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.

Dr. Williard Gaylen, a physician and professor of psychiatry at Columbia, discusses how feelings define humanity. He explains that there are no "bad" or "good" feelings, because even anxiety and guilt are strictly human emotions. Dr. Gaylen also talks about how envy is the only useless feeling. Two recordings of people talking about pride and guilt are also played.

Dr. Erich Fromm explains how he believes the Cold War was a moment of change for humanity where it would either bring about a "renaissance of humanism or immense bloodshed and barbarism for decades to come." Using his study into humanism, Dr. Fromm warns about how the love of death can overtake the love of life as nationalism and group narcissism takes hold in different countries. He goes on to explain that humanity has to decide that they have a right to demand independence and freedom.

Dr. Ronald Glasser talks about his book "The Greatest Battle," which explores cancer and the environmental factors that can cause it. He talks about smoking, food additives and diet, infectious diseases, and germs.

Making people aware that toxic chemicals in our everyday lives can cause cancer has been one of Dr. Samuel Epstein’s main goals. According to his book, “The Politics of Cancer,” the government really won’t step in until there is a public outcry.

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.

Architect Barry Byrne talks about Chicago architecture and urban planning, including past architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wrigh. Byrne discusses how "form follows function," is no longer important to architects and warns that fashion should not be followed, because buildings are forever.