Perspective is an award winning news magazine program that takes you beyond the headlines of today's stories and trends.

Friday
Nov112011

Perspective Podcast - November 11, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Conrad Murray's Fate
The jury in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, reached a verdict this week:  guilty.  Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the stars death nearly two-and-a-half years ago.  After six weeks of hearing evidence, it took the jury just under nine hours to decide that Murray's actions had cost Michael Jackson his life.  ABC's Jim Avila has the details.

Murder for Hire
We now turn from manslaughter to murder.  In movies, hiring a hitman usually involves a briefcase and a photograph ... works every time.  But in real life, paying to have someone killed is complicated and dangerous.  ABC's John Donvan has the story of three botched murder attempts and one incredibly complex marriage.

Allegations Against Herman Cain
In less than one year, Americans will go to the polls to select a president, and Herman Cain is still in the running ... despite the women who have now gone public with sexual harassment allegations against him.  He addressed the allegations this week in a press conference, where he denied any wrongdoing.  He also sat down with ABC's Jonathan Karl to explain his side of the story.

Birth Control Pill Danger
We now turn to women's health and one of the most popular pills on the market today ... but our reporting suggests that using it can increase the risk of dangerous side effects that may even cause death in young, otherwise healthy patients.  We spoke to one twenty-four year old woman who is convinced that this drug is the reason she ended up blind.  Hers is among the mounting claims that have prompted an FDA investigation.  ABC Chief Law Correspondent Chris Cuomo explains.

Iran's Nuclear Capabilities
Questions about Iran's nuclear program have been swirling for years, causing fear that they are secretly preparing to build a nuclear warhead.  The IAEA ... the UN's nuclear agency ... has issued a report that comes the closest yet to accusing Iran of working on a nuclear weapons device.  ABC's Christiane Amanpour has the details.

Leonardo Dicaprio and Clint Eastwood
They're the golden boy and the cowboy ... Jack Dawson and Dirty Harry ... and now for the first time ever, Leonardo DiCaprio and Clint Eastwood are pooling their star power to make a movie.  Eastwood is in the director's chair while DiCaprio portrays one of the most complicated figures in American history.  A man with such unbelievable power, even Hollywood couldn't make it up.  ABC's Terry Moran has more.

Bebe Neuwirth
When talking about a show business 'triple threat' the name Bebe Neuwirth comes to mind for many.  Bebe is a performer who's been on television and stage
for many years, and recently she paid a visit to our studios for a chat with ABC News Entertainment correspondent Bill Diehl.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or Stream this edition of the Perspective Podcast

Friday
Nov042011

Perspective Podcast - November 4, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Condoleezza Rice
A poll last month found that only 44-percent of military veterans and a mere 36-percent of civilians think the war in Iraq has been worth fighting.  But many of the leaders who took us into that war continue to see things differently, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.  ABC's George Stephanopoulos spoke with Rice about her time as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State during the Bush administration.

Confessions of a Gold Scammer
All currency is built on human trust ... a mass agreement that pieces of paper can be swapped for goods and labor ... faith that a dollar in the bank today will be there tomorrow.  But when fear replaces faith, many turn to the historic safety of gold.  But what happens when con-men exploit that urge for security?  We spoke to one such man who *could* be called the Bernie Madoff of gold scams ... using the allure of gold to steal tens of millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims.  While awaiting his prison sentence, he spoke to ABC Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross about how he chose his victims and tried to take them for all they were worth.

Kim and Kris Divorce
Kim Kardashian's brand has long since eclipsed her reality star beginnings.  For Kim, her recent blowout wedding with designer dresses and a 4 hour reality TV spectacle was just business as usual.  But this week ... a twist ... and questions about how the business might threaten the brand.  ABC's John Donvan has more.

Is Marriage Only for White People?
We now turn from divorce to marriage, and what some are calling the black girl curse.  It's a term used by a group of four friends ... single women in Atlanta.  They use the phrase to describe their marriage prospects.  The fact is, a staggering 70-percent of black women in America are unmarried ... compared to 45-percent of white women.  And according to one controversial author, the solution is for black women to stop waiting around for black men.  ABC's Linsey Davis tackles the issue..

A Miracle Baby
The storms struck with fury ... tornadoes ripped through the small town of Phil Campbell just over six months ago.  Much of the town was leveled, and 26 people were killed.  But there are also incredible stories of survival from that day.  ABC's Steve Osunsami reports on one such story.

Using Craigslist to Fight Crime
If you are one of the millions of people who shop for bargains on Craigslist, you've probably seen some *very* good deals.  But have you ever wondered why those iPads, computers, and other items on Craigslist are so cheap?  It may be that the merchandise is stolen.  And police investigators we spoke to have their eyes on it too.  Here's ABC's Neal Karlinksy.

Rosie O'Donnell Returns
She's won a bushel of Emmy's ... she's bold and irreverent ... and for the last four years she has not been on television.  But that's changed now that Oprah Winfrey has brought Rosie O'Donnell back, with a daily, live show on her OWN Network.  And as ABC's Cynthia McFadden explains, Rosie is as funny and feisty as ever.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or stream this edition of the Perspective Podcast

Friday
Oct282011

Perspective Podcast - October 28, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

The Two Sides of Steve Jobs
More than anyone in modern business, Steve Jobs knew how to create a bond with his customers.  But a new biography released this week reveals some of the *not-so-nice* things about Jobs.  While those who truly knew him may dispute the contents of the book, those who read it may never think of him the same way again.  ABC's Bill Weir spoke to Jobs' biographer, Walter Isaacson, about the man being mourned by millions.

The Madoffs Suicide Attempt
New information was revealed this week in the story of Bernie Madoff ... the man behind the ponzi scheme that tricked thousands of people out of millions of dollars.  Madoff's wife had been silent since his arrest, but this week she spoke for the first time in a 60 Minutes interview.  ABC Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross has the story.

Stephanie Madoff Mack, Part 1

Bernie Madoff is the face of financial wrongdoing on an epic scale.  His family was destroyed by his lies ... and one son would never recover.  In her new book, that son's wife, Stephanie, asks the questions we all have wondered.  Why would a father lay waste to his entire family?  And what could make a son feel he had no choice but to pay for the sins of his father?  Here's ABC's Chris Cuomo.

Stephanie Madoff Mack, Part 2
We now return to the story of the Madoff family ... torn apart by the man who stole his clients' money.  His daughter Stephanie even says he stole his son Mark's life.  Once again, here's ABC's Chris Cuomo.

Stephanie Madoff Mack, Part 3
We return now to the story of Stephanie Madoff ... daughter-in-law of infamous ponzi-schemer Bernie Madoff.  Stephanie chronicles the scandal and its devastating effect on her family in the new book, "The End of Normal."  ABC's Chris Cuomo has more from Stephanie as she remembers the moments after Bernie's arrest.

Stephanie Madoff Mack, Part 4
We now turn to the final chapter of Stephanie's story ... in the wake of father-in-law Bernie Madoffs scandal and arrest.  Once again, Here's ABC's Chris Cuomo.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or stream this edition of the Perspective Podcast







ABC News Radio