What started out as a 5-piece article on health care became Laurie Abraham's book, "Mama Might Be Better Off Dead: The Failure of Health Care in Urban America". Through her stories, Abraham points out the many hardships and catch-22 scenarios of some poor families. One woman, after caring for her mother all day, Julie, wanted to work part time in the evenings. However, she soon learned that she'd be making too much money and she'd no longer be eligible for Medicaid for herself and her children.

Author Laurence Shoup discusses his book, "The Carter Presidency and Beyond: Power and Politics in the 1980s," and explains how President Carter came to be elected. He describes the Trilateral Commission and other groups created by corporations and the richest American families to lobby. the government. He also discusses the Carter presidency and his double-dealing with major issues such as unions and regulating big businesses.

Family and family secrets like Ms. Nelson's bout with alcoholism or her sister's mental health issues are covered in the book. Working for the Washington Post, she thought would be the highlight of her career, however, she talks about losing her journalistic integrity while working at that environment.

Investigative journalists James Steele and Donald Bartlett discuss and read from their book “America: What Went Wrong?”, a book based on a series of articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer about corporate greed and its effects on the middle class. Studs plays “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” - Bing Crosby (1932).

Jadwiga Lopez and Andrew Patner discuss Poland and tell stories about their latest visits before and during the Poland Crisis of 1980-1981. Topics discussed include the economic hardships, food shortages, the Solidarity Union, politics, and the arts. Parts of polish music is played at the start and end.

Ira B. Harkey discusses the south, civil rights, race relations, racism, his newspaper, and his career. Includes Ira Harkey reading his writing from his newspaper the Mississippi "Chronicle-Star."

Mr. Ridgeway and Studs talk about the energy crisis and the systematic pillaging of the land of the United States by the companies involved in harvesting natural resources. Includes: Two excerpts presented of Joe Begley of Blackey, KY talking about the state of things in Appalachia as gas companies and strip mine operators come in to destroy the land.

Aileen and Eugene Smith discuss their photographic essay book, "'Minamata', Words and Photographs," documenting the mercury poisoning of residents and their legal battles with the polluting company Chisso.

Discussing the book "India, India" and interviewing the author Lisa Hobbs.

Authors and journalists Howard Wolinsky and Tom Brune discuss their book “The Serpent on the Staff: The Unhealthy Politics of the American Medical Association.” They discuss the political aspects of the healthcare and medical industry in the United States, with particular emphasis placed on the business-side of the American Medical Association (AMA). This program includes an excerpt of an interview with Dr. Quentin Young discussing the AMA. Studs plays "Like a Surgeon" - "Weird Al" Yankovic (1985).

While in a Dusseldorf prison, Gitta Sereny spent 70 hours interviewing Franz Stangl, the commandant of the Treblinka extermination camp. Her book, "Into That Darkness: An Examination of Conscience," questions how could an ordinary man with a wife and children become such an evil monster. Stangl rationalized his job by saying he never hurt anyone, that he never murdered anyone. Sereny said in the end, the only guilt Stangl harbored was that of still being alive.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

European correspondent and journalist Daniel Singer discusses the independently published magazine “The Nation” and French politics and government. Singer focuses his discussion on the 1995 strikes in France and the political and economic events leading up to and influencing these strikes. Studs plays the French national anthem “La Marseillaise.”

Einar Thorsrud, co-author of "Democracy at Work: The Report of the Norwegian Industrial Democracy Program" and Sid Roger, an American journalist writing on labor union issues, discuss work and labor issues. Topics of discussion include work planning, technology and alienation in the workplace, alternatives to the assembly line, women in the workplace, and satisfaction at work.