Ed Paulsen discusses the Great Depression its impact.

Discussing the book "An ethnic at large" with the author Jerre Mangione.

Cole Porter biographer Robert Kimball talks with Studs about his book "Cole" and his subject's life and work as they listen to classic performances of some of his most beloved songs. They marvel at how Porter perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the times in his lyrics, his lyrical influences, his unique method of outside-in composing lyrics and music simultaneously, Bobby Short's masterful interpretations, controversies over some of his works, and how well his material holds up.

Studs interviews a physician at Tavistock Square while visiting England. This is an interview done in three parts.

Discussing "The Understudy : a Novel" and interviewing Elia Kazan.

Dempsey Travis presents a jazz program and discusses the life, the music, and the community of Chicago jazz from before The Great Depression until World War II. Travis discusses 1920s-1930s Chicago for Black families including rent parties, breakfast dances, employment opportunities, union strikes, and jazz.

Dempsey Travis talks about his book, "An Autobiography of Black Jazz," as he recalls his childhood memories of Jazz, Blues, and Boogie-Woogie artists that he met.

Photographer David Scherman talks with Studs Terkel about the stories that photos can tell, famous photographers, and the book “The Best of Life,” which Scherman edited. A recording of the song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” by the Weavers is played.

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.

The journalist, writer, and editor discusses her book, First Person America, which documents over 80 oral histories from the time of the Federal Writers' Project, which was part of the Works Progress Administration.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The history professor shares some of the voices that are collected in his book, Down and Out in the Great Depression: Letters from the Forgotten Man. Included in the program are clips from interviews with working mother Jane Yoder, Chicagoan Clifford Burke, Appalachian resident Peggy Terry, and Virginia Durr of Montgomery, Alabama.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations