Steve Sxaks' Artistic Journey: From Punk Roots to Recording Success

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes Rachel from the Story Song Podcast, part of the Pantheon Network. Rachel shares her journey of discovering the Story Song Podcast, how it evolved, and her deep love for story songs, improvisation, and teaching. They discuss her upbringing surrounded by classic music influences, her favorite song discoveries, their approach to choosing and analyzing songs, and some fun anecdotes. Rachel also shares the upcoming story song projects she's excited about and reflects on the songs they avoid discussing on the podcast for various reasons. Dive into their lively conversation and join in the musical exploration. https://storysongpodcast.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Set Lusting Bruce 01:34 Discovering the Story Song Podcast 02:45 Elevator Pitch for the Story Song Podcast 05:55 Growing Up with Music 10:29 Musical Theater Beginnings 12:59 Teaching and Theater 16:04 Bruce Springsteen's Iconic Covers 21:19 The Story Song Podcast Origins 30:48 The Joy of Spontaneity in Comedy 32:02 Diverse Perspectives on Lyrics 34:37 Surprising Song Discoveries 36:06 Patterns in Music and Listener Feedback 37:22 Challenges in Covering Certain Songs 39:02 The Mountain Goats and Other Musical Interests 41:24 The Art of Songwriting 47:49 Respecting the Craft of Music 50:46 The Thunder Road Debate 55:24 Podcasting with Friends Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Mar 1h 1min

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes his friend Scott Shea to discuss Waylon Jennings' formative years and a significant concert that propelled Jennings into his outlaw country phase. The conversation delves into the challenges Jennings faced in the Nashville music system, his collaboration with manager Neil Resin, and key moments in his career. Additionally, Jesse and Scott briefly discuss life updates, the Super Bowl, and the state of their favorite football teams. This in-depth discussion provides a fascinating look at the transformations in Waylon Jennings' music career and his lasting impact on country music. 00:00 Welcome to Set Lusting Bruce 00:46 Catching Up with Scott 01:06 Winter Woes and Family Life 01:44 Eagles Super Bowl Hopes 04:54 Waylon Jennings' Turning Point 06:21 Waylon's New Manager and Career Shift 07:58 Max's Kansas City Concerts 11:13 Waylon's Influence and Legacy 23:42 Exploring Waylon's Music and Books 25:19 Final Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Mar 33min

In this episode of Set Listening Bruce, we get very political. Jesse welcomes returning guest Wendi Gordon to discuss Bruce Springsteen's music and spirituality. Wendi, a mental and spiritual health guide, shares her journey from being a pastor to starting a Substack newsletter and transitioning to video and audio posts. The conversation delves into Wendi's experiences attending recent Bruce Springsteen concerts, the emotional support the music provides, and touches on spiritual practices and the current political climate. Jesse and Wendi also explore the challenges of maintaining positivity and mental health in today's divisive environment. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:51 Wendi Gordon's Background and Spiritual Journey 02:18 Bruce Springsteen Concert Experiences 08:29 Political and Social Commentary 15:20 Spiritual Beliefs and Church Experiences 22:55 Distinguishing Political Meanness 24:06 Personal Loss and Unexpected Connections 25:46 The Importance of Speaking Up 26:29 Encouraging Open Dialogue 27:34 Addressing Gun Violence 30:26 Finding Hope and Positivity 34:41 The Power of Music and Gratitude 41:43 Final Thoughts and Farewells Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Mar 49min

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson engages in an enlightening conversation with Jeff Patterson, a seasoned meditation and martial arts teacher from Portland, Oregon. Jeff shares his journey from a young boxer to running a successful meditation and martial arts academy, emphasizing how Tai Chi and meditation changed his life. They discuss the various benefits of the meditative arts, including improvements in athletic performance, stress reduction, and overall health. Jeff also shares touching stories of his students' transformations and offers insights into how meditation can positively impact different aspects of life. Tune in to hear about Jeff's new book, 'The Yielding Athlete,' and learn about the importance of meditation from a seasoned expert. https://theyieldingwarrior.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Patreon Shoutouts 01:19 Welcome to the Episode 01:42 Guest Introduction: Jeff Patterson 01:54 Jeff's Journey into Meditation and Martial Arts 03:47 The Impact of Meditative Arts 04:21 Jeff's Early Life and Musical Influences 05:15 Boxing and Personal Growth 07:41 The Turning Point: Tai Chi and Meditation 13:17 Teaching and Sharing the Meditative Arts 14:51 Common Misconceptions and Benefits of Meditation 17:41 The Five Paths of Meditative Practice 18:58 Success Stories and Personal Fulfillment 28:03 The Importance of Consistency in Practice 32:31 The Five Regulations of Meditation 37:57 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts 42:35 Conclusion and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Mar 48min

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson steps away from Bruce Springsteen discussions to welcome Jeaneen Tang her journey from Hawaii to Los Angeles pursuing acting, her career in speech therapy, and raising a child with special needs. The conversation delves into the importance of language development in children, offering practical strategies for parents and caregivers. Her journey from Hawaii to Los Angeles pursuing acting, her career in speech the discusses her book 'Play Dumb and Sabotage,' aimed at helping parents better promote language acquisition and creative strategies to facilitate communication in children. Tune in for insights on balancing professional, parental, and creative pursuits. https://www.playdumbandsabotage.com/ 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:27 Meet Jeaneen Tang 00:48 Jeaneen's Background and Career 01:37 Musical Influences and Hobbies 03:00 Journey into Acting 04:10 Balancing Careers and Motherhood 06:41 Passion for Speech Therapy 12:20 Writing the Book: Play Dumb and Sabotage 20:09 Practical Tips for Parents 32:32 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts 37:29 Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Mar 45min

In this episode of 'Set Lusting Bruce,' host Jesse Jackson welcomes Mimi Francis, a romance author and Billy Joel enthusiast. Mimi discusses her writing journey, her family's musical tastes, and her love for Billy Joel's music. She also shares her experiences of attending Billy Joel concerts, her writing inspirations, and upcoming projects, including a new paranormal romance series. Mimi provides insights into her personal life, including her passion for thrillers and her unique writing style. Tune in to hear Mimi's heartfelt stories and writing tips! Find more about Mimi here = https://mimifrancis.com/ Support the show here - buymeacoffee.com/setlustingbruce 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:22 Mimi Francis: Background and Writing Journey 02:40 Musical Influences and Billy Joel 07:07 Concert Stories and Family Memories 18:19 Writing Romance and Reader Impact 25:24 Future Projects and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Mar 36min

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson steps away from Bruce Springsteen to chat with Jacob, an artist from Burbank, California. Jacob shares his experiences with the recent California fires, his journey from Boston, and his multi-faceted artistic life. He discusses his early influences in classic rock, his love for punk music, and his passion for acting, writing, and stand-up comedy. The conversation delves deep into his recent EP, 'Four Songs about a Real Nice Girl,' and his upcoming album, 'Be Better Than Me.' Jacob also talks about his creative process, the emotional complexities in his songwriting, and his ventures into comedy and playwriting. Listen in to discover how Jacob navigates his artistic endeavors and expresses himself through various mediums.  https://open.spotify.com/artist/3r3vZ0HMbZD3V4sNVWWtor?si=8Cu6UWpMTYuNH6g_v4hcFg 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:21 Meet Jacob: The Multi-Talented Artist 02:15 Jacob's Musical Journey 03:37 The Impact of Punk Music 07:31 Creative Inspirations and Processes 16:46 Exploring Standup Comedy 26:16 Future Plans and Projects 30:38 Final Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Feb 37min

In this episode of 'Set Lusting Bruce,' host Jesse Jackson welcomes back Karen, a dedicated Bruce Springsteen fan. Karen shares her fascinating life history, including her global upbringing, career in music, and deep connection to Springsteen’s early works. They discuss Karen's musical influences, her vivid experiences attending Springsteen concerts, and the profound emotional impact of Springsteen's songs. Jesse also delves into Karen's thoughts on upcoming Bruce Springsteen releases, her favorite concert memories, and the powerful relationship Springsteen has with his fans. Tune in for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about the legendary musician and his devoted followers. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:52 Karen's Background and Early Life 05:16 Discovering Bruce Springsteen 09:40 First Bruce Springsteen Concert 13:22 Moving to California and Career Beginnings 18:36 Working in the Music Industry 23:26 Finding the Perfect Seat 24:20 A Special Springsteen Show with My Sister 25:10 Reflecting on Bruce's Recent Performances 26:03 Memorable Concert Moments 26:52 Traveling for the Love of Music 28:29 Chasing Favorite Songs 29:46 The Impact of The Rising 33:15 Live Music Addiction 35:55 Looking Forward to Future Releases 39:52 The Mary Question 42:21 Final Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Feb 48min