Perspective Podcast - May 17, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

OJ Simpson Takes the Stand
OJ Simpson is best known for his successful football career and his headline-grabbing 1995 murder case.  But this week he was back in the public eye after spending the last five years behind bars.  Simpson was found guilty of armed robbery in 2008 and sentenced to up to 33 years in prison.  Now he's trying to convince a judge in Las Vegas that he deserves a new trial.  More from ABC's Neal Karlinsky.

Angelina Jolie
This week Angelina Jolie went public about her effort to combat breast cancer.  The movie star wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times, revealing she underwent a double mastectomy to lower her probability of contracting the disease.  ABC's Cynthia McFadden has the details.

What's Your Klout Score?
Some would argue that online popularity is measured in likes and retweets.  But does your social media footprint have the power to influence others?  The founder of Klout.com says it does and your influence can be measured using a number between one and 100.  Here's ABC's Bill Weir.

Guardian Angels
In the moments when they're fighting for survival, some people have reported an overwhelming sense of calm piercing through the panic.  It's repeatedly described as a spiritual or divine experience, but is it other-worldly or a synapse in the brain?  ABC's Jay Schadler (shade - ler) reports on the work of so-called guardian angels.

Duck Dynasty
Duck Dynasty is the most-watched series on A&E, and it's back for a third season.  Since the show's premiere, the Robertsons have become America's favorite big-bearded, camo-clad family.  Despite their modest beginnings, they've made a fortune on duck calls by turning a backyard business into a multi-million dollar sporting empire.  Here's ABC's Matt Gutman.

Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick has become a household name as the only female racer in the world of Nascar ... a sport known for daredevil drivers competing at dangerous speeds.  But Patrick has also faced a wave of criticism from those who say she's just a pretty face.  ABC's Julie Foudy explains.

Barbara Walters Announces Retirement
This week Barbara Walters announced she will retire from television in 20-14.  She was the first woman on a network evening news program and became well-known for her interviews with newsmakers from all walks of life.  More from ABC's David Muir.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - May 10, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

Breaking Free
For a decade, Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight lived in captivity, until Berry escaped this week to call for help.  Now authorities in Cleveland are learning more about their alleged captor and the conditions in which the women were kept.  With one suspect in custody, the victims and their families are beginning the healing process, while authorities continue their investigation.  We should warn you, some of the details about what happened to the victims is disturbing.  Here's ABC's Byron Pitts.

Surviving Captivity
Far too many victims have faced years of confinement and suffering at the hands of their captors.  From the three young women in Cleveland, to Jaycee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart, how do they survive through those dark days in captivity?  ABC's John Donvan reports.

Jodi Arias Found Guilty
After four months of evidence, tearful accounts of self-defense, and gruesome details about the killing of Travis Alexander, the trial of Jodi Arias neared its end this week when an Arizona jury found her guilty of murder in the first degree.  The same jury now holds her life in its hands.  ABC's Ryan Owens reports from Phoenix.

Stop and Frisk
For millions of Americans, the sight of a policeman instills a sense of security.  But for others, encounters with law enforcement breed fear, frustration, and anger.  They say officers are bent more on intimidation than serving and protecting.  More from ABC's Bill Weir.

Dirty Money?
Now to an alleged gambling scam that might have you thinking twice before choosing a charity.  It involves slot machines, US veterans, and a lot of money.  Here's ABC's Matt Gutman.

Beyonce
She's on billboards, magazine covers, and movie screens across the country.  Beyonce has risen to immense fame since her days as a part of Destiny's Child, but last month she made headlines for a different reason.  ABC's Amy Robach sat down with the star to get the details.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - May 3, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

Amanda Knox Speaks, Part 1
Amanda Knox was an American student in Italy for just six weeks before she was arrested -- accused of murdering her roommate.  She would go on to spend 1,400 nights in prison until she was acquitted and set free.  But now a third Italian court has ruled she must stand trial again.  Knox sat down to speak with ABC's Diane Sawyer, and as she says in the title of her new book, she spent a long time "Waiting to be Heard."

Amanda Knox Speaks, Part 2
On November 1st, 2007, a surveillance camera in Perugia, Italy showed a small moving dot, believed to be Meredith Kercher heading towards her home.  That night, she would be killed in her bedroom, and her roommate, Amanda Knox, would be charged with her murder.  Once again, here's ABC's Diane Sawyer.

Amanda Knox Speaks, Part 3
After the murder of Meredith Kercher, police interrogated Amanda Knox and her boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito.  Once the trial began, there would be two central questions for the jury to consider.  Does the behavior of Amanda Knox prove she's a killer?  And does the prosecutor present evidence beyond a reasonable doubt?  Once again, here's ABC's Diane Sawyer.

Amanda Knox Speaks, Part 4
After her first trial, Amanda Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison.  After her boyfriend of seven days refused to turn on her, his sentence was 25 years.  And Rudy Guede received just 16 years because of his cooperation with authorities.  Again, here's ABC's Diane Sawyer.

Amanda Knox Speaks, Part 5
After spending four years in an Italian prison, Amanda Knox says she is no longer the same person as she once was.  Knox thought her ordeal was over when an appeals court threw out her conviction and she came home to Seattle in 2011.  Now she faces a third trial.  Once again, here's ABC's Diane Sawyer.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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