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.

Philosopher and nonviolent activist Lanza Del Vasto discusses his work as a nonviolent activist and his book "Return to the Source." Terkel refers to del Vasto as "Shantidas" occasionally during the interview.

Comedian and activist Dick Gregory joins Studs Terkel to discuss his new book “Dick Gregory's Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat: Cookin' With Mother Nature.” Gregory talks about his experiences fasting for both political and health reasons, and he comments on hunger in America, the power of the navy bean, and changing trends in eating. The two discuss the peace movement and Watergate, and Gregory shares his experience as a black man in the military. Gregory believes that how you treat yourself and your body reflects how you treat others.