Podcasts about Thunder Road

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes new friend John Mountain, a 64-year-old widower and longtime Bruce Springsteen fan, to discuss the music, shows, and stories that shaped him. John grew up in South Carolina before moving to Bakersfield, California, shares early influences like Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and recalls first hearing Springsteen through the 1981 No Nukes concert film, especially “The River.” A movie buff and horror fan, he talks Terrence Malick's Badlands, Nebraska's Starkweather connection, and directors like Mike Flanagan. John reflects on seeing Springsteen live three times, including a standout 1999 E Street Band show, and strongly supports artists speaking out politically. He names favorite Bruce songs across albums and answers the Thunder Road debate: 00:00 Show Intro 00:48 Meet John 01:59 Growing Up With Music 05:11 First Bruce Moment 07:58 No Nukes Deep Dive 09:24 Movies And Nebraska 12:25 Seeing Bruce Live 17:08 Politics And Patriotism 19:49 Move To California 21:27 Horror Movie Obsession 24:21 Mike Flanagan Favorites 27:20 Flanagan Cast Favorites 29:07 Samantha Sloyan Spotlight 31:36 Back to Music Talk 31:56 Nick Cave Murder Ballads 35:40 Modern Picks and Concerts 37:57 Springsteen Album Deep Dive 42:34 Thunder Road Mary Debate 44:24 Social Media and Farewell 46:11 Closing Reflection and Wish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Denver-based Springsteen fan Tracey Konigsbauer, who grew up in Philadelphia and says Bruce has always been in her blood. Tracey shares her musical influences (soul, R&B, Prince, The Roots, classic hip hop, The Beatles), her own playing (saxophone inspired by Clarence Clemons, plus guitar), and her move to Colorado. She discusses how Tunnel of Love became her gateway to deeply absorbing Bruce's lyrics, reflects on seeing Bruce seven times on the East Coast (including Meadowlands and Philly), and recalls an emotional 2012 Philly performance of “Jungleland” after Clarence's passing as Jake Clemons took the solo. Tracey talks about Bruce and politics, songs she loves and chases, being moved by “I'll See You in My Dreams,” her local music life in Denver, and answers the “Thunder Road” question: she doesn't think Mary gets in the car. 00:00 Show Intro 00:48 Meet Tracey 02:38 Denver And East Coast Shows 04:43 Musical Roots And Influences 06:52 Moving Without A Network 10:36 Discovering Bruce Early 11:43 Tunnel Of Love Connection 14:37 Seven Shows And Favorites 16:17 Jungleland Without Clarence 18:08 Bruce And Politics 22:13 Songs That Matter Most 23:24 Top Bruce Picks 23:57 Shore Album Memories 24:40 Marys Place Porch Flashback 26:23 Husband Joins The Fun 28:36 Songs Still Chasing 29:39 Letter To You Grief 31:59 Concert Buddies And First Show 33:00 Red Rocks And Summer Shows 36:41 Sports Allegiance And Bruce Truce 39:19 Does Mary Get In 40:45 Final Thoughts And Real Estate 43:34 Podcast Farewell Message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick and Aaron recap double points night at Thunder Road and preview the Midsummer 250 at White Mountain

Nick and Aaron recap Thunder Road and White Mountain, and finally get Tater to pick up his phone for a cold call interview

A side-two burner with a secret third verse? The panel digs into the 1988 Horseshoe debut and discovers 'Every Time You Go' was once a song called 'Holding Out'.Episode SummaryThe wheel said 'Every Time You Go', and the wheel does not lie. This week, The Tragically Hip On Shuffle takes on the side-two rocker from "Up to Here" (1989) - played live 61 times between July 15th, 1988 and June 25th, 2004, three of them as encores, and ranked #93 of 169 on the fan countdown, sandwiched between 'Heaven Is a Better Place Today' and 'When the Weight Comes Down'. jD gathers Andrew from Winnipeg, Adam from South Tampa, and Daryl from Belleville to debate, discuss, and dissect it.The listening party spins the demo from the "Up to Here" box set - a skeleton with muscle, as jD puts it, alive but not quite finished. Then comes the find of the night: both Daryl and Adam independently dug up the song's live debut at the Horseshoe Tavern, July 15th, 1988, where Gord Downie introduces it as 'Holding Out', dedicates it to race car driver Bobby Rahal, and sings a lost third verse - a prom dress, a tear-stained vest, and a waltz - that the band later cut. They did not play it again for a year. So there's that.From there it's a close read of the lyrics - knowing a Dave, the big snake pit, a birthday suitcase brown from dust from no place, and the formidable "my girl don't just walk, she unfurls" - plus the Thunder Road parallel, the highway girl connection, and Andrew's case that this song is the musical blueprint for 'Little Bones'. The poll lands at 69% love it, the panel wrestles with a front-loaded record and a side two that swings, and Adam asks the question every box-set owner is asking: how did 'Wait So Long' not make this album?The wheel gets spun twice (a first - the chat caught a repeat), the Kingston gathering gets a massive plug, and a big scheduling announcement lands: next week's live stream moves to Tuesday night, because Wednesday belongs to the debut of Yer Hipstories: Reflections From The Final Tour.The PanelAndrew from Winnipeg - host of Alphabet Soup on UMFM (the letter Z is up next), the Radiohead podcast Head Full of Radio, and Threads Bachelorette. This week's cheerful tolerator, and the man who spotted the 'Little Bones'DNA.Adam from South Tampa - retired, armed with the actual countdown brochure, and the one who caught the play-count error in the listing. Grateful this song is not the Paul Young one.Daryl from Belleville - survived a last-minute audio miracle (and a spilled plant) to get on the stream. Vintage Hip evangelist who introduced "Up to Here" to his 17-year-old daughter, and co-discoverer of the lost verse.Timestamps00:00 - Welcome and panel introductions01:23 - First hit: favourite Hip summer jams06:06 - The tale of the tape: 'Every Time You Go' by the numbers08:32 - Poll check: 69% love it10:56 - Listening party: the demo from the "Up to Here" box set14:32 - First reactions: reverb, toms, and background vocals17:00 - The lost verse: July 15th, 1988 at the Horseshoe, and a song called 'Holding Out'20:47 - Andrew hears 'Little Bones' in the bones25:57 - The curse of the first two records29:31 - The lyrics: Daves, snake pits, and a girl who unfurls36:11 - Side two of "Up to Here": front-loaded or fully loaded?44:46 - The 'Wait So Long' problem46:56 - Final thoughts around the table53:37 - Spin the wheel - twice57:05 - Big announcements: Tuesday streams and a new series58:37 - Plugs and the Kingston gatheringResources & ReferencesSetlist and play-count data: hat tip to the Hip Handbook and setlist.fmThe 1988 Horseshoe Tavern recording courtesy of The Tragically Hip Archive - preservation work that made the whole episodeThe demo of 'Every Time You Go' comes from the "Up to Here" box setPodcasts plugged this week: Sarah's Tangentially Hip, Head Full of Radio, Alphabet Soup on UMFM, and Threads BacheloretteJoin InThe randomness is the feature, and the community is the point. Join the community Facebook group to catch the next live stream, vote in the polls, and share your take in the chat. Want more from the network between episodes? Subscribe to Yer Letter, the monthly newsletter from jD.Heading to Kingston? The gathering runs August 20th to 23rd alongside Forever Hip - a mixer at the Merchant Pub, Choir! Choir! Choir! in Springer Market Square, a listening party for the brand new record "The Tragically Hip Live, July 22 - August 20, 2016" on its release day, a Long Time Running screening, the CBC re-airing of a national celebration, and a farewell brunch at Morrison's. Reach out to jD to get in on any or all of it.ClosingHuge thanks to Andrew from Winnipeg, Adam from South Tampa, and Daryl from Belleville for bringing the goods - lost verses, countdown brochures, and one very good Everly Brothers joke. The takeaway this week: even a side-two album track has a secret history, and sometimes the archive gives you a whole extra verse.Two dates to circle. Next week the live stream moves to Tuesday night at 8 to talk '700 Ft. Ceiling' from "Trouble at the Hen House". Then Wednesday night, exactly ten years on from Victoria, Yer Hipstories: Reflections From The Final Tour kicks off - a new episode every second day celebrating the Man Machine Poem Tour. Get after it.ConnectFacebook group: community.tthpods.com | Instagram: @tthpods | YouTube: youtube.com/@tthpods | Email: jd@tthpods.com#TheTragicallyHip #TragicallyHip #GordDownie #UpToHere #TTHOnShuffle #InGordWeTrustSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/tthtop40/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Busy last week of racecaring around the US of A. Thompson last Wednesday, Stafford, Thunder Road, and Claremont on Friday, Oxford, Wiscasset, Speedway, Spud, Star, Hudson, Bowman Gray, White Mountain, Seekonk and more over the weekend. Bob raced, Brad went to the circus after almost parishing on LKN, and Atlanta was a late one. Support the show

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/ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 402 •  00:00 - Intro & Podcast Welcome •  00:36 - Road Trip Setup: In the Terrain (Car) •  01:57 - Recording Dangers & Louisiana Trooper Jokes •  02:30 - World Cup, Europe Heat Wave & No AC •  04:15 - Supergirl Movie Bombs During Heat Wave •  05:23 - Heading to Louisiana Board Game Meetup •  05:31 - Recent Games: Meeting Cameron & Xenon Profiteers •  07:50 - Podcast Revival & Rekindling the Love •  10:26 - Jerry's Collection: 235 Games Counted by AI •  12:53 - Games Brought to the Meetup (Heat, Thunder Road, Moonrakers, etc.) •  14:00 - More Games Talk: Moon Colony Bloodbath, Scout, Love Letter •  16:40 - Bubba's Board Game Design Project •  19:08 - Game Concept: Deep Fog, Lanterns & Nuanced Conversations •  21:00 - AI, Math & Game Balancing (Python Simulations) •  24:51 - AI's Future in Board Game Design •  28:47 - Lego Theory, Gender Differences in Play & Storytelling •  34:33 - AI Hallucinations & Trust Issues •  38:12 - Final Thoughts & Wrapping Up the Drive   Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bgsnobs Email: boardgamesnobs@gmail.com Follow/join us at: Board Game Snobs YouTube Board Game Snobs Discord https://www.instagram.com/boardgamesnobs/ Board Game Snobs Facebook Group

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Busy weekend of local short track racing. COA 300 at Oxford, NWMT at Seekonk, Thunder Road, Lee, and of course NASCAR at Chicagoland. Bob raced at Riverside. Brad DARF'd and Charlie reshingled his fish tank. All brought to you by the North East Short Track Network! Support the show

Aaron recaps his first trip to Chaudière in 18 years, Nick recaps a wild night at White Mountain, and a Double Feature rapid rewind from Thunder Road.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 26, 2026 is: symbiosis • sim-bee-OH-sis • noun Symbiosis is a formal word that refers to a relationship between two people or groups that work with and depend on each other. In biology, symbiosis refers to the relationship between two different kinds of living things that live together and depend on each other. // The new playground is the result of symbiosis between multiple stakeholders, including residents, donors, and town officials. // The bacteria exist in symbiosis with the plant's roots. See the entry > Examples: “In the old days, which weren't that long ago ... there was that ritual moment when a rock ‘n' roll idol, in the midst of delivering a classic anthem, would point the mic away from himself and into the arena, indicating that it was time for the audience to take over and sing the lines. It might be Springsteen doing ‘Thunder Road,' or Madonna doing ‘Holiday.' ... The loving symbiosis of pop star and pop audience doesn't get much more reverent than that.” — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 May 2026 Did you know? Symbiosis was adopted by the scientific community in the late 1800s, coming ultimately (via German) from the Greek symbíōsis, meaning “living together, companionship.” Of course, there are a lot of ways to live together and, accordingly, several flavors of symbiosis. When a biological symbiosis between two organisms is mutually beneficial, it is termed mutualism. For example, oxpeckers are birds so named because they “peck” ticks off of infested cattle and wild mammals, a likely satisfying arrangement for both parties, and textbook mutualism. When one organism lives off another at the other's expense, however (as, for one icky instance, head lice do), it's called parasitism. If only parents of elementary school students could call upon an equivalent of oxpeckers to engage in mutualistic symbiosis when the need arose, but alas.

Nick and Aaron recap the Memorial Day Classic at Thunder Road and look ahead to this weekend's racing events.

Episode 192 is on the scene to preview this weekend's Thunder Road Harley Davidson 200 from South Boston Speedway. The first leg of the Virginia Triple Crown features a robust entry list. Lee Pulliam has won this event six times in the past and head's into this weekend driving for the same team that won this event last year in JR Motorsports. Connor Hall has won this event the last two seasons and returns to the scene for the team  he won with in 2024 for Nelson Motorsports. Craftsman Truck Series stars Kaden Honeycutt, Brenden "Butterbean" Queen and Mini Tyrrell are entered this weekend along with 2025 zMAX CARS Tour champion Landen Lewis, Peyton Sellers, Landon Pembleton, Sam Yarbrough, Woody Howard, Kyle Dudley, Landon Huffman and many more will go for the big prize that awaits the winner and a guaranteed starting spot in September's Valley Star 300. We break it all down along with our picks to win the event.Thomas Beane has already notched a couple of wins this season at Anderson Motor Speedway and Hickory Motor Speedway. The driver of the Starbucks Machine tells us all about how this unique sponsorship came up, his preparations for the upcoming event at South Boston, how he appreciates the racing at Anderson compared to the rough racing he receives at other tracks and his overall season as we head into the hot days of Summer and more.For the NASCAR Cup Series, It is most certainly Heim Time. We discuss Corey Heim's historic win at the Coronado Naval Base in California in only his thirteenth start and if we were either surprised by how fast it came or where it came. We also talk about Noah Gragson vs Kevin Magnussen, the continued rise of 23X1 racing, our thoughts of the street course and if it should return and so much more.One thing that came out of the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday was the fact that NASCAR allowed Corey Day's team to repair his car after an unfortunate meeting with a manhole cover. Does this open up Pandora's Box, a can of worms or any of those other sayings? The boys debate.Julian takes us through his weekend at Tri County Speedway which saw Landon Huffman complete a Late Model Series sweep of the events he entered this weekend.We also discuss the ASA STARS National tour event from Slinger, get some Dubs cooked up, Short Track Spotlight and more this week on DLN.Special thanks to our sponsorsTyler Hash: Virginia Farm BureauALARS Used cars.

Nick and Aaron recap a busy weekend at Thunder Road, Lee, White Mountain and Star.

The episode launches the Pride in Bruce series for Pride Month, celebrating LGBTQ+ stories and the ways Bruce Springsteen's music can be a lifeline. Host Jesse Jackson interviews Jason Bisogni, a Westchester, New York marketing professional and lifelong music fan, about his path into classic rock, his early concert experiences, and the moment he became a dedicated Springsteen fan after seeing the 1999 E Street Band reunion tour. Jason shares that he came out later in life (to two people at 39, more fully at 41 in 2021) and explains how Bruce's lyrics took on new meaning afterward, citing songs like “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” “Trapped,” “Living Proof,” and “Two Hearts.” He credits Bob Dylan's “It's All Over Now, Baby Blue” line “He not busy being born is busy dying” as pivotal, discusses chasing songs live, recounts meeting Bruce several times, and answers the “Thunder Road” question by saying Mary does not get in the car. 00:00 Pride in Bruce Intro 01:48 Meet Jesse and Jason 02:21 Jason's Music Roots 03:18 Family Soundtrack Growing Up 06:43 Wrestling Detour and WWE 11:45 Concerts That Sparked It 14:59 Finding Bruce Springsteen 17:29 First E Street Show Magic 19:34 Counting Shows and Fandom 20:48 Static Setlist Debate 24:25 Health, Travel, and Missing Shows 26:27 Bruce and Coming Out Journey 27:01 Coming Out With The Boss 29:32 Lyrics Hit Different Now 32:07 Gay Icon Podcast Picks 34:23 Forever Favorites Playlist 38:18 Born Or Busy Dying 41:04 Songs Still Chasing Live 43:24 Meeting Bruce Stories 48:25 Thunder Road Mary Debate 50:39 Gratitude Pride Month Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick and Aaron recap the Spring Green 126 at Seekonk and Super Thursday at Thunder Road.

Will York of Thunder Road Guitars PDX joins us to tell the real story behind one of the West Coast's favorite guitar shops. Before Thunder Road Portland became a destination for vintage guitar weirdos, touring players, local lifers, and anyone who enjoys staring at old offsets under flattering lighting, Will was a Gainesville, Florida kid chasing music any way he could. That road eventually led him west to Lollar Pickups, then to Thunder Road in Seattle, and finally to opening the Portland shop in 2017. This episode gets into the unglamorous, deeply human side of building a guitar store: living in the basement of the first shop, putting every penny into the business, surviving the COVID guitar boom, buying a commercial building, learning when to delegate, and navigating a major open-heart surgery scare right in the middle of it all. We also talk vintage guitar shows, rare finds, the difference between selling new and vintage gear, why guitar stores should actually feel welcoming, and why Will still believes the whole thing works best when everyone remembers how lucky we are to play with this stuff for a living. Plus: gold-hardware Jaguars, first-year Jazzmasters, Paul Bigsby lore, TK Smith guitars, Boss pedals, Portland pizza, and a very important reminder that nobody regrets buying the guitar. Selling it? Different story. Support The Show And Connect! The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tonemob.com/reverb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tonemob.com/sweetwater⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tonemob.com/stringjoy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson kicks off Pride in Bruce Month on Set Lusting Bruce with guest Niko Stratis, a Toronto-based writer originally from Canada's Yukon. Niko describes growing up in a music- and book-filled home, later leaving construction work after coming out as trans, and building a writing career through online essays, including an early op-ed that prompted an attempted libel threat. Niko recounts discovering Bruce Springsteen later in life—initially misreading Born in the U.S.A.—and connecting deeply to Bruce's earnestness, storytelling, and songs like “Dancing in the Dark,” “Thunder Road,” “Drive All Night,” and Nebraska tracks. Niko discusses their book, The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman, a memoir-mixtape where “Dancing in the Dark” becomes a pivotal catalyst for coming out, and shares where to find their work online. Find out more about Niko here - https://www.nikostratis.com/ Amazon Link for The Dad Rock that Made me a Women - here https://a.co/d/0git0VZh 02:46 Niko Background Story 04:03 Music in the Yukon 09:35 Reading and Escape 11:13 Comics Marvel vs DC 13:56 Becoming a Writer 17:02 First Op-Ed and Lawsuit 18:01 Discovering Springsteen 20:56 Why Bruce Hit Home 22:58 Dancing in the Dark Deep Dive 27:10 Writing the Dad Rock Book 29:14 Mixtape Memoir Blueprint 30:55 Springsteen Awakening Moment 32:34 Impostor Syndrome and Belonging 38:55 Songs That Shaped Me 44:58 Why Read the Book 49:56 Does Mary Get In 53:24 Where to Find Niko 55:08 Pride Month Signoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We kick off Pride in Bruce Month with guest Nico Stratus, a Toronto-based writer originally from Canada's Yukon. Niko describes growing up in a music- and book-filled home, later leaving construction work after coming out as trans, and building a writing career through online essays, including an early op-ed that prompted an attempted libel threat. Nico recounts discovering Bruce Springsteen later in life—initially misreading Born in the U.S.A.—and connecting deeply to Bruce's earnestness, storytelling, and songs like “Dancing in the Dark,” “Thunder Road,” “Drive All Night,” and Nebraska tracks. Nico discusses their book, The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman, a memoir-mixtape where “Dancing in the Dark” becomes a pivotal catalyst for coming out, and shares where to find their work online. Find out more about Niko here - https://www.nikostratis.com/ Amazon Link for The Dad Rock that Made me a Women - here https://a.co/d/0git0VZh 00:00 Pride in Bruce Intro 01:48 Meet Jesse and Nico 02:10 Tattoo and Cancer Talk 02:46 Nico Background Story 04:03 Music in the Yukon 09:35 Reading and Escape 11:13 Comics Marvel vs DC 13:56 Becoming a Writer 17:02 First Op-Ed and Lawsuit 18:01 Discovering Springsteen 20:56 Why Bruce Hit Home 22:58 Dancing in the Dark Deep Dive 27:10 Writing the Dad Rock Book 29:14 Mixtape Memoir Blueprint 30:55 Springsteen Awakening Moment 32:34 Impostor Syndrome and Belonging 35:57 Good Tired Dream Work 37:59 Never Seen Bruce Live 38:55 Songs That Shaped Me 42:49 Queer Icon Bruce Debate 44:58 Why Read the Book 49:56 Does Mary Get In 53:24 Where to Find Nico 55:08 Pride Month Signoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Los Angeles–based musician and music teacher Jake Cassman, who shares his path from growing up in Berkeley on classic rock and '90s alternative to discovering Bruce Springsteen later through a 2008 Obama rally performance, long bus rides through New Jersey, and years playing dueling pianos. Jake discusses teaching recording and songwriting at The Geffen Academy, the realities of freelancing (busking, weddings, improv), and how COVID ended live work and pushed him into a USC master's program that led to greater stability and new opportunities, including producing for the podcast Switched on Pop. He explains why he shifted from the Drunken Logic moniker to releasing music under his own name, introduces his album Idling High, performs “We All Look the Same,” and talks songwriting, storytelling, and favorite Springsteen albums, ending with the classic Thunder Road question. https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/PAN6239596108.mp3 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Teaching Music in LA 03:00 TeachRock and Music Education 04:27 Writing and Community Programs 05:35 Growing Up With Rock 07:32 Finding Bruce Springsteen 09:14 Early Music Obsession 10:31 Dueling Pianos Stories 12:31 Requests and Deep Cuts 15:10 Freelance Music Career 17:38 Rebranding as Jake Kassman 19:17 Pandemic Shock and Pivot 22:41 Freelancing and Saying Yes 25:52 Better Paying Gigs 26:32 Idling High Origins 28:15 We All Look the Same 33:33 Storytelling Gets Universal 36:19 Bruce Road Trip Deep Dive 39:28 Next Creative Steps 40:40 Pop Podcast Tangent 44:00 Thunder Road Debate 47:53 Where To Find Jake 49:34 Final Wrap And Thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Los Angeles–based musician and music teacher Jake Cassman, who shares his path from growing up in Berkeley on classic rock and '90s alternative to discovering Bruce Springsteen later through a 2008 Obama rally performance, long bus rides through New Jersey, and years playing dueling pianos. Jake discusses teaching recording and songwriting at The Geffen Academy, the realities of freelancing (busking, weddings, improv), and how COVID ended live work and pushed him into a USC master's program that led to greater stability and new opportunities, including producing for the podcast Switched on Pop. He explains why he shifted from the Drunken Logic moniker to releasing music under his own name, introduces his album Idling High, performs “We All Look the Same,” and talks songwriting, storytelling, and favorite Springsteen albums, ending with the classic Thunder Road question. https://www.jakecassman.com/music 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Teaching Music in LA 03:00 TeachRock and Music Education 04:27 Writing and Community Programs 05:35 Growing Up With Rock 07:32 Finding Bruce Springsteen 09:14 Early Music Obsession 10:31 Dueling Pianos Stories 12:31 Requests and Deep Cuts 15:10 Freelance Music Career 17:38 Rebranding as Jake Kassman 19:17 Pandemic Shock and Pivot 22:41 Freelancing and Saying Yes 25:52 Better Paying Gigs 26:32 Idling High Origins 28:15 We All Look the Same 33:33 Storytelling Gets Universal 36:19 Bruce Road Trip Deep Dive 39:28 Next Creative Steps 40:40 Pop Podcast Tangent 44:00 Thunder Road Debate 47:53 Where To Find Jake 49:34 Final Wrap And Thanks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well hello there, it's been a while hasn't it?Dave and Lee return from child-induced sabbatical once more to hit the ground running, restoring our commitment to finishing our run on Thunder Road if it kills us. Thank you all so much for sticking it out the last few months, we are giddy to be back. Please permit us this chance to shake off our ring rust as we return to a 2000 Thunder with*AMNESIA??*Mike Jones vs. Tank Abbott, the one we've all been waiting for*The Assassination of Terry Funk by the Coward Dustin Rhodes*A DOT first as the rampant WCW amnesia hits one of our hostsWe WILL IN FACT BE BACK in one week on Patreon, two weeks on VOW, and attempting to catch up on DMs in the meantime. Let the good times roll![Thunder Broadcast Date 23/02/2000]Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this B-side episode, host Jesse Jackson talks with electro-punk pioneer Peter Pepper, calling from Shibuya, Tokyo, about growing up in rural Florida feeling alienated, discovering punk and industrial music, and channeling creativity through early audio editing into a music career. Peter shares how playing the State Theatre in St. Petersburg became a breakthrough moment, how “electro-punk” emerged organically around 1999–2001, and stories from touring, including Asbury Park's Stone Pony in 2001 and a later tour moment with Wes Borland. They discuss the realities of life on the road, modern pressures of permanent online records, and how a friend's recommendation led Peter to build a life between Japan and Bali. Peter previews his May 20 release “We're From Florida” and a forthcoming blues project, then answers Jesse's “Mary question” about Thunder Road. https://www.peterpepper.net/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3PWK1iZunlFBPGG5CMpMh0?si=b9tXZRimTXqSUIeILG5Crg 00:00 B-Side Welcome 00:49 Meet Peter Pepper 02:00 Florida Roots 04:01 Finding Punk Scene 05:37 Outsider Identity 12:43 Creative Awakening 15:08 Learning By Doing 18:37 Creating In Public 22:40 First Big Break 27:18 Electro Punk Origins 29:50 Building Electro Punk 32:37 Labels And Movements 33:45 Stone Pony Ghost Town 38:44 Wes Borland Moment 41:21 Tour Life Offstage 44:03 Why Japan Became Home 48:28 New Music Plans 50:29 Thunder Road Mary Question 52:44 Goodbyes And Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Movies from HELL is an A-Z journey through Cult, Weird, Exploitation and Rare film... one letter at a time. Each episode we take four films that start with the same letter (in order and selected by Dan, Bradley and their guest) and put forth a poll (currently on twitter, we may change this) to help us narrow the discussion to just three films, with the fourth and last place film being thrown into the PIT, never to be heard from again. This week Dan and Bradley are welcoming the ridiculously nice and questionably hip, the movie genius, Carmelita Valdez McKoy Carmelita on Twitter/X here is Carmelita's super fancy Letterboxd ‎CarmelitaSays's profile • Letterboxd EPISODE C Poll Results: The films to be discussed on the episode CRAZY THUNDER ROAD 1980 33.3% THE CENTERFOLD GIRLS 1974 32.3% CANNIBAL ORGY 1985 32.3% The film that is going into the PIT CRUEL PASSION 1977 2.2%

Aaron is back from vacation and ready to recap the Community Bank 150 at Thunder Road!

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes music journalist, publicist, label executive, and manager Danny Goldberg for a B-side conversation about music memories and Bruce Springsteen connections. Goldberg recounts growing up in Hastings-on-Hudson with classical, folk, and cast albums, then shifting to rock after discovering Dylan, the Beatles, and the Stones, and later covering Woodstock for Billboard in 1969. He explains moving from criticism to publicity, becoming Led Zeppelin's publicist, and shaping press narratives around their massive ticket sales amid skeptical critics. Goldberg discusses co-directing and co-producing the 1979 No Nukes film, meeting Springsteen during editing, and securing approval to use key performances after adding political context. He also talks about his books, including the reissued memoir Bumping Into Geniuses, reacts emotionally to Springsteen's “Streets of Philadelphia,” praises the Nebraska film Deliver Me From Nowhere, shares work with Bonnie Raitt and Steve Earle, and answers the “Mary” question about Thunder Road. https://www.dannygoldberg.com 00:37 Meet Danny Goldberg 01:38 No Nukes and Bruce 03:21 Growing Up Musical 05:00 Rock Awakening 08:22 First Bruce Encounter 08:46 Books and Writing 10:28 Billboard and Woodstock 13:43 From Critic to Publicist 17:21 What Publicists Do 21:15 Led Zeppelin PR Win 26:17 Aiming for Management 27:44 First Book Teaser 28:03 Left Lost Teen Spirit 28:52 Bumping Into Geniuses 29:34 Why Write Memoirs 30:25 Streets of Minneapolis 33:20 No Nukes Editing 35:39 Politics In The Cut 36:49 Deliver Me From Nowhere 40:11 Bonnie Raitt And Hyatt 41:55 Whats Next Ahead 43:41 Mary Gets In Car Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes music journalist, publicist, label executive, and manager Danny Goldberg for a B-side conversation about music memories and Bruce Springsteen connections. Goldberg recounts growing up in Hastings-on-Hudson with classical, folk, and cast albums, then shifting to rock after discovering Dylan, the Beatles, and the Stones, and later covering Woodstock for Billboard in 1969. He explains moving from criticism to publicity, becoming Led Zeppelin's publicist, and shaping press narratives around their massive ticket sales amid skeptical critics. Goldberg discusses co-directing and co-producing the 1979 No Nukes film, meeting Springsteen during editing, and securing approval to use key performances after adding political context. He also talks about his books, including the reissued memoir Bumping Into Geniuses, reacts emotionally to Springsteen's “Streets of Philadelphia,” praises the Nebraska film Deliver Me From Nowhere, shares work with Bonnie Raitt and Steve Earle, and answers the “Mary” question about Thunder Road. https://www.dannygoldberg.com 00:37 Meet Danny Goldberg 01:38 No Nukes and Bruce 03:21 Growing Up Musical 05:00 Rock Awakening 08:22 First Bruce Encounter 08:46 Books and Writing 10:28 Billboard and Woodstock 13:43 From Critic to Publicist 17:21 What Publicists Do 21:15 Led Zeppelin PR Win 26:17 Aiming for Management 27:44 First Book Teaser 28:03 Left Lost Teen Spirit 28:52 Bumping Into Geniuses 29:34 Why Write Memoirs 30:25 Streets of Minneapolis 33:20 No Nukes Editing 35:39 Politics In The Cut 36:49 Deliver Me From Nowhere 40:11 Bonnie Raitt And Hyatt 41:55 Whats Next Ahead 43:41 Mary Question Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Charlotte Delaney Riggs, an award-winning actress and rising talent known for projects like Austin High, Thunder Road, and Through a Glass, Dimly.Charlotte shares her journey from performing in elementary school theater productions to working professionally in film and television—while balancing school, auditions, and life as a young actor in today's fast-changing entertainment industry.

Three guys, one truck, and a long stretch of highway—this episode dives into the heart of a turkey hunting road trip. As the miles roll by, the conversation shifts from stories and laughs to serious strategy. From scouting new ground and breaking down bird behavior to calling setups and opening morning plans, you'll hear exactly how this crew prepares for success before they ever step into the woods.Then, right in the middle of the ride, things take a turn—in the best way possible!! A member of the hunting group calls in live, just moments after harvesting his turkey. The excitement, adrenaline, and raw, real-time storytelling bring the hunt to life as he walks through how it all went down.It's part road trip banter, part masterclass in turkey hunting tactics, and part live-action success story. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this episode puts you in the truck, in the moment, and one step closer to your own spring gobbler.Send us Fan Mail

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes London-based journalist Maddie Frye to a “timey-wimey” episode of Set Lusting Bruce, exploring her path to Bruce Springsteen and U2 and how music shaped her spiritual and political awakening. Maddie, who writes about religion, sex, politics, and pop culture, describes growing up near London with parents who loved Bowie, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, and Genesis, discovering U2 at 12–13 through All That You Can't Leave Behind, and finding Springsteen via a 2006 BBC broadcast of the Seeger Sessions that felt both political and spiritually transformative. She discusses working backward through Bruce's catalog, key live shows (including London 2013 and Liverpool with Paul McCartney), family connections to Springsteen, and reflections on religion's relationship with power. Maddie answers the “Thunder Road” question—Mary gets in the car—and shares where to find her Substack, U2 and Us. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:45 Meet Maddie 01:55 Growing Up Musical Roots 04:07 Finding Bruce via Seeger 06:23 Seeger Sessions Meaning 10:30 Working Backwards Catalog 14:12 Live Shows Life Changes 18:54 How Many Shows Seen 20:45 Discovering U2 Obsession 23:20 Fandom Numbers Talk 24:52 Writing Religion Politics 25:02 Music Sparks Big Questions 26:24 Faith Through Lyrics 28:00 Reading Toward Belief 29:22 Faithless Research Journey 32:53 Religion Meets Politics 36:13 Radical Gospel Values 41:01 Privilege Luck and Power 44:03 Liverpool Show Memories 46:06 Facing Mortality of Icons 48:24 Thunder Road Mary Answer 49:48 Where to Find Maddie 50:53 Podcast Wrap and Housekeeping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes London-based journalist Maddie Fry to a “timey wimey” episode of Set Lusting Bruce to discuss how she discovered Bruce Springsteen through a 2006 BBC broadcast of The Seeger Sessions, then worked backward through albums like Devils & Dust, Magic, and The River, becoming a deeper fan after a powerful 2013 London show and later attending the Liverpool concert where Paul McCartney joined Bruce onstage. Maddie also traces her lifelong devotion to U2, sparked in early-2000s adolescence by All That You Can't Leave Behind and The Joshua Tree, and explains how music by Springsteen, U2, and Johnny Cash shaped her political awareness and led her into writing about religion, spirituality, and culture. The conversation explores faith's relationship with power, modern politics, and ends with Maddie's answer to the “Thunder Road” question and where to find her Substack, U2 and Us. https://www.premierchristianity.com/culture/faithless-the-story-behind-bruce-springsteens-soundtrack-to-a-lost-spiritual-western/20448.article https://u2andus.substack.com/ 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:45 Meet Maddie Across Timezones 02:00 Growing Up and Early Music 04:07 Finding U2 First 06:23 Seeger Sessions Lightning Bolt 10:33 Working Back Through Bruce 12:40 Devils and Dust Deep Dive 14:12 2013 Show Turns Superfan 18:54 Concert Counts and Uncle Andy 20:45 U2 Origin Story 23:20 U2 Shows and Fandom Culture 24:52 Writing Religion and Politics 25:02 Music Sparks Meaning 26:24 Faith Through Lyrics 28:00 Reading Toward Belief 29:29 Faithless Research Journey 32:37 Religion And Power 36:13 Radical Gospel Ethics 41:01 Privilege Luck And Myth 44:03 Liverpool Show Reverence 46:06 Facing Cultural Mortality 48:24 Mary Gets In The Car 49:48 Where To Find Maddie 50:53 Podcast Wrap And Plugs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heavy social media users tied to lower support for democracy, is Wayne Newton older or younger than him, Ella Langley “Choosin' Texas” music video, Thunder Road movie, the travel industry is bracing for a chaotic and expensive summer, travel itineraries and the use of A.I., mushrooms communicating with each other, grammar police, engagement ring costs — plus more news. 

In this episode, Austin and Tim discover another stowaway on board, this time it's Austin's friend and lead singer of the band Nemesissy, Abby. Together they travel back to 1958 to watch 7 movies, including DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS, 10 NORTH FREDERICK, MERRY ANDREW, SNILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT, ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK, ONLY THE FRENCH CAN (aka THE FRENCH CAN-CAN), and ending the evening with THUNDER ROAD.

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Holly, co-host of the mostly '80s music show What Difference Does It Make? Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that moves beyond Bruce Springsteen into radio, fandom, and podcasting. Holly shares her early love of AM radio after moving from New York to Los Angeles, her career behind the scenes in radio syndication and production, and how her parents' music shaped her broad tastes. She recounts discovering U2 on the 1983 War tour, seeing them across every tour, and a highlight at the Sphere, plus taking her son to Bono's Stories of Surrender. Holly and Jesse discuss how her podcast began in 2018, evolved through studio recording and pandemic-era Zoom access to guests, and the challenges of monetization and audience engagement. They close with Holly's Springsteen memories and her view that Mary gets in the car in “Thunder Road.” https://www.wddimpodcast.com/ 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:55 Holly's Radio Roots 05:21 Parents and Early Music 08:28 AM to FM Era 12:52 Discovering U2 Live 20:03 Concert Memories and Family 24:02 Podcast Mission and Format 27:51 Starting the Show Fast 31:44 Podcasting Advice and Growth 36:23 Guests and Great Interviews 38:33 Money Downloads and Rejection 41:26 Respectful Declines 41:46 Springsteen Intimidation 42:40 Ranking 80s Icons 46:08 Barry Manilow Stories 47:38 Podcast Growth Goals 51:04 Community Over Downloads 54:11 U2 Sphere Highlights 56:31 Bruce Live Memories 01:00:22 Music Tied to Family 01:06:24 Thunder Road Debate 01:08:32 Plugging The Podcast 01:11:51 Wrapping Up Goodbye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Holly Cantos, co-host of the mostly '80s music show What Difference Does It Make? Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that moves beyond Bruce Springsteen into radio, fandom, and podcasting. Holly shares her early love of AM radio after moving from New York to Los Angeles, her career behind the scenes in radio syndication and production, and how her parents' music shaped her broad tastes. She recounts discovering U2 on the 1983 War tour, seeing them across every tour, and a highlight at the Sphere, plus taking her son to Bono's Stories of Surrender. Holly and Jesse discuss how her podcast began in 2018, evolved through studio recording and pandemic-era Zoom access to guests, and the challenges of monetization and audience engagement. They close with Holly's Springsteen memories and her view that Mary gets in the car in “Thunder Road.” https://www.wddimpodcast.com/ 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:55 Holly's Radio Roots 05:21 Parents and Early Music 08:28 AM to FM Era 12:52 Discovering U2 Live 20:03 Concert Memories and Family 24:02 Podcast Mission and Format 27:51 Starting the Show Fast 31:44 Podcasting Advice and Growth 36:23 Guests and Great Interviews 38:33 Money Downloads and Rejection 41:26 Respectful Declines 41:46 Springsteen Intimidation 42:40 Ranking 80s Icons 46:08 Barry Manilow Stories 47:38 Podcast Growth Goals 51:04 Community Over Downloads 54:11 U2 Sphere Highlights 56:31 Bruce Live Memories 01:00:22 Music Tied to Family 01:06:24 Thunder Road Debate 01:08:32 Plugging The Podcast 01:11:51 Wrapping Up Goodbye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful new episode of *Set Lusting Bruce*, host Jesse Jackson welcomes back author **Ann Abel**, whose memoir *High Hopes* Jesse calls one of his favorite reads of 2025. Abel—who discovered Bruce Springsteen at age 59—shares the extraordinary story behind her book: how a lifetime of severe depression, the loss of her teaching career, and a desperate need for structure pushed her to book a solo trip to Australia for **eight Springsteen shows across five cities in 26 days**. What began as an escape from “the abyss” became a journey of fear, resilience, connection, and unexpected joy. https://anneabelauthor.com/high-hopes/ Ann recounts: - **Battling self‑doubt and loneliness** while navigating a foreign country alone - A terrifying night stranded after the Hunter Valley show when her driver vanished and her flip phone died - Quiet, intimate moments of being “invisible” in hotel lobbies near E Street Band members - Meeting Bruce's longtime manager **Barbara Carr**, the conversations that followed, and the fundraiser where Ann won a silent auction to **co‑host SiriusXM's E Street Radio with Dave Marsh** - The months of intense rock‑history study she undertook to prepare—and the unforgettable on‑air moment when she corrected a punk‑rock attribution - How storytelling open mics and winning a **Moth StorySLAM** helped her break through writer's block and finally write *High Hopes* - Seeing the Springsteen movie and feeling deeply validated hearing Bruce speak openly about struggle - The concert moments that changed her life, including “Dream Baby Dream” and Bruce's reminder that “It's all right to have a good time” Ann also talks about her recent **TEDx talk**, her unexpected rise as a late‑in‑life social‑media creator with **750,000 followers and multiple viral videos**, her upcoming travels, and the joy of becoming a grandparent. She closes by sharing where listeners can follow her work online. This is an episode about music, survival, reinvention, and the way Bruce Springsteen's art can crack open a life at any age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John welcomes writer-directors Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh (Two People Exchanging Saliva) to ask, what happens when your short film is nominated for an Oscar? They look at each step from their initial idea to awards season to see how they positioned their short to be considered for an Academy Award. We also reflect on the lessons learned from short films, and answer listener questions on how to give actors your script and finding representation after your Oscar heat has cooled. In our bonus segment for premium members, we turn up the contrast on the many reasons for shooting in black and white. Links: Two People Exchanging Saliva Taika Waititi's Two Cars One Night Andrea Arnold's Wasp Martin McDonagh's Six Shooter Damien Chazelle's Whiplash short film Jim Cummings' Thunder Road short film David F. Sandberg's Lights Out short Troy by Mike Donahue The New York Public Library's Picture Collection ReMarkable tablet Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Director of Photography is Jonathan Pope. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.  

Jesse Jackson welcomes back author **Ann Abel**, whose memoir *High Hopes* Jesse calls one of his favorite reads of 2025. Abel—who discovered Bruce Springsteen at age 59—shares the extraordinary story behind her book: how a lifetime of severe depression, the loss of her teaching career, and a desperate need for structure pushed her to book a solo trip to Australia for **eight Springsteen shows across five cities in 26 days**. What began as an escape from “the abyss” became a journey of fear, resilience, connection, and unexpected joy. Ann recounts: - **Battling self‑doubt and loneliness** while navigating a foreign country alone - A terrifying night stranded after the Hunter Valley show when her driver vanished and her flip phone died - Quiet, intimate moments of being “invisible” in hotel lobbies near E Street Band members - Meeting Bruce's longtime manager **Barbara Carr**, the conversations that followed, and the fundraiser where Ann won a silent auction to **co‑host SiriusXM's E Street Radio with Dave Marsh** - The months of intense rock‑history study she undertook to prepare—and the unforgettable on‑air moment when she corrected a punk‑rock attribution - How storytelling open mics and winning a **Moth StorySLAM** helped her break through writer's block and finally write *High Hopes* - Seeing the Springsteen movie and feeling deeply validated hearing Bruce speak openly about struggle - The concert moments that changed her life, including “Dream Baby Dream” and Bruce's reminder that “It's all right to have a good time” Ann also talks about her recent **TEDx talk**, her unexpected rise as a late‑in‑life social‑media creator with **750,000 followers and multiple viral videos**, her upcoming travels, and the joy of becoming a grandparent. She closes by sharing where listeners can follow her work online. This is an episode about music, survival, reinvention, and the way Bruce Springsteen's art can crack open a life at any age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Athlete Brand Advisor Podcast featured Barrett Garese and Greg Glynn discussing Barrett's career journey from film school to his current role with FanSpark, a subscription content platform for athletes that enables monetization through exclusive fan-powered content. Barrett explained how FanSpark operates as a safe and simple platform with an 80-20 revenue split favoring athletes, and discussed its features including discovery tools and safety measures designed to foster authentic athlete-fan relationships. Social Media Producer's Career Evolution Barrett shared his career journey, starting in film school where he realized he preferred producing over directing, leading to roles at Thunder Road and UTA. He became an expert in social media during his time at UTA, helping agents advise clients on digital platforms like Twitter and Facebook. After leaving UTA, he founded a consulting company focused on social media strategy for actors, which expanded to working with TV shows, production companies, and studios on emerging technologies and streaming platforms. Athlete-Focused Content Monetization Platform Barrett explained that FanSpark is a subscription content platform for athletes that allows them to monetize their fanbase through exclusive content, similar to Patreon but with a 80-20% revenue split in favor of athletes. He emphasized that the platform is free to use, does not have DMs, tipping, ads, or AI content, and is designed to be safe and simple for both athletes and fans. Barrett also highlighted that FanSpark is a PG-13 or lower platform, aiming to be inclusive for the whole family, and mentioned that while Ilona Maher's was an inspiration for the platform, she is not currently on FanSpark. Athlete-Fan Relationship Platform Discussion Barrett and Greg discussed the importance of creating a platform that fosters authentic relationships between athletes and fans, emphasizing the need for content that reflects genuine athlete personalities without compromising safety. They highlighted the platform's features, such as blocking and muting tools, to ensure athlete safety and comfort, particularly for college athletes. Barrett explained their focus on discovery features, like the Sparkboard, which prioritizes engagement over popularity, encouraging users to explore new athletes and sports. Both agreed on the potential for such a platform to enhance fan engagement and athlete influence, drawing parallels to how social media could have transformed athlete-fan interactions in the past. FanSpark's Discovery Pathways for Sports Barrett explained that FanSpark's discovery pathways aim to introduce users to new sports by leveraging the popularity of existing ones, similar to ESPN's approach of featuring top 10 clips during SportsCenter. He shared his personal experience of discovering women's rugby through Ilona Maher's social media content during the 2024 Olympics, which led him to become a fan of the sport. Greg agreed that the platform is well-suited for growing women's sports and discussed the opportunities for athletes to monetize their content through brand deals and storytelling. FanSpark Athlete Engagement Strategy Barrett explained how athletes can use FanSpark.pro to create authentic content and engage with fans, recommending twice-weekly posts. Barrett announced a new campaign called "First to 500," offering a $500 bonus and a custom championship ring to the first athlete to reach 500 subscribers on the platform. Episode resources Website www.fanspark.pro Social media accounts  https://www.instagram.com/fansparkpro https://www.tiktok.com/@fansparkpro Email info@fanspark.pro  

Talk about Tuesdays at Thunder Road. We need some more drivers

According to facts there are more roads in the world now than at any point in history: the A49, Route Sixty-Something, Thunder Road etc and so on. Surely, therefore, there is no better time than now to buckle up and listen to a podcast about road trips. Thanks to Josh of Bristol for the topic and remember the rubber don't burn when the banter's lukewarm.With thanks to our editor Laura Grimshaw.Join our PATREON for ad-free episodes and bonus/video episodes: www.patreon.com/threebeansaladMerch available here: www.threebeansaladshop.comGet in touch: threebeansaladpod@gmail.com @beansaladpod

Twitter: @podgaverockInsta: @podgaverockSpecial Guest Host: Kevin McDevittBruce Springsteen and the E Street Band “Thunder Road” from the 1975 album "Born to Run" released on Columbia and Sony. Written by  Bruce Springsteen  and produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Mike AppelPersonel:Bruce Springsteen - guitar, vocals, harmonicaGarry Tallent - bass guitarMax Weinberg - drumsRoy Bittan - keyboards, glockenspiel, backing vocalsMike Appel - backing vocalsSteve Van Zandt - backing vocalsClarence Clemons - tenor saxophoneCover:Performed by Josh BondIntro Music:"Shithouse" 2010 release from "A Collection of Songs for the Kings". Written by Josh Bond. Produced by Frank Charlton.Other Artists Mentioned:Wilco “AM”Wilco “Cruel Country” Wilco “Falling Apart”Wilco “Summerteeth”Wilco “Sky Blue Sky”Wilco “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot”“When the Saints Go Marching In”“Jingle Bells”“Mary Had A Little Lamb”“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”Booker TDuran, DuranDolly PartonLionel RichieThe EurythmicsPat BenatarCarly SimonEminemJudas PriestBruce Springsteen and the E Street Band “Born to Run”Bob Dylan “Like a Rolling Stone”Merle HaggardWaylon Jennings “Abilene”VH1 StorytellersRoy Orbison “Only the Lonely”Roy Orbison “In Dreams”Neil YoungNeil DiamondLos Lobos “When the Circus Comes”Paul Anka “Diana”Don McLean “American Pie”Dire StraitsMeatloafRobert MitchumThe Ballad of Thunder RoadBob DylanThe KillersArcade FireMy Chemical Romance “The Black Parade”Green DayMe First and the Gimme Gimmes”SopranosJack KerouacLynard SkynyrdU2Jackson BrowneBob Dylan “Highway 61 Revisited”DawesSara WatkinsMatt NathansonCounting Crows  “Rain King”Chris CornellCowboy JunkiesThe Beatles “A Day in the Life”Billy Joel

This week we're taking you back to a time of loose children, when a 9V battery could rule the world! Crack a brown bottle piss beer and accessorize the Thunder Road, let's travel though these stream and tunnels and tubes to never know at any moment what was happening next. We're giving you the sound effects you deserve as Nerdvember continues with Explorers, this time on Doom Generation!

Author and journalist Peter Ames Carlin specialises in puncturing rock'n'roll myths while enriching the legends. His biographies of iconic musicians and bands from Springsteen to REM are often definitive and his latest is no exception, a high stakes page turning exploration of how Bruce Springsteen transformed himself, his career and fulfilled his destiny as rock'n'roll future with his 1975 iconic album 'Born to Run'. We talk about the breakneck writing of the book and his conversations with Bruce himself, Springsteen's self-mythologising, being Superman and Clark Kent, how Springsteen's treatment by his parents and grandparents shaped his personality, getting out vs sticking around, how Thunder Road evolved into the legendary song we all know with some help from John Landau, how audiences behave at Springsteen shows vs other artists and why 'Born to Run' still means something to Bruce in the way that some of his other records don't.

This week we are joined by the driver of the Front Row Motorsports #34 NASCAR Cup Series car Todd Gilliland! We talk his start in racing, his success in the K&N and ARCA series, how his golf game is, his truck career, and how he ended up driving on Sundays. We also talk Octoberfest at Lee, Roval weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the Milk Bowl at Thunder Road! Support the show

Bruce had two albums and no hits. One more shot before the label dropped him. The result? Born to Run. This week, we dive into the album that turned Springsteen from Jersey bar-band poet to full-blown legend. Eight songs. One shot at greatness. And a sound so big it nearly broke the tape machines.We break down every track, from the cinematic opener “Thunder Road” to the street-opera chaos of “Jungleland”. Plus Matthew's Headphones Moment, Ryan's “He's Not Wrong” take, Kate's rating and why Born to Run still feels like freedom, 50 years later.Subscribe, rate and join us as we kick off our Albums Turing 50 month with the one that made Bruce The Boss.

In today's episode we're thrilled to have Reeya Banerjee—writer, vocalist, voice‑over artist, and the raw, honest storyteller behind the critically‑acclaimed album The Way Up—joining host James Cox for a deep‑dive into the healing power of music.We kick things off with a quick word from our sponsor, BetterHelp, reminding listeners that affordable, flexible online therapy is just a few clicks away (and you can snag 10 % off your first month at betterhelp.com/music‑speaks).From there, James and Reeya wanders through the musical landscape that shapes her art:the Beatles' “Something,”Springsteen's “Thunder Road,”U2's “The Sweetest Thing,”Fiona Apple's “Criminal,”Peter Gabriel's “Sledgehammer,”and Eminem's “Lose Yourself.”Reeya reveals how each of these tracks inspired her own songwriting, and why certain songs—like her own “The Way Up,” “Deep Water,” and the childhood‑memory‑laden “Snow”—feel easier to say when they're sung. She also opens up about the mental‑health crisis she faced in 2019, the intensive therapy that helped her reclaim her voice, and the way music became her conduit for processing grief, insomnia, and the restless energy of a night‑owl musician.Listeners get a sneak peek at Reeya's upcoming August release “This Place,” a concept album that maps nine cities to nine core emotions, and we hear about the stories behind singles such as “Misery of Place,” “For the First Time,” “Runner,” and the soon‑to‑drop “Upstate Rust.”The conversation rounds out with playful cover‑quiz challenges, a nostalgic look at the Hudson‑Valley bar that sparked her creative community, and a heartfelt promise that when words fail, music always speaks.Stay tuned, grab your headphones, and prepare for an episode packed with candid conversation, lyrical insights, and a reminder that—no matter how dark the night—there's always a melody waiting to lift you up.And remember: when you need a mental‑health boost, BetterHelp is just a click away at betterhelp.com/music‑speaks.

Writer, director, producer, and actor Macon Blair joins us this week to talk about his fascinating career, and his bold new take on a cult classic: the unrated remake of The Toxic Avenger (in theaters August 29).You've seen Macon on screen in films like Blue Ruin, Green Room, Thunder Road, and even Oppenheimer. He also won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize with his directorial debut I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore, starring Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood. Now, he's back with a gooey genre shift...reimagining Lloyd Kaufman's radioactive hero for a new generation while honoring the messy, subversive spirit of Troma.We dig into Macon's creative path from Murder Party with Jeremy Saulnier all the way to working with Elijah Wood and Peter Dinklage on this bonkers new Toxie. Along the way, we talk about practical effects (yes, intestines are involved), absurd kills that didn't make the cut, the challenges of redesigning an iconic monster, and why The Toxic Avenger might actually be the perfect antidote to the Marvel-ification of movies.and of course we ask the important question… when can we expect 2oxic 2venger: Toxie vs Dracula vs the Unicorn's Horn in Space?If you love cult cinema, superhero parodies, or just a good old fashioned over the top practical effect, you don't want to miss this conversation sooo...Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram & Threads: @mostlyhorrorpodTikTok & Twitter/X: @mostlyhorrorSteve: @stevenisaverage (all socials)Sean: @hypocrite.ink (IG/TikTok), @hypocriteink (Twitter/X)Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more horror fans like you! For early access, ad-free episodes, and exclusive content, subscribe now on Wondery+.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeff welcomes Rich Lovejoy from Gamers With Jobs Conference Call, and Aaron Potter from the Mirror to the show this week to discuss the live-action Zelda movie casting news, an end to the SAG voice actor strike, and Xbox no longer selling movies or TV shows. The Playlist: Aaron: Donkey Kong Bananza, Robocop Rogue City - Unfinished Business. Dying Light: The Beast Rich: The Necromancer's Tale, Astral Throne, Cyberknights: Flashpoint, Old Skies, Undernauts Labyrinth of Yomi, Path of the Abyss Jeff: Donkey Kong Bonanza Tabletop Time: Thunder Road and Worlds Without Number Parting Gifts!