Perspective Podcast - January 17, 2014

In this edition of Perspective...

Mayday
When a plane engine fails, minutes and seconds can mean the difference between life and death.  For nine passengers aboard a tiny plane headed to Honolulu, an emergency landing in the water led to a race to get out alive -- and most did.  Now, a recording made by one of those passengers while the flight was going down, helps us understand what it was actually like on board during the crucial minutes before impact.  Here's ABC's David Wright.

Fat Jobs
Some of this country's most common professions, from trucking to nursing, can also be some of the most dangerous ... because they make their workers the heaviest.  These professions tend to involve little exercise, a lot of stress and long hours of sitting.  For the people you're about to meet, it meant major weight gain, until their bosses stepped in, offering them cash to slim down.  ABC's Ryan Owens has the details.

Extreme Fitness
While obesity has become a major health problem here in the U-S, there are some notable exceptions.  Convention dictates that exercise is healthy for the body -- builds muscle, boosts energy and burns fat -- but it turns out there can also be a dangerous side to fitness.  In some extreme circumstances, exercising can be hazardous to your health.  High intensity training is becoming a trend, but there is a line, and some are crossing it.  ABC's Juju Chang explains.

Rio Funk Star
How does an American from Los Angeles, with an M-B-A, end up as a Portuguese rapper in the slums of Rio?  Now dubbed Don Blankito (blahn-kee-toh), he was once known as Alex Cutler.  How did that happen?  And why?  ABC's Dan Harris decided to find out.

American Hustle
Academy Award nominations were announced this week and American Hustle and Gravity lead the way with 10 each.  David O. Russell's tale of corruption is off to a strong start this awards season, having already picked up two Golden Globes just last Sunday.  So what is it about the movie that has grabbed voters' attention?  Here's ABC News contributor Chris Connelly.

Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore comes from one of the most famous acting families in Hollywood.  Throughout her career, she's made headlines for more than just her movies, and now the expectant mom tells us about her unconventional upbringing and how she hopes her children can learn from her past.  Here's ABC's Amy Robach

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - January 10, 2014

In this edition of Perspective...

Gov. Christie Bridge Scandal
One day after his top aides were implicated in a political revenge plot, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie fired his deputy chief of staff.  He then apologized for his aide's part in the closing of several lanes on the George Washington Bridge last year.  Has the Republican governor done enough to save his reputation?  To answer that question, we bring in ABC's Scott Goldberg and ABC News Political Analyst Matthew Dowd.

Crossing the Border
Now to a Mexican town where human smuggling is the principal business, and would-be immigrants pay inflated prices for supplies they hope will help them across the border ... water to get them through the desert, coats to protect them from the night cold and if all else fails, rosaries.  Here's ABC News Senior National Correspondent Jim Avila.

Faking Death
Aubrey Lee Price took drastic measures to escape his life and start over.  The businessman faked his own death, leaving behind a trail of victims from whom he stole millions.  ABC's Dan Harris reports he's not the first person to try this.

A Kenneth Cole Production
Kenneth Cole grew up in Great Neck, New York, with plans of one day playing shortstop for the New York Mets.  Instead, he decided to design shoes and recently marked his 30th year in business by publishing his book, "This is a Kenneth Cole Production."  He sits down with ABC's Deborah Roberts to discuss a philosophy laid out in his book: that what you stand for is often more important than what you stand in.

You Call This Fat?
Last weekend pop star Kesha announced she was checking herself into a clinic for an eating disorder.  Many Americans can identify with body image issues, and for Kesha, life in the public eye may have made things worse.  Here's ABC's Cynthia McFadden.

Bollywood to Hollywood
Now to a young woman trying to make it in Hollywood.  She already has a lot going for her: beauty, talent, brains, and the fact that she's already very famous ... on the other side of the world.  Here's ABC's Nick Watt.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - January 3, 2014

In this edition of Perspective...

Spy Scandal: The Assets
It was a scandal responsible for one of the greatest information breaches in American history.  In the early '90's, a Soviet intelligence expert helped bring down perhaps the worst traitor in C-I-A history.  Now her story is the subject of a new miniseries.  Here's ABC's Dan Harris.

Malala Yousafzai's Remarkable Year
Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai became an inspiration to many around the world after refusing to back down to threats from the Taliban.  Her incredible year included a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and a speech at the United Nations that led to a standing ovation from some of the world's most prominent leaders.  ABC's Bob Woodruff has more on her remarkable story.

Blackwater
Blackwater may be one of the most contentious companies in our nation's history.  For some, the private army became an unsavory representation of American power and greed.  The man who ran the operation has been accused of using the war in Iraq to get rich, but he says his critics have it all wrong.  ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz has the details.

ABC News Fixer
When James Jones moved from Arizona to Florida, he hired West Coast Movers to help him, but didn't get the service he expected.  Here's ABC's Cheri Preston.

Marijuana Shops Open in CO
Long lines and cold weather greeted shoppers in Colorado on Wednesday, as they lined up to purchase pot.  The nation's first recreational marijuana industry will be watched closely around the country.  Activists hope it will prove that legalization is a better alternative to the costly drug war, while critics warn that it could lead to increased drug use and crime.  ABC's Alex Stone has more.

Vic Ratner
After 40 years as an ABC News correspondent, our colleague Vic Ratner is retiring.  Since joining ABC in 1973, Vic has covered every presidential campaign, inauguration, and political convention.  He has reported from 49 states, more than 50 countries and was the defining voice of our space shuttle coverage.  ABC's Steven Portnoy has more on his expansive broadcasting career.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or stream this edition of Perspective