Set Lusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast28 Nov 2025

Song Lyrics to Stories: Jay Armstrong's 'Follow Your Dreams Down'

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes guest Jay Armstrong, a longtime friend and one of the podcast's earliest guests. Jay shares insights from his teaching experiences, where he used Bruce Springsteen's 'Thunder Road' as a poetic exercise for his students. The episode dives into the longstanding debate over whether Mary gets in the car and how perspectives on the song have evolved over time. Jay discusses his new book, 'Follow Your Dreams Down: Scenes from Small Towns, Jukebox Nights, and Roads That Give Second Chances,' which is a collection of short stories inspired by Springsteen's songs. The conversation also touches on Jay's experiences with his medical condition, the importance of resilience, and the challenges of writing fiction. Tune in for an engaging discussion about music, teaching, and the human experience, all through the lens of Bruce Springsteen's work. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Jay Armstrong 00:28 The Thunder Road Classroom Debate 03:10 Jay's New Book and Writing Journey 05:24 Exploring Themes in Bruce's Music 07:28 Jay's Fiction Writing Inspiration 10:56 Challenges of Writing Short Stories 18:16 Bruce Springsteen's Recent Works and Collaborations 23:41 Reflecting on Youth and Urgency 24:16 Anticipation for the Bruce Springsteen Movie 25:13 The Challenge of Being True to Oneself 26:47 The Fear of Rejection 28:12 Writing and Letting Go 29:37 Lessons from Living with a Condition 31:54 Memories and Stories of Loved Ones 33:08 The Absurdity of Love 36:10 Crafting a Book Like a Concert Setlist 40:45 Connecting with Readers 44:32 Final Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(1610)

Bow Thayer on DIY Music, Vermont Creativity, and the Making of ‘Ninevah’

Jesse and his Perfectly Good Podcast cohost Sylvan Groth sit down to talk with her friend and neighbor, Vermont songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bow Thayer. Bow shares his journey from growing ...

17 Sep 1h 6min

Songwriter Bob on Recording-Only Projects, Concept Albums, and being part of The Disappearing Act

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Texas songwriter Bob Blumenfeld to discuss his recording projects Welcome to the 21st and The Disappearing Act, both featuring longtime collaborator alim Nourallah and John...

15 Sep 58min

Set Lusting Football Kickoff: Fans, Fandom Stories & 2025 NFL Predictions

Jesse Jackson launches “Set Lusting Football,” a seasonal spin on his Bruce Springsteen podcast where music fans representing different NFL teams gather for weekly football talk, friendly rivalries, a...

11 Sep 31min

Harmonizing Worlds: Indie Folk Meets Classical with William John Titus Bishop

William John Titus Bishop performed orchestral works and other musical genres before learning to play the guitar and perform at smaller venues on the London circuit. He has gone on to play internation...

10 Sep 50min

Set Lusting Bruce: A Long Walk Home - Episode 1500

Set Lusting Bruce celebrates its 1,500th episode with congratulatory messages from fellow podcasters, friends, and listeners, praising Jesse Jackson’s consistency, kindness, interviewing skill, and th...

9 Sep 1h 17min

JB & Rob Return: Bruce Springsteen Sings the Alphabet Relaunch + Movies, Ministry, and the E Street Community

Jesse welcomes JB and Rob back to Set Lusting Bruce to discuss their return to podcasting and the relaunch of Bruce Springsteen Sings the Alphabet. JB shares updates on life in North Georgia, while Ro...

4 Sep 1h 24min

Brian K. Pagels & Stephen on Brian K and the Parkway’s “Roses and Kerosene” (feat. Lily Hiatt) | Set Lusting Bruce

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guests Brian K. Pagels and Stephen Russ of Brian K and the Parkway to discuss their musical partnership, their preferences for live performance versus studio work...

3 Sep 53min

Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, and a Life in Music Journalism

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes back music journalist and author Steve Rosen to discuss his new Jeff Beck book, rewritten and expanded from a Japan-only 1978 biography originally commissioned by Player ma...

1 Sep 55min