Blue Collar Costumes: Comparing Bruce Springsteen & Stephen King with Tom Runge-D'Amore

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest Tom to discuss the current Bruce Springsteen tour, upcoming shows in DC, Austin, and Atlanta, and reactions to the set list, including excitement about rarely played songs like “Born in the U.S.A.” Tom introduces his new Substack, “Blue Collar Costumes: A Comparative Study of Bruce Springsteen, Stephen King, and the World That Made Them,” which supports a larger book project exploring parallels between Springsteen and King—similar East Coast working-class roots, complicated or absent fathers, and mothers as driving forces—within a broader post–World War II social history. Tom outlines the Substack’s monthly themes and posting schedule, starting in May, including a first theme on “Fractured Fathers,” plus Tolkien posts and fiction. They also discuss recent King adaptations and favorite King books, and share subscription details.

https://bluecollarcostumes.substack.com/

00:39 Welcome and Guest Intro

02:00 Tour Talk and Setlist Buzz

04:37 New Project Reveal

06:41 Bruce and King Parallels

11:23 Substack Format and Themes

15:31 Stephen King Adaptations

17:32 Favorite King Books

20:21 Where to Find Substack

22:16 Pricing and Subscriber Tiers

27:08 Wrap Up and Farewell

28:08 Housekeeping and Links

https://bluecollarcostumes.substack.com/

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