Mr Barnard discusses being a writer and biographer. He strongly discusses the theory, What is literature? and states, "If the work(writing) enriches the person reading and causes deep thought it is literature." He is working, at the time of broadcast, on the papers, notes manuscripts of Upton Sinclair preparing to . He was also writer in residence at Roosevelt University at the time of broadcast.

Historian Charles Capen McLaughlin discusses landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and how Olmsted worked to create spaces where the working class could enjoy nature in industrialized areas. Studs plays "Whose Garden Was This" - Tom Paxton (1970) and "Tapestry" - Don McLean (1970).

Discussing the Regal Theater with actor and theater historian John Keyes.

Anita Miller and Jeanne Madeline Weimann discuss their book, The Fair Women, published in 1981, a book that talks about the women's role in the World's Columbian Exposition, especially in the creation of the Women's Building.

The biographer and journalist joins Studs to talk about the Haymarket anarchists, the Pullman labor strike, and the life of Illinois governor John Peter Altgeld, upon the reissue of his book, The Eagle Forgotten.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Architectural historian Robert Twombly discusses the biography “Louis Sullivan: His Life and Work.” Referred to by Studs as the architect that most symbolizes Chicago architecture, Louis Sullivan, this program outlines Sullivan’s life as a prominent architect who was one of the first to incorporate nature, or "the organic", into architecture, and who ended his life in poverty. This program includes a clip from 1956 of Frank Lloyd Wright speaking to his contemporaries, indignant, asking what took them so long to recognize Louis Sullivan and his genius in the architectural field?

Discussing the book "The eagle forgotten: the life of John Peter Altgeld" with the author Harry Barnard.

Non-fiction author Carl Smith discusses his latest work which focuses on the history of Chicago. Topics covered include labor movements, specifically the Pullman strike and the 1970's case trial with the Chicago Seven.