Perspective Podcast - September 5, 2014

In this edition of Perspective...

Joan Rivers
Hollywood is mourning the loss of another comedy icon. Joan Rivers passed away this week at the age of 81 after going into cardiac arrest during an outpatient procedure last week. She blazed a trail for women in comedy while never holding back. And in the end, it seemed like she had no regrets about her life and the way she lived it. ABC's Juju Chang has a look back at Joan Rivers' memorable life:

Celebrity Photo Hack
It's the celebrity photo hack that shook up social media. Nude pictures of Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton and other Hollywood celebrities, leaked to the Internet stolen from their hacked iPhones. Now, new warnings about about these types of attacks - and tips on how to keep your data safe. ABC News Chief Business and Economics Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis has more:

Arson Or Not?
An arson squad in Phoenix was known as one of the most effective in the country…until it all came crashing down after an investigation raised more troubling questions about their methods. ABC's Byron Pitts has more:

Counterfeit Concert Tickets
When your favorite artists go on tour, tickets can sell out fast. But a warning for those trying to find deals online or on the street...some of those tickets could be counterfeit.  ABC's Mara Schiavocampo explains:

Lunchtime Lipo
Plastic surgery is big business for people who want a fast fix for their perceived physical flaws. Now, an even quicker fix has women lining up - and sometimes going back to work right afterwords. ABC's Linzie Janis has more on what some are calling "Lunchtime Lipo:"

The Gift Of Hearing
When one couple's son was born without the ability to hear, they thought he would live in silence forever. But they didn't give up - and now an experimental operation could be the answer to their prayers. ABC's John Donvan has the story:

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  David Rind

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Perspective Podcast - August 29, 2014

In this edition of Perspective...

Hostage Negotiation
Theo Curtis is one of the lucky ones. After being held in Syria by Al Qaeda, the American journalist was freed and gets to see his family again. But for other hostages, their rescue missions are tense, dangerous and unfortunately, often unsuccessful. ABC Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross takes a closer look:

Facing Ebola
There was a lot of concern when the first Americans confirmed to have the Ebola virus were brought to U.S. soil. In Africa, the virus is more widespread, and the resources to stop it even more scarce. ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser went to the front lines of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia to see for himself:

Kids & Guns
It's just the latest incident raising questions about gun control. A nine-year-old girl shooting an Uzi at a gun range accidentally kills her instructor when the recoil is too strong. How young is too young to be shooting guns? ABC's Juju Chang investigates:

Disability Fraud
A beauty pageant contestant walking the runway…all while collecting money for disability insurance. But she's not the only one scamming the system by pretending to be injured. Here's ABC's Neal Karlinsky:

Vacation Thieves
As families across the country hit the road this holiday weekend for a late summer vacation, there are new warnings about scammers trying to take advantage of unsuspecting travelers. From hotels to gas stations and everywhere in between, thieves could be on the prowl. Details now from ABC's Linsey Davis:

Presidential Vacations
Of course, there's probably never a good time to take a vacation if you're President of the United States. Larry Knutson is the author of the new book "Away From the White House: Presidential Escapes, Retreats and Vacations," and he sat down with ABC News Political Director Rick Klein and Yahoo News' Olivier Knox to talk about Presidential getaways, past and present:

The Glamour Of The U.S. Open
What's the most glamorous sporting event in America? It just might be the U.S. Open - the tennis tournament going on right now in New York. It attracts celebrities and the super-rich...but they're not just coming for the tennis action. ABC News Chief Business and Economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis has a look behind the scenes:

Luxury Realtors
They are the men and women responsible for selling the priciest pads on the markets. When towering mega-mansions go on sale, the top real estate agents in the country pull out all the stops to seal the deal. ABC's Paula Faris has the story:

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  David Rind

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Perspective Podcast - August 22, 2014

In this edition of Perspective...

City Under Siege
Over the last two weeks, the streets of Ferguson, Missouri have looked like a war zone as law enforcement fought back protests sparked by the killing of an unarmed black teen. And under the cover of darkness, the danger increased. ABC's Alex Perez was on the front lines in Ferguson for this up-close look:

Teen Love Triangle Turns Deadly
A young love triangle...turned fatal. It all happened when one man's girlfriend broke his heart, leaving him for his best friend. But just how did he resort to killing that best friend? ABC's Matt Gutman has the details:

Million Dollar Closet Heist
It's not often that a closet makes headline news. But when it measures three-thousand square feet and has more than a million dollars of merchandise inside, people tend to take notice. And one person certainly did….a thief. But it's what he did after he robbed the mega-closet that's really turning heads. ABC's Gio Benitez explains

Surrogacy Standoff
It's a conception controversy. For many couples, surrogacy can be their path to parenthood. But, it's expensive and some say it can actually be dangerous for both the parents and the children. Here's ABC's Linzie Janis with a closer look:

Secret Life Of The Secret Service
When  you hear the words "Secret Service," what comes to mind? Probably the black suits, earpieces, sunglasses....Ronald Kessler is the author of "First Family Detail," a new book that offers an inside look at the Secret Service...including the toughest politicians to work with. ABC News Political Director Rick Klein sat down with Kessler to get all the details:

ABC News Fixer
When Kay Hunsberger's son got sick, the college he was attending wouldn't refund tuition money for the classes he missed. So, she reached out to the ABC News Fixer:

Taylor Swift "Shakes It Off"
Taylor Swift has sold countless records, won seven Grammy awards and has adoring fans around the world. So why is she changing her musical style now? Swift sat down with ABC's Amy Robach to talk about her new track and the current state of the music industry:

Little Leaguer Turning Heads
She's the 13-year-old taking the baseball world by storm. Mo'ne Davis turned heads with her performance at the Little League World Series with a sizzling fastball, mowing down the boys with ease. Her skills have even landed her on the cover of Sports Illustrated. ABC's John Donvan has her story:

Host:  Scott Goldberg
Producer:  David Rind

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