Charles E. Silberman and his wife Arlene Silberman discuss education and Charles Silberman's book "Crisis in the Classroom". Includes a clip of Studs Terkel interviewing a student.

Evolution and the future of the human race are among topics in Carl Sagan's and Ann Druyan's book, "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are." Included is an excerpt of the astronomer Harlow Shapley speaking at the beginning. Carl Sagan also reads an excerpt from the book at the end.

Psychologist, Holocaust survivor and author Bruno Bettelheim discusses his imprisonment in Dachua and how it influenced his view on life with the effect of Freud and Kant’s philosophy. Bettelheim was known as an early adopter on the topic of autism.

Interviewing Bruno Bettelheim, writer, scholar, and child psychologist, on his book “The Children of the Dream.” He also discusses his work at the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School for Disturbed Children in Chicago. Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. 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.

Bob and Joan Ericksen, both educators, artists, and environmental ecologists, discuss the literary work of Peter Weiss' "I Come Out of My Hiding Place" and environmental ecology. Excerpt of Peter Weiss reading from "I Come Out of My Hiding Place." The book speaks of why he writes and why he pursues his art (unknown source). The interview ends with a reading by Studs of an excerpt fro, Gustav Meyrink's "The Green Face."

Bill Ayers' book, "A Kind and Just Parent: The Children of Juvenile Court" takes a look at kids getting caught up and lost in the system. While observing in the courts, Ayers said all kids just became a thing.

According to Bill Ayers, in order to be a good teacher, one must 1st become a student of his/her students' lives. New ideas on how to become a better teacher are offered in Ayers' book, "To Teach: The Journey of a Teacher.'

In her book, "The Mirage of Safety: Food Additives and Federal Policy, " Beatrice Trum Hunter warns the readers about the dangers of highly processed foods and chemical additives.  By preparing a TV dinner, or a convenience food, Hunter says a person really doesn't save that much more time than they would by making a meal from scratch.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Interviewing Chicago educator Andres Hernandez, students Sarah Mellman and Danny Leonard, and teacher and parent Larry Shapiro. A first-year teacher at Oak Park-River Forest High School, Hernandez's contract was not renewed by the school district.

Allan Evans and Henry Jordan, two young man who grew up in Chicago and attended Dartmouth, discuss The Foundation Years project. They talk about trying to recruit friends to Dartmouth, their campus experiences, and their coursework. They also talk about their experiences going through the public school system in Chicago, where they point out many of the inequalities for black students.

Russian composer Alexander Tcherepnin discusses his travels to China & Japan and their influence on his music, composing for non-traditional instruments, electronic music, teaching young composers, and his "Concerto No. 2".

Alexander Sutherland Neill says no one should ever lie to a child because children are brutally honest. Neill says people tend to live their lives as a lie. Neill also points out that when someone comes knocking at the door, and one tells the child to tell that person that so and so is not home, adults are teaching their children about white lies. This is a very short interview that ends abruptly.

Abram Loft discusses his career, his book "Violin and Keyboard", art, and music education. Includes Abram Loft reading a passage from his book "Violin and Keyboard". Includes Abram Loft reading excerpts from newspapers.

Discussing the STEP School for autistic children with Alice Jerome, Mrs. Alberta Patterson, and Sally Heynemann. Topics include the behavior of the students, parental involvement, and the methods used at the STEP School and other schools. Includes a recording of children singing "Michael Finnegan." asdf

A panel of producers and directors, Father Paul Carrico, Mike Whitney, Ron Sutton, Dick Lukenson, and Leo Dratfield discuss film theory and education on film in the classroom.