Discussing the Chicago community of midwives and the book "The New Our Bodies, Ourselves: a Book By and For Women" (published by Simon & Schuster) with one of the book's authors Norma Swenson and midwife and author Ina May Gaskin.

In this interview with Random House President and CEO Bob Bernstein and James Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief of the new Random House Encyclopedia, the three gentlemen discuss the content and revolutionary layout of the single-volume 3,000 page tome, which was divided into 2 sections: the Colorpedia and the Alphapedia. Bernstein and Mitchell demonstrate how to use the encyclopedia and point out the explanatory diagrams throughout, which served a two-fold purpose: to catch the reader's attention, and then provide further information.

Interviewing Michael Harrington, author of "The Other America: Poverty in the United States," and Ralph Helstein, a union leader.

Discussing the Equal Rights Amendment with Illinois Representative Susan Catania and political activists Clara Day and Margaret Klimkowski.

Terkel interviews ballet dancer and choreographer Igor Youskevitch who would be staying in town until January 3.

Through an interpreter, Madame Ida Kaminska discusses her role in the film "The Shop on Main Street." Both her mother and father were actors, too. Madame Kaminska explains she comes from a family of actors from 100 years ago.

Jim Jennings, Jake Dowling and Jim Hastings, members of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) talk about unions. Union folk songs by Pete Seeger and Joe Glazer are played periodically.

As a result of writing his book, "Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs," Hunter S. Thompson said he's become calmer and not so quick to react, in case a fight starts. Thompson believes the reason for the rise in violence is due to pent up anger and hostility. A clip of a former prize fighter describing how he threatens people to repay their debts is played.

As previously presented in Studs Terkel's weekly Almanac program, Abe Burrows, talks about how he got into writing. After the Depression, Burrows explained he had no true goal in mind other than that of simply surviving. Typing out material on a typewriter was when Burrows realized he was good at both writing and comedy.

Topics of old age, the elderly and retirement homes are all found in the play, "Gin Game, " starring Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. The play, says Cronyn, shows the struggle people have with their own characteristics and their inability to change. This program also includes a couple of excerpts of interviews with Eliot Wiggington.

*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Interviewing Director General of BBC Hugh Carleton Greene while Studs was in England.

Authors and journalists Howard Wolinsky and Tom Brune discuss their book “The Serpent on the Staff: The Unhealthy Politics of the American Medical Association.” They discuss the political aspects of the healthcare and medical industry in the United States, with particular emphasis placed on the business-side of the American Medical Association (AMA). This program includes an excerpt of an interview with Dr. Quentin Young discussing the AMA. Studs plays "Like a Surgeon" - "Weird Al" Yankovic (1985).

Foreign language expert Howard Vincent talks with Studs Terkel about foreign languages, Herman Melville, “Moby Dick,” and other literary works.