Perspective Podcast - November 7, 2014

In this edition of Perspective...

Midterm Election Roundup
This past week's midterm elections were a big win for the Republicans. The GOP grabbed the majority in the Senate after an election that saw Democrats lose races in key states. To break it all down, ABC's Dan Harris sat down with ABC News Political Analyst Matt Dowd, former White House staffer and "The View" co-host Nicole Wallace, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, conservative commentator Bill Kristol, and former Obama senior advisor David Plouffe:

Independent Voters
Before and since the election we've heard a great deal from Democrats and Republicans - from President Obama to incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.  Both sides spent billions of dollars attacking each other in campaign ads. But about a third of voters call themselves independent.  ABC's Richard Davies spoke to independent and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura for his take on the election:

Meth Houses
You're about to meet one law-abiding family who got quite the shock after moving in to their dream house. That's because it used to be a meth lab…and it was literally making them sick. Turns out there may be quite a few of these homes on the market. ABC's Alex Perez has the details:

Satanic Preacher
"The Pope of Santanism." That's what one preacher in Oklahoma has dubbed himself...he worships the devil in plain sight and doesn't hide from his past run-ins with the law. The small community he lives in sure has noticed…and they're not staying quiet. Here's ABC's Byron Pitts:

Former Rivals Talk Watergate
They were two men entrenched in the Watergate scandal. John Dean was White House counsel during the cover-up; Bob Woodward led the charge in uncovering the scandal for the Washington Post. For the first time, they sit down for an interview together to talk about Watergate and the editor in charge of the Post at the time - the late Ben Bradlee. ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl asked the questions:

Secrets Of A Geisha
What do you think of when you hear the word "geisha?" For many of us, we think of the Japanese tradition made popular by movies and books. But there are geishas still around, working…ABC's Juju Chang sat down with one of them:

"On The Town"
A classic American musical has come back to Broadway.  ABC News Entertainment correspondent Bill Diehl is here to take us to "On the Town:"  

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  David Rind

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Perspective Podcast - October 31, 2014

In this edition of Perspective...

Three Races To Watch
We're just days away from the midterm elections, with races that could impact the political landscape for years to come. With a look at three crucial races in key states, we turn to ABC's "This Week" host Martha Raddatz who spoke with reporters following the action:

Could GOP Senate Work With President Obama?
So what happens if Republicans do take control of the Senate? They only need to pick up six seats to grab the majority. If it happens, how will President Obama co-exist with a GOP controlled Senate...and will they work with him? ABC's Scott Goldberg posed the question to Republican strategist and ABC News Political Analyst Trey Hardin:

Race & Politics
It seems sometimes race is playing a big factor in elections, from the issues on the ballot right down to the candidates themselves. With more, here's ABC's Andy Field with ABC News Political Director Rick Klein:

Ebola Doctor Diary
The doctors who volunteer their time to treat Ebola patients in West Africa have been thrust into the spotlight after one of their own was put into quarantine upon landing in New Jersey despite testing negative for the virus. But few know exactly what these doctors from around the world are doing over there...so one of them is telling us in her own words. Here's ABC's Tom Rivers at the Foreign Desk:

Shipping Container Medical Units
The Ebola epidemic in West Africa has cast a harsh spotlight on the desperate need in the developing world for basic, rudimentary health care in developing countries…but there are charities reaching out, trying to help. ABC's Karen Chase has more on one of them:

Heroin In Suburbia
Getting hooked on painkillers is expensive…so now, people in America's suburbs are turning to a cheaper, more intense alternative - heroin. It's a problem that law enforcement says is only getting worse. How are these drugs ending up in our neighborhoods? ABC News Senior Justice Department Correspondoent Pierre Thomas has the details:

Stopping Identity Theft
It's the crime your'e hearing about more and more - identity theft. From individual's accounts to big businesses like Target and Home Depot, thieves are doing all they can to steal your information. But now, a convicted crook is turning the tables by showing authorities how it's done. ABC's Neal Karlinsky has the story:

Halloween Mask Origin Story
This past week was Halloween. And nothing says Halloween more than a mask that you slip on over your face to transform into someone else. But do you know how the mask came to be? We spoke to someone who does:

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  David Rind

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Perspective Podcast - September 24, 2014

In this special edition of Perspective...

"Loving Your Cancer Away"
Breast cancer affects one in eight  American women. That means if you stand in a room with eight of your friends, loved ones or acquaintances, co-workers who are women - one of them will have cancer at some point in her lifetime.  Jillian Veran Rezo was one of those eight.  She is not only a dear patient of mine, but she's a survivor - and what we like to call here at ABC - a cancer "thriver":

Breast Cancer & Pregnancy
Breast cancer can be tough enough to deal with on its own. What happens if you are diagnosed and your future dreams include having a baby?  Does that mean you cannot conceive?   The short answer is no as we hear from one new mom - and breast cancer survivor - who held off on chemo - so she could harvest her eggs.  ABC's Cheri Preston tells us more:

Early Detection Skin Device
Technology has been a huge help when it comes to detecting breast cancer early. More than 38-million mammograms are performed each year in the U.S, and they have been helping - the death rate from breast cancer is down 34 percent since 1990. Here's ABC's Aaron Katersky with a look at one device that could fine-tune doctor's efforts to snuff out breast cancer early on:

Breast Cancer Journey App
When you get breast cancer, it can mean a ton of hospital visits - and a lot of paperwork, adding to the stress of being sick. But there's a new app that promises to be the helping hand throughout this entire process. ABC's Jim Ryan explains:

Men & Breast Cancer
All month long, we're going Pink here at ABC News to raise awareness about breast cancer and to highlight the stories of those who have risen above it all. But let's not forget about the men. Over two-thousand men every year are diagnosed with this disease, not to mention the guys supporting their mothers, sisters and spouses who are diagnosed. One former rock star recently got the shock of his life at the doctor's...ABC's Scott Goldberg has his story:

The "Angelina Effect"
Angelina Jolie made headlines last year when she revealed her plans to undergo a preventive double mastectomy after she found out that  she carries the BRCA gene, which puts a person at  higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Well, that's had a ripple effect - researchers found that in the six months following her announcement, testing for the gene has doubled. ABC's Karen Chase has the story:

Country Music Stars & Cancer
There's also a duo of country music stars pitching in in the fight against breast cancer. Amy Grant and Kellie Pickler have both had people close to them touched by the disease, and they have not stood still. ABC's Daria Albinger explains:

Amy Robach's Journey
Finally, a story about one of our own here at ABC. Good Morning America co-anchor and my friend Amy Robach was diagnosed with breast cancer last year after undergoing a mammogram on live TV. It was a bold step that changed her life, but she hasn't missed a beat. She spent the last year spreading the word and helping others and is telling us why she's a true "thriver:"

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Ashton
Producer:  Cristi Landes & David Rind

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