Discussing African drums, African music, and John Chernoff's book "African Rhythm and African Sensibility" with John Chernoff and Eric Rucker. Includes John Chernoff and Eric Rucker playing the drums. Includes an earlier interview clip of two drummers battling from the island of Silan.

Studs Terkel discusses the upcoming new play "Of Mice and Men", based on the novel written by John Steinbeck with the starring actors, John Malkovich (Lennie) and Gary Sinise (George). The program begins with the opening excerpt from the play "Of Mice and Men" featuring Terkel (George) and Win Stracke (Lennie) from 1952, which then leads into Malkovich and Sinise's interpretation of the rest of the scene. Folk singer Utah Phillips song "On the Goodnight Loving Trail" is presented as a comparison to themes expressed in "Of Mice and Men".

The poet and professor talks about his career and his new collection, Ghosts of the Heart.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Discussing the book "Smoke and Mirrors: Violence, Television and Other American Cultures" (published by The New Press) with the author, media critic John Leonard.

John Lahr discusses celebrities, the media, and his book "Autograph Hound". Includes Studs Terkel and John Lahr reading from Lahr's book "Autograph Hound".

Interviewing author and economist John Kenneth Galbraith.

Discussing the book "The Anatomy of Power" (published by Houghton Mifflin) with the author, economist John Kenneth Galbraith.

Focus of the interview is Galbraith's book Economics in Perspective: A Critical History.

Discussing the book "The Culture of Contentment" (published by Houghton Mifflin) with the author, economist John Kenneth Galbraith. This program is a dub from a master cassette.

John Kenneth Galbraith, economist and diplomat, discusses his book, "The Age of Uncertainty," which was being made into a PBS documentary. Galbraith talks about some of the most well-known economists and explains their writings. He explains how many of their ideas have long lasting effects on capitalism the US has today.

The American folksinger and archivist joins Studs in the studio to share stories and songs discovered in his youth and through his years of research.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The dulcimer is not only a musical instrument that John Jacob Niles plays, but he builds them too. Playing some scales, Niles gives a brief demonstration of the dulcimer, Niles explained people often requested he play his love songs. Niles believed love is something that is easily relatable to many people.