Studs Terkel interviews Ruth Page and Lou Conte on their experience in Dance and their Chicago dance companies.

Studs Terkel and Tcherepnin discuss Tcherepnin's early years in Leningrad, his creative drive and its relation to real-life experiences and the influence of Chicago on his 1953 Op. 87 Suite for Orchestra.

Author and pianist Russell Sherman discusses his book “Piano Pieces” and the philosophical concepts associated with listening to and playing music. Sherman plays a selection of compositions in the studio.

Political science professor and author Russell Barrett discusses and reads excerpts from his book, “Integration at Ole Miss.” He examines the legal challenges, apathy, and aggression that contributed to the build up of racial tensions leading to the enrollment of the University of Mississippi’s first black student — James Meredith — and the resulting riots and violence. Includes a recording of the Chad Mitchell Trio singing "Alma Mater (About Ole Miss)."*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Lies, violence and history repeating itself are all topics covered in Russell Banks' book, "Affliction." Banks points out that his novel is about the men's complicated attempt to transcend their burdens.

Back in his day, there was no journalism school, explained Russell Baker. He spent time with the police and that's how he often got his stories about the underclass or the superfluous. Baker pointed out when a paper didn't want to print one of his stories, Baker was told the subject matter was in poor taste.

When Rudolf Ganz was younger, he first played the cello. After his cello broke into 800 pieces, Rudolph Ganz's father told Ganz he had to play the piano. Ganz became a world-renowned pianist and composer. Ganz's attitude toward music: in order to be progressive, one has to respect the past.

Child psychiatrist and educator Rudolf Dreikurs discusses his book "Social Equality and the Challenge of Today," Part 2 of 2.

Child psychiatrist and educator Rudolf Dreikurs discusses his book "Social Equality and the Challenge of Today," Part 1 of 2. The discussion focuses on child psychiatry and human misbehavior.

Patrick Garland directs Roy Dotrice, who plays the old and lonely John Aubrey in "Brief Lives". While in studio, Dotrice reenacts part of the one-man show. Garland explains that the play is about John Aubrey, on the last day of his life, telling the audience about the past lives he's encountered.

The writer, speaker, and humorist discusses his book, One Fell Soup: or I'm Just a Bug on the Windshield of Life.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Art historian Roxana Robinson discusses and reads from her book “Georgia O'Keeffe: A Life.” Robinson discusses the different eras of painting O’Keeffe went through during her lifetime and the outside forces that inspired these changes in subject matter, such as her attending the Art Students League of New York, her moving to Santa Fe, and her relationship with Alfred Stieglitz. Studs plays “Tosca, Act II: Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore” - Renata Tebaldi, George London, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli (1959).

Author Ross Miller discusses his latest work, which centers around Chicago and the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire and its effects on rebuilding the metropolis and the advantages of gaining a new take on architecture and society.

Benny Goodman was one of 12 children and when he was little, his father took him to a synagogue where he learned to play the clarinet. Ross Firestone's book, "Swing, Swing, Swing: The Life and Times of Benny Goodman" is full of information about the musician. Goodman was a perfectionist, always wanting to better at his craft. According to Firestone, as a band leader, Goodman never thanked any musicians that played for him or with him.