Lear's husband is a doctor who has heart failure, and together, the couple deals with the medical professionals who make errors and who get angry when a second opinion is requested. Nothing prepared Lear for the utter helplessness and rage that she experienced.

Ellen Chesler discusses and reads from her book "Woman of Valor: Margaret Sanger and the Birth Control Movement in America." Throughout her interview, Chesler discusses additional prominent women in this movement such as Emma Goldman, Jane Addams, and Ethel Byrne. Studs plays "The Women's Marseillaise" - Mascottes Ladies Band (1908-1911) and "Bread and Roses" - Judy Collins (1976).

Marie Cardinal discusses her book "The Words To Say It: An Autobiographical Novel" with the publisher and translator of the book, Pat Goodheart. This novel explores childhood trauma, mental health, menstrual problems, and a complex mother-daughter relationship. The primary focus of this novel is to recount how psychoanalysis served as a healing experience for Cardinal later in life.

Alfred Alvarez, poet and author, talks about his new book, "The Savage God," and how depression and suicide affects people. He talks about his past experience with his friend Sylvia Plath and the end of her life. The two men also discuss the history of suicide including the Greeks, Judas, Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Alvarez also talks about famous artists who have committed suicide and why the 20th century may have caused so many suicides. Alvarez reads the opening passage and epilogue of his book.

Philip Hilts, an author and journalist, discusses behavior modification and it advantages and dangers. He delves into B. F. Skinner and Ivan Pavlov's work and explains how behavior modification is used today. Hilts discusses cases used in prisons, schools, and workplaces. Hilts also talks about typical medications given to children who are said to experience hyperactivity.

Arnold A. Hutschnecker, a doctor with specialization in psychiatry, talks about his book, "The Drive For Power." He explores mental illness and its negative connotation. He explores how people who look for power tend to need mental help, but that the negative stigma around it tends to make them shy away, which leads to national aggravation and war. He also recalls his meetings with Richard Nixon from before he was president and how continued help may have changed the Vietnam War.

Dr. Richard Selzer, a surgeon, reads essays from his book, "Mortal Lesson: Notes on the Art of Surgery." Dr. Selzer recalls moments of his profession that stuck with him including the removal of a diabetic women's leg and the removal of a botfly larvae. He also takes a poetic look at the liver and the skin, including a story about Henry Moss. Dr. Selzer finishes his interview with a story about his first time witnessing an abortion. A comedy skit by Mike Nichols and Elaine May is also played.

Naomi Glasser talks about her book "What Are You Doing: How People Are Helped Through Reality Therapy," by discussing cases where reality therapy has worked on patients with selective mutism, depression, relationship problems, and mental illnesses.

Don Gold, writer and editor, discusses his book "Bellevue: A Documentary of a Large Metropolitan Hospital." He recounts his time spent following doctors and nurses in Bellevue in New York City and discusses how healthcare has become depersonalized. The conversation involves patients who are dealing with mental illnesses, abortions, attempted suicide and the terminally ill. The interview includes reading of passages from his book.

In his book, Solitude: A Return to the Self, the British author and psychiatrist explores the importance of time spent alone and how this fuels creativity. This program also includes a recording of Carl Sandburg reading poetry.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations