Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Brandi Carlile, Sisterhood & Stage Presence: A B-Side Chat with Carrie and Nancy

Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Show Notes

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes listeners to a B-side episode of Set Listing Bruce featuring returning Springsteen fans Carrie and Nancy to talk about Brandi Carlile. Jesse shares his “Road to Damascus” moment after seeing Carlile in Fort Worth, and Carrie and Nancy recount how they discovered her music, including Carrie’s entry point through The Highwomen and Nancy’s first show in Nashville during a stormy night that included Wynonna Judd’s first public appearance after her mother’s death. They discuss Carlile’s charisma, humor, gratitude, political courage, faith, and her Bruce-like relationship with fans, plus the deep bond and shared business arrangement with bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth. The conversation covers soundcheck fundraisers, favorite and “chased” songs, The Highwomen, and album recommendations, ending with Jesse’s reflections on community and artists who match great art with admirable character.

00:00 Patreon Thanks

01:29 Episode Setup

02:47 Meet Nancy and Carrie

04:35 Carrie Finds Brandi

06:36 Nancy’s First Show Magic

10:14 Fort Worth Lightning Moment

14:30 Stage Presence Like Bruce

21:47 Band Loyalty and The Twins

28:44 Courage and Activism

31:20 Faith and Inclusivity

35:49 Authenticity and Banter

36:44 Tram Trouble Story

37:24 How Many Shows Seen

38:03 Chasing Simple Man

40:01 Soundcheck Tickets Explained

41:45 Nancy’s Song Request

43:47 Highwomen Love and Loss

47:40 Livestream Moments and Lyrics

50:43 Final Thoughts and Next Time

53:35 Listener Recommendations

55:09 Closing Blessing and Tattoo Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast

Oct 23, 2026

In this episode of Set Lusting Football, Jesse and a roundtable of fans (Packers, Holly Mac, Commanders, Joe Kay, Giants, Jean Marie and Eagles, Rich) recap a chaotic week highlighted by Green Bay’s win over Dallas and the NFC East’s struggle to string together wins. They discuss concerns about pass-heavy game plans, shaky coaching and game management (including criticism of Dan Quinn), and the Eagles’ poor showing with backup QB Tanner McKee amid major worry over Jalen Hurts’ reported blood-clot situation and possible medical mishandling. The group previews upcoming matchups (Packers–Lions, Giants–Texans with J.J. McCarthy starting, Cowboys–Eagles) and touches on baseball with Joe’s Brewers optimism. They also debate broadcaster drama involving Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, and Jesse closes with podcast plugs before a brief drop-in from his son Chris.

Oct 20, 2026

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Chad Martin, a Texas-born pro wrestler, author, and podcaster, for a B-side episode that steps outside the Springsteen universe into music, memories, and creativity. Chad shares how Elvis Presley shaped his childhood, how he discovered broader music through a mixtape, and how he found pro wrestling’s “magic” after training on carpet over concrete in a sweltering Arkansas building. He explains performing as the heel character Big Daddy Storm, the physical risks and trust required in wrestling, and how storytelling drives both promos and his writing. Chad recounts leaving the corporate world after a health scare in 2012, learning self-publishing, starting a publishing venture with his doctor, and finally finishing his novel Hale County after outlining it. He also discusses writing multiple books at once, launching the FAFO Podcast for open conversations grounded in facts, and answers the Thunder Road “Mary question.”

Oct 15, 2026

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes George P. Brooks for a B-side episode that steps outside Springsteen to focus on music, life experience, and purpose. George, a longtime mental health advocate and founder of the Meta Association, shares his Memphis upbringing shaped by diverse music, his lifelong love of Green Day, and how recovery from addiction led him to nonprofit work supporting Black male mental health, recidivism, and fatherhood. He discusses surviving homelessness and two heart attacks, the barriers men—especially Black men—face in seeking therapy, and the importance of safe spaces, unplugging from social media, journaling, and basic health screenings. The conversation also explores faith, grace in public discourse, and George’s conservative values, before closing with a call to treat people with respect and be better each day.

Oct 14, 2026

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Lou and Karen for a crossover discussion of the documentary “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band,” directed by Thom Zimny and released on Hulu/Disney+ on October 25, 2025. They highlight backstage and rehearsal footage, Springsteen’s arena walk during soundcheck, the band’s pre-show ritual, and Bruce seeming looser about mistakes while still aiming to “blow” audiences away. The conversation compares band dynamics after major losses like Clarence Clemons, discusses Jake Clemons stepping into a huge role, and notes Patti Scialfa’s reduced touring due to multiple myeloma. They also tackle tour controversies around Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing, scalping, and a largely fixed setlist, while praising musical moments like “Nightshift” and the energy of European crowds.

Oct 14, 2026

In this Week 5 episode of Set Lusting Football, Jesse is joined by panelists Jean Marie, Wendy, and Rich to debate whether modern NFL coaching is overly driven by analytics, information overload, and job pressure, using recent late-game decisions involving the Commanders, Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles as examples. They discuss situational football, clock management, and special teams choices, then recap their teams’ weeks: Jean Marie’s Giants escape with a tie despite first-half struggles and a key fumble; Wendy breaks down the Bills’ win over the Rams, including injuries in the secondary, James Cook’s two fumbles, penalties, a blocked field goal, and Josh Allen’s late heroics; Rich vents about the Eagles’ injury chaos and a costly Sirianni decision; and Jesse laments the Cowboys’ poor defense and loss to Tampa. They preview upcoming matchups and share podcast and contact plugs.

See all episodes →