Perspective Podcast - June 21, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

Remembering James Gandolfini
The Sopranos was one of the most honored television series' ever, starring James Gandolfini as a New Jersey mob boss.  But this week Gandolfini died of an apparent heart attack while on vacation in Italy.  He was only 51 years old.  ABC's Terry Moran takes a look back at the life and work of the  Emmy-winning actor.

General John Allen
This week Afghan forces assumed responsibility for the security of their country.  American and coalition troops will no longer plan, execute or lead combat missions in Afghanistan.  Retired General John Allen was the commander of all forces there.  He and his wife, Kathy Allen, sat down with ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz to discuss the sacrifices of the Afghan war.

"Dirty Wars"
Jeremy Scahill is an investigative reporter for the Nation magazine and the author of a new book titled "Dirty Wars."  The book, along with a documentary of the same name, details what he calls the dark side of US counterterrorism operations.  ABC's Reena Ninan and Olivier (oh-live-ee-ay) Knox from our partner Yahoo News sat down with Scahill to learn more.

Trip Advisor
Trip Advisor has become one of the premier websites for swapping travel advice, virtually transforming the vacation industry.  For many, it's taken the place of information and advice formerly doled out by travel agents.  Here's ABC's Linzie Janis.

Sneakerheads
You used to be able to buy a decent pair of sneakers for around 30 dollars, but those days are long gone.  In their place is a culture where high-priced *kicks* mean status, power and big-time bucks to a select group of devoted collectors.  More from ABC's Darren Rovell.

Lunchtime Lipo
There's one man in Los Angeles with a special machine he says can make fat disappear in time for tomorrow night's date.  But does this speed surgery actually work?  Here's ABC's Juju Chang.

David Gandy
When it comes to supermodels, names like Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, and Naomi Campbell probably come to mind.  But what about male supermodels?  The number of men in the fashion industry to reach that status are few and far between, but David Gandy is hoping to change that.  Here's ABC's Amy Robach.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - June 14, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

The NSA Leak
Edward Snowden was a high school dropout with a mind for computers who landed an important job with a US government contractor.  Now the 29-year-old has admitted to leaking National Security Agency secrets to reporters.  ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross has the details.

Jury Selection in Sanford
Now to a story that began in February of last year, when 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida.  Zimmerman is pleading not guilty to second-degree murder, claiming he shot Martin in self-defense.  Jury selection for the trial began Monday and ABC's Aaron Katersky was there.

Leaning In
They say you can't have it all, but Sheryl Sandberg comes close.  She's a director at Disney, ABC's parent company, and the highly respected chief operating officer of Facebook.  Sandberg is on a mission to urge women to join her in the ranks of professional executives.  More from ABC News Chief Business and Economics Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis.

Reince Priebus
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus says Republicans need to work harder to compete in the next presidential election.  ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl sat down with Priebus for his take on how the GOP can gain seats in Congress and take back the White House in 20-16.

Macklemore
A lot of mainstream hip-hop artists use their songs to talk about fancy cars, diamond jewelry and expensive champagne, but one new act has made a name for itself rhyming about thrift store shopping.  That's just one of several things that make Macklemore unique.  Here's ABC's Neal Karlinsky.

Man of Steel
Man of Steel hits movie theaters this weekend and it's expected to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the Summer.  Superman has forever been known as the classic, strong, stoic good guy, but now he's being cast in a new light.  ABC's Chris Connelly has the details.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - June 7, 2013

In this edition of Perspective...

Strawberry Mansion High School
We traveled to Philadelphia to go inside one of America's most dangerous schools.  The city gave Strawberry Mansion High School just six months to prove it should stay open.  The school can be a challenging atmosphere for students, where learning often takes a back seat to simply just making it through the day.  Here's ABC's Diane Sawyer.

Plural Marriage
We've taken you inside polygamist communities before on this program, most notably Warren Jeff's Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.  In that case, Jeffs is the one to decide whom and when women would marry.  Now we go inside a community where the women are the ones who choose.  Here's ABC's Cecilia Vega.

Paris Jackson
Earlier this week, Michael Jackson's only daughter was rushed to the hospital after an apparent suicide attempt.  When her father was alive, Paris Jackson lived in a protective bubble, but since his death she has dealt with grief, bullying at school and turmoil at home.  Here's ABC's David Wright.

Rumsfeld's Rules
Donald Rumsfeld made a habit of collecting words to live by over the course of his long career.  His collection began as a stack of index cards, which then transformed into a White House document that President Ford dubbed "Rumsfeld's Rules."  Now the former Secretary of Defense has turned those rules into a book of the same name.  ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl sat down with Rumsfeld to discuss the book, which also sheds new light on the early days of the Bush administration's "War on Terror."

The Tony Awards
It's Broadway's big night.  The Tony Awards are being held this weekend at Radio City Music Hall in New York.  ABC News Entertainment Correspondent
Bill Diehl has more on some of the leading contenders.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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