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.

Oria and Iain Douglas-Hamilton discuss their lives among the elephants at Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania. They talk about the elephant life-cycle and the elephant social behavior. The two also discuss conservation and preservation of elephants across Africa.

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.

Author and journalist Tom Wolfe discusses his new book, "In Our Time," which focuses on the ever-changing culture and ethics of America. Drawing examples from his cartoons he discusses how the counterculture of the 1960s, TV evangelists, politicians, and actors are challenging mores and values of the American people.

Stage director Alan Schneider talks about his work with playwrights, Samuel Beckett and Edward Albee. Plays include "Waiting for Godot," "A Delicate Balance," and "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Every play is political and art isn’t easy, according to Edward Albee. People need to realize that going to the theatre is an arena of engagement rather than one of escapism, says Albee. Due to people’s lack of knowledge and self-awareness, we in society, we deserve everything bad that we get, are also part of Albee’s views.