The New York City firefighter and writer reads from his book, The Final Fire, and discusses his two careers.  Includes a clip of an interview with Brooklyn firefighter Tommy Gates.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Jane Stern discusses her book, Trucker: A Portrait of the Last American Cowboy, and the life, culture, and myths of truck drivers. The program includes an excerpt from an interview with a truck driver named Paul Deitch.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Having grown up in an ever-changing industrial Detroit, Philip Levine believes that his poetry comes from an urge to memorialize details that might otherwise be lost.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Phil Janik talks about the little notes that he left for his wife and daughter before leaving for work every day. Phyllis Janik, inspired by her father's hard work and dedication, went on to pursue a career in poetry, fiction, and education.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Worker-writer Jack Conroy joins Studs to talk about his career, proletarian literature, and the reissue of his memorable 1930s novel The Disinherited.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

After being thoroughly disillusioned and disgusted with city life, Scott and Helen Nearing moved to a farm. They talk about homesteading in their book, "Living the Good Life: How to Live Sanely and Simply in a Troubled World". They built their house of stone and they farmed the land. They ate no meat, as they didn't believe in hunting or killing animals. The Nearings hadn't seen a doctor in over 40 years.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

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.

Robert del Tredici photographer, artist, and author discusses the history of nuclear weapon production plants around the United States and the effects of nuclear radiation.