

    Dale Hansen on Rod Stewart, Don Nelson Stories, and Why Troy Aikman Was Built for Broadcasting
    Aug 14 2026
    In this B-side episode of Set List and Bruce, Jesse welcomes back Dale Hansen for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with Hansen reflecting on long-winded interviews and leads into his love of Rod Stewart, first seeing him live at the Cowboys’ 1996 Super Bowl in Phoenix, and why Stewart’s persona, gravelly voice, and story-driven songs resonate with him—so much so that he’s planned Rod Stewart songs for his funeral. Hansen then shares memories of late NBA coach Don Nelson, including their first meeting tied to Nelson’s 1961 Iowa–Ohio State game and a darkly comic Maui poker story involving Willie Nelson. The discussion also covers Nelson’s Dirk Nowitzki draft, Hansen’s approach to avoiding definitive hot takes, and why he always believed Troy Aikman would thrive in broadcasting, illustrated with personal stories from an Iowa graduation visit and the “potato salad” saga. https://www.youtube.com/@DallasDialoguewithDale 00:00 Talking Too Much 02:13 B-Side Episode Intro 02:53 Rod Stewart Discovery 04:17 Funeral Playlist Plans 10:59 Don Nelson Tribute 11:34 First Meeting Story 17:11 Maui Poker Tale 24:25 Dirk Draft Debate 27:14 Trusting Coaches and Scouts 29:22 Aikman on the Mic 30:56 Iowa Graduation Surprise 36:53 Potato Salad Legend 41:13 Protecting Sources on Planes 43:22 Winning Over Stats 45:39 Fantasy Numbers Debate 50:45 Podcast and Homeless Crisis 54:30 Final Thanks and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr
  • Bruce Springsteen Deep Dive with David Starkey | On Track 1973–1987

    Bruce Springsteen Deep Dive with David Starkey | On Track 1973–1987
    Aug 13 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes writer and musician David Starkey to Set Listing Bruce to discuss Starkey’s book On Track: Bruce Springsteen 1973–1987, Every Album, Every Song and his lifelong relationship to Springsteen’s recorded work. Starkey shares how growing up between Sacramento and summers in Beaumont shaped his musical tastes, from Johnny Cash and Aerosmith to discovering Springsteen via Greetings and being captivated by Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town. They talk about the current tour, its political tone, Tom Morello’s guitar work, ticket prices, and setlist debates. Starkey explains his writing process, what he learned by re-listening (especially the importance of piano), and why 1987 marks an era’s end. The conversation also touches on poetry vs. lyrics, Starkey’s interview series The Creative Community, upcoming projects, and the “Mary question” from Thunder Road. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bruce-Springsteen-1973-1987/David-Starkey/On-Track/9781789524710 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:39 Meeting David 02:03 Early Music Obsessions 03:44 Family Sounds and Travel 06:59 Johnny Cash Tangent 09:04 Finding Springsteen 10:03 Live Shows and Politics 13:54 Ticket Prices Debate 14:28 Writing and Poetry 18:08 Why This Bruce Book 20:05 Born in the USA Memories 22:14 Researching the Albums 23:53 Why Stop at 1987 25:43 Concert Banter Debate 26:59 River Tour Pacing 27:55 Writing More Personally 29:33 Hot Takes On Songs 30:51 Family Discovers Nebraska 32:06 Biopic Who Is It For 34:35 Bruce Creative Evolution 36:46 Never Repeating Himself 39:41 His Interview Show Origins 41:09 Next Books And Memoir 44:12 Where To Find The Book 45:54 Final Thanks And Signoff 46:24 Podcast Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • Beverly Bartlett - Pride Month Reflections, Bruce as Lifeline, and Underated Songs

    Beverly Bartlett - Pride Month Reflections, Bruce as Lifeline, and Underated Songs
    Aug 12 2026
    Pride Month Reflections, Bruce as Lifeline, and the Thunder Road “Mary” Question (with Beverly) Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Beverly, a longtime Bruce Springsteen fan from Missouri now living in Kentucky, to discuss how Springsteen’s writing—especially around gender and politics—has resonated throughout her life. Beverly shares growing up with little music at home, discovering Bruce through “Dancing in the Dark” at 17, and how Born in the U.S.A. became her gateway to the full catalog. She recounts missing the Born in the U.S.A. tour, first seeing Bruce on the Human Touch/Lucky Town tour, later seeing the E Street Band on the Reunion Tour, and attending about 25 shows including Wrecking Ball-era dates and Springsteen on Broadway. They talk about fandom as comfort during family milestones, illness, and political turmoil, favorite tour moments and speeches, underrated songs she hopes to hear (“Spare Parts,” “Moonlight Motel”), and end with Beverly’s answer to whether Mary gets in the car in “Thunder Road.” 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:24 Beverly Background 02:06 Growing Up Without Music 04:02 First Records and Covers 05:05 Discovering Bruce at 17 09:21 First Concerts and Tours 11:20 Counting Shows and Empty Nest 12:05 Bruce and Bourbon Trip 15:07 Concert Adventures and Broadway 17:05 Songs as Family Soundtrack 18:29 Bruce Politics and Hope 21:41 Letter to You in 2020 24:40 Passing Fandom to Kids 27:31 Nebraska and Dark Stories 28:02 Tour Highlights and Moments 28:27 Speeches Hit Hard 29:06 Defending the Setlist 29:55 Catalog Depth Debate 32:17 Songs Change With Age 34:00 Lyrics as Lifelines 35:56 Family Fan Moments 37:02 Songs Theyre Chasing 42:04 Whats Next for Bruce 43:13 Reunion Tour to Rising 53:11 Thunder Road vs Sandy 54:56 Final Thanks and Goodbye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • "Harmonizing Passion: John Gulla on Music, Rum, and Firefly Fandom"

    "Harmonizing Passion: John Gulla on Music, Rum, and Firefly Fandom"
    Aug 6 2026
    Host Jesse Jackson welcomes John Gulla to Set Lusting Bruce for a wide-ranging conversation beyond Springsteen. John, a Miami native, describes discovering music early, teaching himself by ear, forming a high-school a cappella group that pursued recording contracts and moved from Miami to New York and Washington, DC, before he left the group around age 25 due to financial realities and marketing challenges. He discusses choosing bass guitar, being left-handed, and returning to the University of Miami by working there to complete a Classics degree and a master’s. A devoted Firefly fan, John recounts contributing to The Signal and attending Awesome Con. He then pitches his six-year Rumcast podcast, explaining rum’s global diversity, additive issues, and entry recommendations, plus their Rumcast Reserve bottlings. John answers the “Mary question.” https://www.rumcast.com/ 00:00 Patreon Thanks 01:29 Meet John and Tonight’s Topics 02:03 Early Music Spark 03:05 Musical Home and Learning by Ear 05:45 High School A Cappella Crew 07:08 Chasing the Dream to NYC 08:15 MTV Karaoke and Record Deals 09:35 When to Walk Away 13:01 Parents Support and Band Fallout 15:33 Marketing Challenges and Aftermath 16:53 Why Bass Guitar 19:15 Reinventing Through College 21:50 Classics and Love of Latin 24:24 Firefly Fandom Begins 27:24 The Signal and Early Podcasting 30:09 Awesome Con Trip 31:40 Panels and Fandom Fun 32:37 Rumcast Origin Story 36:20 Rum Rules and Additives 41:13 Starter Rum Picks 45:54 Firefly Podcast Pact 46:19 Animated Firefly Hopes 49:48 Why Firefly Endures 52:30 Rumcast Reserve Update 53:26 Thunder Road Mary 56:04 Wrap and Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins