Lillian Smith excerpt opens the program.

Comedian and activist Dick Gregory joins Studs Terkel to discuss his new book “Dick Gregory's Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat: Cookin' With Mother Nature.” Gregory talks about his experiences fasting for both political and health reasons, and he comments on hunger in America, the power of the navy bean, and changing trends in eating. The two discuss the peace movement and Watergate, and Gregory shares his experience as a black man in the military. Gregory believes that how you treat yourself and your body reflects how you treat others.

This interview begins with a clip of one of Dick Gregory’s performances, where he talks about nonviolence and Native Americans. Studs Terkel introduces his guest as an observer, explaining that comedians are the best observers in society. Gregory offers extended analogies to communicate his views on a variety of topics, including the Vietnam War, race relations, segregation, human rights, and urban renewal. [The date is unclear, but it has to be after 1970, since the Kent State Shootings were mentioned]

They discuss Mr. Cavett's life and his work as a talk show host. The interview ends with "Reverend Eli Jenkins' Prayer," a poem by Dylan Thomas sung by Osian Ellis, a Welsh singer, and harpist. These have been removed from the broadcast due to copyright.

Topics of discussion include privacy in education and access to school records, the use of pseudo-scientific terminology in describing children, the ways that a child's records are shared outside of the school and related race and class issues, the pharmaceutical industry and treatments, and the importance of parents refusing to allow their children to be given psychological tests without their informed consent.

Ray Girardin, Detroit Police Commissioner, is opposed to capital punishment. In 1930, he witnessed a man being put to death and he says it's a horrible sight to behold. Representative Robert Canfield of Rockford, explained that the state doesn't have the right to put a man to death. He further explained that the death penalty does more harm than good. Springfield freshman representative Jim Moran talks about House Bill 28 and the abolishment of the death penalty going through.

Institute of Design instructor John E. Walley discusses teaching techniques and design trends.

Civil rights activist, lawyer, and professor Derrick Bell discusses his latest work and protest against Harvard University due to their lack of diverse hiring in academics. Bell is known for his work on the concept of critical race theory and his relentless pursuit of fair treatment for his colleagues.

Interviewing lawyer, activist and author Derrick Bell.

Colonial West Indies & Caribbean poet Derek Walcott talks about the traditions of poetry not purely being just the written words. Poetry, says Walcott, is also oral poetry that's found in folk songs, folk tales and calypso music. Walcott's play, "Dream on Monkey Mountain" is about Makak, an old hermit who lived on Monkey Mountain his whole life, and was now being kicked off the mountain.

Studs Terkel speaks with writer and economist Derek Shearer about the book “Economic Democracy: The Challenge of the 1980s,” which Shearer co-authored with Martin Carnoy. Terkel and Shearer also discuss workers’ rights and equality in economics. Shearer reads a few excerpts from his book as well as a quote from labor leader Sidney Hillman.

Discussing the book "Margaret Mead and Samoa the making and unmaking of an anthropological myth" with the author Derek Freeman.

Interviewing Derek Bell and Kevin Conneff two members of the Chieftains musical group specializing in Irish folk music.

The working New York fireman and writer sits down to talk about his latest, Glitter & Ash, a novel about politics and privilege. Includes a clip from an interview with Brooklyn fireman Tommy Gates.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Firefighter and writer, Dennis Smith, shares some of the encounters he's had as a firefighter and discusses his book and magazine based on these experiences.