Garry Wills, writer and historian, discusses his book "John Wayne's America: The Politics of Celebrity." He explores the popularity of John Wayne that took him from an actor and made him into an American symbol. He explores how the symbol of John Wayne is used by white male politicians to influence their decisions and how that affected the Vietnam War. Wills gives a biography of John Wayne, including the many influential people in his life such as his working partner, John Ford.

David Halberstam, writer and historian, talks about his book, "The Fifties." The conversation includes Brown v. Board of Education, atomic weapons, the Cold War, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, consumerism, birth control, suburbs, television and the start of the counterculture. Halberstam reads several passages from his book.

Singer and storyteller Anndrena Belcher discusses her life growing up in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky and the damaging effects industrialization and coal mining had on the economic, environmental, health, and social conditions of its communities. These experiences and stories serve as inspiration for Belcher as she travels across the country singing and storytelling to raise awareness about Appalachian life. Belcher sings Jean Ritchie’s 1972 song “West Virginia Mine Disaster”.