Jules Feiffer and Studs read several of Feiffer's previous cartoons as they discuss his history as a cartoonist and his retrospective on display at the Walton Street Gallery in Chicago. Feiffer discusses his attempt to move away from political cartoons and instead shift focus to social commentary. Feiffer also discusses his play "Elliot Loves", a love story that captures the complications of love and the “gap” between the sexes.

Jules Feiffer discusses his book “Jules Feiffer’s America: From Eisenhower to Reagan”, a retrospective that chronicles his years as a social and political cartoonist. Studs and Feiffer read through several of Feiffer’s cartoons featured in this book, working their way through the book in “eras” which are categorized based on the U.S. President of that particular time frame. Studs plays “Sh-Boom” - The Crew Cuts (1954), “Big Bad John” - Jimmy Dean (1961). “Yellow Submarine” - The Beatles (1966), and “Happy Days Are Here Again” - Casa Loma Orchestra.

Jules Feiffer discusses and reads from his children's graphic novel, "The Man in the Ceiling." The book has a central theme of overcoming failure and is slightly autobiographical in nature, with a comic book artist as its main character and author. Studs plays "Golliwog's Cakewalk" - Claude Debussy (1906-1908).

Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion. In his book, "Feiffer on Nixon: The Cartoon Presidency," Jules Feiffer tries to give his readers his take on politics and the government. In addition, through his descriptions of the cartoon panels, Feiffer offers his explanations of who President Nixon was.

Joshua Rubenstein discusses his book "Tangled Loyalties: The Life and Times of Ilya Ehrenburg" and the importance of Ehrenburg during the Stalin regime.

Curator John Zukowsky and architect Stanley Tigerman discuss their architecture exhibit and the controversy surrounding it.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

John Weber, Mark Rogovin and Justine DeVan discuss their involvement with the mural movement as well as their involvement with the Chicago community and their various art projects. Includes excerpt of an interview with Bill Walker at the Peace and Salvation Wall of Understanding in (near?) Cabrini Green.

Architect John Vinci, art and architectural historian David Van Zanten, and curator Wim de Wit discuss Louis Sullivan and the Chicago Historical Society’s exhibition “Louis Sullivan: The Function of Ornament.” The group discusses Sullivan’s use of ornament to add an organic element to his architecture; as well as some of Sullivan’s most prominent work, including the Chicago Stock Exchange Building, the Auditorium Building, and the Sullivan Center. This program includes a clip from 1956 of Frank Lloyd Wright discussing Sullivan and his impact on architectural design.

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.

Artist Jim Grigsby and other unnamed guests talk about introducing sound into art classes. Includes an unrehearsed production by a woodworking class.

In the first part of this program Studs Terkel discusses French theater with critic Jean Vilar. In the second part, Studs and Eugène Ionesco discuss Ionesco’s work and the Theater of the Absurd.

Interviewing author-photographer of "Street People" Janet Beller.

Interest into James Steven George Boggs' artwork first started because Boggs had doodled a picture on a napkin at a coffee shop. The waitress there really liked Boggs' drawing and offered him $50.00 for it. Boggs, otherwise known as J.S.G. Boggs, also talks about how the Bank of England placed him on trial, accusing him of illegally producing currency.

Discussing the exhibit and book "In the Eye of the Storm: an Art of Conscience, 1930-1970: Selections from the Collection of Philip J.& Suzanne Schiller," with artist Jack Levine, and exhibit sponsor Philip Schiller.