Studs Terkel interviews two representatives from Abbott Laboratories: Richard Kasperson, V.P. of corporate regulatory affairs, and Dr. Robert Janicki, V.P. of corporate clinical research. The topic of conversation is the prescribed use of Cylert, which was a trade name for the drug Pemoline. Cylert was used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Janicki and Kasperson respond to claims that the drug was overprescribed to school-aged children.

Studs discusses dreams, consciousness and computers with psychologist, computer scientist, and author Dr. Christopher Evans. Topics of conversation include the need for humans to dream, contemporary research on sleep and rest, and computer technology. Dr. Evans draws analogies between the behavior of the sleeping and dreaming human brain and the functions of modern computers.

Humanitarian and author Sally Trench discusses her book “Bury Me in My Boots,” her work with the homeless communities in England, her journeys, and her belief in self-help with Studs Terkel. Both Trench and Terkel read an excerpt from Trench’s book “Bury Me in My Boots.”

Humanitarian and author Sally Trench discusses her book “Bury Me in My Boots,” her work with the homeless communities in England, her journeys, and her belief in self-help with Studs Terkel. Terkel reads an excerpt from Trench’s book “Bury Me in My Boots.”

Teacher Sally Heyneman and parent Janette Pankow discuss the STEP (School for the Treatment of Emotional Problems). Heyneman is a teacher at the STEP school in South Shore and Pankow's son, Tony, is a student there. A brief audio clip from a previous interview with Heyneman and Alice Jerome discussing the STEP school in 1970 is played at (00:23:00).

Child psychiatrist and educator Rudolf Dreikurs discusses his book "Social Equality and the Challenge of Today," Part 2 of 2.

Child psychiatrist and educator Rudolf Dreikurs discusses his book "Social Equality and the Challenge of Today," Part 1 of 2. The discussion focuses on child psychiatry and human misbehavior.

Studs interviews Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist Ron Kovic upon the paperback release of his autobiography "Born on the Fourth of July." Kovic recounts his All-American upbringing and unblinking faith in the country and its ideals before volunteering for the Marines and Vietnam.

With his book, "Living and Dying," Robert Jay Lifton, said the point he wanted to make clear is that individuals have to confront death in order to live well. Lifton also talks about deniers of death and their numbing feelings. Social change with regards to death, explained Lifton, will need to occur.

In his book, "Home From the War: Learning from Vietnam Veterans", Robert Jay Lifton reflects on what he's learned from talking with soldiers who came home from the Vietnam War. For some men, guilt and betrayal were common issues -- guilt in what they had done while in Vietnam and betrayal of what their superiors and the government had told them about the war itself.

The Southern Baptist minister and civil rights activist joins Studs to talk about his book, Brother to a Dragonfly, and to reflect on the loss of his brother Joe.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Ray Gordon, writer and director, and Susanne Nussbaum, cast member of "Disabled Geniuses," discuss the play and the life of people with disabilities. Nussbaum recalls experiences of discrimination she and her friends have faced due to their differences. Both interviewees then talk about the members of the play and some of the characters involved.

Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. 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. Scottish psychiatrist and author R.D. Laing covers his latest outlook on the ideology of madness, with a specific focus on schizophrenia.

Psychiatrist R. D. Laing (Ronald David) talks about who is normal and who is hung up, or in a constant state of anxiety or worry. To those suffering with schizophrenia, the people around them are the crazy ones. Laing says schizophrenia is about healing a broken heart.

Three psychiatrists discuss mental health in urban and rural areas and a documentary that points out emerging issues.