Studs Terkel Archive Podcast

First broadcast on March 05, 1981.

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 he considers a religious experience. Studs reads what Richard Goldstein said about Dr. Leary. Studs and Leary discuss how turning on can benefit society.

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

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 burden to his son. Through television, Brando believed that today’s kids are cynical because they’re being sold lies and false truths. Brando’s final thoughts when asked, he wondered why so many microphones were being placed in front of him. He wondered why people would want to talk to him and/or listen to anything that he had to say.

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 people so many questions and Terkel’s reply was curiosity. Brando commented that the world is full of atomic bombs and the uncensored life of a politician is a dangerous one. Brando also talks about the meaning of life.

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 said, we are living a dream. We do not want strife in our lives, and yet he says it seems as though we seek it. Brando further explains that even though we have all the advantages, there is no sense of peace and no sense of well-being. He also stated that people will never see eye to eye.

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.

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.

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.