Perspective Podcast - August 23, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

Turmoil in Egypt
We begin with turmoil in Egypt.  More than a thousand people there have been killed this month and there's increasing speculation the Obama administration could curtail its 1-point-3 billion dollars in annual aid  to the country.  ABC News Chief Global Affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz traveled to the region to conduct the first interview with Egypt's interim prime minister since the military began cracking down on its own people.

School Shooting Scare
Now to the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, where a gunman made it inside an elementary school this week with a high-powered weapon.  For many, it was a scene that harkened back to the tragedy last year in Newtown, Connecticut, but thankfully this time no one was hurt.  ABC's Steve Osunsami reports from Georgia.

The Rise of Tesla
America has a long-standing love affair with cars, and in recent months one vehicle in particular has been garnering a lot of attention.  Consumer Reports and Motor Trend have both heaped praise on Tesla's electric Model S, and this week the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration joined in, giving the car its highest crash test rating.  The man behind the Model S is billionaire innovator Elon Musk, and ABC News contributor Betty Liu caught up with him to find out more about his vision for the future of Tesla.

Lonely Planet
Vacation time is a precious commodity here in the U-S, so when we take those weeks away from work it's important to make it special.  For those who've arrived at their destination to find a dirty hotel room or an uninspiring attraction, the folks at Lonely Planet would like to help you avoid those unpleasant experiences.  Here's ABC's David Wright.

The Royal Baby Photos
Prince William has been to Afghanistan, worked as a fighter pilot and lived his life scrutinized by the world's media.  But now the Duke of Cambridge is facing a new challenge: parenthood.  After the first pictures of his son, George, were released this week, William opened up for the first time about the challenges of fatherhood.  ABC's Linsey Davis has the details.

Bethenny Frankel
Bethenny Frankel began her time in the national spotlight as a real housewife of New York.  Since then she's added author, entrepreneur, and talk show host to her resume.  Many believe her secret to success has been brutal honesty and a lot of over-sharing when it comes to very personal topics.  ABC's Deborah Roberts sat down with Frankel to discuss her success, her painful divorce, and what lies ahead.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - August 16, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

The Island of Ikaria
ABC's Bill Weir traveled to Greece to bring us two very different stories about life in that country.  First, a place where people don't go to gyms, take special medication or follow the latest fad diets, yet claim to live longer than others on the planet.  The people on this island in the Aegean Sea have a quality of life that many might envy.

Golden Dawn
An economic crisis can result in several unintended and undesirable results, and no European country has fallen on harder financial times over the past few years than Greece.  A debt crisis and the resulting austerity measures has brought the unemployment rate there up to 27-percent, and now a radical group known as Golden Dawn is taking root in the world's oldest democracy.  Once again, here's ABC's Bill Weir.

The Tongue Patch
Traditional discomfort associated with weight loss comes from the gym or laying off of your favorite foods, but one California doctor has introduced a procedure that uses a different type of pain to shed the pounds.  It's called the tongue patch diet -- tongue surgery that removes the joy from eating by inflicting pain.  ABC's Cecilia Vega has the details.

Usher vs. Tameka
Usher is a famous musician, a singing competition judge and a father.  He was awarded custody of his children last year after a legal fight with his ex-wife, Tameka Reynolds, but now she's challenging that ruling, and taking heat for it from some of his most devoted fans.  She sat down with ABC's Dan Abrams to tell us her side of the story.

Paparazzi Wars
Some famous names in southern California are bringing their fight against the paparazzi to lawmakers.  They're celebrities with children who are trying to shield their young ones from the prying cameras.  ABC's Nick Watt has more from Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey is breaking barriers, as well as bones.  She's a rising star in the male-dominated world of mixed martial arts and the first American woman to win an olympic medal in Judo.  ABC's Julie Foudy brings us more on this rising star.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - August 9, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

Granite Mountain Hotshot Survivor
It's been nearly six weeks since a wildfire in Arizona claimed the lives of 19 elite firefighters.  Only one member of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew survived, and this week he spoke exclusively to ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross.

The Hunt for White Gold
To some, an ivory chess set or hand-carved letter opener may seem too trivial an item to accound for the death of an elephant.  But for others around the world, ivory is a sought after commodity believed to bring its owners good luck.  The demand is so high that up to 30-thousand elephants are poached each year just for their tusks.  For more on the ivory black market ... from Africa to China and back here in the states, here's ABC's Bill Weir.

When Sharks Attack
Sharks and their ancestors have swam in our oceans for millions of years.  They are proven survivors and deadly predators whose attacks on humans have increased more than 30-percent over the past five years.  This week was Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, and ABC's Sam Champion teamed up with some of the folks at the network to dive into the water with these creatures.

The ABC News Fixer
Now to the story of an elderly woman in Chicago who filed for bankruptcy in 2007.  She had been having trouble handling her finances, so her nephew James Koehler stepped in to help.

Breaking Bad
"Breaking Bad" is a show with the unlikeliest of topics and the strangest cast of characters ... so off the beaten path, it nearly didn't get made.  Now it's won seven Emmys and gained countless fans.  Here's ABC's David Wright.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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