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Set Lusting Bruce - Pride in Bruce: Niko Stratis on ‘Dancing in the Dark,’ Dad Rock, and Becoming a Writer
Description
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
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