Studs Terkel Archive Podcast

Parents of school children talk about integration and busing

First broadcast on August 26, 1981. Interviewing Karen Grzybek, Barbara Tekiela and Mark Smith, parents of Chicago schoolchildren.

Oliver W. Sacks discusses his patients from the book "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat"; part 2

First broadcast on December 04, 1985. Dr. Oliver W. Sacks details his experiences and approaches to helping patients with various intellectual and physical neurological disorders; part 2.

Interviewing Ralph Ellison ; part 2

Interviewing Ralph Ellison ; part 1

Mr Bugliosi and Mr. Gentry discuss, "Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders"

First broadcast on November 06, 1974. Mr Bugliosi and Mr. Gentry discuss, "Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders,". Bugliosi was the prosecutor in the case against the Manson "family" for the murders of Sharon Tate and others. The interview opens with "Home is where you are happy" performed by Charles Manson and an excerpt of Catherine Shur Manson's sister talking about her brother. They speak in depth on the Manson "family" and the key players in the murders; Susan Atkins, Steve ...

London taxi driver discusses changes in London and speaks about present-day youth culture ; part 1

During a visit to London, Studs interviews a 73 year old cab driver in London, who has 50 years on the job. They discuss traffic jams, the elderly and the young, poverty, welfare, and society. Studs also interviews a number of people attending the Tate Gallery's Lichtenstein Exhibition.

Louis Armstrong discusses music

First broadcast on June 24, 1962. In a nightclub in Chicago, at two in the morning and after a performance, Louis Armstrong talks about his music stylings. Notes are good to learn the tune, says Armstrong, but it's all about the phrasing. Armstrong explained, it's up to you to express yourself. Armstrong shared the one piece of advice that had always stuck with him. King Oliver told Armstrong not to worry about the notes but rather to put some lead into the song.

Marshall McLuhan discusses a wide range of philosophical topics

First broadcast on July 01, 1966. Marshall McLuhan discusses a wide range of topics including conformity, changes in entertainment media, cultural change, art and artists, originality in dance, reading and language, human interaction with nature, and technology. Recorded in front of a live audience at Kendall College, McLuhan takes several questions from the audience throughout the program.

Rita Moreno discusses her role in West Side Story ; part 2

First broadcast on June 13, 1962. Rita Moreno talks about her own Puerto Rican ethnicity and how it relates to her role as Anita in West Side Story.

Rita Moreno discusses her role in West Side Story ; part 1

First broadcast on June 13, 1962. Rita Moreno talks about her own Puerto Rican ethnicity and how it relates to her role as Anita in West Side Story.

Robert Caro reads from and discusses his book "The Years of Lyndon Johnson"

First broadcast on December 09, 1982. Discussing "The years of Lyndon Johnson, Vol 1: the path to power" with the biographer Robert Caro.

Ian McKellan discusses National Theatre of Great Britain's performance of Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" at the Blackstone Theatre in Chicago

First broadcast on May 07, 1986.

Interview with members of the Chicago 8

First broadcast on March 26, 1988. Interviewing Abbie Hoffman, Bobby Seale, and Dave Dellinger of the Chicago 8.

Interviewing Howard Zinn ; part 2

Interviewing Howard Zinn ; part 1

Woody Allen discusses his work as a comedic writer and performer

First broadcast on June 01, 1965. Woody Allen discusses his life and art, the influence of both success and failure on his work, and how he finds comedy in life’s difficulties and trials. He discusses his first screenplay, “What’s Up Pussycat?” and other comedians who have influenced the development of his own comedic work, including Mort Sahl, Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Brothers, and George S. Kaufman.

Terkel reads from "The Swimmer" and interviews author John Cheever

Stuart Dybek reads from and discusses his book "The Coast of Chicago"

First broadcast on May 07, 1990. Hearing Chopin being played through the pipes of another apartment and a tale about a young girl who died and whose father froze her body in an ice house are among the stories in Stuart Dybek's book, "The Coast of Chicago." Dybek explained that although his stories may seem dream-like, he tries to come up up with stories from some place of reality.

Interviewing Tuskegee Airmen Ralph Orduna, Sammy Rayner, Col. Bill Thompson, and Judge John W. Rogers

First broadcast on February 05, 1985.

Interviewing students at Metro High School on the Near North Side of Chicago

Metro High School on the Near North Side of Chicago is only one of three high schools in the country that operates without walls and uses the resources of the city for learning. Four students convey how marine biology is taught at the Shed Aquarium, radio production at WIMD, TV production at Dick Barnett studio WMAQ, drafting at architectural firms and blue collar jobs at factories.

Discussing the book, "The Nazi/Skokie Conflict: A Civil Liberties Battle," and interviewing the author David Hamlin

First broadcast on March 05, 1981.

Dr. Timothy Leary discusses the stages of the psychadelic experience of turning on and his role as a Shaman ; part 2

First broadcast on December 01, 1966. Studs interviews Dr. Timothy Leary about the three stages of the psychadelic experience: turning on, tuning in, and dropout. Leary discusses how his life changed from being a successful psychologist and professor at Harvard to renewing his life as a religious teacher. He shares how the drug LSD is used in the tribal communities who turn on and also explains the values of those who practice turning on. Leary also describes other methods used to turn on, which...

Heinrich Gruber and Howard Schomer discuss Nazi Germany and resistance

German theologian Heinrich Gruber and pastor Howard Schomer discuss Nazi Germany and resistance

Marlon Brando discusses his views on mankind ; part 3

First broadcast on April 19, 1963. 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. In conclusion, Marlon Brando added that his being a famous actor posed an ugly and difficult b...

Marlon Brando discusses his views on mankind ; part 2

First broadcast on April 19, 1963. 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. In a surprising twist, Marlon Brando asks Studs Terkel why he is so obsessed with asking peopl...

Marlon Brando discusses his views on mankind ; part 1

First broadcast on April 19, 1963. 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. Self-righteousness and values are topics covered by Marlon Brando. Here in the states, Brando ...

Jack Anderson discusses his book "Confessions of a Muckraker: The Inside Story of Life in Washington During the Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson Years"

First broadcast on May 23, 1979. Political commentator Jack Anderson talks about his career, from his beginnings as a war correspondent in WWII, to his time under his mentor Drew Pearson.

Interviewing Hiroshima survivors Hibakusha and Orizuru

Interview with Maurice Sendak

First broadcast on November 12, 1984. Discussing the books "Nutcracker," "The Love for Three Oranges: The Glyndebourne Version," "Where the Wild Things Are," and "Outside Over There" with author and artist Maurice Sendak.

Father Daniel Berrigan discusses his life

First broadcast on June 01, 1972. Fr. Daniel Berrigan speaks about his early life, and relationship with his family, on his becoming a priest, and on being an anti-Vietnam War activist.