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.

James and Ann Harper join Studs Terkel to discuss their personal stories and the work of their social center called Save the Alcoholic, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. James discusses his struggle with alcoholism and how his experiences influence the mission of Save the Alcoholic. Ann says its often hard to work with “Skid row alcoholics,” but ultimately, they both believe it’s important to help those who are alienated by society, despite their frustrations.

Dr. Jan Fawcett and Marcella McGuire discuss alcoholism, its connection with mental health, and current practices for treatment. Studs plays "Father's a Drunkard and Mother is Dead" - E.A. Parkhurst (1866).

When asked how did it come to be that Douglas Day wrote, "Malcolm Lowery: A Biography," Day explained that he had to find out more about the author who wrote "Under the Volcano." Among what Day learned, it took Lowery 10 years to finish his novel.