Discussing the book "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are" about the evolution and the future of the human species. Includes an excerpt of the astronomer Harlow Shapley speaking at the beginning. Includes Carl Sagan reading an excerpt from the book at the end.

Anna Deavere Smith discusses and demonstrates her unique character portrayals from her works "Fires in the Mirror" and "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992."

A sprawling conversation with R. Buckminster Fuller including his great aunt Margaret Fuller, future communication, the nature of work, human nature, and physics.

Interviewing William Gibson.

Discussing "The Good Times are Killing Me," with the author Lynda Barry, Glenda Starr-Kelly, and Lorell Wyatt.

Discussing "Waverly Place," (published by Grove Press) with the author Susan Brownmiller.

Discussing the book, 'Uncommon Women', published in 1981. The book chronicles the lives of Gwendolyn Brooks, Julie Harris, Sarah Caldwell, Maria Tallchief, Alice Neel, Mary McCarthy, Eugenia Zukerman, Roberta Peters, and Mary Lou Williams, discussing the impressive things they have accomplished in their respective professions ranging from poetry, to opera, to literature, and art and abstraction.

Discussing the book, "Ripening: Selected Work, 1927-1980," with the author Meridel Le Sueur.

David Brokensha discusses African literature and writers. Brokensha also discusses African culture. David Brokensha reads an excerpt from "The Dark Child" by Camara Laye.

Hortense Calisher discusses and reads excerpts from “Queenie: A Novel,” a coming-of-age story about Queenie, a teenage girl raised an unorthodox household. Terkel and Calisher discuss reoccurring themes like the relationship between sex and property and the preservation of beauty as one ages. Calisher comments on her unique writing style, and Terkel praises her writing, calling it elegant and euphemistic. The two dance around certain topics and language deemed inappropriate for public broadcast, bringing up the issue of censorship.