Anna Deavere Smith discusses and demonstrates her unique character portrayals from her works "Fires in the Mirror" and "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992."

What started out as a 5-piece article on health care became Laurie Abraham's book, "Mama Might Be Better Off Dead: The Failure of Health Care in Urban America". Through her stories, Abraham points out the many hardships and catch-22 scenarios of some poor families. One woman, after caring for her mother all day, Julie, wanted to work part time in the evenings. However, she soon learned that she'd be making too much money and she'd no longer be eligible for Medicaid for herself and her children.

Discussing the play "Bleacher Bums: A Nine-Inning Comedy" with Richard Fiere and creator and actor Joe Mantegna.

Discussing the book, "Eighty Years at Hull House," and interviewing the co-author, Mary Lynn McCree Bryan. Mary Lynn McCree Bryan discusses the Hull House and its founders in Chicago, Illinois. Includes two clips of Florence Scala speaking: one about nature and about a tree that was taken down at Hull House and one about Jane Addams. Includes a clip of Jessie Binford discussing Jane Addams.

A conversation about the seventh installment in the V.I. Warshawski mystery series.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Authors Richard Cahan and John Vinci discuss architecture and photography in Chicago, focusing on the works of Richard Nickel and Louis Sullivan. Includes an interview with Richard Nickel.

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.

Discussing the book "Apostle of Peace: Essays in Honor of Daniel Berrigan," with essayist and poet Father Daniel Berrigan.

Discussing the book "The Chicagoization of America, 1893-1917" (published by Chicago Historical Bookworks) with Chicago author Kenan Heise.