Author Calvin Trillin discusses the world of professional writing and his novel, Floater. Both Trillin and Studs read excerpts from the book.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Studs and Jules Feiffer read several of Feiffer’s political cartoons culminating in a performance of “Feiffer’s America.” The performance is preceded by Feiffer’s explanation of the inspiration behind these works. Feiffer attempts to answer what drives him to create these astute observations of political happenings, which are often used as an outlet for his anger regarding social and political events. Studs plays "On the Good Ship Lollipop" - Shirley Temple (1934).

Sharon Tennison was concerned with U.S. and U.S.S.R. relations in the early 1980's when there was a nuclear threat and decided to form a group of ordinary citizens to travel to Moscow and immerse themselves in the culture. They got firsthand accounts and dispelled decades old myths. They not only formed the Center for U.S.-U.S.S.R. Initiatives but created branches of Alcoholics Anonymous in the Soviet Union as well as teacher and young adult exchanges. The ordinary citizen has created participatory democracy and began a dialogue and exchange with a former enemy.

Author Scott Ridley discusses the book “Power Struggle: The Hundred-Year War Over Electricity” and the corruption in the private power industry. Studs plays "Roll on Columbia" by Judy Collins (1972) and "Grand Coulee Dam" by Woody Guthrie (1941).

Author Ross Miller discusses his latest work, which centers around Chicago and the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire and its effects on rebuilding the metropolis and the advantages of gaining a new take on architecture and society.

Past radio transcripts of former President Ronald Reagan were being hidden or suppressed. Ronnie Dugger worked tirelessly at getting the transcripts so that people would learn the truth about Reagan. In Dugger’s book, “On Reagan: The Man & His Presidency,” Dugger points out that President Reagan was against the ERA. He didn’t believe in anti-trust, and he opposed every civil rights act every placed in front of him. Dugger said Reagan’s genius was that he’d get elected without people knowing of his records.

Ten years ago, explained Robert Brustein, not for profit theatres were starting to pop up. Brustein was optimistic about these new theatres being available in communities as a way of offering culture. Theatres will not be funded though, because President Reagan cut federal funding to theatres in half. In addition, the National Endowment for the Arts was not growing fast enough to assist all theatres involved.

In the of first of many appearances on Studs' radio show, Oliver Sacks discusses his book "Awakenings" and recounts several patient profiles from his groundbreaking treatment application of L-DOPA to sufferers of Sleeping sickness and Parkinson's disease. They explore his work in the context of Studs' concept of Feeling Tone and Sacks tells of a remarkable scene with aphasic patients reacting to a speech of then President Ronald Reagan.

This interview contains two parts. The first focuses on writer and John Henry Faulk biographer, Michael Burton, in which Burton discusses John Henry Faulk’s life as an American storyteller as well as his book entitled “John Henry Faulk: The Making of a Liberated Mind.” Burton makes mention of how the Hollywood Blacklist affected Faulk’s career.

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.

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.

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.

The people living at the Martinique feel as though they are a toxic waste substance being compressed in the density living quarters, explains Jonathan Kozol. Rachel of Kozol's book, "Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America" said people don't want to see them. Refering to the song, "We are the World, " Rachel also asks how come people care so much for people they can't see? "We are the world, " says Rachel. "We live here, too".

Mr. Paulei talks with Studs about the air traffic controllers strike in 1980 and subsequent firing of over 1000 air traffic controllers. They discuss what a normal shift as an air traffic controller consists of, and the unions reasons for the strike in 1980.