Studs interviews blues singers Willie Dixon, Sunnyland Slim, and Willie Mae Big Mama Thornton about the blues. They discuss the blues festival in Chicago for which they are all in town for and name other musicians who will be performing. Sunnyland Slim talks about being on the road and the hard times. Thornton describes the blues as music made from life experiences.

Interviewing Willie Dixon and Memphis Slim at Aux Trois Mailletz while Studs was in France.

Studs interviews Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor about the blues. They discuss their song "Insane Asylum" and their work together. Dixon uses his song "Little Red Rooster" to help explain how the blues are created from life experiences. Taylor reflects on singers like Willie Dixon, Memphis Minnie, and others who influenced her desire to sing the blues. Taylor also discusses European audiences and blues influence there. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Discussing the book "Getting to yes: negotiating agreement without giving in" with William Ury.

William Stringfellow discusses the book "The Christian Ethic." Includes passages from the book.

Interviewing William Stringfellow, American lawyer and activist. He discusses various topics including religion, social issues, and activism. Includes an interview with Cora Weiss. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language.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.

White, Anglo-Saxon, Episcopalian lawyer William Stringfellow moved to a slum tenement of Harlem after his graduation from Harvard Law. Through the lens of personal experience, Stringfellow outlines the failures of the legal system and the Church to alleviate poverty and racism in his 1964 book, "My People is the Enemy."

William Sloane Coffin and Jim Bowman discuss history, religion, and the impact of the Vietnam War. 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.

Discussing the book "Twentieth century journey: 1930-1940" with the author William Shirer.

Discussing the book "Twentieth Century Journey" with the author William Shirer.

Investigative journalist William Shawcross speaks with Studs Terkel about Cambodia, Henry Kissinger, and Shawcross’ book, “Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon and the Destruction of Cambodia.” Both Terkel and Shawcross read excerpts from Shawcross’ book and Terkel reads an excerpt from an interview Henry Kissinger did with reporter Theo Summer.

Studs Terkel speaks with writer William Serrin about the United Auto Workers, various strikes in history, and Serrin’s book “The Company and the Union.” Audio clips of auto workers are played where the interviewees discuss strikes and working conditions. Serrin reads an excerpt from his book. The song “Gonna Roll the Union On” is played.

Discussing the book "Homestead: The Glory and Tragedy of an American Steel Town" (published by Times Books) with the author, journalist William Serrin.

American composer William Schuman discusses his career as a composer and music educator at the Juilliard School.