Studs Terkel interviews composer Ned Rorem. They discuss Rorem's childhood, music, poetry, languages, and religion.

Milton Mayer discusses the state of U.S. education and the educational ideas of Robert Hutchins.

Milton Mayer, journalist and educator, talks with Studs about Quakerism. They talk about how religion relates to society in the times of change. Mr Mayer describes an exchange with a gentleman who asked what is a Quaker. The man had been an SS officer who told Mr Mayer his story. The man had been touched by the anonymous generosity of the Quakers many years before. Mr Mayer speaks of A. J. Musty, clergyman and political activist as his mentor and friend, and the things he learned from him.

Studs Terkel interviews Mary Lou Williams and her manager, Father Peter O'Brien. They discuss music, musicians, and instruments. Some clips of piano music playing at the end.

Former ex-nun Mary Harding was accused of being a part of a group that was going to overthrow the Bolivian government. At the first meeting with counsel from the American Embassy, Harding could barely walk because she was kicked and punched over and over for information. Harding spent four of her five weeks in prison in solitary confinement.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Discussing Billy Graham and revivalism with author and journalist Marshall Frady and singer and musician Win Stracke.

Interviewing Equal Rights Amendment activists, Marianne Bell and Shirley Wallace, who were fasting as a political statement, and Illinois state representative and outspoken advocate of ERA, Susan Cantania.

Madalyn Murray discusses her family history, feminism, and theology and how her experiences with those subjects have shaped her worldview.

Pavarotti recalls his meeting with the Pope was very special. Singing "Ave Maria" for him was like God lit up, explained Pavarotti. There are more younger people in the audience, said Pavarotti. They're very surprised that opera's so beautiful, as they believed it was an old fashioned thing.

Laura Fermi discusses Benito Mussolini. Includes Studs Terkel reading an excerpt from Laura Fermi's book "Mussolini" at the beginning [removed due to copyright]. Includes instrumental music [removed due to copyright].

Laura Fermi discusses Benito Mussolini and her book "Mussolini."

Jonathan Spence, author and Yale University history professor, talks about his book "God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan." He discusses Hong Xiuquan who believed himself to be the son of God. Spence begins his interview explores how Christianity came to China and how Hong came into contact with its teachings. He explains Hong's belief that the Qing dynasty was an enemy government that needed to be overthrown which led to the Taiping Rebellion.

John T. Scopes was a young teacher who taught biology. He was arrested because in Tennessee, no theory of the origin of man could be taught in schools. Clarence Darrow, an attorney from Chicago, defended Scopes in the "Scopes Monkey Trial" of 1925. Scopes was found guilty and was fined $100.