Perspective Podcast - December 6, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

Remembering Nelson Mandela
Former South African President Nelson Mandela died this week.  He was 95 years old.  Mandela had a number of health issues in recent years, including repeated hospitalizations due to a chronic lung infection.  His career was marked not only by heroic resistance to racism, but also his poised and soft spoken demeanor.  ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Terry Moran looks back on the life of a man who changed the world.

Celebrating His Life
Once news broke of Nelson Mandela's death, a profound sense of loss swept across South Africa, but there were also scenes of celebration -- South Africans marking the passing of a great man by celebrating his life.  ABC's Alex Marquardt has more from Johannesburg.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
As we learned of Mandela's passing, a new film chronicling his life was premiering in London.  The news was delivered to the audience there as the credits rolled.  "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" details his journey from childhood in a rural village to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.  Here's ABC News Chief National Correspondent Byron Pitts.

Fast and Furious
Last Saturday, Paul Walker, star of the Fast and Furious movie franchise, died in a car crash outside Los Angeles.  The accident happened just a few blocks away from a charity event, when a Porsche he was riding in smashed into a light pole and a tree.  Sheriff's deputies found the car engulfed in flames when they arrived.  Witnesses tried to put the fire out, but both Walker and the driver were pronounced dead at the scene.  ABC's Cecilia Vega has the details.

Losing It
For one of the heaviest women in the world, shedding 800 lbs. was just the beginning of a new lease on life.  Texas prosecutors had charged her with a crime that could have sent her to death row.  Instead, she shed the weight *and* shed light on a dark family secret.  Here's ABC's Ryan Owens.

Older Driver Safety Awareness
As we reach our later years, most of us eventually give up our drivers licenses for the sake of safety.  But during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, advocates for the elderly suggest that new features in vehicles might help extend our time behind the wheel.  ABC's Jim Ryan has the details.

A Christmas Story the Musical
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and nowhere is that more evident than in New York, where a musical based on a beloved Christmas film from the early '80's is lighting up the theater at Madison Square Garden.  ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Bill Diehl has more on "A Christmas Story the Musical."

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - November 29, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

A Deal with Iran
Iran has agreed to pause its nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions. The agreement is viewed as the first step to bring about a final deal to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran and world powers will continue to negotiate over the next six months, but the deal could be tricky to implement, and a lot could go wrong along the way. Some American allies, including Israel and Canada, have already expressed skepticism over the deal, and lawmakers in Washington are also concerned that Iran won't keep it's end of the bargain.  Both Democratic and Republican senators are already crafting legislation to reinstate sanctions, and impose new ones, if Iran doesn't make good on the pledge to curb its nuclear program.  For more on the details and implications of the agreement, we turn to ABC's Dan Kloeffler and ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Terry Moran.

New Details on Newtown Shooting
This week, investigators in Connecticut released a report on last December's deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school. It details the events of that day, including the moments *before* 20-year-old Adam Lanza entered the school, opened fire, and eventually took his own life. ABC's Aaron Katersky has studied the report and joins us now. Aaron, what can you tell us about it?

Al-Qaeda in America
An undercover FBI operation has exposed al-Qaeda terrorists posing as refugees in the U-S. Lax background checks were to blame, but that's just the beginning. There may be dozens more in the country as well.  ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross reports.

Flip or Flop
The risky business of flipping real estate is back.  It's the latest sign the housing market is rebounding. But what does it take to turn a profit, and is it worth the risk?  Here's ABC News Chief Business and Economics Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis.

The ABC News Fixer
'Tis the season for giving and receiving gift cards ... it's an easy way to ensure someone on your shopping list gets something they'll like. But a policy called "tip tolerance" could cut into your card's value.  ABC's Cheri Preston has the details.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - November 22, 2013

In this holiday edition of Perspective...

Hot Tech Gifts
Tech gifts are among the most sought after items every year, and 20-13 is no different.  Whether it's a new tablet, smartphone, camera or laptop, it's important to have the right information to find the perfect device.  For that, we turn to ABC's Alex Stone.

Shopping for Him and Her
Now, what about those on your shopping list who might be less than enamored with a hi-tech smoke alarm, or even the latest tablet or camera ... we're talking about those loved ones that are among the hardest to shop for.  Whether you're shopping for your significant other, parent, child, or sibling, ABC's Scott Goldberg has more on gift ideas this holiday season.

Finding the Best Deals
We're all looking for the best deals this holiday season, and ABC's Cheri Preston has some tips to help you out.

Gift-Giving Etiquette
Gift-giving etiquette can be cause for stress around the holidays.  Who are you obligated to buy something for at the office?  When is a gift card appropriate?  How about rules for re-gifting?  To answer those questions and more, we bring in Mr. Manners, Thomas Farley.

Holiday Hosting
Hosting a holiday party sounds like a great idea, until you find yourself knee deep in the preparation it involves.  From decorating, to cooking and entertaining, it can be a lot of work, but there *are* ways to make it easier.  For that we turn to ABC's Daria Albinger.

Seasonal Cocktails
One more element for the perfect holiday party ... seasonal cocktails ... drinks that go above and beyond merely popping open a few bottles of wine or putting some beers on ice, and you don't have to be a master mixologist to tackle these concoctions.  Here's ABC's Michael Barr.

Spicing Up Holiday Recipes
Food is the centerpiece of holiday celebrations, and ABC's Cheri Preston help brings some variety to your dinner table.

Thanksgivukkah
This Thursday, Thanksgiving coincides with the first day of Hanukkah.  It's the first time that's happened since President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a federal holiday in 1863.  And according to one analysis of the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars, the two holidays won't coincide again for another 77-thousand years.  To commemorate the occasion, ABC's Scott Goldberg brings us Thanksgivukkah.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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