Studs Terkel Archive Podcast

Selections from the WFMT collection of Terkel’s radio interviews, delivered several times each week. An unofficial feed.

Last refreshed: July 17th, 2025 at 12:56 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Elia Kazan discusses the book "Acts of love"

First broadcast on July 14, 1978.

Jul 14, 2021•53 min

Reading poetry with actor Gary Merrill.

First broadcast on July 09, 1985. Terkel comments and reads poetry with Gary Merrill

Jul 09, 2021•45 min

Mel Brooks discusses his new movie "The Producers"

First broadcast on July 02, 1968. In this interview Mel Brooks discusses his new movie "The Producers". The following is discussed: the plot; the other actors in the film; the satirical and campy nature of the film; . Brooks performs several different impersonations throughout the interview.

Jul 02, 2021•42 min

Gore Vidal discusses his book “Lincoln”

First broadcast on June 22, 1984. Discussing the book "Lincoln" with the author Gore Vidal.

Jun 22, 2021•51 min

Richard Ford in conversation with Studs Terkel

First broadcast on June 19, 1990. Discussing the novel "Wildlife" (published by Atlantic Monthly Press) with the author Richard Ford.

Jun 19, 2021•52 min

Discussing the Samuel Beckett play "Waiting For Godot; Tragicomedy in 2 Acts," with Irish actors Barry McGovern and Johnny Murphy. McGovern portrays Vladimir and Murphy portrays Estragon in a production staged by the Dublin Gate Theatre

First broadcast on June 15, 1992.

Jun 15, 2021•52 min

Discussing the book "Fates Worse Than Death: An Autobiographical Collage of the 1980s" with the author Kurt Vonnegut

First broadcast on June 14, 1991.

Jun 14, 2021•52 min

Rosa Parks and Myles Horton discuss the Highlander Folk School, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the American Civil Rights Movement

First broadcast on June 08, 1973. Rosa Parks and Myles Horton discuss the importance of the Highlander Folk School, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the American Civil Rights Movement. The story of these two prominent figures of the Civil Rights Movement have intervened in their fight for social equality. Includes a fragment of an interview with E. D. Nixon well known civil rights leader.

Jun 08, 2021•55 min

Edmund White talks about his book "States of Desire"

First broadcast on June 05, 1980. Edmund White talks about his book "States of Desire: Travels in Gay America," published in 1980.

Jun 05, 2021•54 min

Survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bomb discuss the event and nuclear nonproliferation

First broadcast on May 31, 1982. Discussing Hiroshima and nuclear nonproliferation with survivors of the Hiroshima bomb of August 6, 1945 and activists organizing against nuclear proliferation.

May 31, 2021•55 min

Soviet intellectuals discuss Soviet arts and culture

First broadcast on May 28, 1962. Soviet intellectuals Tamara Mamedova, Nicolai Pogodin, and Anatol Safronov talk with Studs Terkel about their work with the Institute for Soviet-American Relations (U.S.) and Soviet arts and culture.

May 28, 2021•1 sec

Jimmy Breslin, journalist and author discusses his book about the Watergate Affair

First broadcast on May 22, 1975. Discussing "How the Good Guys Finally Won : Notes from an Impeachment Summer" and interviewing Jimmy Breslin.

May 22, 2021•53 min

Studs talks to people on the street and in Lincoln Park at the Be-In on Mothers Day 1967 ; part 2

First broadcast on May 14, 1967. Studs Terkel spends time walking around the Lincoln Park Be-In Mother's Day, 1967. He talks to people of all walks of life and generations. The question, "What is a Be-In?" is posed to all he talks to.

May 15, 2021•26 min

Studs talks to people on the street and in Lincoln Park at the Be-In on Mothers Day 1967; part 1

May 14, 2021•47 min

Terkel comments, reads from Charles Dickens and interviews British Actor George Harland

First broadcast on May 10, 1982. Readings (3) from Charles Dickens and interviewing with British Actor George Harland.

May 10, 2021•39 min

Interviewing Marcel Marceau in Paris while Studs was in France ; part 2

First broadcast on May 07, 1960.

May 08, 2021•27 min

Interviewing Marcel Marceau in Paris while Studs was in France ; part 1

First broadcast on May 07, 1960.

May 07, 2021•30 min

Interviewing Sun-Times editorial cartoonist Jacob Burck

First broadcast on April 27, 1959.

Apr 27, 2021•41 min

Discussing film with Harold Hayden, Pauline Kael, Arthur Knight, Jerry Teminer and Parker Tyler

First broadcast on April 25, 1963.

Apr 25, 2021•1 hr 10 min

Discussing South Africa with South African expatriates, Reverend Theodore and Helen Koetze

First broadcast on April 21, 1980.

Apr 21, 2021•56 min

Dolores Huerta discusses workers' rights

First broadcast on April 16, 1975. Activist Dolores Huerta of United Farm Workers discusses farm laborers and immigrant rights; includes excerpt of Cesar Chavez, excerpt from Viva La Causa, and interview with Roberto Acuna.

Apr 16, 2021•50 min

Jonathon Kozol discusses his book "Free schools" and education

First broadcast on April 11, 1972. Discussing the book, "Free schools," and interviewing the author Jonathan Kozol. Jonathon Kozol also discusses education. Includes interview clip of Kermit Eby.

Apr 11, 2021•56 min

Dizzy Gillespie discusses the art of jazz ; part 2

First broadcast on March 30, 1961. Part 2 of the program continues with Dizzy Gillespie discovering the following: his jazz style; his interactions with other musicians; and his latin musical influences. The following Gillespie musical excerpts are played: "Tin Tin Deo"; "La Lorraine"; and an musical piece (with an undisclosed title) is played to end the program.

Mar 31, 2021•23 min

Dizzy Gillespie discusses the art of jazz ; part 1

First broadcast on March 30, 1961. Part 1 of this program begins with Studs Terkel reading an excerpt from the book "Giants of Jazz" , which describes Dizzy Gillespie's early life. Gillespie discusses the following: the state of jazz; his fellow musicians; jazz contributors; jazz fundamentals; and his tours abroad. Gillespie's "Groovin' High" is played towards the end of this part of the program.

Mar 30, 2021•11 min

Interviewing former CIA agent David MacMichael

First broadcast on March 24, 1995. MacMichael testified in front of the World Court at the Hague in 1985 about the United States government's activities with anti-Sandinista contra forces in Nicaragua and President Reagan's knowledge of such events.

Mar 24, 2021•54 min

Ray Bradbury discusses his books

First broadcast on March 18, 1992.

Mar 18, 2021•44 min

Discussing the book, "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72." with Hunter S. Thompson

First broadcast on March 14, 1973. Discussing the book, "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72." Includes a clip of Ron Kovic speaking at the Nixon campaign headquarters, courtesy of KPFA/Pacifica Archives.

Mar 14, 2021•53 min

Maya Angelou discusses her book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"

First broadcast on March 13, 1970. Angelou discusses her book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and recites "When I Think About Myself." She talks about growing up in Stamps, Arkansas, and her family. Copyrighted material has been removed.

Mar 13, 2021•48 min

Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs talk about their writing

First broadcast on March 11, 1975. Writers Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs discuss life and their writing; passages from their writing are read by the authors and clip is played of interview with Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, and Peter Orlovsky.

Mar 11, 2021•40 min

Studs talks with versatile actor, singer, performer Danny Kaye

First broadcast on March 08, 1963. Studs talks with versatile actor, singer, performer Danny Kaye who opens up about his worldwide appeal to children and adults alike, relating to children on their terms, his father's influence, the skills and work that go into his crafts, and much more. Kaye reveals his lack of musical training yet details his comic conducting talents ala Victor Borge via his charity work. The conversation continues with talk of his variety show performances, his fondness for S...

Mar 08, 2021•43 min

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