Studs Terkel Archive Podcast

Edward Said discusses the book "Covering Islam"

Discussing the book "Covering Islam" with the author Edward Said.

Bertrand Russell discusses science and world peace. Phyllis Evans discusses the National Health Plan ; part 1

Sir Bertrand Russell says scientists have a fundamental obligation to let the authorities know if and when what they're working on could lead to or cause a war. Russell claims, no matter the side, there are no winners as a result of war. The world could be a far better place, Russell explained, if it weren't for the fact of man's hatred toward other men. If one lives in the United States and has a grave illness or needs a major surgery, Phyllis Evans says one should not have to go into bankruptc...

Discussing the music of the Mothers of Invention and interviewing Frank Zappa

First broadcast on August 01, 1970. Discussing the music of the Mothers of Invention and interviewing Frank Zappa. Songs include "Who are the Brain Police," "Brown Shoes Don't Make It," "Concentration Moon," "Mom and Dad," "Bow Tie Daddy," "Harry, You're a Beast," "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?" "Trouble Every Day," "Very Distraughtening," "White Ugliness" and "There Will Come a Time."

Former halfway house residents discuss halfway houses

First broadcast on October 16, 1973. Discussion about halfway houses with a panel of former halfway house residents.

Peter Bogdanovich discusses the "Last Picure Show"

Reminiscing about baseball with former Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck, Jr.

First broadcast on February 17, 1981.

Ravi Shankar discusses playing the sitar

First broadcast on October 26, 1983. A master at playing the sitar, Ravi Shankar, also composed the music for the soundtrack of "Gandi". According to Shankar, there are 72 scales in Indian music and when he plays music, 90% of it is improvisation. Younger people became interested in playing the instrument after Shankar announced he was teaching George Harrison of the Beatles how to play the sitar. There is an excerpt of an interview with Shankar from 22 years ago, to the date of this program.

Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward discuss the book "All the President's Men"

First broadcast on June 21, 1974. Washington Post journalists discuss their book "All the President's Men" about breaking the Watergate scandal.

Alan Lomax discusses collecting international folk music ; part 2

First broadcast on June 30, 1959. This 1959 broadcast was recorded after Alan Lomax traveled Europe collecting folk music.

Alan Lomax discusses collecting international folk music ; part 1

First broadcast on June 30, 1959. This 1959 broadcast was recorded after Alan Lomax traveled Europe collecting folk music.

Discussing racial inequality in America with historian John Hope Franklin

First broadcast on March 15, 1979.

Discussing the book "Molly Ivins Can't Say That, Can She?" with journalist and author Molly Ivins

First broadcast on October 25, 1991.

John Prine discusses songwriting and growing up in Southern Illinois

They briefly discuss coal mining in Appalachia, specifically Blackey Kentucky. Includes an interview with Joe Begley a coal miner from Blackey, Kentucky.

Cesar Chavez discusses farm labor rights

Cesar Chavez discusses the United Farm Workers effort to gain rights for farm laborers and his childhood that led him to become a labor rights activist.

Bob Newhart discusses his comedic craft

First broadcast on April 13, 1960. Comedian and actor Bob Newhart discusses his career and his life before becoming a comedian; excerpt from his stand-up performance is played.

Andres Segovia discusses his life and career as a classical guitarist

First broadcast on February 02, 1978. Studs interview with Andres Segovia about his life in Grenada and how he came to play the guitar as an orchestra instrument. Segovia speaks to the history of the guitar and other instruments as classical musical instruments. They discuss Segovia's choice of instrument, how he gives back to his genre, how he stays vibrant at his age, and how he and his audiences relate. Segovia explains his desires for the guitar in the philharmonic world. Studs notes how Seg...

Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry discuss their careers as blues musicians

First broadcast on January 28, 1970. Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry discuss their careers as blues musicians and longtime collaborators. The close relationship between Terry and McGhee is apparent as they perform a number of original and traditional songs during the interview. Songs have been removed due to copyright.

Toni Morrison reads from and talks about her book "Sula"

First broadcast on April 16, 1974. Studs Terkel interviews writer Toni Morrison. This interview begins with a reading from the book, "Sula" by Morrison Morrison continues to read excerpts from her novel "Sula" and discusses her literature.

Susan Sontag discusses Tuberculosis

First broadcast on June 30, 1978. Sontag reads from "Illness as Metaphor" and discusses differences between diseases, particularly tuberculosis and cancer, regarding historic understanding and cultural representation.

Mike Royko discussing the book "Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago"

First broadcast on March 15, 1971. Chicago newspaper columnist Mike Royko discusses his book "Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago" and its subject, former Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley.

Discussing "Sweeny Todd" with Angela Lansbury

First broadcast on February 19, 1981.

Gage Park residents discuss race relations and racial integration at Gage Park High School ; part 2

First broadcast on August 04, 1970. A diverse panel of Gage Park residents discuss racial integration at Gage Park High School, neighborhood change, and race relations in general.

Gage Park residents discuss race relations and racial integration at Gage Park High School ; part 1

First broadcast on August 04, 1970. A diverse panel of Gage Park residents discuss racial integration at Gage Park High School, neighborhood change, and race relations in general.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. discusses civil rights in regards to his "I Have a Dream" speech

First broadcast on October 22, 1964. Studs Terkel interviews Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the home of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. They discuss King's "I Have a Dream" speech that he made in 1963, at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. At the end of the program there are various gospel music selections featuring Jackson and others.

Discussing the book "The Haymarket Tragedy," with the author, historian Paul Avrich

First broadcast on December 27, 1984.

Howard Vincent discusses foreign languages and Herman Melville

First broadcast on December 22, 1959. Foreign language expert Howard Vincent talks with Studs Terkel about foreign languages, Herman Melville, “Moby Dick,” and other literary works.

Discussing the book "The New Russians" with the author, journalist Hedrick Smith

First broadcast on December 13, 1990. Program includes an excerpt of a May 1990 interview with Russian journalist Vitaly Korotich.

Pete Hamill in conversation with Studs Terkel

First broadcast on December 09, 1977.

Federico Fellini and actors discuss their film "La Dolce Vita" and the character Steiner

First broadcast on December 01, 1962. Studs Terkel plays interview clips of actors [Marcello Mastroianni and Alain Cuny] and the director Federico Fellini discussing their film "La Dolce Vita" and the character Steiner. At the beginning of the program Studs Terkel interviews Nelson Algren, a writer, and Mario Devecki (a person who made the film "La Dolce Vita" happen) about La Dolce Vita and Steiner.

Muhammad Ali discusses his book "The Greatest: My Own Story"

First broadcast on November 26, 1975. Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion. Muhammad Ali discusses his book "The Greatest: My Own Story," touching on topics including ...